Wang Shu, courtesy name Chuming, is the cousin of Prime Minister Wang Dao. His father, Wang Hui, served as a palace attendant. During a time of national turmoil, Wang Shu did not seek fame or fortune, choosing instead to stay at home and focus on his studies. When he was in his forties, both local officials and the court invited him to take official positions, but he declined. It was only after Wang Dun was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou that Wang Shu went to join him.
At that time, Wang Dun was summoned by the court to serve as the Secretary Supervisor. Due to the presence of bandits on the road, it was dangerous, so he traveled lightly on horseback back to Luoyang, discarding the princess's belongings. There were many treasures in the carriage, and everyone was grabbing for them, but Wang Shu didn't even glance at them, which further deepened Wang Dun's admiration for him.
After Emperor Yuan established his rule in Jiankang, Wang Shu followed his uncles and brothers across the river to join Emperor Yuan. He participated in military affairs in the east and was later appointed as the magistrate of Liyang. When Emperor Ming was appointed General of the East, he carefully selected his staff and appointed Wang Shu as his Chief of Staff. He was later promoted to the advisory staff of General Xuan Chengong Chu Piao, and then to military advisor, but he respectfully declined. After Chu Piao passed away, Wang Shu took over his military command in Guangling and was appointed General of the North, responsible for overseeing military affairs in Qingzhou and Xuzhou.
Not long after, the court appointed him as a National Scholar and also granted him the position of Cavalier Attendant, but before he could take office, he was transferred to a position in the Ministry of Works. In the early period of the Taining era, he was appointed as the magistrate in the Ministry of Justice. Wang Dun recommended Wang Shu as the General of Eagle Rising, the Governor of Jingzhou, concurrently holding the position of Protector of the Southern Barbarians, overseeing military matters in the Mian Nan area of Jingzhou. After Wang Dun's failure, Wang Han and his son fled to Wang Shu's place, and Wang Shu sent troops to welcome them, but they all ended up drowning in the river. Later, Wang Shu was promoted to Commander of Military Affairs in Jingzhou, General Who Pacifies the West, and was granted the authority of a temporary governor. Not long after, Tao Kan replaced Wang Shu as the Governor of Jingzhou, and Wang Shu was transferred to the positions of General of Peace in the South and Governor of Guangzhou.
When Wang Shu fell ill and was unwilling to travel to Guangzhou, the court also considered his contributions and felt that he should not go so far, so he was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou, with his military titles unchanged. Later, the court summoned him to succeed Deng You as the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.
Wang Dao wanted Wang Shu to support the resistance against Su Jun, so he arranged for him to take up an official position in Kuaiji. Wang Shu thought the name didn't sound good, so he submitted a request to change the location. The court felt that although the names were similar, but the pronunciations were different, so there was no issue, but Wang Shu insisted on changing it, and it was finally changed to "Kuai." With no other option, Wang Shu had no choice but to go.
After staying in Kuaiji for two years, Su Jun rebelled, and the court appointed Wang Shu as a temporary commander in charge of Yangzhou affairs. At that time, the Governor of Wu, Yu Bing, fled and sought refuge with Wang Shu. Wang Shu then informed other counties and arranged for Yu Tan, Xie Zao, and others to lead their troops into battle. Gu Zhong and Gu Yong also brought troops to help. Wang Shu appointed Gu Zhong and Gu Yong to oversee military operations in Wuzhong and Jinling, and to build fortifications at Yuting. When Su Jun learned that Wang Shu and his forces had risen against him, he pardoned Yu Liang's brothers, hoping to appease the eastern army.
Wang Shu led his army to the West River, following behind Yu Bing and Xie Zao. Yu Bing, Gu Yang, and others sent a vanguard force to Wuxi, but ran into Su Jun's army, lost the battle, retreated to Yuting, and became frightened, ultimately fleeing to Qiantang, while Xie Zao defended Jiaxing. Su Jun's army invaded Wu County, engaging in arson, murder, and pillaging, leaving chaos everywhere. Due to Wang Shu's reckless advance leading to defeat, he killed the commanders of both armies, relieved Yu Bing and Gu Yang of their duties, and stripped them of their military ranks, forcing them into civilian clothes. Then Wang Shu put Gu Zhong in charge of the armies in Wu County and Jinling, stationed at Zhangdai. The Prefect of Wuxing, Yu Tan, led his troops to attack Zhang Jian, stationed at Wubao Pavilion, but hesitated to launch an attack.
At that time, it was pouring rain, and the floodwaters were rising. Su Jun's men on boats took a detour to attack Yu Tan, who suffered another defeat. Yu Tan returned to Wuxing, and Gu Zhong retreated to Qiantang. Wang Shu then sent Chen Ru with a thousand elite soldiers to defend Haipu, constructing fortifications throughout the area. Some suggested that Wang Shu return to Jiankang, let Xie Zao defend Xiling, and set up defenses by the sea, but Wang Shu disregarded their advice and had Xie Zao defend Qiantang, while Gu Zhong and Gu Yang defended Zibi. Su Jun's army then shifted their focus to attacking Wuxing, and Yu Tan's men retreated again. Su Jun's army also looted counties such as Dongqian, Yuhang, and Wukang. Wang Shu sent his son Wang Yunzhi with three thousand elite soldiers to Wukang, catching Su Jun off guard, securing a decisive victory, killing many, and forcing Su Jun's troops to retreat. Wang Yunzhi confiscated their weapons and equipment and proceeded to reinforce Yu Tan.
Han Huang, a subordinate of Sun Jun, captured Xuan Cheng, and then moved on to Gu Zang and Chang Cheng. Wang Yunzhi sent Zhu Tao, He Zhun, and others to attack Han Huang, and they engaged in battle at Yu Hu. Yu Tan used powerful crossbows to attack Han Huang's forces. Han Huang and his men fled, while Wang Yunzhi's forces killed over a thousand and captured two thousand. Yu Tan thus saved Wu Xing.
At that time, the mountainous counties in Lin Hai, Xin An, and surrounding areas all rallied to Sun Jun. Wang Shu dispatched his troops to quell the unrest. Upon arriving in Jian Kang, Wang Shu and Yu Tan, due to a series of defeats, submitted a memorial to the court requesting their resignations. Tao Kan sent someone to persuade them, but they refused to heed his advice. Tao Kan established the Xingtai, appointing Wang Shu to oversee the military affairs of five counties in eastern Zhejiang, and appointing Wang Yunzhi to handle military campaigns in Wu, Yi Xing, and Jin Ling.
Later, Han Huang and his men fled south, where Wang Yunzhi caught up with them at Chang Tang Lake and defeated them. Sun Jun's rebellion was quelled. Wang Shu was granted the title of Marquis of Peng Ze County in recognition of his contributions, but he passed away shortly thereafter and was posthumously honored as General of Chariots and Cavalry, receiving the posthumous title of Mu.
The eldest son of the Su family, Yan Zhi, served as a military advisor during Sun Jun's rebellion, where he was ultimately killed. His son, Kun Zhi, also passed away, and his grandson, Lou Zhi, inherited the family legacy. Later, when Emperor Song Wu usurped the throne, the Su family's titles were stripped. However, Yan Zhi's brother, Yun Zhi, gained considerable fame.
