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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Jin （晉書）

Published: 03 January 2025

Created: 03 January 2025

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Zhou Chu, style name Ziyin, was from Yangxian, Yixing. His father, Zhou Fang, was the Prefect of Poyang in the State of Wu. Zhou Chu lost his parents at a young age, and before he even turned twenty, he had incredible strength and loved horseback riding and hunting. However, he paid no attention to his behavior and gave in to his desires, making everyone in the area hate him.

Realizing that he was disliked by everyone, Zhou Chu decided to change his ways and said to the elders in his village, "Why is everyone so unhappy in this peaceful time with good harvests?" The elders sighed and said, "There are three pests we haven't dealt with, how can we be happy?" Zhou Chu asked, "What pests?" They replied, "The white-faced tiger on the southern mountain, the dragon lurking under the bridge, and you, young man, these three!" Zhou Chu said, "If these are pests, I can eliminate them all!" The elders said, "If you can eliminate them, it'll be a big deal for the whole county, not just getting rid of pests."

So Zhou Chu went into the mountains and shot the fierce tiger, then jumped into the water to fight the dragon. The dragon would sink and resurface, and Zhou Chu fought it for miles, for three whole days and nights. Everyone thought Zhou Chu had died and celebrated, but he came back alive after killing the dragon! Hearing the villagers celebrating, he realized how much they had hated him before, so he went to the land of Wu to find the two famous scholars, Lu Kang and Lu Yun. Unfortunately, he only met Lu Yun and told him his situation, saying, "I want to turn my life around, but I’m worried it might be too late because of my age." Lu Yun said, "The ancients say 'it's never too late to change,' you still have time; the key is to be determined and not worry about your reputation."

Zhou resolved to study diligently, began to develop literary skills, and vowed to be chivalrous, loyal, trustworthy, and selfless. A year later, the government officials invited him to become an official. He served as the Left Minister of the Eastern Observational Office in Wu. During the later period of Sun Hao's reign, Zhou served as the Inspector of No Challenges. After Wu's downfall, Wang Hun held a feast in Jianye Palace, and when everyone was enjoying themselves, he asked the people of Wu if they were sad about the country's demise. Zhou replied, "During the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, with the Three Kingdoms vying for power, Wei fell first, followed by Wu. The sorrow of a nation's fall is not something one person can fully grasp!" Wang Hun felt embarrassed.

When I arrived in Luoyang, I was soon promoted to Prefect of Xinping. There, I brought peace to the barbarian tribes and quelled the rebellion, and the rebellious Qiang people all surrendered. The people of Yongzhou praised me for my good work. Later, I was transferred to be Prefect of Guanghan. Guanghan County was burdened with numerous unresolved cases, some of which had been unresolved for thirty years. I meticulously examined the cases, discerned right from wrong, and resolved them all within a single day. As my mother aged, I resigned from my position to take care of her at home. Not long after, the court appointed me as Prefect of Chuguo, but before I assumed the role, I was summoned to be a Cavalier Attendant. I remarked, "In ancient times, people would resign from high offices, but not from lesser positions." So I first took up the position in Chuguo.

At that time, Chuguo had just experienced war, and the old and new residents lived together, with customs not yet unified. I actively promoted education and even arranged for the burial of unclaimed bodies and scattered bones. Shortly after my appointment, people from near and far praised my benevolent governance.

When Zhou served as a close attendant in the court, he often advised the emperor with candor. Later, he was promoted to Chief Censor and never spared officials, regardless of their status or connections. When Prince Liang Yong violated the law, Zhou imposed a severe punishment.

Later, the Di people, led by Qi Wannian, rebelled, and the ministers in the court were not optimistic about Zhou Chu, arguing, "Zhou Chu is the son of a famous general from the state of Wu. Although loyal and brave, he is too rigid." So the court sent Xiahou Jun to the west to quell the uprising. General Fubo Sun Xiu knew that Zhou Chu was likely to meet his end in this battle, so he advised him, "You still have an elderly mother at home. You can find an excuse to decline this mission." Zhou Chu replied, "It's tough to balance loyalty and filial piety! Since I have decided to serve the country, how can I consider my parents' feelings? Today is where I will fight to the death!"

When Qi Wannian heard that Zhou Chu was coming, he said, "When Lord Zhou was in Linxinping before, I knew him well. He is talented in both civil and military matters. If he attacks with all his might, we won’t stand a chance against him. If we let him lead us by the nose, we will be finished." Later, Prince Liang Yong was appointed as the Grand General of the West, in charge of the military in the Guanzhong region. Zhou Chu knew that Liang Yong was narrow-minded and would surely scheme against him, but he believed that as a loyal subject, he should fulfill his duty without fear or hesitation. So he set out on his journey with a tragic resolve to fight to the death.

Minister Chen Zhun knew that Liang Yong would retaliate against Zhou Chu, so he petitioned the court, "Xiahou Jun and Liang Yong are both powerful figures, unsuited to lead troops into battle. They lack courage and responsibility. Zhou Chu is from the state of Wu, loyal, brave, and strong. Now isolated and unsupported, he will surely die in battle. We should order Meng Guan to lead ten thousand elite soldiers as Zhou Chu's vanguard; only then can we hope to defeat the rebel forces. Otherwise, Liang Yong will certainly place Zhou Chu at the forefront, and Zhou Chu will undoubtedly meet with failure." However, the court did not adopt his suggestion.

At that time, the rebel army was stationed in Liangshan, numbering seventy thousand soldiers, but Xiahou Jun only assigned Zhou Chu five thousand soldiers for the attack. Zhou Chu said, "Without reinforcements, the army will surely be defeated. Even if I fall in battle, it would be a disgrace to the nation." Prince Liang ordered Zhou Chu to continue the attack, so Zhou Chu, along with General Lu Bo and Governor Jie Xi of Yongzhou, attacked Qi Wannian together at Liu Mo. Just before the battle commenced, Zhou Chu's soldiers had not yet eaten, but Prince Liang urged them to attack quickly and severed their only means of retreat. Knowing he would definitely be defeated, Zhou Chu recited a poem: "The affairs of the world are behind me, I ride forth to gaze upon the western frontier. Millet and beans are sweet, hoping for a final victory." After reciting the poem, he began the battle, fighting from dawn until dusk, killing tens of thousands of enemy soldiers.

When the bowstrings snapped and the arrows were exhausted, Lu Bo and Jie Xi did not come to the rescue. His companions urged him to retreat, but Zhou Chu drew his sword and said, "Today is the day I lay down my life for the country; why should I even consider retreating? Besides, the famous generals of ancient times, when entrusted by the country, fought bravely and never retreated. Now these troops have lost faith in me; morale must be low. As a minister of the court sacrificing for my country, I will die with honor!" He fought with all his might and ultimately died on the battlefield. The court posthumously appointed him as General of Peace in the West, granted him a million coins and a hundred acres of land for his burial, and fifty acres of land in the capital to build a mansion, as well as five acres of land for his family. The court issued a decree stating, "Zhou Chu's mother is elderly and comes from afar; therefore, I grant her medicine, wine, and rice to ensure her comfort in her later years."

It is said that Lu Ji wrote thirty pieces of "Silent Words" and "Records of Local Customs," and also compiled the "Book of Wu." At that time, Pan Yue was ordered to write the first "Poem of Guanzhong," in which he said: "The army of the Zhou dynasty followed their orders, dying on the battlefield. Although people may die, their loyalty and righteousness will be remembered for generations." The Western Rong Colonel Yan Zuan also wrote a poem saying: "Maintaining integrity throughout, with unwavering loyalty. Although he is dead, his good reputation will be recorded in the history books." Later, Emperor Yuan ascended to the title of Prince of Jin and wanted to give Lu Ji a posthumous title. He Xun, the Minister of Rites, suggested: "Lu Ji has noble character and outstanding talent; he served successively as the governor of four counties, pacifying the people and achieving remarkable results; he served faithfully in the court and sacrificed his life to defend the country during critical times; these are all excellent qualities of loyal and virtuous officials and the noble virtues of martyrs. The 'Regulations of Posthumous Titles' states, 'Those who uphold virtue without turning back are called filial,' so he was posthumously titled 'Filial.' Lu Ji had three sons: Lu Qi, Lu Jing, and Lu Zha. Lu Jing died young, while Lu Qi and Lu Zha were both very famous. Lu Qi, styled Xuanpei, was resolute and inherited his father's virtues, although his literary talent was not as great. He kept to himself and did not socialize casually, which earned him a high reputation in the area. When he was not yet twenty years old, the local government summoned him to take up an official position, but he declined. It wasn't until the new governor arrived and requested him to serve as an assistant that he humbly accepted the position and took it up with respect. Later, he was recommended to the court several times, passed the imperial examination, and was appointed as a court official.

During the Tai'an period, Zhang Chang, Qiu Shen, and other rebel leaders rose up in Jiangxia, and the common people rallied to their cause, as if returning home. Emperor Hui dispatched General Huahong to suppress them, but he was defeated at the Battle of Zhangshan. Zhang Chang and his followers grew increasingly powerful, killing General Yang Yi of Pingnan, General Zhen Nan, King Xin Ye, and others, and various regions fell under their control. Zhang Chang sent Feng Yun to attack Xuzhou and dispatched Shi Bing to assault Yangzhou. The governor of Yangzhou, Chen Hui, fled the city, and Shi Bing quickly seized large swathes of land in Yangzhou. Lu Ji quietly plotted to take down Shi Bing and secretly contacted the former Nanping historian Wang Ju. Together, they jointly appointed Gu Mi, the governor of Wuxing, as the military commander for the nine prefectures of Yangzhou and teamed up with local leaders from Jiangdong to rise against him, killing Shi Bing's appointed officials in Wuxing, including Qu Shan and others. Shi Bing dispatched his general Qiang Du with tens of thousands of troops to confront Lu Ji, who defeated Qiang Du in battle. At this time, General Chen Min arrived from Guangling to support Lu Ji, slaying Shi Bing's general Zhao Cong in Wuhu, and then attacked Shi Bing at Jiankang alongside Lu Ji. Shi Bing retreated north to Fengyun, where Zhang Tong, the Sima of Fengyun, executed both Fengyun and Shi Bing, surrendering to the imperial court, and Xuzhou and Yangzhou were pacified. Lu Ji chose not to boast about his own merits and rewards, disbanded the troops, and headed home.

Chen Min rebelled in Yangzhou, and the court appointed Lu Ji as Prefect of Anfeng, granting him the rank of a fourth-grade general. Lu Ji claimed to be ill and declined to assume the position, secretly sending someone to inform General Liu Zhun in Zhendong to bring troops to the riverbank to coordinate efforts to eliminate Chen Min. He even cut off a lock of hair as a token of trust. At the time, Liu Zhun was in Shou Chun and sent Hu Yan to lead troops eastward. At that time, Chen Min's younger brother Chen Chang was the General of Guangwu and the Intendant of Liyang, with Qian Guang from Wuxing acting as his Chief of Staff. Lu Ji covertly instructed Qian Guang to assassinate Chen Chang. Later, Lu Ji, Gu Rong, Gan Zhuo, and others led troops to attack Chen Min. Chen Min's forces were routed, and he fled northward on horseback alone, eventually being captured near the Jiangcheng border and beheaded in Jiankang, resulting in the extermination of his entire family and clan.

Prince Sima Yue of Donghai heard of Lu Ji's reputation and recruited him as a military advisor. The court issued a decree appointing him as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library and Cavalry Commandant, but he declined the appointments. When Emperor Yuan first took control of Jiangzuo, he appointed Lu Ji as a subordinate in the warehouse department. Earlier, Qian Hui of Wuxing also rebelled against Chen Min, and Sima Yue appointed him as General Jianwu, ordering him to lead his subordinates to assemble in the capital. When Qian Hui reached Guangling and heard that Liu Cong was laying siege to Luoyang, he became fearful and dared not continue forward. The emperor urged him to arrive on time, but Qian Hui began to harbor rebellious intentions. Wang Dun was elevated to a high-ranking position and was supposed to go on a western expedition with Qian Hui. Qian Hui secretly plotted to assassinate Wang Dun to spark a rebellion, but Wang Dun learned of the plot and promptly alerted the emperor. Qian Hui murdered Chen Feng and set fire to the government offices, declaring himself Grand General of West Pacification, Governor of the Eight Provinces, and kidnapped Sun Hao's son Sun Chong, proclaiming him King of Wu, only to execute him shortly thereafter. Qian Hui then launched an attack on the county where Lu Ji was stationed.

The Emperor sent General Guo Yi, Prefect Song Dian, and others to suppress him, but due to insufficient troops, they were hesitant to act hastily. Lu Ji once again rallied the local populace and, alongside Guo Yi, launched an attack against Qian Hui, beheaded him, and sent his severed head to Jiankang. Lu Ji pacified Jiangnan three times, restored the royal rule, and the Emperor highly valued his contributions, appointing him as General Jianwei, Prefect of Wuxing, and granting him the title of Marquis of Wucheng. After enduring war and chaos, the people of Wuxing were left starving and impoverished, with rampant banditry. Lu Ji governed with remarkable benevolence, and the people held him in high regard. Within less than a year, peace returned to the region. Because Lu Ji led troops to suppress rebellions multiple times, the Emperor acknowledged his considerable contributions and established Yixing Commandery, including Yangxian, the counties west of the Great Wall, and the perpetual county of Danyang, to commend his achievements.

The Wang Jun family wielded considerable influence, and everyone rallied behind him. The Emperor grew increasingly wary of him. At that time, many people from the Central Plains helped the Emperor conquer the world, but Wang Jun felt undervalued and aggrieved, which only fueled his anger further. At that time, General Zhendong, the Sacrificial Official Donglai Wang Hui, was also insulted by Zhou Yi, so they secretly conspired with Wang Jun to oust those in power. They planned to elect Wang Jun, Dai Ruosi, and other southern officials to aid the Emperor in managing political affairs.

Earlier, the exiled army leader Xia Tie and his followers lived in the area of the Huai River and Si River. Wang Hui secretly wrote a letter to Xia Tie, urging him to raise an army and rebel, claiming that he would support him in the Jiangnan region alongside Wang Jun. At the start of the Jianxing era, Xia Tie had already gathered hundreds of people. However, Cai Bao, the Prefect of Linhuai, killed Xia Tie and reported the matter to the emperor. Upon hearing of Xia Tie's death, Wang Hui, fearing punishment, fled to Wang Jun. Wang Jun killed Wang Hui and buried him in a pigpen. The emperor was aware of this but chose not to make it public, instead appointing Wang Jun as the Marshal of Zhendong. Before Wang Jun could assume the position, the emperor changed his appointment to General of Jianwu and Prefect of Nanjun.

Wang Jun traveled south to Wuhu, where the emperor issued another decree: "The Wang family has been loyal and brave for generations, and his loyalty is very clear. I hold him in high regard. I now appoint him as the Military Advisor, with his military position unchanged, promoted to a duke, and his salary and officials appointed according to the standards of the founding heroes." Wang Jun was enraged by the emperor's fickle attitude, and knowing that his conspiracy had been uncovered, he fell ill from grief and anger, developing painful sores on his back, and died at the age of fifty-six years. Before his death, he told his son Wang Xie, "It was the people from the Central Plains who killed me. If you can avenge me, then you are my good son!" The people of Wu referred to those from the Central Plains as "cangzi," which explains Wang Jun's words. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of General Who Assists the State and granted him the posthumous title of Loyal and Virtuous. His son Wang Xie inherited his title.

This person named Zhou Qian, styled Yanhe, always remembered his father's teachings. At that time, many officials who had lost their positions in the fallen state sought refuge in the Wu region. Many of them took up important positions, using their former identities to treat the people of Wu arrogantly, which led to widespread public grievances. Zhou Qian saw an opportunity to rise against them and secretly contacted Xu Fu, the chief official of Wuxing County. Xu Fu had his own armed forces at home, so Zhou Qian asked him to recruit soldiers and procure horses, pretending it was under orders from his uncle, Zhou Zha. Those who liked adventure and chaos responded one after another, rallying under the banner of punishing Wang Dao and Diao Xie. Even Sun Hao's relative, Sun Bi, raised troops in Guangde. Xu Fu killed Yuan Xiu, the governor of Wuxing, and gathered thousands of troops. However, Zhou Zha fell ill and returned home, and upon hearing the news, he was frightened and quickly reported the matter to Kong Kan, the governor of Yixing. Seeing that his uncle did not agree, Zhou Qian did not dare to act rashly. Xu Fu's associates became afraid and turned against him, killing him. Sun Bi's army was also defeated, and the governor of Xuan Cheng, Tao You, wiped them out. Emperor Yuan of the Jin Dynasty took into account the Zhou family's longstanding influence in the Wu region, so he did not harshly investigate the matter and continued to treat them favorably as before. Disheartened by Zhou Zha's rebuke and the shattering of his ideals, Zhou Qian returned home dejectedly and lived a dissolute life, often telling others, "Life is short; you should enjoy it to the fullest!" He eventually became the Prefect of Linhuai.

Zhou Qian's younger brother, Zhou Yi, was famous from a young age. Emperor Yuan of the Jin Dynasty once summoned him to serve as a prime minister's secretary, but unfortunately, he died young.

Zhou Zha, courtesy name Xuanji, was arrogant, deceitful, and greedy for wealth, with a duplicitous nature. He was proud of his family background from a young age and refused to respond to calls from various provinces. He was later recognized as a filial and incorruptible official, serving as a Langzhong and military advisor to Wang Jiong, the Prince of Qi. He was then appointed as the county magistrate of Jurong and promoted to General of Wu's Upper Army. Despite being summoned to serve as a military advisor to the Prince of Donghai, he did not go. For his contributions to pacifying Qian Hui, he was granted the title of Marquis of Zhangpu. When Emperor Yuan of Jin recommended Zhou Zha to be the General of Ningyuan and the Interior Minister of Liyang, he did not take up the position and was instead reassigned. After Xu Fu was pacified, Zhou Zha was appointed as the General of Stalwart Valor, the Interior Minister of Wuxing, and was commended by the court for his previous achievements. He was subsequently enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dongqian County and promoted to General Who Subdues the Barbarians, overseeing military affairs in Yangzhou and appointed as the General of the East Central Army, stationed in Tuzhong. However, he did not take up the position and was later appointed as the Right General and the Commander of the Stone Land and Water Army. Zhou Zha suffered from a foot ailment that prevented him from assuming his duties. After repeatedly declining, he was eventually impeached by officials and left with no choice but to assume his position. He was later appointed as a Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary.

Wang Dun led his troops in an assault on Shitou City, and Dai Kui opened the city gates and surrendered to Wang Dun, leading to the defeat of the imperial army. Wang Dun later promoted Dai Kui to the rank of Guanglu Xun and shortly thereafter appointed him as a Minister. After some time, Dai Kui was further promoted to Right General and the Interior Minister of Kuaiji. At that time, Dai Kui's brother, Dai Jing, held the position of Prefect of Jinling and was also the Marquis of Qingliuting; Dai Kui's younger brother, Dai Yue, was the General Who Subdues the Barbarians and the Interior Minister of Wuxing; Dai Yue's younger brother, Dai Zan, was a military official of the Grand Marshal, the Marquis of Wukang County; Dai Zan's younger brother, Dai Jin, was the Imperial Scholar of the Crown Prince and the Marquis of Duxiang; Dai Kui's nephew, Dai Xie, was the Prefect of Linhuai and the Duke of Wucheng. The Dai family held five marquis titles, all of which were high-ranking positions, and their influence in the Wu region was unparalleled, which led Wang Dun to harbor intense resentment towards them.

Later, Dai Wei's mother passed away, and there were thousands of mourners who came to pay their respects. Wang Dun grew increasingly wary of the Dai family. When Wang Dun was seriously ill, Qian Feng, as the Zhou family was a powerful force, rivaling Shen Chong's own influence, sought to align himself with Shen Chong and plotted to eliminate the Zhou family in order to enable Shen Chong to consolidate his power in Jiangdong. So he advised Wang Dun, "Those in power fear being pressured by formidable forces. Throughout history, the source of chaos has always arisen in this way. Currently, the most powerful families in Jiangdong are the Zhou and Shen families. General, a century from now, these two families will surely stir trouble. The Zhou family is powerful and produces many talents. They should be dealt with first so that your descendants can be safe and the country can be preserved." Wang Dun believed his words.

At that time, there was a Taoist priest named Li Tuo, who used magic to deceive the people. He claimed to be eight hundred years old, so people called him Li Baibai. He came from the Central Plains to Jianye, using his so-called ghostly techniques to heal the sick and even bestowing official titles on others, and many people were taken in by him. His disciple Li Hong trained disciples at Lingshan, claiming that a prophecy was coming to fruition and that he would become king. So Wang Dun sent the Commandant of Lujiang, Li Heng, to accuse Dai Kui and his brothers, sons, and nephews of plotting a rebellion with Li Tuo. At that time, Dai Wei was Wang Dun's military advisor, and Wang Dun executed Dai Wei, Li Tuo, and Li Hong in the military camp. He then sent the officer He Luan to Shen Chong to kill Dai Kui's brothers and nephews. Afterwards, Wang Dun led troops to attack Kuaiji and launched a surprise assault on Dai Kui. Dai Kui was initially unaware, but when he heard that the enemy approached the gates, he led a few hundred followers out of the city to resist, only to face defeat and be killed. Dai Kui was greedy and lustful, only concerned with accumulating wealth. On the day the enemy approached the gates, his warehouse was stocked with many high-quality weapons, painted white on the outside, ready to equip soldiers, but he was too stingy to use them and only gave the soldiers some old weapons. His stinginess meant the soldiers were unwilling to fight for him.

After Zhou Zha's death, his colleagues and subordinates jointly submitted a memorial to the court, requesting posthumous honors for Zhou Zha and a reversal of his wrongful accusations. This matter was submitted for discussion to eight departments. The Minister Bian Rong believed that Zhou Zha had opened the city gates during the Battle of Shitoucheng, allowing the enemy to enter and causing chaos, which was Zhou Zha's responsibility. Therefore, he did not fully support the idea of granting posthumous honors to Zhou Zha, and also suggested restoring Zhou Zha's brother to his original position.

However, the Minister Wang Dao believed that Zhou Zha had defended the city of Shitoucheng with loyalty and dedication, making the ultimate sacrifice for the country. As for past events, those of us who were knowledgeable at the time, just like Zhou Zha, did not see any issues. This statement fully agrees with the wise judgment of the emperor. Now, those who are now trying to investigate any possible signs of disloyalty by Zhou Zha in the past are only doing so because the crimes of the traitor have become evident. Even if such things had occurred at the time, no one was aware of them! When everyone sees through the conspiracy of the traitor, Zhou Zha and us ministers all gave our lives for the country, died in battle, and Zhou Zha was ultimately executed. The court's orders had been issued, the matter was settled, and only then did they say he was a rebel. This lack of distinction between right and wrong, and between retreat and advance, should indeed be taken seriously by the court. I believe that he should be restored to honor, just like Zhou Yi and Dai Ruosi.

The Minister Xie Jian then said: Praise and criticism should adhere to clear standards and established precedents. Now, Zhou Yi and Dai Ruosi have been reinstated because of their loyalty, while Zhou Zha is being treated the same for opening the city gates. The situations are different, yet the rewards and punishments are the same, which leaves me perplexed. According to Minister Wang Dao's statement, those of us who were knowledgeable at the time, just like Zhou Zha, did not see any issues, which shows a clear distinction between right and wrong, each with its own reasoning. In the past, Emperor Wen of Song was disrespectful, and Hua Le was punished; Duke Ling of Qi trusted treacherous officials, and Gao Hou was killed as a result. Following this logic, Prince Qiao, Zhou Yi, and Dai Ruosi should all receive similar punishments, so how can they still be honored and reinstated in their positions? Now that Zhou Yi and Dai Ruosi have had their honor restored, then Zhou Zha should be condemned; this is quite clear.

Wang Dao retorted again: What you, Minister of Works, are saying is that you believe the situation of Zhou Zha opening the city gate is different from that of Qiao Wang, Zhou Yi, and Dai Ruosi. Did Zhou Zha really open the city gate, or was it just a rumor? If we judge based solely on rumors, it would be better to investigate carefully and find out the truth. Some say that Zhou Zha knew about the political chaos caused by Wei Bao, believed in Su Jun, and helped him. If he really helped Su Jun by getting rid of the treacherous individuals, wouldn't that be a great achievement like those in ancient times who eliminated the four tyrants and supported a wise ruler? In this case, Zhou Zha also demonstrated loyalty to the state. Later, when Su Jun rebelled, Zhou Zha stayed indoors and did not associate with the rebels, and in the end, his entire family was exterminated, all because he upheld justice! Believing in Su Jun and helping him was just the situation at that time; he did not expect such a great rebellion to occur later. Opposing the chaos caused by Wei Bao and Xie did not mean losing the integrity of a loyal subject. Were the only loyal ministers in the court at that time Zhou Yi and Zhou Zha? If they were all deemed disloyal, it would probably falsely accuse Qiao Wang, Zhou Yi, and Dai Ruosi. They all died for the country, which also reflects the integrity of a loyal subject. They simply had differing perspectives, but their loyalty was the same, so it should be clarified. Regarding your mention of Song Hua and Qi Gao, they were also involved because of Wei Bao and Xie. In the past, Zi Jiu was in trouble and Zhao Hu died for him, but Guan Zhong did not die. If death is the measure of virtue, then Guan Zhong should have been demoted; if not dying is considered virtuous, then Zhao Hu died wrongly. Why are there two different opinions on ancient allusions? It is because their loyalty was the same. Although death is a manifestation of loyalty, not all loyal individuals should die. Emperor Gao of Han had a testament that stated only the Liu clan could be kings and only meritorious subjects could be marquises. Those who disobeyed orders would be killed by the people. Later, Empress Lü established the Lü clan as kings. Zhou Bo obeyed, but Wang Ling opposed. What, then, should we say about Wang Ling? Historical records praised both of them. Thus, whether one lives or dies, fights or refrains from fighting, as long as the truth is revealed and their intentions understood, they cannot be judged indiscriminately. Furthermore, Zhou Zha is already dead. If he is posthumously honored, it acknowledges that he resisted rebellion, upheld justice, and was killed, which does not betray his loyalty.

