Jie Xi, styled Shaolian, was a native of Jinan. His father, Jie Xiu, had served as the Governor of Langye in Wei and the Governor of Liangzhou, achieving the highest accolades in his service nationwide. After Emperor Wu usurped the Wei throne, he enfeoffed Jie Xiu as Marquis of Liangzhou. Jie Xi and his two brothers, Jie Jie and Jie Yu, were all upright and honest individuals with a good reputation.
At that time, the Xun family held great power, and everyone in the court feared them. The sons of Xun Xie sought friendship with Jie Xi and his brothers, suggesting that they should visit their father. Xun Xie claimed, "My relationship with your father is very good." Jie Xi replied, "I cannot go against my father's teachings. If your relationship with my father were truly good, why have you never come to pay your respects?" I cannot accept this so-called 'closeness'." Xun Xie and his sons were embarrassed, and people at the time admired Jie Xi's integrity. Later, Jie Xi was summoned to serve in the court and served in various roles, including Yellow Gate Attendant and Cavalier in Regular Attendance, and eventually rose to the position of Imperial Secretary. He was then sent to serve as Inspector of Yongzhou, General of the Agile Army, and Colonel of the Western Marches, and was granted the authority to act independently.
During the rebellion of the Di and Qiang peoples, Jie Xi joined forces with General Zhao Wanglun to suppress the rebels. Zhao Wanglun favored the treacherous Sun Xiu, resulting in military conflicts and mutual accusations between Jie Xi and Zhao Wanglun. Recognizing Jie Xi's integrity, the court recalled Zhao Wanglun. Jie Xi petitioned to have Sun Xiu executed to quell the rebellion, but the court did not agree. Zhao Wanglun and Sun Xiu then falsely accused Jie Xi, leading to his dismissal. Jie Xi returned home in civilian clothes and secluded himself, not venturing out.
After Zhang Hua and Pei Wei were killed, Zhao Wang Lun and Sun Xiu arrested them due to the conflicts between the reconciled factions. Liang Wang Rong wanted to save them, but Zhao Wang Lun angrily said, "I find even the crabs in the water detestable, let alone these two brothers who look down on me! I can't bear this matter; what more can I tolerate?" No matter how much Liang Wang Rong pleaded, Zhao Wang Lun ended up killing the reconciled brothers, along with their wives and children.
When Qi Wang Jiong rebelled, he held Pei Wei and the reconciled brothers responsible as the masterminds. After Lun and Xiu were killed, Jiong reported, "I have heard that reviving a weak state and preserving a broken legacy is a noble political act done by a wise monarch; denouncing the wicked and praising the good are good deeds praised in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals.' That's why King Wu made offerings to Bi Gan's tomb and commended Shang Rong's neighborhood; this indicates that there is indeed some hidden connection. Sun Xiu rebelled, destroyed the country that assisted the emperor, killed upright ministers, ruined the royal family, acted wantonly and cruelly, and the descendants of meritorious officials were largely wiped out. People like Zhang Hua and Pei Wei were killed because they were upright, and the reconciled brothers were wrongfully slaughtered like lambs. Ouyang Jian and others also died innocently; the people mourned for them. Your Majesty, you now shine like the sun and moon, proclaiming new edicts, yet these individuals have not received clemency. In the past, Luan and Xi were demoted to slaves, but the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' still recorded them; King You abandoned the descendants of meritorious officials and the descendants of wise people, and poets wrote poems to satirize this! Now that I hold an important position, I wish to dedicate myself and offer my humble loyalty. If it aligns with the will of the wise, I would like to discuss this with my fellow courtiers."
Eight ministers discussed together, saying, "Xie Xi and others are upright, honest, and self-sacrificing, but they were framed by treacherous people and unjustly killed. According to the memorial of the Grand Marshal, we should clear their names, distinguish right from wrong, and let the souls of the wrongly deceased rest in peace. This is a great kindness!" In the second year of Yongning, the court posthumously appointed Xie Xi as a Guanglu Daifu, reburied him, and held a memorial ceremony.
Xie Xi's friend Jie Shulian, who was once equally renowned alongside Xie Xi, started as a secretary in the public office, later rose to become an Attendant of the Yellow Gates, and held positions such as Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Governor of Yuzhou, Prefect of Weijun, and Deputy Imperial Censor. During the rebellion of Sun Xiu in Guanzhong, Jie Shulian was in the capital and participated in discussions about Sun Xiu's crimes, advocating for his execution, which caused Sun Xiu to hold a grudge against him. After Xie Xi was killed, Jie Shulian was also murdered. His daughter was married into the Pei family and was supposed to get married the next day, but disaster suddenly struck. The Pei family tried to save her, but she said, "With the family in such a state, what's the point of my living?" and was also killed. The court then considered abolishing the old practice of implicating women, starting from Jie Shulian's daughter. Later, the court posthumously appointed Jie Shulian as a Guanglu Daifu, reburied him, and held a memorial ceremony.
Jie Shuyu, the younger brother of Jie Shulian, whose courtesy name was Zhilian, was not as famous as his brother. He served as a secretary in the public office, Prince's Bath Attendant, Gentleman of the Palace Library, Chief of the Guard, and Prefect of Hongnong, and, like his brother, he was also murdered, and his wife was exiled to the border.
Sun Qi, courtesy name Boqi, was from Le'an. His father Sun Li served as the Inspector of Youzhou and Right General during the Wei and Jin dynasties, holding a prestigious position. Sun Qi was upright and diligent from a young age. He was recognized by the court for his filial piety and integrity, gradually rising through the ranks to become an Attendant of the Yellow Gate, later serving as the Inspector of Jingzhou, earning a reputation and status comparable to two prominent figures of the time. During the Yongxi era, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as the Supervisor of the Crown Prince, later transferred to the Commander of the Guards. Unfortunately, due to a fire in the arsenal, he was dismissed from his position. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yanzhou, later promoted to General Who Pacifies the South, and granted the authority to issue ceremonial tokens.
Sun Qi's son Sun Bi, as well as his grandsons Sun Mao, Sun Fu, and Sun Yan, were all capable individuals highly esteemed at the time and had a close relationship with the Sun Xiu family. When Prince Zhao Lun rebelled, Sun Qi secretly accompanied Sun Xiu to inspect the weapons at Shenwu Gate. Within a short month, Sun Qi's sons and brothers were successively appointed to important court positions. Sun Bi became a crucial general, then served as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, later promoted to Grand General and also served as Director of Archery. Sun Mao became the General of the Guards and also served as the Supervisor of the Crown Prince. Sun Yan became the General of Military Might and also served as the Left Commander of the Crown Prince. They were all granted the title of Marquis of newly established counties. The court further promoted Sun Qi to General of Chariots and Cavalry, allowing him to establish his own office.
Initially, Sun Qi quietly scolded his son Sun Bi and the others for accepting appointments from the rebel court, warning them of the serious consequences this would have for the family. However, they refused to listen, which left Sun Qi in tears. Later, when Prince Qi Jiong initiated his rebellion, all four of Sun Qi's sons were killed. The Administrator of Xiangyang, Zong Dai, following Prince Qi Jiong's orders, killed Sun Qi and wiped out his entire family.
Sun Yin, the younger brother of Sun Qi, known as Wenqi, once served as the Prefect of Chenliu and Yangping, and died young.
Meng Guan, known as Shushi, was from Dongguang, Hebei. He loved reading and was knowledgeable in astronomy from a young age. After Emperor Hui ascended to the throne, Meng Guan gradually rose in ranks and became a Chamberlain in the Palace. Empress Jia disrespected her mother-in-law and secretly plotted against Yang Jun and to depose the Empress Dowager. Due to Yang Jun's overstepping his authority, Empress Jia repeatedly reported Yang Jun to Emperor Hui and even hinted at Meng Guan. Coincidentally, Prince Wei of Chu wanted to attack Yang Jun; Meng Guan announced the decree for Empress Jia, deliberately exaggerating the charges against Yang Jun. After Yang Jun was killed, Meng Guan was appointed as a Yellow Gate Official and was assigned forty trusted aides. He was later promoted to General of the Archers and appointed as Marquis of Shanggu.
