Zhang Hao, courtesy name Shu Ming, comes from Wuyang in Jianwei County, Sichuan. His ancestor Zhang Liang, six generations back, served as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, and was granted the title of Marquis of Liu. Zhang Hao studied in the capital as a young man and returned to his hometown during the Yongyuan period, starting his career as an official in the local government. Later, he caught the eye of General Deng Zhong, entered Deng Zhong's mansion to work, and rose through the ranks to become the Minister of Rites, serving for eight years. After that, he was sent to Pengcheng as a county magistrate.
In the first year of Yongning, the court summoned him to serve as the Minister of Justice. Although Zhang Hao was not an expert in law, he was diligent in handling cases, often discussing contentious cases with the Ministers. Many times, his opinions were adopted because of their accuracy. At that time, Emperor An deposed the Crown Prince and demoted him to King of Ji'ying. Zhang Hao, along with the Grand Master of Ceremonies Huan Yan and the Grand Minister of Works Lai Li, opposed this in court, but they were unsuccessful. This incident is recorded in the "Biography of Lai Li." Later, after retiring from court, Zhang Hao wrote a memorial saying, "In the past, the villain Jiang Chong spread rumors and framed others, nearly causing a rebellion at Liyuan, and ultimately bringing disaster upon him. Later, three elders from Huguan spoke a few words, and the Emperor understood the truth. Although it was too late for regret, what could be done! The Crown Prince is only ten years old, and no faults have been seen in him yet. It would be wise to select capable individuals to assist him in becoming a wise ruler." Unfortunately, this memorial was ultimately rejected.
After Emperor Shun ascended the throne, Zhang Hao was appointed as the Minister of State. During his tenure, he recommended many outstanding talents, and people all over the realm praised him for his ability to discover and promote talent. At that time, Zhao Teng from Qinghe criticized the court in a memorial, pointing out many problems. As a result, he was arrested and interrogated by the relevant authorities, implicating over eighty others, all of whom faced severe punishment for defamation. Zhang Hao wrote a memorial counseling, "I heard that during the time of Yao and Shun, there was a drum of daring remonstrance, and the emperors of the Three Dynasties established a post for remonstrance. The Spring and Autumn Annals record good and evil acts, and wise monarchs have never punished those who speak out and remonstrate. Although Zhao Teng and the others have broken the law, their intention in speaking out was to be loyal to the court and assist wholeheartedly. If they are executed, the people will remain silent, blocking the channel for remonstrance. This does not demonstrate virtue, nor set an example for future generations!" The emperor finally woke up after hearing his words, reduced Zhao Teng's death sentence, and spared the others from execution. Four years later, because he believed Zhang Hao mishandled the issues of yin and yang disasters, he was dismissed from office. In the first year of Yangjiayuan, Zhang Hao was appointed as the Minister of Justice again. He died that same year at eighty-three. The court sent envoys to pay tribute to him and granted him a burial site in Henan County. His son was named Zhang Gang. Zhang Gang, whose courtesy name was Wenji, was well-versed in the classics from a young age. Although he was from a noble family, he lived a frugal life, just like ordinary people. He was recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate, but he declined the official position. Later, the Minister of Works recommended him to serve as an Imperial Censor. At that time, Emperor Shun indulged the eunuchs with power, causing concern among many knowledgeable individuals. Zhang Gang was outraged and exclaimed, "The court is full of villains, and yet I cannot stand up and eliminate these disasters for the country. What’s the point of living?" So, he wrote a memorial and submitted it:
In the "Book of Songs," it states: "Do not make mistakes, do not forget your original intention, follow the old rules." Look at the early Han Dynasty and its period of revival; Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, their moral governance flourished. Their system of rituals was straightforward and easy to understand, characterized by respect, frugality, self-restraint, and a commitment to morality. Only two or three attendants served the emperor in the palace, and the rewards given to trusted aides amounted to only a few thousand coins. By being frugal with resources and valuing talent, the people lived in peace and prosperity. Foreign nations heard of China's prosperity and strength, and the people upheld moral values, so nefarious plots faded away, leading to a naturally harmonious society. However, since that time, the old system has been neglected; incompetent individuals have been appointed to official positions, become wealthy, and indulged themselves, thereby harming the nation. This does not reflect a genuine care for the people, a respect for talent, or a compliance with the will of heaven! I hope Your Majesty will take heed and reduce the influence of those sycophants around you in order to align with the will of heaven. This memorial was not accepted.
In the first year of Han'an, the court dispatched eight envoys to various regions to investigate local customs. They were all distinguished scholars, most of whom had held high official positions. Only Wang Gang, being young, held the lowest rank. While the others went to the assigned prefectures and counties, Wang Gang stopped his carriage in Du Ting, Luoyang, saying, "When wolves and jackals are in charge, what good is a fox?" He then reported, "The Grand General Ji and the Intendant of Henan, relying on the power of their relatives, are enjoying the country's favor, holding important positions with meager salaries, failing to uphold the virtues of the Five Constants and assist the Emperor; instead, they act like greedy wild boars and venomous snakes, indulging in corruption, obsessed with money, and flattering those who slander loyal officials. This is intolerable to heaven and deserves severe punishment. I have detailed fifteen acts of disloyalty to the monarch, which are deeply resented by the subjects." The memorial reached the Emperor, causing a stir in the capital. At that time, Ji's sister was the Empress and was favored, with Ji's relatives scattered throughout the court. Although the Emperor knew that Wang Gang was speaking the truth, he ultimately could not make a decision.