Xi Jian continued to refute, but the court ultimately sided with Wang Dao, posthumously honoring Zhou Zha with the title of Guard Commander, and sent envoys to offer sacrifices to him. Zhou Xi's eldest brother Zhou Zha served as a minor official in the Taizai Prefecture. His second brother Zhou Zhi passed the imperial examination for filial piety, but did not take up the position. Zhou Xi was quite capable and eventually rose to become the General of Conquering Barbarians, the Prefect of Wuxing, and the Minister of the Yellow Gate. Later, when Xu Fu rebelled, Zhou Xi's clan brother Zhou Xu also rose in rebellion. The emperor wanted to send troops to crush the rebellion, but Wang Dao said, "With too few troops, we cannot suppress the rebellion; with too many troops, it would leave our rear vulnerable. Minister of the Yellow Gate Zhou Xi is loyal and deeply loved by the people of Wuxing; I think sending him will be enough to deal with Zhou Xu." So the emperor sent a hundred strong men to Zhou Xi to ride back to Yangxian. Upon receiving the order, Zhou Xi immediately set off, traveling day and night. When he arrived at the county, just when he was about to enter the city, he encountered Zhou Xu. Zhou Xi said to Zhou Xu, "Let's visit Prefect Kong together and discuss some matters." Zhou Xu refused to enter the city, but Zhou Xi insisted on dragging him in. After sitting down, Zhou Xi said to Prefect Kong Kan, "Prefect, why did you leave this thief here in the prefecture?" Zhou Xu had a small knife hidden on him and immediately drew the knife towards Zhou Xi. Zhou Xi shouted to the missionary Wu Zeng, "Take action!" Wu Zeng, showing great courage, struck Zhou Xu with the hilt of his knife, killing him. Zhou Xi initially wanted to kill Zhou Xie too, but Zhou Zha stopped him and ultimately shifted the blame onto his cousin Zhou Shao, who was subsequently killed. Zhou Xi didn’t go home to check on his mother afterward; he just left. His mother was so worried that she ran after him. His loyalty and sense of righteousness were truly admirable!

Later, Zhou Yi was promoted to the position of Right Guard of the Crown Prince. During the rebellion led by Wang Dun, Zhou Yi was promoted to Champion General, responsible for commanding the military forces across five prefectures, including Kuaiji, Wuxing, Yixing, Jinling, and Dongyang, leading three thousand troops of the navy to attack Shen Chong. However, before they even set out, the imperial forces were defeated. Zhou Yi learned that Zhou Zha had opened the city gates to surrender to Wang Dun, which left him both furious and alarmed. He was assassinated shortly thereafter. After Wang Dun restored order, both Zhou Yi and Zhou Zha were reinstated to their official positions.

In his early years, Zhou Yi built a house in Gushu, consisting of five rooms. However, six beams fell from the sky simultaneously, getting stuck on top of the pillars, which seemed impossible to achieve manually. Ultimately, the Zhou family faced decline.

Zhou Yi's younger brother, Zhou Jin, was known for his reckless behavior in his youth. Once, on Wuyi Road in Jiankang, he and two colleagues saw a maid from the Kong family and ordered his subordinates to capture her onto their carriage, showing blatant arrogance and tyranny.

Zhou Fang, whose courtesy name was Shi Da, was from Ancheng, Runan. In the late Han Dynasty, his family fled to Jiangnan to escape the turmoil of war, and by Zhou Fang's generation, they had already become the fourth generation. After the unification of Wu, his family settled in Xunyang County, Lujiang Commandery. His grandfather, Zhou Zuan, was the General of Wei Yuan of Wu, and his father, Zhou Min, was the Left Middle General. From a young age, Zhou Fang was known for his calmness, decisiveness, humility, and generosity, often helping the poor despite his family's financial struggles. He held the position of county magistrate and recommended Tao Kan, who was then a minor official, to serve as his chief clerk. They became good friends, and Zhou Fang even married his daughter to Tao Kan's son, Tao Zhan. Zhou Fang was awarded the title of Filial and Incorrupt, appointed as a court official and magistrate, but he never took up the posts. Once, when someone stole his family's ox and killed it in the cemetery, Zhou Fang discreetly buried the meat without informing anyone.

After Emperor Yuan crossed the river, he allowed Zhou Fang to participate in military operations guarding the east. At that time, there was a person with the same name as Zhou Fang who was sentenced to death. The officials mistakenly arrested Zhou Fang instead. Zhou Fang rose up in resistance, defeated those who tried to capture him, causing dozens to flee. He then went to meet the emperor. The emperor did not blame him. Soon after, Zhou Fang was appointed General of Yanglie, commanding 1,200 soldiers stationed at Eling in Xunyang, to campaign against Huayi with Gan Zhuo and Zhao You. Zhou Fang's fierce general Ding Qian and Huayi's military commander Feng Yi conspired. Zhou Fang captured both of them and had them executed. Feng Yi attacked Zhou Fang, but Zhou Fang led his troops to defeat him. Feng Yi fled to Chaisang, and Zhou Fang pursued him without hesitation. Huayi sent his subordinates Wang Yue, Fu Zha, and others with over ten thousand troops to support Feng Yi. A major battle erupted at Penkou, resulting in yet another defeat for Wang Yue and his men. Zhou Fang and Gan Zhuo joined forces in Pengze against Huayi's naval commander Zhu Ju and others, defeating them as well. Zhou Guang, one of Huayi's subordinates, set fire to the city to assist Zhou Fang, but ultimately, Huayi's forces were routed. Zhou Fang captured Huayi alive and killed him, thus pacifying Jiangzhou.

The emperor appointed Zhou Fang as the General of Zhenwu and Prefect of Xunyang, and also bestowed him a ceremonial band and a prestigious carriage! Later, the emperor ordered Zhou Fang and various armies to campaign together against Du Tuo. Du Tuo employed a tool known as Jiegao to sabotage the official army's ships, so Fang devised a countermeasure known as Changqi Cheng. As a result, Du Tuo's plan failed. However, the bandits launched a stealthy attack on the official army from Qingcaohu and sent the general Zhang Yan to attack Yuzhang, carrying out acts of arson and looting.

At that time, Wang Dun guarded Penkou and sent aides Miao Rui and Li Heng to follow Fang's command in the fight against Zhang Yan. Miao Rui fought against Zhang Yan in Yuzhang and Shitou, forcing Zhang Yan's army to scatter in all directions. Fang led his subordinates, including General Li Wu, to chase after Zhang Yan, ultimately achieving a complete victory and even killing Zhang Yan on the spot. During the battle, Fang was hit by a stray arrow, knocking out two front teeth, but he remained unfazed and continued to command, truly a hero!

By nightfall, Fang and the enemy were positioned across the river, with the enemy outnumbering them several times over. Fang knew that his forces were insufficient to win. So, he secretly sent someone disguised as a woodcutter to go out, and then ordered the troops to line up, beat drums, shout, and yell, "The left army has arrived!" The soldiers cheered! That night, he ordered the troops to make more fires for cooking, leading the enemy to mistakenly believe reinforcements had arrived, causing the enemy to retreat before dawn. Fang told his generals, "The enemy will definitely retreat, but they will eventually realize that we have no reinforcements and will come back to attack us. We should quickly cross the river to the north bank."

After the army crossed the river, Fang immediately ordered the destruction of the bridge. Sure enough, the enemy arrived shortly after but could not advance due to the river blocking their path and were forced to retreat back to Xiangzhou. Fang then led the navy to attack Xiangcheng. When the army reached Fukou, Du Tao sent Du Hong to lead troops from Haihun. At this time, the situation at Penkou was in chaos, so Fang stealthily crossed on foot from Chaisang and fought against the enemy, slaying hundreds of enemy troops. The enemy retreated to Luling, and Fang led his army to pursue and defeat them, forcing the enemy to take refuge and fortify in the city.

Later, because the provisions were taken by the enemy, Fang's forces retreated to Baqiu. After the supplies arrived, Fang surrounded Du Hong in Luling. Du Hong tossed a wealth of gold and silver out of the city, and the soldiers and officials scrambled to seize them. Du Hong took advantage of the chaos in the army to break through. Fang led his troops to pursue and captured vast quantities of horses, armor, and weapons, piling up like mountains! Du Hong fled to Nankang, where the Prefect of Nankang led troops to resist, but was defeated by Fang. Du Hong finally escaped to Linhe to avoid disaster. The emperor promoted Fang to the rank of Dragon Cavalry General, and Wang Dun recommended Fang to be the Prefect of Yuzhang, also appointing him as the Commander-in-Chief of Conquest, and granting him the title of Marquis of Xunyang County—what an honor!

When the Governor of Liangzhou, Zhang Guang, died, the emperor appointed Fifth Yi as the General Conquering the South, overseeing the four provinces of Jingzhou, Liangzhou, Yizhou, and Ningzhou, and ordered him to depart from Wuguan. Du Zeng, Zhi Zhan, Hu Hun, and other rebel leaders went to welcome Fifth Yi, gathering tens of thousands of troops. They first defeated Tao Kan in Shicheng, then attacked the stationed General Pingnan Xun Song in Wancheng, but were unable to take it, and then led their troops to Jiangling.

Wang Dun sent his brother Wang Yi as the Governor of Jingzhou, commanding the General Conquering the Barbarians Zhao You, the Prefect of Xiangyang Zhu Gui, and the General of Lingjiang Huang Jun to attack Du Zeng. They suffered a major defeat at Nüguan Lake, with Zhao You and Zhu Gui both killed in battle. Du Zeng pursued the victory, driving away Wang Yi, and headed straight for Miankou, burning, killing, and plundering everywhere, striking fear into the provinces of Jiangzhou and Mianzhou. The emperor then sent Tao Fang to fight him. Tao Fang marched with eight thousand troops to Dunyang. Du Zeng and his men were riding high, and Tao Fang said, "Seize the initiative, that's a smart military tactic!"

He ordered General Li Heng to command the left wing, Xu Chao to command the right wing, and led the central army himself, raising the flag high. Du Zeng was afraid of Tao Fang, so he first attacked the left and right wings. Du Zeng was a fierce warrior, and Tao Fang disliked him, so he shot wild fowl from the rear to boost morale. He told the soldiers, "If one wing falls, beat the drum three times; if both wings fall, beat it six times." Zhao Yin led the remnants of his father's defeated troops to join the left wing, fought valiantly, and though defeated, they regrouped. Zhao Yin rode his horse to report to Tao Fang, who was furious and scolded him, ordering him to charge again. Zhao Yin wept and charged once more, from morning to afternoon, both wings were defeated.

Upon hearing the drumbeat, Tao Fang selected eight hundred elite soldiers, gave them wine himself, and ordered them not to move until they heard the drumbeat to charge. Before the enemy was thirty paces away, Tao Fang personally sounded the war drum, and the soldiers surged forward, Du Zeng's forces were thrown into chaos, suffering over a thousand casualties. That night, Tao Fang pursued the enemy, and his generals requested to continue the pursuit the next day, yet Tao Fang said, "Du Zeng is valiant and good at war; he was defeated today because they were tired, while our morale is high, which is why we were able to win. We must capitalize on their fatigue to pursue them relentlessly and ensure their complete defeat." So they marched forward with drums, quickly securing the regions around the Han and Mian rivers. Du Zeng and the others fled to Wudang Mountain.

Tao Fang was promoted to the position of General of the Southern Central Army for his achievements, in charge of the various armies in Liangzhou, and also became the Governor of Liangzhou, stationed in Xiangyang. Tao Fang told his subordinates, "Even though Duke Wen of Jin won the Battle of Chengpu, he still had worries because his beloved general did not die. Now if I don't kill Du Zeng, there could be endless troubles!" So he launched a surprise attack again and defeated Du Zeng, who then fled. Tao Fang's subordinate Su Wen captured Du Zeng and brought him to the military camp, and also captured Di Wu, Hu Hun, Zhi Zhan, and others, sending them to Wang Dun. Tao Fang reported to Wang Dun that Di Wu was forced by Du Zeng and should not be executed. Wang Dun ignored him and executed Di Wu. Tao Fang was promoted to General of Annan, while retaining his positions as Governor and Inspector.

At first, Wang Dun feared that Du Zeng might cause trouble, so he said to Zhou Fang, "If Du Zeng is captured, we should discuss appointing you as the Governor of Jingzhou." However, Wang Dun later did not follow through. When Wang Yi was dismissed, the court issued a decree appointing Zhou Fang as the Governor of Jingzhou. Wang Dun recognized Zhou Fang as a capable general with substantial achievements but felt hesitant. His advisor, Guo Shu, counseled Wang Dun, "Although Jingzhou is poor due to war and neglect, it is actually a place where military talent can be utilized. If it is handed over to someone else, it could lead to a situation where it becomes unmanageable. You should manage it yourself, and Zhou Fang going to Liangzhou is enough." Wang Dun followed his advice, which infuriated Zhou Fang. Wang Dun personally penned a letter of explanation and included a jade bowl as a token of apology. Zhou Fang smashed the bowl on the floor and said, "Do you think I’m just a commoner who can be bought with treasures?" He secretly planned to deal with Wang Dun.

After arriving in Xiangyang, Zhou Fang devoted himself to developing agriculture, training soldiers, and actively listening to others' opinions, promptly filling any vacancies in local government positions, and then reporting back to the court. Wang Dun felt worried about this, but also feared Zhou Fang's powerful influence and did not dare to confront him. Zhou Fang's prestige continued to rise, and people from near and far respected him. His wisdom and bravery surpassed ordinary people, establishing him as a prominent general of the era. He was humble and never bragged about his accomplishments. Someone asked Zhou Fang, "Some people can't resist bragging about their small accomplishments. Your achievements are so great, why don't you say a word?" Zhou Fang replied, "The court's majesty and authority compel the soldiers to follow orders. What credit do I have?" The soldiers respected him even more because of this. Zhou Fang trained his army, reorganized his troops, and wanted to display his talents in the Central Plains. He also formed an alliance with Li Ju and Guo Mo, ambitiously aiming to pacify the Heluo region. He was good at soothing and winning over people's hearts, and the soldiers were willing to go to great lengths for him. It was said that Wang Dun harbored rebellious intentions, which made Zhou Fang seethe with anger. Despite his treasonous intentions, Wang Dun didn't dare to act rashly as long as Zhou Fang was alive. When Zhou Fang was young, he once met a fortune-teller from Lujiang named Chen Xun, who told Zhou Fang and Tao Kan, "Both of you will become regional princes, with comparable achievements, but Tao Kan will enjoy a long life while Zhou Fang will have a short life. The only difference is in age." Zhou Fang was one year younger than Tao Kan and passed away in the third year of Taixing at the age of sixty-one. The emperor was deeply saddened by his death, posthumously appointed him as General Who Conquers the West, bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Zhuang," and erected a stele in his hometown. He had two sons: Zhou Fu and Zhou Guang.

Ah, speaking of which, it's all about family matters. My father, he was a man with iron bones, but unfortunately, I'm nowhere near that. The emperor saw a bit of resemblance to my father in me, so he appointed me as a minor official in the Chancellor's Office. Later, my father passed away, so I stepped down to observe the mourning period. After the mourning period, I inherited my father's title, and later became the General of Eagle Rising and the Prefect of Wuchang.

Later, Wang Dun took a liking to me and made me his subordinate as a Chamberlain. Deng Yue and I became Wang Dun's confidants. However, good times didn't last long, as Gan Zhuo was killed by Wang Dun. Wang Dun then appointed me as the military commander of Mianbei, the General of Southern Zhonglang, and stationed me in Mianzhong. Later, when Wang Dun rebelled, I followed him along with two thousand troops. After Wang Dun's failure, I escaped with Deng Yue.

My younger brother secretly sent me money and supplies, but he was actually plotting to kill Deng Yue. I lost my temper and shouted at him, "I escaped with Deng Boshan, why didn't you just take me out first?!" Just then, Deng Yue arrived, so I dashed to the door and called out from a distance, "You better leave now! Even blood brothers are plotting against each other, what about others!" Upon hearing this, Deng Yue quickly rowed away. We both hid in the territory of the Western Yang barbarians, where the chieftain Xiang Can took us in.

Earlier, when Deng Yue was an official in the West Yang, he had plans to attack the barbarians, which made them all hate him and want to kill him. But Xiang Can disagreed, saying, "Lord Deng has come to seek refuge with me in distress, how could I possibly kill him!" Thanks to him, we both saved our lives.

The following year, the court granted amnesty to Wang Dun's followers, so Deng Yue and I went to the capital to apologize. However, the emperor did not forgive us and imprisoned both of us.

During the Xianhe period, Wang Dao recognized Fu's talent and appointed him as an official in the Ministry of Personnel. Later on, he was promoted to General Ningyuan and Prefect of Jiangxia. When Su Jun rebelled, Fu followed Wen Qiao in suppressing the rebellion. After Su Jun was defeated, Fu was promoted to General overseeing military affairs in Mianbei and South General, stationed in Xiangyang. However, when Guo Jing led troops to attack Xiangyang on behalf of Shi Le, Fu could not hold the city and had to flee to Wuchang with his men, leading to his dismissal.

Shortly after, he was appointed as General of Zhenwei and Prefect of Yuzhang. He then took over the military command of Badong and served as Governor of Yizhou from Guanqiu Ao, and was granted the authority of a temporary command while retaining his position as a general. He was later promoted to General of Pacification and also supervised military affairs in Ningzhou. During the Yonghe period, Huan Wen launched a campaign against Shu, and Fu was appointed as the overseer of military affairs in four counties in Liangzhou, including Han Zhong, Baxi, Zitong, and Yinping, stationed in Pengmo.

Fu defeated the remnants of the Shu forces led by Wei Wen and Deng Ding, and killed the pretender to the position of Minister of Works and General Who Pacifies the South, Wang Shi and Wang Run. As a result of his military achievements, he was promoted to General of Pacification of the West. Surprisingly, Wei Wen, Deng Ding, and their allies revolted once more, proclaiming Fan Ben, the son of Fan Xian, as emperor. Fan Xian used to be the national teacher under Li Xiong, and using unorthodox methods, he quickly amassed over ten thousand followers. Fu and General Longxiang Zhu Tao led troops to defeat and kill Fan Ben, and for his victory, Fu was bestowed the title of Duke of Jiancheng County.

Later, Western Expedition Commander Xiao Jingwen rebelled, killed General Yang Jin, occupied Fucheng, and declared himself the Governor of Yizhou. Huan Wen sent Commander Deng Xia to assist in suppressing him, but they were unable to capture Fucheng and had to withdraw. Huan Wen then ordered Sima Xun, the Governor of Liangzhou, and others to join forces to once again attack Xiao Jingwen. Xiao Jingwen defended Fucheng, holding out from February until August before surrendering. Sima Xun executed him and sent his head to the capital. During the Shengping period, Sima Xun was promoted to General of the Western Garrison. He served in provincial positions for over thirty years, passing away in the third year of Xingning. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as General of the Western Expedition and honored with the title Xiang. His son, Chu, succeeded him in his title.

Speaking of this Duke Chu, he was a descendant of the Chu Kingdom! He initially followed his father in the Western Expedition, later accompanying him to Shu, where he rose in ranks to become the Eagle General and the Prefect of Jianwei. After his father's death, Duke Chu took over Liangzhou and Yizhou, was granted military authority by the court, and inherited the title of Duke of Jiancheng. He spent a long time in Liangzhou and Yizhou, maintaining particularly good relations with the local people.

At that time, Sima Xun, the Governor of Liangzhou, rebelled, and Duke Chu, along with Zhu Xu, quelled the rebellion. He was then promoted to Champion General. During the Taihe era, there were bandits in Shu called Li Jinyin and Li Hong in Guanghan, who led a large-scale rebellion, claiming to be the sons of Li Shi and seeking to establish the Shengdao Dynasty with the reign title of Fenghuang. Furthermore, there was a man named Li Gao in Longxi who claimed to be Li Xiong's son and captured Fucheng. Unable to maintain control, the Governor of Liangzhou, Yang Liang, could not hold it, so Duke Chu sent his son to suppress the rebellion. Unfortunately, Duke Chu passed away that year, and the court posthumously honored him with the title Ding Gong. His son, Chu Qiong, inherited his title.

Chu Qiong, he was quite a formidable figure, courageous and clever, and held various official positions in several counties. Later, he succeeded Yang Liang as the Inspector of Liangzhou, and was also made the General of Jianwu, concurrently serving as the Colonel of Xirong. Earlier, the Di tribe's Dou Chong surrendered, and the court appointed him as the Colonel of Dongqiang. Unexpectedly, Dou Chong later rebelled and tried to attack Hanzhong. People from Anding, like Huangfu Zhao, and from Jingzhao, like Zhou Xun, even conspired to accept Dou Chong. Chu Qiong secretly learned about their plan and captured and executed Huangfu Zhao, Zhou Xun, and others. Not long after, Chu Qiong passed away, and his son Chu Xiao inherited his position.

Meng Wei, styled Xiao, was known for his integrity from a young age. The state called him up to serve as a ritual official, and later he worked his way up to become the Colonel of the Western Barbarians, and also served as the Administrator of Zitong. During the Ningkang period, Fu Jian's general Yang An attacked Zitong, and Meng Wei held Fucheng against all odds, even sending several thousand infantry and cavalry to escort his mother and wife, planning to escort them all the way to Jiangling via the Han River. However, they were ambushed midway by Fu Jian's general Zhu Yong; Meng Wei's family was taken captive, and he ultimately surrendered to Yang An.

Fu Jian wanted to make him a court official, Meng Wei said, "I've only made it this far because of the court's kindness. But my mother has been captured, I've lost my honor! Now that my mother and I can both survive, it's all due to the Qin state's mercy. Even if they offered me a duke's title, I wouldn't feel proud, let alone a lowly official!" Fu Jian, upon hearing this, did not insist further. From then on, whenever Meng Wei met Fu Jian, he would sit cross-legged and call Fu Jian "Di bandit," which really irked Fu Jian.

Once on New Year's Day, Meng Wei dressed very formally, and Fu Jian asked him, "How does the New Year's Day celebration of the Jin Dynasty compare to now?" Meng Wei rolled up his sleeves and loudly said, "A bunch of barbarians gathered together, just like a pack of dogs and sheep—how dare they even think they can compare to the emperor!" Later, when Lv Guang went to conquer the Western Regions, Fu Jian held a farewell banquet with two hundred thousand troops and banners stretching for hundreds of miles. He asked Meng Wei again, "How strong is my army?" Meng Wei replied, "Since ancient times, I've never seen a barbarian army this strong!" Fu Jian's ministers thought Meng Wei was being too disrespectful and kept urging Fu Jian to get rid of him. But Fu Jian started to value him more and more. Meng Wei secretly wrote a letter to Huan Chong, informing him of Fu Jian's treachery. In the third year of Taiyuan, Meng Wei made a secret escape to Hanzhong, and Fu Jian sent troops to catch up with him. Later, Meng Wei conspired with Fu Jian's nephew Fu Bao to attack Fu Jian. When the plot was exposed, Fu Jian summoned Meng Wei to explain himself. Meng Wei said, "In ancient times, Nie Zheng and Yu Rang were both humble ministers of Yan and Zhao, and they were willing to endure hardships to avenge their lord, never forgetting their loyalty and righteousness. Moreover, my Meng family has been receiving the grace of the Jin Dynasty for generations. How could I forget? Whether alive as a subject of the Jin Dynasty or dead as a ghost of the Jin Dynasty, what more is there to say?" Fu Jian remarked, "Killing you now will just make you a legend!" So he punished him severely and exiled him to Taiyuan. Later, Fu Jian took Shunyang and Weixing and captured their two prefects. Both of them stood firm, and Fu Jian sighed, "Zhou Meng Wei stood his ground before, Ding Yanyuan later lived a clean life, and Ji Zuchong died by fasting. These people are all loyal ministers!"

Zhou Kuang died in Taiyuan due to illness. His son Zhou Xing brought his father's coffin back, and General Xie Xuan personally went to mourn. He then reported to the court, "I have heard that recognizing good deeds and setting examples is to promote education and leave a lasting legacy. Zhou Kuang, the Colonel of the Western Yi and Prefect of Zitong, was fiercely loyal and incorruptible. Unfortunately, he met a tragic death on the border. Every time I think of his aspirations, I feel that even Su Wu's virtue pales in comparison to his. Previously, I ordered a search in Bingzhou for Zhou Kuang's funeral and to locate his family. It took great effort, traversing mountains and rivers for several days to find them, support them, and send them back to their hometown. I ask the Emperor to remember his loyalty, honor his integrity, and let his unwavering spirit be passed down through generations, to comfort the living and console the dead." Emperor Xiaowu issued a decree, "Zhou Kuang had great aspirations and noble character, comparable to the loyal heroes of antiquity. It is a pity that he passed away at a young age before he could accomplish great deeds. Honoring his righteousness sets a standard for the nation. He is posthumously appointed as General of the Dragon Cavalry and Governor of Yizhou, awarded 200,000 coins and 100 bolts of fabric." The Emperor also bestowed further rewards upon his family.

Zhou Guang inherited his father's admirable traits from an early age. At the age of eleven, he met Wang Dun, who asked him, "Since there are no generals in your county, who can be of use?" Zhou Guang replied, "If you don't mind my young age, I believe no one is more suitable than I am." Wang Dun appointed him as General of Ningyuan and Prefect of Xunyang. Later, when Wang Dun rebelled, Zhou Guang led over a thousand men to support him. Upon arrival, Zhou Guang was unaware that Wang Dun had already died and still wished to see him. Wang Dun's subordinates kept the truth hidden, claiming that Wang Dun was ill. When Zhou Guang came out and said, "I came from such a distant place, but I can't see Lord Wang. Could it be that Lord Wang has died?" He immediately sought out his brother and questioned him, "Lord Wang is dead; why are you still rebelling alongside Qian Feng?" Everyone was taken aback. That night, the crowd eventually dispersed, Qian Feng fled, and Zhou Guang caught him in Helu Zhou. He then went to the court to plead for leniency and was not punished. Later, during Su Jun's rebellion, Zhou Guang fought valiantly alongside Wen Qiao and achieved significant victories. After Su Jun's rebellion was quelled, Zhou Guang was granted the title of Lord of Qujiang and eventually passed away while in office.

Zi Zhong Sun was initially appointed as the Chief Military Officer, General of Zhenwu, and Governor of Ningzhou during the Xingning period. He engaged in corruption and extortion during his tenure in Ningzhou, leaving the people to suffer immensely. Later, Huan Wen felt that there were too many thieves in Liangzhou and Yizhou, and having heard of the Zhou family's esteemed reputation, appointed Zi Zhong Sun as the inspector of Yizhou, Yuzhou, and Liangzhou. During the Ningkang period, Yang An rebelled in Shu, and Zi Zhong Sun failed to defend the city, leading to his loss of office. He was subsequently summoned to serve as a Palace Attendant and eventually passed away.

It is said that when Tao Kan was just a small figure, his family was preparing for a funeral and about to bury a loved one when suddenly a cow suddenly disappeared. They looked everywhere but couldn't find her. At that moment, they encountered an old man who said, "I saw a cow sleeping in a ravine on the hill ahead. That spot is perfect for a burial; one day, it will be a place for a high-ranking official!" He then pointed to another mountain and said, "That mountain is also good. One day, it will produce an official of two thousand stones." After saying this, the old man vanished. Tao Kan took the old man's advice, found the cow, buried their loved one in that place, and also bought the mountain pointed out by the old man. Later, the old man passed away and was buried there as well. True to his words, Tao Kan made quite a name for himself in Ningzhou and Yizhou. From that point on, three generations of his family held official positions in Yizhou for a total of forty-one years, just like the old man had foretold.