The leader of the Di tribe, Qi Wannian, led a rebellion in Guanzhong with an army numbering in the tens of thousands, and the court's generals faced a series of defeats. The Minister of the Central Secretariat, Chen Zhun, and the Military Supervisor, Zhang Hua, believed that the princes Zhao and Liang were present in Guanzhong, and they were indecisive, neither seeking glory nor fearing blame. Although they had many soldiers, they struggled to command them effectively. They requested Meng Guan, who they saw as steady, decisive, and skilled in both civil and military matters, to lead the campaign against the rebels. Meng Guan led the agile and fierce Imperial Guards and personally led the soldiers in Guanzhong, charging into battle and winning over a dozen significant engagements, capturing Qi Wannian alive and intimidating the Di and Qiang tribes. Subsequently, Meng Guan was promoted to Colonel of the Eastern Qiang and later to Right General.
Zhao Wang Lun usurped the throne, having been appointed General of Annan due to Meng Guan's previous military achievements. He was overseeing military affairs in Hebei and was granted the power of military control, stationed in Wancheng. Meng Guan's son, Meng Ping, was the Vanguard General of the Prince of Huainan, Sima Yun, and participated in the campaign against Zhao Wang Lun, which led to his death in battle. Sun Xiu, seeing Meng Guan holding military power outside, falsely claimed that Meng Ping was killed by Sima Yun's army. To placate Meng Guan, Meng Ping was posthumously promoted to the rank of General of the Accumulated Crossbows. When the rebel army rose up, many urged Meng Guan to rally behind Prince Qi, Sima Rong, but Meng Guan believed that the Emperor in the palace was safe and sound, with no signs of upheaval, and viewed Zhao Wang Lun's usurpation as inevitable. Therefore, he did not follow everyone's advice but continued to serve Zhao Wang Lun. Later, Emperor Hui was reinstated, and Yong Rao, the magistrate of Yechi, beheaded Meng Guan and sent his head to Luoyang. Meng Guan's entire family was wiped out.
Qian Xiu, styled Chengshu, hailed from Guanjin in Wuyi. His grandfather was the Prefect of Yanmen in the Wei Kingdom. Qian Xiu was eloquent, literary, straightforward, and righteous. He had a good reputation from a young age and earned the favor of Grand Guardian Wei Guo and Imperial Secretary Cui Hong. During the Taikang period, he was transferred to be the magistrate of Xin'an County, and later rose to the position of Langzhong in the Ministry of Works. He had a strained relationship with the Emperor's uncle, Wang Kai, and they were in a constant exchange of insults. Wang Kai had Xun Kai, the Commandant of Justice, accuse Qian Xiu of being with the wife of the Governor of Gaoping, Tian Xing, while traveling at night. Qian Xiu immediately petitioned to defend himself against the false accusation and, in turn, accused Wang Kai of his ugly behavior, submitting a bold memorial that directly criticized the imperial relatives. Although many courtiers came forward to testify on his behalf at the time, his good reputation was still damaged, and he was eventually dismissed from office. Later, Minister of Works Zhang Hua recommended him for the position of Chief Clerk.
Qian Xiu has a very fiery temperament and likes to play the role of a general. When Zhang Chang rebelled, Sima Yi, the King of Changsha, sent Qian Xiu to attack Zhang Chang. However, after Qian Xiu crossed the pass, he instead defected to Sima Ying in Chengdu. Sima Ying attacked Sima Yi and appointed Qian Xiu as the Champion General, allowing him to participate in the Battle of Heqiao with Lu Ji, Wang Cui, and others. Despite Lu Ji's defeat, Qian Xiu proved Lu Ji's guilt and won Sima Ying's favor by currying favor with the eunuch Meng Jiu. After Emperor Hui moved to Chang'an, he appointed Qian Xiu as a Minister of State. Qian Xiu, who had once aspired to be a censor and to uphold justice, did not achieve much after becoming a Minister.
Sima Yong, the King of Hejian, had immense trust in him. When the various armies of the Eastern provinces welcomed the Emperor back to the capital, Qian Xiu was appointed as the General for Pacifying the North, stationed in Fengyi. Qian Xiu, Sima Yong, and their generals such as Ma Zhan helped defend the Guanzhong region. However, Sima Yong secretly sent messengers to ask Sima Yue, the King of Donghai, for help in welcoming him back to the capital. Sima Yue sent his generals, including Mi Huang, to welcome Sima Yong. When Qian Xiu's army was stationed in Fengyi, Mi Huang did not dare to advance. Sima Yong's Chief of Staff, Yang Teng, who had previously not responded to Sima Yue's army, feared retaliation and conspired with some influential clans in Fengyi to falsely convey orders purportedly from Sima Yong to withdraw Qian Xiu's troops. Qian Xiu believed this false order and was ultimately betrayed and killed by Yang Teng.
Miao Bo, styled Xuanze, was a native of Lanling. His father, Miao Yue, was a Grand Minister of Splendor. Miao Bo was quick-witted, eloquent, and insightful. When Sima Tai, the King of Gaomi, was the Minister of Works, he appointed Miao Bo as the Libationer, later promoting him to the Crown Prince's Household Officer.
Once upon a time, Emperor Hui was staying in Chang'an. Prince Yong of Hejian wanted to leverage the emperor to issue commands to the vassals. Prince Yue of Donghai was preparing to lead troops to welcome the emperor back to Luoyang. He sought out his father's trusted former subordinates to discuss the matter. His father's former subordinates were named Bo and Yin, who were also the brothers of Yong's ex-wife. Yue sent Bo and Yin to Chang'an to talk to Yong, urging him to return the emperor to Luoyang. They also discussed that they would divide the realm between them, each governing half. Bo and Yin were originally trusted by Yong, and after meeting, Yong humbly listened to their opinions.
As a result, Yong's subordinate Zhang Fang, overwhelmed by guilt and fearing for his life, said to Yong, "We now occupy such a good place, the country is rich, and the army is strong. If we enthrone the emperor, who would dare not to obey?" Yong was swayed by Zhang Fang's words and found himself indecisive. Zhang Fang harbored a secret resentment towards Bo and Yin for their persuasion and plotted to eliminate them. Bo and Yin also found Zhang Fang difficult to deal with and dared not say anything more. By this time, Prince Yue's army had grown quite powerful, and Yong was anxious. Bo and Yin went to persuade Yong again, urging him to swiftly eliminate Zhang Fang to appease the vassals in Shandong, so that everything would be settled. Yong followed their advice and killed Zhang Fang, apologizing to the vassals in Shandong.
However, Yong soon regretted this decision and led his troops against Prince Yue of Donghai, suffering repeated defeats. In the end, the emperor returned to Luoyang, and Bo also returned to Luoyang with the crown prince. Having endured numerous hardships, their bond grew even stronger.
Later, the emperor died, and the crown prince, Huai Di, succeeded to the throne. He promoted Bo as the Yellow Gate Attendant. Not long after, he was promoted to an attendant, and later became the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, with his authority growing, specifically in charge of the emperor's decrees. At that time, the King of Donghai had great power, and the emperor felt powerless against him and harbored deep resentment. Since Bo and Yin were capable and deeply loyal to the nation, the emperor trusted them greatly. The King of Donghai was afraid that Bo and Yin would harm him, so he led troops into the palace and captured Bo and Yin by the emperor's side. The emperor sighed and lamented, "There have always been treacherous officials and villains in every dynasty, not only before me, but also after me, alas!" The emperor held Bo and Yin's hands, crying uncontrollably. Ultimately, the King of Donghai had them killed. The people were outraged, declaring, "Good people are the foundation of the country, but they are treated in such a way; how can the country endure?" After the death of the King of Donghai, the emperor posthumously appointed Bo as the Guard Commander and held a ceremony for him.