Zhang Ying and other bandits from Guangling led tens of thousands of troops, killing provincial governors and county magistrates, causing chaos in Yangzhou and Xuzhou for over a decade, a situation the court struggled to control. Ji secretly signaled the Minister to have Wang Gang appointed as the Prefect of Guangling, intending to set him up. Previous Prefects sent there mostly requested reinforcements from the court, while Wang Gang only requested a carriage. Upon arriving in Guangling, he took a dozen soldiers and went straight to Zhang Ying's camp to offer them comfort, meet with their elders, and declare the court's benevolence. Zhang Ying was initially taken aback but soon recognized Wang Gang's sincerity and trustworthiness, coming out to meet him. Wang Gang invited him to sit at the head of the table, inquired about their grievances, and then used analogies to explain his points:
It is said that those local officials, many of whom are corrupt and lawless, acting arrogantly and oppressively, that's why everyone gathered in anger. Those local officials truly deserve to be punished, but taking up arms in rebellion isn’t the right thing to do. Now that the emperor is benevolent and wise, hoping to win over the rebels with kindness, he sent a governor to win everyone over with titles and salaries instead of punishing everyone. This is a golden opportunity to defuse the crisis!
If you refuse to listen to reason and cling to your mistakes, and if the emperor truly becomes angry, the armies from Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou will come crashing down on you. Not weighing your own strength against others is foolish; choosing evil over good is not wise; betraying obedience to imitate rebellion is not loyal; letting yourself have no descendants is not filial; abandoning justice to follow evil is not righteous; seeing a just cause but not acting is not brave. These six points are crucial to your success or failure, prosperity or decline, and even your lives. Think carefully about it!
After hearing the governor speak, tears filled my eyes and I said, "We ignorant people in these remote areas have endured so many grievances and can only come together to survive like fish in a pot, gasping for air just to live a little longer. Now that we've heard your words, we can see a way forward! We've made a grave mistake, and we've been terrified that if war breaks out, our whole families could be wiped out." I swore to the heavens and earth, expressing my complete remorse, and then returned to the camp. The next day, I surrendered with over ten thousand soldiers, with my wife and kids, all with our hands bound.
The governor rode into my camp alone on a horse; we held a grand assembly together, celebrated with a banquet, and then sent everyone on their way home. The governor personally assisted us in finding housing, distributed land, and recommended candidates for official positions. Everyone was very grateful to him, and peace was restored in the southern region. The court originally wanted to reward the governor and grant him an official position, but Liang Ji thwarted the plan, so the matter fell through. The emperor greatly appreciated the governor and wanted to promote him, but we all wrote a petition to keep him, and the emperor agreed.
Zhang Gang served as an official in the county for a year and died at the age of forty-six. The common people, young and old, all rushed to the government to attend his funeral, and the mourners were too numerous to count. After Zhang Gang fell ill, officials and common people prayed for his recovery and offered blessings, saying, "We hope you can live a long life; when will we see you again?" Zhang Ying and over five hundred mourners donned mourning attire to escort him to Jianwei and even helped build his tomb. The emperor issued a decree saying, "The late Governor of Guangling, Zhang Gang, is a descendant of a distinguished minister. After taking office, he was conscientious, set a personal example, educated the populace, and promoted benevolence and virtue, quelled the rebellion led by Zhang Ying, rescued the people from danger, and died before he could receive promotion and honors. Zhang Ying and others wore mourning garments and wept inconsolably, mourning as if they had lost their parents. I am profoundly grieved by this!" The emperor also appointed Zhang Gang's son, Zhang Xu, as a court official and bestowed upon him one million taels of silver.
Wang Gong, style name Bozong, was from Gaoping in Shanyang and came from a family of nobility for generations. He was initially recommended as a man of filial piety and integrity, and gradually rose to serve as the governor of Qingzhou. He accused several corrupt officials of embezzlement, earning praise from all. The court then summoned him to serve as a high-ranking official. In the first year of Jianguang, he was promoted to Colonel of the Inspectorate, and the following year he was further promoted to become the Governor of Runan. He was known for his mild governance and fondness for talent, promoting individuals like Huang Xian and Chen Bo in the county. Although Huang Xian did not submit to him, Chen Bo accepted his appointment as an official. Chen Bo, who was naturally proud, was not called to meet Wang Gong right away upon his arrival in Runan. Chen Bo submitted a letter of resignation, citing illness. Wang Gong was furious and ordered Chen Bo's dismissal. Magistrate Yuan Lang requested an audience and said to Wang Gong, "I’ve heard it said: 'If a servant doesn’t earn the monarch’s favor, they can’t stand firm in court.' Since Chen Bo was recommended by you, he should not be rejected in such a disrespectful manner." Wang Gong then softened his demeanor, apologized, and treated Chen Bo with respect. From then on, talented scholars willingly aligned themselves with him. Yuan Lang, whose style name was Fenggao, repeatedly declined appointments from the court, not pursuing fame or fortune, yet he became well-known in his time.
