Deng Yu, style name Zhonghua, was originally from Xinye, a town in Nanyang. At the age of thirteen, he could recite poetry and later traveled to Chang'an to pursue his studies. At that time, Emperor Guangwu was also in the capital studying. Although Deng Yu was young, he instantly recognized that Emperor Guangwu was no ordinary man, and they quickly became good friends. A few years later, Deng Yu went back home.
Later, the Han army rose in rebellion, leading to Emperor Gengshi's ascension to the throne. Many heroes recommended Deng Yu for an official position, but he refused. After Emperor Guangwu established his base in Hebei, Deng Yu, leaning on a crutch, crossed the Yellow River and caught up with Emperor Guangwu in Ye City. Emperor Guangwu was very happy to see him and asked, "Now that I have been crowned king, why have you traveled such a long distance to join me? Do you want to be an official?" Deng Yu replied, "No." Emperor Guangwu then asked, "If you don't want to be an official, what do you want?" Deng Yu said, "I simply hope that you can bring peace to the world. I wish to contribute to the country and leave a mark in history." Emperor Guangwu smiled, let him stay, and chatted with him. Deng Yu continued, "Although Emperor Gengshi occupied the Guanzhong region, the Shandong region has not yet stabilized. There are many rebellions in the Sanfu region, with many soldiers and horses gathering. Emperor Gengshi has not achieved any military merits, and his generals are incompetent and only care about money and power. They only think about their own enjoyment and lack loyalty, integrity, wisdom, and foresight to support the emperor and stabilize the people. Now the situation is very severe. Although you have made great contributions to assisting the emperor, it may not be enough to stabilize the situation. The best way now is to recruit talents, pacify the people, inherit the achievements of the ancestor Liu Bang, and save the people of the world. It is probably not enough to consider the affairs of the world by yourself." Emperor Guangwu was delighted to hear this and immediately appointed Deng Yu as General Deng, often keeping him close to discuss important matters.
Once upon a time, Wang Lang rebelled, and Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu fled from Jixian to Xindu. He sent messengers on swift horses to find Deng Yu, gathered a team of several thousand, and appointed him as their leader to confront the Bronze Horse Army at Leyang. Upon arriving in Guang'a, Emperor Guangwu stood on the city wall, spread out the map, pointed at it, and said to Deng Yu, "Look, there are so many states and counties in the world, and we have just taken down one of them. You used to say that I was worried about the challenges of pacifying the realm, why do you ask?" Deng Yu replied, "Now the whole country is in chaos, and the common people are yearning for a wise ruler to emerge, just like children are looking forward to their kind mother. In ancient times, those who achieved greatness did so through moral integrity, not sheer power." Emperor Guangwu was greatly pleased to hear this. At that time, Emperor Guangwu appointed generals, often sought Deng Yu's counsel, and the candidates Deng Yu recommended were always well-suited. Emperor Guangwu believed he had a remarkable talent for assessing people. Later, Emperor Guangwu sent Deng Yu to lead the cavalry, along with Gai Yan and others, to confront the Bronze Horse Army at Qingyang. Gai Yan and the others arrived first, but the battle did not go in their favor, and they retreated to the city, where they were surrounded by the enemy. Deng Yu arrived later, fought with the enemy, defeated them, and even captured the enemy's general as a prisoner. Following Emperor Guangwu's lead, they pursued the enemy to Puyang, achieving a series of significant victories and effectively pacifying the northern region.
After the Chimei Army entered Guanzhong, Emperor Gengshi dispatched Wang Kuang, King Chengdan of Xiangyi, General Liu Jun, and other generals to respectively guard Hedong and Hongnong to resist the Chimei Army. However, the Chimei Army was vast, and Wang Kuang and his men couldn't withstand them. Emperor Guangwu estimated that the Chimei Army would definitely break through Chang'an. He wanted to seize Guanzhong, but he was occupied in Shandong and was at a loss for what to do. He thought that Deng Yu was a level-headed and perceptive individual, so he entrusted him with the plan for the western campaign. Emperor Guangwu appointed Deng Yu as the Frontline General, gave him the seal, selected twenty thousand elite soldiers, and let him lead the troops westward into Guanzhong, allowing him to choose officials below the rank of deputy general. So, Deng Yu took Han Xin as his military advisor, Li Wen, Li Chun, and Cheng Lu as ritual officials, Feng Yi as the General of Crossbow Units, Fan Chong as the General of Valiant Cavalry, Zong Xin as the General of Chariot Cavalry, Deng Xun as the General of Establishing Might, Geng Yan as the General of Chimei, Zuo Yu as the Military Advisor General, and they marched westward in grand fashion.
In January of the 25th year AD, Liu Xiu (styled Wenshu, later known as Emperor Guangwu) sent the great general Feng Yi (styled Zitong) to march from Jiguan to Hedong. The commander of Hedong steadfastly defended the pass, so Feng Yi fought for ten days before breaking through the city gate, seizing over a thousand supply carts. Then, Feng Yi besieged Anyi, but was unable to breach it for several months.
The Grand General of the Gengshi regime, Fan Can, led tens of thousands of troops, intending to strike Feng Yi from the Dayang direction. Feng Yi sent troops to Jianan to intercept, resulting in a decisive victory, killing Fan Can. Subsequently, Wang Kuang, Cheng Dan, Liu Jun, and others rallied over a hundred thousand troops for another assault on Feng Yi. Feng Yi's forces found themselves at a disadvantage, and Fan Chong fell in battle.
As night fell, the battle ended. Military strategist Han Xin and other generals saw that the losses were heavy and advised Feng Yi to escape at night. However, Feng Yi did not listen. The next day, they believed it was an inauspicious day for battle, so they remained in the camp all day. Feng Yi took the opportunity to reorganize the army and boost morale.
The next morning, Wang Kuang led all the troops to attack Feng Yi. Feng Yi ordered the soldiers not to move. When the enemy army approached the camp, Feng Yi ordered the generals to beat the drums and attack together, leading to a crushing defeat for Wang Kuang's forces. Wang Kuang and others abandoned the army and fled, while Feng Yi led light cavalry to pursue, capturing Liu Jun, the Prefect of Hedong, Yang Bao, and Colonel Mijiang, who were all beheaded. They also confiscated six seals, five hundred seal cords, and countless weapons, completely pacifying the Hedong region.
Afterwards, Feng Yi was appointed by the imperial court as the Prefect of Hedong and reappointed the county magistrates to appease the local people. In the same month, Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne in Hao and sent envoys holding the imperial edict to appoint Feng Yi as the Grand Minister of Works. The edict read: "General Feng Yi: You understand righteousness, are loyal and filial, provide strategies for Us, make plans from afar, and achieve victories from thousands of miles away. Confucius said: 'Since I have Yan Hui as a disciple, my students have become closer to me day by day.' You have captured enemy generals and flags, pacified Shanxi, and your contributions are outstanding. The people are not yet close to the court, and the Way of the Five Constants has not been fully implemented. As the Minister of Works, you must promote the Five Teachings, implement benevolent governance, and the emphasis should be on generosity. We are sending you the seals and cords, appointing you as the Marquis of Zan, with a fief that includes ten thousand households. We hope you will be cautious and careful!" Feng Yi was only twenty-four years old at the time.
I crossed the Fen River and entered Xiayang province. At that time, Colonel Gong Chengshe, the Left Assistant Prefect of the Central Army in the Xin Dynasty, led his hundred thousand troops to join forces with Left Feng Yi's army in the Yamen against Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu emerged victorious, allowing the Red Eyebrow Army to march into Chang'an.
At that time, the Three Fushi region suffered consecutive defeats, and wherever the Red Eyebrow Army went, they burned, killed, and looted, leaving the common people in despair. Hearing that Liu Xiu was winning battles and that his army was disciplined, everyone hurried to welcome his army with gifts, and thousands surrendered every day, quickly increasing the army's size to a million. Wherever Liu Xiu went, he stopped to rest, reassure his soldiers and the people, and was welcomed by people of all ages dressed in white hats, crowding around his chariot, all moved and filled with joy. His reputation spread throughout the western region. The emperor greatly appreciated him and praised him in several edicts.