Yin, the grandson of Anping's Duke, was nearly as renowned as Bo. He started as a Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat, later promoted to Left Guard of the Crown Prince, and then transferred to be the Prefect of Wei Commandery. When Wang Jun's army approached Ye City, they suffered a major defeat, and Yin fled to Donghai King Yue in Xuzhou. Donghai King Yue asked him and Bo to enter the pass together, and they convinced the emperor to return east. Then Donghai King Yue appointed Yin as the Champion General and Prefect of Nanyang. Yin set out from Lantian to go to Nanyang through Wuguan, but the former guard, Zhan, refused to hand over control, so Yin returned to Luoyang. After Huai Di ascended the throne, he appointed Yin as the Left Guard General, and later promoted him to be the Cavalier In Regular Attendance and Minister Steward. Later, he and Bo, along with the emperor's uncle Wang Yan, Minister of Works He Sui, and Chief Astrologer Gao Tangchong, were involved in sensitive political matters, and were all eventually killed by the King of Donghai.
Huangfu Zhong, styled Lunshu, was from the An Ding region. He had a steady and decisive character, talented and well-respected, and was highly regarded by Sikong Zhang Hua, gradually rising to become the Prefect of Xinping. During the Yuankang era, Zhang Hua was sent to Qin Prefecture as the Inspector. When Prince Yi of Changsha was in power, he appointed Huangfu Zhong's younger brother Huangfu Shang as an advisor. After Prince Yi of Changsha was killed, Prince Yi of Changsha appointed Huangfu Shang as an advisor. At that time, Prince Yong of Hejian was stationed in Guanzhong, and his general Li Han held a longstanding grudge against Huangfu Shang and Huangfu Zhong, who had always resented them. At this time, Li Han said to Prince Yong of Hejian, "Huangfu Shang is loyal to Prince Yi of Changsha, and Huangfu Zhong will not ultimately be of use to us. We should quickly get rid of them to eliminate a potential danger. We can transfer Huangfu Zhong to the capital for official duties, and when he passes through Chang'an, we can arrest him." Huangfu Zhong learned of their plot and publicly reported it to the Shangshu, saying that Prince Yong of Hejian trusted Li Han, who was plotting a rebellion. He had gathered troops in Longshan under the guise of suppressing Li Han. Prince Yi of Changsha, having only just stabilized after years of conflict, requested through an official edict that Huangfu Zhong cease military actions and summoned Li Han as the Intendant of Henan. Just as Li Han was about to be summoned, Huangfu Zhong disregarded the edict, so Prince Yong of Hejian sent You Kai, the Prefect of Jincheng, and Han Zhi, the Prefect of Longxi, along with troops from four counties to confront him.
It is said that not long after, King Ying of Chengdu and Zhang Fang raised troops together to attack Shi Chong, claiming to avenge Shi Chong's father-in-law, Minister of State Yang Xuanzhi, as well as Shi Chong's younger brother Shi Shang. Shi Chong appointed Shi Shang as the Left General and Governor of Hedong, leading tens of thousands of soldiers to resist Zhang Fang at the palace gate, but was defeated by Zhang Fang, who continued to advance with his army. After repeated defeats, Shi Chong secretly sent Shi Shang with an imperial edict to see You Kai, ordering him to withdraw troops and then reorganize the army to attack Zhang Fang. On his way, Shi Shang passed through Chang'an before arriving at Xinping, where he encountered his nephew, who had long held a grudge against him. His nephew informed Zhang Fang about this. Zhang Fang captured Shi Shang and had him killed.
Although Shi Chong was defeated, he held firm and sealed the city gates, keeping the people inside unaware of the situation outside. Zhang Fang's army, reinforced by troops from four counties, built earth mounds to besiege the city, while Shi Chong used crossbows to fire upon them. They dug tunnels everywhere to defend against external enemies, employing various defensive strategies, but the enemy was unable to approach the city walls, and the soldiers fought to the death. Realizing he could not capture the city, Zhang Fang requested the court to send an imperial censor to read the imperial edict urging Shi Chong to capitulate. Knowing this was not the court's intention, Shi Chong refused to accept the edict. He caught a horseman of the imperial censor and asked him, "Has my brother's army arrived yet? Are they on their way?" The horseman replied, "They have been killed by King Hejian." Shi Chong's expression shifted dramatically, and he promptly killed the horseman. Now the people in the city knew there were no reinforcements outside, so they banded together and killed Shi Chong.
Earlier, Shi Chong was tightly besieged, so he sent his adopted son Shi Chang to seek help from King of the East Sea, Sima Yue. Sima Yue refused to send troops because Zhang Fang had deposed King Ying of Chengdu and had allied with the Shandong region. Shi Chang, along with Yang Pian, who used to work in the palace, forged Sima Yue's orders to welcome Empress Yang into the palace of Jin Yong City, then used the Empress's name to mobilize troops against Zhang Fang and bring the Emperor back to the palace. This all happened too suddenly; at first, all the officials followed along, but soon after, they all turned against Shi Chang and killed him.
Zhang Fu, whose courtesy name was Shiwei, was from Xie County in Nanyang, a descendant of Zhang Heng, the Prime Minister of Hejian in the Han Dynasty. He had ability and courage from a young age and was well-known, alongside his cousin Liu Qiao. He was initially appointed as the magistrate of Lantian County and he was unafraid of the local bullies. At that time, there was a powerful crossbow general named Pang Zong, from a prominent family in the western region. The military officer Zhao Jun, a relative of Pang Zong's wife, had servants who were very arrogant and oppressive, inflicting suffering on the common people. Zhang Fu punished them harshly, killed two of Pang Zong's servants, and confiscated more than two hundred acres of Pang Zong's land to distribute to the poor, earning the praise of the entire county. He later became the magistrate of Shanyang County, where the servants of Grand Commandant Chen Zhun were also tyrannical, so Zhang Fu dealt with them as well. He continued to rise in ranks, becoming a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat and was granted the title of Marquis of Yichang.
He was promoted and became the Chief Censor. At that time, the relationships between General Jindu Meng Guan and General Mingwei Hao Yan were strained; Meng Guan deliberately made things difficult for Hao Yan regarding military affairs. Jia Mi, Pan Yue, Shi Chong, and others formed tight-knit cliques. Prince Yiyang also engaged in some unscrupulous activities. He exposed their wrongdoings and held them accountable one by one. When the sister of the Governor of Liangzhou, Yang Xin, passed away, the Chief of Chariots and Cavalry, Han Yu, shamelessly sought to marry Yang Xin's daughter. He was an official at the time, and he demoted Han Yu over this incident to improve the social climate. Many people praised his actions as just.
Later, Sun Xiu came into power, and Prince Yiyang went to Sun Xiu to accuse him of wrongdoing. Sun Xiu was deceived and sought to use the law against him. He wrote a letter to Sun Xiu, saying, "I focus solely on studying the teachings of ancient sages, and I handle official matters according to the rules. I have never sought personal gain. Prince Yiyang is generous and didn't take this matter to heart. My mother is seventy-six this year, and she worries daily that I might be punished for offending someone. I hope you will thoroughly investigate my past actions. I am just a loyal fool serving the country." Although Sun Xiu was ruthless and cunning, he recognized his integrity and realized that Prince Yiyang was framing him, so he chose to dismiss the matter.
Afterwards, he was promoted again and became the Governor of Fengyi. At that time, Sima Yi, the Prince of Changsha, felt that Sima Yong, the Prince of Hejian, was monopolizing the power in Guanzhong and harbored intentions of disloyalty, so he informed Emperor Hui. Emperor Hui secretly ordered the Inspector of Yong Province, Liu Shen, and the Inspector of Qinzhou, Huangfu Zhong, to attack Sima Yong. Liu Shen and the others fought with Sima Yong in Chang'an, and he intervened to assist Sima Yong, but they were ultimately defeated. Sima Yong was extremely grateful to him and appointed him as Huangfu Zhong's successor as the Inspector of Qinzhou. In this campaign to support Sima Yong, the Prefect of Jincheng, You Kai, also made contributions and was promoted to the Inspector of Liangzhou, but he did not assume the position. You Kai heard that he was coming back, failed to greet him upon his return, but instead secretly plotted against him. He also killed the Prefect of Tianshui, Feng Shang, in order to assert his dominance in the western territories. He then summoned the Prefect of Longxi, Han Zhi, to strategize, but they had yet to reach a conclusion. Han Zhi's son, Han Pu, was a formidable figure who swiftly eliminated his opponents and then led troops to attack him. He faced Han Pu in battle at Zhaduo Valley and was subsequently killed by Fu Zheng, a former subordinate from Tianshui.