The historian said: Is there really an unchanging standard for benevolence and righteousness? A gentleman embodies benevolence and righteousness in his actions, while abandoning them is the mark of a villain. Although Zhou Ziyin was initially reckless and unruly, acting like a fierce dragon or beast and dominating the countryside, he was able to restrain himself in the end, strive for progress, change for the better every day, disregard life and death, value loyalty, and sacrificed his life for his country. He is truly a man of integrity! Xuan Pei, relying on his loyalty and bravery, quelled numerous rebellions and earned a reputation that no one could surpass in the court, and his achievements were recorded in the royal palace's annals. However, he later fell out with the court ministers, plotted conspiracies in secret, and acted out of anger without considering the consequences, which showed a lack of foresight. It's a shame he ultimately died in anger! Zha and Ye were both talented individuals who thought highly of themselves. They were initially suspected by the court and were ultimately killed by the powerful, showing that sometimes the strong can be brought down by the weak. Zha was assigned to guard the city but opened the gates to welcome thieves, abandoning his duty to mimic rebellion, which actually happened. Even though he later resorted to criminal methods, he got what was coming to him. The court wanting to promote him? That was just too much! This kind of practice led to the decline of the Jin Dynasty's legal system! Zhou Fang was talented in both civil and military matters, held important positions, quelled rebellions in Xiangzhou and Luozhou, captured Jiangzhou and Hanzhou, assisted the son of Sun Yi, wielded a baton, commanded the army, and was feared in the Western Shu region. During the time of national prosperity, people hailed him as a renowned general, achieving great success and recognition. What could compare to him, as even history records?

Praise: General Zhou Fang of Pingxi initially acted unjustly, but ultimately found his way to righteousness; his bravery was sufficient to vanquish tyranny, and his loyalty was such that he would sacrifice his life. Xuan Pei achieved significant victories, quelling the uprisings in Jiangdong on three occasions. While Zha opened the city gates to greet the enemy, Yan remained steadfastly loyal. The generals of Xunyang, wielding staffs and battle-axes, are valiant and adept in combat. Future generations ought to emulate their example. Meng Wei, loyal and resolute, always kept his former lord in his thoughts.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Jin （晉書）

Published: 03 January 2025

Created: 03 January 2025

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Luo Xian, courtesy name Lingze, was from Xiangyang. His father Luo Meng once served as the Governor of Guanghan in Shu Han. Luo Xian could write essays at the age of thirteen and gained early fame. He studied under Qiao Zhou as his teacher, and Qiao Zhou's students all compared him to Zigong. He was upright, honest, strict, and serious towards others, never tired of treating scholars, generous, willing to help others, and never focused on building wealth through business. He served as the Palace Attendant and the Herald of the Faith in Shu Han, and also embarked on two diplomatic missions to the state of Wu, where he was well-regarded by the locals.

At that time, Huang Hao was in a position of great power, and many people flattered him, but Luo Xian kept to himself and did not associate with him. Huang Hao was very angry and demoted him to Governor of Badong. At that time, the Grand General Yan Yu was in Badong as the military overseer, and he appointed Luo Xian as the leader of the army, serving as Yan Yu's deputy. When the state of Wei attacked Shu Han, Yan Yu was recalled to Chengdu, and Luo Xian defended the city of Yong'an. After Chengdu fell, the city's inhabitants were in a panic, and the border officials all fled. Luo Xian executed a troublemaker, and the people in the city finally calmed down. He knew that after Liu Shan surrendered, and then he led his troops to remain at Dotting Pavilion for three days.

Wu State heard that Shu Han had been destroyed and sent General Sheng Xian to advance westward. Officially, it was presented as a rescue mission, but in reality, it was an attempt to attack Luo Xian. Luo Xian said, "Our Shu Han has already been destroyed. Wu State and we are interdependent. They disregard our safety and instead want to take advantage of the situation. I would rather serve as a subordinate than betray my principles!" So he pledged allegiance to Western Jin. He reorganized the army, strengthened defenses, inspired morale with noble integrity, and the soldiers all obeyed his commands. After the deaths of Zhong Hui and Deng Ai, many cities were left leaderless. Wu State then sent Bu Xie to march westward, and Luo Xian defeated his army. Sun Xiu was furious and sent Lu Kang to support Bu Xie. Luo Xian held out for over a year, with no reinforcements forthcoming, and many people died in the city due to the plague. Some suggested he retreat south to Zangke or north to Shangyong to preserve his life. Luo Xian said, "As a monarch, the people all rely on him. If he cannot protect them and instead abandons them to escape, a true gentleman would never do that. I would rather die here!" At this point, Governor Hu Lie of Jingzhou and his men arrived to provide assistance, and Lu Kang withdrew his troops. Luo Xian was appointed Lingjiang General, Supervisor of Ba Dong Military Affairs, and Governor of Wuling by the Jin Dynasty. In the early years of the Taishi era, he entered the court, and Emperor Wu of Jin proclaimed, "Luo Xian is loyal, brave, talented, and strategic. He can be accompanied by a music band." He also bestowed upon him a Shanxuan jade sword. In the sixth year of Taishi, Luo Xian passed away, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Supervisor, General of Annan, and Governor of Wuling, granted him the title of Marquis of Xie, and posthumously honored him with the title of Liet. Initially, (Yang) Xian participated in a banquet at Hualin Garden, where the emperor inquired about the sons of officials from Shu and later asked about ancestors worthy of promotion. Xian recommended talented individuals from Shu, such as Chang Ji and Du Zhen, noting that they were exceptional talents from Shu. Emperor Wu then summoned and appointed them all.

Yang Xian's son, Yang Xi, later became a Court Attendant and General of Lingjiang, commanding his father's troops, and eventually served as the Prefect of Guanghan. Yang Xian's nephew is named Yang Shang.

Yang Shang, courtesy name Jingzhi, also known by his childhood name Zhong. His father, Yang Shi, was once the Prefect of Zangke. Yang Shang lost his father when he was young and was raised by his uncle Yang Xian. He was very talented in writing. The Governor of Jingzhou, Wang Rong, appointed Yang Shang and Liu Qiao as military advisors and trusted them greatly. Towards the end of the Taikang period, Yang Shang became the Governor of Liangzhou. When Zhao Xin rebelled in Shu, Yang Shang submitted a memorial saying, "Zhao Xin is not a talented person and will definitely not succeed. Just wait to see him fail." As a result, the court granted Yang Shang military authority, appointing him as General of Pacification in the West, Inspector of Yizhou, and Colonel of the Western Marches. Yang Shang was very greedy and often indecisive, and the people of Shu said, "Those favored by Yang Shang are either deceitful or sycophantic; those disliked by Yang Shang are not loyal and upright. His family is extremely wealthy, as rich as the states of Lu and Wei, and his household resembled a bustling marketplace; he is as greedy as a jackal, never satisfied." Some said, "We can handle the bandits in Shu, but Yang Shang has brought us harm. The General of Pacification in the West has become a calamity." At that time, Li Te also rebelled in Shu, attacking and killing Zhao Xin. He then attacked Chengdu, where Yang Shang was, causing Yang Shang to retreat to Jiangyang. At first, Yang Shang requested support from the court, and the Governor of Jingzhou, Zong Dai, led the Prefect of Jianping, Sun Fu, to rescue them. Upon arriving in Jiangzhou, Zong Dai and Sun Fu's forces were formidable, and those oppressed by bandits were all spirited. Yang Shang sent his aide Ren Rui to pretend to surrender, secretly sending a signal to attack together. As a result, Li Te was defeated and killed, and his head was sent to Luoyang. Li Te's son Li Xiong declared himself emperor and set up his capital in Picheng. Yang Shang sent General Wei Bo to attack him, but was unsuccessful. Soon after, Yang Shang died, and Li Xiong seized control of Shu.

Teng Xiu, courtesy name Xianxian, was from Xie, a place in Nanyang. He served as a general in the state of Wu and was granted the title of Marquis of Xie. During Sun Hao's reign, Teng Xiu replaced Xiong Mu as the Inspector of Guangzhou and governed effectively, winning the affection of the people. Later, he was summoned by the court to serve as the Commandant of the Golden Guard. However, the local troops in Guangzhou, led by Guo Ma and others, revolted. Sun Hao believed that Teng Xiu was highly respected and trusted in the Lingnan region, so he appointed him as a Commissioner, Commander of Guangzhou Military Affairs, General of the Southern Guard, and Governor of Guangzhou to quell the rebellion. Before the rebellion was quelled, the state of Wu was defeated by the Jin Dynasty. Teng Xiu led his troops to provide support, but when he reached Baqiu, Sun Hao had already surrendered. Teng Xiu returned in mourning clothes, weeping, and submitted his seal of office together with the Inspectors of Guangzhou, Lu Feng, and the Prefect of Cangwu, Wang Yi. The court appointed Teng Xiu as General Who Maintains the South, with his duties as Governor of Guangzhou, Commissioner, and Commander unchanged. He was also granted the title of Marquis of Wudang, granted a musical ensemble, and entrusted with overseeing all matters in the south. Teng Xiu stayed in the south for many years, gaining the support of local ethnic minorities.

In the ninth year of Taikang, Teng Xiu passed away, and he had requested to be buried in the capital. The emperor appreciated his wish and bestowed upon him a plot of land, and granted him the posthumous title "Sheng." Teng Xiu's sons petitioned the court, saying: "Our father Teng Xiu was trapped in Wu and forced to serve them; he was fortunate to witness the unification of the Jin Dynasty and took part in quelling rebellions, overseeing military affairs. However, before he had the chance to meet the emperor, he was assigned a significant duty in the south, due to his outstanding military achievements, which had not been recognized by the court. Despite his old age and frailty, he repeatedly requested retirement, but was never approved, and unfortunately passed away. Following our father's wishes, we brought his coffin back to the capital, looking upon the imperial palace with deep sorrow. We heard that the scholars posthumously titled our father 'Sheng'; although this reputation spread, it does not match his achievements, which we find hard to accept, so we respectfully bring this to your attention." The emperor then ordered to posthumously title Teng Xiu as "Zhong."

Teng Xiu's son, Teng Han, initially held the position of Chief of Light Chariots under Yu Bing, and made contributions in the campaign against Su Jun, and was granted the title of Marquis of Xiayang County, with a fief of 1,600 households, and appointed as General Who Pacifies the South and Governor of Guangzhou. He was greatly beloved by the people during his time in office, and was posthumously titled "Dai" after his death. Teng Han's son, Teng Yun, later served as the Governor of Jiaozhou.

Teng Xiu's great-grandson Teng Tianzhi served as the General of Longxiang and Prefect of Wei County. While defending Liyang, he was captured by Zhai Liao and ultimately perished in battle.

Malong, courtesy name Xiaoxing, was from Pinglu, Shandong. He was intelligent and brave from a young age and liked to build a good reputation. When the Inspector of Yanzhou in the Wei State, Linghu Yu, was killed for committing a crime, no one in the province dared to claim his body. Malong pretended to be Linghu Yu's friend, used his own funds to give Linghu Yu a proper burial, observed a three-year period of mourning for him, planted pine and cypress trees in his memory, and only returned after the funeral was completed. The people of the entire province thought he did a great job, and this act became a well-regarded story. Later, he was appointed as a military officer.

During the Taishi era, the court wanted to attack the Wu State, and the emperor issued a decree, "Wu State has yet to be pacified, and we need fierce generals to achieve victory. Although there have been methods to recommend talented individuals in the past, they have not been able to completely discover all outstanding talents. Therefore, it is necessary to notify all prefectures and counties that if there are brave, outstanding, talented, and exceptional individuals, their names should be reported, and I will select the most outstanding talents for promotion and appointment. As long as there are such talents, there should be no limitations." Yanzhou recommended Malong, stating that he was exceptionally talented and could make a fine general. Malong later gradually rose through the ranks and became Inspector Sima.

At first, the Governor of Liangzhou, Yang Xin, fell out with the Qiang Rong tribes, and the Grand General Long Chen predicted that Yang Xin was definitely done for. Not long after, Yang Xin was captured by the Qiang Rong, and communication along the Hexi Corridor was cut off too. The Emperor was worried all day, trying to figure out a way out. During court sessions, he would sigh and say, "Who can help me defeat these Qiang Rong and restore the connection to Liangzhou?" The ministers were stumped. Long Chen stepped up and said, "Your Majesty, if you trust me, I can pacify them." The Emperor said, "If you can truly eliminate these bandits, I will naturally use you, but what’s your plan?" Long Chen said, "Your Majesty, just trust me and let me decide how to proceed." The Emperor asked, "How will you do it?" Long Chen said, "I want to gather three thousand brave warriors, no matter where they come from. I will lead them westward in style, relying on Your Majesty's reputation. Those ugly Qiang Rong don’t stand a chance!" The Emperor agreed and appointed Long Chen as the Prefect of Wuwei.

The ministers protested, saying, "We have so many troops in our army, and the military forces of the provinces are also plenty. We can directly use these forces; there’s no need for special recruitment rewards to disrupt the normal system. Long Chen is just a minor general, talking nonsense; we shouldn’t listen to him!" The Emperor did not listen to them. The conditions for Long Chen's recruitment were: being able to pull a crossbow with a force of thirty-six jin, and shoot arrows with a bow with a force of four jin, with on-the-spot testing. From morning until noon, he recruited three thousand five hundred people. Long Chen exclaimed, "That’s enough!" Then he requested to choose weapons from the armory himself. The Armory Commander clashed with him, and the Chief Imperial Secretary even accused Long Chen. Long Chen argued, "I’m going to fight on the battlefield and serve the court, but the Armory Commander gave me the junk weapons from the Wei Dynasty, which are useless. This isn’t what Your Majesty had in mind for me to defeat the bandits!" The Emperor agreed with Long Chen's statement and granted him three years of military funds.

Long Chen then crossed the Wenshui River with his troops. Qiang and Rong tribal leaders like Shu Jineng led tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. Some positioned themselves in strategic locations to block Long Chen's advance, while others set up ambushes to cut off his retreat. Long Chen designed specialized carts based on the "Eight Formation Diagram." In open areas, they set up camp using horned carts, and in narrow areas, they built wooden houses on the carts. They advanced while fighting, and within arrow range, enemies fell one after another. Long Chen came up with clever tactics, taking the enemy by surprise. Sometimes, they piled magnetic stones on both sides of the road, making it impossible for the Qiang and Rong soldiers in iron armor to move, while Long Chen's soldiers in rhino armor faced no obstacles, leading the Qiang and Rong soldiers to regard Long Chen as a deity. Long Chen marched thousands of miles in battle, killing thousands of enemies.

Since Long Chen's western expedition, he lost contact with the court, which caused great concern. Some said he had died in battle. Later, Long Chen suddenly arrived at the court in the middle of the night, delighting the emperor. The next morning, the emperor gathered his ministers and said, "If I had listened to you, Qinzhou and Liangzhou would have been lost!" He then decreed, "Long Chen led a small group of elite soldiers, bravely advancing and completing the mission at great risk to his life. He is bestowed the title of Acting General and Exemplary General, and awarded the Red Banner, Curved Canopy, and Trumpet." Upon Long Chen's arrival in Wuwei, the Qiang and Rong leaders, including Puba Han and Qiewan Neng, surrendered along with tens of thousands of their tribes. In total, over ten thousand people were either killed or surrendered. He subsequently led his generals, including Shan Rong and Meigu Neng, into battle against Shu Jineng, defeating him and ultimately pacifying Liangzhou.

The court discussed rewarding Long Chen and his soldiers. The relevant authorities reported that Long Chen's soldiers had already received their rewards ahead of time and should not be awarded new official titles. General Wei, Yang Yao, countered, "In the past, elite soldiers received fewer rewards, which was specifically designed to attract talent. Now Long Chen's army has achieved a singular victory, and the Western Regions are stable. We shouldn't let past rewards hinder future accomplishments." Therefore, Yang Yao's opinion was adopted, granting titles and official positions, with varying levels of rewards. During the Taikang period of the Western Jin Dynasty, the court recognized that the Western Ping region had fallen into disrepair and needed to be restored quickly. Thus, Bi Long was appointed as the Protector of Pinghu and the Prefect of Xiping. The court also assigned him a group of elite soldiers to station in Xiping. At that time, the southern minority group known as Chengxi frequently harassed the border. When Bi Long took office, he led his troops to attack them. Chengxi relied on the dangerous terrain to defend, so Bi Long ordered his soldiers to carry farming tools to create the appearance of tilling the fields. Chengxi realized that Bi Long did not appear to have any intention of fighting, so their vigilance relaxed. Bi Long seized this opportunity to launch a sudden attack, achieving a decisive victory and completely subduing the barbarian tribes under his command, who dared not invade again. During the Taixi period, Bi Long was granted the title of Marquis of Fenggao County and was also given the position of Eastern Qiang Colonel. Over the next decade, his reputation instilled fear in the surrounding regions of Longyou. Later, the Prefect of Lueyang, Yan Shu, had a close relationship with Yang Jun and secretly plotted to replace Bi Long. He spread rumors claiming that Bi Long was too old and muddled, no longer suitable for leading troops in battle. As a result, the court recalled Bi Long and had Yan Shu take over his position. Consequently, the various Di and Qiang tribes began to regroup, and the common people were filled with dread. The court feared that another conflict might arise in the Guanlong region, so they had no choice but to dismiss Yan Shu from his post and let Bi Long return to continue his official duties. Bi Long ultimately passed away while still in office.

The son of Bi Long, Bi Xian, also inherited his father's bravery. Later, when the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, attacked the Prince of Changsha, Sima Yi, he appointed Bi Xian as General of Eagle Rising, ordering him to station troops at Heqiao. However, he was defeated by Sima Yi's general, Wang Hu, and died in battle.

Hu Fen, styled Xuanwei, was from Linjing, Anding County, the son of Yin Zun, the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Wei Kingdom. Hu Fen had a cheerful personality, was strategic, and had a love for military affairs since childhood. During the expedition to Liaodong by Emperor Xuan, he served as an attendant in white by the Emperor's side and was highly valued by the Emperor. Upon returning to the court, he was appointed as a Colonel, gradually promoted to Governor of Xuzhou, and was granted the title Xia Yang. When the central Xiongnu commander, Liu Meng, rebelled, the court sent the General of Valiant Cavalry, Lu Fan, to suppress the rebellion, appointing Hu Fen as the military supervisor and granting him full command to lead troops stationed at Kengbei as the follow-up forces to Lu Fan. Together, they defeated Liu Meng, and one of Liu Meng's generals, Li Ke, killed Liu Meng and surrendered. Due to his repeated military achievements, Hu Fen was promoted all the way to General Who Conquers the South, serving as the Protector-General of the Army of Jingzhou. He was later promoted to the position of Chief of the Guards and appointed as Cavalier Attendant. Although he came from a noble family, Hu Fen remained diligent in his studies even in his later years, excelling in both civil and military affairs. He was highly respected by the people wherever he served, especially in the border regions.

During the Taishi era, Emperor Wu began to neglect state affairs, indulging in the pleasures of life and selecting daughters of nobles to join the royal harem. Hu Fen's daughter was chosen to become a concubine. Since Hu Fen only had one son, who served the King of Nanyang and passed away early, he lamented, "I am not dead yet, but I only have two children - my son is in the afterlife, and my daughter is in the heavens."

Fen was an experienced minister, and with his daughter being favored in the harem, he also received the Emperor's favor. He was promoted to Left Protector-General and further granted the title of Grand Minister of Ceremonies. At that time, Yang Jun was quite arrogant, thanks to his daughter being the Empress. Fen advised Yang Jun, saying, "Are you becoming more arrogant because of your daughter? Look at history; every family that has married into the royal family has eventually been wiped out. It's just a matter of time. Look at your behavior now, you're clearly hastening your own downfall!" Yang Jun replied, "Isn't your daughter also in the royal family?" Fen answered, "Compared to your daughter, mine is just a servant girl; what influence can she have?" People at the time felt anxious for Fen; although Yang Jun held a grudge against him, he did not dare to easily harm him. Fen later passed away while in office, posthumously granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the posthumous name Zhuang.

Fen had six brothers; his elder brother, Guang, and his younger brother, Lie, were both well-known. Guang, styled Xuanzu, held the positions of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and Privy Treasurer. Guang's son, Xi, also known as Linfu, was also talented and served as Inspector of Liangzhou, General Who Establishes Martial Might, Acting General, and Protector of the Qiang Garrison. Lie, styled Wuxuan, once led troops to attack Shu. During Zhong Hui's rebellion, Lie and other generals were all imprisoned. Lie's son, Shiyuan, was just eighteen at the time, but he charged ahead of the soldiers and killed Zhong Hui, gaining fame far and wide. Lie later became Inspector of Qinzhou, and during the Liangzhou rebellion, he was stationed in Wancheng, surrounded by enemy forces with no reinforcements, and ultimately died in battle. Tao Huang, styled Shiying, was from Danyang Moling. His father, Tao Ji, once served as the Inspector of Jiaozhou for the Wu Kingdom. Tao Huang served in various official roles in the Wu Kingdom, steadily climbing to high ranks.

When Sun Hao was the emperor, the governor of Jiaozhi, Sun Xun, was a corrupt official, and the common people were fed up with him. By chance, there was an official named Deng Xun who came to inspect at that time. He brazenly allocated three thousand peacocks to be transported to Moling. The journey was long and tough, and everyone was thinking about rebellion. As a result, the district official Lv Xing killed Sun Xun and Deng Xun, and Jiaozhi submitted to the Western Jin. Emperor Wu of Jin appointed Lv Xing as the General of Annan and the governor of Jiaozhi. Not long after, Lv Xing was killed by his assistant Li Tong. Emperor Wu then appointed Cuan Gu from Jianning as the governor of Jiaozhi, but Cuan Gu also fell ill and died. Afterwards, he sent Ma Rong from Baxi to replace him, but Ma Rong also fell ill and died.

The Southern Military Inspector Huo Yi sent Yang Ji from Jianwei to replace Ma Rong. Yang Ji, along with General Mao Jiong, the Prefect of Jiuzhen, Dong Yuan, and other officials, set out from Shu to attack Jiaozhi. They defeated the Wu army in the ancient city, killing the Grand Marshal of Wu, Xiu Ze, and the Governor of Jiaozhou, Liu Jun.

Wu sent Yu Si as the Inspector, Xue Xi as the General of Weinan and the Grand Marshal, and Tao Huang as the Prefect of Cangwu to fight against Yang Ji in a battle at the river. Tao Huang was defeated and fell back to Hepu, losing two major generals. Xue Xi was furious and questioned Tao Huang, saying, "You volunteered to fight the rebels, but lost two major generals. How do you plan to take responsibility for this?" Tao Huang replied, "I couldn't do things my way; the coordination between our forces was lacking, so we lost the battle." Xue Xi fumed and decided to pull back the troops.

Tao Huang took advantage of the night and launched a surprise attack on Dong Yuan, capturing a great deal of Dong Yuan's treasures and transporting them back by boat. Xue Xun subsequently apologized to Tao Huang, appointed him as the governor of Jiaozhou, and appointed him as the commander of the vanguard. Tao Huang set off by sea and unexpectedly made his way straight to Jiaozhi, where Dong Yuan resisted him. When the two sides were about to go to war, Tao Huang suspected an ambush inside the city walls and set up long spears behind him. At the beginning of the battle, Dong Yuan pretended to retreat, and Tao Huang pursued. As expected, hidden soldiers emerged, and the long spears held off the ambushers, leading to a crushing defeat for Dong Yuan and his forces. Tao Huang used the spoils of war he had captured earlier, thousands of pieces of silk, to give to the bandit leader Liang Qi, who rallied tens of thousands of troops to assist Tao Huang. Dong Yuan had a brave general named Jie Xi in the city, so Tao Huang tricked Jie Xi's younger brother, Jie Xiang, into writing a letter to Jie Xi and had Jie Xiang ride in Tao Huang's official carriage, leading the procession with drums and gongs. When Dong Yuan's troops saw this, they thought, "If even Jie Xiang is doing this, Jie Xi must be planning to escape as well," so they executed Jie Xi. Xue Xun and Tao Huang eventually captured Jiaozhi. The state of Wu ultimately appointed Tao Huang as the governor of Jiaozhou.

Now, Tao Huang was a shrewd strategist, known for his generosity and ability to win people over. At that time, Teng Xiu had made multiple attempts to quell the southern rebels but had failed each time. Tao Huang said, "The southern rebels rely on our salt and iron trade, so let's halt all trade with them, destroy all the salt and iron, and convert them into farming tools. If we hold out for two or three years, we can defeat them in a single decisive battle!" Teng Xiu followed his advice, and they indeed defeated the rebels.

Initially, Huo Yi sent Yang Ji, Mao Jiong, and others to guard the city. He made a solemn vow to them, saying, "If the city is surrendered in less than one hundred days of being besieged, your families will face execution. If reinforcements haven't arrived after one hundred days, I, Huo Yi, will take responsibility!" Yang Ji and the others held the city for less than a hundred days, ran out of food and requested to surrender. Tao Huang refused, but instead sent them supplies to continue holding out. Other generals urged Tao Huang to accept their surrender, but Tao Huang said, "Huo Yi is already dead; he's definitely not coming to rescue Yang Ji and the others. Let's wait until their time is up before accepting their surrender, so they can be pardoned, and I’ll have a solid reason. This way, we can pacify the people and maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries; isn't it the best of both worlds?" When the deadline arrived, with food gone and no reinforcements in sight, they finally surrendered. Mao Jiong later killed Teng Xiu, and Teng Xiu's son, Teng Yun, joined Tao Huang on a southern campaign. After they captured the city, Teng Yun sought revenge, but Tao Huang intervened.