Numerous generals and heroes urged Liu Xiu to launch a direct assault on Chang'an. Liu Xiu said, "No! Even though we have a large number of troops now, only a few are battle-ready, and there's no solid base ahead and no logistical support behind us. The Red Eyebrow Army has just taken Chang'an, is wealthy, and strong in battle, making them formidable opponents. Moreover, those bandits are a disorganized mob with no long-term strategy. Although they have a lot of wealth, they face many uncertainties. Can they withstand the pressure? The three counties of Shangjun, Beidi, and Anding have abundant land, food, and livestock. I will lead the troops north to rest, replenish our supplies, and regain our strength, assess the weaknesses of the Red Eyebrow Army, and then make plans." Thus, Liu Xiu marched his army north to Xuanyi. Wherever Liu Xiu went, he defeated the Red Eyebrow Army's commanders and various encampments, and the counties opened their gates in surrender. Zong Yu, the Prefect of Xihe, even sent his son with a letter of surrender, and Liu Xiu sent him to the capital.
The emperor felt that the Guanzhong region had not yet been pacified, and yet Wang Yu, the nephew of Grand Tutor Wang Mang, still did not launch an attack. Therefore, he issued a decree stating, "Grand Tutor, you are as wise as Yao, while those rebels are as tyrannical as Jie of Xia. The officials and people of Chang'an are all restless and do not know who to rely on. You should take this opportunity to send troops to pacify the Western Capital and stabilize the hearts of the people." Wang Yu still insisted on his previous plan, so he dispatched generals to attack the various counties of Shangjun, recruited soldiers, gathered supplies, and transported provisions, and finally returned to Dayao (placename). He then assigned Feng Yin and Zong Xin to defend Xunyi (placename). These two men vied for power and profit, with Feng Yin eventually killing Zong Xin, and then turning to attack Wang Yu. Wang Yu informed the emperor of this.
The emperor asked the messenger, "Who is the closest trusted person to Feng Yin?" The messenger replied, "The guard Huang Fang." The emperor anticipated that Feng Yin and Huang Fang wouldn't be able to work together for long and would inevitably clash, so he sent a letter to Wang Yu saying, "The one who can capture Feng Yin will surely be Huang Fang." He then dispatched Minister Zong Guang, bearing the emperor's seal, to convince Huang Fang to surrender. More than a month later, Huang Fang successfully captured Feng Yin and surrendered with his troops. The generals of the Xin Dynasty, Wang Kuang, Hu Yin, and others also surrendered to Zong Guang and headed east together. Upon reaching Anyi (placename), Wang Kuang and Hu Yin attempted to flee, but Zong Guang had them executed. When Feng Yin arrived in Luoyang, he was granted a pardon and spared from execution.
In the spring of the second year, the emperor once again appointed Wang Yu as the Marquis of Liang by sending envoys, granting him the revenues from four counties as his fief. At this time, the Red Eyebrow Army retreated west to Fufeng, while Wang Yu marched south to Chang'an, where his army was stationed at Kunming Pool to reward his soldiers. He led his generals in fasting and bathing, selecting an auspicious day to conduct a solemn sacrificial ceremony, worshiping at the ancestral temple and enshrining the tablets of eleven emperors, from the Yellow Emperor to Emperor Cheng of Han. He then dispatched envoys to escort these tablets to Luoyang, inspected the tombs of former emperors, and arranged for officials and soldiers to stand guard over them.
It is said that Wang Mang's army fought a battle with Yancen in Lantian, but were defeated and retreated to Yunyang to hide. At this time, Liu Jia, the King of Hanzhong, surrendered to Wang Mang. Liu Jia's Prime Minister Li Bao was arrogant and disrespectful, prompting Wang Mang to kill him in a fit of rage. Li Bao's brother led Li Bao's subordinates to attack Wang Mang, and even killed Wang Mang's general Geng Yan. Since Feng Yi's rebellion, Wang Mang's prestige had declined significantly, coupled with a shortage of food, leading many who had surrendered to flee again. As a result, the Red Eyebrow Army marched back to Chang'an, and Wang Mang fought them but lost, fleeing all the way to Gaoling. The soldiers, hungry and exhausted, could only eat dates and wild vegetables to fill their hunger. The Emperor summoned Wang Mang back and issued an order, "The Red Eyebrow Army has no food; they'll come to the east on their own. I'll deal with them when the time comes; there's no need for you generals to worry. Do not send troops without permission in the future!" Wang Mang felt ashamed for taking on a task he failed to complete; he had led hungry soldiers into battle several times, all resulting in failure. In the spring of the third year of his rule, he and the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Deng Hong, attacked the Red Eyebrow Army together but were defeated again, causing the soldiers to scatter. This event is also documented in the "Biography of Feng Yi." In the end, only Wang Mang returned to Yiyang with 24 cavalry, returning the seals of the Grand Tutor and the Marquis of Liang to the Emperor. The Emperor approved his return of the seals. After a few months, he was appointed as the Right General. After his defeat in Dongyang, Yancen allied with Qin Feng. In the spring of the fourth year, they again targeted the Shunyang area. The Emperor dispatched Wang Mang along with General Deng Ye, the Restorer of Han, and General Yu Kuang, the Assistant to Han, to attack Yancen. They defeated Yancen at Deng County and pursued him all the way to Wudang Mountain, defeating him once again. Yancen fled to Hanzhong, while the remaining followers surrendered.
Thirteen years later, the realm was at peace. The meritorious officials were promoted and granted more land and subjects. The emperor appointed Wang Mang as the Marquis of Gaomi, entrusting him with the governance of Gaomi, Chang'an, Yian, and Chunyu counties. The emperor recognized Wang Mang's significant contributions and appointed his brother Wang Kuan as the Marquis of Mingqin as well. The posts of Left and Right Generals were abolished, and Wang Mang was appointed to a special advisory role at court. Wang Mang was a cultured and virtuous man, deeply filial to his mother. Despite having thirteen sons, he consistently sought to distance himself from fame and fortune. He taught each son a trade and managed his household well, serving as a model for future generations. Although he owned land and estates, he never pursued personal gain through commercial endeavors. The emperor held him in even higher esteem. In the first year of Zhongyuan, he was appointed Minister of Works. He accompanied the emperor on hunting expeditions and took part in the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai. After Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, he appointed Wang Mang as the Grand Tutor, bestowing upon him great favor in recognition of his service to the previous emperor. Wang Mang fell ill a year later. The emperor visited him multiple times and appointed his two sons as court officials. Wang Mang passed away in the first year of Yongping, at the age of fifty-seven, posthumously titled the Marquis Yuan. Legend has it that the emperor divided Yu's fiefdom into three principalities, with his eldest son, Zhen, becoming the Marquis of Gaomi and later inheriting the title of Marquis of Chang'an, while the second son, Zhen, was appointed as the Marquis of Yian.
Yu's youngest son, Hong, was particularly good at strategizing. During the Yongping era, he was appointed as a junior marquis. Later, he was summoned to the palace to participate in discussions on border affairs. The emperor thought highly of him and promoted him to Chief of Military Affairs, leading five armies stationed at Yanmen Pass. During the reign of Suzong, he was promoted to General of the Northern Expeditions. In the Yongyuan period, he went on a campaign against the Xiongnu with the Grand General Dou Xian, achieved military accomplishments, was recalled by the court, and promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Later, while pursuing the fleeing Xiongnu leader Fenghou beyond the frontier, he was imprisoned due to delays in his journey and eventually died in prison.
