Confucius said: "People's nature is similar, but their habits make them very different." This means that people's initial likes and dislikes are similar, but their upbringing can lead them in different directions. If a person deliberately does something, their behavior will be restrained; if influenced by external factors, their aspirations will waver. Therefore, sages guide people to follow reason, regulate their emotions, carefully choose their companions, and restrain their preferences. Even though people's emotional and moral qualities vary greatly, and their temperaments and styles are different, the ultimate goal of educating the public and revitalizing social customs can be achieved through various methods that ultimately lead to the same end.
During the time of Shusun Bao, rituals and music were in decline, and the kingly way was in decline. However, people still falsely touted benevolence and righteousness, achieving success through justice. Strong-willed individuals will also humble themselves if it is reasonable; if a single word strays from the right path, even close friends will cut ties. It is evident that the legacy of past sages is worth learning from and emulating.
After the decline of tyranny, a wave of deceit emerged. The strong boasted of victories through force, while the weak survived through deceitful means. Some received vast riches for just half a piece of writing, or treasures for a mere sentence. Some went from obscurity to high positions, from donning rough clothing to rising to official ranks. Those skilled in rhetoric and debate, in pursuit of personal gain, resorted to any means necessary, leading to a steady stream of followers. From then on, people competed for fame and fortune, changing their behavior with the times. This trend was hard to contain, and the drawbacks were difficult to reverse.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Bang, the state was still quite frugal, but by the time of Emperor Wu of Han, the military leaders grew arrogant and overbearing, laws and regulations became lax, and the ceremonial system was simplified. Building on the legacy of the Four Haos, people were eager to achieve great things, disregarded death, valued integrity, resented favors, and were bound to seek revenge. Laws were often enforced privately, power was held by the common people, and the spirit of chivalry flourished and became the prevailing social atmosphere of the time. After Emperor Wu of Han, Confucianism was advocated, studying classics and skills, academic debates were widespread, and even debates at the Stone Canal Pavilion and the suppression of dissenting voices emerged. Those who strictly adhered to the classics were very popular at that time. Until Wang Mang usurped power, eventually taking the throne of the Han Dynasty, loyal and principled individuals were ashamed to associate with him, so they retreated to the mountains, content to live in poverty. Although the Eastern Han Dynasty later experienced a revival and the virtue of the Han Dynasty was restored, those who prioritized self-preservation while nurturing lofty ideals continued to learn from one another and placed great importance on career choices. During the reign of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the emperors were morally decadent and corrupt, political chaos erupted, and state affairs fell under the control of eunuchs. Scholars felt ashamed to associate with them, so some common people rose up in rebellion, recluses expressed their opinions, and those who wrote passionately, praised one another, judged court officials, and assessed government officials saw an atmosphere of integrity emerge. All of the above illustrate the principle that "when those in power have preferences, those below will inevitably follow." Take Fan Pang and Zhang Jian as examples: even though they were pure-hearted and content, detesting evil, they ultimately became embroiled in factional struggles, don't you think?
Legend has it that when Emperor Huan of Han first became the Marquis of Liwu, he studied with Zhou Fu in Ganling. Later, when he became emperor, he promoted Zhou Fu to the position of Minister of Personnel. At that time, the Henan Intendant Fang Zhi, who was from the same county as Zhou Fu, was also famous. The common folk sang songs and composed rhymes that went: "Under the heavens, Fang Bo Wu sets the rules, Zhou Zhongjin gains the seal from his teacher." These two men, one the Henan Intendant and the other the Minister of Personnel, had followers who competed for influence and praised their respective masters, ultimately forming factions. The relationships became increasingly tense, and the Ganling area was divided into two factions, north and south, and this was how the factional strife began.
Later, the Magistrate of Runan, Zong Zi, promoted the secretary of the magistrate, Fan Pang, and the Magistrate of Nanyang, Cheng Ji, promoted the secretary of the magistrate, Cen Hui. Songs and rumors also circulated in these two regions, saying: "The Magistrate of Runan, Fan Mengbo, the Magistrate of Nanyang, Zong Zi, makes promises. The Magistrate of Nanyang, Cen Gongxiao, sat back and mocked Hongnong's Cheng Ji." These rumors spread to the Imperial College, where more than thirty thousand students were aware of them. Guo Linzong and Jia Weijie led the way, praising one another alongside Li Ying, Chen Fan, and Wang Chang. Rumor had it in the Imperial College: "Under the heavens, Li Yuanli sets the standards, not afraid of powerful officials like Chen Zhongju; under the heavens, Wang Shumo is talented." Even the noble youths from Bohai and officials from Fufeng, such as Wei Qiqing, felt free to speak their minds, openly criticizing those in power. From high-ranking court officials to ordinary officials, no one was safe from their critiques, and everyone sought to curry favor by visiting their homes.
In the capital of Hanoi, there was a man named Zhang Cheng who was skilled in astrology and predicted that there would be a general amnesty. As a result, he encouraged his son to kill, and Li Ying, who was the magistrate of Henan at the time, was responsible for capturing Zhang Cheng and his son. Later, just as the general amnesty was announced, Zhang Cheng and his son narrowly escaped punishment, which infuriated Li Ying. Eventually, Li Ying killed Zhang Cheng. Zhang Cheng was known to use fortune-telling to ingratiate himself with the eunuchs, and the Emperor was somewhat skeptical of his predictions. Zhang Cheng's student, Lao Xiu, wrote a letter accusing Li Ying and others of bribing students from the Imperial Academy, colluding with students from various counties, forming factions, slandering the court, and corrupting social morals. The Emperor, upon hearing this, was furious and ordered the arrest of the conspirators across the country, posting notices to stir up public hatred against them. Li Ying and others were then arrested, implicating over two hundred individuals, including Chen Shi, with some managing to escape, and the court offering rewards for their capture. Officials were on the lookout everywhere for conspirators, and messengers were sent out to track them down. The following year, the Minister of Works, Huo Xiu, and the City Gate Captain, Dou Wu, petitioned the Emperor for leniency on their behalf, and the Emperor slightly softened his stance, pardoning them and allowing them to retire, but they were forbidden from ever holding office again. The label of "conspirator" was permanently etched in the annals of history. At that time, honest people were being marginalized and suppressed, while those involved in shady dealings were becoming more and more audacious. People across the country were emulating their behavior, praising each other and bestowing various titles on famous scholars. There were titles like "Three Sages," and below them were titles like "Eight Talents," "Eight Distinguished," "Eight Achievers," and "Eight Masters," which had meanings similar to the ancient titles "Eight Virtuous Ones" and "Eight Worthy Ones."
Dou Wu, Liu Shu, and Chen Fan are known as the "Three Lords." The character "君" refers to the figures that people revered at that time. Li Ying, Xun Yi, Du Mi, Wang Chang, Liu You, Wei Lang, Zhao Dian, and Zhu Yu are the "Eight Geniuses." The character "俊" refers to exceptional individuals. Guo Linzong, Zong Ci, Ba Su, Xia Fu, Fan Pang, Yin Xun, Cai Yan, and Yang Zhi are the "Eight Mentors." The character "顾" refers to people who can influence and guide others with their virtues. Zhang Jian, Cen Han, Liu Biao, Chen Xiang, Kong Yu, Yuan Kang, Tan Fu, and Zhai Chao are the "Eight Seekers." The character "及" refers to people who can guide others to follow the wisdom of the sages and learn excellent qualities. Du Shang, Zhang Miao, Wang Kao, Liu Ru, Hu Muban, Qin Zhou, Fan Xiang, and Wang Zhang are the "Eight Benefactors." The character "厨" refers to people who can use their wealth to help others.