Initially, Fu Gong (referring to himself) wrote in an article: "Guan Zhong is not as good as Bao Shuya. Bao Shuya knows who to serve and who to seek refuge with. Guan Zhong served the monarch but was unable to accomplish great feats, and the state he sought refuge in was also incapable of achieving greatness. After three changes of rulers, he still could not return to his original position. These are all errors that Bao Shuya avoided." He also commented on Ban Gu and Sima Qian: "Sima Qian's writings are concise, yet comprehensive, documenting 3,000 years of history in just 500,000 words; Ban Gu recorded 200 years of history in 800,000 words. The disparity in brevity is clear, with Sima Qian surpassing Ban Gu. A good history book narrates events, can inspire and uplift, while a poor one serves as a warning and caution; this is common sense in the world. Insignificant details do not need to be documented, yet Ban Gu recorded them all, which is the second reason he falls short of Sima Qian. Ban Gu belittled Chao Cuo, tarnishing the reputation of a loyal minister, which is the third reason he falls short of Sima Qian. Sima Qian is innovative, whereas Ban Gu adheres to tradition, reflecting a significant difference in difficulty. Moreover, Sima Qian wrote biographies for Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Fan Sui, and Cai Ze, with eloquent and fluid language, showcasing his remarkable talent. Thus, writing debates demands ornate language, while official history necessitates rigor and meticulousness; this is why Sima Qian is regarded as a great historian." He also commented that Emperor Wu of Wei is not as good as Liu Bei, and Yue Yi is not as good as Zhuge Liang; numerous specific details exist that will not be elaborated upon here.
Li Han, courtesy name Shi Rong, was a man from the Di Dao region of Longxi. He lived in Shiping Commandery. From a young age, he displayed remarkable talent and competence, and was recommended as a filial and upright official by both commanderies. Huangfu Shang from Anding Commandery, a member of a local noble family, sought to befriend Li Han because of his humble background, but Li Han declined. As a result, Huangfu Shang held a grudge and secretly arranged for a brief official document appointing Li Han as the gatekeeper, a lowly post. Fortunately, at that time, the provincial governor Guo Yi had heard of Li Han's reputation and promoted him to a higher position as a companion officer when he took office. Shortly after, Li Han was recommended as a talented individual and was put forward to the court, eventually rising from a Tai Bo clerk to Langzhong Prefect in the state of Qin. The Minister of Works subsequently appointed Li Han as the magistrate of Shiping Commandery. After the death of Prince Qin Jian, Li Han handled the funeral rites according to court etiquette, only removing his mourning attire after the funeral. The Minister Zhao Jun criticized Li Han for not being humble, arguing that he should not have removed his mourning attire so soon. The Chief Magistrate Fu Zhi of the province seized this opportunity to formally demote Li Han. The Deputy Chief Fu Xian then submitted a defense for Li Han, declaring, "I am Li Han, Langzhong Prefect in the state of Qin, courtesy name Shi Ping. I am loyal, upright, talented, and capable of handling political affairs, just like the incorruptible Shi Yu. While this might set me apart from societal norms, my reputation and character are exceptionally noble and cannot be hidden, which is why both commanderies recommended me as a filial and talented individual. When Minister Guo Yi came to our province, I was young and from a poor background, yet he promoted me to the position of companion officer. Later, the Tai Bo Wei Guan brought me on as his aide. Wei Guan often said to me, 'Li Han, you will undoubtedly become a loyal minister like those in Jin who prioritize the nation's interests over personal safety!'"
The King of Qin has died, and everyone is very sad. All the court officials attended the funeral and saw it with their own eyes. However, now Li Han has quickly taken off his mourning attire and resumed normal life according to the court's regulations, which makes people feel he is somewhat dismissive of family ties and it's a bit inappropriate. After the emperor's death, the mourning period continues beyond the funeral, but in the vassal states, the mourning period ends after the funeral. If a vassal state wants to not remove mourning clothes like the emperor, they must provide a suitable reason to prove their status is higher than the emperor's, which is quite unreasonable. Now the court has instructed the vassal states to remove their mourning attire prematurely, which shows that the vassal states value etiquette, while the court appears hasty.
Furthermore, the court also states that all princes must observe the full mourning period before handling political affairs, indicating that the mourning period must be observed with solemnity and grief. But saying that one must observe the full mourning period before handling political affairs actually means mourning for a long time. This is different from the court's practice, which stipulates that mourning clothes should be removed after the funeral, which reflects a lack of respect. According to the national system, mourning clothes should be removed after the funeral, and then a joint burial can take place. From the Han Dynasty to the Wei Dynasty and all the way to the Jin Dynasty, when Emperor Wen passed away, Emperor Wu died, and Emperor Shizu grieved excessively, Your Majesty, you also grieved deeply, observing mourning for three years, and the entire nation shared in the grief and observed mourning as well. However, because the national system does not allow mourning for more than three years, mourning clothes had to be removed after the funeral. When the emperor passes away, the court can quickly remove mourning clothes, but the vassal states' officials must continue to observe mourning, which seems quite unjust.
Furthermore, since the King of Qin has no son, Li Han should act as the primary mourner, and after the mourning period of the King of Qin ends, Li Han should hold a sacrificial ceremony. Some people say that because the King of Qin does not yet have a temple, Li Han should not remove his mourning clothes. The King of Qin was just newly ennobled, and there is no place for a shared burial, so the location of his spirit tablet serves as his temple. It is unjust to belittle Li Han by pointing to the absence of a temple. If we examine Li Han's actions today and consult the ritual classics, we will find that when Emperor Yao passed away, people mourned for three years, but when Emperor Shizu passed away, a celebratory ceremony was held after several weeks. Therefore, from ancient times to the present, it is Li Han's actions that are incorrect. How can it be said that only Li Han should not remove his mourning clothes? Li Han is not at fault now due to the national system. Your Majesty, you are very sad and have been mourning continuously; thus, the courtiers around you should also uphold a mournful demeanor and should not immediately hold celebratory events such as weddings. But no one dares to say whether this is because the national system does not allow it.
Previously, the court allowed Li Han to handle the funeral affairs on behalf of the King of Qin. The burial day for the King of Qin was drawing near, and after the burial, Li Han was supposed to resume his duties and not allow others to take his place. However, after the burial, Li Han was still hesitating. The Minister of Works repeatedly reprimanded and urged him, and Li Han reluctantly took up his position. As a result, he faced criticism, all due to the court's orders placing Li Han in a dilemma. If the court's actions undermine moral education, then they should be carried out according to the correct rituals. If one does not follow the orders, only Li Han will be punished. Li Han's situation deserves sympathy! The national system should not show favoritism!
Li Han considers himself a Longxi native, though his household registration is in Shiping, he isn't very familiar with it. When he was first elected as a magistrate, he repeatedly told others that he was not from Shiping and was not suitable for this position. Later, when he became a Langzhong, he compared his appointment to those in the Taifu, humbly giving way to the Prefect of Changshan, Su Shao, speaking earnestly and even writing a letter. Li Han did indeed show humility, but before Wang Rong died, he hesitated after his death because he was afraid of being punished and took office reluctantly. My younger brother Li Zhi, as the prefect, wanted to promote good practices, but some people said that Li Han had gone too far, and those malicious individuals incited one another to take advantage of the situation and not follow the rules to gain some benefits. Zhongzheng Pang Teng deliberately reduced Li Han's rank. While I may not possess Doctor Qi's virtues, when I saw Li Han being insulted by Pang Teng, I wrote to the court specifically about this matter, requesting a thorough investigation and urging the court not to let Pang Teng act recklessly. The emperor ignored this, and Li Han was demoted to fifth rank. After returning to Chang'an over a year later, Li Han was appointed by the Ministry of Works as a supervisor at Shou Chengdi Ge. Minister Wang Rong submitted a petition saying that Li Han was a former minister of the court, and even with his demotion, he should not have been assigned to this position. The emperor then ordered the appointment halted. Later, he returned to serve as the magistrate of Shiping County.