Yun Zhi, also known by his courtesy name Shen You, had a very close relationship with his uncle Su Dun when he was young. Su Dun thought Yun Zhi resembled him, so he always took him along. They rode in the same carriage when they went out and slept in the same room when they slept. One night, Su Dun got drunk, and Yun Zhi noticed and pretended to fall asleep. Meanwhile, Su Dun and Qian Feng were plotting a rebellion, but Yun Zhi was actually awake and overheard their conversation. He was afraid that Su Dun would suspect him, so he faked vomiting all over himself, with vomit covering his clothes and face. After Qian Feng left, Su Dun came to see Yun Zhi. Seeing him in that condition, Su Dun assumed he was drunk and suspected nothing. At that time, Yun Zhi's father, Su Shu, had recently been appointed as the Imperial Censor. Yun Zhi asked to return home to see his parents, and Su Dun agreed. Once he arrived in the capital, Yun Zhi informed his father, Su Shu, about the rebellion plan involving Su Dun and Qian Feng. Su Shu promptly reported this to the Emperor along with Su Dao.
Su Shu later became the Governor of Jingzhou, and Yun Zhi accompanied him to the Western Court. After Su Dun's rebellion was suppressed, the Emperor wanted Yun Zhi to take up an official post, but Su Shu requested, "My son is still young; I don't want him to start his official career so young." The Emperor agreed to allow Yun Zhi to accompany Su Shu to Kuaiji. Later, when Su Jun rebelled, Yun Zhi distinguished himself in battle and was appointed as the Marquis of Panyu County, with a fief of 1,600 households. He was also appointed as the General of Jianwu, Qiantang Prefect, and also served as the Salt and Iron Commissioner. After Su Shu's death, Yun Zhi resigned from his official position. After Su Shu's burial, the court appointed him as the Administrator of Yixing, but he declined the post due to overwhelming grief. His uncle Su Dao wrote him a letter, saying, "The Grand Guardian and Marquis Anfeng were renowned for their filial piety and couldn't turn down the role of Colonel of the Imperial Guard; He Changyu was a famous scholar in the country and couldn't turn down the position of Minister of the Court. Our Su family members have died and scattered, leaving only you and me. I consider you like my own son. If you still refuse to accept this position, what more can I say?" Yun Zhi still refused to accept.
During the end of the Xianhe period, Yun Zhi was appointed Governor of Xuancheng, overseeing the affairs of Yangzhou and four counties in Jiangxi, concurrently serving as General of Jianwu and stationed in Huzhou. During the Xiankang period, he was promoted to General of the Western Central Command, with the title of acting general. Shortly after, he was promoted to General of the Southern Central Army and Governor of Jiangzhou Province. He was highly respected during his tenure and well-loved by the people. At that time, Wang Tian had completed his mourning period and was appointed Prefect of Yuzhang County. Yun Zhi was surprised to hear this news, believing that Wang Tian, being the Prime Minister's son, deserved better treatment, and therefore, he requested to resign as Governor of Jiangzhou to discuss this with Yu Bing. Yu Bing felt embarrassed upon hearing this and immediately reassigned Wang Tian to Wu County, appointing Yun Zhi as General of the Guard and Interior Minister of Kuaiji. Before Yun Zhi could take up his post, he passed away at the age of forty, posthumously granted the title of Loyalty. His son, Su Xizhi, inherited his title, and after Su Xizhi's death, his grandson Su Zhaoyi inherited the title.
Wang Hao, known by his courtesy name Shijiang, was the cousin of Prime Minister Wang Dao and the maternal cousin of Emperor Yuan. His father, Wang Zheng, had served as a Gentleman of the Secretariat. Wang Hao excelled in writing from a young age, was well-read and skilled in calligraphy, painting, music, horseback riding, chess, and other arts. He was initially appointed as a staff member in the Grand Tutor's palace and later promoted to military advisor. After participating in welcoming the Emperor back to the capital, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuling County, then appointed as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, and later appointed Prefect of Puyang. When Emperor Yuan stationed himself in Jiangdong, Wang Hao stepped down from his position as Prefect and crossed the river to join Emperor Yuan. Emperor Yuan was delighted to see him and appointed him as a Sima. Subsequently, he served several terms as Prefect of Lujiang and Poyang. He took part in campaigns against Zhou Fu and Du Tao, and due to his military successes, he was appointed Champion General, stationed at Shitoucheng, and also served as a military advisor in the Prime Minister's Office. Wang Dun was appointed General of Ningyuan and Governor of Jingzhou.
After Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, Wang Hao submitted a "Zhongxing Fu" and wrote in the memorial: "I have been blessed by your kindness since I was young; from childhood to adulthood, I have always been taken care of by you. Your kindness is as deep as that of siblings and as sincere as that of friends. I have always wanted to follow and serve you. When I was the prefect of Puyang before, in order to take care of my elderly mother, I gave up my official position and crossed the Yangtze River with my young child to come to you for refuge. This was all out of my loyalty to you, in hopes of receiving your protection. Heaven has granted my wish, allowing me to witness your great cause of revival and the prosperity of the Great Ming. However, since I am stationed at the border and cannot attend your enthronement ceremony in person, every time I hear the news, my heart is overwhelmed with joy and sadness. Sima Xiangru once lamented because he could not witness the emperor offering sacrifices to heaven and earth; let alone me, who is so close to you and should be loyal to you!"
"When I served the late emperor and you before, I once said that on the day you were born, the room was aglow with light, and a white hair grew on your left forehead. The fortune teller predicted that you would one day unify the realm. In the year of Ren Shen, I was appointed as the Interior Minister of Poyang, and in July, four stars clustered near Altair. Dead camphor trees in my county miraculously revived. Later, when I returned to the capital, you saw my white rabbit and asked me to compose a poem. At that time, Langye County also presented sweet dew, which you graciously allowed me to taste. General Wang Dao also told me that there was an auspicious sign involving golden bells in Jinling, and Guo Pu claimed it foretold a revival. Guo Pu's divination skills surpass even those of Jing Fang and Guan Lu. Heaven has destined you to be the rightful emperor!"
I have loved literature since childhood, always wanting to leave my mark on history through my writings. However, I ended up in a remote place and even had confrontations with bandits. Now, at the age of forty-three, I have not been able to repay the court's kindness and have made many mistakes instead. I fear that as I grow older, my time may soon come, and my intentions will not be able to be conveyed to the court. Thus, I have poured all my efforts into writing a piece titled "Ode to the Prosperity" as my tribute. Although this piece may not fully do justice to the court's prosperity, it expresses the poet's feelings and admiration.
The piece covers a lot of ground, so I won’t go into detail here. Initially, Wang Dun demoted Tao Kan and appointed Yu Liang as the new Governor of Jingzhou. Generals in Jingzhou, including Ma Jun and Zheng Pan, petitioned to retain Tao Kan, but Wang Dun disagreed. Yu Liang was ambushed by Ma Jun and his cohorts and fled to Jiang'an. The bandits Du Zeng, Ma Jun, and Zheng Pan headed north to join forces with Fifth Yi against Yu Liang. Yu Liang led his forces to engage Du Zeng but was ultimately defeated. Wang Dun commanded Gan Zhuo, the Governor of Xiangzhou, and Zhou Guang, the Prefect of Yuzhang, to assist Yu Liang in his campaign against Du Zeng. Du Zeng's army was defeated, and Yu Liang ultimately saved Jingzhou.
Yu Liang was both striking and determined, once coming from the south, setting off from Xunyang in the morning, sailing with the wind, and arriving in the capital in the evening. He stood atop the ship's deck, singing out with an elegant air. Wang Dao remarked to Yu Liang, "People will come to regret your timely decisions in the future." Yu Liang replied, "This merely showcases his free-spirited nature." Yu Liang ruthlessly eliminated Tao Kan's subordinates in Jingzhou and summoned the scholar Huang Fu Fang, alienating the populace and creating tensions within the court. The emperor subsequently recalled Yu Liang and appointed him as the General of Supporting the State and as a Cavalier Attendant. Later, he stepped down following the death of his mother. After his mourning period, he was appointed General of Conquering the Barbarians and later promoted to General of the Left Guard.