Once there was a man named Zhang Jian. His fellow villager Zhu Bing, who was currying favor with the eunuch Hou Lan, accused Zhang Jian and over twenty of his fellow villagers in a formal report, claiming they were forming factions and plotting against the state. Zhu Bing divided them into several cliques, with Zhang Jian, Tan Bin, Chu Feng, and others making up the "Eight Geniuses," Tian Lin, Zhang Yin, Liu Biao, and others forming the "Eight Mentors," and another group known as the "Eight Seekers." In short, Zhang Jian was the ringleader, and they were all in collusion. Upon hearing this, Emperor Ling of Han immediately issued an arrest warrant for Zhang Jian and his cohorts.
During the lengthy Changqiu Festival, seizing the opportunity, the authorities incited the arrest of those previously associated with Zhang Jian, including high-ranking officials and numerous local officials. More than a hundred people were arrested and imprisoned, and many died in prison. Some died early, others fled; in short, the situation was dire. Due to this "party suppression" incident, many people turned on one another, dragging in even those who had no connection to it. In the end, at least six to seven hundred people were killed, exiled, or imprisoned.
In the fifth year of Xiping, the Governor of Yongchang, Cao Luan, once again denounced the party members in a righteous manner. When the emperor read the memorial, he was furious, immediately ordering Cao Luan's arrest and execution at Huaili Prison! Even more outrageously, the emperor ordered all states and counties to reassess the relatives and friends of the party members. Anyone in the official ranks would be dismissed and imprisoned, and even relatives within five degrees would face repercussions.
In the second year of Guanghe, a man named Shang Luchang wrote a memorial stating, "According to the rites, cousins should live separately; the feelings have faded, and the relationship is relatively distant. Now this 'party suppression' actually implicates relatives within five degrees, which violates etiquette rules and is fundamentally unreasonable." The emperor thought it made sense and finally understood. He then ordered that the punishment for "party suppression" should be calculated from the grandparents' generation, and not pursue relatives before that.
In the year 144 AD, the Yellow Turban Rebellion erupted. Lü Qiang, an official in the palace, warned the emperor, "The resentment among the suppressed aristocrats is mounting. If we don't act quickly to grant amnesty, they might join forces with Zhang Jiao. By then, the chaos will be even greater, and it will be too late to regret!" Upon hearing this, the emperor quickly ordered a general amnesty, and those who had been exiled returned to their hometowns. Consequently, the Yellow Turban Rebellion escalated, plunging the court into chaos and disrupting national order.
The aristocratic clans that were suppressed first emerged in Ganling and Runan. Li Ying and Zhang Jian exacerbated this trend, bringing suffering to the common people across the country for over twenty years. There were too many people implicated, almost all of them were renowned scholars. Including the "Three Lords," "Eight Gentlemen," and others, a total of thirty-five people, their names and deeds are documented in historical records.
Chen Fan, Dou Wu, Wang Chang, Liu Biao, Du Shang, and Guo Linzong each have their own biographies. Xun Yi's achievements are recorded in the biography of his ancestor; Zhang Miao's deeds are recorded in Lu Bu's biography; Hu Muban's deeds are recorded in Yuan Shao's biography. Wang Kao, also known as Wenzu, was from Dongping Shouzhang and served as the Inspector of Jizhou Province; Qin Zhou, styled Pingwang, was from Chenliu Pingqiu and served as the Magistrate of Beihai; Fan Xiang, styled Jiajing, was from the state of Lu and served as a Langzhong; Wang Zhang, styled Boyi, was from Donglai Qucheng and served as the Minister of Finance; their official ranks were not particularly high. Zhai Chao, the Prefect of Shanyang, has his achievements recorded in Chen Fan's biography, although the specific titles and counties are unclear. Zhu Yu, hailing from Pei County, died in prison alongside Du Mi and others. Only Zhao Dian's name remains recorded.
Liu Shu, courtesy name Zhongcheng, was a native of Lecheng in Hejian. His grandfather, Liu Cheng, had served as Commandant of the Imperial Secretariat. Liu Shu began studying the Five Classics in childhood and became highly knowledgeable. Later, he retired and opened a school to teach, with hundreds of students attending regularly. Both the local government and the imperial court invited him to serve as an official multiple times, but he refused each time. In the second year of Yongxing, the Minister of Works, Zhong Gao, recommended him as a virtuous and upright person, but he declined, citing illness as an excuse. Emperor Heng heard of Liu Shu's reputation and reprimanded the local government, sending a carriage to bring him to the capital. With no choice, Liu Shu went to Luoyang, took the exam, ranked first, and was appointed as Yilang. He presented the Emperor with insights on political affairs and signs of natural disasters, all of which proved accurate. He was later promoted to the position of Palace Attendant and General of the Tiger Guards, providing numerous valuable recommendations to the Emperor. He earnestly recommended the dismissal of eunuchs; although the Emperor did not take his advice, he bore him no ill will. Because of his exceptional talents, the Emperor held Liu Shu in great esteem and often sought his advice on difficult matters. However, during the reign of Emperor Ling, eunuchs falsely accused Liu Shu and others of plotting rebellion, leading to his imprisonment and eventual suicide.
Li Ying, courtesy name Yuanli, was a native of Xiangcheng in Henan. His grandfather, Li Xiu, had served as Grand Commandant during the reign of Emperor An of Han, and his father, Li Yi, had been the Prime Minister of the State of Zhao. Li Ying was renowned for his integrity and upright character, maintaining only a few close acquaintances and regarding Xun Shu and Chen Shi from his hometown as his teachers and friends.
At first, he was recommended as a virtuous and upright official, then recommended by Hu Guang, the Minister of Works, and later promoted. He eventually became the Governor of Qingzhou. Local officials were all afraid of him because of his strict and upright demeanor. Many officials would quickly flee or resign upon hearing of his arrival. Later, he was summoned by the court and appointed as the Administrator of Yuyang. He was then promoted to Administrator of Shu Commandery. However, because of his aging mother, he requested to be relieved of his duties and returned home to care for her. He was then appointed as General in charge of the Wuhuan. At that time, the Xianbei frequently invaded the borders, but Li Ying consistently led the charge and defeated them time and again, making the Xianbei fear him greatly. Later, he was dismissed from his position for reasons related to his duties and returned to his hometown of Lunshi to teach, teaching more than a thousand students. Fan Ling of Nanyang wanted to become his student, but Li Ying turned him down. Fan Ling later sought favor with the eunuchs and rose to the position of Grand Commandant, becoming a target of ridicule among those with integrity. Xun Shuang once visited Li Ying and patiently waited to meet him, and returned with a smile, saying, "Today, I finally met Mr. Li!" It is evident that everyone held Li Ying in high esteem.
In the second year of Yongshou, the Xianbei launched an invasion of Yuncheng Commandery. Emperor Huan of Han heard of Li Ying's prowess and summoned him once again, appointing him as General Who Pacifies the Liaodong. Prior to this, the Qiang tribes, as well as the Shule, Kucha, and other regions, frequently raided Zhangye, Jiuquan, Yuncheng, and other commanderies, bringing hardship to the people. Upon Li Ying's arrival at the border, the invaders were so intimidated that they didn’t dare to act and surrendered without hesitation. The abducted women and children were also returned. From then on, Li Ying's reputation spread far and wide across the border regions.
