Chen Shou, courtesy name Chengzuo, was a native of Anhan in Sichuan. He was particularly fond of studying at a young age and became a student of Qiao Zhou, a fellow county man. Later, he served as a minor official in the Shu Han dynasty as a historian of the Guange Pavilion. At that time, the eunuch Huang Hao held immense power, and all the court ministers flattered him, except for Chen Shou, who refused to curry favor with him, resulting in his demotion several times. After his father passed away, he fell ill and had to depend on his maids to help him with his medication. Visitors and neighbors in the village criticized him, claiming he was a failure. Due to these circumstances, Chen Shou felt frustrated for several years after the fall of the Shu Han dynasty.
Later, the Minister of Works Zhang Hua recognized his talent and believed that although Chen Shou had his flaws, they were not severe enough to warrant execution. He recommended Chen Shou as a model of filial piety and integrity and appointed him as an assistant official in the Bureau of Literature, before sending him to serve as a county magistrate in Yangping County. Chen Shou wrote "Collected Works of Zhuge Liang of Shu" and submitted it to the court. He later served as an official in the Bureau of Literature and also held the position of magistrate in his home county. He wrote the "Records of the Three Kingdoms," which comprised sixty-five volumes, and was praised by his contemporaries for his skill in narrating events, and was regarded as an excellent historian. Xiahou Zhan, who was writing the "Book of Wei" at the time, after reading Chen Shou's work, destroyed his own manuscript and abandoned his writing. Zhang Hua highly admired him and said to Chen Shou, "In the future, the 'Book of Jin' should be entrusted to you to write!" This illustrates the high regard in which Chen Shou was held at the time.
Some people say that Ding Yi and Ding Zhi are very famous in the Wei Kingdom. Chen Shou said to the son of Ding Yi and Ding Zhi, "If you can give me a thousand measures of rice, I will write an outstanding biography for your father." Ding Yi's son refused to give him the rice, so Chen Shou did not write the biography for his father. Chen Shou's father had served as an officer under Ma Su, who was killed by Zhuge Liang. Chen Shou's father was also implicated and was forced to shave his head. Furthermore, Zhuge Zhan held Chen Shou in contempt. So when Chen Shou wrote a biography for Zhuge Liang, he claimed that Zhuge Liang's military skills were mediocre, lacking the ability to confront enemies, and also said that Zhuge Zhan was merely a scribe, with his reputation far outstripping his actual abilities. Many people criticized Chen Shou for this.
Zhang Hua wanted to promote Shou to the position of Lang in the Central Secretariat, but Xun Xu, envious of Zhang Hua and harboring a dislike for Shou, secretly advised officials in the Ministry of Personnel to transfer Shou to Changguang as its Prefect. Given his mother's old age, Shou declined the offer. Later, Du Yu was to be stationed in a certain region and recommended Shou to the emperor, recommending him for the position of Yellow Gate Attendant. As a result, Shou was appointed as an Imperial Historian. After his mother passed away, Shou resigned and returned home to fulfill the mourning rites. Before her death, his mother had instructed him to be buried in Luoyang, and Shou followed her wishes. However, for failing to transport his mother's remains back to their hometown for burial, he faced criticism and was subsequently demoted. Earlier, Qiao Zhou had advised Shou, "You will surely gain fame for your talents in the future, but you will also encounter setbacks, which can be a blessing in disguise. You should be cautious!" At this point, Shou had already faced two demotions, just as Qiao Zhou had predicted. A few years later, he was appointed as the Chief Imperial Clerk to the Crown Prince, but had yet to assume the role.
In the seventh year of Yuankang, Chen Shou died at the age of sixty-five. The Grand Master of Liangzhou and the Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, Fan Yun, and others submitted a memorial saying: "In the past, Emperor Wu of Han decreed: 'Sima Xiangru is seriously ill, send someone to collect all his works.' The messenger obtained Sima Xiangru's posthumous manuscripts, which discussed the matter of the Fengshan ceremony, and the emperor attached great importance to it. We believe that the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' written by the former Imperial Historian Chen Shou contains many admonitions, explaining the successes and failures of events, and is beneficial for social morality. Although the literary style is not as elaborate as Sima Xiangru's, it is simple and honest, surpassing him. We hope you will pay attention to it and include it." The emperor then ordered the Prefect of Henan and the Magistrate of Luoyang to copy Chen Shou's works at his residence. In addition to the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms', Chen Shou also wrote fifty articles of 'Records of Ancient Nations' and ten articles of 'Biographies of the Elderly in Yidu', and other writings have also been handed down to the world.
Wang Changwen, styled Derui, was a native of Qixian, Guanghan County. He became famous for his talents at a young age, but he was a free spirit. When the local government summoned him to serve as an official, he refused. When they asked him to take a position as an assistant, he disguised himself and secretly ran away, and no one in the province knew where he had gone. Later, someone saw him squatting on the ground eating a flatbread in Chengdu city. The governor recognized his integrity and politely let him go. Wang Changwen then shut himself away and did not interact with others. He wrote four volumes, imitating the 'Book of Changes', and named it the 'Book of the Profound Mystery', which included explanations and hexagrams for divination. People of the time likened it to Yang Xiong's 'Great Mystery'. A fellow townsman, Ma Xiu, said: "Yang Xiong wrote the 'Great Mystery'; only Huan Tan believed it would endure through the ages. Later, Lu Ji appeared, and the principles of the 'Great Mystery' were explained. Wang Changwen's 'Book of the Profound Mystery' has yet to find someone like Lu Ji to interpret it!"
During the Taikang era of the Western Jin Dynasty, there was a famine in the Shu area, and the government opened the granaries to provide relief to the needy. There was a man named Changwen who came from a poor family and borrowed a lot of food, but later was unable to repay it. The local officials harshly reprimanded him and sent him to the provincial office. However, the governor Xu Gan released him without a word. Later, Prince Ying of Chengdu recognized his talent and appointed him as the county magistrate of Jiangyuan. When someone asked him why he was willing to bend his principles and become an official, Changwen replied, "I am becoming an official to support my parents, not for my own gain." Later, when Liang Wang Rong became the chancellor, he invited Changwen to serve as a Langzhong. Changwen always traveled in Luoyang in a modestly adorned carriage, which surprised many onlookers at that time. Eventually, he died peacefully in Luoyang.
Yu Pu, known by his courtesy name Yunyuan, hailed from Changyi in Gaoping. His father, Yu Mi, served as a general and defended Longxi. Yu Pu followed his father in Longxi, but he was devoted to his studies. While the troops were training, everyone went to watch, but Yu Pu didn't even glance. Later, he was recommended as a filial and upright official by the county and was later promoted to the position of Shangshu Dulingshi. Both Wei Guan and the Shangshu Chu valued him highly. Yu Pu told Wei Guan, "When Sima Yan ascended to the throne, he should have restored the system of the five ranks of nobility of the former kings to achieve lasting peace. We must not continue the harsh laws of the Qin Dynasty, nor repeat the mistakes of the Han and Wei Dynasties!" Wei Guan replied, "Throughout history, people have lamented this predicament, but ultimately, no one has been able to change it."