When Wang Dun rebelled, the emperor sent Yu Liang to dissuade him, but he failed to stop Wang Dun's rebellion. Instead, he was detained by Wang Dun and forced to help him rebel. After Wang Dun gained power, he appointed Yu Liang as General of Pacifying the South, Commander of the Southern Barbarians, and Governor of Jingzhou. Yu Liang soon died of illness. The emperor, remembering their past relationship, was deeply saddened. Yu Liang's coffin was brought back to the capital, and the crown prince personally went to pay his respects, treating him with the same respect as one would show to family. The court posthumously appointed him as an Imperial Attendant and General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the posthumous title of "Kang." Emperor Ming wrote a letter to the Grand Marshal Wen Qiao saying: "I still feel the pain of Yu Liang's passing, and I did not expect things to turn out this way. It is heartbreaking that such a young and talented individual was unable to fulfill his ambitions; I am deeply saddened. Yu Liang was knowledgeable and talented, and Xie Kun had foresight and wisdom. Although their words may not immediately change one's thoughts, upon reflection, they leave one with endless contemplation. Such talents are rare nowadays. Thinking of them fills my heart with sorrow; what can I do?"
Zi Yi's son rose to the high position of Governor of Donghai. Zi Yi's younger brother Hu Zhi, styled Xiuling, was quite famous at a young age, serving as a magistrate, Imperial Attendant, and Prefect of Danyang. He had a tendency to feel dizzy, with frequent bouts of illness, but his mind was always clear. After the death of Shi Jilong, the court wanted to appease the Heluo region, so they appointed Hu Zhi as General of the Guards of the West and Governor of Sizhou, granting him the power of an acting commander. However, due to his poor health, he firmly declined the offer and passed away before he could even leave. Another of Zi Yi's sons, Zi Mao, also became well-known, serving as Prefect of Jinling. And another son, Zi Jinghong, served as a Minister in the final years of the Yixi era.
Bin was a Confucian scholar renowned for his integrity from a young age. In his youth, he declined all official appointments in various provinces and districts. Later, Fu Zhi, the Grand Master of Splendor, recruited him as his assistant. He then crossed the river with his brother, Hao, and served as Chief of Jianwu for Liu Ji, the Governor of Yangzhou. Emperor Yuan summoned him to be a Staff Officer in the Eastern General's Office, and later promoted him to Staff Officer of the Dianbing. He participated in the suppression of Hua Yi, earned merit, and was granted the title of Marquis of Duting. Emperor Min then appointed him as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, but he declined the position, citing the treacherous roads as his reason. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Jian'an, then transferred to serve as the Interior Minister of Yixing. Before he could take up the position, he was reassigned as a Military Advisor and Libationer.
After the founding of the country, Xie Bin was appointed as an attendant. His brother Xie Dun led troops to attack Shitou City, and the emperor sent Xie Bin to console his brother. Coincidentally, Zhou Yi was murdered, and Xie Bin had a good relationship with Zhou Yi, so he went to mourn for Zhou Yi before anything else, crying bitterly. After that, Xie Bin went to see Xie Dun. When Xie Dun saw his sad face, he asked him what was wrong. Xie Bin said, "I just went to mourn for Bo Ren (Zhou Yi), and my emotions haven't calmed down yet." Xie Dun retorted angrily, "Bo Ren committed a serious crime, and what can ordinary folks do about it!" Xie Bin said, "Bo Ren is an elder and also your relative. Although he did not directly advise in the court, he was not flattering. Even after being pardoned, he was still subjected to harsh punishment. So I am very heartbroken." Xie Bin, now furious, confronted Xie Dun, saying, "Brother, you’ve defied the emperor's orders, killed loyal subjects, plotted treason, and brought ruin upon your family!" Xie Bin spoke with fervor, his voice full of sadness, tears streaming down his face. Xie Dun was furious and shouted, "How dare you be so arrogant and rebellious! Can't I kill you?" Wang Dao was also present at the time and felt afraid for Xie Bin, urging him to get up and apologize. Xie Bin declared firmly, "I already have a foot disease; I don't even want to kneel before the emperor, let alone now! Why should I apologize?" Xie Dun said, "Foot pain is nothing compared to neck pain!" Xie Bin remained calm and fearless. Later, Xie Dun planned to lead troops to attack the capital, and Xie Bin tried hard to dissuade him. Xie Dun's face suddenly changed, staring at the guards around him, intending to arrest Xie Bin. Xie Bin said seriously, "You killed my brother before; now you want to kill my brother?" Earlier, Xie Dun had already killed Xie Bin's brother, the Prefect of Yuzhang, Xie Leng. Xie Dun had been tolerating Xie Bin because he was his relative. Xie Dun made Xie Bin the Prefect of Yuzhang.
Xie Bin was a simple and honest person, without any indulgent desires. Even though he held a high position, he often wore plain clothes and ate simple food. Later, he was promoted to General of the Front and Governor of Jiang Province. After Xie Dun's death, Wang Han wanted to defect to Wang Shu, but Wang Ying advised Wang Han to seek refuge with Xie Bin. Wang Han asked, "How is the relationship between the General and the Governor of Jiang Province usually? Why do you want him to seek refuge with him?" Wang Ying said, "That is exactly why he should seek refuge with him. The Governor of Jiang Province can distinguish between friends and enemies when others are strong, something that most people cannot do. When he sees others fall from grace, he will definitely feel sympathy. The Governor of Jingzhou can only maintain the status quo; how could he possibly do anything unexpected!" Wang Han did not listen to him and eventually sought refuge with Wang Shu alongside Wang Ying. Wang Shu indeed drowned Wang Han and his son in the river. Xie Bin heard that Wang Ying was on his way and secretly prepared boats to await him. In the end, Wang Ying did not come, and Xie Bin regretted it deeply.
There was a man named Dunping; someone reported his brother and nephew, saying that they were both close to Dunping and should be dismissed together. The Emperor said, "Lord Situ once sacrificed his family for the greater good. Even if his descendants are a bit unreliable, we should be lenient for a few hundred years, let alone these are Dunping's relatives!" So they were pardoned. Later, the Emperor appointed Dunping as Grand Minister of Ceremonies and then promoted him to Minister of Finance. After Su Jun's rebellion was quelled, Dunping was appointed as the chief supervisor for the construction of the new palace. Because of his great achievements in building the palace, the Emperor bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Guannei and promoted him to Right Deputy Minister. Finally, Dunping died in office at the age of fifty-nine. He was posthumously appointed as Special Advanced, Guard General, and honored with the title Sanqi Changshi, posthumously named Su. His eldest son Peng later became a Yellow Gate Attendant, while his second son Biao gained renown.
Biao Zhi, whose courtesy name was Shuwu, had a completely white beard and eyebrows by the age of twenty, so people referred to him as "Wang Baixu." He initially served as a junior literary official for the Prince of East Sea. His uncle Dao once said to him, "They want you to become a junior imperial secretary; do you think you’re capable of assisting the princes?" Biao Zhi replied, "The size of the official position is not important at all. I just want to do my job well. As for promotion, I don't care much about it." So he took up the position. Later, he became the Sima (military advisor) for General Wuling Wang Xi, and he gradually rose to the position of Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, the Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, the Deputy Chief Censor, an Attendant, and the Chief Justice.