In the second year of the Yanxi era, Li Ying was once again summoned and promoted to the position of Governor of Henan. At that time, a prominent family in Wanling, named Yang Yuanqun, was transferred back from Beihai Commandery and had committed many crimes, dismantling several exquisite buildings from the Beihai Commandery yamen and taking them home. Li Ying submitted a memorial requesting an investigation into Yang Yuanqun's crimes, which led to Li Ying being punished and demoted to Left Colonel.
Initially, Li Ying, along with Chief Justice Feng Gun and Grand Minister of Agriculture Liu You, were aligned in their aspirations and jointly accused the corrupt eunuchs. Feng Gun and Liu You also faced punishment and demotion at that time. The Colonel of the Inspectorate, Ying Feng, wrote a memorial defending Li Ying and his associates:
In the past, when people from the State of Qin went to the State of Chu to see treasures, Chu sent Zhao Xihu to accompany them with a group of talented individuals; King Hui of Liang gave him a particularly shiny pearl, and King Wei of Qi reciprocated with four outstanding ministers. Look, loyal officials and virtuous generals, they are the backbone of the nation!
I believe that Chief Justice Feng Gun, Grand Minister of Agriculture Liu You, and Governor Li Ying enforce the law strictly, without any ambiguity, arresting those villains in accordance with the law, and the common people feel that they are doing the right thing. In the past, Viscount Xingfu disobeyed the orders of the monarch and was sent to serve as a servant in the land of Ju, which accounted for only one-twentieth of the merit record of Emperor Shun. Now, these loyal officials, like Li Ying, who work tirelessly for the nation, Your Majesty did not heed their explanations, but instead believed the slander of petty individuals, allowing loyal officials to suffer punishment alongside those villains. From spring to winter, Your Majesty did not grant them forgiveness, and the entire nation is lamenting their fate!
What is most important in governing a country is to remember the achievements and forget the mistakes! Take Emperor Wu of Han, who pardoned An Guo, and Emperor Xuan of Han, who recalled Zhang Chang, as examples. Feng Gun had previously fought to pacify the Man and Jing tribes, achieving results comparable to those of Ji Fu from the Zhou dynasty; Liu You made multiple inspections across various regions, maintaining his integrity and never succumbing to greed; Li Ying's reputation was well-known in Youzhou and Bingzhou, and he was remembered fondly by the people even after his death. Currently, the three border regions are on edge, and the imperial army is not yet prepared. The Book of Changes states: "After a thunderstorm, all things revive; a nobleman should grant amnesty to the world and forgive transgressions." Therefore, I earnestly request that you pardon Li Ying and the others, just in case!
After the memorial was submitted, the emperor ordered their release. Li Ying was promoted once more and appointed as the Commandant of the Capital. At that time, Zhang Rang's brother Zhang Shuo served as the magistrate of Yewang County; he was impoverished, cruel, morally bankrupt, and even killed pregnant women with brutal cruelty. Upon hearing of Li Ying's strictness and fearing punishment, Zhang Shuo fled back to the capital, hiding in his brother Zhang Rang's mansion, concealed within a pillar as thick as a person's embrace. Upon learning of this, Li Ying promptly led his officials to break open the pillar, capturing Zhang Shuo and sending him to Luoyang prison. After the interrogation, Li Ying had him executed immediately. Zhang Rang reported this to the emperor, who summoned Li Ying to the Eight Palaces and personally questioned him about why he executed Zhang Shuo without prior notification.
Li Ying replied, "In the past, Duke Wen of Jin escorted Duke Cheng of Wei back to the capital city, and this was recorded in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals.' The 'Book of Rites' states that even if a member of the royal family commits a crime, they may be pardoned, but law enforcement officials cannot violate the laws. In the past, Confucius served as the chief magistrate of the state of Lu and executed Shao Zhengmao in just seven days. Now that I have been in office for ten days, I am secretly worried about making mistakes due to delays, but I did not expect to be punished so quickly for executing criminals swiftly. I acknowledge my guilt and fear not death. I request just five more days to thoroughly eliminate the wicked, and then I will accept punishment, which was my original intention." The emperor remained silent and turned to Zhang Rang, stating, "This is your brother's fault. What mistake did Li Ying make?" He then released Li Ying. Since then, all the eunuchs have been respectful and cautious, not daring to leave the palace even during holidays.
The emperor was puzzled and asked for the reason. They kowtowed and cried, saying, "We are afraid of Captain Li." At that time, the court was increasingly chaotic, and moral standards were in decline. Only Li Ying alone persisted in his integrity and gained a reputation. Scholars fortunate enough to meet him were regarded as having reached a higher status. Later, Li Ying fell victim to political persecution, and the court wanted to investigate him and others. The case was reviewed by the three offices, but Grand Commandant Chen Fan refused to take the case. He stated, "Those under investigation are praised both at home and abroad as loyal subjects who care for their country and its people. Even if it is ten generations later, they should be forgiven. How can they be arrested without clear charges?" He declined to sign the document. The emperor became even more furious and imprisoned Li Ying and others in the Huangmen North Temple Prison. Li Ying and others implicated several eunuchs' children, and many eunuchs, fearful for their safety, requested the emperor to declare a general amnesty on an auspicious day. The emperor then ordered a general amnesty, allowing Li Ying to be pardoned and return to his hometown in Yangcheng Mountain. Scholars and officials across the land admired his noble character, while the court remained mired in corruption.
After Chen Fan was relieved of his position as Grand Commandant, both the court and the public favored Zhang Jian (styled Jian). Xun Shuang was worried that Zhang Jian's fame would attract trouble, so he advised him to compromise and protect himself to safely pass through the chaotic times, and wrote him a letter of advice: "It has been a long time since I visited you, and I haven't heard any good ideas from you. I can only think of you from afar, hoping that you are safe and sound as the years go by. I know that your upright character is difficult to find a place in this era, so you choose to live in seclusion in the mountains and reside in Yangcheng. Your residence is conveniently located, and I wanted to visit you, but I couldn't make the trip due to illness. Recently, I heard that the emperor was furious, demoting important court officials, and everyone in the court and among the people was in a panic, thinking that the emperor should follow the example of the prosperous era of the Zhen Guan twenty-fifth year, demonstrating the benevolence expected of an emperor. Unexpectedly, just before dawn, a scene as magnificent as a rainbow appeared, forsaking harmony and unity, choosing to go along with the corrupt. Now the situation in the world is perilous, and your safety is uncertain. Wise individuals foresee danger and choose to steer clear of it. Although this might let people down, it can also satisfy your own desires. You should feel content and have no regrets. I hope you can stay safe and keep to yourself at home, take it easy, and live in peace." Not long after, the emperor passed away.
Chen Fan was appointed Grand Tutor, jointly overseeing court affairs with Grand General Dou Wu. They planned to eradicate the eunuchs and thus recruited renowned scholars nationwide, with Zhang Jian appointed Prefect of Changle. After the failure of Chen Fan and Dou Wu, Zhang Jian and others were dismissed once again. Later, Zhang Jiao rebelled, and the court launched a widespread manhunt for his followers. People in the hometown advised Zhang Jian to escape quickly, but he said, "No matter how difficult the situation, I cannot avoid it. No matter how heavy the guilt, I cannot hide from it. This is my principle as a person. I am already sixty years old; life and death are fated. Where can I escape to?" So he voluntarily went to the prison, where he was interrogated to the point of death. His wife and children were exiled to the border, and his students, former subordinates, and family were all imprisoned.