Later, Yu Pu was appointed as the official in charge of public transport and military affairs, and then promoted to be the Prefect of Poyang. He actively established schools and widely recruited students, issuing proclamations to various counties, saying: "Learning is for the purpose of cultivating one's morals, understanding principles, discerning right from wrong, and accumulating various virtuous deeds. When one's morals are upright within, their actions will be upright without; when virtuous deeds are accumulated in the heart, their reputation will be renowned in the world. Therefore, the nature of ordinary people can be transformed through education. Accumulating virtuous deeds helps cultivate good habits and character. During the times of Tang, Yao, and Shun, every household could produce officials and dignitaries. When rites and music fell into disarray, everyone could face punishment. Isn't this because education shaped social customs and changed people's hearts? Since the loss of ruling power in the Han Dynasty, the world has been divided, bandits have been rampant in the Jiangnan area, the moral education along the royal path has long been in decline, and school education has been neglected and unrepaired. Now that the country is unified and the people are living in peace and prosperity, we should promote morality, establish schools, and align with the nation's prosperity to enhance our educational efforts." He then formulated a detailed set of rules and regulations. As a result, the number of students coming to study reached over seven hundred. Yu Pu also specifically wrote a proclamation to encourage and educate them; the following is the original text:
Fellow students, you are all well-dressed scholars donning hats, in the prime of youth, with lofty aspirations, just beginning to study in the school, studying the classics and ancient books; this is key to achieving great accomplishments and building a moral foundation! The teachings of sages may seem plain and unremarkable, so beginners in learning do not like them very much. After studying for a while, as your knowledge and experience grow, and the content of your studies increases, hearing things you have never heard before and seeing things you have never seen before every day, you will experience a moment of clarity, becoming dedicated and joyful, and unconsciously be influenced by the teachings of the sages, and the great way will also become part of your inner world. Therefore, the impact of learning on individuals is deeper than that of painting. I have seen paintings change over time, but I have never seen anyone decline after prolonged study.
When craftsmen dye fabric, they first need to prepare the texture. Once the texture is properly prepared, the colors can be layered on, completing the dyeing process. Learning is the same; filial piety and loyalty form the foundation of education. A noble person must first cultivate their inner self before refining their behavior. Once their behavior is refined, they can then pursue cultural knowledge, cultivating both internal and external qualities in order to become a person of virtue. Learners should focus less on their talent and more on their determination, so if you aspire to be a thoroughbred, you must work as hard as one; if you want to become a wise person like Yan Hui, you must study hard like Yan Hui. It is said that if carving is abandoned midway, even rotten wood will never take shape; if you persist in carving, even stone and metal can be carved. Doesn't this illustrate the principle of learning?
Now students are all reciting the classics of sages, learning the teachings of the school, and in three years will achieve a certain level of success. At that time, your reputation will spread far and wide, praises will be endless, friends will admire you, and happily associate with you; court officials will respect you, praising your talent. At that time, the state government will compete to appoint you as an official, isn't that wonderful! If you have outstanding literary talent, write fluently, comment on current events, explore strange phenomena, making the writings of Yang Xiong and Ban Gu pale in comparison, and leaving Dong Zhongshu speechless, this entirely depends on individual talent, as there is no universal standard for it. However, small efforts accumulate into great rivers; tiny particles of dust can build towering mountains. Without firm will and diligent effort, success is difficult to achieve. If students can set aside worldly distractions, focus on learning, persevere, and progress step by step, then even if progress is slow, sooner or later there will be achievements. What can’t be achieved? What goals can’t be reached?
At this time, the Master of Ceremonies intended to rebuild a house for a sacrificial ceremony. Pu said, "A noble person knows that rituals don’t require a fixed location; Confucius once shot arrows in the Jue Xiang garden and also performed rituals under a large tree. Especially considering how spacious and bright the school is now!"
Pu Dang was very strict, but not ruthlessly strict. The people lived well; even crows flocked to the county government courtyard! He also annotated the texts and biographies of the "Spring and Autumn Annals," wrote "Jiang Biao Zhuan" along with many other articles and poems, totaling in the dozens. He passed away in Luoyang at sixty-two. His son Bo later presented "Jiang Biao Zhuan" to Emperor Yuan, who ordered it to be kept in the imperial library.
Sima Biao, courtesy name Shaotong, was the eldest son of Prince Sima Mu of Gaoyang. He was originally supposed to inherit the title of the royal relative Sima Min. He loved studying since he was young, reading day and night, but he was also known for his lechery and had a questionable character. His father Sima Mu often criticized him, and as a result, he was not permitted to inherit the title; although it was nominally passed down, he was effectively stripped of his rights. Because of this, Sima Biao rarely interacted with others, focusing solely on his studies, thus he immersed himself in various texts and ultimately completed his historical compilation. He was initially appointed as a Cavalry Officer, became a Secretary during the Taishi era, and later rose in rank. He annotated the "Zhuangzi" and wrote the "Annals of the Nine Provinces." He once said, "In ancient times, emperors appointed historians to record contemporary events, documenting both good and evil to guide future generations and distill the principles of governance. Therefore, if the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' are not revised, Confucius would have to revise it; if the 'Book of Songs' is in disarray, Shi Zhi would have to revise it. Those sages weren't just looking for trouble! It was out of necessity that they did so. During the Han Dynasty from the flourishing period to the Jian'an era, there were many loyal and virtuous officials, but there were no good historians at that time, and historical records were in chaos. Although Qiao Zhou had made some revisions, it was still not perfect. Starting from the Anshun era, many historical materials were missing." Therefore, Sima Biao consulted many books, organized everything he heard and saw, starting from Emperor Wu of Han and continuing until Emperor Xiaoxian, compiling a chronological history spanning two hundred years, covering twelve dynasties, connecting the rise and fall of each dynasty, and recording many other events. In total, he wrote eighty chapters, known as the "Continuation of the Book of Han." During the Taishi era, Emperor Wu personally performed the sacrifice at the Southern Suburbs, and Sima Biao submitted his opinions in writing, which was recorded in the "Records of the Suburban Sacrifice." Later, he was appointed as a Cavalry Officer. He died in the later years of Emperor Hui, at about sixty.
At first, Qiao Zhou felt that Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian" quoted too many folk sayings and the viewpoints of various schools of thought when writing about the history before the Zhou and Qin dynasties, and did not fully follow official historical records. Therefore, he wrote "Examination of Ancient History" in twenty-five volumes, all based on ancient classics, to rectify Sima Qian's errors. However, Sima Biao felt that Qiao Zhou's "Examination of Ancient History" was still lacking. He believed that there were one hundred and twenty-two inaccuracies in "Examination of Ancient History," with many viewpoints based on the records of "the Annals of Jizhong." His views also gained considerable traction.
Wang Yin, courtesy name Chushu, was from Chen County, Chen Commandery. His family had lived in poverty for generations. His father, Wang Quan, served as the magistrate of Liyang County. From a young age, Wang Yin was passionate about learning and writing, often privately recording the historical events and notable figures of the Jin Dynasty. Unfortunately, he died before completing his work. Wang Yin was upright and disinterested in associating with the powerful; he was knowledgeable and inherited his father's aspirations. He was well-versed in the history of the ancient capital, Chang'an.
During the Jianxing period, Wang Yin crossed the river to Jiankang. The Prime Minister's military advisor, Zuna, greatly admired him. Zuna enjoyed playing chess, and Wang Yin often urged him not to become too engrossed in it. Zuna said, "I just use it for entertainment." Wang Yin replied, "In ancient times, if people encountered a good opportunity, they would use their efforts to achieve their ambitions; if they did not succeed, they would use their writing to showcase their talents, so they could achieve something whether in prosperity or adversity. Currently, the Jin Dynasty has not yet established official history, the world is in turmoil, and past events are being forgotten. This is not something just anyone can achieve. In your youth, you lived in Luoyang, Chang'an, Jianye, Xiangyang, and Ye City, traveling widely and witnessing the rise and fall of various fortunes. Why not write these down? Ying Shao wrote 'Customs and Traditions,' Cui Lin wrote 'Political Discourses,' Cai Yong wrote 'On the Importance of Learning,' and Shi You wrote 'Urgent Chapters.' These books are still circulating today. Even though they are long gone, their names live on in history. Was there a lack of talent in their time? Yet many remained in obscurity because they never produced any works! Thus, a gentleman fears being forgotten after death. The I Ching teaches us to strive for self-improvement, not to mention national historical records, which can record the trajectory of success and failure. Why get lost in chess and forget your troubles?" Zuna listened, sighed deeply, and said, "It's not that I don't like your idea, but I am unable to do it!" He then recommended Wang Yin in a memorial. Emperor Yuan of Jin was busy establishing the country at that time and did not have time to consider the selection of historians, so the matter was set aside.