At that time, Xie Yi, the Prefect of Yongjia, following a general amnesty issued by the court, actually killed a man named Zhou Jiao in his jurisdiction. Zhou Qiu, Zhou Jiao's cousin, went to the provincial office to lodge a complaint. The Governor of Yangzhou, Yin Hao, sent officials to arrest Xie Yi and bring him before the magistrate for trial. Biao Zhi believed Zhou Qiu was the key witness in this case, but since Zhou Qiu held no official position, the magistrate was not supposed to take on the case. Therefore, Biao Zhi declined to take the case, repeatedly deflecting it. Emperor Mu issued a decree instructing him to handle the case. Biao Zhi submitted another statement of facts, and people of that time likened him to Zhang Shizhi. During the Southern Suburban Sacrifice ceremony, Emperor Jianwen, who was then in charge of court affairs, asked Biao Zhi if there should be a general amnesty following the sacrifice. Biao Zhi replied, "Since the founding of the dynasty, there has often been a general amnesty after the suburb sacrifice. I believe this is inappropriate. Why? The common people may not grasp the reasoning behind it, which could lead wrongdoers to feel overly hopeful." The emperor ultimately accepted his counsel.
The position of the Minister of Personnel has been reassigned. The Emperor wants to transfer Qu Anyuan, the Prefect of Moling County, to serve as the Prefect of Jurong County, and to appoint Xi Lang, the Imperial Historiographer, as the Prefect of Xiangdong Commandery. Biao strongly opposes, saying: "Moling County is just a third-rank small county. When Your Highness appointed Anyuan before, there was much discussion. Jurong County is near the capital and is one of the best counties among the third-rank counties. Is there really no one more capable than a fortune teller for this role?! Although Xiangdong Commandery is remote and small, there is no more suitable candidate than Xi Lang. People say he relied on fortune telling to advance. If Your Highness wants to promote those from humble backgrounds, you should select those who truly have talent. Xi Lang and others are unremarkable and truly unsuitable for these positions." Marshal Huan Wen wanted to launch a northern expedition, but the Emperor issued multiple decrees prohibiting it. However, Huan Wen still led his troops to Wuchang without authorization, causing a stir among the court and the populace. Some advised Yin Hao to resign to protect himself, but Biao said to Emperor Jianwen: "These people are not concerned about the safety of the state or Your Highness, they are only concerned about themselves! If Yin Hao resigns, the people's morale will crumble, and the Emperor will be left isolated. At that time, there will definitely be someone to take responsibility; who else besides Your Highness can it be!" He also said to Yin Hao: "Huan Wen has submitted a memorial questioning your culpability, and you are at the center of this matter. Suspicion and conflict have already arisen at this stage. If you want to live like an ordinary citizen, how can you ensure your safety? You should watch the situation unfold. Have Prince Xiang send him a letter, show sincerity, explain the interests involved, and he will surely withdraw his troops. If he disobeys, issue a formal edict. If he still refuses to comply, then justice should be served. Don't panic for no reason, but first confuse yourself." Yin Hao said: "Dealing with major issues is indeed difficult. I have been very anxious these days, but after hearing your advice, I feel at ease." Later, Huan Wen also followed the Emperor's will and did not continue the northern expedition. At that time, officials were frequently promoted and shuffled around. Biao submitted another memorial suggesting:
To govern a country, the most important aspect is selecting capable individuals. This is not merely a façade in the court, but to truly allow them to take office and share the country's burdens. The key to selecting capable individuals lies in their actual appointments; the key to appointments lies in long tenures; only with long tenures can we achieve lasting peace. Therefore, I have implemented a three-year evaluation system, with three assessments for promotion or demotion, not pursuing short-term political gains and not being swayed by empty accolades. This is how my accomplishments have reached their pinnacle, with righteousness spreading throughout the world, and my reputation lasting for generations. Today, there are many mediocre individuals and few truly capable ones, yet there are numerous official positions in the court. How can we prevent a scenario where the wise and the foolish are indistinguishable, and good and bad are conflated? With an abundance of official positions, there are numerous vacancies, and with many vacancies, officials are frequently transferred, with successors following one after another, replacing each other. This is not a result of human design, but rather an objective principle. Therefore, if governance is poorly managed, the court will lack transparency. To manage governance effectively, institutions must be streamlined; to ensure clarity in governance, institutions should be merged. Streamlined institutions will allow us to select and retain outstanding talents for the long term; with merged institutions, redundant staff can be reduced, and society will be stable. By selecting excellent talents and keeping them in office for the long term, even individuals of average ability can accomplish meaningful results.
Now, both inside and outside the court, if you take a close look, there are indeed many institutions that can be merged. Among the six ministers, although the duties of the Minister of Ceremonies are important, the affairs it oversees are significant but not particularly demanding. The affairs under the supervision of the Minister of the Imperial Clan are very few and can be merged with the Minister of Ceremonies. As for the garrison, it is overseen by two guards, followed by the Valiant Cavalry and the Left Guard, each responsible for their own duties, and those military academies without military power should all be disbanded. All four armies have been disbanded, so the Left Guard should be renamed Guerrilla and not exist as a separate entity. Previously, there were four officials below the rank of Palace Attendant, but in the early days of the Zhengxing period, there were only two. With only two people on duty, it may not always be sufficient; I believe three people should be arranged so that there will be no shortage of personnel. For the remaining official positions without actual duties, they can be managed concurrently by senior officials based on their positions and abilities. If they cannot be disbanded immediately, they can be streamlined when vacancies arise. Assign them duties, require them to achieve results, and allow them to demonstrate their abilities through evaluations, with their performance reflected through promotions and demotions. Although I have not yet reached that prosperous era, at least I can ensure that the selection of officials is relatively clean, officials serve for a longer period, there will be no inflated salary claims, and there will be no waste of resources due to cumbersome bureaucratic institutions.
Towards the end of the Yonghe period, there was a serious outbreak of plague. There used to be a rule that if more than three people in a minister's household were infected, even if the minister himself was not ill, he would be barred from entering the palace for a hundred days. Many officials now falsely claimed their families had the plague to avoid coming to work. Xie An remarked, "In years of widespread epidemics, which family isn't affected? If everyone uses this excuse to skip work, there will be no one left in the court, leaving the emperor's side empty." The court took his advice.
Later, in Chang'an, there was a man named Lei Ruo'er, along with Liang An and others. They pretended to have killed Fu Jian and Fu Mei, and requested military assistance from the court. At that time, Yin Hao, stationed in Shouyang, seized the opportunity to occupy Luoyang, planning to repair the imperial tomb. At the same time, Xie An had returned home due to illness. He penned a letter to Emperor Jianwen, warning that Lei Ruo'er and the others were likely frauds, and Yin Hao should not easily send troops. Not long after, Lei Ruo'er turned out to be a fraud, Yao Xiang rebelled again, Yin Hao faced a crushing defeat, and retreated to Qiaocheng. Emperor Jianwen smiled at Xie An and remarked, "Indeed, as you said! Since you took office, your strategies have always been spot on. How can Zhang Liang and Chen Ping compare to you?" Xie An was promoted to lead the army and was appointed again as Minister of Personnel, but he did not take up the position due to illness. Later, he was transferred to Taichang and concurrently held the position of Chongde Weiwei. At that time, someone told Emperor Jianwen, "Prince Wuling (Sima Yun) is building weapons on a large scale in his mansion; he might be plotting a rebellion!" Emperor Jianwen asked Xie An. Xie An replied, "Prince Wuling is more focused on hunting and leisure. Your Majesty, please don’t worry and be open-minded towards others." Later, someone mentioned this matter again, and Emperor Jianwen was very pleased to hear it. Xie An was appointed again as Minister of Personnel. At this time, the Governor of Yuzhou, Xie Yi, passed away, and Emperor Jianwen promptly asked Xie An to recommend a suitable person to replace Xie Yi. Xie An replied, "There are plenty of talented individuals in the court, and Gao Jian is quite capable." Emperor Jianwen said, "Some people recommend Huan Wen; what do you think?" Xie An said, "Huan Wen might have some talent, but he holds a high position of power and influence, nearly dominating half of the country. His brother is stationed in the west, and military power rests with one family. This isn't a sustainable situation. Talent cannot be easily measured, as long as this person does not oppose Your Majesty, it will be fine." Emperor Jianwen nodded and said, "You are right!"