At that time, Gu, the son of Jing Yi, the imperial censor of Shu County, had been a student of Zhang Jian. However, because there was no record left, he was not implicated. Jing Yi was deeply moved and said, "I originally thought Zhang Jian was a virtuous talent and even let my son study under him. How can I hide his name out of fear of repercussions and seek temporary safety?" So he submitted a request to resign and return to his hometown, and contemporary society praised his integrity. Zhang Jian's son, Zhang Zan, later became Governor of Dongping. When Cao Cao was young, Zhang Zan recognized his talent and, on his deathbed, told his son Zhang Xuan and others, "The world is on the brink of chaos. No hero compares to Cao Cao. Zhang Mengzhuo was my friend; Yuan Shao is your distant relative. Do not depend on them; you must support Cao Cao." His sons all followed his instructions, thus avoiding the disasters of war.
Du Mi, styled Zhou Fu, was from Yangcheng, Henan. He was calm and steadfast, who aspired to reform society from an early age. He was recognized by Situ Huguang and gradually rose to become the Governor of Daijun. Later summoned by the court, he was promoted to be the Prefect of Mount Tai and the Magistrate of Beihai. Whenever the sons of officials or eunuchs misbehaved, Du Mi would immediately arrest and interrogate them. Once in spring, when he visited Gaomi County, he found Zheng Xuan serving as a low-ranking official there. Recognizing Zheng Xuan's talent, he invited him to serve in the county administration and encouraged him to pursue further studies.
Later, Du Mi resigned from his official position, and he would offer numerous suggestions during his visits to superiors. Liu Sheng, from the same county as him, retired to his hometown after serving in Shu County and isolated himself, ignoring all affairs. Prefect Wang Yu commented to Du Mi, "Liu Jiling is a man of integrity; many court ministers speak highly of him!" Du Mi recognized the sarcasm in Wang Yu's words and replied, "Although Liu Sheng holds a high position and receives favor from the court, he fails to recommend good deeds or speak out against wrongdoings. He only looks out for himself, like a cicada in winter. This is nothing short of disgraceful! I make it my mission to recommend the talented and expose those who act immorally, so you can clearly administer rewards and punishments and maintain effective governance. Isn't this a thousand times better than him?" Wang Yu felt a sense of shame and came to respect Du Mi even more.
Later, Emperor Huan appointed him as the Minister of Appointments, then he was promoted to be the Governor of Henan, and later the Grand Herald. After the Disaster of Partisan Prohibition erupted, he was dismissed from office and returned to his hometown. He was implicated along with Li Ying, but their reputation continued to rise, which led people to refer to them as "Li Du." When Grand Tutor Chen Fan took office, Du Mi was once again appointed as the Grand Herald. The following year, after being implicated in the Partisan Prohibition case once more, Du Mi took his own life.
Liu You, styled Bozu, was from Anguo in Zhongshan. Anguo was later incorporated into Boling Commandery. Liu You was initially recommended as a filial and honest candidate and became a Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. He was well-versed in the laws and regulations, was an eloquent writer, and had exceptional debating skills. Every time he submitted a memorial or answered questions, he was always able to respond with ease, which earned him the respect of his peers.
He was appointed as the magistrate of Rencheng County, and Yanzhou recognized him as exceptionally outstanding. He was later promoted to the Governor of Yangzhou. At that time, Liang Min, the Prefect of Kuaiji, was a cousin of the Grand General Ji. Liu You submitted a memorial accusing Liang Min of his crimes, which resulted in Liang Min being summoned by the court for questioning. Liu You was then promoted to the Prefect of Hedong. At that time, many magistrates were the sons of eunuchs, causing suffering to the people. After Liu You took office, he took a strong stand against their arrogance, addressed long-standing grievances and injustices, achieved significant results, and was celebrated as a model official in the Sanhe region.
He was promoted several more times, and in the fourth year of the Yanxi era, he was appointed as the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, then as the Intendant of Henan, and later as the Colonel-Director of Retainers. At that time, the privileged offspring of the nobility, returning from their provinces to the capital, would change into different clothes at the border, secretly stash their wealth, and behave arrogantly at court.
After paying respects to his ancestors and being promoted three more times, he rose to become the Grand Minister of Agriculture. At that time, the eunuchs Su Kang and Guan Ba held significant power in the palace, seizing the best lands, properties, and natural resources across the country, leaving ordinary people in poverty and despair, with grievances echoing throughout the provinces. Liu You submitted a petition to the appropriate authorities, and in accordance with the law, confiscated their lands and assets. Emperor Huan became furious, wanting to punish Liu You, and exiled him to a lowly position in the Left Guard.
Later he was pardoned and released, promoted several times, and became one of the three ministers. However, he resigned from his position citing illness and requested to retire to go home and farm. The court appointed him as a junior official, and he shut himself away from the world, refusing visitors. Whenever there was a vacancy for a senior official in the court, they thought of appointing him, but because someone falsely accused him, he was never appointed. His friend Yan Du wrote to him, "In the past, Taibo stepped down three times; although people did not know his virtues, they all praised him. Yanling Jizi had a high reputation and was admired by people all over the world. You, like Qu Boyu, are self-disciplined; like Ning Wuzi, you are modest and cautious. You hide your talents, but you are honest and upright. You do not show off your abilities, and the brilliance of the sun, moon, and stars pales in comparison to your character. How can you treat governing the world as a trivial matter?"
When Emperor Ling first ascended to the throne, Chen Fan was in power and promoted You to be the Intendant of Henan. After Chen Fan fell from power, You was dismissed and returned home as well, eventually dying at home. The following year, the court conducted a large-scale purge of political factions; fortunately, he was not implicated.
Wei Lang, also known as Shaoying, was from Shangyu, Kuaiji. When he was young, he served as a county official. His brother was killed, and Wei Lang avenged him in broad daylight in the county with a knife, then fled to the state of Chen. He studied the "Spring and Autumn Annals" under the scholar Xi Zhongxin and also studied the "Five Classics" at the Academy. Many respected elders in the capital, including Li Ying, vied to learn from him.
At first, he was summoned to work at the Situ Manor, and later he was promoted twice, becoming the Prefect of Pengcheng. At that time, many eunuchs' children became national officials and acted with impunity. Wei Lang repeatedly reported their crimes, angering the powerful eunuchs who sought to frame him. Coincidentally, a rebellion broke out in Jiuzhen, and Wei Lang was recommended to be the Commander of Jiuzhen. After taking office, he encouraged the soldiers, defeated the rebels, and executed over two thousand of them. Emperor Huan recognized his contributions and summoned him back to the court, appointing him as a court gentleman. Shortly after, he was promoted to be a Minister, and he submitted valuable proposals to the court through his memorials, which were beneficial to the administration. Later, he was sent to serve as the Prefect of Henei, where he achieved outstanding governance in the Sanhe region. The Minister Chen Fan recommended Wei Lang for his loyalty and integrity, suggesting that he should work in a core department of the court. As a result, he was recalled to serve as a Minister in the court. However, due to factional strife, he was dismissed and sent back home.
Wei Lang was strict and studious, maintaining a reclusive lifestyle at home and following the laws, and his family members dared not be negligent. Later, when Dou Wu and others were killed, Wei Lang, due to his association with them, was urgently summoned by the court. However, on his way to Niuzhu, he took his own life. He had written several articles, which were later compiled as "Wei Zi."