In the first year of Yongjian, Wang Gong was summoned to be the Grand Minister of Ceremonies and later transferred to the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the fourth year of Yongjian, he was promoted to Minister of Construction but was dismissed following an earthquake. In the first year of Yonghe, he was appointed as Grand Commandant. He was very cautious in his duties, and if it was not official business, he did not even look at the documents of the provinces and counties. He promoted individuals who were respected elders from across the nation. Wang Gong harbored a deep disdain for the power of the eunuchs and was determined to rectify the court's politics. He wrote a detailed memorial to the emperor, outlining the crimes of the eunuchs and requesting that they be severely punished. The eunuchs grew fearful, so they each sent people to falsely accuse Wang Gong of crimes. Emperor Hanshun ordered Wang Gong to provide an explanation. Wang Gong's former subordinate, Li Gu, who was then serving as the Attendant Cavalry under General Liang Shang, wrote to Liang Shang:
"Today I heard that the Grand Commandant Wang Gong was ordered by the emperor to confess his crimes, but I am unaware of the severity of the situation. Wang Gong is upright, of noble character, loves learning, never pursues improper benefits, and never does anything against morality. It is just because he insists on upright conduct that he has upset many individuals, been falsely accused and slandered by malicious individuals, and everyone has heard about this and is very worried for him.
It's important to understand that the Three Excellencies hold significant power and authority, and there's no justification for them to submit memorials seeking redress for injustice. Even minor mistakes will be investigated and punished; therefore, historically, only those guilty of major crimes are subject to re-examination. Wang Gong is level-headed and principled, with a clear conscience, and should not be subjected to underhanded tactics. If things really change, the court would be perceived as framing the virtuous, and the ministers would find themselves powerless to defend him."
In the past, Marquis Jiang was punished by the emperor, and Yuan Ang explained for him; Wei Shang suffered injustice, and Feng Tang appealed for him. The emperors at that time all admired their actions, and these incidents are recorded in historical books. General, you are deeply trusted by the emperor, holding the country's political power. Your words carry weight, and you are a man of integrity. You should step in and help the nobles through this tough situation! As the saying goes, "When good people run into trouble, they don't even have time to eat." Now is such a moment! When the general told the emperor about this matter, the situation was resolved.
The nobleman served for five years, and due to old age and frailty, he requested retirement and eventually passed away at home. His son, Gong Chang, was born.
The article comments that Zhang Hao and Wang Gong, known as upright gentlemen, were willing to promote talents and recommend outstanding individuals, showing the kindness of benevolent individuals. When scholars are promoted, the country gains talented individuals; when competent individuals are appointed, they can utilize their abilities. When abilities are utilized, great achievements can be made; when talents are appointed, the world can be governed well. There are many benefits, but few people can achieve them. Is it really as hard as it seems to break a branch in front of an elder, thinking that not doing it is even tougher?
In the past, Liu Xiaohui was marginalized in the state of Lu, while Chunyu Chang was highly valued in the state of Qi. Therefore, people of virtue often go unnoticed, while those who stand out are often the ones who get promoted. Hence, there are guards at the palace gates, but there's no one around who has talent like Zhu Wen.
Gong Chang, styled Shu Mao, was known for his integrity and honesty as a young man, never getting involved in cliques. He was initially recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate, but turned it down because of illness. General Liang Shang specially recommended him as a talented individual. He held four different positions before eventually becoming the Minister of Personnel, and later served as the Prime Minister of Qi. He was later appointed as the Colonel of the Imperial Guards and then transferred to be the Prefect of Yuyang. He was known for his strictness in every role. However, he was later dismissed from his position due to an error.
At that time, most government affairs were handled by the Ministry of Personnel. Emperor Huan specifically ordered the three ducal ministers to select talented individuals. Grand Commandant Chen Fan recommended Gong Chang as honest, upright, and unafraid of power, so he was appointed as Shangshu once more.
I went to visit the Prefect of Nanyang, Zhang Chang. At that time, many officials, especially those in high positions, were incompetent, taking advantage of their relationship with the emperor to act recklessly. Zhang Chang was appalled by these officials. As soon as he took office, he took decisive action against those who abused their power, making sure no one got away with it. Later, the court granted a general amnesty, clearing those cases. However, Zhang Chang still felt unsatisfied. He came up with another method: for anyone who embezzled over twenty million coins and did not come forward, their properties were seized. If they hid, their houses were torn down, trees were chopped down, wells were filled in, and stoves were dismantled, which left the wealthy and powerful quaking in their boots.