After the death of Marquis Zhen of Gaomi, his son Qian inherited the title. Qian also married Princess Qinshui, daughter of Emperor Xianzong. In the fourteenth year of the Yongyuan era, the scandal involving Empress Yin and witchcraft was exposed. Qian's cousin, who was the Empress's nephew, was executed, and Qian was implicated, resulting in the revocation of his title. In the first year of Yuanxing, Emperor He restored Qian's title and appointed him as a Palace Minister. After Qian's death, his son Cheng inherited the title; after Cheng's death, his son Bao inherited the title. Bao married Princess Wuyin, the sister of Emperor An, and during Emperor Huan's reign, he became the Minister of Finance. After Bao's death, his eldest son inherited the title; his youngest son Chang inherited his mother's title, becoming the Marquis of Wuyin, also serving as the Minister of the Yellow Gate.
The title of Chang'an Marquis was passed down to his son Fan, who married Princess Pinggao, daughter of Emperor Xianzong, and during Emperor He's reign, he became a Palace Minister.
Kang, the Duke of Yi An, has shown great integrity since childhood. His older brother inherited the title, but he had no heirs. In the sixth year of the Yongchu era, Kang inherited the title of Yi Anhou. At that time, titleholders typically received only half of the taxes from their original fiefdoms, but Kang, being a relative of the Empress Dowager, received two-thirds and even ceded the position of Shicihou to the Yueqi Xiaowei. Because the Empress Dowager had been in power for a long time, the influence of the imperial family grew. Kang repeatedly urged the Empress Dowager to prioritize the imperial family and diminish private influence in his letters to Changle Palace, speaking with great sincerity. But the Empress Dowager did not listen to him. Kang felt both fearful and anxious, and in the first year of Yongning, he feigned illness and did not attend court. The Empress Dowager sent palace attendants to ask him what was going on. The palace was bustling with activity, and many people would gossip behind their backs. Some of the senior palace attendants praised Kang as a virtuous man. The Empress Dowager sent a former servant from Kang's household, who, like those senior palace attendants, praised Kang as a good person. Upon hearing this, Kang rebuked her, "You came from my family and dare to say that?" The servant girl was incensed, went back, and said that Kang was pretending to be sick, and also claimed he was rude. The Empress Dowager, enraged, dismissed Kang from his position, relegated him back to his fiefdom, and severed his ties with the imperial family. Later, Kang's cousin, Deng Zhong, was murdered, and Emperor An summoned Kang back to court to serve as Zhongzhong. After Emperor Shun took the throne, Kang became the Taifu. He was known for his integrity and held a stellar reputation in the court. Later, he resigned due to illness and was posthumously elevated to Tejin. He passed away in the third year of the Yangjia era and was posthumously honored with the title of Yi Hou.
This is a comment on him: Let me say, during times of change, the mutual selection between ruler and subject is the beginning of planning! Deng Yu, when he was young and simple, braved the chaos to seek refuge with Emperor Guangwu; he was a man of insight. Then he dispatched a portion of his army to attack the gaps in Shanxi, shaking the borders, and the soldiers were as eager as if they were heading home. Although he did not fully achieve his goals, his actions were nonetheless commendable! As his power waned, his army dispersed, and he fell from a prominent position in the court to a commoner, from glory and wealth to obscurity; he remained composed and uncomplaining. Regardless of advancement or retreat, he had no complaints against the emperor, preserving a harmonious relationship between ruler and subject, one that future generations could hardly comprehend—this is not the behavior of a nobleman!
Xun Ping Shu was Yu's sixth son. He had lofty ambitions from a young age and was not fond of studying, often receiving criticism from Yu. After Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne, he initially appointed him as a junior official. Xun was willing to help those of lower status, and many scholars and officials sought refuge with him.
During the Yongping period, he was in charge of managing the Hutuo River and Shijiu River, from Dulu to Yangchang Cang, aiming to make these two rivers navigable. The officials and people of Taiyuan were exhausted, and for several years they could not complete the task, with countless people losing their lives in the 389 perilous locations along the transport route.
In the year 78 AD, I was appointed as an advisor to Xun, responsible for supervising a project. I carefully studied the project and found it too difficult to complete, with significant costs involved, so I reported to the emperor, explaining the difficulties. The emperor accepted my suggestion, halted the project, and switched to transporting goods by donkey cart, resulting in substantial annual savings and saving the lives of thousands of laborers.
Later, the governor of Shanggu, Ren Xing, wanted to attack the Chisha Wuhuan, but the Wuhuan harbored resentment and conspired to rebel. The emperor sent me with the army from Liyang to station in Hudu as a precaution. I reassured the border residents and earned the deep affection of the people of Youzhou.
In the year 81 AD, I was promoted to the position of Colonel of the Wuhuan. Many of my friends from Liyang, along with their families, happily followed me to the border. The Xianbei people heard of my reputation and kindness and dared not approach the border. In the year 83 AD, Liang Hu, the son of Princess Wuyin, committed a crime. Because of my private correspondence with him, I was implicated as well and was dismissed, returning to my hometown.
In the year 813 AD, the Lushui Hu tribe rebelled, and the emperor appointed me as an envoy. I hurried to Wuwei in a postal carriage and was then appointed as the Prefect of Zhangye.
In the year 88 AD, Zhang Yu, the Guardian of the Qiang, killed the Shaodang Qiang. This provoked a strong backlash, and the Qiang were further enraged, planning to seek revenge. The court was very worried about this. The ministers recommended Deng Xun to take over from Zhang Yu as Guardian. The Qiang formed alliances and planned to seek revenge together. Over forty thousand people gathered, intending to wait for the river to freeze before crossing it to attack Deng Xun.
Earlier, a small group of Yuezhi Hu people lived within the border with two to three thousand cavalry, strong in combat and wealthy. They often fought against the Qiang and could win against larger numbers. Although the Han Dynasty sometimes used them to attack each other, they would also buy them off at the right time. At this time, the son of Mei Wu, Mei Tang, joined forces with the Qiang of Wuwei, totaling ten thousand cavalry, and arrived at the border. They hesitated to attack Deng Xun and instead threatened the Yuezhi Hu tribe. Deng Xun fortified the city to prevent conflict between the Yuezhi Hu and the Qiang. Many believed that allowing the Qiang and Hu to fight each other would be advantageous for the court, a strategy referred to as "using one barbarian group to control another."
Deng Xun said, "No! Zhang Yu has lost the people's trust and angered so many Qiang people. Our army has been stationed there year-round with a force of no less than 20,000 men, and the transportation costs alone have depleted the national treasury. The officials and citizens of Liangzhou are suffering. The reason why these Hu tribes are difficult to control is that the court lacks trust! They are in a critical situation now. If we use kindness and virtue to influence them, we might be able to make some progress." So Deng Xun ordered the city gates and the gates of the government garden to be opened, allowing all the Hu tribes to bring their wives, children, and elderly into the city, and sent soldiers to protect them. The Qiang found nothing to loot and dared not pressure the Hu tribes, so they had to leave in defeat.
From then on, the Hu tribes in the Huangzhong area all said, "Before the Han Dynasty always wanted to fight us, but now Sir Deng treats us with kindness and trust, and opens the city gates for us to bring our families in, allowing us to reunite." They were all very happy, bowing in gratitude and saying, "We will follow your commands, Sir!" Deng Xun then adopted several hundred young and strong Hu tribesmen as his militia.
It is said that the Qiang and Hu people have a strange belief. They feel ashamed to die of illness. When someone falls seriously ill, they often resort to suicide with a knife. Later, a man named Dou Xian heard about this and ordered that anyone who became seriously ill should be immediately tied up and not allowed to touch a knife, and quickly summon a doctor to treat them. As a result, many people were cured, and both adults and children were especially grateful to him.
So Dou Xian sent many gifts to the Qiang leaders, asking them to spread the word and call for more people to surrender. When Mitang's uncle heard about this, he brought his mother and 800 households from outside the borders to surrender. Dou Xian quickly mobilized 4,000 soldiers from the Han, Hu, and Qiang ethnic groups in the Huangzhong area to pursue Mitang, set up an ambush in Xiegu, and killed more than 600 enemies in one go, capturing tens of thousands of cattle, sheep, and horses.