Xia Fu, styled Zizhi, was from Yuxian County in Chenliu. When he was young, he was a scholar recognized for his integrity and straightforwardness in both speech and action. The powerful and affluent Gao and Cai families in the same county were feared by the locals, but Xia Fu did not associate with them, leading to resentment from these prominent families. In the early reign of Emperor Huan, the court summoned him to serve as an official for frank remonstrances, but he refused to go.
Although Xia Fu did not socialize with the officials and nobles of the time, his reputation made certain court officials wary of him. Consequently, he, along with Fan Pang, Zhang Jian, and others, were wrongfully accused, and the court ordered the local authorities to arrest them, alleging that they were part of a faction led by Xia Fu.
When Zhang Jian and his group fled, the places they passed through were searched and interrogated by the authorities, implicating countless people. Xia Fu sighed heavily and said, "It's all the trouble I caused myself, unintentionally dragging so many good people into trouble. Escaping alone, but bringing disaster to thousands of people, what's the point of my existence?" So he shaved his beard, changed his appearance, hid in the Linluo Mountains, assumed a new name and identity, and worked as a servant for others. He cooked and tended to the fire himself, living a very difficult life, his appearance growing increasingly haggard, and after two or three years, no one recognized him. Later, Xia Fu's younger brother, Xia Jing, came to the Nieyang market with carriages, horses, and silk to look for him. When the two brothers met, Xia Jing did not recognize Xia Fu, only recognized him by his voice, and quickly knelt down to pay his respects. Xia Fu avoided talking to him, and Xia Jing followed him to the inn and stayed with him. In the middle of the night, Xia Fu quietly said to Xia Jing, "Because I insist on my own righteousness and hate evil, I was framed by those in power. I just want to live quietly and stay alive. Why did you bring things to find me? Isn't this asking for trouble?" The next day, the two brothers went their separate ways. Before the disaster of the Party Gu was resolved, Xia Fu passed away. Zong Ci, courtesy name Xiaochu, was from Anzhong County in Nanyang. He was recommended as a filial and incorrupt official, summoned to the government office nine times, all because of his virtue, but he declined each time. Later, he became the magistrate of Xiuwu County. At that time, the prefect, coming from a privileged background, frequently accepted bribes, so Zong Ci resigned and left. The court called him to serve as a counselor, but he died on the way before taking office. The scholars of Nanyang held great respect for his righteous deeds.
Ba Su, courtesy name Gongzu, was a native of Gaogucheng County in Bohai. Initially recommended for his filial piety, he served as the magistrate of Shen County and head of Beiqiu County. However, because of the corrupt county governor, he resigned from his position citing illness. Later, he was recruited to serve in the government, gradually rising to become an official. He conspired with Dou Wu, Chen Fan, and others to eliminate the eunuchs. After Dou Wu and the others were killed, Ba Su was also imprisoned due to his involvement. The Chief Eunuch Cao Jie eventually discovered their plan and had him arrested. Ba Su went to the county office to surrender himself, bringing his belongings. Upon seeing Ba Su, the county magistrate removed his official insignia and left with him. Ba Su said, "As a subject, I cannot hide my schemes, nor can I evade punishment for my crimes. Since I have not concealed any plots, how could I evade punishment?" He was subsequently executed. Governor Jia Cong had a stone tablet inscribed to commemorate his deeds.
Fan Pang, courtesy name Mengbo, was a native of Runan, whose family had made a living by pacifying the Qiang tribe for generations. He was ambitious and upright from a young age, gaining the respect of his fellow villagers. He was later recommended as a filial and incorrupt official, serving as an official in the Ministry of Rites.
At that time, there was a famine in Jizhou, with bandits running rampant. The court sent Fan Pang as the Commissioner of Imperial Edicts to investigate and handle these matters. Fan Pang, upon taking office, was filled with ambition to eradicate corruption. When he arrived in the state, the local officials, fully aware of their misdeeds, were terrified when they heard Fan Pang was coming and quickly removed their seals and fled. Every memorial submitted by Fan Pang exposed their schemes. Later, he was promoted to the position of Guanglu Xunzhushi. At that time, Chen Fan held the title of Guanglu Xun, and Fan Pang followed the official rules to visit Chen Fan, but Chen Fan dismissed him. Frustrated, Fan Pang decided to resign. Upon hearing about this, Guo Linzong advised Chen Fan, saying, "How can we treat someone like Fan Mengbo so casually? If you let him go now, he'll gain a bad reputation, and you will also be seen as someone who does not recognize talent. Is that worth it?" Chen Fan then apologized to Guo Linzong. Later, he was invited by the Grand Marshal Huang Qiong to serve as an official. The court then asked the officials of the Three Departments to recommend those who spread rumors. Fan Pang accused more than twenty governors, two thousand shi, and their followers. The officials suspected Fan Pang had ulterior motives due to the sheer number of accusations. Fan Pang replied, "The people I accused are all villains who have done great harm to the common folk. How can it be considered defamation just because I submitted a lot of memorials? It's just that time is pressing, so I accused the most serious offenders first, and I will continue to investigate those who have not been cleared yet. I heard that farmers need to remove weeds from their fields for crops to grow well; loyal ministers must root out treacherous officials to keep the king's path clear. If I lie, I am willing to accept punishment!" Yet, the officials refused to look into it properly. Recognizing the tough situation he was in, Fan Pang knew that his ideals were hard to achieve, so he resigned again.
The governor Zong Zi had long heard of Fan Pang's great reputation, so he invited him to be his aide, responsible for handling government affairs. After Fan Pang took office, he strictly dealt with those who committed wrongdoings. Those who were unfilial to their parents and did not adhere to benevolence and morality were all removed from official positions by him and were no longer allowed to attend court. He also actively recommended talented individuals and promoted those who had been overlooked. Fan Pang's nephew, Li Song, was a descendant of the imperial family but was despised by the villagers. The eunuch Tang Heng sought Zong Zi's support to get Li Song appointed as an official. However, Fan Pang felt that Li Song was not a suitable candidate, so he did not summon him. Zong Zi was furious and struck his aide Zhu Ling. Zhu Ling raised his head and said, "Fan Pang's character is upright, like using a sharp blade to cut away rot. Today, I would rather be beaten to death than disobey Fan Pang's orders!" Zong Zi then stopped. From the bottom to the top of the county, everyone blamed Fan Pang for their grievances and referred to the people Fan Pang favored as "Fan's party."
Li Ying was falsely accused, which implicated Li Pang, and he was imprisoned in the Huangmen North Temple prison. The jailer said, "All prisoners who are imprisoned here must make sacrifices to Gao Tao." Li Pang said, "Gao Tao is a wise man, an upright minister of ancient times. If I know I am innocent, he will plead my case to the emperor; if I am guilty, what good would that do?" After hearing this, everyone did not say anything further. The jailer was getting ready to torture him, but Li Pang saw that many of his fellow prisoners were seriously ill, so he requested to be tortured first. So he and his fellow countyman Yuan Zhong endured brutal torture together. Emperor Huan of Han sent the eunuch Wang Fu to interrogate each of them individually, and Li Pang and the others were all fitted with wooden collars and left out in the sun on the steps. Others were in front, some confessed while others denied, and Li Pang and Yuan Zhong went up one by one from behind. Wang Fu asked, "As subjects, not only have you been disloyal to the country, but you also form cliques, flatter each other, criticize court affairs, and fabricate charges. What are you plotting? You must answer truthfully—no holding back!"
