Zhuo Mao, also known by his courtesy name Zikang, hailed from Wanyuan County in Nanyang. His family had a long line of ancestors who served as county magistrates. During the reign of Emperor Yuan of Han, Zhuo Mao went to Chang'an to study, where he studied the Book of Songs, the Book of Rites, and astronomy and calendar calculations under the scholar Jiang Sheng. He mastered his teacher's teachings and became known as a Confucian scholar well-versed in the classics. He was kind and compassionate, earning him the love and respect of many. Even those whose ways differed from his greatly admired and respected him.
At first, Zhuo Mao was called up by the court to work as an assistant in the Prime Minister's Office, serving Lord Kong Guang. Kong Guang held Zhuo Mao in high regard for his moral character. Once, when Kong Guang went out on official business, someone recognized his horse. Zhuo Mao inquired, "How long have you been missing your horse?" The man replied, "It's been over a month." Zhuo Mao had raised that horse for several years and knew the man was lying, but he chose not to call him out on it. He quietly gave the horse to the man, then walked away with the carriage. Before he left, he turned around and said, "If this horse isn't yours, please return it to me at the Prime Minister's Office." A few days later, the horse's owner eventually found another horse he had lost, which had been sent over from another government office. He quickly bowed to Zhuo Mao to express his gratitude. That was Zhuo Mao—he wasn't one to argue with others.
This gentleman, Zhuo Mao, was first appointed as an attendant minister due to his expertise in Confucian studies, later became a Chamberlain for the Yellow Gates, and eventually rose to the position of Secret Envoy. He was diligent and responsible in his work, treating others like his own kids, always encouraging them to do good and never saying a bad word about anyone. As a result, both officials and everyday folks held him in high regard and wouldn't dare to deceive him.
One day, someone told Mr. Mao that the pavilion head in the county had accepted gifts of rice and meat from the people. Mr. Mao asked him, "Did the pavilion head ask you for these gifts? Or did you have something to ask of him, so you gave him gifts? Or did you just send them to him out of goodwill?" The person replied, "I just sent them." Mr. Mao said, "If you sent it and he accepted it, what's the point?" The person said, "I've heard that a wise ruler can make the people feel safe from officials, and officials will not be corrupt. I'm currently afraid of officials, so I gave him gifts. Since the official accepted them, that's why I came to tell you." Mr. Mao said, "You're seeing people in a negative light. The reason why humans are more noble than animals is because humans have a heart of benevolence and understand mutual respect and service. Even neighbors and elders in the community exchange gifts; this is just common courtesy, especially between officials and the people. Officials should not abuse their power and demand things! Humans live together, and that's why there are various rules and etiquette to regulate interpersonal interactions. If you think these rules are a hassle and don't want to follow them, can you just fly away from it all? The pavilion head has a good relationship with you usually, so giving gifts on festivals and special occasions is just a matter of courtesy." The person said, "If that's the case, why does the law still prohibit it?" Mr. Mao smiled and said, "Laws are based on principles, while etiquette follows human emotions. I am teaching you with etiquette now; you surely won't resent it. If I were to punish you with the law, what would you do about that? Within a family, small matters can be discussed, major issues can be punished or even lead to death. Go back and think about it!" So, the man took Mr. Mao's advice to heart, and the officials felt grateful toward him.
When Mr. Mao first arrived in Mixian County, he abolished some old rules and regulations in the county. Both the officials and the common folks laughed at him, and neighboring cities also thought he was incompetent after hearing about it. Later, when Henan Prefecture wanted to appoint a new county magistrate, Mr. Mao wasn't concerned. He handled government affairs as he saw fit. Several years later, his teachings really resonated with the people, and even on the roads, you wouldn't find anything lying around.
During the reign of Emperor Ping, a great locust plague occurred throughout the country, and more than twenty counties in Henan suffered from disasters, but Mixian County was not affected. The local magistrate reported this to the provincial governor, who was skeptical and went to Mixian County to check for himself, only to find that it was true.
At that time, Wang Mang was in power and established the position of Minister of the Interior in the Six Departments to supervise agricultural production. Mr. Mao was promoted to Minister of the Capital, and the folks of Mixian County said goodbye to him in tears. Later, when Wang Mang usurped the throne, Mr. Mao resigned due to illness and returned to his hometown, often serving as a household manager and refusing to serve as an official.