First, let's talk about Wang Biao's rise to power. Later, he was appointed as General of the Garrison, Governor of Kuaiji, and also given the title of Attendant of the Cavalry. He served as the Prefect of Kuaiji for eight years, during which the wealthy and powerful local elites became more compliant, and those who had fled returned, totaling more than thirty thousand households!
At that time, Huan Wen was stationed in Gushu, with a commanding presence that intimidated even the court. Officials from various regions showed him great respect, sending gifts as a token of their loyalty. However, Wang Biao remarked, "Although Grand Marshal Huan Wen holds great power, there are still prime ministers in the court, and his every move should be reported to the court. If officials from all over the place send him gifts, then what is the purpose of paying tribute to the Emperor?" Therefore, he did not send anyone to curry favor with Huan Wen. Later, because Shan Yin County did not deliver cloth and grain on time, Huan Wen was supposed to hold Kuaiji County accountable, but because Wang Biao did not report it, the court excused him. After Wang Biao left Kuaiji County, he granted amnesty to all the officials whose mistakes had not been reported to the provincial government. Huan Wen used this as an excuse to arrest these officials. During the general amnesty, all these individuals were pardoned, and Wang Biao was demoted to the position of Secretary.
After a period of time, he became the Minister of Personnel again. At this time, Huan Wen planned to abolish the title of the Prince of Haixi, which left the court officials terrified. Huan Wen was also flustered and unsure of how to proceed. Wang Biao knew that Huan Wen had shown disloyalty and there was no room for discussion. He said to Huan Wen, "As a senior official assisting the royal family, you should act according to the rules of the previous dynasty." Then, he had his subordinates bring the biography of Huo Guang. Following the historical etiquette system, he quickly established the procedures for deposing and appointing without showing any signs of panic. Huan Wen sighed, "Someone like me shouldn’t have acted like Yuan Kai did!" (As Yuan Kai should not have done so!) At that time, the ceremony for deposing and appointing an emperor had fallen out of practice for a long time, and the courtiers did not know how to proceed. Wang Biao stood on the steps in his court attire, calm and composed. Both civil and military officials followed the procedures he set, and the court obeyed him. Later, Huan Wen wanted to depose Sima Zun, the Prince of Wuling, and specifically brought it to Wang Biao’s attention. Wang Biao said, "The Prince of Wuling is a member of the imperial family and hasn’t done anything serious. He should not be deposed and demoted just because of suspicion. If you want to build a reputation for wisdom and virtue and win the people's loyalty, you should honor the imperial family and emulate the wisdom of Duke Zhou and Yi Yin. This matter is very important and should be carefully considered." Huan Wen said, "The decision is final; there's no need to discuss it further." Emperor Jianwen passed away, and the courtiers were at a loss, hesitant to choose a successor. Some said that this should be up to the Grand Marshal to decide. Wang Biao said sternly, "When the Emperor passes away, the Crown Prince ascends the throne; this is how things naturally go; how can the Grand Marshal interfere? If you ask for his approval first, you'll just get in trouble!" And so, the courtiers finally decided on the successor.
After Emperor Xiaowu took the throne, the Empress Dowager felt that the emperor was still young and worried about the court's instability, so she wanted to follow the example of the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng and take charge of the court herself. When this order was issued, Biao immediately said, "This is related to the major affairs of the country. The Grand Marshal should resolutely decline and let the court temporarily pause; we can discuss it after the funeral is over. I dare not act on the order. I returned the imperial decree intact and requested that its execution be postponed." As a result, the Empress Dowager's plan was not implemented.
Wen Qiao fell ill and wanted to ask the court for the Nine Ranks (the highest honor for meritorious officials in ancient times). Yuan Hong wrote a memorial and showed it to Biao. After Biao finished reading it, he praised Yuan Hong's good writing skills but said, "You are indeed very talented, but this matter cannot be done like this!" At that time, Xie An also saw this article and asked Yuan Hong to revise it several times, but Yuan Hong kept putting it off. After several days of delay, Yuan Hong went to discuss with Biao. Biao said, "I've heard Wen Qiao's health is worsening and won't last much longer. Let's wait and see." Yuan Hong listened to his words, indeed waited for a while, and Wen Qiao passed away.
Huan Chong and Xie An jointly assisted in governing the court. Xie An, who had just lost his mentor (referring to Wen Qiao), believed that the emperor was too young to handle political affairs personally, so he wanted the Empress Dowager to govern the court. Biao said, "In previous dynasties, when the emperor was young, the mother and son acted as one, so the empress dowager could govern the court. However, the empress dowager cannot make decisions on her own and ultimately must listen to the advice of the ministers. Now that the emperor is already in his teens, nearing the age of marriage, allowing the empress dowager to govern would make the emperor seem weak and incapable. How does this show support and allegiance to the emperor? If you two insist on doing this, I have no choice, but I feel that it is inappropriate." In fact, Xie An did not want to hand over power to Huan Chong, so he wanted the Empress Dowager to govern the court, thus keeping the power in his own hands. Biao did not understand Xie An's intentions, so he advised him openly. In the end, Xie An did not adopt his advice.
It is said that Wang Biao became the Minister of Personnel and, together with An Shi, managed court affairs. An Shi often said, "When there's uncertainty among court officials about important matters, they should ask Wang Gong, as he is capable of making a decision." As An Shi grew older, he wrote to request retirement, but the emperor did not agree. Later, he was appointed as the General of the Guard and also awarded the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. An Shi wanted to rebuild the palace, but Biao advised him, "During the early days of our dynasty, the emperor ascended the throne in the Eastern Palace, which was very simple. Emperor Yuan and Emperor Ming did not rebuild it. When Su Jun rebelled, Emperor Cheng lived at Lantai, where the harsh winter and sweltering summer were unbearable, so the palace had to be rebuilt. Compared to the palaces of the Han and Wei dynasties, our palace may be simple, but it is not dilapidated. It can be described as neither lavish nor lacking. We only need to make repairs as needed. The formidable enemies have yet to be defeated; it is a time to recuperate. How can we undertake such grand construction projects that burden the people and squander resources?" An Shi said, "If the palace is not grand, future generations will say that we are incompetent." Biao replied, "Governing the world should be about defending the country, stabilizing the people, and managing court affairs well. How can building a palace be considered a priority?" Convinced by Biao, An Shi refrained from renovating the palace during his lifetime. Later, Wang Biao was also appointed as a Household Counsellor and a Colonel of the Imperial Guards, but before he could assume the role, he fell seriously ill. The emperor sent the Minister of the Imperial Guard to inquire about his illness and granted him three hundred thousand coins for his medical treatment. In the second year of the Taiyuan era, Wang Biao passed away at the age of seventy-three. He was posthumously awarded the title of Household Counsellor and given the posthumous title of "Jian." He had two sons: one named Yue Zhi, who was a Military Advisor; and one named Lin Zhi, who was the Prefect of Dongyang.