Zhang Chang, the official of Gongcao, wrote a memorial advising: "The Five Constants (Confucian virtues) emphasize kindness and generosity, all of which are written in the classics. King Tang of Shang eliminated the brutal three-front attacks, and the people rallied behind him. King Wu of Zhou abolished the punishment of branding as his first act. Emperor Gaozu of Han learned from the lessons of the Qin Dynasty and established just three simple laws. Emperor Xiaowen abolished the punishment of slicing flesh due to the advice of Ti Ying. Figures like Zhuo Mao, Wen Weng, and Shao Fu all abhorred harsh punishments and advocated for kindness and generosity in governance. Their benevolent and wise deeds have been passed down to this day. Wise and intelligent rulers govern the nation like fishing, using larger nets to catch bigger fish, so that the people can live in peace and contentment. Although this might seem a bit outdated, the effect is very good. Although you are demolishing houses and cutting down trees to punish evildoers, these methods are too harsh and difficult to win over the people, and they will not spread a good reputation. You are incredibly wise, shining like the sun and the moon; you should implement benevolent governance so that the world will transform for the better, just like breaking a branch is easy, not as difficult as moving a mountain. Nanyang County was the former capital, a marquisate, with gardens and temples all coming from Zhang Ling. The three matriarchs (Emperor Guangwu of Han's grandmother, mother, and wife) were all born in Xinye, and the people here are well-educated and admire your style. Since the revival, meritorious officials and generals have thrived for generations. I believe that rather than resorting to punishment, it’s better to show grace; instead of tirelessly searching for evil, it is better to respect the virtuous and promote the talented. Emperor Shun appointed Gao Yao, and the unrighteous kept their distance. When Sui Hou governed the country, the thieves from Jin State fled to Qin. When the borders of Yu and Rui States met, they mutually yielded, and feelings of benevolence and righteousness naturally emerged. Winning people's hearts depends on virtue, not punishment."
Zhang Chang listened carefully to Zhang Chang's counsel, changed his ways, placed greater emphasis on leniency and benevolence, reduced punishments and strengthened education, and gradually stabilized the political situation in Nanyang.
The wealthy and powerful people in the county were all indulging in extravagant lifestyles, while Mr. Chang dressed in coarse linen clothes, slept on animal skin mattresses, and even had worn-out carriages and horses, to demonstrate his distinctiveness. Liu Biao, who was just seventeen at the time, became Mr. Chang's student. One day, Liu Biao advised Mr. Chang, "Extravagance should not exceed superiors, frugality should not oppress subordinates; one should act according to reason and adhere to etiquette in interactions, the key is to maintain balance. Even Qu Boyu felt it was shameful to be a solitary gentleman! If you do not learn the teachings of Confucius but envy the practices of those small officials in the late Qi Kingdom, do you want to show off your purity in the world?" Mr. Chang replied, "In the past, Gong Yi Xiu, an official from the State of Lu, uprooted the sunflowers in his garden and dismissed the weaving women; Sun Shu'ao, the prime minister of the State of Chu, had his son wear old leather clothes and chop wood and make fire. Look, those who live simply, aren’t they all doing well in the end? Have you heard the tale of Boyi? Greedy people become honest because of it, and weak people have aspirations. Even without noble character, one should learn from those with integrity!"
Later, Mr. Chang was summoned to serve as the Chief of Changle Wei. In the first year of the Jianning era, he was promoted to Minister of Works, but a few months later, he was dismissed due to a flood. The next year, he passed away at home. His son, Liu Qian, served as the chief historian under General He Jin. Liu Qian's son, Liu Can, gained fame for his literary talent.
Zhong Hao, whose courtesy name was Jingbo, was a native of Luoyang, Henan, and a descendant of Zhongshan Fu. His father once served as the magistrate of Dingtao County, with a family fortune exceeding thirty million. After his father passed away, Zhong Hao devoted all his family wealth to aiding his clan and the impoverished in the county. He disregarded those who sought to flatter him for personal gain and advancement. He started out as a minor official in the county yamen. At that time, Wang Shen, the nephew of Tian Xin, the Henan Intendant, was well-regarded for his ability to discern talent. Tian Xin said to Wang Shen, "We now need to select six candidates known for their filial piety and integrity; many of them are children of high-ranking officials. It would be unwise to go against their wishes. I wish to recommend a talented individual to serve the state. Can you help me find a suitable person?" The next day, Wang Shen escorted guests outside the city and saw Zhong Hao from a distance, finding him to be exceptional. Upon his return, he informed Tian Xin, "I have found the candidate; he is a scribe in the Luoyang county yamen." Tian Xin laughed and said, "I expected it to be a hermit from the mountains, but it turns out to be an official from Luoyang!" Wang Shen replied, "Exceptional talents are not always found among hermits in the mountains, nor are hermits the sole bearers of such talents." Tian Xin immediately summoned Zhong Hao to the courtyard, carefully inquiring about his duties. Zhong Hao answered in an organized manner, greatly impressing Tian Xin. He appointed him as the chief clerk, recommended him as a filial and incorrupt candidate, then recommended him to the Minister of War, and finally recommended him as a top scholar. In the later years of Emperor Shun of Han, I became an attendant censor. At that time, eight envoys sent by the court, including the Gentleman of the Palace Du Qiao, Zhou Ju, and others, accused many officials. However, the Grand General Liang Ji colluded with the eunuchs, seeking favors from all sides, and as a result, all those accusations were quashed.