Mao Jiong secretly conspired to attack Tao Huang. When the truth was revealed, Tao Huang caught Mao Jiong and reprimanded him, saying, "You traitor of the Jin!" Mao Jiong roared, "Dog of the Wu Kingdom! What kind of traitor do you think you are?" Teng Yun sliced open Mao Jiong's belly and asked, "Do you dare to rebel again?" Mao Jiong, on the verge of death, continued to curse, "My ambition is to kill your Sun Hao. What kind of dog are you?" After capturing Yang Ji and the others, Tao Huang sent them back to the court. When Yang Ji arrived in Hapu, he succumbed to illness. Meng Gan, Cuan Neng, Li Song, and others arrived in Jianye. Sun Hao initially intended to execute them. Someone advised Sun Hao that Meng Gan and others were loyal to their former lord and should be forgiven to inspire the frontier generals. Sun Hao listened to the advice and prepared to exile them to Linhai. Meng Gan wanted to return to the north, fearing that exile to the east would be even further. They knew that the people of Wu favored the side bamboo crossbows made in Shu, so they claimed they could craft them. Sun Hao kept them to make crossbows and arrows. Eventually, Meng Gan managed to escape to the capital, but Li Song and Cuan Neng were killed by Sun Hao. Meng Gan presented a plan to the court to attack the Wu Kingdom, and the emperor greatly rewarded him, appointing him as the Governor of Rinan. Before this, the court appointed Yang Ji as the Inspector of Jiaozhou and Mao Jiong as the Prefect of Jiaozhi. However, before their appointments arrived, they were defeated in battle. The court posthumously appointed Yang Ji as the Inspector of Jiaozhou, and the sons of Mao Jiong, Li Song, and Cuan Neng were all granted the title of Marquis within the Passes. Li Zuo, the magistrate of Jiuzhen County, surrendered to Sun Hao. Sun Hao sent generals to attack him, but their attempts to capture him were unsuccessful. Li Zuo's uncle, Li Huang, followed the army and advised Li Zuo to surrender. Li Zuo replied, "Uncle, you are a general of the Wu Kingdom, while I am a subject of the Jin Kingdom. I can only speak based on my own abilities!" After a prolonged siege, Jiuzhen County was finally breached.

Sun Hao appointed Lu Kang as the Commissioner of the Imperial Edict, Commander of Military Affairs in Jiaozhou Province, General of the Front, and Governor of Jiaozhou Province. The regions of Wuping Commandery, Jiude Commandery, and Xinchang Commandery are strategically important, inhabited by fierce local tribes who have never submitted to the court in history. Lu Kang led troops to conquer the area, establishing three commanderies and bringing more than thirty counties under the jurisdiction of Jiuzhen Commandery. Later, Sun Hao transferred Lu Kang to Wuchang to serve as Commander and appointed Xiu Yun, the Prefect of Hepu, to replace him. Thousands of people in Jiaozhou pleaded for Lu Kang to stay, and Sun Hao finally agreed to let him return.

Since surrendering to the Jin Dynasty, Sun Hao personally wrote a letter to Lu Kang and sent an edict through messengers, commanding him to submit to the Jin Dynasty. Lu Kang wept for many days after receiving it, then sent his official seal to Luoyang. Emperor Wu of Jin issued an edict restoring him to his original position, appointing him as Marquis of Wanling and promoting him to the rank of Champion General.

After the unification of Wu, the court started to cut back on the military forces in various provinces and prefectures. Huang wrote a memorial saying: "Jiaozhou is located in a remote and wild region, isolated from the Central Plains, and various ethnic groups are colluding with one another, with their influence stretching across the mountains and seas. Moreover, it is over a thousand miles from Nanjun to the seaside, while it is only seven hundred miles from Linyi. The barbarian leader Fan Xiong has been a bandit for generations, who claims to be a king, and has attacked the common people many times. They also collaborate among themselves with Funan, and relying on the dangerous terrain, they resist the jurisdiction of the court. When it was under Wu's control in the past, they rebelled many times, attacked and destroyed counties, and killed officials. I have limited capabilities and was conscripted by my previous country, stationed in the south for over ten years. Although there have been many expeditions in the past, eliminating some leaders, there are still bandits hiding in the deep mountains and forests. The soldiers under my command originally numbered over seven thousand; the southern climate is hot and humid, with miasma prevalent. Combined with years of warfare, casualties have been severe, and now only two thousand four hundred and twenty remain. Now that the world is unified and everyone has submitted to the court, we should disband and recuperate, focusing on developing rituals and music education. However, the people of Jiaozhou have a limited grasp of righteousness; they are content with pleasure and like to cause trouble. Moreover, along the southern banks of Guangzhou, in an area of over six thousand miles, there are over fifty thousand households who do not obey jurisdiction, and adding those in Guilin, there are another ten thousand households. Only about five thousand households actually follow the government's authority. Jiaozhou and Guangzhou are interdependent, and the military is the only thing that can keep stability. Ningzhou is located upstream, one thousand six hundred miles away from Jiaozhi County, with convenient water and land transportation, mutually guarding each other. The Ningzhou military shouldn't be downsized for now to prevent any appearance of weakness. The world is in turmoil, and changes often come unexpectedly. After my country fell, my views were dismissed, and I was graciously favored by the emperor, who promoted me and pardoned my past mistakes, entrusting me with important tasks, helping me rise from disgrace to honor. I will do everything I can to repay the emperor's kindness, fulfill my duties seriously, and boldly present my opinions to the emperor."

Huang submitted a memorial saying, "The land in Hepu County is barren with no farmland. The locals rely entirely on pearl diving for their livelihood, and merchants come and go, exchanging pearls for food. During the Wu Kingdom, strict regulations were imposed on pearls due to fears that locals would sell them privately. Therefore, pearl trade was banned, leading to hunger and hardship among the people. Additionally, the court’s collection of pearls was often inadequate. I now request that top-quality pearls contribute 30%, medium-quality pearls contribute 10%, and low-quality pearls be exempt from taxes. From October to February, which is not the season for harvesting top-quality pearls, commercial travelers are allowed to pass as usual." The emperor approved the petition.

It is said that in the southern region, a family served as the governor of Jiaozhou for three generations, a total of thirty years, enjoying high prestige and deep love from the local people. When this governor passed away, the whole province mourned deeply, as if they had lost a beloved mother. The court then appointed Wu Yan, the Minister of Ceremonies, as his successor. After Wu Yan's death, another Minister of Ceremonies, Gu Mi, was appointed. When Gu Mi died, the locals even pressured Gu Mi's son to take charge of the province. After the son passed away shortly thereafter, his brother Gu Shou wanted to take over, but the locals resisted. He had to plead desperately before he was reluctantly appointed as governor. Once in office, Gu Shou went so far as to kill officials such as Hu Zhao and even attempted to murder his subordinate Liang Shuo. Liang Shuo managed to escape, raised troops to attack Gu Shou, captured him, and handed him over to Gu Shou's mother, who then poisoned her own son.

Liang Shuo then brought in Wei, the son of the former governor, to take over as the governor of Jiaozhou. Wei was cherished by the locals throughout his tenure, but sadly, he passed away three years later. Wei's brother, Shu, and Wei's son, Sui, later served as governors of Jiaozhou. From the first governor to Sui, a total of four generations and five people have served as governors of Jiaozhou, highlighting the family's deep-rooted influence!

Let's talk about the younger brother of the former governor, Jun, who served as the Grand General of Zhen Nan and Governor of Jingzhou in the state of Wu, holding high-ranking positions. Jun's younger brother, Kang, served as the Junior Household Officer for the Crown Prince. Jun's son Yan, styled Gongzhi; Yan's younger brother You, styled Gongyu, were both well-known. Yan became the Prefect of Linhai and the Yellow Gate Attendant. You became the Interior Minister of Xuan Cheng and the Chief Military Advisor of Wang Dao's Right Army. Yan's son Fu became the Prefect of Hu but was later killed by Han Huang, and was posthumously granted the title of Prefect of Lujiang. Kang's son Hui also has his own biography recorded.

Wu Yan, styled Shize, was from Wu County in the state of Wu. He came from a poor background but was skilled in both civil and military affairs. Standing eight feet tall, he could subdue fierce beasts with his bare hands, with strength far surpassing that of an average person. He held a minor position as an official in Tongjiang. At that time, General Xue Xun led troops on a southern expedition, with a grand military presence that deeply impressed Wu Yan. A skilled physiognomist named Liu Zha told him: "With your looks, achieving this level in the future is already impressive—don't be too ambitious!" He started out as a minor officer under the Grand Marshal of Wu, Lu Kang. Lu Kang admired his bravery and talent and wanted to promote him but was concerned about how others would react. So Lu Kang summoned all the generals and secretly sent someone to act crazy and brandish a knife, attempting to frighten everyone. The other generals were terrified and fled, but Wu Yan kept his composure and used a table to block the crazed person, gaining the admiration of all for his bravery. As a result, Lu Kang promoted him.

I was appointed governor of Jianping. At that time, Wang Jun was preparing to attack the state of Wu, building ships in the Shu region. I sensed things were going south, so I asked for more troops for defense, but Emperor Sima Yan did not agree. I took matters into my own hands and strung up iron chains across the river. When the Wu army arrived, the cities along the Yangtze River surrendered when they saw them. Some put up a brief fight before being easily overrun, but I held my ground, and the Wu army struggled to take me down. In the end, they had to retreat, acknowledging my defense.

After the fall of Wu, I surrendered, and Emperor Sima Yan appointed me as the governor of Jincheng. One time, the Emperor casually asked Xue Ying, "Why did Sun Hao's kingdom fall?" Xue Ying replied, "Sun Hao was a foolish king who surrounded himself with sycophants, abused punishments, and didn’t trust his ministers or generals. He made everyone feel insecure and unstable, leading to his downfall." The Emperor then turned to me and asked, and I replied, "The Emperor of Wu was handsome, and his ministers were wise." The Emperor chuckled and replied, "With a wise ruler and capable ministers, how could a kingdom fall?" I said, "Fate has its limits; when your time's up, it's up. That's why Your Majesty has me in your grasp. It's destiny, not something that can be changed by human effort!" Zhang Hua was there too, and he said to me, "You’ve been a general in Wu for years and yet stayed under the radar; it’s really puzzling!" I boldly replied, "Your Majesty gets me, but you don’t!" The Emperor was quite pleased to hear that.

I was transferred to Dunhuang, where both prestige and virtue were highly regarded. Later, I was promoted to the Prefect of Yanmen. At that time, Prince Shunyang, Sima Chang, was arrogant and overbearing. Several previous officials were falsely accused by him of crimes. When I became the Prefect of Shunyang, I was honest, upright, and strict about discipline, and everyone feared me. Sima Chang couldn't frame me, so he instead recommended me, hoping to have me removed from that position. As a result, I was promoted to the position of Cavalier Attendant. The emperor once asked me, "Between Lu Xi and Lu Kang, who is more formidable?" I replied, "In terms of morality and reputation, Lu Kang is not as good as Lu Xi; in terms of achievements and accomplishments, Lu Xi is not as good as Lu Kang."

After the death of the Governor of Taohuang, the court appointed Yan as the Southern Commander and the Governor of Jiaozhou. The court also sent a lot of money to the Lu brothers. Lu Ji originally wanted to accept it, but he remarked, "Yan originally came from humble origins and was promoted by his late father. However, his response to the imperial edicts was lacking. How can I accept his money?" So Lu Ji refused and often criticized Yan.

In Changsha, there was a filial and upright man named Yin Yu, who said to Lu Ji and others, "Since ancient times, many people from humble origins have eventually achieved great things, not just the nobles and ministers. People like He Yuangan, Hou Xiaoming, Tang Ruzong, and Zhang Yiyun all started from humble beginnings and eventually held important positions as palace attendants or external governors, and no one spoke ill of them. You, as a member of the gentry, have been criticizing Yan endlessly just because his response to the imperial decrees was slightly inappropriate. I'm concerned that people from the south might come looking for trouble with you, and you'll find yourself all alone." Only after Lu Ji and the others heard Yin Yu's words did they begin to change their minds, and the criticism of Yan began to fade.

At the time of Tao Huang's death, the garrison troops in Jiuzhen County revolted, driving away the governor, and the bandit chief Zhao Zhi besieged the county town. Yan personally led his troops to quell the rebellion. He guarded the south for more than twenty years; his reputation and benevolence were outstanding, and the southern region was thus stabilized and peaceful. Later, he submitted a memorial requesting to return to the capital, and the court summoned him to serve as the Grand Chancellor. He ultimately passed away while in office.

Zhang Guang, styled Jingwu, was from Zhongwu in Jiangxia. He was eight feet tall, with good-looking eyebrows and eyes, and a pleasant voice. When he was young, he served as a county official. His family had been military officers for generations, and later he became a leader of the guards, meriting in the war against Wu, and was promoted to the Western Commandant of Jiangxia, later transferring to the Northern Commandant.

Initially, when Zhao Wang Lun served as the commander in Guanzhong, the Di and Qiang tribes rebelled, and the governor Zhang Sun was killed in battle, with almost no officials or soldiers in the counties surviving. Zhang Guang was stationed with over a hundred men north of Malan Mountain and was besieged by the enemy for over a hundred days. Zhang Guang bolstered the morale of his troops, repeatedly using surprise attacks on the enemy, and ultimately defeated them. Given the small size of his forces and the long distance, Zhang Guang feared he would also perish in battle. As a result, Prince Liang Yong sent Sima Suo Jing with troops to support Zhang Guang. The entire army wept with joy upon his arrival and then returned to Chang'an together. Prince Liang Yong commended Zhang Guang in a memorial: "In the desperate situation of being surrounded on all sides, he showed loyalty and righteousness like Geng Gong, and should be generously rewarded to motivate others." The court subsequently promoted Zhang Guang to Prefect of Xinping and also gave him a band and music team.

Speaking of this guy Liu Shen, he received a secret decree from the court to attack King Yung of Hejian. However, Guang immediately led his troops to support Liu Shen without hesitation. But Liu Shen was somewhat petty and valued the Qinzhou Governor Huangfu Zhong quite a lot. Huangfu Zhong, from a prominent family in the Guanxi region, always thought Guang was beneath him and often did not accept his ideas. As a result, the forces from both provinces were defeated, and Huangfu Zhong was captured by Yung. Yung asked Guang, "What was your goal when you first took up arms?" Guang replied with a righteous expression, "It's because Liu Yongzhou ignored my strategies that led to your current predicament!" Yung appreciated Guang's response, so he spent a day drinking with Guang and even appointed him as the Right Guard General.

Later, Chen Min rebelled, and the court appointed Guang as the Governor of Shunyang, with the title of General of Lingjiang as well, sending him with five thousand troops to Jingzhou to suppress Chen Min. Liu Hongya, the Governor of Jingzhou, held Guang in high regard, praising him as an exceptional talent from Southern Chu. At that time, the Governor of Jiangxia, Tao Kan, and Chen Min's general Qian Duan were in a standoff at Changqi. Xiangyang Governor Pi Chu led infantry and had Guang set up an ambush, waiting for the right moment, while Wuling Governor Miao Guang led the navy and hid the ships in the Mian River. When Pi Chu's troops engaged Chen Min's forces, Guang seized the opportunity, led the ambush, and launched a joint attack by land and water, leading to a rout of Chen Min's forces. Liu Hongya submitted a memorial to the court, praising Guang's significant achievements, resulting in his promotion to General of Material Officials and Governor of Liangzhou.

Earlier, Deng Ding from Qinzhou took more than two thousand households and ran to Hanzhong because of a famine. After settling in Chenggu, they gradually began to commit robberies. Liangzhou Governor Zhang Yin sent Zhang Yan, the Prefect of Baxi, to attack them. Deng Ding, in a moment of desperation, pretended to surrender to Zhang Yan, even sending gold and silver treasures to him. Zhang Yan was overjoyed and let his guard down. Deng Ding secretly reached out to Li Xiong, who then dispatched troops to aid him. Realizing the situation was turning against him, Zhang Yan withdrew his troops, and Deng Ding took the opportunity to attack Hanzhong. Du Zheng, the Prefect of Hanzhong, fled to Weixing, and Zhang Yin followed suit. Guang, who had yet to officially assume his position in Liangzhou, stayed in Weixing and discussed strategies with other county officials on how to reclaim Hanzhong. Zhang Yan brazenly declared, "Hanzhong is now desolate and near the bandits. We have to wait for heroes to come forward to recapture Hanzhong!" Du Zheng was furious, "Zhang Yan accepted the bandits' gold and silver, failed to attack in time, delayed, and caused the loss of Hanzhong. This is entirely Zhang Yan's fault!" Guang, also angered, immediately ordered Zhang Yan's arrest and execution as a warning to others. Guang comforted the suffering people, and everyone was quite pleased with him. As a result, Guang set up his base in Hanzhong.

Legend has it that the rebel Wang Ruyu and his companions Li Yun, Yang Wu, and others led more than three thousand households from Xiangyang to Hanzhong. At that time, the governor of Yizhou, Luo Guang, sent the military officer Jin Miao to intercept them at Huangjin (place name). As a result, Jin Miao received a lot of bribes from Li Yun and advised Luo Guang to accept Li Yun's surrender. Luo Guang trusted Jin Miao and allowed Li Yun and his group to take root. However, not long after, Jin Miao grew envious of Li Yun's valuable possessions and wanted to take them, so he went to Luo Guang and said, "Li Yun's people are not engaged in legitimate occupations at all. They are always thinking about making weapons, harboring ill intentions! We can take this opportunity to capture them!" Luo Guang fell for it again. So Luo Guang sent Jin Miao to attack Li Yun, but they failed. Luo Guang had to turn to the Di king Yang Mao for help. Yang Mao sent his son Yang Nandi to assist. Yang Nandi asked Luo Guang for supplies, but Luo Guang refused. At this time, Yang Wu sent many gifts to Yang Nandi and said to him, "All the treasures of the exiled people are with Luo Guang. Instead of fighting us, why not go fight Luo Guang!" Yang Nandi was overjoyed by this news and promised to help Luo Guang, but secretly conspired with Li Yun. Luo Guang was completely unaware of this and even sent reinforcements to support Jin Miao. As a result, Li Yun and Yang Nandi collaborated to ambush Jin Miao and his men, and the reinforcements fell to stray arrows. The rebels grew even bolder afterward. Luo Guang could do nothing but defend the city, holding out from summer to winter, until he became seriously ill. His subordinates and the people advised him to retreat to Weixing, but Luo Guang unsheathed his sword and declared, "I have received immense favor from the court, but I have not been able to eliminate these bandits. Now, if I can die in battle, it would be like achieving immortality. How can I retreat?" After saying this, he died from his fury, at the age of fifty-five. The people mourned him deeply, grieving for him everywhere. Luo Guang was survived by two sons, Luo Jiong and Luo Mai.

Luo Jiong was appointed as the Grand Secretary when he was young. Luo Mai was exceptionally talented and shared his father's charisma. The people of the state recommended Luo Mai to act in the state's affairs, but he was killed in action while fighting bandits. Luo Guang's deputy Fan Kuang and the commander Wang Qiao escorted Luo Guang's wife and children and led the remaining soldiers to retreat to Wei Xing City. Later, Ren Yin, the prefect of Yiyang, was appointed as the Inspector of Liangzhou, and Luo Guang's wife and children returned to their home district. The prefect of Nanping, Ying Zhan, wrote to Commander Wang Dun, saying, "When Luo Guang was in Liangzhou, he managed to rally a small force, carry on a broken legacy, and gain prominence in Ba and Shu. During the turmoil in the Central Plains, as states and counties fell, with no reinforcements from outside and a lack of food and supplies, he fought against the enemy with a small force, resisting for many years with steadfast loyalty. He deserves to be posthumously honored with a title to honor his spirit." However, Wang Dun chose not to heed his advice.

Zhao You, courtesy name Yuansun, was from Huainan. He came from a family of military generals for generations and was very famous. Later, he was appointed as the chief registrar by the province. At that time, the governor Xi Long received an order from Prince Qi, Jiong to mobilize troops against Prince Zhao Lun. Xi Long wanted to respond to the call, but his sons and nephews were all in Luoyang. He was worried that if he responded but failed, he would face consequences from Prince Qi. Therefore, he found himself in a dilemma and was consulting with his subordinates. Zhao You advised Xi Long, stating, "Prince Zhao has usurped the throne, and everyone hates him. Now the righteous forces are rising up everywhere, and Prince Zhao Lun will soon fail. You should think this through carefully. The best way is to personally lead elite troops and go directly to Xuchang. If that's not possible, you can retain some troops and send a fierce general to join the allied forces to attack Prince Zhao Lun, which is also a good choice. If you simply send a token force, then that would be the worst option." Xi Long said, "I have been favored by two emperors and cannot favor one side. I only wish to ensure the safety of the province." Zhao You, along with Zhi Zhong Liu Bao and registrar Zhang Bao, urged Xi Long, "If you remain inactive, the situation will worsen rapidly, and soon even the state and county will not be safe!" Xi Long still hesitated and was ultimately betrayed and killed by his subordinates. Zhao You returned home and stayed home, shutting himself in.

Later, General Wang Dun appointed him as an officer and bestowed upon him the title of Guangwu General, enabling him to team up with Gan Zhuo and Zhou Fang to attack Hua Yi, and ultimately secured a decisive victory. He went on to defeat Du Tuo in Xixiang. In the early years of Taixing, he once again attacked Du Tuo with Gan Zhuo, ultimately eliminating him. Due to his numerous military accomplishments, he was granted the title of Marquis of Ping'a and succeeded Tao Kan as the Governor of Wuchang. At that time, Du Zeng led a rebellion in Jingzhou backed by Fifth Yi, and Wang Dun sent Zhao You and the Prefect of Xiangyang, Zhu Gui, to resist them. Since Fifth Yi was sent by Emperor Min and had high prestige, the people of the Jingchu region all pledged allegiance to him. Zhao You and his forces fought valiantly against the rebels, ultimately perishing in battle. Wang Dun was deeply saddened and petitioned the court for Zhao You to be posthumously appointed as General Who Subdues the Caitiffs and Inspector of Qinzhou, with the posthumous title "Jing." Zhao You's son, Zhao Gong, also died in battle alongside his father. When Emperor Yuan was still the Prince of Jin, he ordered that Zhao Gong be posthumously appointed as Prefect of Xinchang. Zhao Gong's younger brother, Zhao Yin, who was styled Boshu, requested to accompany the expedition when Wang Dun sent Zhou Fang to attack Du Zeng. Given Du Zeng's formidable forces, Zhou Fang planned to use Zhao Yin to first wear down Du Zeng's troops before launching an attack. Zhao Yin captured many enemy leaders. Later, Wang Dao recommended him for the position of Attendant Officer. When King Wang Zong staged a rebellion, Zhao Yin killed him. Therefore, Wang Dao and Yu Liang both highly valued him. He was subsequently promoted to Champion General, then reassigned as the Inspector of Xiyu Province, and ultimately passed away while in office.

In historical records, it is said that loyalty is the highest virtue, and fidelity is the foundation of serving the monarch. They dedicated themselves to the country, upholding their noble integrity even amidst hardships. Luo Xian and Teng Xiu entered the officialdom with integrity and were sent to Badong, where they partook of the emperor's hospitality; they then marched to Lingnan, waving their military flags. During the turmoil of the dynasty, as the court fell into chaos, they wept inconsolably at Baqiu and held emergency meetings at Dotting. Individuals as loyal and resolute as they are truly rare!

Xiao Xing and Xuan Wei were both intelligent and brave, skilled in martial arts. They defeated the enemy in Hexi and subdued the fierce chieftain in Kunbei. They predicted Yang Xin's inevitable failure and criticized Yang Jun for soon inviting disaster. Tao Huang and Wu Yan, their talents were equally matched, admired by Mao Jiong for their deep foresight, and praised by Lu Kang for their outstanding strategies. They held important positions, their incorruptible reputation spread far and wide; experienced military generals, their achievements even more remarkable. Jing Wu was an exceptional talent from Nan Chu, while Yuansun hailed from a long line of generals, facing death fearlessly, as if they were ascending to immortality. They all wholeheartedly offered advice to the court, all perished in battle, but their loyalty will be eternally remembered.

Luo Xian deserves praise for his exceptional abilities while stationed at Yulei, renowned throughout the world. Teng Xiu went to Shimen, implemented beneficial policies, and achieved remarkable results. Xiao Xing and Xuan Wei, their behavior was impeccable. They honored Yugong with a proper burial and criticized the Yang family. Tao Huang's strategies were extraordinary, and Wu Yan's talents outstanding. They led elite troops to sneak attack Dong Zhuo, impressing Xue Rengui with their military prowess. Only Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei had versatile and brilliant military strategies. Zhao Yun served as a county magistrate in Beidi, while Zhang Fei earned accolades in Xiangxi.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Jin （晉書）

Published: 03 January 2025

Created: 03 January 2025

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Jiang Tong, known as Yingyuan, was a native of Yuxian in Chenliu. His grandfather Jiang Rui was renowned for his high moral character, who served as the Prefect of Qiao County and was granted the title of Baron of Kangfu. His father Jiang Zuo also served as the Prefect of Nan'an. Jiang Tong was a quiet yet ambitious man, with people at the time saying, "Jiang Yingyuan is truly a man of few words and exceptional character!" He and his fellow townsman Cai Ke were both well-known. Later, he inherited his father's title and was appointed as the Magistrate of Shanyin County.

During that time, the Guanzhong region was frequently troubled by the Di and Qiang tribes. General Meng Guan led a western campaign against them, personally capturing the Di chieftain Qi Wannian. Jiang Tong deeply realized that the chaos from barbarian invasions of the Central Plains needed to be fundamentally resolved, so he wrote an essay titled "On Resettling the Barbarians." In the essay, he wrote:

"The so-called Yi, Man, Rong, and Di, which we call the Four Barbarians, as classified in the 'Tribute of Yu,' their habitats are all in remote areas. The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' also state that within Huaxia, there are Yi and Di outside. Because their languages are different, their customs and practices are peculiar, and their types are varied; some live in remote areas beyond mountains and rivers, with rugged terrain, isolated from the Central Plains, not encroaching on each other's territories, not subject to imperial taxation and jurisdiction, so it is said that 'if the Emperor practices benevolent rule, the border defense can be strengthened.' Great Yu pacified the Nine Provinces, and only then did the Western Rong tribes submit. Their nature is greedy and ruthless, among the Four Barbarians, the Rong and Di are the most vicious. When they are weak, they submit out of fear, and when they are strong, they invade and rebel. Even during times of wise and virtuous rulers, it is impossible to guide them through education; only through kindness and generosity can they be calmed."

When they were strong, the High King of the Shang Dynasty was exhausted by the Guifang, King Wen of Zhou faced disturbances from the Kunyi and Xianyun, Emperor Gaozu of Han was besieged in Baideng, and Emperor Wen of Han stationed troops at Bashang. When they were weak, the Duke of Zhou received tribute from the Nine Yi, Emperor Zhongzong of Han met with the envoy of the Chanyu, and even weak emperors like Emperor Yuancheng of Han still commanded the submission of the Four Yi. This is the historical experience of the past. Therefore, the Xiongnu requested assistance to guard the border, and Hou Ying analyzed that this was not a viable option; the Chanyu knelt before the Weiyang Palace, but people thought he had sinister intentions. Therefore, a wise ruler managing the barbarians must remain cautious, taking conventional measures; even if they kowtow and offer gifts, they must still defend the border; even if they turn into bandits and marauders, they should not easily launch expeditions, as long as the interior remains peaceful and the borders are secure, that is sufficient.