Wang Leng, courtesy name Wenzhi, is the nephew of Wang Bin and the son of the National Teacher Wang Chen. He held some relatively easy official positions when he was young. After crossing the river, he served as a chancellor under Emperor Yuan. His brother Wang Dao believed that Wang Leng had the ability to govern political affairs and should manage a large county, so he sent him to Yuzhang as the governor and also appointed him as the General of Guangwu. Wang Leng knew that his brother Wang Dao was proud and arrogant, with thoughts of undermining the emperor, so he advised him every day to be humble and respectful to the emperor, and to unite the family members to help each other and achieve success together. He offered his advice with great sincerity. However, Wang Dao could not stand him and secretly had him killed.
His younger brother Wang Kan was also well-known, holding many prestigious official positions when he was young, eventually becoming the Historian of the State of Wu.
Yu Tan, courtesy name Siao, was from Yuyao, Zhejiang, and was the grandson of the Cavalry Captain Yu Fan of the State of Wu. His father, Yu Zhong, became the Governor of Yidu. When the State of Wu was destroyed, Yu Zhong defended the city without surrendering, ultimately dying in battle.
Yu Tan was known for his integrity and uprightness. He was appointed as an assistant and registrar by the province, and he also passed the imperial examination. The Grand Marshal, Sima Rong, wanted to appoint him as the National Scholar, but he was eventually appointed magistrate of Qixiang County and later transferred to Liling County. During the rebellion led by Zhang Chang, many counties joined him except for Yu Tan, who took up arms and defeated Zhang Chang's generals, including Deng Mu.
Huai Hui, the Prefect of Xiangyang, recommended Yu Tan for the position of Prefect of Jianping. Yu Tan turned it down due to illness. However, he actively participated in suppressing rebellions, traveling extensively to quell them, and was eventually titled the Duting Marquis for his military achievements. Later, when Chen Min rebelled, Yu Tan marched east to attack Chen Min's brother Chen Zan in Jiangzhou. Wang Ju, the Inspector of Guangzhou, recommended Yu Tan to be the Prefect of Luling. He restored order and governance to the neglected region, bringing peace to the people. He also helped quell Chen Hui's rebellion with other troops, and was later promoted to Prefect of Nankang, with the title of Marquis of Dongxiang.
Not long after, Emperor Jin Yuan ordered him to go and suppress Hua Yi, the Inspector of Jiangzhou. When Yu Tan arrived in Luling, Hua Yi's rebellion had been quelled, but the bandits led by Du Tuo in Xiangchuan remained a significant threat. Wei Zhan, the Inspector of Jiangzhou, recommended Yu Tan to also serve as the Prefect of Ancheng. At that time, Gan Zhuo was stationed in Yiyang, facing intense pressure from Du Tuo. Yu Tan led troops to rescue Gan Zhuo, who then recommended Yu Tan for the position of Prefect of Changsha, which Yu Tan declined once again. Wang Dun recommended Yu Tan to be the Prefect of Xiangdong, but he declined, citing his ongoing illness. After Du Tuo was pacified, Emperor Jin Yuan summoned him and appointed him as the Prime Minister's Military Advisor, and later reassigned him as the Commandant of Langye.
The emperor appointed him as the Prince of Jin, then made him the Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry, promoted him to General of the Right Guard, and later appointed him as the Minister of Justice. Due to illness, he asked for leave and returned home. At that time, Wang Han and Shen Chong launched an attack on the capital, putting the situation in a critical state! So he gathered his clan and relatives, as well as local influential families in his hometown, to rebel. In no time, he had gathered a force of over ten thousand people and even proclaimed himself General of Mingwei. He then led his troops to support the court and arrived in Shangyu. The Emperor personally wrote him a letter, appointing him as Champion General and concurrently as the Intendant of Kuaiji. He immediately accepted the appointment, and the rebel forces continued to swell. At this time, a wild eagle perched on the roof beam, striking fear into everyone. But he said, "We are the army of righteousness; even fierce birds come to help us, we will surely defeat the enemy!" He then sent his Chief of Staff Kong Tan with the vanguard to cross Zhejiang and pursue Shen Chong. He himself waited in Xiling to provide support for Kong Tan. Shen Chong was soon captured, and the conflict came to an end. The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him as a Minister, and shortly thereafter promoted him to General of the Right Guard, while also granting him the title of Cavalier Attendant. His official rank continued to rise.
After Emperor Cheng ascended the throne, he was sent to Wuxing as the Grand Administrator, a position with a salary of 2,000 stones, and was also appointed as the General of State Assistance. Due to his previous achievements in pacifying Shen Chong, he was granted the title of Marquis of Lingling County. Later, when Su Jun rebelled, the court appointed him responsible for military affairs in the five regions of Sanwu, Jinling, Xuancheng, and Yixing. However, the imperial army was defeated, and the emperor was nearly forced to flee. His forces were weak, and he could not hold out alone, so he could only defend his position and wait for reinforcements from elsewhere. Later, Tao Kan and others arrived, and he, along with Chi Jian and Wang Shu, responded to the call. Tao Kan appointed him as the acting governor of military affairs, overseeing military operations in Yangzhou and western Zhejiang. He led his troops to coordinate with other armies, launching a coordinated attack on the enemy from both the east and the west. He also sent the inspector Shen Yi to Wuxian to stop Guan Shang, but Shen Yi was defeated by Guan Shang, so he felt responsible and relinquished the position of military governor. Soon after, Su Jun was pacified. As his mother was elderly, he resigned and returned to his hometown of Yuyao. The court subsequently appointed him as General of the Guard and Internal Historian of Wu State. Later, he was transferred to be the Internal Historian of Kuaiji, but before he could leave, he was summoned back to Wujun. Due to his previous achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Wuchang County, with a fief of 1,600 households. At that time, after the chaos of war had just ended, the people were starving, and death was rampant. He petitioned the court to open the granaries to provide relief for the people. He also repaired the Hudu Levee to guard against pirates, and the people were extremely grateful to him.
Yu Tan was promoted to the position of General of the Guard during the Xiankang period. Despite appearing weak, he was internally steadfast and resolute, with great decisiveness. Although he led the army many times, he rarely experienced failure. Later, he resigned from his post following the death of his mother. After his mourning period ended, he was reappointed as Attendant and General of the Guard. Upon taking office, he was promoted to Right Guanglu Daifu, Kaifu, and Yitong San Si, and was assigned three hundred personal troops, while still holding the title of Attendant. He died in office at the age of seventy-nine. The court posthumously honored him as Left Guanglu Daifu, Kaifu, and Attendant, with the posthumous title of 'Xiaolie.' His son, Yu Ge, succeeded him in his title and rose to the rank of Right General Sima. Following Yu Ge's death, his son Yu Xiaofu succeeded to the title.
Yu Xiaofu held important positions when he was young and later became a court official, deeply favored by Emperor Xiaowu. Once, while serving the emperor at a banquet, the emperor casually inquired, "You hold a position in the court, why have I never heard of any suggestions or criticisms from you?" Since Yu Xiaofu's home was near the sea, he assumed the emperor was asking for seafood, and he replied, "The weather is still warm now; fresh fish and shrimp paste have not been made yet. I will certainly present some in a few days." The emperor burst into laughter. Later, having drunk too much, he struggled to stand, and the emperor said, "Help Courtier Yu up." Yu Xiaofu replied, "I don’t require assistance; even inebriated, I would not act recklessly, and I cannot accept such a favor." The emperor was very pleased. In the early years of Long'an, he served as the Grand Historian of Wu. Later, he was called to serve as a Shangshu, but before he could depart, Wang Xin rebelled, so the court sent him to serve as the Governor of Wuxing to deal with Wang Xin. Yu Xiaofu then went to Wuxing, and Wang Xin was defeated. The authorities reported that Yu Xiaofu had conspired with Wang Xin and should be executed. The emperor, considering his ancestor Yu Tan's merits, permitted him to redeem himself due to illness and live as a commoner. Four years later, he was appointed as a Shangshu once more. After Huan Xuan came to power, he appointed him as the Left Grand Marshal. Shortly after, he was promoted to General of the Guard and then assigned to the position of Historian of Kuaiji. In the early years of Yixi, he resigned and passed away at home.