In the early years of Taixing, the system of laws and regulations gradually improved, and the court summoned Wang Yin and Guo Pu to serve as literary officials, instructing them to write the history of the Jin Dynasty. Prince Yuzhang, Wang Dun, was granted the title of Marquis of Pinglingxiang for his achievements. At that time, the literary official Yu Yu was also secretly working on the "Book of Jin," but he grew up in the southeast and was not familiar with court affairs. He often consulted Wang Yin and even copied Wang Yin's writings, thus gathering more and more information. Later, Yu Yu grew increasingly envious of Wang Yin, which manifested in his words and actions. Yu Yu came from a prominent family and had many connections with the powerful. They conspired to ostracize Wang Yin, ultimately removing him from office on trumped-up charges and sending him back home. Wang Yin, now destitute and lacking writing materials, sought refuge with the General Who Conquers the West, Yu Liang, in Wuchang. Yu Liang provided him with paper and pen, and Wang Yin was finally able to finish his book, which he presented to the emperor in the capital. Although Wang Yin enjoyed writing, his writing was rough, incoherent, and contradictory. The more well-crafted sections of his book were penned by his father, while the muddled and incoherent sections were written by Wang Yin himself. Wang Yin passed away at home in his seventies.
Yin Xiong Hu, styled Chuzhong, always valued martial virtue and discipline from a young age. When Prince Ying of Chengdu led an army to attack Luoyang, he was appointed as a champion aide-de-camp and eventually rose to the rank of guerrilla general thanks to his many military accomplishments. He, along with Man Fen of the Imperial Guards and Zhou Fu of Henan, were stationed at the Grand Marshal's Gate, tasked with guarding the imperial palace. At that time, a man named Shangguan Si was especially arrogant and overbearing. Yin Xiong Hu and Man Fen conspired to eliminate him, but ultimately, Yin Xiong Hu was killed by Shangguan Si.
Yu Yu, whose courtesy name was Shuning, is the younger brother of Zhengshi Xi. Originally named Yu Mao, he changed his name after offending a taboo related to Empress Mingmu's mother. Yu Yu became an orphan at the age of twelve and loved studying from a young age, demonstrating considerable literary talent. The customs in Yuyao were quite poor, with various factions scheming against one another. His elders recommended him to take on the role of county magistrate to restore order. Yu Yu wrote a letter to his uncle, saying, "I heard that everyone wants me to work in the government. If I really go, I must fully commit myself and cannot be half-hearted. However, my abilities are limited and I have many concerns. The wrongdoers are colluding, and various dissenting voices will emerge. If I make a mistake one day, they will come at me all at once. Even a small mistake will have huge consequences; this is a lesson from history that I deeply fear." As expected by Yu Yu, he was sidelined and pushed out in under six months.
When Yu Chen was the governor, he appointed me as the chief clerk. I wrote a memorial in advance, reporting on the errors in current governance, saying: "Since the chaos of war, there have been many taxes and corvee, coupled with poor harvests, the people are all out of work. This is the time to reduce taxes and corvee, and pardon penalties! However, recently, officials at all levels have been frequently transferred, seeing off the old officials and welcoming the new ones, leading to severe congestion on the roads. They praise extravagance as loyalty, while being frugal is seen as low-class. Everyone is competing, and the situation is escalating, and it cannot stop. Even with regulations in place, no one is willing to comply. In addition, the roads are still not repaired, causing traffic jams everywhere, and those seeing off the officials could take years, delaying the farming schedule, and the people cannot cultivate the land. If one person can’t farm, ten will go hungry, not to mention hundreds or thousands of people; the losses would be staggering! I propose that all counties be required to thoroughly register the boats, personnel, and attendants accompanying the departing county magistrates and county captains, and streamline these upon taking office according to the law, benefiting both the public and officials. Furthermore, given the current complexity of affairs, manpower is being added everywhere, and in slightly urgent situations, postal inspectors are established. There are now more than thirty postal inspectors, and their travels require boats, personnel, and attendants, which further burdens them. We should reduce the number of postal inspectors to prevent this issue." Yu Chen agreed with me and implemented all my suggestions.
Later, Ji Zhan became the governor, and he appointed me as the chief clerk again, and later promoted me to be the official historian. I was recommended as a candidate for filial piety and integrity, but I did not go. The Director of the Eastern Bureau, Zhuge Hui, and the military official Yu Liang recommended me, and I was summoned by the court to be the chief military officer and recorder. After my mother passed away and the mourning period ended, I was appointed as an assistant to the editor.
In the second year of Taixing, there was a severe drought, and the court called for everyone to give advice. I boldly submitted a memorial and stated:
"The Great Jin Dynasty has been established for more than fifty years. Since the Yuan Kang period, the benevolent rule of the court has begun to decline, and barbarians have invaded the Central Plains. The ancestral temples have been burned to ashes, there's not a wisp of smoke for a thousand miles, and the land of Huaxia is devoid of those wearing crowns and sashes. Historically, there has never been such chaos recorded in history or other writings!
Your Majesty is wise and martial, with far-reaching vision, guarding the southeast, and your benevolence is felt far and wide. With the blessings of the heavens and the support of both men and gods, it is said you are destined to revive the nation. However, even though the song "South Wind" can be passed down through the ages, the state of national decline remains unchanged. Why is this? I believe that the key to governing a country lies in selecting talent, and the key to selecting talent is to cast a wide net. As long as they are capable, regardless of their background, they should be recognized and utilized. Emperor Gaozong and King Wen both dreamt of talented individuals assisting them, not hesitating to dig up talents from the mountains and fields to serve as prime ministers, and even learning the ways of governing from old fishermen. Other vassal states also have similar examples, such as the state of Yan promoting Guo Kui, resulting in three talented individuals vying to serve; the state of Wei using strategies to scare off the Qin army. Although talent is scarce in the world today, even in the smallest villages, there will surely be loyal and reliable individuals. The world is not lacking in talent; as long as one is willing to seek, they can be found. However, the court now turns a blind eye to those wise talents hidden in the mountains and forests, burying those with abilities, making it difficult to achieve effective governance and hindering the arrival of an era of peace and prosperity."
Because we need outstanding generals, I wrote to the Emperor again, saying: I heard that in an era of peace and prosperity, the focus is on culture and education; but in times of chaos, we can’t restore order without military might. Therefore, at the Battle of Muye, Jiang Taigong held military power; when the Huai Yi rose in rebellion, Duke Zhou led troops to suppress them; when the Xiongnu invaded, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing led the army north to attack. Therefore, if there’s an imbalance in Yin and Yang, wise men should be appointed as advisors; if the army suffers repeated defeats, talented soldiers should be promoted to be generals. After Emperor Gaozu unified the country, he still valued fierce generals to defend the realm; Emperor Wen of Han wanted to recover Julu, and Feng Tang advised, and Wei Shang was able to return to his post. The Book of Songs says, "The valiant warriors, the lords brave the cities"; how can we ignore the brave generals who charge into battle! Moreover, the Central Plains are now desolate and in ruins, with all industries declining; local officials are either from barbarian tribes or are bandits. Your Majesty, after you ascended the throne, your reputation has spread far and wide, so these people have temporarily submitted. However, they are ruthless and unpredictable, and the Jie tribes remain a threat, which adds to the instability. Zhou Fu and Chen Chuan successively rebelled; Xu Gang is arrogant, cunning, lawless, burning, killing, and looting everywhere; their crimes are unmistakable.