After the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the feudal lords governed independently, powerful countries annexed weaker ones, infighting ensued, and the national borders became unstable; everyone harbored ulterior motives, only concerned with their own interests. The Rongdi took the opportunity to invade the Central Plains region. Some vassals even surrendered to the Rongdi and enlisted them for their own purposes. Therefore, the rebellions of the Shen and Zeng states ultimately led to the Zhou Dynasty's downfall; Duke Xiang of Jin relied on the state of Qin, which provoked an invasion by the Jiang Rong. "The calamities of Shen and Zeng brought down the Zhou Dynasty; Duke Xiang sought the help of Qin, which swiftly provoked the Jiang Rong." These were the chaotic situations at that time.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Yiqu and Dali tribes occupied the territories of the Qin and Jin states; the Luhun and Yinrong tribes were entrenched in the Yiluo River basin; the Souman tribe and others threatened the eastern Jishui region, invading Qi and Song, and bullying Xing and Wei; the southern barbarians and northern Di people constantly harassed the Central Plains, like an unbroken thread. Duke Huan of Qi rose to resist, saving the state from crisis and restoring its interrupted heritage, conquering the Mountain Barbarians to open the path to Yan. "Duke Huan pacified, saved from peril, continued the line of succession, conquered the Mountain Barbarians, and opened the path to Yan." Confucius praised Guan Zhong's talents, recognizing his contributions to pacifying the Di people. "Hence Confucius praised the power of Guan Zhong, praised the merit of wearing the left lapel."

By the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the Warring States Period emerged, with the state of Chu annexing the Man clan, Jin eliminating Luhun, King Wuling of Zhao implementing Hu-style clothing and horseback archery, opening up the Yuzhong region, the Qin state flourishing in Xianyang and extinguishing the Yiqu and other tribes. After Qin's First Emperor unified the country, the south conquered the Baiyue tribes, repelled the Xiongnu in the north, constructed the Wuling Mountains and the Great Wall, and mobilized millions of soldiers. "The Wuling Mountains and the Great Wall, with millions of soldiers." Although the wars strained the people and resources, with rampant banditry and rebellion, the First Emperor of Qin ultimately unified the six states, the Di people retreated, and the Central Plains no longer faced threats from the barbarians.

The Han Dynasty established its capital in Chang'an, and the Guanzhong region was referred to as the "Three Auxiliaries," which was the Yongzhou recorded in the "Tribute of Yu," continuing the heritage of the Fenghao site from the Zhou Dynasty. Later, Wang Mang's regime collapsed, and the Red Eyebrows Rebellion seized the opportunity to incite chaos. The western capital Chang'an was destroyed, and the people fled in all directions. During the Jianwu era, the court appointed Ma Yuan as the Prefect of Longxi to pacify the Qiang rebellion, relocating some members of the Qiang tribe to Guanzhong, where they cohabited with the Han people. Several years later, the Qiang population grew, growing in strength and wealth, and often voiced concerns about Han encroachment. During the Yongchu period, the Cavalry Commandant Wang Hong was sent to the Western Regions, recruiting Qiang and Di tribesmen as guards. This alarmed the Qiang, who stirred each other up, resulting in a rebellion among the Qiang in the two provinces of Guanzhong, killing commanders and seizing cities. Deng Zhi led troops to suppress them but suffered significant casualties as battles raged on. The Qiang's power expanded, even invading Shu Han to the south, raiding Zhao and Wei to the east, attacking Zhiguan, and advancing to Henan. Eventually, the court dispatched Zhu Chong, the Commandant of the Northern Army, to command five battalions in resisting the Qiang at Mengjin. After a decade of fighting, both the Han and Qiang suffered substantial losses, and ultimately, Ren Shang and Ma Xian narrowly secured a victory.

The reason why the Qiang rebellion is so serious and has lasted for so long is not only due to the court's poor governance and the leaders' incompetence, but more importantly because the enemy lurks in the hinterland; the threat lies within. It's like a stubborn disease that's hard to cure, and a massive wound that's tough to heal! After that, although the scale of the Qiang rebellion decreased, friction and rebellion still occurred from time to time. General Ma Xian was eventually defeated and died; General Duan Rong led the army in campaigns to the east and west. The Qiang in Yongzhou have always posed a national threat, and there's never been a more serious threat in history. In the late Han Dynasty, the Guanzhong region suffered severe damage. In the early days of the Wei Dynasty, cut off from the Shu Kingdom, the Qiang on the border attacked Wei one moment and Shu the next. Emperor Wu of Wei dispatched General Xiahou Miaocai to quell the rebellion led by Di tribe leader Agui, Qianwan, and others, and later abandoned Hanzhong, relocating the Di people from Wudu to the Guanzhong Plain in an attempt to weaken the enemy, strengthen national power, and resist the invasion of the Shu Kingdom. However, this was merely a temporary fix, a necessity of the time, not a long-term solution. It has since shown its drawbacks. Guanzhong is a place with fertile land and abundant resources, with fields of high-quality farmland. In addition to the irrigation of the Jing River and Wei River, the irrigation systems of the Zhengguo Canal and Bai Canal are interconnected, with incredibly high yields—one acre can produce several hundred catties of grain! The locals sing folk songs praising the wealth of this land, and emperors of all dynasties liked to build their capitals here. Just think about it: how could those barbarians, the Rongdi, possibly thrive in such a precious land?

They are not from our Huaxia nationality; they definitely think differently than we do, and the customs of the Rongdi people are completely different from those of us Han people. However, we made a grave mistake in the past by moving them to areas near the capital, which led our people to interact with them every day, looking down on them and bullying them. This filled them with a resentment, a hatred that runs deep. As their numbers grew, so did their strength, and their resentment naturally erupted. They were already greedy and fierce, and with their anger, they rebelled at every opportunity, causing chaos. Living so close to our capital, without any barriers, we had not been vigilant enough, which made it easy for them to plunder our food. As a result, they could repeatedly stir up trouble and bring us great disasters. This was an inevitable outcome, as history has shown time and again.

The best course of action now is to take advantage of our strong army, while the war is not yet over, and swiftly relocate the Qiang people from the counties of Fengyi, Beidi, Xinping, and Anding to places like Xianling, Hankai, and Xizhi. Then, we should move the Di people from Fufeng, Shiping, and Jingzhao to the Longyou area, settling them in the areas of Yinping and Wudu. We must provide them with enough food so they can safely reach their destination, return to their ancestral tribes, submit to the court, and allow the minority ethnic groups in the border areas to settle down. This way, the Han and Rongdi people will not intermingle, each getting what they deserve, which not only aligns with ancient governance strategies but also lays the groundwork for a prosperous and stable era. Even if they still harbor thoughts of invading the Central Plains, with such a great distance and many mountains and rivers in between, even if they do rebel, the damage caused would be significantly less.

Look, in the past, generals like Zhang Chongguo and Li Guangli could control numerous Qiang tribes with only a few tens of thousands of troops, subduing their foes without a fight, and returning triumphantly. They achieved such success not only because of their superior strategies and long-term vision, but also because they separated the Han people from the barbarians, established strong defense lines that were easy to defend and difficult to attack, thus achieving victory!

Some people say: the situation in the Guanzhong region is pretty grim right now, with two years of continuous warfare, conscription and garrisoning, exhausting the people and resources, resulting in the deaths of over a hundred thousand people; there are floods and droughts, a string of bad harvests and famines; epidemics are spreading, leading to countless deaths and injuries. Although the rebellions have been quelled, there's still a lot of resentment lingering, with people submitting on the surface but harboring fear and worry inside. The common people are all worried and anxious, hoping peace comes soon, like parched land waiting for rain. What should be done now is to stabilize the situation and reassure them. But you keep pushing for big construction projects, making the weary folks move those suspicious bandits, and having the hungry people relocate the food-deprived captives. There's a real fear that when all the resources run out, the projects will not be completed, the Qiang and Rong tribes will just scatter and run, and unity will be difficult to achieve. The previous problems have not been resolved, and new troubles will follow.

This is just kicking them when they're down! The common people are already suffering beyond words, and you want them to continue suffering. This risk is too great! If the projects are not completed and instead incite rebellion, the consequences would be unimaginable. Right now, the priority is to calm the people down, recuperate, and wait for everyone to catch their breath before thinking about anything else. First, we need to fill people's stomachs, let them live in peace; this is the most important thing.

Let me tell you, these Qiang and Rong people are very cunning. They arbitrarily appoint a leader and then attack cities and plunder at will, bringing suffering to the people and engaging in endless warfare. But now? Even within their own ranks, there is chaos; the common folk are in disarray, the elderly and children are taken away, and the young and middle-aged either surrender or flee, scattering like birds and beasts do, no longer a threat. Do you think they still have any strength left, regret their past actions, and want to join us for our support? Or are they already at their wits' end, fearing our troops will wipe them out, hence surrendering? They claim they have no strength left, and it is true; they are indeed at their wits' end.

If that's the case, we can control their fate and make them obey us. Those who are settled and content won't easily change their ways; those who live comfortably will not easily move. They are now filled with fear and anxiety, so we can intimidate them with force and make them comply. Once they are scattered and weakened, before they have a chance to regroup, they will have already made enemies of the Guanzhong people. Therefore, we can relocate them to a distant place, eliminating their desire to return home.

Wise rulers prevent trouble before it arises, solving problems before they escalate, achieving peace without making a fuss, spreading virtue without deliberate promotion. Furthermore, they can turn disaster into fortune, reverse defeat into victory, resolve crises, and overcome difficulties. You only see the negative outcomes and fail to think of solutions, focusing on trivial matters instead of long-term plans; what's going on here? Moreover, there are millions of people in Guanzhong, of all ages, and the Qiang and Rong people account for half of them. Resettling or relocating them will require food. If anyone is starving due to a lack of food, we should allocate all the grain in Guanzhong to ensure their survival, to prevent anyone from starving to death and resorting to theft.

Now we will relocate them, supplying food along the journey so that the people of Guanzhong can save half of their grain. This will not only provide food for those who are relocated but also ensure that those who remain have reserves. This will help alleviate the pressure on Guanzhong's grain supply, eliminate the underlying causes of theft, prevent immediate losses while also bringing long-term benefits. If you focus solely on minor hardships now and neglect long-term planning; only concentrate on present troubles while overlooking the endless future threats, then you are not the kind of person who can accomplish great things and secure the well-being of future generations.

The Hu people of Bingzhou were originally the fierce and ruthless descendants of the Xiongnu bandits. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, facing hunger and cold, they became weak in strength, divided into several factions, which later reluctantly united into two groups. As a result, the Chanyu grew even weaker and more isolated, unable to defend themselves and having no choice but to surrender to the Han dynasty. During the Jianwu period, the Southern Chanyu surrendered again, so the Han dynasty permitted them to cross the border and settle in the southern frontier. However, after a few generations, they began to rebel once more, resulting in generals like He Xi and Liang Jin having to lead campaigns against them multiple times. In the Zhongping era, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, and the court mobilized their forces, but they refused to comply and even killed their leader, Qiang Qu. Thus, Yu Mifu Luo sought assistance from the Han dynasty to quell the rebellious Hu. However, amid the chaos, the Hu seized the opportunity to raid and plunder the Zhao and Wei regions, even extending their raids to Henan. During the Jian'an period, Cao Cao sent Prince Youxian to subdue Huchuquan and had his tribe members dispersed to six counties. During the Xianxi period, due to one faction's overwhelming strength, they were split into three armies. In the early years of Taishi, this number increased to four. Later, Liu Meng staged an internal rebellion and colluded with outside tribes. The recent rebellion led by Hao San also originated from remote regions. Currently, these five groups of Hu people number in the tens of thousands of households, with a population surpassing that of various tribes in the Western Qiang. Moreover, they are naturally brave and excel in horseback archery, proving to be much more formidable than the Di and Qiang. Any carelessness could bring great danger of war and chaos to the Bingzhou region.

The Juli people of Yingyang originally lived outside the Liaodong frontier. During the Zhengshi period, Guanqiu Jian, the governor of Youzhou, suppressed the rebels among them and relocated the remaining tribespeople to the inland. At the time of relocation, there were only a few hundred households, but their descendants have multiplied, and now they have grown to thousands of households. In a few more generations, their population will surely grow significantly. Currently, the common people are enduring hardships, and they may all possibly rebel. Even pampered horses and dogs can turn aggressive, let alone these nomads. How could they not have changes? It's just that their power is still relatively weak at the moment.

When governing a country, the greatest fear is not poverty, but rather the unequal distribution of wealth; the biggest concern is not a small population, but social instability. Our country is vast and rich, and the people are prosperous. Why do we need these nomads to remain in the interior for our satisfaction? These nomads can be completely sent back to their homeland to ease their homesickness and mitigate the potential threats to our Han Chinese nation. In this way, we can bring peace to the domestic situation and stabilize the regions, ensuring blessings for future generations. This is the long-term plan!

Unfortunately, the emperor did not adopt this advice. In less than ten years, the nomads caused great chaos, and only then did people realize the deeper implications of this advice.

Zhong Langjiang, the General, had an uncle who was appointed as the magistrate of Yichun, and this official title bore the same name as his uncle. Zhong felt that this matter was not quite appropriate, so he wrote a memorial to the emperor. He said, "In the past, ancestors and official titles with the same name could be changed, but I have never heard of anyone needing to change their own name just because it matches their official title. Ancestors changed their names for the convenience of future generations, not for themselves. Now that my name matches my official title, the same principle should apply here. My subordinates work with me every day, and if I avoid using my official title, it would go against established norms and etiquette. The world is so vast, and there are countless official positions with names that are diverse, so there will always be someone encountering this situation. If even the emperor's high officials can't state their titles in front of their subordinates, that seems odd. If changing names to avoid taboos would contradict the principle of 'not usurping others' family names,' I believe that this situation should be handled the same way as when ancestors' names matched their official titles, which aligns with the rules and is reasonable." The emperor listened and agreed to his request.

Later, Zhong was transferred to serve as an equerry by the side of the crown prince. He stayed in the Eastern Palace for several years, and the crown prince held him in high regard. However, the crown prince did not often go to meet the emperor, led a lavish lifestyle, and had many peculiar customs. Zhong could no longer stand by and watch, so he wrote another memorial to advise the crown prince, saying, "I've heard that a subject should serve their monarch wholeheartedly, reflect on their shortcomings, actively suggest improvements, and help rectify the monarch's mistakes. Only then can the monarch avoid errors, and their reputation endure for future generations. While my abilities are limited, I can offer five suggestions to the best of my ability, and I hope Your Highness will take them into serious consideration."

"First, respecting and honoring parents is the foremost duty of children; Emperor Shun is famous for his filial piety. As the Crown Prince, Your Highness should always serve the Emperor, fulfilling your duty as a filial son. When King Wen was still a Crown Prince, he was very filial, which is why he could become a model for three generations of emperors. Recently, the Emperor has been unwell, yet Your Highness has rarely attended to him, causing many people to be puzzled. I hope Your Highness will strive to serve the Emperor, even when feeling unwell. The Book of Changes says: 'A nobleman must be diligent and tireless.' This means you must work hard and not rest."

"Secondly, even ancient emperors, despite their intelligence and wisdom, still needed the help and guidance of their ministers to succeed. Just as Emperor Shun thrived with the assistance of five wise ministers, King Wen of Zhou flourished with the support of four wise friends. When King Cheng was a Crown Prince, he had Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao as his teachers and caregivers; Shi Yi taught him how to write, so he understood principles early, made preparations, smoothly undertook great tasks, governed the country effectively without resorting to punishment, earning a great reputation."

"Your Highness, you are naturally intelligent and insightful; I believe it is important for you to promptly issue decrees, promote your virtues, listen to the advice of your teachers and caregivers, communicate with your courtiers, receive guests, and listen to various opinions. Only then can doubts be dispelled, peace prevail, and your wisdom be fully realized. In this way, your noble character can influence future generations, and the good systems you establish can become examples for future generations."

In ancient times, those wise and enlightened rulers all regarded thrift as a virtue. For example, Emperor Yao lived in a simple thatched house, Emperor Yu wore rough garments, and Emperor Wen of Han donned simple garments and leather shoes. They set examples with their own behavior, leading to a prosperous and peaceful nation. They were wise rulers in life and received sacrifices from later generations after death. Those nobles who emulated thrift, such as Duke Xi of Lu, who was diligent and frugal, earned a place in history; Fan Mao of the Chu State began with simplicity and ultimately brought prosperity to the Chu State. Ministers who emulated thrift, such as Wen Zi, who assisted the state of Lu, whose wife refrained from wearing silk, and Yan Ying, who assisted the state of Qi, wearing tattered deer skin robes, were able to assist the rulers in governing effectively and promoting national prosperity. Common people who emulated thrift, such as Yan Hui, lived a modest life, subsisting on plain food and drink, yet became renowned far and wide; Yuan Xian lived in a simple thatched house but was renowned for his noble character.

The actions of these wise emperors and virtuous ministers and scholars have made them famous throughout history, leaving a lasting legacy. This is the blessings that thrift brings! However, in later times, those emperors who failed due to extravagance, with their magnificent palaces, precious jade cups and chopsticks, feasting on lavish delicacies and indulging in excess. The nobles followed suit with luxury, building luxurious palaces and offering hundreds of livestock in sacrifice. Ministers dressed in splendor, and the common people indulged in luxury. The result? None of them escaped ruin; their families were destroyed, their names became infamous, serving as a cautionary tale for future generations.

We have heard that the decorations in the palace are magnificent, carved with rhinoceros ivory, and the decorations in the art studio are becoming more and more exquisite; the expenses are rising steadily. We believe that nowadays the world is vast and rich in resources, and there is no need to be so extravagant compared to ancient times. However, when those in power indulge their preferences, it can lead to excess, so they must be cautious about their likes. In the past, during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han, someone presented him with a Qianli Horse and a precious sword. He used the horse to pull a carriage. He awarded the sword to a knight. Emperor Wu of Han received a precious robe made of pheasant feathers and ordered it to be burned on the main street of the capital. These great emperors did not pursue rare treasures, so they were able to correct customs and change the ways of the people in all directions.

We believe that the construction of the art studio can be reduced, and all miscellaneous projects in the palace should be canceled. Everything should embody simplicity and peace, with a strong emphasis on morality, so that this ever-evolving beauty will flourish across the land!

In ancient times, all the resources in the world were used to support the emperor alone, while the lords depended on their own fiefs for sustenance. Therefore, the nobles received their stipends and adorned themselves with tributes, and the officials and ministers held their titles and received their pay, with no one lacking food or clothing. Thus, the four professions—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—were distinct and did not overlap. Those who engaged in trade and exchanged goods in the market were the common folk. According to the "Rites of Zhou," in the market, there were various trades in the morning, merchants at noon, and peddlers in the evening. They bought low, sold high, and traded in vegetables and fruits, earning meager profits to survive; this was the struggle of the common people. Individuals like Fan Chi, who sought to learn vegetable cultivation from Confucius, were disregarded by him; the noble Zang Wenzhong of Lu asked his concubine to weave rush mats, only to be criticized for his lack of righteousness; Gong Yizi became the prime minister of Lu and uprooted the sunflowers in his garden, arguing that those with generous stipends should not compete for profit with the impoverished. However, the moral climate deteriorated starting from the Qin and Han dynasties. High-ranking officials and nobles, who once refrained from growing their own vegetables or profiting from the market, began to do so and felt no shame. Compared to ancient customs, this is truly shameful! Today, the sale of vegetables, indigo-dyed fabrics, chickens, noodles, and more in the Western Garden has tarnished the nation’s image and harmed the court's reputation.

Then, I discovered that the court prohibited the common people from repairing their houses and walls, and even the roof tiles could not be touched at will. I think this not only goes against the customs of our ancestors but also sacrifices a great cause for the sake of minor taboos. This ban should be lifted, which would benefit everyone. The court agreed with my suggestion. Later, the crown prince was deposed and relocated to Xuchang. Empress Jia implied to the relevant authorities not to allow officials in the palace to bid farewell to the crown prince. The officials in Tonghe Palace took the risk and went to the banks of the Yi River to bid farewell to the crown prince, weeping uncontrollably. The officials responsible for escorting them arrested them and threw them into prison in Luoyang, Henan. Those held in Henan were released by the provincial governor, Le Guang; those in Luoyang have not been released yet. Sun Yan, the official in charge of their escort, said to Jia Mi, "The crown prince was deposed because of some trivial matters. The former officials of the East Palace risked their lives to bid farewell to the crown prince, crying so sadly on the way, which only served to highlight the prince's character. It would be wise to release them." Jia Mi told the Luoyang magistrate, Cao Shu, and they were all released. After the crown prince passed away and was reinterred, Tong also wrote a eulogy to express his sorrow, which later gained recognition.

He first earned his doctorate, then became a Shangshu Lang (a title in the imperial court), and also participated in military actions with the Grand Marshal and Prince Qi Jiong. Prince Qi Jiong was very proud and foolish, and was on the brink of defeat. Wang Tong advised him many times, though records of this are sparse. Later, he was promoted to be the Chief Justice of Tingwei, and whenever difficult cases occurred in various states and counties, he tended to issue lenient rulings. Chengdu Wang Ying invited him to serve as a secretary, and Wang Tong often advised him. He also defended the Lu brothers, Lu Yun, with great sincerity. Later, because his mother passed away, he resigned and returned home to observe mourning. After the mourning period, he became the Left Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works. Donghai Wang Yue was appointed Governor of Yanzhou and entrusted him with all state affairs. Donghai Wang also wrote to him, stating, "When Wang Zishi served as the Governor of Yuzhou, he did not even get off the carriage before recruiting Xun Ciming; after getting off the carriage, he recruited Kong Wenju. Are there any talents like that in Yanzhou?" Wang Tong recommended Xi Jian from Gaoping as a virtuous candidate, Ruan Xiu from Chenliu as outspoken, and Cheng Shou from Jibei as honorable. At that time, people believed he had a keen eye for talent. Shortly after, he was promoted to Huangmen Shilang, Sanqi Changshi, and concurrently served as a Doctor at the Imperial Academy. In the fourth year of Yongjia, he fled to Chenggao to avoid the chaos of war, where he died of illness. Many of his writings, including poems, essays, memorials, and reports, have been preserved. He had two sons: Wang Kuan and Wang Dun.

Wang Xuan, styled Sixuan, was recommended as a scholar by his local province, and General Wen Qiao appointed him as a military officer. Later, he became a Deputy Magistrate, and Sikong Xi Jian appointed him as his assistant, and then he was promoted to be the Chief Clerk of Changshan. Sikong Xi Jian recommended him to be the Sima, and later he was promoted to be the Yellow Gate Attendant. General Cheqi Yubing was stationed in Jiangzhou and asked him to be the Chief Clerk. After Yubing passed away, Yuyi asked him to be a military advisor, and shortly after he was promoted to Chief Clerk. After Yuyi passed away, the general Gan Zan rebelled, and Wang Xuan quelled the rebellion. He was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, and then promoted to the Deputy Imperial Secretary, Palace Attendant, and Minister of Personnel. During the Yonghe era, he took over as the General of the Imperial Guard from Huan Jing. Later, he served as the Governor of Kuaiji and was appointed as the Right General of the Army. He then took over as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat from Wang Biao. When Emperor Ai ascended to the throne, he was puzzled by Lady Zhou's title, and Wang Xuan's opinion was recorded in the "Rites Records." Emperor Ai wanted to hold a large-scale sacrificial ceremony in the palace and personally participate in the land-levelling ceremony. Wang Xuan believed that these rituals had long been abolished, and the system of rites and regulations had been neglected, and had not been implemented since the restoration, so he suggested to stop these ceremonies. He served as the Minister for many years, and during the reign of Emperor Jianwen as Prime Minister, he frequently consulted him on political matters, and Wang Xuan often made many beneficial suggestions. Later, he was promoted to be the General of the Imperial Guard, concurrently serving as the National Teacher of Sacrifices, and finally died in office. His son Wang Ao once served as the Governor of Langye and a military advisor. Wang Ao's son Wang Heng served as the Chief Clerk of the Western Command during the Yuanxi era. Wang Heng's brother Wang Yi also held a ministerial position.

Dun is a person of integrity and kindness, filial piety, and noble character, standing out among his peers. He enjoys learning and has studied the teachings of Confucianism and Daoism in depth. He believes that a gentleman should conduct himself according to the norms of etiquette, whether in seclusion or in public office. Those who live recklessly and view indulgence as noble not only break laws but also contradict Daoist teachings. He wrote an essay titled "On the Cultivation of the Dao," which received widespread acclaim. When Su Jun rebelled, he hid in Dongyang Mountain. General Qiao Jian summoned him to serve as the Yanzhou Zhizhong and later appointed him as Taiwei Yuan; when Emperor Kang appointed him as the Minister of Works, he also summoned him; General Yuliang invited him to be a military officer in the Confucian Forest; the court also promoted him several times to the positions of doctor and writer, but he declined. The people in his hometown respected his character and often consulted him before making decisions. The Dongyang Prefect Ruan Yu and the Changshan magistrate Wang Meng, both scholars at the time, were friends with Dun and greatly respected him. He dedicated over twenty years to cultivating his aspirations and passed away in the ninth year of Yonghe at the age of forty-nine. His friends collectively erected a stone monument to honor his virtues.

Sun Chu, also known as Zijing, hailed from Zhongdu in Taiyuan. His ancestor, Sun Zi, served as a cavalry general for the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Sun Hong, was the Prefect of Nanyang. Sun Chu was known for his exceptional literary talent and free-spirited personality, but his arrogance led to a less-than-favorable reputation in his hometown. He only began engaging in military affairs in Zhendong in his forties. Emperor Wen dispatched Fu Shao and Sun Yu to the Wu Kingdom, and General Shi Bao requested Sun Chu to write a letter to Sun Hao, which read:

"Seize the opportunity to act, as emphasized in the Book of Changes (Zhouyi); do not disrespect the powerful, which is condemned in the Spring and Autumn Annals." This letter is about: seizing the opportunity to act, which is highly praised in the Book of Changes; small states failing to respect larger ones, which is criticized in the Spring and Autumn Annals. These are all signs of fortune and misfortune, the roots of glory, disgrace, rise, and fall! Therefore, the states of Xu and Zheng managed to preserve their territories by presenting jade bi, while Cao Tan's disrespect led to the downfall of his state. Historical records document their successes and failures, and both ancient and modern times have evaluated their intelligence and foolishness. I will not extensively cite examples, as exaggeration would undermine the effectiveness of advice. Now, I will briefly discuss the key points of the matter, hoping you will understand.

In the past, during the reign of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling of Han, when the weather was hot and chaos engulfed the world, morality deteriorated, disasters followed one after another, and tyrants ran rampant, causing the common people to suffer greatly. The entire country was divided, the central government's rule collapsed, the world lay in ruins, far from the glory of the Han Dynasty.

Later, our founding emperor rose up with the Mandate of Heaven, valiant and mighty, pacifying rebellions and unifying the northern region; approved by heaven, the mandate was his, thus creating a great foundation and occupying the land of Wei. This territory is the heartland of our central plains, with the Nine Tripods symbolizing national power still present, the country prospered, and its glory continued. Thus, the world is unified, and the emperor's remarkable achievements are truly awe-inspiring!