Ma Fei, courtesy name Sixing, is the nephew of Yu Tan. Although his talent and strategy are not as good as Yu Tan's, his character is superior to that of Yu Tan. He and Qiao Guo Huan Yi both served as officials in the Ministry of Personnel and shared a close friendship. Huan Yi sent someone to visit Ma Fei, and Ma Fei also sent his son Ma Gu to visit Huan Yi. Ma Fei served as the Prefect of Wuxing and the Grand Minister of Purple Light. Wang Dao once said to Ma Fei, "Kong Yu is talented but not well-known, Yu Tan has great fame but lacks talent; perhaps you are the one who combines both!" Unfortunately, Ma Fei passed away before he could reach the pinnacle of his career, and people at that time lamented his loss. His son Ma Gu achieved the rank of Historiographer of Wu.
Gu Zhong, courtesy name Changshi, was from Wu County in the Wu Commandery and was the younger brother of General of Chariots and Cavalry Gu Rong. His father Gu Mi served as the Inspector of Jiaozhou, excelling in both civil and military affairs. Gu Zhong was the second eldest in the family, as his elder brother died young. Gu Zhong dutifully served his aunt and earned a solid reputation. The Grand Minister of Purple Light Zhu Dan admired him. The province called him to serve as Registrar, recommended him to participate in the Imperial Examination, and later appointed him as the Prefect of Yuhang County and Moling County, but he turned down all of them. Later, when Emperor Yuan became General Who Guards the East, he appointed Gu Zhong as his aide. Gu Zhong distinguished himself in the campaign against Hua Yi and was granted the title of Marquis of Dongxiang, also appointed as a secretary to the Prime Minister. After his father Gu Mi passed away, the people of the province elected Gu Zhong's brother Gu Shou as the Inspector, but Gu Shou was assassinated. Gu Zhong went to Jiaozhou to receive his father's coffin and unexpectedly ran into Du Tao's rebellion, facing hardships and displacement for a full six years before finally returning home. When Gu Mi served as an official in Wuxing, the people of Wuxing gifted him two million coins in gratitude for Gu Zhong's wartime experiences, but he refused all of it.
When Emperor Yuan ascended the throne and became the emperor, he summoned Gu Zhong, appointing him as the Duke of the Guards and appointed him as an Imperial Counselor. Later, he was promoted to the position of a Gentleman-in-Waiting. General Wang Dun wanted him to be the Deputy Palace Attendant, but the Emperor appointed him as the Governor of Nankang. Coincidentally, the court subsequently issued another decree appointing him as the Governor of Poyang, and conferred upon him the title of General of Valor. Gu Zhong went straight to Poyang to assume his duties without even meeting Wang Dun, which greatly surprised Wang Dun. Later, Wang Dun rebelled and ordered Gu Zhong to lead troops, but Gu Zhong hesitated to take action. Wang Dun was very angry and ordered Gu Zhong back, questioning him sternly. However, Gu Zhong remained unfazed, and Wang Dun gradually calmed down. At that time, Wang Dun fiercely reprimanded Lu Jie, the Interior Minister of Xuancheng, and Gu Zhong defended him. Wang Dun's Chief Secretary, Lu Wan, was also present, who was concerned for Gu Zhong and stepped forward to say: "You truly are a resilient and steadfast person, like 'unyielding yet flexible,' even surpassing the ancient figure Zhongshan Fu!" After Wang Dun's affairs were settled, he wanted Gu Zhong to be the Interior Minister of Wuxing, but Gu Zhong firmly declined the offer and recommended Huan Yi, an official of the Ministry of Personnel, who also declined, and ultimately, this matter was left unresolved. When Wang Dun was stationed in Gushu, he appointed Gu Zhong once more as the Palace Attendant. After Wang Dun suppressed the rebellion, Gu Zhong was appointed as a Grand Minister and was also granted the title of General of Valor.
Su Jun rebelled, the imperial army had been defeated, and everyone returned to the land of Wu, secretly planning the uprising. At that time, the internal historian of Wu, Yu Bing, had fled to Kuaiji, so Su Jun had Cai Mo take his place. General Zhang Ji was dispatched by Su Jun to Wu to gather troops, and the rebels sent a representative to communicate with Zhang Ji, who consented. The rebels then sent Langzhong Xu Ji to tell Cai Mo: "We have secretly gathered our forces at home, just waiting for the right moment to act, and have agreed with Zhang Ji to remain loyal to the court." Cai Mo then ordered the appointment of the rebels as protectors of the realm, with General Yang Wei's position remaining unchanged. The rebel's brother, General Hu Jun, was appointed as General Weiyuan and Frontline Protector. The people of Wu responded in unison.
Su Jun sent General Hong Hui to lead five hundred soldiers, charging into battle, drums beating. The rebels attacked Hong Hui, along with Yang and Ji, at Gaoyang, achieving a resounding victory and seizing their weapons. Knowing that Yu Bing would soon return to take office, Cai Mo left the county. The rebels sent Yang to lead the army to take up position in Wuxi. After Yu Bing arrived, he stationed at Yuting, fearing that the enemy would invade from Haiyu Road, so the rebels took personal precautions against it. The enemy generals Zhang Jian and Ma Liu attacked Wuxi, defeating Yang and his men; Yu Bing also suffered a loss, so Zhang Jian and others occupied Wucheng. The rebels fought against another enemy force from Haiyu through Lou County East Granary, defeating them, and the rebel forces regrouped and took up position in Wubao. Wang Shu, the internal historian of Kuaiji, and Yu Tan, the internal historian of Wuxing, both ordered that the rebel leaders be appointed as Grand Protectors of the Five Counties, to lead the various rebel forces against Zhang Jian. Yu Tan sent General Yao Xiu as the vanguard of the rebel army, who fell in battle. The rebel forces returned to defend Zibi.
At that moment, Su Jun's army was in high spirits, while the morale among the rebel forces was low. Everyone advised the rebel leader to cross Zhejiang. The rebel leader said, "No. Holding onto Zibi now can protect the five counties south of Qiantang. If we run to other areas, we will become a military force without a base; relying on whom? This isn't a viable long-term strategy!" Fan Ming, a resident of Linping, also said to the rebel leader, "This place is strategically important and can be used to resist the enemy. We cannot give up." The rebel leader then promoted Fan Ming to be a military officer. Fan Ming led his family and five hundred followers, along with various military forces, totaling four thousand people, to launch another attack against Zhang Jian. Zhang Jian retreated to Qu'a, leaving Qian Hong as the magistrate of Wu County. When the army arrived at Luqiu, they executed Qian Hong. The rebel army stationed in Wucheng dispatched nine contingents, including Zhu Qi, and guarded Chengting with the Governor of Lanling, Li Hong. Zhang Jian sent Ma Liu, Tao Yang, and others to attack. Li Hong and Zhu Qi and others fought back, achieving a great victory, killing more than two thousand enemy soldiers.