I believe my duty as an Imperial Censor is to supervise impeachments and expose evil deeds. Therefore, I have submitted another memorial to impeach those officials exposed by the Eight Envoys, such as the Governor of Shu County, Liu Xuan. Their crimes are clear and deserve the death penalty. I also suggested to the Emperor to order the Four Departments to investigate the fathers, brothers, and relatives of the court officials, and identify those who are particularly corrupt and incompetent, who should be dismissed from office and pardoned. The Emperor accepted my advice.
Later, the Emperor promoted me and appointed me to supervise the Crown Prince at Chengguang Palace. The eunuch Gao Fan even drove himself to meet the Crown Prince; at that moment, Grand Tutor Chen Fan and the others hesitated and panicked about what to do. I drew my sword, stepped in front of the carriage, and shouted, "The Crown Prince is the heir to the country, which concerns the fate of the nation. Now this eunuch is here to meet the Crown Prince without the Emperor's decree; how can we be sure he isn't a bad person? Today, even if it costs me my life, I will stop him!" Gao Fan was frightened by me and dared not say anything else, quickly sending someone to report to the Emperor. Upon receiving the news, the Emperor ordered the Crown Prince to leave. Chen Fan sighed afterwards, admiring my calmness under pressure. The Emperor also praised me for being calm and prudent, and he commended me for quite some time.
I was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou. I've always been straightforward and ambitious, relishing the chance to make a difference. In my three years in office, the benefits reached the remote ethnic minorities, educating them and bringing various tribes around the Min Mountains under Han rule. Countries like Bailang, Panmu, Tangzou, Qiong, and Bo had lost contact since the death of the previous Inspector Zhu Fu; after I took office, I reestablished their loyalty to the court and helped them embrace education. At that time, the Administrator of Yongchang, Ye Zhuzao, forged a golden snake-shaped text to offer to Liang Ji. I investigated and arrested him, promptly reporting to the court. However, the court officials were timid and fearful of trouble, refusing to pursue the matter. As a result, Liang Ji bore a grudge against me.
Later, in Ba County, there was a man named Fuzhi who gathered a few hundred people to rebel, proclaiming himself to be the "Heavenly King." The prefect and I led troops to suppress the rebellion, but we were unsuccessful, which led to many officials and civilians getting injured. Liang Ji seized this opportunity to frame me and the prefect, and we were both arrested. General Li Gu wrote a petition on our behalf, stating that the injuries during the suppression of the rebellion were not intentional by the prefect and the magistrate, but rather due to the fear of the county officials, causing the people to be oppressed and leading to this accident. Li Gu also expressed concerns about the rise of banditry and the lack of peace in various regions. After reading the petition, Empress Liang pardoned me and the prefect but stripped us of our official positions.
Later, there was a rebellion by the Qiang people in Liangzhou, and I was appointed as the prefect of Liangzhou, where I was greatly beloved by the people. When the court wanted to transfer me to another position, the officials pleaded for me to stay, and Empress Liang, impressed by the people's support for me, agreed to their request. I stayed in Liangzhou for another year before being transferred to be the magistrate of Hanyang. The Qiang and Hu people of all ages bid me farewell at the border of Hanyang, and I bid them farewell as well, walking a thousand miles without a chance to ride in a carriage. Upon arrival in Hanyang, I implemented educational reforms, guiding the Qiang and Hu people to reform their ways and prohibiting them from plundering each other. I was then appointed as a General of the Xiongnu. When the Wuhuan people rebelled in Liaodong, I was appointed as the magistrate of Liaodong, and upon hearing of my arrival, the Wuhuan people surrendered and came to greet me at the border, paying their respects. However, I was later dismissed from my post due to certain circumstances and returned to my hometown.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Zhang Hao, who rose to the rank of Colonel of the Inspectorate. He was recommended as virtuous and upright, but it was not successful. Later, he was summoned to serve as a Counselor, then promoted to Governor of Nanjun, and later appointed as a Minister. During the invasion of the Xiongnu in Bingzhou and Liangzhou, Emperor Huan of Han promoted Zhang Hao to the position of General of the Northern Frontier.
Upon arriving at the military camp, Zhang Hao first promoted the grace of the court, pacified the people, and urged the barbarians to surrender. Only after they refused did he lead his troops to fight back. He sent back all the common people who had been captured by the Qiang and Hu tribes and taken as hostages in various counties. He sincerely pacified the people, administered rewards and punishments with fairness, so the Qiang, Hu, Guizi, Shache, Wusun, and other tribes all submitted. Zhang Hao then dismantled the beacon towers, abolished the outposts, and the border quickly stabilized, and warfare ceased.