In ancient times, Gebo broke the law, and Shang Tang gave him a cow; Wu Bi made a mistake and was given a cane, and only after his crimes were confirmed was he sentenced to death. Small figures, like the clown in a niche, are not worth eliminating. However, taking preventive measures is a valuable lesson from ancient times, especially now, with potential dangers looming, prevention is even more crucial! To prevent, excellent leaders are needed. If leaders are not trained and prepared during peacetime, they will struggle to face the enemy. With no garrison stationed in Shou Chun, Zu Ti fought alone, facing powerful enemies ahead with no support behind; even with his talent, he cannot endure. I hope Your Majesty consults the court ministers and seeks their opinions. If suitable talents are identified, they should be entrusted with significant responsibilities and encouraged to fight for their lives. Additionally, consider those who are often overlooked; if there are talents among them, they should be generously rewarded, so they forget about personal safety and wholeheartedly devote themselves to work. In the past, Ying Bu was angry because he was neglected and wanted to commit suicide, but later the court arranged a position for him, and he worked wholeheartedly. Shouldn’t we treat talented individuals with the respect they deserve?
While I understand that the vastness of our country's territory cannot be expanded by mere drops of dew, and the will of heaven is beyond the grasp of foolish and ignorant people, even ordinary citizens have concerns for the nation and its people, let alone me, as a courtier, who serves in the court and enjoys wealth and honor!
Later, I was appointed as a Changshi in Langya and was promoted to the roles of Secretariat Assistant and Lang of the Imperial Secretariat.
In the early years of the Xianhe period, a drought struck during the summer, and the court ordered all officials to propose methods for praying for rain. I prepared a memorial in advance that stated:
I heard that the Way of Heaven lies in keeping faith, and the Way of Earth lies in sincerity. Faith and sincerity are the foundations of all things in the world, as well as the cornerstones of a ruler's governance. Therefore, in matters of war and conflict, one should act as swiftly and decisively as thunder and lightning; in bestowing kindness, one should be as timely and widespread as clouds and rain. Punishments should be based on credibility, while rewards should aim for fairness. I've heard that recently, criminal cases have been on the rise, with powerful individuals often implicated and dragging out the process; those without connections face harsher penalties, as authorities seek to impose severe sentences. As a result, the people are voicing widespread grievances, which disrupt social harmony. I believe penalties should be reduced and cases resolved quickly, and for those sentenced to death, they should be handled with caution. Forced labor should be minimized, thrift should be promoted, and officials should be held accountable.
According to the ritual, an old ox should not be used for farming, but recently, many officials have been competing with each other when assuming their positions, wantonly slaughtering calves—sometimes more than ten—engaging in wild drunken parties without any restraint, wasting money and corrupting social morals, leading to immeasurable losses.
It is said that in the past, the ancestral temples of the Yin and Shang dynasties were sacrificed, and cultivating virtue and doing good deeds could eliminate disasters; Duke Jing of Song said that speaking cautiously could avoid disasters caused by evil spirits. Even a powerful monarch like King Zhuang of Chu was always afraid of disasters. Even a virtuous monarch is bound to make mistakes, so one should be honest and align with what heaven intends; then heaven will bless the prosperity of the country. I have limited knowledge, so my words may not carry much weight.
From King Han, he received the title of Marquis of Xixiang. Later, when Su Jun rebelled, he requested leave to return home early. The prefect, Wang Shu, valued his talents and invited him to serve as a military advisor. After Su Jun's rebellion was quelled, he was promoted to Marquis of Pingkang County, and later to the position of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, while retaining his position as a clerk. Afterwards, he was appointed as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and still served as a clerk. As he aged, he retired and eventually passed away in his home.
He usually likes to study historical texts and philosophical works and has a strong aversion to the mystical. He once commented that Ruan Ji exposed his chest and let his hair hang loose, just like Yi Yin, believing that this was the reason for the Hu people's invasion of the Central Plains, noting that it resembled the decline of the Zhou Dynasty. He wrote over forty volumes of "Jin Shu," twenty essays in "Kuaiji Dianlu," and twelve essays in "Zhu Yu Zhuan," which have been preserved through the ages. In addition, he also wrote many poems, fu, inscriptions, elegies, and essays, totaling dozens of pieces.
Sun Sheng, styled Anguo, was from Zhongdu, Taiyuan. His grandfather, Sun Chu, was the Prefect of Fengyi, and his father, Sun Xun, was the Prefect of Yingchuan. His father was killed by bandits while in office. When Sun Sheng was ten years old, to escape the war, he fled to the south of the Yangtze River. As he grew older, he became knowledgeable and talented, skilled in debate, and well-versed in the principles of names. At that time, Yin Hao was quite renowned, and Sun Sheng was his sole debating partner. Once, Sun Sheng visited Yin Hao, and the two engaged in debate over their meal. In his excitement, Sun Sheng tossed aside the dust whisk, and all the hairs from the whisk fell into the food. The food went from cold to hot several times, and they debated until evening, completely forgetting about their meal, and ultimately couldn't reach a conclusion. Later, Sun Sheng authored a book on medicine, divination, and the I Ching, titled "The Marvel of Yi Xiang as Seen in Form." Yin Hao and his peers could not refute it, and from that point on, Sun Sheng gained widespread fame.
At first, he started as a low-ranking official, but his family was poor and his parents were old, so he requested a transfer to a smaller post and was then sent to be the magistrate of Liuyang County. Later, Governor Tao Kan invited him to serve as his military advisor. After Tao Kan left, Yu Liang took over and promoted him to be the chief registrar for the Western Expedition, and later elevated him to military advisor. At that time, the Prime Minister Wang Dao was in power, and Yu Liang was Wang Dao's nephew. There was a Nanman Colonel named Tao Cheng who tried to sow discord between them, leading Wang Dao and Yu Liang to harbor suspicions about their relationship. Sheng Hongzhi advised Yu Liang, stating, "Prime Minister Wang is a straightforward and open-minded person; how could he doubt such trivial matters! This must be the work of treacherous individuals attempting to drive a wedge between you!" Yu Liang followed his advice.
Later, Yu Liang was replaced by Yu Yi, who appointed Sheng Hongzhi as military advisor for the Western Campaign, and soon promoted him to the position of Minister of Justice. Then Huan Wen took over from Yu Yi, leaving Sheng Hongzhi as a military advisor, and together they marched to attack Shu. When the army reached Pengmo, Huan Wen's light troops advanced into Shu, while Sheng Hongzhi managed the elderly, weak, and sick, along with the supplies from the rear. Suddenly, thousands of enemies appeared, throwing everyone into a panic. Sheng Hongzhi quickly organized the generals, and they successfully repelled the enemy. After pacifying the region of Shu, he was granted the title of Marquis of Anhuai County, and his official rank continued to ascend, eventually serving as an attendant to Huan Wen.
Following Huan Wen's entry into Guanzhong to pacify Luoyang, he was promoted to Marquis of Wuchang County due to his military achievements and later appointed as the Prefect of Changsha. Because his family was poor, he took on some work to help support his family. His subordinates and county officials knew about this, but out of respect for his reputation, they chose not to report him. The correspondence between Sheng Hongzhi and Huan Wen was candid and free-spirited, criticizing the officials sent by the state as being like strange birds wandering the banks of the Xiang River, lacking both the auspiciousness of a phoenix and the courage of a falcon. After receiving a letter from Sheng Hongzhi, Huan Wen sent officials to investigate carefully, and it was found that he was corrupt. However, despite the solid evidence, he was only returned to the state in a prisoner's cart, and ultimately, he faced no punishment.
He continued to climb the ranks, eventually becoming the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, while also adding the position of Imperial Censor. He passed away at the age of seventy-two.
Sheng Hongzhi had a deep love for learning from a young age, always with a book in hand. He wrote two books, "The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Wei Family" and "The Autumn of Jinyang," as well as numerous poems, essays, and argumentative pieces. His "The Autumn of Jinyang" was praised for its straightforward language and rigorous argumentation, considered a great historical work. Upon seeing this book, Huan Wen was furious and said to Sheng Hongzhi's son, "The circumstances of the Battle of Fangtou are nothing like what your father wrote! If this book spreads, it will tarnish the reputation of our Huan family!" Sheng Hongzhi's son quickly bowed in apology and promised to revise the manuscript.