When it came to rewarding achievements, everyone agreed that he had responded to the emperor's decree, showed bravery, and took the initiative, attributing all the credit to Mo. But Mo said that this was the result of a collective discussion, not his own credit. Everyone was humble and admired his approach at that time. The emperor appointed him as the Earl of Poyang County and as the Pingnan Military Commander, but he did not accept. Later, he was appointed as the Danyang magistrate, the Grand Chancellor of the realm, and then appointed to the court as a court attendant, later promoted to a secretary. Towards the end of the Xiankang era, he was promoted to the General of the Army, the Grand Chancellor of Yangzhou, but he resolutely declined and refused to accept. Because his mother passed away, he resigned from his position and returned home to observe a period of mourning.
After Emperor Mu ascended to the throne, He Chong seized power and summoned Jun Ping to serve as the leading general, but Jun Ping did not accept the position. He only took up the position after the mourning period had ended. At that time, He Chong and Prince Wuling had a bad relationship, and Jun Ping mediated between them and ultimately brought about their reconciliation. He Chong was particularly devout in Buddhism, spending a considerable amount on Buddhist practices, and Jun Ping often advised him to be more cautious. Once, they rode in a carriage together and passed by a Buddhist temple. He Chong wanted Jun Ping to get off and take a look, but Jun Ping did not even step out of the carriage. Because Jun Ping was highly respected in the area, He Chong always treated him well. Later, when Jun Ping was old, he requested retirement in a letter to the emperor, but it was denied. He was then promoted to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. He passed away in the second year of Yonghe, at the age of seventy-three. He was posthumously awarded the title of Special Imperial Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, with the posthumous title of Jing. His eldest son, Changsi, was appointed magistrate of Jiankang, and his third son, Hui, became a military advisor to the central army. At that time, everyone said that they were all talented individuals.
Zhang Kai, courtesy name Jing Xu, was a native of Danyang and the great-grandson of General Zhao Zhi of Wu. He lost his father at a young age but was ambitious and had good character. The Minister of Ceremonies, Xue Jian, recommended him to Emperor Yuan, saying that Zhang Kai was outstanding in talent, upright, and trustworthy, a rare talent in the present day. The emperor summoned him to serve as a military advisor in Andong and treated him very well. He was later promoted to be an attendant in the Prime Minister's office. After his mother passed away, he returned home to observe the mourning period. After his mother's burial, the emperor insisted he return to his position. Zhang Kai firmly declined, stating that he was gravely ill. After repeated orders from the emperor, he reluctantly took up the position. When the emperor became Prince Jin, he appointed Zhang Kai as a Yellow Gate Attendant and the Chief Justice of his home county. Due to his contributions in assisting Prince Jin, the emperor granted him the title of Marquis of Danyang and subsequently promoted him to Palace Attendant.
After Zhang Kai became the Minister of the Interior, he managed the Jinling region very well and was deeply loved by the people. The emperor even issued a decree saying, "Those who hold the position of a magistrate or governor must strive to improve their moral character, govern the people under their jurisdiction effectively, be tolerant without being indulgent, and strict without being harsh, diligent in their duties and serious in their inspections, work for the benefit of the country and the people, suppress the strong, support the weak, and eliminate all improper practices. Only then can they be considered qualified magistrates. If reputation exceeds actual ability, it is despised by ancient people; if one attacks those with different views, it is a major taboo in governance; the most important thing is to uphold the right principles." Zhang Kai earnestly followed the emperor's instructions. At that time, the four counties under his jurisdiction experienced a total crop failure due to drought. Zhang Kai personally supervised the construction of the Qu'a Xinfeng Pond, leading to bountiful harvests in the years that followed. Ge Hong even wrote a commendatory article praising him for this. However, due to the construction of water conservancy projects that utilized 211,420 laborers, Zhang Kai was dismissed from office. Later, many court ministers spoke up for him, saying, "Zhang Kai's construction of water conservancy projects and irrigation of farmland is a great benefit to the country, but he was dismissed from office for this. In this way, who will be willing to do good in the future?" After hearing this, the emperor also regretted it and issued another decree: "Former Marquis Danyang Zhang Kai was dismissed from office for laboring the people, although it was according to the advice of officials, it cannot hide his loyal intentions for the country! The granary is the backbone of the nation, and we must choose the right people for these roles. Now, let Zhang Kai be appointed as the Grand Minister of Agriculture!" Zhang Kai felt he shouldn't immediately take on such a high position as one of the Nine Ministers, so he submitted a letter to decline, but the emperor insisted, so he reluctantly accepted the position.
After the emperor's death, Zhang Kai was appointed as the Minister of Works, responsible for constructing Pingling. After completing the task, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel. Later, during Su Jun's rebellion, Zhang Kai and Wang Dao entered the palace to serve as attendants. Su Jun let Zhang Kai hold his staff, acting as the commander of the Eastern Forces. Wang Dao secretly discussed with Zhang Kai and conveyed the order to the Empress Dowager, prompting a swift uprising in the Sanwu region. When Tao Kan and others arrived, they provided Zhang Kai with the staff and appointed him as the General of the Conquering Forces, overseeing the Dan Yang volunteer army alongside General Tao Hui, known for his prowess. After arriving in Jin Ling, Zhang Kai ordered Liu Dan, the Minister of the Interior, to gather all available food supplies, and sent the Wu County finance department to transport food supplies for the four armies to supply the army of General Che Jian. He also recruited volunteer soldiers together with Cai Mo, the Minister of the Interior of Wu County, the former Minister of the Interior of Wu Xing, Yu Tan, and the Minister of the Interior of Kuaiji, Wang Shu, to quell Su Jun. After Su Jun's rebellion was quelled, Zhang Kai was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, bestowed the title of Viscount of Yiyang, and later promoted to the position of Minister of Justice. However, due to illness, he resigned from his official position and was bestowed the title of Grand Master of Glorious Happiness. He passed away shortly thereafter at the age of sixty-four, and his son, Zhang Hun, succeeded him in his title. Zhang Kai's memorials, official documents, and essays continue to be widely circulated.
In historical records, it is said that Jisun Xingfu treated a benevolent ruler with the filial piety of a son serving his parents; but he treated a bad ruler like an eagle hunting small birds. Therefore, Shi Que's killing of Zhuang Gong's favorite and Shuxiang's slaying of Fu were both considered heroic tales in history. Wang Dun, notorious for his despicable deeds, is hardly a figure to emulate. However, Zhu Jiarong tolerated common people and became a representative of heroes; Li Ji betrayed Lv Buwei and earned the reputation of selling friends for glory. These stories are meant to inspire society and promote education. Wang Bin sent lavish gifts to those he looked down upon, while Wang Shu threw himself into the river, treating those who had once helped him poorly. It's clear who is good and who is bad when comparing the two. Si Xing and Biao, in times of corrupt morals, insisted on their principles; Yu Tan and Gu Zhong stood firm in times of crisis, maintaining their integrity. Although Long Guan was responsible for communication and coordination, the method referred to as "制鱼" was hardly a sound suggestion, and Xiaofu's response was too vulgar!
In praise: He enjoyed fame in his youth, but his reputation waned in old age. He was like a deer's antlers, full of vitality yet ultimately unable to escape his fate. Hao is said to be talented and assists wise rulers. While some displayed noble character, others exhibited disgraceful behavior. Confucian scholars in the world are indignant and mourn for Yiling Dun. Biao remained unyielding, preferring poverty to seeking power. Gu Kaizhi is like southern gold, and Yu Tan is like eastern arrows. They have pure character, consistency, and always maintain noble integrity. Gong Wang and Gong Cai were chosen for them.