Later, Zhang Hao returned to the court and became the Minister of Agriculture. In the fourth year of the Yanxi era, he was promoted to Minister of Works. He recommended talented ministers such as Qiao Xuan and Huangfu Gui, who all excelled in their roles. Zhang Hao served as Minister of Works for three years before passing away at the age of sixty-one. The people of Bingzhou and Liangzhou grieved his passing. The Xiongnu were deeply saddened by Zhang Hao's passing. Every time the Chanyu of the Xiongnu came to pay tribute, he would weep and pay his respects at Zhang Hao's grave. Zhang Hao had two sons, one named Dai and the other named Fu.
Zhang Hao's son, Zhang Dai, styled Gongzu, was a dedicated and scholarly individual. He was recommended for his integrity and filial piety, invited to take up a government position, but he turned it down. Later, he was summoned to the court, but sadly passed away from an illness.
Initially, Zhang Dai and Li Gu's son Li Xie were both summoned to serve as Yilang. When Li Xie heard of Zhang Dai's passing, he was deeply saddened and wrote a memorial to the court requesting posthumous honors for Zhang Dai. In his memorial, he wrote: "I have heard that when benevolence and righteousness flourish, morality becomes bright, and with bright morality, politics become clear, leading to the peace and stability of the people. The late Zhang Dai, a scholar, was a man of integrity and kindness, knowledgeable about affairs, fond of the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents. Wealth and status could not sway his aspirations, nor could external distractions disturb his peace of mind. It is unfortunate that his life was cut short. If he had been healthy and successful in his career, he would have long been a high-ranking official. In ancient times, when virtuous individuals passed away, the court would bestow posthumous titles and inscriptions in accordance with the rites of Zhou. Zhang Dai neither received official honors or titles during his lifetime, nor was he granted a posthumous title. Although he may not have accomplished significant feats, he was esteemed by the emperor and respected by all, deserving of special recognition." However, the court ultimately did not accept his proposal.
Another son of Zhang Dai, Zhang Fu, known as Yingbo, initially served as a Sili official and was later appointed as the magistrate of Wan. At that time, officials in Nanyang Prefecture would frolic in the market during their days off, which caused considerable distress to the locals. Whenever Zhang Fu encountered them, he would get down from his carriage to greet them, aiming to shame them. After that, no officials dared to play in the market during their rest days. Thanks to his outstanding achievements, Zhang Fu was promoted multiple times and eventually became a Grand Master of Splendor. In the first year of the Chuping era, he succeeded Xun Shuang as Minister of Works. The following year, he was dismissed due to an earthquake but was later appointed as Minister of Ceremonies.
Li Jue and Guo Si rebelled, causing chaos in Chang'an, as many officials hid to escape the conflict. Li Jue's father, Li Fu, took a sword and charged out, shouting, "As a court minister, if we can't stop the chaos and let these bandits approach the palace, where can we run?" He then charged into battle and was killed. His son is named Li Jue, with the courtesy name Shenfu.
Li Jue was famous from a young age. In the late Zhongping period, he became an Imperial Advisor. At that time, General He Jin wanted to kill the eunuchs, so he called for the Governor of Bingzhou, Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo arrived at Mianchi, but He Jin hesitated and sent Li Jue to deliver a message, telling Dong Zhuo not to come. Dong Zhuo ignored the warning and headed straight to Henan. Li Jue went to meet Dong Zhuo and urged him to turn back with his forces. Dong Zhuo suspected Li Jue was deceiving him, so he had his soldiers threaten Li Jue with weapons. Furious, Li Jue read the imperial edict aloud and scolded Dong Zhuo's soldiers, who retreated in fear. Li Jue then confronted Dong Zhuo, who, realizing his mistake, had no choice but to lead his troops back to Xiyangting.
He Jin later failed, and Emperor Xian ascended the throne, appointing Li Jue as the Attendant. After Dong Zhuo took power, he disliked Li Jue for his strong abilities, so he demoted him to the lower position of Yilang and then sent him to Yizhou and Liangzhou as a provincial governor. At this time, his father Li Fu died in battle, and Li Jue did not assume the position. After the mourning period was over, the court summoned him to be the Minister of the Treasury and the Grand Herald, but he refused. He said, "My father sacrificed his life for the country, and as a subject, I cannot seek revenge for him. How can I face the emperor?" So he joined forces with Ma Teng, Han Sui, as well as the General of the Household and the Imperial Adviser, Ma Yu, to confront Li Jue and Guo Si to avenge his father. During the battle at Changpingguan against Guo Si, their army was defeated, and Li Jue and his forces were defeated. Ma Teng and Han Sui then retreated to Liangzhou.
Chen Qiu, whose courtesy name was Bozhen, was from Xiaopi, Huai Pu, and his family was well-known for generations. His father Chen Wei served as the Governor of Guanghan. When Chen Qiu was young, he studied Confucian classics and was well-versed in legal texts. During the Yangjia period, he was recommended as a Filial and Incorruptible Official, gradually rising to become the county magistrate of Fanyang. At that time, the Prefect of Weijun hinted that Fanyang County should engage in bribery, but Chen Qiu refused. The Prefect was angry and tried to drive Chen Qiu away by punishing the postmaster. The postmaster firmly refused, stating, "Among the fifteen counties in Weijun, only Fanyang County has outstanding achievements. If we follow orders to remove the county magistrate, it would provoke widespread criticism." The Prefect relented.