Mi Tang was in a panic this time, leading his troops to escape to the valleys around the Greater and Lesser Yulin, hiding there while his men scattered and fled. When spring came, Mi Tang wanted to return to his homeland to farm, but Dou Xian gathered six thousand troops from Huangzhong, led by Chief Historian Ren Shang. They even constructed leather boats and placed them on bamboo rafts to cross the river and attack Mi Tang's camp, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing numerous supplies. They then pursued them northward. During the night, Ren Shang and his men were ambushed by the Qiang, but eventually, the Han army joined forces with the surrendered Qiang and Hu to launch a counterattack, securing a decisive victory, killing more than 1800 enemies in total, capturing over two thousand people, and seizing more than thirty thousand cattle, sheep, and horses, effectively annihilating Mi Tang's troops.
Seeing that the situation was lost, Mi Tang quickly led the remaining defeated soldiers westward for over a thousand miles, as the small tribes along the way betrayed him. The leader of the Shaodang tribe, Dong Hao, was frightened and quickly surrendered, expressing his willingness to die in atonement. The others also surrendered obediently, offering hostages. At this point, everyone was willing to submit, and Dou Xian's prestige suddenly soared. So Dou Xian withdrew his stationed troops, allowing everyone to return home. Only over two thousand prisoners remained to work in the fields, assist the poor, and repair the walls and fortifications.
In the second year of Yongyuan, the Grand General Dou Xian stationed his troops in Wuwei. Because Dou Xian was well-versed in the strategies of the Qiang and Hu, he reported to the court, requesting to coordinate actions with Dou Xian. Initially, Dou Xian had a good relationship with the Ma family but had a less favorable relationship with other members of the Dou family. Later, when Dou Xian was killed, he too could not escape his fate and suffered the same misfortune.
Deng Xun, although usually very lenient and tolerant towards subordinates, was very strict in disciplining his children at home. His brothers both revered and feared him. When children came to see him, he never greeted them warmly and would not let them sit down. In the winter of the fourth year of his reign, he died at the age of fifty-three. Local officials and the Qiang and Hu people all held him in great affection and respect, with thousands of people coming to see him every day. The custom there was that when parents died, one should not cry but should ride a horse and sing loudly. However, after Deng Xun's death, it was said that everyone cried out; some even inflicted wounds upon themselves with knives and slaughtered their own dogs, horses, cows, and sheep, as they slaughtered them, crying out, "Lord Deng has died; let us die alongside him!" The officials attempted to restrain them and reported the situation to Commandant Xu Yan. Xu Yan sighed and remarked, "This is an expression of loyalty and righteousness!" and let them go. Subsequently, every household erected a shrine in honor of Deng Xun, and whenever they fell ill, they would come to the shrine to pray for blessings.
In the first year of the Yuanxing era, Emperor He, because Deng Xun was the father of the Empress, sent envoys with the emperor's seal to Deng Xun's tomb, posthumously bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Pingshou and issued a posthumous edict in his honor. The Empress personally attended the sacrificial rites, and all the officials participated in the ceremony. The title "Duke of Pingshou" surely sounded very honorable!
Deng Xun had five sons: Zhi, Jing, Kui, Hong, and Chang.
The eldest son, Zhi, known as Zhaobo, served in the household of General Dou Xian in his youth. Later, his sister rose to nobility, and his brothers were promoted to official positions. His sister eventually became the Empress, known as Empress Xi. Zhi received three promotions, ultimately becoming the General of the Tiger Warriors. His other sons Jing, Kui, Hong, and Chang all became Yellow Gate Attendants. Jing passed away while in office. In the first year of the Yanping era, Zhi was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, holding the title of Equal in Three Offices. This title of "Equal in Three Offices" was first instituted by Zhi! Kui also became the General of the Tiger Warriors, while Hong and Chang became Palace Attendants.
After the death of the Shang Emperor, the Empress Dowager and Bu Zhi and others decided to enthrone Emperor An. Kui was promoted to City Gate Captain, and Hong was promoted to the General of the Tiger Warriors. After the death of the He Emperor, Zhi and his brothers frequently remained in the palace. Zhi, being humble, preferred not to stay in the palace for extended periods. After multiple requests, the Empress Dowager finally consented to his plea over a year later.
In the first year of the Yongchu era, the emperor bestowed the title of Marquis of Cai upon Feng Zhai, and the three ministers—Kui, Hong, and Chang—were respectively conferred the titles of Marquis of Ye, Marquis of Xiping, and Marquis of Xihua, each granted a fief of ten thousand households. Due to Feng Zhai's significant contributions to strategic planning, the emperor also rewarded him with an additional three thousand households. However, Feng Zhai and the others resolutely declined, no matter how they were persuaded. In the end, they ultimately chose to hide and avoid the messengers, sneaking to the imperial palace gates to present their thoughts to the emperor. They said, "We brothers have mediocre talents, no real abilities; we merely benefited from our relatives' influence and the current era of peace, which allowed us to enjoy the emperor's favor, attain high positions, and bask in glory. But we truly possess no real abilities and cannot assist the emperor in any meaningful way, feeling both ashamed and fearful, unsure of how to proceed. Your Majesty, you are inherently wise and virtuous, having endured immense pressure during the country's turmoil, yet you have made wise decisions, stabilizing the throne and inheriting the empire. Your wise decisions and remarkable achievements are far beyond our capabilities, yet we are honored with such titles as marquises. When we received the imperial edict, we were filled with fear and unease. Looking back at history, the rise and fall of dynasties have served as a warning for us, instilling even greater fear in us. Although we may lack foresight and wisdom, we still hope to be cautious and vigilant, to remain loyal and honest, serve you wholeheartedly, repay your grace, and protect our lives. We are acutely aware of our status and will not pursue wealth and honor. We cannot accept the titles for fear of bringing calamity upon ourselves. We are filled with fear and desperation, risking our lives to implore you to rescind the orders."
The empress dowager initially disagreed, and Feng Zhi repeatedly submitted memorials, probably five or six times in total, before the emperor finally agreed to his request. That summer, there was a rebellion among the Qiang people in the Liangzhou region, attacking Xizhou, which caused great concern for the court. Therefore, the emperor ordered Feng Zhi to lead soldiers from the Imperial Guards, the Northern Army's five regiments, and other various military forces to suppress the rebellion. General He Gong personally bid farewell to Feng Zhi at Pingle Pavilion. Feng Zhi led the army west to camp in Hanyang and dispatched Colonel of the Western Expedition Ren Shang and Central Lang Sima Jun to battle the Qiang people, achieving a significant victory. However, due to the long-term transportation of grain and grass, the people were worn out, and grievances were voiced everywhere. By winter, Feng Zhi was ordered to return to the capital. Due to the empress dowager's influence, the court sent the General of the Five Officials to welcome Feng Zhi, appointing him as Grand General. When the army arrived in Henan, the court sent the Grand Herald to personally welcome them, and court attendants brought beef and wine to the outskirts to reward the troops. Nobles, ministers, and members of the royal family all waited on the road to welcome them. After Feng Zhi returned to the capital, the court held a grand banquet to honor the officials and rewarded him with a large amount of silk and horses. Feng Zhi's glory and status reached their zenith, and his reputation spread throughout the country. At that time, during the great calamity of Yuan Er, the people were starving, dying one after another, banditry was rampant, and the minority ethnic groups on the border also invaded. Hong and his brothers promoted frugality and eliminated oppressive corvée labor, recommended talents such as He Xi, Shu Feng, Yang Jin, Li He, and Tao Dun to the court; and invited people like Yang Zhen, Zhu Chong, and Chen Chan to assist in the administration, so the world finally stabilized.
Four years later, their mother Lady Xinye fell seriously ill. Hong and his brothers together wrote a petition requesting to return home to serve their mother. The Empress Dowager, seeing that Hong was the youngest and renowned for his filial piety, granted his request, providing him with a comfortable carriage and four horses. After their mother's passing, Hong and his brothers once again requested to resign from their official positions and return home to mourn. The Empress Dowager agreed to their repeated petitions. Upon returning to their hometown, they all lived by their mother's grave to mourn. Hong's deep filial piety was deeply moving and became widely known at that time. After the mourning period ended, the court issued a decree for Hong to return to assist in governance, restoring his previous title. Hong and his brothers firmly declined, but eventually they accepted. They all served as officials in the court, ranking below the Three Dukes, and enjoyed privileges akin to those of special advisors and marquises. In important matters, they would attend court meetings to discuss with the officials.