In the past, the Gongsun family relied on the achievements of their ancestors and kin, having lived for generations in a remote area in the east, controlling the Yan region and the nomadic tribes. They took advantage of their perilous terrain, far removed from the imperial court, frequently engaged in warfare, refused to pay tribute to the court, and secretly conspired with countries in the south. They sailed out to sea for trade, trading cloth to the north while exchanging fur and horses to the south. They fancied themselves to have an army of a hundred thousand, and with their strong forces, they thought they could defeat the Yan and Qi states, intimidate the East Sea and the desert, and then declare themselves kings.

However, our King Xuan personally led the troops to attack, and the troops advanced like a hot knife through butter, reaching the outskirts of Liaoyang. The Gongsun stronghold fell swiftly; before the war drums could sound for long, their leader was captured by us. As a result, the border areas, the abandoned counties, all saw a return to order, and the people lived in peace. Everyone happily submitted to the court, and different ethnic groups came to pay tribute.

Since then, the world has been peaceful. The eastern tribes brought musical instruments as tribute, while those from the Su Shen region brought arrows. The tribes that had once resisted now willingly submitted. This scene of prosperity is truly unprecedented!

The ancestors of the Wu state originally came from Jingzhou and Chu, fleeing to the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region amidst the chaos of war. Liu Bei was also frightened and escaped to the Ba-Shu region. They took advantage of the rugged terrain, as well as the vast water bodies like the Yangtze River and Lake Tai, leveraging their geographical advantages to thrive for over four hundred years. The Wu and Shu states colluded, supporting and instigating one another, resisting the Central Plains dynasty. They believed they had carved out their own piece of the world, destined to endure like Mount Tai.

Later, Wang Dao of the Jin Dynasty assisted the emperor, excelling in both civil and military affairs. He was determined to be as strict as autumn frost, deploying troops to deal with various situations, with a unique vision that set him apart. The emperor trusted him greatly, entrusting him with numerous affairs and granting him full authority to manage them, while secretly providing him with advice and strategies. The army worked together with unity and courage, advancing with unstoppable momentum, penetrating deep into the heartland of the Wu Kingdom and breaking their momentum. They won a battle in Jiangyou, causing turmoil in Chengdu; they set up a formation in Jiange, leading to the surrender of Jiang Wei. In total, they expanded their territory by six thousand miles and controlled thirty counties. With little effort, they pacified Liangzhou and Yizhou, forcing the self-proclaimed emperors of Wu to come and pay their respects, filling the treasury with tributes.

You see, the shifting fortunes of the Han, Zhao, and Wei states, the fall of the Guo state, these are all lessons from the past, signs of things to come. There is also Lu Xing in the south, who understood the mandate of heaven, voluntarily submitted, and was willing to be a vassal. The Wu Kingdom lost its mutual allies and started to crumble from within, yet hesitated and attempted to cling to survival, much like the Marquis of Wei, who mistakenly believed in his own strength by pointing at the mountains and rivers, blind to the fact that all things rise and fall; forcing oneself into a role that doesn’t fit will ultimately lead to ruin.

The court is now brimming with talent, all of whom are elites. The generals are all courageous and skilled in battle, capable of defending the nation, contributing to its prosperity and the strength of the army. Everyone aspires to soar like a roc and ride the waves of the South Sea. Recently, the country has been vigorously expanding its military capabilities, building ships and training naval forces, with thousands of warships as far as the eye can see. From the ancient invention of the canoe to the present, the scale and number of ships have never been as vast as they are today. We have a million-strong army, ready for action, eliminating the need for further battles; this is the strength of our army today. However, the emperor and the prime minister have yet to give the order to deploy the troops, because they believe that effective governance should prioritize the welfare of the people, which aligns with Taoist philosophy, just like King Wen, who prioritized moral cultivation before pursuing power. Thus, the emperor first dispatched envoys to persuade them, appealing to their reason and stirring their emotions, earnestly hoping they would grasp the stakes involved.

If they can recognize the situation, understand how to seek good and avoid evil, repent promptly, and sincerely submit to the court, like the King of Nanyue, Zhao Tuo, who entered the court to pay homage, paying tribute as vassals and following the court's arrangements, then their family can enjoy honor and wealth for generations in the Jiangdong region, forever becoming a vassal of Wei, and their achievements will be even greater than today. But if they remain arrogant and disrespectful, disobeying the court's orders, then we will concentrate our forces and swiftly mobilize troops; the armies of Yongzhou and Liangzhou will advance downstream, the armies of Qingzhou and Xuzhou will move westward, and the armies of Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou will converge from all directions. The expeditionary forces will assault Moling; at that time, the emperor himself will lead the troops, the six armies will mobilize together, with battles raging on, flags covering the sun, the army, majestic and vast, advancing like a sea of soldiers. Then victory songs will fill the air, soldiers will bravely advance like a forest, dust billowing, shaking the heavens and the earth. Those eager for glory will charge ahead; in the blink of an eye, the enemy will be decimated, and their ancestral temples will be destroyed. This will serve as an eternal lesson for generations to come! By then, it may be too late for them to turn back! To cure a disease, one must use strong medicine; to address doubts, one must speak the truth, even if it’s hard to hear. If they still hesitate and remain stubborn, they may regret it too late, just like Bian Que with his treatments, eventually becoming powerless. I urge you to think carefully and choose wisely. Shao arrived in the state of Wu, but did not dare to report the situation to the court.

The Queen of Chu was appointed as a Literary Official and later participated in military affairs with General Shi Bao. Due to his self-assuredness and a hint of disdain for Shi Bao, when they first met, Chu offered a deep bow and said, "The Emperor has sent me to assist you in handling military affairs." This led to a rift between them. Shi Bao reported that Chu and Sun Shishan from Wu were slandering the court, and Chu also submitted a memorial in his defense. This issue dragged on for several years without resolution, and he also became embroiled in a dispute with his fellow villager Guo Yi. Although Emperor Wu did not explicitly point out his fault, because Chu came from a humble background and had been repeatedly punished, he was put aside for several years and not reinstated. In fact, the disrespectful attitude towards superiors in the military stemmed from Chu's disdain for Shi Bao and his disregard for proper etiquette.

General of the Western Campaign, Prince Jun of Fufeng, and the King of Chu were old acquaintances. Prince Jun recommended the King of Chu for a position as a military officer. Later, the King of Chu was promoted to become the magistrate of Liang County, and then further promoted to be the General of the Guard. At that time, someone spotted a dragon in the armory's well. The courtiers were all prepared to congratulate, but the King of Chu submitted a memorial stating: "Recently, I heard that two dragons had appeared in the armory's well. Some courtiers think this is a good omen and should be congratulated, while others think this is an ill omen and not worthy of congratulations. This indicates that both opinions have merits and are not entirely correct. Dragons may lurk in deep springs or soar in the clouds, but now they are lurking in the well, coexisting with frogs and small shrimp. Is this just because there are incompetent officials managing the armory, and talented individuals are buried in the army? Therefore, the dragon's appearance deserves our contemplation. I hope Your Majesty can forgive some minor mistakes, promote virtuous talents, emulate the ancient wise rulers who sought talent in Fu Yan and Weibin, reform the education system and promote overlooked talents, instruct officials to recommend gentlemen of high moral character and educational influence, as well as recommend exceptional talents capable of solving difficult problems, addressing current issues, and speaking frankly. Avoid being limited to noble families; instead, prioritize talents from humble backgrounds. Winning wars and unifying territories can only be accomplished by generals like the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period, Han Xin, and Bai Qi; as for establishing systems of rituals and music, and promoting education and civilization, this is the direction scholars should aim for. I sincerely urge Your Majesty to consider my suggestion."

In the early reign of Emperor Hui, the King of Chu served as the Prefect of Fengyi. He passed away in the third year of Yuankang.

At first, Xie Lingyun and Wang Ji from the same county had a very good relationship. At that time, Wang Ji served as the Grand Central Inspector for the province, responsible for evaluating the character and abilities of local officials. When he visited Xie Lingyun, Wang Ji said, "This person, you can't judge him; I'll do it myself!" Then Wang Ji wrote a comment for Xie Lingyun, describing him as "a genius, exceptional and unparalleled." In his youth, Xie Lingyun aspired to live in seclusion; he told Wang Ji, "I wish to lie by the flowing water to cleanse my ears and rinse the stones to sharpen my teeth." He misspoke; it should be "rinsing stones and lying by the flowing water." Wang Ji corrected him: "You can't lie by the water, and you can't rinse stones." When Xie Lingyun was young, he held the deepest admiration and respect for Wang Ji. When he had just taken off his mourning clothes, he wrote a poem for Wang Ji to read. Wang Ji said, "I didn't expect the poem to stem from such deep emotions, and that those emotions could give rise to such a poem. After reading your poem, I feel very sad in my heart and appreciate the preciousness of deep spousal love."

Xie Lingyun had three sons: Xie Zhong, Xie Xun, and Xie Zuan. Xie Zhong and Xie Xun both passed away young, never having held official positions; only the sons of Xie Zuan, Xie Tong and Xie Chuo, gained some recognition. Xie Tong's courtesy name was Chenggong. When he was young, he crossed the river with Xie Chuo and their cousin Xie Sheng. He was free-spirited yet talented in writing. Contemporaries believed he had inherited Xie Lingyun's literary style. General Chupo, having heard of his reputation, sought to recruit him as a military officer, but Xie Tong declined and chose to settle in Kuaiji. He loved mountains and rivers, so he requested to be the county magistrate of Yinzhou, and later transferred to Wuning County. During his tenure, he paid little attention to mundane affairs, preferring to indulge in travel and visit renowned mountains and rivers. Eventually, he became the county magistrate of Yuyao, where he later passed away.

Xie Tong's son Xie Teng, known for his profound knowledge, achieved the rank of Tingwei. Xie Deng, Xie Teng's younger brother, was a prodigy in philosophy from a young age. His annotations on the "Laozi" became widely known, but he died young.

Chuo, styled Xinggong, was a versatile and learned individual skilled in writing. In his youth, he, like Gao Yang and Xu Inqiu, had great ambitions. He lived in Kuaiji for more than ten years, often exploring the mountains and rivers. He later wrote a piece called "Sui Chu Fu" to articulate his ideas. He once said of Shantao, "I can't make sense of Shantao. He doesn't act like an official when holding office, nor does he act like a recluse in seclusion. If we compare Yuan Li's gate to the Dragon Gate, then he is simply a fish scratching his head and wagging his tail in front of the Dragon Gate, not dignified in the least." He planted a pine tree in front of his house and took great care of it. Neighbors said, "Although this tree seedling is growing well, what does it matter if it may never become a pillar of the community?" Chuo replied, "Even if maple and willow trees grow lush, what good does it do?" Chuo and Xu Inqiu were both celebrities at the time. Some admired Xu Inqiu's nobility and thought less of Chuo, while others appreciated Chuo's talent and dismissed Xu Inqiu.

Shamen Zhi Dun once asked Chuo, "How do you compare to Xu Inqiu?" Chuo replied, "I deeply admire Xu Inqiu's noble character and lofty aspirations; but when it comes to writing poetry, Xu Inqiu still has to line up behind me!" Chuo greatly admired the Fu poems of Zhang Heng and Zuo Si, often saying, "'San Du Fu', 'Er Jing Fu', those are the symphonies of the Five Classics!" He once wrote a piece called "Tiantai Shan Fu," with exquisite language and style. After finishing it, he showed it to his friend Fan Rongqi, saying, "Try tossing this piece on the ground; it will definitely make a sound like gold and stone!" Fan Rongqi said, "Perhaps this sound of gold and stone does not conform to musical principles." Yet, whenever he crafted a brilliant sentence, Chuo would say, "This is the level of us people!" Later, he was appointed as Zuo Lang, an official in the Imperial Library, inheriting the title of Changle Marquis.

Chuo is straightforward and enjoys joking. Once, while walking with Xi Zaochi, Chuo walked ahead and turned back to say, "Like sieving sand, sift out the sand, leaving only the stones." Xi Zaochi replied, "Like winnowing rice, toss it up, and what remains are the husks."

Later on, General Yú Liàng invited him to be a military advisor, then appointed magistrate of Zhāng'ān. He was then summoned as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy and later promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. The Governor of Yángzhōu, Yīn Hào, appointed him as Chief Historian of Jiànwēi. The Interior Minister of Kuài Jì, Wáng Xīzhī, appointed him as Chief Historian of the Right Army. He was then promoted to the Prefect of Yǒngjiā, further promoted to Cavalier Attendant, and concurrently served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library.

At that time, Grand Marshal Huán Wēn wanted to control the entire country, and as Hénán had just been pacified, he wanted to move the capital to Luòyáng. The court was afraid of Huán Wēn and didn't dare to speak up. The northern regions were in turmoil, and people were fearful. Although everyone knew that moving the capital was not feasible, no one had the courage to speak out against it. Chuo then submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating:

Lord Wen submitted a memorial saying: "I should personally lead the army to suppress the rebels, clear the He and Wei regions, restore the old capital, and only then can the banners fly high, the army cross the river, return to the Central Plains, and stabilize the world again." This is truly a grand plan beyond the times, a magnificent event for generations to come! However, I am somewhat uneasy. I believe that the rise of emperors depends on favorable geography and the talents of the people, as well as the ability to accomplish great deeds, with the key lying in restoring justice to quell chaos and then soothing the populace. The initial failure to do so led to the fall of Chang'an, allowing the invaders to invade, and the disintegration of the Central Plains, all caused by the loss of morality. Yet, the Central Plains are engulfed in chaos and war is everywhere, with hundreds of counties and thousands of cities, not a single intact city. Why is this? It's because the terrain is indefensible, and the people can only flee! The mandate of heaven has not changed, and Emperor Zhongzong is able to be restored, not only because it conforms to the will of heaven, but more importantly because the natural defenses of the Yangtze River have saved us. The Book of Changes says: "Rulers establish strategic points to defend their country," the significance of strategic points for a nation! This has already been proven as an effective method. Now we talk about victory; of course, we should prioritize justice over strategic points; but based on practical circumstances, we must hold onto some land to survive. Since the great chaos in the world, it has been sixty years, and countless people have died and been injured, with only one in ten surviving. The Heluo region is desolate, the Hangu Pass is bleak, fields are abandoned, trees are cut down, roads are destroyed, and people live in hardship, with no place to call home. Those who have fled to the Jianghuai region have been there for generations; the living are all elderly, weak, sick, or disabled, and the graves of the dead stretch endlessly. Although the sentiment of missing their homeland still exists, the current tragic scene is truly heart-wrenching. If the capital were relocated to the Central Plains and the Five Tombs rebuilt, it would bring relief to those in the borderlands. But even places as stable as Mount Tai are difficult to defend; would the Emperor not consider the people's longing and sentiments?

Wen Gong's actions this time truly reflect his long-term perspective, considering the long-term interests of the nation and planning to undertake significant endeavors! Without any urgent crisis or prior decision on major plans, he alone takes on the most challenging task imaginable. This takes immense courage! Now he is neglecting his rest and food, full of loyalty and righteousness, putting in so much effort. Who wouldn't be moved by this? However, the common people are terrified; everyone is deeply afraid. Why is that? Because they now face the threat of death! Consider this: they have lived outside Jiangzhou for decades, suddenly relocated and hurried off to desolate areas, crossing mountains and rivers, walking tens of thousands of miles, far from their graves, losing their livelihoods. Even the wealthy have no provisions for three years; the poor can barely afford a meal. Fields and houses can't be sold, and even cars and boats can't be found. Leaving their peaceful hometowns for chaotic regions, many may die from exhaustion, starvation, or drowning along the way; only a few will reach their destination.

The country regards its people as its foundation, fighting to protect them. If the people perish, what’s the point of defeating the enemy? This is what compassionate individuals should empathize with and what the country should seriously consider. Historically, the imperial capitals have never been static. When the country is strong, they live in the capital, planning for great achievements; when the country is weak, they recuperate and wait for an opportunity. For the people to live in peace and prosperity, every household should have a three-year supply before contemplating an era of peace and prosperity. The timing and the people's readiness are not yet fully aligned. Trying to change the entire world all at once, isn't that a bit too hasty and unrealistic?

My humble suggestion is to station a renowned and powerful general in Luoyang, build two fortresses near the imperial tombs to protect the imperial mausoleum, stabilize Liangzhou and Xuzhou, establish complete control over the Henan region, and secure transportation routes. Afterwards, focus on reclaiming unproductive land, stockpiling food, and gradually preparing supplies for the migrating population. In this way, the bandits will realize their situation is dire and will surely flee far away. If they remain stubborn and resist, then the northern and southern armies will arrive with lightning speed, swiftly and effectively, akin to alleviating physical pain and discomfort, coordinating attacks from all sides. Once the imperial mausoleum is secured, the Central Plains region can gradually regain stability. Your Majesty, reign peacefully from the Purple Polar Hall, strengthen governance, emulate Emperor Wen of Han's simplicity and frugality, curtail minor privileges, reduce leisure and expenses, conduct thorough evaluations of officials, and train the military, prioritizing talent cultivation and bandit eradication as top priorities. Remain steadfast and not waver for ten years; then the impoverished will find prosperity, the timid will become brave, and the people will feel the grace of heaven, facing death as if returning home. Governance will be as manageable as holding it in your palm. Why forsake a strategy that guarantees victory in every battle and risk the entire world? Your Majesty, in the prime of your life, should strive even harder, with the monarch and subjects united, collaboratively advancing the nation. Isn't this a source of great joy!

I am bold to present these lofty thoughts now, Your Majesty, as you are also pondering this issue. I am but an insignificant courtier, humbly offering my views. It is indeed difficult to speak today, but I must ensure Your Majesty hears my opinions because I believe this is a dynasty where one can speak frankly. Even the advice of the ignorant and arrogant, and even trivial strategies, will be considered by the wise. Thus, I am filled with concern as I boldly express my opinions. If Your Majesty could kindly take them into account, wouldn't it fulfill the hopes of millions? If my offense angers Your Majesty and I am to be harshly punished, even to the point of death for my beliefs, my loyalty will be remembered through the ages.

Upon seeing Xie Chuo's memorial, Huan Wen was displeased and remarked, "You exert so much effort in writing memorials for Lord Xing, why not go and read his 'Suichu Fu' to understand how he handles family and state affairs!" Later, Xie Chuo was appointed Minister of Justice while concurrently serving as Director of the Imperial Library. Xie Chuo was renowned for his literary talent from a young age, distinguishing himself among his peers. Following the deaths of Huan Wen, Wang Dao, Chi Jian, Yu Liang, and other officials, it was necessary for Xie Chuo to write their epitaphs before they could be inscribed. Xie Chuo passed away at fifty-eight.

His son, Xie Si, inherited his father's literary style and excelled in writing. He rose to the rank of Military Advisor to the Central Army but sadly passed away young.

In historical records, Jiang Tong was recognized for his integrity and noble character. Among the many talents in Chenliu, he was considered one of the best. His work "On Relocating the Rong People" was a grand vision for the country's long-term development. However, as society was already in decline at the time, even if Jiang Tong's suggestions were adopted, it would likely bring disaster and accelerate the country's downfall, as it would be unable to avert the impending crisis. Later, Emperor Min of the Jin Dynasty abolished the plan to relocate the Rong and Di peoples. Jiang Tong risked his life to resign by submitting a memorial, as he said, "Life is as light as a feather, while righteousness is as valuable as a bear's paw." He served as a high-ranking official, always offering counsel to the court with a singular focus on moral integrity, never seeking fame and fortune. Although the brothers took different paths in their careers, they were both considered exemplary men.

Sun Chu was a talented and unique individual, highly valued by Emperor Wu. His letters were outstanding works of ancient times. However, he was arrogant and hot-tempered, lacking humility and restraint, which led to his downfall at a young age, a consequence of his own actions. The brothers Jiang Tong and Jiang Chuo were both talented and renowned during the period of revitalization, living up to their ancestors' honor. Jiang Tong eventually retired to a remote town, exploring scenic spots and historical sites, finding his life's fulfillment. Jiang Chuo courageously offered counsel and memorials, demonstrating a character of integrity and fearlessness towards the emperor, proving that he was more than just a writer.

Praise: Jiang Tong upheld righteousness, while Sun Chu stood out from the ordinary. Jiang Tong had regrets in his later years, while Sun Chu suffered disgrace due to his arrogance. The reputation of the Jiang brothers was well-respected throughout the Jiangzuo region. Jiang Chuo was eloquent and sharp-witted, distinguishing himself among many talented individuals.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Jin （晉書）

Published: 03 January 2025

Created: 03 January 2025

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Lu Ji, courtesy name Shiheng, was from Wu County. His grandfather, Lu Xun, was the Prime Minister of Wu, and his father, Lu Kang, was the Grand Marshal of Wu. Lu Ji was very tall, standing a full seven feet tall, with a booming voice like a bell. He showed exceptional talent from a young age, excelling in writing and was among the best of his time. He highly valued Confucianism and would never do anything that violated proper etiquette. After his father's passing, Lu Ji inherited his father's military authority and became commander of the elite guards. When Wu fell when he was twenty, he returned to his hometown and locked himself away to study diligently, studying for ten years.

Due to his family's generations of service as high officials in Wu and their significant contributions to the state, Lu Ji felt uneasy about how Sun Hao had abandoned their family. He reflected on how Sun Quan had come to power and how Sun Hao had lost the empire, wanting to commemorate his ancestors' achievements. He wrote two essays titled "On the Fall." The first essay argued:

In the past, during the Han Dynasty, control was lost as corrupt officials seized power, chaos erupted in the capital and spread across the country, imperial authority weakened, and the royal family's status diminished. Brave heroes emerged, and righteous armies fought on all fronts. The valiant Emperor of Wu, Sun Quan, marched south with great courage, swiftly capturing Jingzhou. His strategies were endless, his soldiers were loyal and brave, and his might intimidated all around. The enemy was scattered and defeated, ultimately clearing obstacles and honoring their ancestors. At that time, the generals who rose up either controlled provinces or occupied cities, looking fierce like a pack of wild beasts. Even though they claimed to fight for justice and worked together, hidden malice lingered in their hearts, hindering the resistance or fighting without a plan, leading to military failures and emboldening the enemy. People like Lu Kang—loyal, brave, talented, and principled—were truly rare!

After the death of King Wulie, Huan Wang Liu Yi of Changsha, who possessed exceptional talent and wisdom from birth, was quite graceful and dignified at a young age. He recruited the old ministers and generals, engaging in discussions on governance and learning from their experiences. He led his troops on an eastern expedition, achieving victories against overwhelming odds, capturing cities and territories, and remaining undefeated in battle. The rebellious minority groups were all subdued, and the area south of the Yangtze River became stable. He also reformed laws, strengthened the army, and gained widespread acclaim, earning the people's respect. He honored the virtuous and capable, with Zhang Zhao serving as his trusted advisor; he formed alliances with heroes, including Zhou Yu as his distinguished general. Both of these individuals were exceptionally intelligent, talented, and knowledgeable, resulting in a flourishing of talent in the Jiangdong region.

He planned to conquer the Central Plains in the north, defeat the treacherous officials, bring the emperor back to the capital, and become the emperor himself, leveraging the emperor's authority to command the vassals and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty. The army had already set out, and the enemies were too scared to move, but before this great cause could be completed, he passed away at a young age. "Leveraging the emperor's authority to command the vassals" was a clear reflection of his ambitious aspirations! It is a pity that he died young before his ambitions could be fulfilled, leaving people to lament his untimely death.

Oh, our emperor, who employed extraordinary measures to lay his foundation, made astute decisions informed by historical precedents, governed following ancient traditions, and especially emphasized diligence, frugality, the recruitment of talented individuals, strategic planning and decisive action. Therefore, many talented individuals came forward to serve, and ambitious soldiers flocked to him. People of all talents gathered, and there were numerous outstanding generals.

Zhang Zhao became a mentor, and Zhou Yu, Lu Xun, Lu Su, and Lu Meng became the emperor's trusted confidants. Gan Ning, Ling Tong, Cheng Pu, He Qi, Zhu Huan, and Zhu Ran fought valiantly. Han Dang, Pan Zhang, Huang Gai, Jiang Qin, and Zhou Tai also put in great effort. Zhuge Jin, Zhang Cheng, and Bu Zhi leveraged their reputations to serve the nation, while Gu Yong, Pan Jun, Lu Fan, and Lu Dai held key positions due to their abilities. Yu Fan, Lu Ji, and Zhang Dun governed with noble character and talent. Zhao Zi and Shen Heng distinguished themselves in diplomatic missions. Wu Fan and Zhao Da made significant contributions to the nation through their expertise in astronomy and calendrical science. Dong Xi and Chen Wu made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard the emperor, while Luo Tong and Liu Ji dared to speak out and correct the emperor's mistakes.

Therefore, our strategy was sound, and our actions were executed flawlessly. We eventually occupied strategic locations, controlled Jingzhou and Jiangdong, and competed with other forces in the country. Wei mobilized a million troops downstream on countless ships with great momentum, aiming to swallow up Jiangdong. Zhou Yu commanded our elite forces to a decisive victory at Chibi, inflicting heavy losses on the Wei army, which retreated in disarray. Liu Bei, using the emperor's title, led the Shu army to expand his power and seek revenge for Guan Yu's death, trying to seize the western Hunan region. However, Lu Xun decisively defeated Liu Bei's forces at Xiling, inflicting severe losses that compelled them to retreat to Yong'an. Subsequently, we triumphed over the Wei army at Ruxukou and Linchuan, and secured victory at the Battle of Penglai.

Therefore, the morale of the Wei and Shu armies was low, their strength greatly diminished, while our Wu country reaped the rewards. Both Wei and Shu sought peace, and our Wu country eventually became an empire, with our territory extending west to the outskirts of Yongzhou and Yizhou, north to the banks of the Huai River and Han River, east to the lands of the Baiyue, and south to the lands of the southern tribes. We implemented the ceremonial and musical traditions established over eight generations, held grand sacrificial activities, and both civil and military officials fulfilled their duties. The nation thrived, and the people lived in peace; various ethnic groups coexisted harmoniously, and the country was prosperous.

Even the small officials sent to patrol the borders could bring back many treasures; the treasury was overflowing, the people lived in peace and prosperity, without the threat of war, and our empire was thus stabilized.

When the great emperor died and the young emperor ascended the throne, malicious figures began to run rampant and sow discord. Emperor Jing, after ascending the throne, earnestly followed the teachings of his predecessor and governed the realm effectively, being considered a good emperor who maintained the achievements of his predecessors. At the beginning of his reign, the law still held significant deterrent power, and the veteran ministers were still present. Grand Marshal Lu Kang was talented in both civil and military affairs, assisting in court matters; Prime Minister Lu Kai dared to speak out and offer various suggestions; Shi Ji and Fan Shen were highly respected, Ding Feng and Zhong Hui had outstanding military achievements; Meng Zong and Ding Gu held important ministerial positions; Lou Xuan and He Shao managed critical affairs. Although the emperor's health was not good, there were still many excellent ministers assisting in the court.