He subsequently resumed his official duties, rose to a high rank, and was appointed as an Imperial Censor. At that time, a notorious figure named Li Yan emerged in the Guiyang region, leading a group of bandits to plunder and cause chaos and disorder in the Jingzhou region. Local officials were ineffective and unable to control the situation. Therefore, Grand Commandant Yang Bing recommended him for the position of Prefect of Lingling.
As soon as he took office, he devised a battle plan, and in less than a month, those bandits scattered and fled. But the problem was that the local troops in Lingling, led by Zhu Gai, rebelled and joined forces with the bandits in Guiyang, led by Hu Lan, attacking Lingling together with tens of thousands of troops. Lingling was low-lying, with walls made of wood that could not be defended. The townsfolk were terrified. The officials below all suggested sending their families away for safety, but he became furious and shouted, "As a governor holding the country's tiger tally and bearing the safety of the people in the region, how can I lose the country's prestige because of concerns for my family? Moreover, this is absolutely unforgivable!" He then rallied all the elderly, sick, and disabled officials and servants in his household to defend the city together. They even crafted large wooden bows and feathered arrows, using contraptions to shoot them, with a range of over a thousand paces, killing many enemies.
The bandits attempted to flood the city with a torrent, so he used the terrain to redirect the water into the city, submerging the bandits. After a standoff of more than ten days, the bandits still could not capture the city. At this time, Zhonglang General Du Shang arrived with reinforcements. He quickly recruited soldiers and, together with Du Shang, defeated Zhu Gai and others, killing the leader of the rebels. The court rewarded him with five hundred thousand coins and secured a position for his son as a lang official. Later, he was promoted to the position of Governor of Wei Commandery.
Later, the court summoned him to serve as the Chief Architect, in charge of building Emperor Huan's tomb. He worked efficiently, saving a substantial amount of money, with the savings exceeding one million coins. After that, he was promoted to the position of Governor of Nanyang. During his tenure, he severely cracked down on the powerful elite, offending many influential people. As a result, they falsely accused him, and the court ordered his arrest and a trial at the Ministry of Justice. Fortunately, a general amnesty was announced, enabling him to return home.
The emperor appointed Chen Qiu as the Chief Justice. In the first year of the Xiping era, Empress Dowager Dou passed away. Originally, Empress Dowager Dou should have been buried at the South Palace Yuntai, but the eunuchs in the palace held a grudge against the Dou family. They used a cart loaded with clothes to transport the empress dowager's body and left it on display in the market for several days. The Chamberlain Cao Jie and Wang Fu wanted to bury the empress dowager with noble rites, but the emperor said, "The empress dowager personally supported my ascension to the throne, inherited the great mandate, and took on the responsibilities of the state. The Book of Songs says, 'Without virtue, there will be no reward; without words, there will be no response.' How can we use noble rites to bury the empress dowager?" Therefore, the empress dowager's funeral rites were held according to her specifications. When it was time for the burial, Cao Jie and others wanted to bury the empress dowager separately and also wished to inter Lady Feng alongside her. The emperor ordered the court officials to hold a meeting in the court, with Chamberlain Zhao Zhong presiding. At that time, the Grand Commandant Li Xian was sick, but he insisted on being carried into the court, clutching the pepper medicine he usually took, and told his wife, "If the empress dowager can't be buried with Emperor Huan, then I won't survive!" The meeting began, with hundreds of people sitting there, all looking at the Chamberlains, and for a long time, no one dared to speak first. Zhao Zhong said, "Then let's proceed according to the decision at that time." This left all the court officials bewildered, exchanging glances. Chen Qiu stood up and declared, "The empress dowager is held in high esteem, hailing from a noble family, and is the mother of the realm."
Zhao Zhong smiled and said, "Chen Tingwei, just write it directly." Chen Qiu immediately wrote down his opinion: "The Empress Dowager has always resided in the Jiaofang Palace, possessing the virtue of a wise and noble mother. Although she has faced unfortunate circumstances, she was able to assist in establishing a wise emperor, inheriting the ancestral temple of the imperial family, with significant contributions. After the previous emperor's death, she faced imprisonment, was transferred to a desolate palace, and unfortunately died prematurely. Although her family was implicated and convicted, this blame does not pertain to the Empress Dowager. If she were to be buried separately now, it would contradict the people's expectations. Furthermore, Lady Feng's tomb was robbed, her bones exposed, mixed with the bodies of thieves, her spirit desecrated, and she had no merit to the country. How can she possibly be buried alongside the previous emperor?" After reading Chen Qiu's opinion, Zhao Zhong's face changed, sometimes looking up and sometimes looking down, then praised Chen Qiu, saying, "Chen Tingwei, the opinion you've raised is truly outstanding!" Chen Qiu said, "Both the Chen family and the Dou family have suffered injustice, and the Empress Dowager was imprisoned for no reason. I have always felt heartbroken about this, and people all over the world are indignant about it. Today, I dare to speak out, even if I am punished for it, this has been my wish for many years." The other court officials all agreed with Chen Qiu's opinion. Li Xianshi did not dare to speak at first, but when he saw everyone's unanimous opinion, he spoke loudly, "I always believed it should be this way, which completely matches my thoughts." Everyone present felt quite ashamed. Cao Jie and Wang Fu began to bicker once more, saying that the Dou Empress Dowager's family committed a serious crime. Although she was buried in the Yiling Tomb, Emperor Han Wu deposed Empress Wei and only allowed Lady Li to be buried with him. Now that the crimes of the Dou Empress Dowager are so serious, how can she possibly be buried alongside the previous emperor?