In the second year of Yuanchu, Hong passed away. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor wore mourning clothes made of coarse cloth and stayed at Hong's house. In his youth, Hong studied the "Ouyang Shangshu" and later taught the Emperor. Many Confucian scholars came to revere him. When he was sick, his last words were to keep things simple and avoid extravagant funerary attire. The relevant authorities proposed to posthumously appoint Hong as General of Cavalry, rank him as special advancement, and title him as the Marquis of Xiping. Honoring Hong's wishes, the Empress Dowager did not grant him posthumous titles or attire, but instead rewarded him with ten million coins and ten thousand bolts of cloth, which his brothers graciously declined. Therefore, the Empress Dowager ordered the Grand Herald to posthumously appoint Hong's son Guangde as the Marquis of Xiping. When it came time for the burial, the relevant authorities proposed to mobilize five cavalry regiments to conduct a funeral akin to that of Huo Guang, but the Empress Dowager disagreed, opting for a simple white canopy carriage and two horses, allowing Hong's disciples to accompany the funeral. Later, because Hong was the Emperor's teacher, the court also conferred the title of Duke of Duxiang in Xiping County upon Hong's brother Fude. Four years later, Hong's son Zhen was appointed Marquis of Yang'an, with a fief comprising three thousand five hundred households.
Five years later, Hong's older brother Kui and then Hong both passed away one after another. They both left behind requests for simple burials, explicitly rejecting titles and rewards, and the empress dowager honored their wishes. As a result, Kui's son Guangzong was posthumously granted the title of Marquis Ye, and Hong's son Zhong was posthumously granted the title of Marquis Xihua. My grandfather Yu always taught us, his descendants, to abide by the law, especially warning us not to follow the ways of the Dou family, to always be cautious within the clan, and for the family to live quietly. My son Feng, who serves as an attendant, once wrote a letter to the official Zhang Gang, recommending the official Ma Rong for a key government position. Later, Ren Shang sent a horse to Feng, but it turned out that Ren Shang was arrested for stealing military supplies and taken to the judicial office in a prisoner cart. Feng feared that the matter would leak, so he confessed to me right away. Worried about offending the empress dowager, I shaved both my head and Feng's as an apology. This incident spread far and wide at the time.
In the first year of the Jianguang era, the Empress Dowager passed away before the grand funeral ceremony had been held. The Emperor then ordered me to be appointed as the Marquis of Shangcai, with the title of Tejin. The Emperor was quite intelligent when he was young, but as he grew older, he didn't fare well. His wet nurse, Wang Sheng, saw that the Empress Dowager had long withheld power from the Emperor and worried he might be deposed. She often served alongside the Empress Dowager with the Chamberlain of the Yellow Gates, Li Run, secretly observing. After the Empress Dowager's death, some palace maids who had been punished before held grudges and falsely accused Kuai, Si, and Chang of plotting to learn from the Minister of Works Deng Fang a way to depose the Emperor and wanted to enthrone the Prince of Pingyuan as the new Emperor. When the Emperor heard this, he was furious and ordered the relevant departments to charge Kuai and the others with treason. As a result, Marquis of Xiping Guangde, Marquis of Ye Guangzong, Marquis of Xihua Zhong, Marquis of Yang'an Zhen, and Marquis of Duxiang Fude were all stripped of their titles and reduced to commoners. Since I wasn't part of their conspiracy, I was only dismissed from my position as Tejin and sent back to my fiefdom. Members of my clan were also removed from their official positions and sent back to their hometowns. Our family’s land and property were seized, and Deng Fang's family was exiled to a remote area. The local officials pressured us so intensely that Guangzong and Zhong both took their own lives. Later, I was reappointed as the Marquis of Luo, but my son and I ended up starving to death. My cousin Bao, the Intendant of Henan, General Zun of Liaodong, and the Director of Works Chang also took their own lives. Only Guangde's brother was allowed to remain in the capital because his mother was related to Empress Yan.
Zhu Chong, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, felt that Deng Zhi was wronged, who clearly committed no wrongdoing yet suffered a great misfortune. Thus, he used a cart to transport Deng Zhi's coffin and submitted a petition to the emperor to plead Deng Zhi's case. The memorial stated: "I earnestly request the emperor to investigate this matter thoroughly. Empress He Xi, the mother of Emperor Wen of Han, is of noble character. The Deng brothers are loyal and filial; they worry for the country with all their hearts, and the security of the state and the imperial family depends on their vigilance, ensuring the continuity of the royal lineage. They achieved success and retired, humbly giving up the throne; throughout the generations of imperial relatives, none can compare to them. They deserved to enjoy the rewards of their virtuous actions, but they fell victim to the schemes of palace servants. These individuals are cunning and deceitful, twisting the truth, almost causing chaos in the country, yet their crimes go unpunished. The authorities failed to conduct a thorough investigation and trial, resulting in the cruel persecution of Deng Zhi and others. In a family of seven, none survived; their bodies lay scattered and their spirits remain restless. This is truly an affront to the will of heaven, causing great sorrow and anger among the people. Their remains should be returned to their graves for burial; their orphaned children and widows should be cared for; their spirits should be honored, to bring solace to their spirits in the afterlife."
Zhu Chong knew that his words hit the mark, so he took the initiative to surrender to the court. The emperor issued an edict to remove his official position and let him return to his hometown to farm. Many people believed that Deng Zhi was innocent, and the emperor gradually realized this as well. Therefore, he ordered a reduction of Deng Zhi's charges and allowed Deng Zhi to be reburied at the original burial site at Beimang in Luoyang. All of them were filled with sorrow as the court's officials attended the funeral. The emperor also ordered envoys to present the finest offerings in honor of Deng Zhi, and the descendants of the Deng family returned to the capital. When Emperor Shun took the throne, in remembrance of the Empress Dowager's grace and mercy towards Deng Zhi's injustice, he issued an edict for the Minister of Rites to restore the official positions of Deng Zhi and his relatives, and they were to follow the previous rules when attending court. Deng Zhi's brothers, sons, and twelve former students and officials were all promoted to junior officials, and Zhu Chong was promoted to Grand Commandant, responsible for handling the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.
Zhu Chong, styled Zhongwei, was a native of Jingzhao. He initially worked in Deng Zhi's office and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Prefect of Yingchuan, with notable accomplishments. When he was appointed as Grand Commandant, he was also granted the title of Marquis of Anxiang, receiving great favor from the emperor.
Deng Guangde passed away early. Deng Fude was later summoned to serve as the Prefect of Kaifeng, inheriting his father's legacy. After his mother's death, he resigned from his official position. His wife, Lady Geng, was known for her strong principles and was deeply saddened by the persecution and downfall of the Deng family, as their son Deng Zhi had also passed away early. Therefore, Lady Geng adopted the son of the Prefect of Henan, Bao, as the heir of the Deng family. She educated him in reading and scholarly pursuits, and this child later became famous for his profound knowledge. During the Yongshou period, he studied with Fu Wuji and Yan Du at Dongguan, eventually achieving the position of Cavalry Commandant.
During the Han Dynasty, the daughter of Yu's great-grandson Xiang became the Empress of Emperor Huan of Han. Later, Emperor Huan also appointed Wan Shi, the son of the Liaodong General Zun, as the Marquis of Nanxiang and even appointed him as the Governor of Henan. However, Wan Shi was later deposed, imprisoned, and died in custody, and the other relatives all returned to their hometowns.
The Deng family rose to prominence during the Eastern Han Dynasty, with generations enjoying significant favor and high status. They produced twenty-nine marquises, two dukes, thirteen officials below the Grand General, fourteen officials of the rank of two thousand stones, twenty-two officials of the rank of Colonel, forty-eight provincial governors and county magistrates, and numerous other officials. In the capital city of Luoyang at that time, no other family could compare to them.