When King Zhao Lün seized power, someone told Sun Xiu, "Li Han is a valuable talent!" Sun Xiu then appointed him as the county magistrate of Dong Wuyang. Prince Yō of Hejian recommended Li Han for the position of Sima of the Western Expedition and trusted him greatly. Before long, he was soon promoted to Chief Historian. Prince Yō of Hejian killed Xiahou Shi and sent Prince Qi Jiong to contact King Zhao Lün, as well as sent Zhang Fang with troops to support King Zhao Lün, all of which were ideas proposed by Li Han. Later, Prince Yō of Hejian heard that the Three Kings had strong military forces, so he appointed Li Han as the General of the Dragon Cavalry, entrusting him with command over the iron cavalry of Xi Wei and others, and sent Zhang Fang's troops to support the suppression of the rebel army led by King Zhao Lün. After the Emperor's restoration, Li Han returned upon reaching Tongguan.
Initially, the Liangzhou Governor, Huangfu Shang, was promoted by King Zhao Lün. After King Zhao Lün's failure, Huangfu Shang was dismissed and went to visit the Minister of Works, Yang Jun. Yang Jun was very supportive of him. However, Li Han, Yang Jun's assistant, advised him, saying, "Huangfu Shang is a confidant of King Zhao Lün. He now fears punishment and has come to seek refuge with you; it would be unwise to meet with him frequently." Huangfu Shang learned of this and bore a grudge against Li Han. Later, when Huangfu Shang was about to return to the capital, Yang Jun hosted a banquet to bid him farewell. Huangfu Shang seized the opportunity to confront Li Han, and it was only through Yang Jun's intervention that the dispute was settled. Subsequently, Li Han was called to serve as the Colonel of the Yijun.
At that time, Huangfu Shang was involved in the military operations of Prince Qi Jiong, while Xiahou Shi’s brother held a position in Prince Qi Jiong’s court. Xiahou Shi was unjustly persecuted by the Western factions, leaving Li Han feeling quite unsettled. Prince Qi Jiong’s Right Marshal, Zhao Xiang, had a falling out with Li Han. Prince Qi Jiong planned a military parade, and Li Han feared that Zhao Xiang might seize the chance to strike against him, so he rode alone to Yang Jun, falsely claiming to be on a secret mission. Yang Jun met with him that very night. Li Han said to Yang Jun, "Prince Chengdu is your close relative, with notable accomplishments, and now he has returned to his fiefdom, gaining the people's support. Although Prince Qi Jiong is your relative, he is overbearing, and many in the court view him with distrust. You could instruct Prince Changsha to launch an attack on Prince Qi; first, have Prince Changsha notify Prince Qi, and Prince Qi will definitely execute Prince Changsha. Then you can take this opportunity to implicate Prince Qi, so that Prince Qi Jiong can be captured. Once Prince Qi is dealt with, you can then back Prince Chengdu, diminish the power of the noble families, stabilize the country, and this will be a significant achievement for you!" Yang Jun followed his advice, submitted a petition to launch an attack on Prince Qi, and appointed Li Han as the commander, leading Zhang Fang and others to attack Luoyang. Li Han set up camp at Yin Pan, while Prince Changsha, Sima Yi, executed Prince Qi Jiong, and after the victory, Li Han and the others returned to court.
Initially, Li Han's plan was to eliminate Sima Yi and Sima Jiong at the same time, so that power would shift to Yang Jun, allowing him to achieve his ambitions. However, after the Prince of Changsha defeated the Prince of Qi, Yang Jun and Prince Sima Yun of Yingchuan continued to hold onto their fiefs, and Li Han's ambitions went unfulfilled. Yang Jun then recommended that Li Han be the Governor of Henan. At this time, Huangfu Shang was once again favored by Sima Yi, and Huangfu Chong, Huangfu Shang's brother, was the Administrator of Qinzhou at the time. Li Han's resentment towards Huangfu Shang deepened, and he also developed enmity with Huangfu Chong. Since Li Han fled to Yang Jun, Yang Jun trusted him greatly but also worried that Huangfu Chong would attack him. Therefore, he sent troops to surround Huangfu Chong, and both sides accused each other in their memorials. Feng Sun, an associate of Yang Jun, requested that Huangfu Chong be recalled. Huangfu Shang told Sima Yi, "The memorials submitted by Prince of Hejian (Yang Jun) were all fabricated by Li Han to create discord. If you don't make preparations soon, disaster will be upon us. Furthermore, the actions of Prince of Hejian before were also suggested by Li Han." Sima Yi subsequently had Li Han executed.
Zhang Fang, from Hejian in Hebei province, came from a poor family. He caught the attention of Sima Yong, the King of Hejian, through his courage and martial skills, and rose through the ranks to the position of General of Zhenwu. During the Yongning era, Sima Yong sent a memorial requesting an attack on Sima Jiong, the King of Qi, and sent Zhang Fang to lead twenty thousand troops as the vanguard. Later, Sima Jiong was killed by Sima Yi, the King of Changsha, and Sima Yong and Sima Ying, the King of Chengdu, submitted a memorial to attack Sima Yi, sending Zhang Fang to lead the army through Hangu Pass, where he stationed his troops in the Henan region. Emperor Hui sent the Left General Huangfu Shang to stop Zhang Fang, but Zhang Fang's ambush defeated Huangfu Shang's forces, allowing him to successfully enter Luoyang. Sima Yi led the Emperor to attack Zhang Fang in the city, and when Zhang Fang's troops spotted the Emperor's chariot, they withdrew slightly. Zhang Fang tried to stop them but failed, leading to a significant defeat with casualties all around. Zhang Fang retreated to the Thirteen Li Bridge, where morale was low and the army was disorganized. Many urged Zhang Fang to make a night escape. Zhang Fang said, "Victory and defeat in the army is normal; the key is to use failure to achieve victory. Let's advance and build fortifications, catching the enemy off guard; that's the clever strategy in warfare!" So he secretly advanced at night, advancing to within seven li of Luoyang. Sima Yi had just won a victory and didn't take it seriously, but when he learned that Zhang Fang had constructed fortifications, he sent troops to fight, only to be defeated. Sima Yue, the King of Donghai, captured Sima Yi and sent him to Jinyong City. Zhang Fang ordered Zhi Fu to bring Sima Yi back to camp, where he then roasted him alive. After that, Zhang Fang plundered more than ten thousand officials, slaves, and servants from Luoyang and then headed back west to Chang'an. Sima Yong promoted Zhang Fang to the position of Right General and Prefect of Fengyi.
In the battle of Dangyin, Sima You sent Zhang Fang once more to guard Luoyang. Shangguan Si, Miao Yuan, and others tried to resist but were ultimately defeated and forced to flee. Prince Qinghe, Sima Tan, launched a nighttime attack on Shangguan Si and Miao Yuan, forcing them to flee, and only then did Zhang Fang enter Luoyang. Sima Tan welcomed Zhang Fang at Guangyang Gate and bowed to him, prompting Zhang Fang to quickly dismount and support him. Afterwards, they deposed Empress Yang. When Emperor Hui returned to Luoyang from Ye City, Zhang Fang dispatched Xi Rong to lead three thousand cavalry to greet him. As they were about to cross the bridge, Zhang Fang arrived at the foot of Mangshan in his lavish carriage, under a green umbrella, accompanied by a procession of three hundred to welcome Emperor Hui. Zhang Fang personally led over ten thousand cavalry to escort the Emperor's carriage and banners, protecting the Emperor as they advanced. Initially, Zhang Fang intended to bow to the Emperor, but the Emperor stopped him.