At that time, Sheng Hongzhi was already old and had returned home. He was very strict and had strict family rules. Even though his descendants had grown up, the family upbringing remained very strict. After this incident, his sons knelt down in tears, pleading with him to consider the entire family. Sheng Hongzhi was very angry, and in the end, his sons revised the manuscript. Sheng Hongzhi wrote two different versions, one of which was sent to Murong Jun. During the Taiyuan period, Emperor Xiaowu collected various strange stories and finally obtained Sheng Hongzhi's book in Liaodong. It was compared with other historical materials and found many differences, so both versions of the manuscript were preserved.
Sheng Hongzhi had two sons, one named Sheng Qian and the other named Sheng Fang. Sheng Qian, also known as Qiyuan, served as the Prefect of Yuzhang. When Yin Zhongkan was attacking Wang Guobao, Sheng Qian was serving in the county. Yin Zhongkan forced him to serve as a military consultant, but Sheng Qian resolutely refused and died of depression. Sheng Fang, also known as Qizhuang, was clever and quick-witted from a young age. When he was seven or eight years old, he went hunting with his father in Jingzhou following Yu Liang. Yu Liang asked him, "You're coming too?" Sheng Fang replied, "There's no distinction between young and old; I'm traveling with you." Yu Liang then asked, "What kind of person do you want to be?" Sheng Fang said, "I want to be like Zhuang Zhou." Yu Liang asked, "Don't you envy Confucius?" Sheng Fang replied, "Confucius was born with great wisdom, something us ordinary people cannot aspire to." Yu Liang was very surprised and said, "Wang Fusi (Wang Yan) doesn't even come close to him!" Yu Yanke, the son of Yu Yi, once visited Sheng Hongzhi and asked, "Where is Anguo (Sheng Hongzhi's style)?" Sheng Fang replied, "At the home of Yu Zhigong (Yu Liang)." Yu Yanke laughed and said, "The Sheng family has too many descendants; unexpectedly, there is a child like this!" Sheng Fang then said, "But they still don't compare to the number of descendants in the Yu family!" Later, he told others, "The reason Yu Liang holds me in such high regard is because of my dad." Sheng Fang eventually became the governor of Changsha.
Gan Bao, courtesy name Lingsheng, was a native of Xincai. His grandfather, Gan Tong, was the General of the Fendu and Duke of Duting in the state of Wu; his father, Gan Ying, was the Prefect of Danyang. Gan Bao was diligent and studious from a young age, well-versed in many books, and was summoned by the court as a literary official due to his outstanding talents. After pacifying the rebellion led by Du Tao, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Guannei for his achievements.
When the Eastern Jin Dynasty was just established, there were no historians yet. The Chief of the Palace Library, Wang Dao, submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying: "The accomplishments of emperors through the ages have all been recorded, recorded in laws and regulations, and passed down to future generations. Emperor Xuan expanded the territory, and Emperor Wu was ceded power by Wei, both of which were extremely great achievements comparable to ancient sage kings. However, their biographies were not kept in the royal archives, and their virtues and policies were not extolled in music. Your Majesty, as you lead the nation to revival, should establish national history, compile the biographies of emperors, praising the ancestors' great achievements and also recording the contributions of the founding heroes. It must be done truthfully, setting examples for future generations, fulfilling the wishes of the people, and earning the favor of the gods. This is the best scene of a peaceful and prosperous era, the foundation for the enduring stability of the dynasty. Historians should be appointed, and the literary officials such as Gan Bao should be ordered to start compiling national history." The Emperor Yuan accepted his suggestion.
Gan Bao was then tasked with compiling the national history. Because his family was not well-off, he requested to be appointed as the Magistrate of Shanyin County, and later was promoted to Governor of Shi'an. Wang Dao recommended him to serve as the Chief Clerk of the Right of the Minister of Works, and later he was promoted to Cavalry Regular Attendant. He wrote the "Jin Annals," chronicling fifty-three years of history from Emperor Xuan to Emperor Min, totaling twenty scrolls, and submitted it to the emperor. This book was written concisely and clearly, straightforward yet tactful, and it was regarded as an excellent historical work by all.
Gan Bao was particularly fond of studying Yin-Yang philosophy and numerology, and he also loved to ponder the biographies of Jing Fang, Xiahou Sheng, and others. His father had favored a maid before his death, which caused great jealousy in his mother. After his father's death, his mother buried the maid alive in his father's tomb out of jealousy. At that time, Gan Bao and his brother were still young and did not know about this. Over a decade later, when they later opened the tomb, they found the maid lying atop the coffin, appearing as if she were alive! They unearthed her and brought her home, and she eventually woke up after several days. She recounted that her father would often provide her with food and drink, treated her kindly, and told her about all the major events in the family, and that all of it turned out to be true. She also said she hadn’t felt uncomfortable while underground. Later, this maid got married and had children.
There is another story: Gan Bao's brother once became gravely ill, and his body remained warm for several days. He eventually regained consciousness and said he had seen the matters of spirits and deities, as if he had just awakened from a dream, and he hadn’t even realized he was dead. Due to these experiences, Gan Bao gathered and compiled tales of supernatural occurrences and transformations from both ancient and modern times, and authored "In Search of the Supernatural," a total of thirty volumes. He showed the book to Liu Yan, who exclaimed, "You’re like the Donghu of the ghost world!" Gan Bao gathered various perspectives, creating a blend of truth and fiction, prompting him to write a preface to clarify his ideas. In the preface, he wrote:
First of all, although I have referenced historical materials and collected some information that was omitted then, it is not something I have personally seen or heard, so how can I be certain that there are no errors? After the fall of the state of Wei, conflicting accounts emerged; the story of Lü Shang assisting the Zhou dynasty, which Sima Qian recorded in two different versions, illustrates this point. There are many examples like this. It can be seen that achieving a complete understanding has been difficult since ancient times. Even with formal announcements and the compilation of national history books, it is still challenging, not to mention recording events from over a thousand years ago, documenting customs from different regions, piecing together fragments from incomplete historical records, and interviewing the elderly about past events. To achieve consistency in recording events and avoiding ambiguity in statements has long been a problem in historical records. However, the state has not abolished the official positions responsible for annotation and recording, and scholars have not stopped reciting and studying historical books. Isn't this because the omissions in historical records are few compared to the many preserved parts? If the information I have gathered now includes parts that continue from previous records, it is not my fault. If there are inaccuracies or errors in the recent events I have gathered, I am willing to accept criticism alongside the sages and scholars of the past. My writings are also sufficient to prove that my intentions are sincere.
There are countless different opinions and numerous books, and my eyes and ears cannot take them all in. Right now, I am merely selecting some materials to outline the essence of the "Eight Strategies" and present my humble insights. I hope that in the future, those with aspirations will be able to record the essence and main points of these materials, so that they can understand them wholeheartedly, observe them closely, and have no regrets. Bao also authored "The Outer Commentary on Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals," annotated dozens of sections of the "Book of Changes" and "Zhou Rites," as well as various essays, all of which have been passed down through generations.
Deng Can was from Changsha. He was known for his noble character from a young age. He, along with Liu Linzhi from Nanyang and Liu Shanggong from Nanjun, were like-minded friends who did not accept the summons from the state. The governor of Jingzhou, Huan Chong, invited Deng Can to serve as his assistant with humble language and lavish gifts. Deng Can appreciated Huan Chong's appreciation for talent and accepted the invitation. Liu Linzhi and Liu Shanggong said to him, "Your knowledge is profound, and everyone admires you. Your sudden change of heart truly disappoints us!" Deng Can replied with a smile, "You may think you understand retirement, but you really don't. Whether in the court or in the market, one can choose to retreat. The key to retirement lies within oneself, not the environment." Liu Shanggong and the others had no counter to his argument, but Deng Can lost some of his reputation as a result. Later, he suffered from a foot disease and could not attend court. He requested to resign from his official position, but was not allowed, so he was left to manage government affairs from his bed. As his condition worsened, he requested retirement, which was granted by the court. Deng Can wrote ten chapters of *Yuanming Ji* to honor his father's loyalty and integrity, which went unrecognized by many. He also annotated the *Laozi,* and these works have endured through the ages.