However, as time went on, these veteran ministers passed away one by one, and the populace began to lose hope, while the country faced the danger of collapse. With the change of fate and the decline of national fortune, the imperial army marched into battle but quickly fell into disarray on the battlefield, with soldiers fleeing in all directions, cities having no defense capabilities, and natural barriers lost. The losses were not due to traditional military tactics like siege engines or encirclement. The nation fell before the army had even engaged for a few days. Even if loyal subjects rose in rebellion, what could they possibly accomplish?

The generals of Cao Wei and Shu Han were not developed over generations, and the armies of that time were not as strong as they once were. The strategies for combat and defense could draw on the experiences of their predecessors, and the advantages of the terrain remain unchanged, but the results are quite different. The reasons behind success and failure can be truly unpredictable! Why is this? Because the situations of both sides are different, and the selection and appointment of generals are also different.

Historically, the world was divided into three kingdoms, with Wei controlling the Central Plains, Han governing Sichuan and Yunnan-Guizhou, and Wu occupying Jingzhou and Yangzhou, while also taking control of Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. Although Cao Cao unified many areas, his methods were too harsh, and the people were seething with resentment. As for Liu Bei, he relied on the terrain's advantages to appear shrewd, but his actual abilities were limited, and his subordinates were rather unsophisticated.

On the other hand, Sun Wu, from Sun Ce laying the foundation to Sun Quan inheriting the achievements of his father and brothers, governed with diligence and wisdom—truly wise and broad-minded! He eagerly sought out talent and cared for the people as if they were his own children, treating talented individuals with the highest respect and being even more open-hearted with those close to him. He promoted Lu Meng to help him rise through the ranks and tested Pan Jun in handling prisoner affairs. He trusted his ministers, never fearing deception from others; he appointed officials based on their abilities, never fearing his power being usurped. He respected Lu Xun and valued his reputation; he fully supported Zhou Yu's army. He led a simple life but generously rewarded his loyal subjects; he humbly welcomed advice and acted on his ministers' suggestions. This is why Lu Su was able to assist him with confidence, and Shi Xie risked his life to serve him.

He admires Lu Xun's contributions and cuts back on his own leisure and indulgence; he follows Zhuge Liang's advice, restraining his desires; he listens to Lu Xun's counsel, simplifying the complicated laws; he follows Liu Ji's advice and establishes a three-vow oath; he is humble and cautious, carefully serving the sick Zhang Zhao; he takes care of Ling Tong's orphans, sharing his own food with them; he takes to the platform to honor Lu Su's accomplishments; he believes in Zhang Zhao's loyalty, ignoring his complaints. Therefore, loyal ministers dedicate themselves to providing counsel, allowing ambitious individuals to fully showcase their talents, and Sun Quan's grand blueprint and long-term strategy are never limited by trivial matters. Thus, despite the many state affairs, everything is well-organized. When the capital was first established in Jianye, the courtiers suggested holding a grand ceremony, but Sun Quan refused, saying, "How will the people of the world view me?" The palaces and attire were all very simple.

By the later period of Sun Wu, destiny was already determined, so some shortcomings were gradually improved. Although the systems and policies were not as refined as those of the previous dynasty, they were sufficient to govern the country. Wu was vast and populous, with a million-strong army, fertile land, elite troops, excellent weapons, and a full treasury; to the east lies the sea, and to the west are treacherous passes, the Yangtze River traversed the country, and towering mountains surrounded the borders, providing the nation with unparalleled advantages. If the country could be governed according to morality, use strategies to deal with external enemies, follow ancestral customs, govern with diligence and care for the people, formulate comprehensive strategies, and hold onto strategic locations, then the nation could remain secure indefinitely, free from the threat of downfall.

Some people say, "The states of Wu and Shu are closely connected; when Shu falls, Wu will also be doomed. This is flawed logic." This is not correct! Shu is merely a vassal state that provided support to our country, and Wu's survival is largely independent of Shu. The border between Shu and our territory is rugged, with overlapping mountains and steep terrain; there are no wide, flat roads on land, and the rivers are swift with treacherous waterways. Even with a million soldiers, only a thousand can be mustered at once; even with a fleet of a thousand miles, only a hundred ships will be in the vanguard. So when Liu Bei attacked Shu, Lu Gong compared it to a long snake; this metaphor is quite fitting.

When Shu had just fallen, the courtiers were divided in their opinions. Some suggested piling up massive stones in the rivers to block the Shu army's advance, while others proposed using various contraptions to fend off the Shu army's invasion. The Emperor gathered these opinions and asked Lu Gong what to do. Lu Gong stated that rivers and lakes serve as channels for the earth to regulate and release airflow; they cannot be effectively blocked, and both sides have mechanical weapons. If the enemy forsakes their advantage to exploit our weaknesses, they will only be able to compete with Jingzhou and Chu for ships. In that case, it would be as if heaven is aiding us! All we need to do is guard the pass and wait for the opportunity to capture them.

Later, Bu Chan rebelled, relying on the fortified city walls to resist the powerful enemy, and also used a large amount of treasure to bribe the minority ethnic groups. At that time, the army of the great nation surged like storm clouds, moving with lightning speed, with flags fluttering above the river, and camps established along the river, guarding important passes to prevent the Wu army from advancing westward, while the army of Ba Shu moved down the Yangtze River. General Lu led thirty thousand elite soldiers stationed in Dongkeng, digging deep trenches, building high walls, fully prepared, and sharpening their skills. The rebels were so frightened that they dared not reveal themselves, simply waiting to be slaughtered. After the powerful enemy was defeated, they fled in panic, losing more than half of their forces. General Lu then sent five thousand elite soldiers west to defend against the naval forces. Both the eastern and western forces achieved victory simultaneously, capturing tens of thousands of enemies. Truly, this was the strategy of a wise man, and it did not disappoint us! Since then, there have been few border conflicts, and the country has been less disturbed.

After General Lu's death, hidden dangers began to surface, Wu's aggressive ambitions grew, and the court began to panic. In the battles during the Taikang period, the size of the mobilized army was reduced compared to previous times; the rebellion in Guangzhou inflicted even greater damage than before, resulting in the destruction of the country, with ancestral temples turning into ruins. "When people perish, the nation falls," isn't this a fact?

The Book of Changes says, "King Tang and King Wu initiated revolutions, in accordance with the will of heaven," or "Without thorough resolution in chaotic times, an era of peace and prosperity cannot emerge," implying that the rise and fall of emperors hinge on heavenly timing. The ancients said, "Timing is less important than favorable terrain," the Book of Changes also states, "Princes choose strategic locations to defend their countries," implying that nations must depend on strategic terrain. It also says, "Favorable terrain is not as good as harmony among people," "The key lies in moral integrity, not merely in strategic terrain," meaning that holding strategic terrain, the key lies in people. When Wu rose to power, Sun Quan excelled at uniting talent, as Sun Qing noted, "Combine their strengths"; when Wu fell, they relied solely on strategic terrain, as Sun Qing said, "Abandon their strengths."

After the fall of the Wu kingdom, those areas were not without people, and there was no lack of talent south of the Yangtze River. The terrain was easy to defend, the weapons were sophisticated and easy to use, and the earlier governing strategies were easy to implement. So why did the Wu kingdom not prosper but instead bring disaster upon itself? The reason lies in the mistakes of those who employed talent. Therefore, wise rulers of ancient times established long-term governance strategies, carefully assessed the patterns of rise and fall, humbly and cautiously pacified the people, bestowed kindness to foster harmony, showed tolerance to attract talent, and cultivated love and harmony to earn the people's affection. In this way, when the country is at peace, the people will celebrate with him; when the country is in danger, the people will share the risks with him. Celebrating with the people in times of stability makes it less likely for danger to arise; sharing risks with the people in times of danger makes challenges feel less daunting. It is precisely because of this that the country can protect its territory and ensure stability, without the concerns expressed in "Mai Xiu" over the Yin and Shang dynasties, or the sorrow reflected in "Shu Li" regarding the Zhou dynasty.

During the time of Emperor Tai Kang of the Jin Dynasty, as it was nearing its end, Lu Ji and his younger brother Lu Yun went to Luoyang together to visit Zhang Hua, the Grand Guardian. Zhang Hua always valued Lu Ji highly, treating him like an old friend, and said, "In the war against the Wu Kingdom, you have gained two outstanding talents." Lu Ji also once visited Wang Ji, the Palace Attendant, who pointed to a piece of sheep cheese and said to Lu Ji, "What does your Wu Kingdom have that can compare to this?" Lu Ji replied, "A thousand-mile dish of water shield, without added salt and soybeans." At that time, people praised this as a brilliant answer. Zhang Hua recommended Lu Ji to the court officials. Later, the Grand Tutor Yang Jun hired him as a ritual official. After Yang Jun was killed, Lu Ji was promoted to be the Prince's Groom and was later promoted to Director of the Central Military Department, and then transferred to the Palace Attendant. Later, when Prince Zhao Lun came to power, he appointed Lu Ji as a military officer of the State Chancellor. He participated in the operation to kill Jia Mi, and was therefore titled the Marquis of Guanzhong. When Prince Zhao Lun wanted to usurp the throne, he appointed Lu Ji as a Palace Attendant. After Zhao Lun was killed, Prince Qi Jiong suspected him of involvement in drafting the Nine Prohibitions and the abdication decree, and arrested him along with eight others, and handed them over to the Minister of Justice for trial. Fortunately, Prince Ying of Chengdu and Prince Yan of Wu interceded for him, which saved him from execution, and he was eventually released during a general amnesty.

He used to have a remarkable hunting dog named Huang Er, which he loved very much. Later, after drifting in the capital city for a long time without contacting his family, he smiled and said to the dog, "There is no news from my family at all; could you help me take a letter back and check on things?" The dog wagged its tail and barked happily. He then wrote a letter, put it in a bamboo tube, and tied it around the dog's neck. The dog ran south along the road and surprisingly made it back home, bringing back the news. From then on, he frequently used this method to keep in touch with his family. At that time, the world was in turmoil, and people like Gu Rong and Dai Ruosi advised him to return to the State of Wu, but he believed in his own abilities and wanted to make his mark during these chaotic times, so he did not go back.

King Qi Jiong was exceedingly proud and arrogant. Even after being granted a title, he remained unsatisfied. Unable to tolerate this, he penned a piece titled "Ode to a Hero" as a satire against him. The preface of the article is written as follows:

"The foundation of virtue is unchanging, but the path to building achievements is not the same. Why? Those who measure themselves by their own inner cultivation are within me, while those who depend on external circumstances are bound by their situation. Those within me flourish and kill within their domain; those connected to others are abundant and limited by circumstances. Falling leaves await a gentle breeze to descend, and the resonance of the zither fades. Why? The falling leaves that want to fall have no fierce wind to rely on, and the tears that are about to fall are not enough to disturb the sound of sorrow. Therefore, if the time is set by heaven and the principles are fulfilled by man, ordinary people can contribute to the accomplishments of sages and wise. Hence it is said, 'Talent is not half of antiquity, but the achievements are already doubled,' which is obtained from the times. Looking through history, there have been individuals who have attained the accomplishments of their era and occupied the positions of Yi and Zhou."

As for me, even though I am an intelligent person, I often find myself constrained, like a child tied up with a rope; everything influences one another, even the tiniest insects experience this. If you measure those extraordinary achievements by your own standards, even the divine artifacts will look at you differently, and everything will change with your emotions. If you only focus on enjoying a comfortable life, listening to flattery, how can you understand that achievements are not solely yours, and the ability to exceed ordinary people is the most important! Besides, everyone likes glory and fears shame; this is a significant aspect of life. Even being overly content can lead to disaster; even ghosts and deities are not exempt, let alone the ruler who holds power, the world will obey his commands, so, even the heavens can be offended!

Think about it now, those guards standing at the temple gate in beautiful clothes holding weapons, or the soldiers bravely fighting in the fields, if this is the case, what about the rulers who hold power and can dispose of everything in the world at will! Showing kindness might not eliminate resentment, and being diligent in progress might not make up for past harm, so, attempting to take the place of a great craftsman will only lead to self-harm. Moreover, if political power is in the hands of the Ning family, loyal ministers will be indignant; if sacrificial activities are presided over by the ruler, the ruler will struggle to maintain it for long. Therefore, King Shu is very unhappy, deeply dissatisfied with Gong Dan's actions; the Gao Ping and Shi clans also regard Bo Lu's powerful influence with suspicion. However, King Cheng manages to not let these grievances affect him, while Emperor Xuan feels discomfort as if he is carrying a thorn in his side, isn't that the case?

Alas! My achievements are widespread, but my moral conduct cannot be considered admirable; the emperor calls me uncle, but our relationship is not close; ascending to the emperor's throne, my achievements are not considered great; while my integrity and loyalty cannot be deemed exceptional. However, even in turbulent times, I have only preserved myself, like Yi Yin maintaining a clear conscience and suffering slaughter, like Wen Zi holding on to loyalty and respect and being forced into helplessness; such are their fates.

From this perspective, even those like Yi Yin and Wen Zi who possess the most sacred and loyal relationships, such great moral conduct and loyalty, still cannot gain the trust of the monarch, let alone silence the multitude; what about others? This highlights the lesson about danger! Not to mention those who seek fame, offend the taboos of Daoism, and with fleeting talents, attempt to accomplish what even the wisest find challenging? Self-danger stems from excessive power, not knowing to relinquish power for peace; the accumulation of calamities comes from excessive favor, not knowing to renounce favor for blessings. When one sees the people plotting against them, they strengthen the defense of the palace to show their inviolable dignity; fearing the world's rejection, they enforce strict laws and regulations, which only breeds resentment among the people.

Then, power is exhausted, provoking the monarch; resentment spreads throughout, people's hearts grow increasingly distant, a crisis is about to erupt, yet still gazing upward with arrogance, thinking one can boast to the world, mocking the failings of those who came before, forgetting one's own incompetence, only knowing to boast about past achievements, but blind to the inevitable patterns of success and failure. Therefore, when things reach a dead end, they will inevitably fail; when disaster strikes, the consequences are always severe. The sage shuns the pursuit of fame beyond what is rightfully theirs, abhors favor beyond what is appropriate; probably this is the reason.

Well, in the end, both wise and foolish people have their share of bad desires. Those wanderers toil tirelessly for high positions and wealth, and those idealists think about leaving a name in history after death; this might just be the essence of life. If one can accomplish remarkable accomplishments, their reputation will naturally resonate; if one can do as they please, their desires will naturally be satisfied. If this person understands the ways of the world, knows that everything has an end no matter how much one knows, and that things are difficult to preserve for a long time, then they can transcend worldly attachments, gracefully retire, and earn the respect of others like the great figures of antiquity, being remembered by future generations like those who have left a mark in history. In this way, their desires will extend beyond themselves, they will always be happy, their virtues will become more noble, their lives will become more comfortable, and their reputation will become better. If not, they will surely become lost, and in the end, they may end up like rivers and seas, where their former glory fades into a trickle, where small problems accumulate into major issues, ultimately resulting in a tarnished reputation and a painful fate; wouldn't that be a pity! Therefore, I wrote this article, hoping that future generations might glean some wisdom from it. Unfortunately, he did not realize it, and ultimately failed.

This individual believed that the key to governing as a wise king lay in the feudal system, so based on this idea, he wrote an essay titled "On the Five Ranks," in which he said: The governance of the nation and the development of society have always been highly valued by ancient sages; they established systems and laid foundations, all aimed at ensuring the prosperity of future generations. However, governing strategies vary, times change, and methods differ. The feudal system first emerged during the era of the Yellow Emperor and Tang Yao; the system of prefectures and counties began in the Qin and Han dynasties. The successes and failures of these systems are well-documented, allowing for a detailed discussion.

As the old saying goes, being an emperor isn't an easy job. The world is so big, and the responsibility is so heavy. In such a vast world, one person can't manage everything; and with such heavy responsibilities, one person can't bear them alone. To carry the heavy burden, you need to lean on others; to govern vast lands, you need the help of many. That's why it's important to set up various official positions, divide the labor, cooperate, and lighten the load; grassroots organizations are also needed to broaden management. This way, clear boundaries are drawn, along with a hierarchy of closeness and distance, allowing countries to support each other, like a solid stone wall; allowing royal relatives and common people to live together, consolidating the foundation of the country.

This reflects a long-term strategy for governing the world and a deep understanding of human relationships: instead of trying to control others, it’s better to focus on doing well yourself; rather than thinking about taking advantage of others, it’s better to consider your own interests first. If you want those above to feel secure, you need to keep those below happy; if you want to achieve your own success, you must first help others. The Book of Changes says, "Lead others with joy, and they'll forget their fatigue," and Sun Tzu also said, "Do not seek profit first, profit others first, then you can ultimately gain greater benefits." So, by sharing the world and letting everyone enjoy prosperity, you can share their worries; by sharing abundant benefits with the world, you can share risks with them. With widespread benefits, deep gratitude, shared joy, and mutual struggles, that's why the vassals can enjoy fertile lands and people from all nations can experience peace and prosperity for generations.

In this way, the monarchs who are revered in the south each perform their duties, and all the people in the world know who their master is. As a result, the bonds between superiors and subordinates flourish, trust among individuals is established, and an era of peace and prosperity can be maintained for a long time. Even if there are some disturbances, they can be promptly controlled. Therefore, even powerful countries cannot dominate alone, and ambitious individuals cannot find the opportunity to dominate the world. The stability of the country comes from the unity of the people across all nations; the monarch's nobility stems from the officials' dedication to serving the nation. This is like everyone searching for direction together, and the heavens will naturally unfold; only with complete limbs can the body and mind find peace. This is the reason why the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties were able to maintain long-lasting peace, as well as why the later four kings were able to preserve their foundations. As they say, the rise and fall of nations is a natural cycle, and the prosperity or decline of education depends on how those in power act. Laws and systems should be reasonable, but sometimes reason is not always upheld. Therefore, when later rulers had problems with strong rule, the benevolence towards the people gradually decreased, and the calamity of invading the weak started with the partition of Jin in the Spring and Autumn period, ultimately leading to the situation of the Seven Warring States. King Tang of Shang learned from the downfall of the Xia dynasty, and Duke of Zhou took the failure of the Shang dynasty as a warning. They balanced civil governance and military achievements, constantly improving and perfecting the system. However, the Zhou dynasty's five-tier peerage system did not adapt to the changing times, and the system of enfeoffment also experienced prosperity and decline. Did they not realize the lessons of the downfall of the Xia and Shang dynasties, and did they not seriously contemplate the ways of governing the country? In fact, the rise and fall of centuries later is unpredictable, and even the best system is bound to have drawbacks. The humiliation of invasion is far worse than the fall of a nation, and the pain of a nation collapsing is far worse than gradual decline. Therefore, governing a country should start with accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, and long-term considerations can reduce disasters. This isn't to say that the feudal system is flawed, and the system of counties and prefectures is not the best way of governance. Therefore, in times of national crisis, ministers often resign voluntarily, and when the monarch is weak, the ministers will step up.

However, later on, as the problems accumulated, the status of the Zhou royal family declined increasingly. Although they still retained their name and position, the imperial lineage persisted. Though the sacred artifacts underwent turmoil, they were never lost. Isn't this all a result of the circumstances? By the time of the fall of the Qin Dynasty, they abandoned the right path, merely engaging in power plays while claiming to learn from the Zhou Dynasty's lessons. From the beginning, they ignored weaker countries and solely relished the fruits of their victories, not sharing in times of national crisis. Therefore, the Qin Dynasty fell swiftly, not merely due to their singular approach, but because they were isolated and lacked support. They fixated on petty grievances, neglecting the significance of nations coming to pay tribute. They recognized the dangers of decline, yet were oblivious to the agony of national collapse. The decline of the Zhou Dynasty had its reasons; for centuries, it suffered from a lack of wise monarchs. However, as long as the monarch called upon them, the feudal lords would certainly respond. Once the monarch grew arrogant, it was the distant states that would first rebel. This explains why the powerful Jin State could reclaim lost territories while the Chu State established its hegemony. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu dared to eye Hangu Pass, while Han Xin and Peng Yue sought to dominate their regions. Had the Qin Dynasty followed the Zhou Dynasty's system, even with their brutality and injustice, there would still have been people coexisting with them, and their downfall would not have come so swiftly!

The Han Dynasty corrected the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, massively granting fiefs to kings and aggressively expanding territory, disregarding the old system. Jia Yi feared it would lead to danger, and Chao Cuo despised it for causing chaos. Therefore, the lords depended on their own wealth and the strength of their people; the powerful rebelled quickly, while the weaker ones resisted gradually. Six ministers exploited the court's weaknesses, and seven princes broke through the court's loopholes. Their ancestors were annihilated in the Qian region, and the Western Capital (Chang'an) fell into decline due to the eastern emperor. These disasters stemmed from rulers overreacting, not from enfeoffing the lords.

However, during the Lü Clan Rebellion, the court ministers were solely self-interested, and Song Chang supported the Han Dynasty, depending on the lords' power. By the middle of the Han Dynasty, the emperor, fearing disobedience from the lords, weakened the power of the imperial relatives, resulting in chaos across the land and following the same path as the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. Therefore, the Five Marquises wielded power, ignoring the needs of the people; the new dynasty replaced the Han Dynasty as easily as picking up a fallen leaf. Emperor Guangwu rejuvenated the dynasty after inheriting the throne, but allowed the roots of the nation's decline to persist, lasting only a few generations before corrupt officials filled the court. Ultimately, a dictatorship by powerful ministers emerged, controlling the people; one individual could sway politics, leading to the fall of cities. Isn't that a danger?!

During the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, it was difficult for the royal family to thrive. Seven ministers engaged in debauchery, three princes seized power, and the monarch who ascended the throne forsook the Nine Tripods. A brutal family took over the capital, war drums shook the palace, swords ran red with blood in the imperial palace, but the chaos remained confined to the capital and did not spread to the entire country. The realm was at peace, biding its time for impending danger. King Xuan rose during the Republic period, and Kings Xiang and Hui flourished in the states of Jin and Zheng. How can the situation compare to the brief chaos in the Han Dynasty, which caused the entire country to boil and fall into chaos as soon as corrupt officials entered the court in the morning?

Thinking back to the usurpation of power by Wang Mang in ancient times, and looking at the time when Dong Zhuo held absolute power, millions mourned deeply; both the foolish and the wise were heartbroken. But the Zhou Dynasty survived while the Han Dynasty perished. Why is that? Is it that the world now lacks the wise ministers of yore, and scholars lack the ambition to support the country? Perhaps past achievements struggle to adapt to changing times, and ambitions are thwarted by lowly positions. Therefore, martyrs lamented their fate, ultimately falling to the enemy; the mediocre compromised their integrity to aid the tyrants in their wickedness. Although at times like-minded people gathered to serve the royal family, without a wise monarch above and with commoners below, the army lacking a predetermined organization, and no willingness to support each other between ruler and subjects, the righteous army, though assembled, could not avert the impending massacre. With the people's hearts unmoved, the Han Dynasty had already met its demise.

Some say that the position of the vassal states isn't always stable, as foolish and tyrannical rulers can sometimes slip in, which is why the Five Orders often lead to chaos. "Vassal positions don't always have to be filled; foolish and tyrannical rulers sometimes leave their mark, which is why the Five Orders often lead to chaos." Today's local officials are mostly mediocre appointees of the court, and even when they make mistakes, they still have better odds of success, making the prefecture and county system easier to manage. "The current governors and officials are all mediocre; even if they make mistakes, they still have many opportunities, thus prefectures and counties are easier to govern."

If leaders are virtuous and the laws are clear, and promotions and demotions are handled according to the system, everyone will fulfill their responsibilities, and foolish rulers will have no chance to make mistakes, so how could the country not fall into chaos? That's why previous dynasties managed to prosper! Once they start to decline, various systems fall apart, officials sell positions for profit, and corruption will spread everywhere, so how could the country not fall into chaos? That's why later dynasties would perish as a result! In simple terms, vassals under the enfeoffment system prioritize their own interests in political matters; while officials in the prefecture and county system focus on government achievements. "The rulers of the Five Orders think for themselves; the leaders of prefectures and counties think of the people." Why is this said? Because the desire for promotion is a common mindset among officials; self-improvement and family harmony are the goals of exemplary individuals. "Aspiring for progress and advancement is a common goal among officials; self-improvement and benefiting others are the aspirations of virtuous individuals."

However, the desire for promotion is very strong, while the reputation for self-cultivation and maintaining peace is slow to come. Therefore, those who exploit the interests of the people for personal gain will not be restrained by those in power; those who damage actual government affairs to maintain their reputation are greatly admired by officials. As the saying goes, "Those eager for advancement are sharp, while those seeking a reputation for peace are slow." The monarch has no long-term plan, and the ministers only care about immediate benefits. The situation under the system of enfeoffment is different; the vassals treat the country as their own land, and the people as their own people. When the people live in peace and happiness, they benefit, but when the country is harmed, they suffer. "Knowing the country as one's own land, all regard me as their people; when the people are at peace, I benefit; when the country is harmed, my family suffers." Therefore, previous monarchs wanted to pass the country on to their descendants, and the descendants also wanted to inherit the ancestral business, without neglecting their duties. If capable individuals are in power, their achievements will vary; if all foolish individuals govern, there will be differences in faults. Therefore, from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties to the Qin and Han dynasties, the system can be explained by a single principle; the laws and systems of the Qin and Han dynasties can be summed up in a single principle.

As for King Ying of Chengdu, he is known for his humility and low profile, never seeking credit and treating his subordinates very well. Lu Ji, on the other hand, is very grateful for King Ying's favor towards him, and noticing the unrest in the court, he believes that King Ying has the potential to revitalize the Jin dynasty, so he follows him. King Ying allows Lu Ji to participate in the military strategies of the Grand General and promotes him to be the Governor of Pingyuan.