I stayed in Luoyang for a long time, and the soldiers were out of control, looting everywhere, even desecrating the tombs of imperial princesses. The army was in turmoil, with no one taking charge. They plotted to relocate the capital to the west and secretly waited for the Emperor to emerge so they could seize him. They requested the Emperor to visit the ancestral temple, but he declined. Fang Zhen led all the soldiers directly into the palace to welcome the Emperor. Upon seeing the soldiers approach, the Emperor quickly hid in the bamboo grove. The soldiers coaxed the Emperor out, and Fang Zhen bowed deeply from his horse, declaring, "The barbarians are exceedingly arrogant, and our defenses are too weak. Your Majesty, having come to my camp today, I vow to protect you with my life and will never betray you!" Then the soldiers surged into the palace, looting indiscriminately, tearing down tassels and tents to fashion saddlecloths.
Fang Zhen escorted the emperor to Hongnong Prefecture. The emperor sent Sima Zhou Bi to deliver a letter to Fang Zhen, wanting to depose the crown prince. Fang Zhen thought this matter was not right. When the emperor arrived in Chang'an, he appointed Fang Zhen as the commander of the central army and the Minister of Personnel, and appointed him as the magistrate of Jingzhao. At that time, the Yuzhou governor, Liu Qiao, reported that the magistrate of Yingchuan, Liu Yu, forced Prince Fangyang to resist the imperial decree, and Prince Yue of Donghai and others also rebelled in Shandong. So the emperor sent Fang Zhen to lead 100,000 troops to suppress them. Fang Zhen stationed his troops at Basha, but Liu Qiao was defeated by the rebels. When the emperor heard that Liu Qiao was defeated, he was deeply concerned and wanted to withdraw the troops, but he was afraid that Fang Zhen would not listen, so he hesitated.
At first, Zhang Fang came from Shandong, poor and of low status. A wealthy man in Chang'an, Zhi Fu, treated him with great kindness and provided generous support. Later, Zhang Fang rose to prominence and appointed Zhi Fu as his military commander, and their relationship was very close. A man named Bi Yuan, from a prominent family in Hejian County, was looked down on by Zhang Fang. Bi Yuan was very angry and went to persuade the military officer Yong: "Zhang Fang has been stationed at Basha for a long time. It is said that the rebels in Shandong are quite formidable, but he has not yet sent troops. We should be cautious of his potential rebellion. His most trusted person, Zhi Fu, must know his plan." Before this, Mi Bo and others had already reported Zhang Fang, so Yong sent someone to call Zhi Fu. Bi Yuan went to persuade Zhi Fu: "Zhang Fang is about to rebel. Everyone says you know about this. When the prince asks you, how will you respond?" Zhi Fu was terrified: "I really don't know that Zhang Fang is going to rebel, what am I supposed to do?" Bi Yuan said, "When the prince asks you, just say 'yes' when asked. Otherwise, you're sure to face consequences."
After Zhi Fu entered, Yong asked him, "Do you know that Zhang Fang is planning a rebellion?" Zhi Fu answered, "Yes, I know." Yong then asked, "Were you sent to capture him?" Zhi Fu replied, "Sure." So Yong instructed Zhi Fu to deliver a letter to Zhang Fang and seize the opportunity to kill him. Because Zhi Fu and Zhang Fang had a good relationship, the gate guards didn't suspect him as he entered with a knife. Zhi Fu seized the moment, opened the letter, and swiftly beheaded Zhang Fang. Later, Yong promoted Zhi Fu to the position of Prefect of Anding. Initially, Miao Bo and others planned to kill Zhang Fang and send his head to the court in hopes of withdrawing the troops from the east. However, upon hearing that Zhang Fang was dead, they rushed to enter Guanzhong instead, a move that Yong regretted. He then sent someone to kill Zhi Fu.
Historical records note that the disasters of the Jin Dynasty were unrelenting, starting from trusted ministers within the court. Individuals like Jie Xi exploited their court power to become advisors in times of crisis, participating in royal decisions. Some were loyal, while others were cunning and treacherous. Despite their differing actions, they all ultimately met the same fate: death. Is it possible that this was due to the country's turmoil, chaotic politics, and vast interests, which brought about calamity? As the ancients advised, "Avoid entering a dangerous state and refrain from residing in a chaotic one," to remind us of these important principles.
Yan Ding, courtesy name Taichen, hailed from Tianshui. Initially serving as a military officer under King Yue of Donghai, he was later promoted to be the chief commander, serving as the acting governor of Yuzhou, stationed in Xuchang. After his mother passed away, he gathered several thousand refugees from the western regions near Mixian, planning to return to his hometown to mourn. At the time of the capital's fall, Prince Qin fled to Mixian, where the Minister of Works Xun Fan, his brother the Colonel Director of Retainers Xun Zu, as well as the Central Army Commander Hua Heng and the Intendant of Henan Hua Hui, all set up their base in Mixian. Since Mixian was close to the rebel forces, they fled towards Xuchang and Yingchuan. Liu Chou, the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works, was based in Mixian, and the Imperial Secretary Li Xian, the Military Advisor Zou Jie Liu Wei, the Chief of the Garrison Zhou Yi, and the Marshal Li Shu all sought refuge with Liu Chou. Everyone unanimously believed that Yan Ding was highly capable and held a strong army, so they advised Xun Fan to appoint Yan Ding as the Champion General and Governor of Yuzhou, with Liu Wei and the others serving as his deputies.
Yan Ding had grand ambitions from a young age, as the people from his hometown in the west all wanted to return home. Therefore, he wanted to make a name for himself in his hometown. He secretly planned with the Chief Clerk of the Army Wang Pi and the Marshal Fu Xun to support Prince Qin, informing Liu Chou, Liu Wei, and the others, "Shandong isn’t a suitable place for declaring oneself king; Guanzhong is more appropriate." Fu Chang, the Prefect of Heyang, wrote to Yan Ding, advising him to escort Prince Qin through Luoyang, pay respects at the imperial tombs, then directly occupy Chang'an, pacify the barbarians and the people of the Jin Dynasty, raise a rebel army, recover the ancestral temples, and erase the nation's disgrace. After receiving the letter, Yan Ding wanted to go to Luoyang, but the refugees said that the northern route near the Yellow River was too dangerous, fearing interception, and wanted to go to Chang'an from the south through Wuguan. Liu Chou and the others were all from Shandong and were reluctant to head west. Xun Fan, Liu Chou, Liu Wei, and the others all scattered and fled. Yan Ding pursued Xun Fan but couldn't catch up; Li Xian and others were killed, and only Zhou Yi and Li Shu managed to escape.
Therefore, Yan Ding escorted the King of Qin to Shangluo, where they were attacked by bandits, resulting in over a hundred deaths. With the remaining army, they headed west to Lantian. Meanwhile, Liu Cong was attacking Chang'an but was defeated by Jia Pi, the Inspector of Yongzhou, and fled back to Pingyang. Jia Pi sent someone to welcome the King of Qin, who then arrived in Chang'an. Alongside Grand Marshal Wang Bao, General Wei Liang Fen, and Intendant of Jingzhao Liang Zong, they proclaimed the King of Qin as Crown Prince. They offered sacrifices to the heavens at the altar, rebuilt the ancestral temple, and appointed Yan Ding as the Prince's Minister, in charge of all government affairs.
Liang Zong and Jia Chong vied for power, which led to Jia Chong killing Liang Zong and appointing Wang Pi as the Intendant of Jingzhao. Jia Chong began implementing his grand plan to gain recognition across the country. However, Qu Yun, the Administrator of Shiping, and Suo Chen, the Protector of the Yi Tribes, sabotaged his plans and aimed to seize power for themselves. Liang Wei, the Administrator of Fengyi, and Liang Su, the Administrator of Beidi, conspired to eliminate Jia Chong. They falsely accused him of being disloyal to the court and of excessively killing ministers, demanding his removal. They then launched an attack on Jia Chong. He fled to Yongzhou, where Dou Shou, the leader of the Di tribe, eventually killed him, and his head was sent to Chang'an.