Some commentators note that the imperial relatives of the Han Dynasty, spanning both the Eastern and Western Han, from more than ten families, ultimately declined not only because of their arrogance and self-destruction but, more importantly, because they left behind troubles for the emperors, leading to their ultimate failure. Why is this so? Because the favor they enjoyed was not earned by themselves, yet they already held power; they distanced themselves from the emperor while maintaining strict etiquette, yet sought underhanded means to seek personal gain; as soon as they gained favor, they sought to consolidate their power, causing trouble for themselves; once they fell from power, they were easily framed by villains. Alas, it is truly lamentable! Like the brothers Zhi and Kui, who once wielded great power and made great contributions to the royal family, but in the end, they could not escape disaster; perhaps this is why Yue She cried when bidding farewell to the Yan Kingdom!
Kou Xun, styled Ziyi, was a native of Changping County in Shanggu County, from a prominent family. Kou Xun initially served as a county official, and the Prefect, Geng Kuang, held him in high regard.
After Wang Mang's failure, Emperor Gengshi Liu Xuan ascended the throne. The Gengshi Emperor sent envoys to various places to conduct inspections, saying, "Those who surrender first will have their titles restored." Kou Xun accompanied Geng Kuang to the border to greet the envoys. Geng Kuang handed over the seal and ribbon to the envoys, who accepted it but had no intention of returning that night. Kou Xun then mobilized troops to confront the envoys and asked them to return the seal and ribbon to Geng Kuang. The envoys disagreed, responding, "I am the envoy of the Heavenly King. Do you, a mere magistrate, dare to threaten me?" Kou Xun said, "I dare not threaten the esteemed envoy, but I believe your approach is misguided. The realm has only just been pacified, and the court's authority is still not fully established. As the envoy, you are ordered to inspect all directions, and all counties are eagerly awaiting, hoping to submit to the court. You've just arrived in Shanggu and already undermined the court's credibility, diminishing people's willingness to submit to the court, creating rifts. How will you command other counties going forward? Moreover, Prefect Geng has served in Shanggu for many years, well-loved by the people. Now that he has been replaced, if the successor is competent, stabilizing the situation will take time. If the successor is incompetent, it will only lead to further chaos. For your own benefit, esteemed envoy, it is better to return the seal and ribbon to Prefect Geng to stabilize the people's hearts." The envoys still disagreed, so Kou Xun sent someone to summon Geng Kuang with the envoy's order. After Geng Kuang arrived, Kou Xun returned the seal and ribbon to him. The envoys had no choice but to follow the court's orders, and Geng Kuang regained the seal and ribbon.
After Wang Lang rebelled, he sent generals to attack Shanggu County. The situation was critical, and the governor of Shanggu County, Kou Kuang, was worried. Kou Kuang's subordinates, Kou Xun and his secretary, Min Ye, urged him, "The news of rebellion in Handan (Wang Lang's forces) is difficult to confirm. When Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, the only challenge was Liu Bosheng. Now we hear that the Grand Marshal Liu Xiu (later Emperor Guangwu) is Liu Bosheng's brother. He values and nurtures talent, and many people have joined him. We can seek refuge with him!" Kou Kuang hesitated and said, "Handan is currently strong, and it is difficult for us to resist with our own strength. What can we do?" Kou Xun said, "Shanggu County is strategically positioned, boasting a strong army and plentiful resources. We can carefully consider our options and choose who to ally with. I suggest we first unite with Yuyang County, work together, and then we won't have to fear Handan." Kou Kuang agreed to Kou Xun's suggestion and sent him to Yuyang County to strategize with Peng Chong. When Kou Xun returned, he passed through Changping, ambushed Handan's envoys, killing them and capturing their forces, and then headed south with Kou Kuang's son Kou Yan and others to seek refuge with Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu, in Guang'a. Liu Xiu appointed Kou Xun as a deputy general, elevated him to the rank of Marquis Chengyi, and assigned him to join the fight against the rebels. Kou Xun frequently conferred on military matters with Deng Yu, who admired him so much that he hosted a feast in his honor.
After Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu pacified the Henei commandery, Grand Marshal Zhu Wei and others led a large army to occupy Luoyang. Since Bingzhou had not been pacified yet, Emperor Guangwu found it hard to defend, so he asked Deng Yu, "Among the generals, who can defend the Henei commandery?" Deng Yu replied, "In the past, Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang appointed Xiao He to guard Guanzhong, so he didn't have to worry about the rear, allowing him to concentrate on pacifying Shandong and ultimately achieving his great undertakings. Now the Henei commandery has dangerous terrain, a large population, and is connected to the Shangdang commandery in the north and close to Luoyang in the south, making its strategic position extremely important. Kou Xun is skilled in both governance and military leadership, and apart from him, no one else is suitable for this important task!" Therefore, Liu Xiu appointed Kou Xun as the Prefect of Henei, allowing him to act as the Grand General. Emperor Guangwu said to Kou Xun, "The Henei commandery is prosperous, and I will use this as the foundation to start my career. In the past, Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang left Xiao He to guard Guanzhong. Now I entrust the Henei commandery to you. You must stay vigilant in your position, be responsible for transportation, ensure the supply of provisions for the army, train soldiers and horses well, prevent the enemy from advancing north, and stop them from crossing the Yellow River." Emperor Guangwu then again marched north to conquer Yan and Dai commanderies. Kou Xun wrote letters to the various counties, strengthened military training, practiced archery, cut down bamboo in Qiyuan, crafted over a million arrows, raised two thousand warhorses, and collected four million bushels of grain to supply the army.
Zhu Wei heard that Emperor Guangwu was heading north, leaving Hejian Commandery vulnerable. He then sent General Su Mao and Vice General Jia Qiang with over 30,000 soldiers to cross the Gongshui River and attack Wen County. Upon receiving Emperor Guangwu's orders, Kou Xun immediately led his troops out and notified all counties to send troops to gather in Wen County. The officers advised him, "The Luoyang troops are crossing the river one after another. We should wait until all the troops have gathered before attacking." Kou Xun replied, "Wen County is the barrier of Hejian Commandery. If we lose Wen County, Hejian Commandery will not be able to hold." So he hurried to Wen County. The next morning, the two sides engaged in battle. At this time, General Feng Yi sent troops to rescue, and the troops from various counties arrived just in time. Soldiers and horses gathered together, with banners covering the sky. Kou Xun ordered the soldiers to climb the city walls, beat drums, and shout, saying, "General Liu (Emperor Guangwu) has arrived!" When Su Mao's troops heard this news, they were thrown into chaos. Kou Xun seized the opportunity and launched a fierce attack, defeating the enemy, chasing them to the outskirts of Luoyang, and killing Jia Qiang. Many soldiers from Su Mao's army jumped into the river to commit suicide, leading to thousands of deaths, while over 10,000 were captured alive. Kou Xun and Feng Yi crossed the river back. From that point on, the people of Luoyang lived in fear, and the city gates remained shut during the day.
At this time, Emperor Guangwu heard that Zhu Wei had broken through Henei. After a while, news of Kou Xun's victory arrived. Emperor Guangwu was very happy and said, "I know Kou Ziyi (his courtesy name) can be trusted and employed!" All the generals came to congratulate him, and Emperor Guangwu was then enthroned as emperor. At that time, there was a severe shortage of military provisions. Kou Xun used the imperial carriages and horses to continuously transport food, and the Ministry of Personnel distributed rations to the officials daily. The emperor sent letters of encouragement to Kou Xun many times. Kou Xun's fellow student, Dong Chong of Maoling, advised Kou Xun, "The emperor has just ascended to the throne, the realm has yet to be stabilized, and you are occupying such a large commandery at this time, winning the hearts of the people internally, defeating Su Mao externally, and shaking the neighboring enemies. Your achievements and reputation have spread far and wide. This is a time when it is easy to invite the envy and resentment of small-minded individuals. In the past, Xiao He guarded Guanzhong and only gained Emperor Gaozu's trust after listening to Bao Sheng's advice. Now the army you command consists entirely of your relatives and clansmen. Shouldn't you learn from the ancients?" After hearing his words, Kou Xun pretended to be ill and did not attend court.