Li Pang replied, "I heard that Confucius said, 'Seeing good is like chasing after something unattainable, seeing bad is like touching boiling water.' Wanting good people and their deeds to be equally pure, and bad people and their deeds to be equally corrupt, this is what the emperor wishes to hear, yet it is ironically seen as forming factions." Wang Fu said, "You promote each other, collude with each other, and if there are people who disagree, they are excluded and suppressed. What does this mean?" Li Pang sighed deeply and passionately, "Those who followed the path of goodness in ancient times would naturally receive many blessings; now those who follow the path of goodness have to suffer the misfortune of being killed. On the day I die, I hope to be buried next to Shouyang Mountain, not to disappoint the heavens above, nor to disappoint the Yi and Qi below." Wang Fu was touched by his words, and his demeanor softened. As a result, both Li Pang and Yuan Zhong were released from their shackles.
Li Pang was later released and returned to his hometown in the south. Soon after leaving the capital, thousands of carriages from Runan and Nanyang came to greet him. Fellow townspeople Yin Tao and Huang Mu, who had been detained with him, were also released and returned home together. They all served by Li Pang's side, receiving guests. Li Pang looked at them and said, "By following me now, you are bringing me more trouble!" So he secretly returned to his hometown.
Initially, when Li Pang and the others were imprisoned, Huo Xu, the Minister of Personnel, was in charge of the case. After their release, Li Pang visited Huo Xu in the capital but didn’t express his gratitude. When someone called him out on this, he replied, "In the past, Uncle Xiang, who was falsely accused, was saved by Qi Xi, but I didn't hear that Yang She thanked Qi Xi, and Qi Xi didn't boast about himself either." Ultimately, Li Pang chose to remain silent about the matter.
In the second year of Jianning, the court suddenly carried out a large-scale purge of political factions, and the emperor ordered the immediate arrest of Fan Pang and others. When Wu Dao, the county's postal supervisor, arrived with the imperial edict, he shut the door, crawled into bed, and began to weep. When Fan Pang heard this, he remarked, "This must be about me." He immediately went to the prison to surrender. The county magistrate Guo Yi was frightened, quickly took off his official seal, and pulled Fan Pang to escape together, saying, "The world is so big, why do you have to stay in this place?" Fan Pang said, "If I die, this disaster will end; how could I ever let you get caught up in my sins and let my old mother be displaced?" His mother came to say goodbye. Fan Pang comforted his mother, saying, "Zhongbo (Fan Pang's son) is filial and understanding, enough to support you. I will accompany Lord Longshu (referring to himself as Lord Longshu, implying his impending death) to take a trip on the road to the Yellow Springs, where both the living and the dead find their rightful place. Don't be too sad; don't let your grief grow." His mother said, "You’re now mentioned in the same breath as Li Ying and Du Mi. There is no regret even in death! Having a good name and wishing for a long life—can you really have both?" Fan Pang knelt down to heed his mother’s advice, bowed twice to say goodbye. Then he instructed his son, "If I want you to do bad things, you will not succeed; if I want you to do good things, then I will not do bad things." Passersby who heard these words couldn’t help but cry. At that time, Fan Pang was thirty-three years old.
In the Analects, it is said, "Is the way of righteousness about to decline? This is the will of Heaven!" The deeds of Fan Pang, Li Ying stood up in a perilous environment, and his noble character inspired the people around him like a refreshing breeze, shaming those who abused their power through his actions and deterring high-ranking officials with his integrity, inspiring righteous people everywhere to rise up and follow his example, undeterred by imprisonment, death, or the repercussions for his family. His son even died for him, yet his mother took pride in his righteous actions. It's truly heroic!
Yin Xun, courtesy name Boyuan, from Gong County, Henan. His family has been officials for generations. His uncle Yin Mu served as Minister of Works, his brother Yin Song served as Grand Commandant, and many family members held high-ranking positions, but he remained honest and never abused his power. He was summoned many times to serve as an official, was recognized for his filial piety, promoted three times, and eventually became the magistrate of Handan County with remarkable achievements. Later, he passed the exams and was promoted five times, eventually becoming the Minister of Works. When Emperor Huan executed the Grand General Liang Ji, Yin Xun participated in the important planning and was titled Marquis of Duxiang. Later, he became the Prefect of Runan. He defended Fan Pang, Yuan Zhong, and others who were imprisoned for being labeled as members of the opposition. Shortly after, he was summoned to be the Director of Works, then transferred to be the Minister of Agriculture. Due to involvement with Dou Wu and others, he was imprisoned and ultimately took his own life.
Cai Yan, courtesy name Mengxi, from Xiang County, Runan. From a young age, he was well-versed in Confucian classics, taught them, and educated his community through rituals. When disputes arose in the community, everyone sought his arbitration, and his judgments were accepted without complaint.
It is said that this person was first recommended as a filial and upright candidate, and later gradually promoted to the position of Governor of Jizhou. There was a man named Ju Yuan, who was a court official, and he asked his brother to use connections to help someone become a promising scholar, but he refused and instead interrogated the person who had tried to bribe him. He also accused the Prefect of Hejian, Cao Ding, of committing many crimes. This Cao Ding was the brother of the court official Teng. Teng asked the Grand General Liang Ji to write a letter of plea, but Cao Ding ignored it, and in the end, he was demoted to a minor official role. Later, he was summoned to serve as a court advisor and a symbol bearer. Liang Ji heard that he was very capable and wanted to meet him, but he declined, claiming to be ill, which caused Liang Ji to harbor resentment towards him. At that time, the Prefect of Nanyang, Cheng Ji, and others were investigated by the Ministry of Justice for their actions against eunuchs. He and the court advisor Liu Yu wrote a harsh petition on their behalf, and as a result, he was dismissed and returned home, where he lived in seclusion. After Emperor Ling ascended the throne, he was appointed as a court advisor once more, but unfortunately, he died shortly after.
Next, let's talk about Yang Zhi, whose courtesy name was Sizu, hailing from Liangfu in Taishan and coming from a prestigious family. He was upright and honest from a young age, knowledgeable and principled. He was recommended as a model of filial piety and integrity, and later summoned by the Grand Commandant Li Gu to serve in his court. He successfully passed the examinations and was promoted to the position of Imperial Clerk. Unfortunately, Li Gu was assassinated, and due to his association with Li Gu, he was imprisoned for several years. After passing the examinations again, he was promoted to the position of Governor of Jizhou. Upon taking office, he investigated and dealt with corrupt officials, restoring integrity to the local administration. He was later promoted to General of the Household Gentlemen and Commandant of the City Gates, and finally appointed as Minister of Works. At that time, the Grand Commandant Zhang Hao, Minister over the Masses Fan Ling, Grand Herald Guo Fang, Grand Herald Cao Ling, and Grand Minister of Agriculture Feng Fang all had private dealings with eunuchs, openly accepting bribes. Yang Zhi reported and accused them, but the Emperor ignored his report. He also recommended the previously upright officials such as Grand Commandant Liu Chong, Colonel-Director of Retainers Xu Bing, Governor of Youzhou Yang Xi, Governor of Liangzhou Liu Gong, and Governor of Yizhou Pang Ai. The Emperor was pleased and appointed him as the Intendant of Henan. He only ate plain rice and vegetables from his daily salary, taking a hard stance against the wealthy and powerful, instilling fear throughout the capital. However, due to political infighting, he was dismissed and imprisoned, eventually dying at home.