Suo Jing, courtesy name You'an, was from Dunhuang. For several generations, his family had been officials, with his father Suo Zhan serving as the Prefect of Beidi. Suo Jing had extraordinary abilities from a young age and studied at the Imperial Academy with his fellow townspeople Fan Zhong, Zhang, Suo Zhen, and Suo Yong, gaining fame and being known as Dunhuang's Five Dragons. While the other four died young, Suo Jing was well-versed in classical texts and astronomy. He was appointed as a deputy by the province, recommended as virtuous and upright by the county, and achieved excellent results in the imperial examinations. Fu Xuan and Zhang Hua both formed deep friendships with Suo Jing upon meeting him. Later, he was appointed as Imperial Guard Colonel and then as the Prefect of Wujichangshi in the Western Regions. The county's Prince's Attendant, Zhang Bo, specifically petitioned for Suo Jing's exceptional talent and knowledge to serve in the court instead of being assigned to remote regions. Emperor Wu accepted his suggestion and promoted Suo Jing to be Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. He served alongside Luo Shang of Xiangyang, Pan Yue of Henan, and Gu Rong of Wu County, all of whom greatly admired him. Suo Jing and the Prefect of the Secretariat, Wei Guan, were both renowned for their cursive calligraphy, which the Emperor held in high regard. While Wei Guan's calligraphy was superior, it lacked the freedom and elegance of Suo Jing's. Suo Jing served in the court for many years before his appointment as Prefect of Yanmen, then promoted to be the Minister of Lu, and later appointed as the Prefect of Jiuquan. After Emperor Hui ascended the throne, he bestowed upon Suo Jing the title of Marquis of Guannei. Suo Jing had great foresight and insight, predicting the coming chaos in the realm and lamenting, "I will surely see you among the thorns one day!" During the Yuan Kang era, the Western Rong rebelled, and the court appointed him as Left Sima under Prince Liang, and bestowed upon him the title of General for Suppressing Rebels, commanding troops stationed in Suyi to fight against the rebels, leading to his victory. He was subsequently promoted to the position of Intendant of Shiping.
Later, King Zhao Lun seized power. He answered the call from three noble lords and followed General Zuo Wei in attacking Sun Xiu, earning merit, and was appointed as the Cavalry Attendant by the court. He was later promoted to the position of Rear General. In the later years of the Taian period, Prince Yong led troops to attack Luoyang. The court appointed him as a Commissioner with Credentials, Supervisor of Military Affairs in Luoyang, and General of the Light Cavalry, putting him in charge of the volunteer armies from Yongzhou, Qinzhou, and Liangzhou to fight against the rebels. He scored a major victory! Unfortunately, he was injured in battle and died shortly after, at the age of sixty-five. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Minister of Ceremonies, later as the Minister of Construction, and also conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Anle and the posthumous title of Zhuang.
He was a prolific writer throughout his life, including his book "On the Principles of the Five Elements and Three Rulers," which discussed the principles of Yin and Yang energy. He also wrote "Suozhi" and "Jin Poetry," each consisting of twenty volumes! Additionally, he penned an essay titled "On Cursive Script," which began as follows: It is said that the emperor is wise and valiant, with every decision made just right. After Cangjie invented writing, tools for recording emerged. From the earliest oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions to various styles of characters, all were created based on the appearance of things. Smart people kept improving and created various ingenious styles of characters. Later, clerical script and cursive script evolved for quicker and easier writing. Officials mastered various scripts, and everything was handled smoothly and beautifully.
The form of cursive script is like an elegant silver hook, and it floats like a soaring phoenix. The wings have not yet spread, as if about to take off but stopped; like insects, snakes, dragons, and centipedes, sometimes moving forward, sometimes backward; like the slender Anayuan monkey, suddenly leaping up; sometimes leisurely wandering, sometimes straight, sometimes slanted; like a furious horse, straining against the reins; like the surging sea; like the flourishing of grasses and bulrushes, like the blossoms of hawthorn; like the black dragon confronting the mountains, like flying swallows chasing each other, sometimes forward, sometimes backward. Upon careful observation, it seems like the wind blowing through the woods, the vegetation swaying, branches drifting with the wind, with countless postures, graceful and charming, freely stretching, sometimes intricate, sometimes hesitant. The dark Chi dragon and cunning wild beasts frolic in it, the soaring apes and galloping squirrels chase each other, the leaping fish thrash their tails, the dragon flips over and counterattacks, sometimes diving into the air, sometimes baring teeth and claws. Some are like looking into the distance, some like looking back, some like standing out from the crowd, some like following conventions. Therefore, many talented and calligraphy-savvy individuals immerse themselves in this art of writing, following the rules while also being flexible, mastering all eight styles with ease, excelling in every one. They simplify while retaining the overall structure, conforming to the rules of calligraphy, being meticulous and precise, expressing themselves freely like flowing clouds and water, with grandeur and fluency, sometimes producing a beautiful piece of writing in no time, truly marvelous! The calligraphic characters are bold and magnificent, with elegant and glossy postures, radiating brilliance.
The Emperor commanded Du Du to take up the brush, while Bo Ying rotated his wrist, writing down masterpieces on pure white silk, to be cherished for generations.
Wang Jing, the Inspector of Jingzhou, once remarked on a rocky area south of the city of Gulang, "In the future, a palace will be built here." Later, Zhang Jun indeed built the southern city there, where he constructed temples and palaces.
Wang Jing had five sons: Wang Gong, Wang Quan, Wang Qiu, Wang Yu, and Wang Chen, all of whom passed the imperial examinations with distinction. Wang Yu was granted the title of Marquis of Anchang Township, but later passed away. The youngest son, Wang Chen, was the most renowned.
Sima Chen, known by his courtesy name Juxiu, showed extraordinary talent from a young age. His father, Sima Jing, often said, "Chen is a talent worthy of the court, not suited for the confines of ordinary minor officials. The officials of the provinces and counties are not enough to taint my son!" Later, Sima Chen passed the imperial examinations and became a langzhong. He avenged his elder brother by personally killing thirty-seven people, earning great admiration from the people at that time. Shortly after, he was promoted to the role of a military advisor to the Taizai, then became the magistrate of Haozhi County, followed by serving as a Yellow Gate Attendant at the court, then as a military officer for Western Expeditions, and later as the magistrate of Chang'an County, earning a reputation for good governance in these roles.
Wang Ying of Chengdu kidnapped Emperor Hui and took him to Ye City, which resulted in Emperor Hui's exile. Prince Yong of Hejian dispatched Zhang Fang and Sima Chen to welcome the emperor. Sima Chen was appointed as the General of Eagle Soaring for his military achievements, and was subsequently promoted to serve as the Attendant in the household of the Prince of Nanyang. When Liu Cong invaded the eastern territories, Sima Chen was appointed as the General of Fendou to combat Liu Cong. He killed Liu Cong's general Lv Yi and defeated Liu Cong's lieutenant Liu Feng, and was subsequently appointed as the Prefect of Xinping. Liu Cong's generals such as Su Tie and Liu Wudou plundered the Sanyuan region; therefore, Sima Chen was appointed as the General of Anxi and the Prefect of Fengyi. Sima Chen earned high respect and support from both Han Chinese and minority ethnic groups, and bandits dared not encroach upon his jurisdiction.
Later, Emperor Huai also went into exile, Chang'an City was lost again, and Prince Mo of Nanyang was killed. Sima Zhen cried and said, "Instead of dying together, it's better to be a loyal minister like Wu Zixu!" So he went to Anding, joined forces with Jia Pi, the governor of Yongzhou, Liang Zong, the prefect of Fufeng, An Yi, the military guard of Ju Yun, and others, gathered a rebel army, and repeatedly defeated the bandits, restoring the palaces and ancestral shrines. Afterwards, he went to relieve Xinping, fought in hundreds of skirmishes, personally captured the bandit chief Li Qiang, and together with Yan Ding, proclaimed the Prince of Qin as Crown Prince, who later became Emperor Min. Sima Zhen was appointed as the Grand Chamberlain and Grand Minister of Works, and was granted the title Earl of Yiju for his contributions in welcoming the emperor and bestowing the imperial seal on the altar. He was further promoted to General of the Front, Right Minister of the Secretariat, Governor of Jingzhao, and conferred the title of General Who Pacifies the East, with the additional title of General Who Conquers the East. Soon after, a decree was issued stating, "In the past, I have encountered misfortunes, my family and country have suffered, I was exiled to the land of Wan and Chu, and lost the old capital. Thanks to the protection of the ancestral spirits and the efforts of the officials, I was able to return from the vassal state to the capital city, relying on the assistance of various ministers. The safety of the state depends on your merits; you should assist me in governing the country. I appoint you as the Guard General, concurrently holding the position of Grand Commandant, with special advancement, entrusting you with all military and governmental matters."