Emperor Guangwu was about to attack Luoyang and first arrived at Henei. Kou Xun requested to accompany the army on the expedition. Emperor Guangwu said, "Henei cannot afford to lose you right now." Kou Xun requested multiple times, but Emperor Guangwu still did not agree. Therefore, Kou Xun sent his nephew Kou Zhang and his nephew Gu Chong to lead the elite cavalry and requested to be the vanguard. Emperor Guangwu appreciated their spirit and appointed them as vanguard generals.
In the year 26 AD, Kou Xun was dismissed from office for petitioning regarding his grievances. At that time, Yan Zhong and Zhao Dun from Yingchuan gathered a force of over 10,000 and joined forces with Jia Qi from Mixian to become bandits. A few months after Kou Xun's dismissal, he was reappointed as the Prefect of Yingchuan and, together with General Hou Jin, led troops to suppress them. After a few months, Jia Qi's head was chopped off, and the Yingchuan region was fully subdued. The court granted Kou Xun the title of Marquis of Yongnu, with a fief of ten thousand households.
Jia Fu, the Chief of the Imperial Guards, was in Runan at that time. One of his subordinates committed murder in Yingchuan, and Kou Xun arrested the culprit and put him in prison. At that time, the realm had just stabilized, and there were many crimes in the military camps. People usually turned a blind eye, but Kou Xun executed the culprit in broad daylight. Jia Fu felt deeply ashamed and furious. When he returned to Yingchuan, he told those around him, "Both Kou Xun and I are generals of the court, but now I have been harmed by his subordinates. How can a man harbor grievances without seeking revenge? When I see Kou Xun, I will definitely draw my sword and kill him!" Kou Xun was aware of Jia Fu's intentions and avoided meeting him. His subordinate Gu Chong said, "I am your subordinate and can carry a sword by your side. In case of an accident, I can handle it." Kou Xun replied, "No. Back then, Lin Xiangru was not afraid of the King of Qin, but yielded to Lian Po for the good of the nation. Even the small state of Zhao had such magnanimity. How could I forget this principle?" So Kou Xun ordered the local officials to prepare a lavish banquet. When Jia Fu's army entered the territory of Yingchuan, each person had double portions of food. Kou Xun personally went out of the city to welcome them, but feigned illness and returned. Jia Fu led his troops to pursue them, but his soldiers were too drunk to seize the opportunity. Kou Xun sent Gu Chong to report the matter to the emperor, who subsequently summoned Kou Xun to the capital. After arriving in the capital, Kou Xun met the emperor, and Jia Fu was also present, attempting to stand up to avoid a confrontation with him. The emperor said, "The world is not completely stable yet. How can you two engage in private conflict? Today, I will mediate!" So the two sat down together, engaged in cheerful conversation, and then departed the palace as newfound friends.
Wow, after spending three years in his hometown of Yingchuan, Xun You was promoted to the position of Governor of Runan, and even dispatched General Du Mao with troops to assist him in quelling the bandits. The bandits were swiftly subdued, restoring peace to Runan County. Xun You, a passionate learner, took the initiative to renovate the local school and educate the community, and even invited a skilled teacher of the 'Zuo Zhuan' to learn from him directly.
Seven years later, he succeeded Zhu Fu as the Chief Commandant. The following year, the Emperor led his troops against Wei Xiao, and the bandits in Yingchuan began causing trouble once more. The Emperor had to return to the capital with the troops and said to Xun You, "Yingchuan is too close to the capital; it must be pacified quickly. Only you can handle this, so you must relinquish your official position and labor once more to alleviate the nation's troubles!" Xun You replied, "The bandits in Yingchuan are already reckless and overconfident. As soon as you march south, they will undoubtedly be frightened into surrendering. Let me lead the troops into battle, and I guarantee to capture them!"
That day, the Emperor marched his troops south, and Xun You followed to Yingchuan. The bandits indeed surrendered, but the Emperor did not let him be the Governor again. The common folk halted the Emperor's carriage, crying out, "Your Majesty, please lend us Xun You for another year!" Ultimately, the Emperor permitted Xun You to remain in Changshe to continue safeguarding the area, comforting the people, and accepting the surrendering bandits.
Initially, Kui Xiao occupied Gaoping in Anding County with over ten thousand soldiers. The terrain was treacherous, and his strength was formidable, making him the most formidable force in the Hexi region. The emperor sent Ma Yuan to persuade Gao Jun to surrender, thus opening up the Hexi Corridor. Later, the Central General came and appointed Gao Jun as the General of the Pass, granting him the title of Marquis of Guannei. He then joined Grand Marshal Wu Han to lay siege to Kui Xiao in Ji County. After the Han army withdrew, Gao Jun escaped back to his old camp and helped Kui Xiao resist the imperial army at the Loushan defensive line. After Kui Xiao's death, Gao Jun took over Gaoping, fearing retribution from the court and vowing to defend the city at all costs. General Jianwei Geng Yan led officials such as Dou Shi and Liang Tong to besiege Gaoping, but they were unable to breach it for an entire year.
Ten years later, the emperor personally led an expedition to besiege Gaoping. At that time, Jia Xu advised the emperor, saying, "Chang'an is centrally located, with easy access. Anding County and Longxi County will surely be intimidated. By taking control of Chang'an, you can dominate the region. Now the soldiers are exhausted and have to travel through dangerous mountain roads. This isn’t a solid plan! The battle of Yingchuan two years prior serves as a warning." The emperor dismissed his advice. When the army reached Qian County, Gao Jun still refused to surrender. The emperor intended to send envoys to urge his surrender and said to Jia Xu, "You previously stopped me from going to war, but now you want me to go to war. If Gao Jun still does not surrender, order General Geng Yan and the other five armies to attack." Jia Xu took the emperor's decree to the foot of Gaoping City, where Gao Jun sent his advisor Huangfu Wen to meet him, displaying a defiant and hostile demeanor. Furious, Jia Xu contemplated executing Huangfu Wen.
Other generals advised, "Gao Jun has an elite force of ten thousand strong crossbowmen holding the Long Mountain road to the west, which they have successfully defended for several years. Now, after wanting to surrender, they have killed his envoy. Isn't that inappropriate?" Jia Xu ignored their advice and executed Huangfu Wen. Then he sent Huangfu Wen's deputy back to tell Gao Jun, "Your strategist has been disrespectful and has been killed. If you wish to surrender, do so quickly; if not, continue to hold your ground." Gao Jun was scared and quickly opened the city gates to surrender. The other generals came to congratulate him and inquired, "How is it that you killed the envoy yet still managed to secure Gaoping City's surrender?" Jia Xu said, "Huangfu Wen was Gao Jun's trusted advisor and strategist. When he came, his attitude was tough, and he definitely had no intention of surrendering. Had he been spared, Huangfu Wen would continue to strategize for Gao Jun. By killing him, Gao Jun would lose his right-hand man, which ultimately led to his surrender." All the generals said, "We didn't think of that." So they took Gao Jun back to Luoyang.
Jia Xu was known for his integrity, noble character, and outstanding reputation. The court granted him a substantial salary, which he used to help his friends, acquaintances, and subordinates. He often said, "I owe my success to all of you scholars; how could I enjoy it alone?" People at that time thought he was very talented and believed he could become a prime minister.
Kou Xun passed away at the age of twelve and was posthumously granted the title of Marquis. His son Kou Sun inherited the title. Kou Xun's half-brother, his brother's son, and his sister's son, who were all granted the title of Marquis for their military achievements—eight in total—but none were able to pass it on.
Min Ye, who initially collaborated with Kou Xun on significant matters, was repeatedly commended by the emperor for his loyalty, earning him the title of Marquis of Guannei and eventually rose to the position of Prefect of Liaoxi.