Xie Shen, with the courtesy name Xingsi, was a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang. His great-grandfather Xie Fei held the position of Yizheng Commandant in the State of Wu; his father Xie Xiu served as the Yizheng Commandant of Wu State. Xie Shen lost his father at a young age, but he was very filial to his mother and was knowledgeable in various subjects, especially in classical texts. The county appointed him as the Registrar and County Clerk, recommended him for his filial piety, and even invited him to serve as an official by Grand Commandant Chi Jian, but he declined all offers. Later, the Interior Minister of Kuaiji, He Chong, invited him to serve as a military officer, but he resigned to care for his elderly mother. Later, General Yu Liang, who pacifies the West, and General Cai Mo, who conquers the North, also invited him to serve as an official, but he still declined. He lived a quiet life at home, focused on caring for his mother, not engaging in social affairs, and studying classical texts diligently during his spare time. When Emperor Kang ascended the throne, there was a debate at court over whether the Seven Temples should be alternately destroyed. Therefore, the court summoned him, a Doctor of the Imperial College, to answer questions. However, he resigned due to his mother's passing. After completing his mourning period, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. He Chong and Yu Bing both recognized Xie Shen's historical talent, so he was promoted to Historian and wrote over thirty volumes of "Book of Jin." Xie Shen passed away at the age of fifty-two. Prior to his death, he also wrote one hundred volumes of "Book of Later Han," as well as works such as "Mao Shi" and "Han Shu Waizhuan." His essays, poems, fu, and critical essays were widely circulated, and people claimed his talents exceeded those of Yu Yu.
Xi Zaochi, with the courtesy name Yanwei, was a native of Xiangyang. His family was very wealthy, and for generations they were prominent in the local community. From a young age, Xi Zaochi was ambitious, well-read, and renowned for his literary talents. The Inspector of Jingzhou, Huan Wen, invited him to serve as an assistant, and the Administrator of Jiangxia, Yuan Qiao, highly valued him, praising his abilities in front of Huan Wen multiple times. As a result, Xi Zaochi was promoted to the Registrar of the Western Bureau, and Huan Wen was very close to him and held him in high regard.
Wen Qiao is a very ambitious person. He found an astronomer in the Shu area and took the astronomer's hand at night, asking how long the fate of the nation would last. The astronomer said, "The nation's fate will last a very long time." Wen Qiao felt that his words were a bit vague, so he tactfully said, "If it's really as you say, it's not just my own blessing, but a boon for everyone! However, since you've said good things, shouldn't you also mention some potential troubles that might come up?" The astronomer replied, "The stars of the three palaces of Taiwei, Ziwei, and Wenchang are looking very favorable, and there will definitely be no disasters. As for what will happen after fifty years, I can't predict." Wen Qiao felt a bit dissatisfied and decided not to press further.
A few days later, Wen Qiao gave him a piece of silk and five thousand coins. The astronomer hurried to see Zhuo Chi and said, "My family is in Yizhou. I traveled a long way on orders, and now I've been commanded to take my own life. I have no way to take my body back. Since you’re so kind, I need your help to arrange a tombstone and coffin." Zhuo Chi asked him what happened, and the astronomer said, "He gave me a piece of silk to commit suicide, and gave me five thousand coins to buy a coffin." Zhuo Chi said, "You were nearly done for! Have you heard about the astrologers' rule of 'no covering'? He gave you the silk as a joke and gave you the money as travel expenses. This is a hint for you to get out of here!" The astronomer was thrilled to hear this and went to bid farewell to Wen Qiao the next day. Wen Qiao asked where he was headed, and he told Wen Qiao what Zhuo Chi had said. Wen Qiao smiled and said, "Zhuo Chi was worried you were being tricked into dying, but you ended up being tricked into staying alive. However, you’d be better off spending thirty years studying Confucian classics than visiting some junior clerk!"
Wen Qiao later continued to rise in official ranks and was promoted to the position of 'biejia.' When Wen Qiao went into battle, Zao Chi sometimes followed him and sometimes stayed behind; regardless of where he served, he always handled important tasks and consistently excelled in his duties. Zao Chi was skilled in writing official documents and engaging in political discussions, and Wen Qiao held him in high regard. At that time, the famous scholars Han Bo, Fu Tao, and others were also friends with Zao Chi, and later they were sent to the capital. Emperor Jianwen also appreciated Zao Chi. Upon their return, Wen Qiao asked them, "How is the Prince (Emperor Jianwen)?" They replied, "I have never seen anyone like him in my life." This displeased Wen Qiao greatly, so he demoted Zao Chi to a position in the household office. At that time, there was a Buddhist monk named Dao An who was an eloquent and talented speaker. He came from the north and met Zao Chi for the first time in Jingzhou. Dao An said, "Mi Tian Shi Dao An." Zao Chi replied, "Si Hai Xi Zao Chi." The people at the time found this couplet quite clever.
Initially, Zao Chi and his two uncles, Luo Chong and Luo You, all held official positions in the state. Later, Zao Chi was promoted to a "biejia" official, and because he repeatedly petitioned for his uncles' promotions, which upset Wen Qiao, he irregularly promoted his two uncles, appointing them successively as governors of Xiangyang, while assigning Zao Chi as the governor of Xingyang. Wen Qiao's talented younger brother, Wen Mi, shared a close relationship with Zao Chi. After Zao Chi stepped down as governor and returned to his hometown, he told Wen Mi:
I arrived in Xiangyang on May 3rd, and all I saw were sad sights. I felt no happiness at all, and it's hard to put into words how heartbreaking it all is. Every time I visit my uncles, entering from the north gate and when I look west at Longzhong, I’m reminded of Zhuge Liang's poetry; when I look east at Baisha, I think of Pang Tong's talent; looking north at the old site of Fancheng, I remember the noble character of Deng Yu; looking south at the streets in the city, I recall Yang Hu's integrity; gazing at Tanxi, I think of my friends Cui and Xu; looking far at Yuliang, I am reminded of the grand ambitions of two virtuous individuals. Each time, I find myself lingering for a long time, overwhelmed with melancholy, caressing my mount, unable to hold back my sorrowful tears. As for the place where Cao Cao held banquets, where Sun Jian died in battle, the former residences of Pei Xiu and Du Yu, the old mansion of King Fanchang, these memories are still fresh in my mind. How could ordinary people ever understand what I'm feeling! The sweet fragrance comes from the pepper orchids, and the crisp sound comes from beautiful jade. Those who help emperors accomplish great things will undoubtedly leave a glorious mark in history; people of noble character will surely leave a lasting legacy. Individuals like the eight virtuous men from ancient times will continue to be revered for a thousand years and beyond, especially since the time that separates us is not far. In this era and in past eras, who can really claim that today's talents are any less than those of the past? A hundred years from now, can't we be remembered like Jingsheng? His aspirations and ambitions were incredibly lofty.
At that time, Wen Qiao's ambitions were laid bare, and he criticized him in office by writing "The Chronicles of Han and Jin." The book starts from Emperor Guangwu of Han and ends with Emperor Min of Jin. Regarding the Three Kingdoms period, the book regards Shu Han as the legitimate successor, and although Cao Cao accepted the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han, it was still regarded as an act of usurpation until Sima Yan conquered Shu, marking the downfall of Han and the rise of Jin. The book points out that Sima Yan's acceptance of the abdication was in accordance with the will of heaven rather than through force. The book consists of fifty-four volumes. Later, due to a foot ailment, Wen Qiao withdrew to his hometown.