The final figure is Zhang Jian, whose courtesy name was Yuanjie, hailing from Gaoping in Shanyang and being a descendant of Prince Zhao, Zhang Er. His father Zhang Cheng had served as the Prefect of Jiangxia. Zhang Jian was initially recommended as a talented individual, but he declined as he believed the Prefect was untrustworthy. He stayed at home to recuperate and did not take up the appointment.
In the eighth year of the Yanxi era, Zhang Jian was appointed as the Inspector of Posts for the East. At that time, the eunuch Hou Lan and his family lived in Fangdong, tyrannically oppressing the people and committing various atrocities. Zhang Jian submitted a memorial accusing Hou Lan and his mother of their crimes, requesting the court to execute them. However, Hou Lan stopped the memorial from reaching the emperor, and this led to a bitter enmity between them. In Zhang Jian's hometown, there was a man named Zhu Bing who was sly and deceitful. He had been rejected by Zhang Jian before and held a grudge, so he falsely accused Zhang Jian and twenty-four others from the same county of forming a faction for personal gain, resulting in a warrant for Zhang Jian's arrest. Zhang Jian had to flee and hide, seeking shelter at various households where he was respected and welcomed, even at great personal risk to their families, causing some to lose everything.
Later, Zhang Jian arrived in Donglai and stayed at the home of Li Du. Mao Qin, the magistrate of Waihuang, led soldiers to Li Du's door. Li Du invited Mao Qin in and said, "Zhang Jian's reputation is known throughout the land, and his escape this time is not his fault. Even if you catch Zhang Jian, can you bear to arrest him?" Mao Qin patted Li Du's shoulder and said, "Even Qu Boyu is ashamed to act as a gentleman alone; how can you claim to be righteous all on your own?" Li Du replied, "While I do value loyalty, the court has already rounded up half of the faction members." Mao Qin sighed and left. Later, Li Du secretly helped Zhang Jian escape from the border, saving him from certain doom. During Zhang Jian's escape, more than ten people were executed by the court, his relatives were also exterminated, and many counties were devastated as a result.
In the first year of Zhongping, the turmoil of the Party Gu had subsided, and Zhang Jian returned to his hometown. The Grand General and the Three Dukes summoned him, recommending him as a virtuous and simple man. The court even sent a special carriage to welcome him, appointing him as the Minister of Revenue, but he did not accept. In the early years of Emperor Xian of Han, the people suffered from famine, while Zhang Jian's family was relatively well-off. He spent all his family fortune to help his fellow villagers, saving hundreds of lives.
In the early years of Jian'an, the court summoned Zhang Jian to serve as the Guard Commander. He reluctantly accepted the official position. Seeing the growing power of Cao Cao's family, Zhang Jian shut his doors and stopped his carriages, no longer participating in politics. A year later, Zhang Jian passed away in Xuchang at the age of eighty-four.
Historical records note: in the past, Wei Qin would rather die than submit, Yu Qing resigned from his position; Ji Bu was exiled, and Zhu Jia willingly accepted the blame. Zhang Jian dared to confront the powerful at that time, evading pursuit and capture everywhere, and people sympathized with his ambition, wanting to protect him. In order to protect him, dozens, if not hundreds, of regions donated cities, renounced their titles, and even committed suicide to protect him. Isn't this worthy of praise? However, Zhang Jian, relying on his own strength, wanted to resist the powerful forces alone, but ultimately ended up in prison, which indicates his lack of self-awareness.
Cen Xi, courtesy name Gongxiao, was from Jiyang, Nanyang. His father, Cen Yu, served as the Governor of Nanjun and was beheaded for corruption and bribery. When Cen Xi was young and unknown, he went to visit Zong Ci, a fellow townsman. Zong Ci, known for his noble character, was summoned by the court, resulting in his home being filled with guests. Because Cen Xi was not from a prestigious family, Zong Ci initially refused to see him. Cen Xi waited at Zong Ci's doorstep for several days until he was finally invited in at night. Zong Ci was impressed by his talent and took him to Luoyang to study at the Imperial Academy.
Cen Zhan was exceptionally talented; he had formed friendships with Guo Linzong, Zhu Gongshu, and others. Li Ying and Wang Chang both praised him for his future potential to assist the country. Even in the countryside, he harbored grand ambitions, thinking of upholding justice. When Cheng Ji took office as the Prefect of Hongnong, he wanted to establish his authority. Hearing that Cen Zhan had a great reputation, he appointed him as an official and designated Zhang Mu as the assistant official. Cheng Ji entrusted all matters to Cen Zhan and Zhang Mu; they were strict in their enforcement of rewards and punishments, rectified the government, and ensured the officials were well-managed. There was a wealthy man named Zhang Fan in Wancheng, a relative of Emperor Huan of Han's favorite concubine, skilled in carving exquisite ornaments. He often used these items to bribe eunuchs, so his official position kept rising, and he grew increasingly arrogant. Cen Zhan and Zhang Mu advised Cheng Ji to arrest Zhang Fan and others, but later there was a general amnesty. Cen Zhan went ahead and executed Zhang Fan, and arrested his relatives and friends, executing over two hundred people before reporting to the court.
As a result, the eunuch Hou Lan had Zhang Fan's wife submit a petition, which infuriated the emperor. Cheng Ji was arrested, imprisoned, and ultimately executed. Cen Zhan and Zhang Mu quickly fled to the Qi and Lu regions to hide, and they only came out when there was a general amnesty. Later, they were summoned several times by the local governments to assume office, but they declined. After Li Ying and Du Mi were killed, Cen Zhan fled once more, ultimately seeking refuge in the mountains of Jiangxia.
Chen Xiang, styled Zilin, hailed from Shaoling County in Runan Commandery. His grandfather Chen Zhen held the position of Commandant of Justice. Chen Xiang had a good reputation at a young age and was adept at forming friendships. He was recommended for his filial piety and integrity by the Grand Commandant Zhou Jing and was appointed as an Imperial Censor. During a New Year's Day court assembly, the Grand General Liang Ji was in disarray, and Chen Xiang accused him of abusing his power and disrespecting the court, demanding that he face legal repercussions. People at the time held him in high regard. He was later promoted to the position of Prefect of Dingxiang, then appointed as a Court Gentleman, and later promoted to the position of Inspector of Yangzhou. He accused Wang Yong, the Prefect of Yuzhang, of bribery, as well as Xu Can, the Prefect of Wu County, of corruption, which resulted in both being arrested and punished. Xu Can was the brother of the Palace Attendant Cao Jie. After this incident, Chen Xiang's reputation soared. He was again appointed as a Court Gentleman and later promoted to Deputy Imperial Clerk. However, due to his entanglement in a political purge, he was imprisoned in the North Temple Prison of the Yellow Gate, but was ultimately released for lack of evidence and died at home.
Kong Yu, styled Yuanshi, hailed from Lu County in the Lu Kingdom. His seventh-generation ancestor Kong Ba served among the Nine Ministers during Emperor Cheng's reign and was conferred the title of Marquis of Baocheng. From Kong Ba to Kong Yu, their family's title continued, producing a total of fifty-three officials and seven marquises. Kong Yu studied his family's teachings from a young age and was once summoned by the Grand General Liang Ji, but he declined. He was recommended as a person of integrity by the Grand Commandant, but due to differing political views, he resigned on account of illness. He was later imprisoned due to political purges. After Emperor Ling ascended the throne, the court summoned him to serve as a Court Gentleman via official summons and later appointed him as the Magistrate of Luoyang. However, he resigned from his position following his father's death and eventually died at home.