In the thirteenth year, the emperor granted Kou Sun's brother Kou Shou, same father, different mother, the title of Marquis of Xiao. Later, Kou Sun's fiefdom was relocated to Fuliou and renamed as Marquis of Fuliou. After Kou Sun's death, his son Kou Li inherited the title, and later the fiefdom was relocated to Shangxiang and renamed as Marquis of Shangxiang. After Kou Li's death, his son Kou Xi inherited the title. Kou Xun's granddaughter became the wife of General Deng Zhi, which elevated the Kou family's status during the Yongchu era. Kou Xun's great-grandson was Kou Rong. Historical records state, "It is rare to find someone who can control their emotions!" Only a true gentleman can be happy without prejudice and angry without harboring grudges. Confucius said, "Bo Yi and Shu Qi did not hold grudges against past enemies, so they had very few resentments." This is evident in Kou Xun. Kou Rong was famous from a young age and served as a court attendant during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han. He was proud and aloof, socially withdrawn, and offended some powerful figures. To make matters worse, his cousin married Princess Yiyang, the emperor's sister, and the emperor took his great-granddaughter into the palace, which further fueled public disdain towards him. During the Yanxi era, he was ultimately framed, convicted, and exiled back to his hometown with his family. Local officials, eager to curry favor, grew increasingly harsh towards him. Fearing he would not escape justice, Kou Rong ran to the capital to plead his case. Before reaching the capital, the provincial governor Zhang Jing accused him of leaving the border without permission, and the emperor ordered his arrest. Kou Rong fled for several years, but when a general amnesty was issued, he was not pardoned for his previous crimes. He lived in poverty and destitution, and finally, before his death, he wrote a letter to the emperor, stating:
I heard that the world treats all things with vitality, and emperors should also treat their subjects with kindness. Your Majesty, who rules the realm and protects the people, should prioritize kindness as a parent would, first show tolerance, then impose punishment, so that everyone can feel your benevolence. But my brothers and I were unjustly accused without cause by those corrupt officials; those villains colluded with one another and maliciously slandered us. Because of my marriage with the royal family, they claimed that I wanted to betray Your Majesty, seize your power, depose you, and take your place. So they falsely accused me in their reports, trying to cast me into a deep abyss from which there is no escape and strip you of your motherly compassion, provoking your thunderous anger. Those officials disregarded the rules and made baseless accusations, failing to investigate my alleged crimes at all, and swiftly imposed a harsh sentence on me. Prefect Feng Xian flattered and ingratiated himself, contravened your orders, barred me and my brothers from approaching the capital. I fled back to the county; though I cannot forget this humiliation, I harbor no complaints or regrets.
I am really worried that I will be harmed like a jackal by those bad people, so I risked my life to come to the capital, hoping to share my heartfelt thoughts with you, and I hope you can understand my plight. Governor Zhang Jing is a person who is cruel and sycophantic. He has ensnared you and provoked Your Majesty. The Chief Commandant Ying Feng, the Intendant of Henan He Bao, and the Prefect of Luoyang Yuan Teng are all eagerly pursuing us as if we were enemies, leading to the execution of many and the desecration of graves. Although the coffins have not been opened, they have been breached, leaving corpses exposed in the wilderness. In ancient times, King Wen buried the bones with honor, and Duke Liu treated the reeds with reverence, praised for their benevolence by later generations. But now these cruel and vicious officials show no regard for my grievances, but instead fabricate false accusations, hoping to have the court punish us severely. Therefore, I do not dare to provoke divine wrath and can only hide in the deep mountains and old forests, hoping Your Majesty can discern the truth, hear my appeal, see past their lies, stop them from wrongfully accusing the loyal, and save our lives from peril. I did not expect your anger to persist like the relentless heat of spring and summer, and your resentment to remain as strong as ever. You have even posted notices everywhere, relentlessly hunting me down. These harsh decrees are as cold as ice, tracking me down nationwide, casting a net across the land, and the officials pursuing me are relentless, even wearing out the tracks of vehicles. Not even the pursuit of Wu Zixu by Chu or Jibu by Han can compare to the intensity of this chase.
Ever since I was punished, the emperor has granted amnesty three times and commuted my sentence twice, but this charge still lingers. The emperor's resentment towards me has only deepened, and those officials exploit even my smallest mistakes to relentlessly pursue me. If I keep my head down, I’m just waiting to be completely wiped out; if I try to escape, I become a fugitive; alive, I'm just a broke nobody; dead, I'm just a wronged spirit. The world is huge, but I’ve got nowhere to turn; the ground is solid, but I can’t find a spot to stand. I’m anxious and scared, feeling completely trapped. I’m desperate to win over the emperor, but he never seems to understand. If I were to commit a truly unforgivable crime, I’d gladly take my punishment out in the wild, and the emperor ought to publicly reveal my crimes to clear up any doubts. I yearn to step into the palace and sit on its steps, letting the emperor's grace wash away my guilt. But the palace gates are shut tight, filled with traps, and I can barely take a step, let alone get to the emperor. I’m afraid I’ll never get the chance to earn the emperor’s trust in this life.
Your Majesty, you cannot have a feud with a commoner; if you feud with a commoner, it will instill fear in the entire nation. I have traveled far and wide, experiencing three cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter; the seasons have become a chaotic mess, what should be warm has turned cold, bitter winds howl in spring, hail falls in summer, and strong winds have blown down trees for several years in a row. The wind serves as a decree; spring and summer are meant to be times of grace and benevolence, but I have to face judgment and await death. I hope Your Majesty reflects on Emperor Yao's promotion of the five virtues, based on kindness; think of King Tang of Shang steering clear of the treacherous words of schemers to quell droughts and avert military calamities. I've heard that true heroes fear not death, wise men do not fear difficulties; of course, I am not worried about tomorrow's life. I am prepared to plunge into the Xiang and Yuan Rivers, following in the tragic footsteps of Qu Yuan, sinking into the river, driven by the indignation of Wu Zixu. My ancestors have made contributions to the country; I was born on the land of the kingdom. I fear dying unjustly, buried in the belly of a fish, unable to prove my innocence to the world. I cannot shake off the homesickness of "a fox returns to its den," nor forget the wish of the soul returning home. I risk incurring Your Majesty's wrath by entering the forbidden palace, coming to the front of the palace to voice my grievances; even if it means being thrown into a pot of boiling oil, I will not hesitate; even if I have to be burned to ashes, I will have no regrets!
Sigh, after living for so long, what difference does it make? You see, loyal ministers willingly sacrifice themselves to appease the king's wrath; devoted sons are prepared to give their lives to ease their parents' grievances. Daxun didn't shy away from the hardships of building granaries and digging wells in Tushan, and Jie Zitui was not afraid of the slander and persecution of the Ji family. How could I possibly forget these principles? If I don’t take my own life to soothe your anger, Your Majesty, what other choice do I have? I ask to shoulder this heavy burden with my death. I hope Your Majesty will spare my brothers' lives, allowing my family to have some descendants to show Your Majesty's generosity. I wrote this memorial beforehand, and by the time I finished, tears streamed down my face, silent sobs escaping me, my tears flowing like blood.
After reading the memorial, the Emperor's anger intensified, and he ultimately executed Rong. The Kou family declined as a result.
Praise: Yuanhou (Kou Rong) was a strategist of great depth, having served as the Minister of War. He established the strategic policy for the Emperor and laid the foundation for the capital of Qin. He achieved great success yet hid his talents, appearing foolish. His son, Kou Yi, inherited his family's legacy and was comparable to Xiao He. Leading armies across various campaigns, he ultimately achieved remarkable feats. He executed Marquis Wenxin and Jia Yi, demonstrating both strength and a willingness to compromise. "Yuanhou had profound strategies, serving as Minister of War. He enlightened the Emperor's strategies, establishing the capital of Qin. Achieving honor while concealing his wisdom, he appeared foolish. His son, Yi, maintained warmth, comparable to Marquis Xiao. Leading troops and managing provisions, he gathered great achievements. Executing Wen and Jia, he exhibited both strength and compromise."