During the early years of the Taian period, King Ying and King Yong of Hejian launched a joint campaign against King Yi of Changsha, appointing Lu Ji as the General of the Rear and the Grand Commander of Hebei, commanding more than 200,000 troops, including generals such as Wang Cui and Qian Xiu. Lu Ji's family had been military generals for three generations, which was considered somewhat taboo at the time. Combined with his previous position as a local official, this suddenly elevated him above his peers. Wang Cui, Qian Xiu, and others harbored some resentment and reluctantly rejected Lu Ji's appointment as Grand Commander. King Ying was not in agreement. Lu Ji's fellow villager Sun Hui also advised him to give up the commander position to Wang Cui, but Lu Ji said, "If I retreat now, it will only show fear of the enemy and bring disaster more quickly!" So he accepted the appointment. King Ying said to Lu Ji, "If we win this battle, I will grant you the title of county duke and let you become a high-ranking official in the court. General, you must strive diligently!" Lu Ji replied, "In the past, Duke Huan of Qi's heavy use of Guan Zhong achieved great success, while King Hui of Yan's suspicion of Yue Yi led to failure. The outcome of today's battle hinges on you, not me." King Ying's Left Historian Lu Zhi, envious of Lu Ji's favor, spoke to King Ying, "Lu Ji compares himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, and even looks down on you in secret. Throughout history, there has never been a case where a subject disrespects the ruler and still wins a battle!" King Ying remained silent after hearing this. Upon Lu Ji's arrival at the front line, he found the camp flags already torn, which made him very uncomfortable. The army was lined up from Chaoge to Heqiao, with the sound of drums echoing across hundreds of miles. From the Han Dynasty to the Wei Dynasty, such a large-scale military operation had not been witnessed before. King Yi of Changsha fought against Lu Ji in Luyuan with the emperor, and Lu Ji's army was defeated, with countless casualties piled up like mountains. The river became blocked, and even General Jia Leng fell in battle.

At first, the eunuch Meng Jiu and his brother Meng Chao were both favored by Emperor Ying. Meng Chao led ten thousand soldiers as a small general, but before he even engaged in battle, he plundered everywhere. Lu Ji recorded this incident and wanted to punish Meng Chao. Meng Chao, with more than a hundred cavalry, directly charged to Lu Ji's camp and took away the records, pointing his finger at Lu Ji and shouting, "You fool, can you also be a general?" Lu Ji's assistant, Sun Zheng, advised Lu Ji to kill Meng Chao, but Lu Ji did not listen. Meng Chao shouted in front of everyone, "Lu Ji is going to rebel!" He even wrote to Meng Jiu, saying that Lu Ji was playing both sides and delaying battles. When the real battle came, Meng Chao did not listen to Lu Ji's commands, recklessly leading his troops into battle and ended up dying in battle. Meng Jiu suspected that Lu Ji had killed his brother, so he went to Emperor Ying to accuse Lu Ji of treason. Generals Wang Chan, Hao Chang, and Gong Shifan were all allies of Meng Jiu, and they testified against Lu Ji along with Qian Xiu.

Emperor Ying was furious upon hearing this and ordered Qian Xiu to secretly arrest Lu Ji. That night, Lu Ji dreamed of a black cover surrounding his carriage that he couldn't shake off, and the next morning, Qian Xiu's men arrived. Lu Ji took off his armor, put on a white headscarf, and calmly met with Qian Xiu, saying, "Since the downfall of Wu, my family has received great favor from the country, serving the emperor in the palace and leading troops in battle. The King of Chengdu appointed me to a high position, and I could not refuse. If I am to be killed today, then it must be fate!" He then wrote a letter to Emperor Ying, in which he expressed his sorrow. He sighed and said, "**How can the cranes' cries in Huating ever be heard again!**" Finally, Lu Ji was executed in the military camp, at the age of forty-three. His two sons, Wei and Xia, were also killed. Lu Ji's death was a grave injustice, and the soldiers were deeply saddened, shedding tears. That evening, a thick fog rolled in, strong winds knocked down trees, and a thick layer of snow covered the ground; people claimed it was an omen of Lu Ji's wrongful death.

Lu Ji was talented and brilliant, with magnificent literary style. Zhang Hua once said of him: "**In the world of literature, one often laments the lack of talent, yet you, my friend, are burdened by an excess of it.**" His younger brother Lu Yun also wrote to him, saying: "**Whenever one sees your writings, they feel compelled to burn their own brushes and inkstones.**" Later, Ge Hong wrote a book and praised Lu Ji's writings, saying: "**Lu Ji's writings are like the accumulated jade in Xuanpu, shining like the luminous night sky, flowing like the rivers of Wuhe, with a source as clear as a spring. His grandeur, elegance, brilliance, and sharpness truly set him apart as a genius of his generation!**" It is evident how highly regarded Lu Ji was at that time! However, he mingled with the elite, had a good relationship with Jia Mi, and was criticized for seeking promotion. He left behind over three hundred articles that have been passed down through the ages.

Sun Zheng, with the courtesy name Xianshi, was from Fuyang, Zhejiang. He was a talented writer and served as a Huangmen Lang in the state of Wu. During Sun Hao's reign, many courtiers fell out of favor with the emperor, but Sun Zheng and Gu Rong managed to save themselves with their intelligence. After the fall of Wu, Sun Zheng became the magistrate of Zhuo County and achieved notable achievements in governance. Later, he was falsely accused by Meng Jiu and others, arrested, tortured to the point that his ankle bones were visible, but he remained steadfast in his testimony. His students Fei Ci and Zai Yi went to the prison to defend him, but Sun Zheng advised them to leave, saying: "**My innocence cannot be distorted, so why should you worry?**" Fei Ci and Zai Yi replied: "**How can we betray you?**" In the end, Sun Zheng died in prison, and Fei Ci and Zai Yi also met their end as martyrs.

Lu Yun, courtesy name Shilong, could write by the age of six. He was honest and exceptionally talented. When he was young, he was renowned alongside his brother Lu Ji. Though his writing did not match Lu Ji's, his debating skills surpassed Lu Ji's, and people called them "Er Lu" (the two Lus). When Lu Yun was seen by Minister Min Hong of the State of Wu, he was taken aback and said, "If this child isn’t a dragon, he must surely be a phoenix!" Later, at sixteen, Lu Yun was recognized as a virtuous individual. After the State of Wu was destroyed, he went to Luoyang. When Lu Ji paid his first visit to Zhang Hua, Zhang Hua asked where Lu Yun was. Lu Ji said, "Lu Yun has a laughing condition and dares not come to see you." Soon after, Lu Yun arrived. Zhang Hua was quite particular about his appearance and liked to wrap ribbons around his beard. Upon seeing him, Lu Yun couldn't help but burst into laughter and couldn't stop. Earlier, Lu Yun had once worn mourning clothes on a boat, and when he saw his reflection in the water, he laughed so hard that he fell into the water, but fortunately, he was rescued. Lu Yun and Xun Yin were not previously acquainted. One time, while they were guests at Zhang Hua's home, Zhang Hua said, "Today you two meet, let's not discuss mundane matters." Lu Yun then said, "I am Lu Shilong from Jiangnan." Xun Yin said, "I am Xun Minghe from the land of the sun." "Minghe" was Xun Yin's courtesy name. Lu Yun then said, "Now that we've broadened our horizons and seen the beautiful pheasants, why not draw the bow and shoot?" Xun Yin replied, "I originally thought it was a majestic dragon, but it turned out to be a small deer. The prey may be small, but the bow is strong, so I have been reluctant to shoot." Zhang Hua clapped his hands and laughed. The governor Zhou Jun appointed Lu Yun as an official and said to others, "Lu Shilong is the Yan Hui of our time!" I was appointed as an official in the government office and later was sent to serve as the county magistrate of Junyi County. Junyi County was notorious for its difficulty in governance. After I took office, I enforced the law seriously and sternly, and the common folk dared not deceive. The market transactions were fair, and there was no price manipulation.

One day, a murder occurred and the killer's identity was unknown. I discovered it was the victim's wife, but I didn't question her right away; instead, I let her go. More than ten days later, I secretly sent my men to follow her and instructed them, "She will not go more than ten miles away; there will be a man waiting for her. Capture her and that man together when the time comes." As expected, they captured the man. Upon interrogation, he confessed to having an affair with the victim’s wife, and the two conspired to murder the victim. He heard that his wife had been released and wanted to meet her privately, but feared being discovered too close to the county, so they arranged to meet far away. After this incident, everyone in the county praised my cleverness.

The county magistrate envied my abilities and constantly nitpicked at me. In the end, I simply resigned. The people missed me dearly and even painted my portrait and enshrined it in the county temple.

Later, I was appointed as the Langzhongling under King Wu Yan. King Wu Yan built a luxurious mansion in the West Garden, and I submitted a memorial advising, "I believe that Emperor Wuzong was known for his humility and caution, encouraging frugality among the people. He was emperor for twenty-six years and did not build any new palaces or towers, repeatedly issuing warnings against extravagance and waste. We are now continuing his legacy and should follow his teachings, but the current social atmosphere is deteriorating, with people all striving for luxurious living, and extravagance and waste becoming increasingly prevalent. Even though the emperor has repeatedly issued warnings against it, this trend seems unstoppable. Every time people see the imperial edict, they can only sigh.

When Prince Qinghe was constructing his tomb, he even wrote a letter recounting the late emperor's teachings on frugality, spreading his sincere intentions across the nation. In response to the emperor's decree, Prince Qinghe even destroyed the already built house, bringing solace to the whole nation.

Your Majesty, I am but a humble servant. I believe that the late emperor's teachings are increasingly being neglected nowadays. Only you, Your Highness, can now champion frugality for the nation and carry on the late emperor's legacy. We can only educate the populace by setting a good example and embracing simplicity. All matters related to the construction of palaces should strictly manage expenses to align with the emperor's wishes and meet the people's expectations. While I may lack talent and knowledge, I am grateful for your grace and hope to repay it with my loyalty. Thus, I take the liberty to voice my thoughts. I hope you will overlook any shortcomings in my words. If my suggestions are of any value, I hope you will consider them thoughtfully.

It is said that Prime Minister Yan trusts his subordinates very much, so he sent them to investigate the finances of various departments. He then wrote in a memorial, "I have seen your order to have Li Xian, Feng Nan, Sima Wu Ding, and Shi Xu Tai inspect the financial records of various departments. I believe that Your Majesty's virtuous governance is like the rise of a dragon, the nation is strong, and the officials selected are all talented individuals, and the people are diligent in their work. The middle-ranking officials and large farmers are all honest and responsible, and their subordinates are also ordinary people. Although there may be some oversights and shortcomings, overall they can be fair and honest, without major mistakes. Li Xian and Feng Nan are just small figures in the military camp, while Wu Ding and Xu Tai are merely soldiers and servants; they lack a reputation for integrity and loyalty. Sending ministers to investigate makes them feel that the situation is unclear, and they need to send Li Xian and others to re-inspect before they can believe it. This not only goes against the principle of not using small-minded people when founding the country, but also damages Your Highness's open and generous mind. Even if Li Xian and others can work diligently and make a hundred times the effort for the country, making a huge contribution, it is not as effective as trusting subordinates openly and sincerely. Moreover, this approach can only bring temporary benefits at most, but it allows small-minded people to hold power. In the long run, the country's future will be jeopardized, which is why I feel deeply distressed. As a minister, my responsibility is to offer advice and suggestions; as long as I have ideas, I will boldly speak up. I believe that this order should be revoked, and this kind of auditing should be halted, with all matters handed over to the Ministry of Administration to handle, so that trust can be established between superiors and subordinates, and everyone will work diligently."

"'Virtuous governance leads to the rise of a dragon, only with a great country,' what a magnificent sight!" Prime Minister Yan wrote in the memorial, meaning that our country is thriving now, with many talented individuals. He continued, "Those middle-ranking officials and large farmers are all good officials, and most of their subordinates are honest and diligent; although there may be minor flaws, overall there are no major issues."

"But you insist on sending Li Xian and the others to check the accounts. They are all just low-ranking officials; what kind of experience do they even have? This shows a lack of trust! You sent ministers to investigate before, but they didn't find anything. Now you're sending these small characters to recheck; doesn't this imply that the ministers are failing in their duties? This could really damage your reputation! Even if they truly find something, the potential gains from their findings won't outweigh the benefits of trusting your subordinates. It might only empower the unscrupulous and lead to trouble!" Prime Minister Yan spoke passionately, "As a minister, I can't bear to see this, that's why I'm compelled to advise you in writing!" Lord Yun is particularly devoted to nurturing talent and has made numerous recommendations.

He wrote a letter to Tai Chang Fu, recommending his fellow villager Zhang Shan. The letter reads: "I have heard that in ancient times, the wise kings all governed the world in accordance with the will of heaven, vigorously promoting good virtues, thinking about how to harmonize relations between humans and gods. They all valued the system of rites and music to educate the people, establishing ritual music education to elevate people's moral cultivation. That's why Emperor Yao could shine brilliantly, with his righteousness reaching heaven and earth, and King Wen of Zhou could govern with culture, allowing the Zhou Dynasty to continue for two generations. Now that the Great Jin Dynasty has been established, with sacrifices to heaven and earth, the country unified, the system of rites and music should also flourish. Your Excellency, you are in this prosperous era, shouldering the important task of assisting the king and following the will of heaven; you should recruit talents widely and promote the system of rites and music. I have found that the scholar of the General's Mansion, also my fellow villager Zhang Shan, has noble character and quick thinking. He has looked up to the sages since childhood, dedicated himself to his studies, gradually improving, eventually entering the core of the court. He immerses himself in ancient texts, is well-read, and his writing is exceptional. He serves in the court, modest and reserved, yet overflowing with talent. Although he holds a lowly position, he harbors great ambitions, quietly building his skills, waiting for the right opportunity. Those high-ranking officials all regret not recognizing his talents. Now is a good opportunity for the court to recruit talents; with peace throughout the country, everyone is looking for talents, this is the perfect moment for someone like Zhang Shan to emerge. But he has remained largely unnoticed, and everyone feels sorry for him. If he could be appointed to the Imperial Academy, study the classics, and display his talents in the court, he would truly be a gem for the court! By then, he will be able to make contributions to the country in the court!"

"In ancient times, it is said that the holy king who inherited the mandate of Heaven promoted virtue and harmony between people and the divine. All respected the teachings and followed the rituals to educate their thoughts, and cultivated the rites and studied to nurture their minds. Thus, Emperor Yao radiated brilliance, harmonizing humanity with the heavens, and the Duke of Zhou upheld culture and prospered in two generations. The great Jin dynasty was established, honoring the heavens and the earth, blending the Xia and Shang dynasties, and the rites and music flourished. Princes and nobles should align with the cycle of fate, praise the will of heaven and man, attract talents and foster excellence, and carry forward the traditions."

"I have seen Zhang Shan, a retainer of General Wei and a fellow villager, a man of great virtue and deep understanding. Initially drawn to the sacred teachings, he settled his heart with determination, opened the path and ascended the ranks, and then reached the core. He drew inspiration from the hidden palace and adorned himself with golden finery, appreciated the music of the Hundred Schools, and collected their treasures; his words surpassed the Imperial Academy, and his speech was eloquent. He delved into the obscure and collected the rare, pondered deeply and connected with the divine; his discussions on the Way were included in books, and his essays shone brightly. He held strange treasures in his government office, and his public gate was grand. He resided in quiet seclusion with hidden treasures; he wore embroidered silk robes and was draped in jade. He changed his path like a flowing spring, his carriage was ready to move, he descended from the high position, and his years were marked by frequent changes."

"The gentlemen of the literati class carried with them feelings of regret and resentment. Currently, the Taiqing Hall is open, the four gates are unlocked, the mysterious principles embrace the earth, and the heavenly net is cast wide; the auspicious clouds rise to summon dragons, and the harmonious winds lift the phoenix. Truly, it is the season of brilliance in the caves and the day of the river crossing. Yet, Shan's descent to a lower position is mourned by many. If he were appointed to the Imperial Academy, he would be able to combine and refine the classics; if he were granted the honor of discussing the Way in the Purple Palace, he would truly become a treasure of the imperial family and a great instrument of the sacred temple. With the nine performances of Guangle, he is destined to ascend to the heavenly court; with the six variations of Shao and Xia, he will surely partake in the sacrifice to the gods."

"He initially served as a Gentleman in the imperial court, a Censor, a Junior Attendant to the Crown Prince, and a Deputy Director of the Palace Library, and his official position grew larger. Later, Prince Chengdu, Sima Ying, recommended him to be the Interior Minister of Qinghe. Sima Ying wanted to attack Prince Qi, Sima Rong, so he appointed Shi Le as the vanguard commander, leading the troops into battle. As a result, Sima Rong was killed, Shi Le was promoted, and became the Grand General and Right Sima."

But later, Sima Ying grew older and his political abilities began to wane. Shi Le offended him by frequently speaking out and offering unsolicited advice. A man named Meng Jiu wanted to secure his father's appointment as the county magistrate in Handan. Left Chief Lu Zhi and others also buttered up Meng Jiu, hoping to make his wish come true. However, Shi Le firmly disagreed, stating, "County magistrates in Handan can only be appointed by court officials. How can we let the father of a Yellow Gate Attendant take that position?" Meng Jiu was furious and bore a grudge against Shi Le. Later on, when Zhang Chang rebelled, Sima Ying appointed Shi Le as the Commissioner, Grand Commander, and Vanguard General to lead the campaign against him. However, just as they were preparing to attack the King of Changsha, the campaign against Zhang Chang was temporarily halted.

Oh, Lu Ji was defeated this time and will be executed alongside others. Jiang Tong, Cai Ke, and Zao Song, these officials wrote to the Yingchuan Prefect, saying, "We have heard that you are wise and martial, and we all do our best. We do not dare to withhold our thoughts. Previously, we heard that you wanted to punish Lu Ji for delaying the battle and causing the army to be defeated. Everyone thought this was appropriate; indeed, it could rectify the army and deter the four directions, the saying goes, 'punishing one serves as a warning to all.' However, we heard that you believed Lu Ji was plotting rebellion and wanted to exterminate his entire family. Many people do not understand the reasoning behind this. When the court rewards people, it is to share joy together; punishing wrongdoers publicly serves to reject evil together. Therefore, punishment has always been very cautious. Now you are raising troops to suppress the bandits in order to pacify the country in peril; the entire nation stands united in response. The fate of criminals hangs by a thread, and a peaceful and prosperous era is imminent. The Lu brothers have been favored by you, shouldering important responsibilities; they should not betray your kindness by siding with the soon-to-be-defeated enemies, giving up a stable life and taking great risks. Just because Lu Ji's strategy is too superficial, he cannot command the generals well, resulting in failure to kill the enemy successfully. There are some ambiguities in his decisions, so you have not seen the truth of the matter. Executing someone is a major event. Claiming that Lu Ji shows signs of rebellion, Wang Cui and Qian Xiu should investigate clearly. Wait until the truth is made public, then punish Lu Ji; it is not too late. This current approach is too harsh. If handled properly, everyone will believe it. If handled improperly, people's hearts will disperse. This must be considered carefully and approached with caution! We, as minor officials, are not just pleading for Lu Ji alone, but are worried about the pros and cons of doing so. We dare to speak out just to avoid criticism in the future." The Yingchuan Prefect ignored them. They requested again, and the Yingchuan Prefect hesitated for three days. Lu Zhi said, "Before, Zhao Wang killed the middle army guard Zhao Jun, but pardoned his son Zhao Xiang. Zhao Xiang later fled to you and attacked Zhao Wang together. This is an example!" Cai Ke rushed to the Yingchuan Prefect, bowing his head until he bled, saying, "Lu Ji is resented by Meng Jiu; everyone knows this. Now killing him without clarifying the charges will make everyone doubt. I worry for you!" Several dozen officials who followed Cai Ke in also cried for mercy. The Yingchuan Prefect began to waver and seemed to want to spare Lu Ji. Meng Jiu urged the Yingchuan Prefect to act swiftly against Lu Ji. At that time, Lu Ji was forty-two years old, with two daughters and no sons. His students and former subordinates carried his body back to his hometown of Qinghe for burial, built a tomb, erected a monument in his memory, and worshipped him throughout the four seasons. He wrote three hundred and forty-nine articles and ten chapters of "New Book," which have been passed down through the ages.

At first, Lu Yun went on a trip and stayed overnight near a friend's house. As night fell, he got lost and didn’t know which way to go. Suddenly, he saw a flickering light in the grass and hurried over. He arrived at a house and asked to stay the night. He saw a young man who was very handsome, and their conversation was profound and philosophical. As dawn approached, Lu Yun bid farewell and left, walking over ten miles to his friend's house. It was only then that Lu Yun realized there were no signs of life along that stretch. So, he went back to find the place he had stayed the previous night and discovered that it turned out to be the tomb of Wang Bi. Lu Yun had little knowledge of metaphysics before, but after that discussion on Laozi, his understanding deepened significantly.

Lu Yun's younger brother, Lu Dan, served as the Pingdong Priest and was well-respected. Later, he was killed along with Lu Yun. General Sun Hui, an officer serving under the Grand General, wrote to Zhu Dan, the Interior Minister of Huainan, stating, "I never expected that brothers Lu Ji and Lu Yun were secretly involved in court politics and were tragically killed in an instant. Their studies were cut short, and the pain of their loss is beyond words. The country has lost such exceptional talents, and the grief is beyond words!" It can be seen that the local community mourned deeply for the deaths of Lu Ji and Lu Yun. Later, Prince Sima Yue of Donghai attacked Yingzhou and issued a nationwide proclamation, accusing Yingzhou of the murders of brothers Lu Ji and Lu Yun.

Lu Xi, also known by his courtesy name Gongzhong. His father, Lu Mao, served as the Minister of Personnel in the State of Wu. Lu Xi held various official positions in Wu, eventually rising to Minister of Personnel. He gained fame at a young age for his studiousness and talent. He once wrote an autobiography, the gist of which is as follows: "After Liu Xiang read 'Xinyu', he wrote 'Xin Xu', and after Huan Tan read 'Xin Xu', he wrote 'Xin Lun'. I, feeling unworthy, was inspired by Ziyun's 'Fayan' to write 'Yandao', admired Jia Yi's talent, which led me to write 'Fang Lun', studied 'Hong Fan' by Zizheng and subsequently wrote 'Ancient and Modern History', referenced Jiang Zitong's 'Wanji' before writing 'Shenji', and after reading 'Youtong', 'Sixuan', and 'Sichou', I wrote 'Yubin' and 'Jiusi', feeling truly ashamed!" He authored nearly a hundred works.

Wu Ping wrote a book called "Qing Lun of Xizhou," which has been passed down to this day. He used Zhuge Liang's tone to express his own views. There is an article in the book called "On Comparative Quality," which says: "Someone asked me if Xue Ying is the top national scholar? I answered, 'Logically speaking, his ranking is probably around fourth or fifth.' The person asking was very surprised and asked again, 'Then who do you think is the most powerful?' I replied, 'Sun Hao, that tyrant—cruel and unscrupulous, like a hidden dragon or a crouching tiger, quietly lurking, deeply concealed, making him hard to fathom, that is the first place.' 'Content with a life of seclusion, not chasing after high office or wealth, content with farming, peaceful and low desires, indifferent to fame and fortune, this is the second place.' 'Open and honest, dedicated to the country, wishing to contribute to its governance, not fearing the powerful, daring to speak directly, not afraid of power during their rule, this is the third place.' 'Able to adjust strategies according to changes in the situation, able to showcase their talents even in chaotic times, always loyal to the country, and timely proposing some beneficial suggestions, this is the fourth place.' 'Gentle and respectful, cautious and careful, not flattering, although without outstanding achievements, able to safeguard their own well-being, this is the fifth place.' 'Those who surpass these five are not worth mentioning again. Therefore, those ranked in the top two often remain obscure and later regret it; while those ranked third and beyond, although they have gained a certain reputation and status, are also more likely to invite trouble. Therefore, truly wise individuals conceal their brilliance and adopt a gentle, unassuming demeanor.' The person asking said, 'I have gained so much from your insightful words today; I will remember them for a lifetime!'"

During the Taikang period, the court issued an edict, stating: "The false Grand Secretary Lu Xi and fifteen others, known as loyal and upright scholars in the south, were unable to find their footing in Sun Hao's court because of their integrity and honesty. Some were punished for their loyalty, while others retreated to the mountains to engage in self-cultivation. The court decided to demote them and reappoint them to their original official ranks, instructing all regions to treat them with respect, escort them to their new positions, and rearrange their duties based on their abilities." Thus, Lu Xi was appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance, but soon passed away. His son Lu Yu later became Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and the Prefect of Yiyang.

Ancient people said: "Even if the talents of the state of Chu are abundant, the state of Jin will also value them." Consider the two brothers Lu Ji and Lu Yun, the pillars of Jingzhou and Hengzhou, brilliant and exceptional since childhood, graceful and distinguished, standing out in their time, with eloquent and passionate speeches seldom matched throughout history. Their writings are extraordinarily brilliant, shining like a bright moon; their rhetoric unfolds in layers, grand like overlapping mountains. Their articles are clear and structured, like lightning piercing the sky, melting frost and snow; their sentences flow effortlessly, like pearls on a string, harmonious like fine jade. Their writings are profound and elegant, with meanings that are both broad and clear, far surpassing Mei Cheng and Sima Xiangru, on par with Wang Bao and Liu Xiang, making them unparalleled figures in the literary world for centuries.

Their distinguished ancestors held power in the state of Wu, excelling in both civil and military roles, serving as generals for generations. Lu Ji possessed the talent for governing the nation and serving the people, a pillar of the country, who should have inherited his ancestors' glory, assisted the monarch, showcased his talents, and achieved merit. Unfortunately, with the fall of the state of Wu and the loss of Jinling, the monarch was killed, their family was destroyed, and they were forced to migrate south. Like birds migrating south and fish swimming upstream, they all met their end in those chaotic times. As a result, the two Lu brothers died young, leading to the family's decline. With their aspirations unfulfilled, they died prematurely—a true tragedy!

A person's standing in society should be based on accomplishments; in politics, one should aspire to wealth and prestige. However, everyone wants wealth and prestige while trying to avoid disaster and disgrace. Therefore, preserving a good reputation in a stable environment is the mark of a true gentleman; a wise person wouldn’t risk danger in the pursuit of wealth and status. Just like orchids growing by the roadside will not stay green for long, while osmanthus trees growing in quiet valleys will remain vibrant red for a long time. This is not because orchids dislike the roadside or osmanthus trees prefer valleys, but because their different environments lead to different destinies. Therefore, boasting about one’s talents rarely leads to lasting stability; hiding talents and choosing the right time is what ensures self-preservation.

Looking at the experiences of Lu Ji and Lu Yun, their wisdom pales in comparison to their remarkable writings. From their experiences, we learn a truth: knowing is easy, but doing is hard. They believed their exceptional talents were enough to establish themselves, assist the ruler, maintain their reputation, and honor their ancestors. Yet, they failed to recognize the social unrest and uncertainty of their times. They could neither uphold justice nor withdraw to save themselves, instead wholeheartedly serving a troubled country and assisting a foolish ruler. Their loyalty went unrecognized, and instead they were met with slander and suspicion, ultimately leading to their premature deaths and the decline of their family. Just like the dog from Shangcai that failed to learn its lesson, and the crane from Huating ultimately regretting its choices. It’s truly regrettable that the Lu family ultimately died out! Three generations of generals, yet the disaster persisted for their descendants; executing and betraying ministers is ill-fated, with calamity affecting future generations.

Therefore, the Battle of Xiling marked the beginning of this disaster, while the Battle of Heqiao marked its end. This is fate—can it really be swayed by human effort?!