After Fu Jian captured Xiangyang, he heard of Wen Qiao's reputation and summoned him and the monk Dao'an to his presence. Fu Jian met with Wen Qiao, chatted with him, was delighted and rewarded him generously. Due to Wen Qiao's difficulty in walking, Fu Jian wrote to the generals in various places: "When the Jin Dynasty pacified the Wu Kingdom, it relied on the brothers Lu Kang and Lu Kai; now that I have captured Hanzhong, I only have half of a talent as useful as Wen Qiao!" Not long after, Wen Qiao returned to Xiangyang due to illness. Eventually, Xiangyang and Dengzhou came back under the court's control, and the court sought to appoint Wen Qiao as an official in charge of compiling the national history. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly thereafter, preventing him from fulfilling this wish.
Before dying, he inscribed a memorial on a wooden tablet, saying: I have always believed that the Eastern Jin Dynasty should inherit the Wei Dynasty and then the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, instead of viewing the Wei Dynasty as part of the legitimate succession of the three dynasties. However, due to my low status, I have never had the opportunity to share this idea with the emperor. I have been holding this thought in my heart for more than thirty years. Now that I am seriously ill and my life is in danger, this idea will have to be taken to my grave, which is truly a shame! Despite my illness, I took the effort to write a thesis and presented it to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will take the time to study the ancient texts carefully, find the correct standards, look further ahead, and not ignore my words just because of my lowly status.
In the thesis, it is written: Someone asked me, "Cao Cao's achievements spread throughout the Central Plains, and Cao Pi took over the throne from Emperor Xian of Han. How can you claim that the Han Dynasty will eventually be replaced by the Jin Dynasty? Is this statement correct? Moreover, the Wei Dynasty was abolished, and the Jin Dynasty's fortunes are hardly better. How can the subjects of the Jin Dynasty say such things?"
My answer is: "This is precisely to pay respect to the Jin Dynasty! It is just the break from the old dynasty's legacy, a change of dynasty, which is truly a sad situation. Different ideas can make it hard for unique insights to be understood. Allow me to explain further."
Back in the day, during the decline of the Han Dynasty, the country split apart into the Three Kingdoms, and there were many years of war and chaos, with blood flowing like rivers. Although there were victories and defeats, it was pure chaos! Our ancestor Sima Yi was a formidable figure. When the Wei Kingdom was strong, he had to swallow his pride and pretend to be subservient, secretly biding his time, like a centipede curling up, waiting for the right moment. He faced many difficulties and it was incredibly perilous! After the death of the Wei Emperor Cao Cao, Sima Yi finally escaped disaster, then he went south to subdue Meng Da, calmed the eastern coast, suppressed Shu Han to the west, pacified the people in various regions, defeated the invasion of Wu, eliminated the power of Cao Shuang, secured his position, cultivated talent, and supported future generations, ultimately achieving the grand plan of the family.
His son Sima Shi inherited his career, and Sima Zhao was even more wise and martial, pacifying rebellions, consolidating power, taking over Liangzhou and Yizhou, expanding his influence to the west, with accomplishments rivaling those of ancient heroes. Their achievements and rule were truly remarkable, so it can be said that they did very well. When Sima Yan took over, he went on to defeat the formidable Wu Kingdom, brought peace to the realm, just like the Han Dynasty did, achieving unity. They put an end to the chaos of the Three Kingdoms period, quelled the wars of the late Han Dynasty, ended the darkness in the country, and established a prosperous era for generations to come—all of this was thanks to the Sima family! Yet, they insisted they were merely subjects of Wei, inheriting the Wei Kingdom's territory, allowing the Jin Dynasty to take over the Wei Dynasty, claiming to emulate the loyalty of ancient emperors—doesn't that seem a bit tragic?
Now some people say that if the state of Wei exhibits virtues similar to those of ancient wise rulers, then their governance is flawed; if they have quelled the chaos, then Sun Quan and Liu Bei also established their own regimes. If their governance is flawed, they cannot be said to have controlled the situation at that time; if the state of Wei did not control the situation back then, then Wei could not have become the ruler of the world; if Cao Cao's approach to kingship is lacking, he could never claim the title of emperor, even for a day. In ancient times, Gonggong once ruled the Nine Regions, Qin Shi Huang unified the entire country, conquered all directions, and controlled the world, but he was never recognized among the emperors, and eventually disappeared during the Warring States period. Moreover, merely temporarily controlling a few regions and flaunting power locally, can such a person be called a generation of emperors?
If it is claimed that the Jin Dynasty served Wei, fearing damage to royal virtues and adhering to the name of abdication, believing that they could not cede the world, then that is truly misguided! Why do I say this? Wei Xiao occupied Longxi, Gongsun Shu occupied Shu, and although the people of Longxi and Shu all obeyed their rule, from the perspective of righteousness, what does that make them? Furthermore, the states of Wu and Chu once usurped the title of emperor, the Zhou Dynasty was still intact, and Ziwen and Yanling Jizi had not been demoted! Emperor Xuan served in Wei out of necessity, just like choosing trees, one can't always pick the best. How does this damage one's virtues and reputation? The concept of abdication differs from that of Yao and Shun; it must be carefully examined and the status determined, which will surely be recognized by future generations. Everyone has their own thoughts in their hearts; how can such matters be hidden? Instead of squandering national resources to yield to Wei, it is far better to challenge Wei with righteousness!
Those who can achieve great things, the key lies in what they have done, not what they have relied upon; those who can establish meritorious deeds, the key lies in what they have achieved, not where they started. So, Han Gaozu Liu Bang accepted the order of King Huai of Chu, and the Liu dynasty was established after the fall of the Qin dynasty, surpassing two illegitimate dynasties, continuing the ancient legitimacy, without concern for recent accomplishments, examining the emperor's canon of the Five Virtues, not doubting the achievements obtained through strength and political means. Ji Liang did not inherit the title of the state of Chu, but the Han dynasty inherited the legacy of the Zhou dynasty; this manner of achievement is admirable, and their own virtues are therefore more noble. All major events can be understood through history, using past events to prove future events.
In the Spring and Autumn period, the states of Wu and Chu both usurped the title of emperor. If King Zhuang of Chu used Yan Ying to honor virtuous people, and King Helu used the Three Rivers to assist the monarch appointed by the mandate of heaven, then the monarch appointed by the mandate of heaven and the virtuous monarch may use them to respond to the mandate of heaven, or may comfort them to consolidate their rule; then they will definitely align with the Zhou dynasty and will not choose the states of Wu and Chu as alternative wise rulers. Furthermore, Emperor Xuan accumulated merits, pacified rebellions, and stabilized the people; this is well-documented in history and widely accepted by the people. He did not rely on the abdication of Yan Kui, nor did he rely on external forces, but relied on his own strength to pacify the territories of Wu and Shu, brought peace to the realm during two dynasties, conquered those who could not be subjugated by Emperor Wu of Wei, and eliminated the disasters that had afflicted generations!
From the late Han Dynasty, chaos engulfed the land, lasting for fifty to sixty years. The states of Wu and Wei grew strong through military might, while Shu Han, though upholding justice, remained weak in power. The three states attacked each other, causing the common people to be displaced and without a leader. It is those heroes who were quietly recognized and respected despite their weakness who can truly bring peace to the land and gain the support of the people. Those who become emperor by following destiny and stand alongside three generations of wise rulers cannot be compared to those who submit to the Cao family and depend on illegitimate power. This is the reasonable and reliable way to rule, achieving dominion over the world without guilt, unlike those who leave a legacy of deceit and conspiracy for future generations. Therefore, while we may reward Wei for their past friendship, the merits of three generations of emperors cannot be credited to Wei. The Jin Dynasty inherited the legitimacy of the Han Dynasty; their contributions are clear, and it is only just to recognize them. Why should we hypocritically honor the illegitimate Wei state and undermine the righteousness of our Jin Dynasty?