Yuan Kang, styled Zhongzhen, was a native of Bohai Commandery. When he was young, he studied at the Imperial Academy and had a good relationship with Guo Linzong. He was recommended as a filial and incorrupt official, and after two promotions, he served as the magistrate of Yingyin, where he accomplished significant achievements. Later, he was promoted to the position of Prefect of Taishan. In Taishan Commandery, many powerful families did not abide by the law, but Yuan Kang, upon taking office, adopted a resolute stance, issued strict laws, and no one dared to disobey. The lands and properties previously seized by the powerful families were fully restored.
At that time, a man named Zhang Jian from Shanyang killed the mother of the eunuch Hou Lan. The court investigated his relatives and guests, some of whom fled to the territory of Taishan. Yuan Kang had a longstanding aversion to eunuchs, so he spared no effort in arresting these people, ensuring that none escaped. As a result, Hou Lan held a grudge against him and falsely accused Yuan Kang of colluding with the Inspector of Yanzhou, Diwu Zhong, and the Commandant Hu Jia to rebel. Yuan Kang was arrested and sentenced to a punishment one degree less than death, and exiled to Jinan. The people of Yingyin County and the people of Taishan, including Yang Zhi, petitioned the court for his exoneration. Eventually, Yuan Kang was pardoned, returned to his original commandery, and died at home.
Tan Fu, styled Wenyu, was a native of Xiaqiu in Shanyang. When he was young, he was a scholar from a poor family yet harbored noble aspirations, refusing to accept charity from his fellow villagers. He was recommended as a filial and incorrupt official and was summoned to serve in government offices multiple times, but he declined. Later, he built a study hall to teach students, drawing hundreds of students, including many who traveled from great distances. During the reign of Emperor Huan, the court called upon him to serve as a scholar, but he declined. After Emperor Ling ascended the throne, the Minister Huang Qiong recommended him as a righteous and upright person. His strategies were well-suited to the circumstances of the time, and he was promoted twice more, eventually becoming the magistrate of Meng County. Feeling that the Commandant was not a suitable person, he resigned from his post. With no family property, he and his descendants dressed alike. He passed away peacefully at home at the age of eighty.
Liu Ru, courtesy name Shu Lin, came from Yangping in Dongjun. Guo Linzong often remarked that while Liu Ru wasn't the most eloquent speaker, he was very clear in his mind and had the demeanor of a true gentleman. He was recognized for his filial piety and integrity, passed the exams, and eventually became an attendant in the imperial court. During the reign of Emperor Huan, frequent disasters occurred, and the court ordered widespread solicitation of frank advice. Liu Ru submitted a memorial with ten points, detailing the gains and losses of the country, expressing his loyalty and sincerity. The emperor ignored his advice and assigned him as magistrate in Rencheng. After some time, he was summoned back to serve as a palace attendant. During the Dou Wu incident, he was imprisoned and eventually died by suicide.
Jia Biao, courtesy name Wei Jie, was a native of Dingling in Yingchuan. As a young man, he studied in the capital, with lofty ambitions and a bold character, comparable to Xun Shuang from his hometown. He initially served as an official in the local government, was recognized for his filial piety and integrity, and became the magistrate of Xinxian County. At that time, many people were impoverished and could not afford to raise their children. Jia Biao established strict laws, treating child abandonment and murder equally. There was a robber in the south of the city who robbed and killed people, and a woman in the north who killed her own child. Jia Biao wanted to investigate both cases, but his subordinates wanted to prioritize the case in the south. Jia Biao fumed, "It is common sense for robbers to kill, but for a mother to kill her own child violates both natural law and human decency!" He then drove directly to the north of the city and clarified the situation. Upon hearing this, the robber in the south voluntarily surrendered. Over the years, the rate of child abandonment dropped significantly, and everyone said, "All credit goes to Magistrate Jia!" Boys born in the county were called "Jia Zi," while girls were called "Jia Nu."
In the ninth year of the Yanxi era, the Party Purge disaster broke out. Grand Commandant Chen Fan argued passionately but to no avail. Court officials were terrified, and no one dared to speak out. Jia Biao told his friends, "If I don't go to Luoyang, this huge crisis won't be resolved." So he headed to Luoyang, where he met Gate General Dou Wu and Minister Huo Yu, and they defended the party members. As a result, Emperor Huan granted a general amnesty to the party members. After Li Ying was released, he said, "I'm alive today thanks to Jia Biao's strategy!"
Jia Biao got caught up in the Party Purge disaster and went into hiding. Many relatives and friends secretly hid him. However, when Jia Biao shut his door, no one saw him. People back then held him in high regard. Jia Biao said, "The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' says 'Act according to the situation, do not burden future generations.' Gongsun Zhuo caused trouble by threatening the emperor, which was his own fault. I can't even pick up a weapon to help him, so how could I possibly hide him?" So everyone admired his actions and thought he handled it very fairly. Later, Jia Biao was confined at home because of the Party Purges and eventually passed away at home. Originally, the three Jia brothers were well-respected, and Jia Biao was the most impressive, so they were known as the "Three Tigers of the Jia Family, with Jia Biao being the most formidable."
He Ye, known as Boqiu, was from Xiangxiang in Nanyang. Even though He Ye was a late bloomer, he had a good relationship with literati such as Guo Linzong and Jia Biao and was well-known in the Imperial College. His friend Yu Weigao had a lingering grudge over his father's murder and was gravely ill. He Ye visited him, and Yu Weigao tearfully shared his story. Moved by his plight, He Ye avenged him and buried his own head at Yu Weigao's grave.
Later, Chen Fan and Li Ying were brought down due to their close ties with He Yong and were framed by the eunuchs. He then changed his name and assumed a new identity, hiding in the area of Runan. Wherever he went, local heroes held him in high regard, and he had a good reputation in the areas of Jingzhou and Yuzhou. Yuan Shao held him in high esteem, and they became close friends. Amid the chaos of the Partisan Prohibitions, many people suffered, and He Yong often secretly returned to Luoyang to formulate strategies with Yuan Shao. He always sought ways to alleviate the hardships of those in desperate situations. If someone was captured, he did everything he could to aid their escape and concealment, thus saving many lives.
Once the turmoil of the Partisan Prohibitions had settled, He Yong was appointed as an official in the Office of the Sikong. At each meeting of the Three Dukes (Situ, Sikong, and Sili Xiaowei), everyone praised He Yong's talents. He was promoted several times. Later, Dong Zhuo came to power and forced He Yong to be his chief historian. He Yong declined, citing illness, and then conspired with Sikong Xun, Situ Wang Yun, and others to deal with Dong Zhuo. After Sikong Xun passed away, He Yong was imprisoned by Dong Zhuo for various reasons and died from grief. In his early years, He Yong met Cao Cao and remarked, "The Han Dynasty is about to perish; the one who can restore order to the realm must be this person!" Cao Cao greatly appreciated him. He Yong once commended Xun Yu of Yingchuan as a capable advisor. Later, Xun Yu became the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, sent someone to the west to welcome his uncle Xun Shuang, and also returned He Yong's remains for burial alongside Xun Shuang's tomb.
It is said: The Wei River grows murky due to the Jing River, while beautiful jade shines even more brilliantly against the gravel. The nature of things is different, and people's tastes often shift based on appearances. Orchids and water plants cannot thrive together; beautiful and ugly things are always at odds. It's a shame that the exquisite balm is used to fuel the lamp, burning away completely.