At that time, Liu Yao's forces were advancing on Luoyang City, and the court appointed Sima Zhen as the Commander-in-Chief, General Who Conquers the East, and sent him with the emperor's edict to attack Liu Yao. Sima Zhen defeated Huyan Mo, under Liu Yao's command, and was granted the title Duke of Shangluo County for this achievement, with a fief of ten thousand households under his command. His wife, Lady Xun, was granted the title Lady of Xinfeng, his son Sima Shiyuan was appointed as the Crown Prince, and his other two sons were also granted the title Marquis of Xiangting. Later, Liu Yao invaded Guanzhong and devastated the wheat crops, but Sima Zhen once again defeated him.
Next, Sima Zhen set out from Chang'an to attack Liu Cong. Liu Cong's general Zhao Ran, relying on his past military achievements, was somewhat arrogant and overconfident. He led a few hundred elite cavalry to fight against Sima Zhen, but was defeated, and Zhao Ran managed to escape alone. Afterwards, Sima Zhen was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry, Left Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, and was authorized to handle state affairs on behalf of the emperor.
Liu Yao once again led his troops into the Fengyi region. The emperor repeatedly ordered Prince Sima Bao of Nanyang to lead troops to reinforce, and Sima Bao's ministers began to debate. "When one has a viper in hand, a brave man will sever his wrist. And cut off the Long Road to observe the changes." The Attendant of the Central Command, Pei Shen, said, "The snake has already struck at the head; can we still spare it?" Sima Bao appointed Hu Song as the commander of the vanguard and intended to move only after all his troops were gathered. Qu Yun wanted to take the emperor hostage to force Sima Bao to deploy troops, but Sima Zhen believed that Sima Bao would take advantage of the situation for personal gain, so he stopped him. The regions west of Chang'an no longer followed the imperial orders. The officials were starving and had to find ways to sustain themselves.
At that time, Yin Huan and Xie Wu in the Sanyuan region led several thousand households to dig up the Han Emperor's mausoleum and the Du mausoleum, unearthing many treasures. The emperor asked Sima Zhen, "Why are there so many things in the Han mausoleum?" Sima Zhen replied, "When the Han Emperor ascended the throne, he built the mausoleum within a year. One-third of the national tax revenue was used to offer sacrifices to the ancestral temple, one-third to entertain guests, and one-third to build the mausoleum. Emperor Hanwu's reign was very long, and after his death, the Maoling mausoleum was overflowing with items, and the trees in the mausoleum had grown quite tall. The Red Eyebrow Army looted the items in the mausoleum, but they couldn't even take half, and there are still many rotting silk fabrics piled up there, and the pearls and jade were not all looted. These two mausoleums are considered relatively frugal, which serves as a cautionary tale for future generations!"
Liu Yao once again besieged Chang'an City with a large army. Shi Chen and Qu Yun defended the inner city of Chang'an. Hu Song received orders and hurried to Lingtai, where he successfully defeated Liu Yao. Hu Song was worried that if the court won the battle, Qu Yun and Shi Chen would gain too much credit, so he remained inactive north of the Wei River before returning. Chang'an City was starving, with people even resorting to cannibalism. The situation spiraled out of control, with only a thousand righteous soldiers from Liangzhou steadfastly holding their ground. The Emperor sent the attendant Song Chang to deliver a surrender letter to Liu Yao. Shi Chen secretly detained Song Chang and sent his son to persuade Liu Yao, saying, "The food in the city can last for a year, and it's not easy to conquer. If you promise to make Shi Chen General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Left, and Marquis of a Thousand Households, I can surrender the city to you." Liu Yao had Song Chang and his son killed, then declared, "Our Emperor's army fights with justice. I have been a general for fifteen years and have never resorted to deceit to conquer others. We must exhaust the enemy's forces, push the situation to the limit, and then we can win. Shi Chen’s words are those of treachery, so I will kill them all. If your forces and supplies aren’t exhausted, fight to the death. If the food runs out and the forces weaken, understand fate early. I'm worried that a harsh frost will come and wipe out everything, both good and bad."
Eventually, the Emperor surrendered, and Shi Chen accompanied him to Pingyang. Liu Cong executed Shi Chen for his disloyalty to the previous dynasty and had him thrown into the Eastern Market.
Jia Pi, with the courtesy name Yan Du, was from Wuwei and was the great-grandson of Jia Xu, the Grand Commandant of the Wei Kingdom. From a young age, he harbored lofty ambitions and strategic thinking, promising a bright future. He was admired by all, particularly by warriors who were willing to go to great lengths for him. He began his career in the government office and steadily climbed the ranks to become the Prefect of Anding.
Ding Chuo, the Inspector of Yongzhou, was greedy and cruel, alienating the support of the people. He maliciously accused Jia Pi of plotting against Prince Mo of Nanyang. Mo sent General Xie Ban to attack Jia Pi. Jia Pi fled to Lushui, where he formed an alliance with the Hu leader Peng Dangzhong and the Di tribal leader Dou Shou, and together they launched an attack against Xie Ban. Ding Chuo fled to Wudu. Meanwhile, Jia Pi returned to Anding, where he killed Xie Ban. Emperor Min appointed Jia Pi as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Inspector of Yongzhou, and bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Jiuquan.
At that time, the people in various counties suffered from famine, resulting in starvation and death everywhere. Jia Pi led over 20,000 Jin troops to prepare to attack Chang'an. Zhu Hui, the Prefect of Xiping, also refused to engage. Upon hearing this, Liu Can sent Liu Yao, Liu Ya, and Zhao Ran to intercept Jia Pi. They first attacked Zhu Hui but failed to capture him. Jia Pi took advantage of this and defeated their army, with Liu Yao getting shot and fleeing in disarray. Jia Pi pursued them to Ganquan. He then ambushed Peng Dangzhong at Weiqiao, killing him. He then welcomed the Prince of Qin and proclaimed him Crown Prince.
Later, the son of Peng Dangzhong, Fu Hu, led a group of Hu people to attack Jia Pi. Jia Pi was defeated and fled, falling into a mountain stream at night where he was killed by Fu Hu. Jia Pi was brave, strategic, and was honorable, seeing the restoration of the Jin dynasty as his duty. Unfortunately, he died young, leaving many to lament his untimely death.
Historians say: Since the chaos of the Yongjia Rebellion, the world descended into chaos, the common people were uprooted and left without support, it felt as if both mortals and deities had lost their sovereign. Among the descendants of Emperor Wu at the time, only Emperor Jianxing was supported by all; there were no alternatives. Yan Ding and others were loyal to the country, dedicated to restoring order in the realm. They went through hardships, assisting the young emperor, ultimately allowing Emperor Jianxing to inherit the throne, performing sacrifices to the heavens and rewarding those who merited it. Their contributions deserve commendation. However, facing powerful enemies and taking over a failing country, before they had the chance to demonstrate their abilities, the dynasty collapsed. In the past, the Zhou Dynasty relocated east when faced with the invasion of the Quanrong, the Jin Dynasty relocated west when faced with the invasion of the Dirong; those dynasties lasted a long time. Yet this dynasty fell swiftly. What accounted for the stark differences in their circumstances that led to such a vast disparity in outcomes? Was it due to the emperor's lack of ability, or were his ministers at fault?
It is worth noting: Huaihui did not pursue power and profit, while Qifan pursued it. Those scheming advisers governed with cruelty and brutality. They perpetrated many wrongs and ultimately met grim fates. Jie Miao was loyal, honest, and upright, yet he failed to secure a good reputation. Emperor Min was able to control the military power, but in truth, it relied on those ministers. Yan Ding and his colleagues initially brought prosperity to the realm, while Sima Cheng ultimately faced a tragic downfall.