In the past, the people of the Zhou Dynasty praised their ancestors' achievements and recounted the merits of overthrowing the Shang Dynasty. Confucius expounded on the principles of filial piety and highly praised the importance of following destiny. However, even though Hou Ji diligently fulfilled his duties, it was ultimately King Wu who overthrew the Shang Dynasty, unlike the situation of the Sima family serving in Cao Wei, where the achievements of the three ancestors were entrusted to Wei. Furthermore, the behavior of the monarchs of Wei itself was not righteous, so the rationale for the three ancestors serving Wei does not stand. When justification fails, other means must be used to demonstrate one's abilities; when the path is not righteous, the relationship between ruler and subject is different. Therefore, by upholding the righteous path and refusing to assist Wei, we do not raise suspicions of seeking power. By governing from a position of strength without arduous toil, we can bring peace to the chaotic world because our achievements are enough to rule the world, and our righteousness is enough to ascend to the position of Heavenly Emperor. Although our virtues may not match those of the Zhou Dynasty, our path diverges from that of the Yin and Shang Dynasties.
Don’t you think Gong Gong shouldn’t be counted among the emperors? Don’t you think the Han Dynasty inherited the legitimacy of the Zhou Dynasty, not that of the Qin Dynasty? Why are you hesitating when it comes to the Wei Kingdom, unable to tell right from wrong? You want to honor your monarch, but don’t know how to uphold the principles of Yao and Shun; you want to strengthen your country, but instead put it in a disadvantageous position. That’s not the noble character expected of a gentleman! If you still do not understand, then let's stop here!
Zi Biqiang, a talented individual who inherited his father's fine traditions, rose to the rank of Cavalry Lieutenant in the Imperial Guards. Xu Guang, styled Yemin, was from the Gumo tribe in Dongguan and the younger brother of Xu Miao, the court attendant. His family had a long-standing dedication to learning, which Xu Guang took to an extraordinary level, studying various subjects and skills. When Xie Xuan was the Inspector of Yan Province, he hired Xu Guang as his assistant; when Prince Qiao Sima Tian was stationed in the north, he appointed Xu Guang as his military advisor. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, Xu Guang was appointed as a Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat, in charge of managing and proofreading the books of the Secretariat. Later, as new positions were added to the Secretariat, he was promoted to Associate Cavalry Gentleman, also responsible for proofreading. Wang Xun, the Minister of Works, valued him highly and recommended him for a position as Gentleman of the Ancestral Temple. At that time, the Crown Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Yuanxian, served as Minister of Works and wanted all officials to respect and obey him, so he had Xu Guang draft the necessary documents. Xu Guang felt embarrassed about it. Sima Yuanxian later promoted him to Military Advisor of the Central Army, and then to Chief of Army Staff.
After Huan Xuan seized power, he appointed Xu Guang as Grand General and Literary Sacrificer. In the first year of Yixi, he was ordered to write the "Commentary on Carriages and Attire." Later, he was appointed as an Advisor on Military Affairs, concurrently serving as a Record Keeper, and was granted the title of Marquis of Lecheng. He was later promoted to Cavalry Attendant of the Court and concurrently served as Supervisor of the Imperial Library. Later, the Secretariat submitted a request, stating: "The Left Historian is responsible for recording speeches, while the Right Official is responsible for recording affairs. The works 'Chariots' and 'Records' had already gained fame during the Jin Dynasty under Zheng Xuan, and 'Spring and Autumn Annals' also recorded the events of the State of Lu. Since ancient times, in the era of wise emperors, there have always been people writing historical books such as the 'Records of the Founding of a Dynasty,' recording the achievements of emperors and the ways of governing the country. However, since the Taihe era, three dynasties have passed, and the achievements and virtues of the late emperor have slowly faded from memory. We believe that the Supervisor of the Imperial Library, Xu Guang, should be tasked with writing the national history." Therefore, the emperor ordered Xu Guang to be responsible for writing it.
Xu Guang was later promoted to Valiant Cavalry General, concurrently serving as Grand Central Corrector of Xu Province, and was further promoted to Regular Attendant and Grand Minister of Agriculture, still concurrently serving as Supervisor of the Imperial Library. In the twelfth year of Yixi, he completed the "Annals of Jin" in forty-six volumes, which he submitted to the court. He requested to resign from his position as Historiographer, but the emperor did not approve. Later, he was elevated to the position of Director of the Palace Library. When Huan Xuan first seized the throne and the emperor fled, Xu Guang accompanied the emperor, grieving deeply, moving those around him to tears. Later, when Liu Yu seized the throne and Emperor Gong abdicated, Xu Guang was even more grief-stricken, with tears streaming down his cheeks. Xie Hui saw this scene and asked him, "Is there something troubling you, Sir Xu?" Xu Guang wiped away his tears and said, "You are a founding hero of the Song Dynasty, while I am a remnant of the Jin Dynasty. Our sorrows and joys are naturally different." After saying this, he started to cry again. Finally, citing his old age and declining health, he requested to retire and return to his hometown. Xu Guang loved reading throughout his life, never losing his passion even in his later years. He passed away at the age of seventy-four at home. His work, "Answers to Questions on Etiquette," has endured through the ages.
Historical records state: ancient emperors all established historians to promote laws, set examples, and there is nothing more important than this. Regarding the narration of events from beginning to end, recording the emotions and characters of individuals, their expressions were nuanced yet straightforward, ensuring they can be passed down through the ages and become examples for future generations to follow. Following Sima Qian's death, Ban Gu and Ma Rong successively rose, wielding their pens vigorously in the Western Capital and freely expressing their righteous thoughts in the Eastern Palace. From that time on, historical works began to emerge, each vying for prominence, and the one who would inherit and carry on the achievements of past historians was Chen Shou! The Jianghan region produced many talented individuals, truly living up to its reputation! Chen Shou's father Chen Yunyuan, as well as his younger brother, were devoted to studying classics; Chen Shou inherited the honor of being from the imperial lineage and dedicated himself to studying historical records. All of them were capable of summarizing and compiling historical texts, leaving a legacy that endures. Must one truly inherit the family legacy to possess the talent for historical studies?
Chen Shou's uncle Chen Chushu, although also diligently authored books and essays, had writing that was haphazard and disorganized, truly not worth reading. Chen Shou's other uncle Chen Shuning, although well-read and having consulted the historical books of the Wang family, managed to complete a family history, but his achievements were not significant. Linghu Sheng and Anguo, although both possessed excellent historical talents, regrettably produced works that were not considered orthodox historical texts. As the Jin Dynasty declined, the study of history also fell into decline. Deng Can and Xie Chen inherited the historical studies of their predecessors; although they penned their historical works from the comfort of their lavish homes, their writings were peculiar, and their viewpoints unconventional, with few people praising them. Xi Zaochi and Xu Guang were both proficient in historical writing; they praised good deeds and criticized bad deeds to serve as a warning for future generations. Those who were loyal and upright truly embodied the scholar's spirit; those who betrayed righteousness, seeking only fame and wealth, would not be considered gentlemen. However, Yan Wei surrendered to the enemy and survived in the enemy country, while ordinary people were displaced amid the dynastic changes, reminiscing about the old dynasty. Chen Shou's consistency in word and deed was a key factor in his success.
Praise: Chen Shou's writings are exquisite and outstanding, illuminating the historical record with refined language and clear organization; Wang Yin was exceptionally talented, while Yu Yu served as a loyal historian; the writings of Gan Bao and Sun Sheng are fluent and comparable to those of the best historians of previous eras; Deng Can and Xie Chen pursued alternative approaches, yet lacked sufficient historical sources; Xi Zaochi was diligent in his scholarly pursuits; although Xu Guang's writings were magnificent, they did not match the caliber of Chen Shou's work. They are all recorded in history, ensuring their legacies endure through the ages.