Li Xian then ran to the gate of the palace to submit a memorial, in which he wrote: "I believe that Empress Dowager Dou has harmed Empress Gonghuai, and Empress Yan's family has committed a serious crime, but the Emperor has not altered their funeral rites, and the court has not diminished their historical records. As for Empress Wei, she was personally deposed by Emperor Xiaowu and cannot be compared. Now Empress Changle's honorary title still exists. She once ruled the country, nurtured the world, and established a wise emperor, greatly enhancing the foundation of the royal family. The Empress regards Your Majesty as her own son; how can Your Majesty not regard the Empress as his mother? A son cannot depose his mother; a subject cannot dishonor his sovereign. The Empress and the late Emperor should be interred together at Xuanling according to established customs."
After reading the memorial, the Emperor said to Cao Jie and the others, "Although Empress Dowager Dou has done wrong, she has shown me favor and should not be deposed." Cao Jie and the others did not dare to speak further, and the matter was settled. Li Xian, whose courtesy name was Yuanzhen, was from Runan. He held various official positions in the provinces and counties and was renowned for his integrity and competence. He was upright and loyal in the court, and the powerful feared him.
Six years later, Li Xian was promoted to Minister of Works but was dismissed following an earthquake. He was subsequently appointed as Grand Master of Ceremonies and once again served as Minister of Justice and Minister of Ceremonies. In the first year of Guanghe, he was promoted to Grand Commandant but was dismissed again a few months later following a solar eclipse. He was reappointed as Grand Master of Ceremonies. The following year, he became the Prefect of Yongle and secretly conspired with the Minister of Works, Liu He of Hejian, to eliminate the eunuch faction.
At first, during his time as an attendant, Chen Qiu's brother Chen Chong conspired with the Grand General Dou Wu, resulting in their deaths. Thus, Chen Qiu and Yang Qiu joined forces and became allies. Before they made any moves, Yang Qiu wrote a letter to Chen Qiu, urging him: "You hail from the royal family and hold a high position with significant influence. All eyes are on you, as you are a cornerstone of the nation. How can you just sit back and do nothing? Now Ca Jie and his associates are misusing their power, and they have been close to the emperor for a long time. Your brother, as an attendant, died because he offended them. Even Empress Dowager Yongle is aware of this! We can now submit a memorial to appoint Yang Qiu as the Colonel of the Imperial Guard, and then proceed to capture and execute Ca Jie and his associates. This way, with the imperial decree, the realm will be at peace, and we can enjoy a peaceful and prosperous era!" Additionally, Liu Na, the Minister of Personnel, was known for his integrity, which led to him offending the eunuchs, so he was demoted to Infantry Colonel. He too urged Chen Qiu. Chen Qiu said: "Those villains have many eyes and ears. I'm worried we'll face consequences before we even begin." Liu Na said: "You are a pillar of the country. In times of crisis, if you don't step forward, what are you relying on those villains for?" Chen Qiu agreed and conspired with Yang Qiu.
Yang Qiu's wife is the daughter of Cheng Huang, who holds great power in the palace and is known as "Master Cheng." Ca Jie and his associates heard some rumors and bribed Cheng Huang heavily, even threatening him. Fearing for his safety, Cheng Huang disclosed Yang Qiu's plan to Ca Jie. Ca Jie and his associates then reported Chen Qiu and the others to the emperor, saying: "Chen Qiu and his associates have been in contact with the vassal states, with evil intentions, exaggerating the power of Empress Dowager Yongle, accepting bribes, and committing crimes. Infantry Colonel Liu Na, as well as Yongle Chamberlain Chen Qiu and Imperial Guard Yang Qiu, have been passing letters to each other, plotting wrongdoing." The emperor was furious upon hearing this. He dismissed Chen Qiu from his position, and Chen Qiu, Yang Qiu, and Liu Na were all arrested and thrown into prison, where they ultimately met their demise. Chen Qiu passed away at the age of 62.
His son, Chen Yu, served as the Prefect of Wu County; Chen Yu's younger sibling, Chen Cong, served as the Prefect of Ruyin; Chen Qiu's grandson, Chen Gui, served as the Prefect of Pei; Chen Gui's son, Chen Deng, served as the Prefect of Guangling; they all were renowned.
Praise: An Churu was falsely accused, Zhang Qing made a request, Gong Jiu was duplicitous and was criticized for his honesty. The two sons were excessively principled, burying their carts and wells. Lord Zhong was modest yet commanded authority in his position. Chen Qiu deliberated independently, while Huan Si aligned with his views.