After Emperor Gengshi ascended the throne, he appointed Mr. Mao as the Libationer in Waiting and accompanied him to Chang'an. Mr. Mao saw the chaotic state of Emperor Gengshi's regime and, due to his old age, asked to retire and go back home.
When Emperor Guangwu first took the throne, he immediately wanted to find Zuo Mao. Zuo Mao went to Heyang to meet him. Emperor Guangwu then issued a decree saying, "Before, I had Zuo Mao work on some tasks behind the scenes. He is upright and honest, truly capable of doing things that ordinary people cannot. His reputation resounds throughout the world, and he deserves great rewards from the world, just like King Wu did when he defeated King Zhou, honoring Bi Gan's tomb and celebrating Shang Rong. Now I appoint Zuo Mao as Grand Tutor, confer upon him the title of Marquis of Virtue, grant him a fief of two thousand households, and reward him with furniture, a cane, chariots, horses, a set of clothes, and five hundred pounds of cotton fluff." Emperor Guangwu appointed Zuo Mao's eldest son, Zuo Rong, as Grand Master, and his second son, Zuo Chong, as Gentleman in Waiting to serve the emperor at the Yellow Gate. In the fourth year of Jianwu, Zuo Mao passed away, and the emperor granted him a coffin, burial ground, and personally attended the funeral dressed in simple clothes.
Zhuo Mao's son Zhuo Chong inherited the title and was granted the title of Marquis of Fanxiang, eventually becoming the Grand Minister of Agriculture. After Zhuo Chong's death, his son Zhuo Shen inherited the title; after Zhuo Shen's death, his son Zhuo Xiu inherited the title; after Zhuo Xiu's death, his son Zhuo Long inherited the title. In the fifteenth year of the Yongyuan era, Zhuo Long passed away without a son, resulting in the loss of the title.
Initially, Zhuo Mao, along with Kong Xiu from the same county, Cai Xun from Chenliu, Liu Xuan from Anzhong, Gong Sheng from the state of Chu, and Bao Xuan from Shangdang, were good friends. They all held positions of prominence when Wang Mang was not in power. Kong Xiu, whose courtesy name was Ziquan, served as the magistrate of Xindu County during the reign of Emperor Ai of the Han Dynasty. When Wang Mang came into power, Kong Xiu resigned from his position and returned home. After Wang Mang usurped the throne, he sent precious silk and gifts to invite Kong Xiu to be his national teacher, but Kong Xiu feigned illness and declined Wang Mang's invitation. Later, Emperor Guangwu sought out the descendants of Kong Xiu and Cai Xun, rewarding them with provisions in recognition. Liu Xuan, also known as Zigao, was the cousin of the Marquis of Anzhong, Chong. He changed his name upon learning of Wang Mang's intentions to usurp the throne and hid in the deep mountains and forests with his books. He only emerged during the Jianwu period, and Emperor Guangwu permitted him to inherit the title of Marquis of Anzhong. Gong Sheng's son was also promoted to the position of Administrator of Shanggu. The accomplishments of Gong Sheng and Bao Xuan are chronicled in the "Book of Former Han," while Cai Xun's accomplishments are detailed in the biography of his great-grandson, Cai Yong.
During the Jianwu period, shortly after the realm had just been pacified, heroes and warriors were clashing everywhere, and cities under siege were a common sight. It was a time of chaos and turmoil. Zhuo Mao, an ordinary official with no special talents, was over seventy years old. Yet, the emperor treated him with exceptional favor, employing great courtesy in his invitation. What was the difference between such treatment and that of the noble ministers who were enfeoffed during the Zhou and Yan dynasties? Therefore, those who felt slighted and wished to serve the country disregarded the long journey, abandoned their families, and flocked to the capital, hoping to gain the court's favor. You see, Zhuo Mao was generous and tolerant, exuding benevolence. Even if others offended him, he did not hold grudges; he truly exemplified forgiveness! With such virtues, how could he attract resentment and regret?
Lu Gong, styled Zhongkang, was from Pingling in Fufeng. His ancestors traced back to Duke Qing of Lu, but after Lu was conquered by Chu, they relocated to Xiayi and adopted the surname Lu. For several generations, their family held high-ranking official positions equivalent to two thousand stones. During the reigns of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping, they moved from Lu to other places. His grandfather, Lu Kuang, served as the Minister of Ceremonies during the Wang Mang period and was quite influential, earning the nickname "the wise counselor." His father served as the Administrator of Wuling during the Jianwu period and later died in office. At that time, Lu Gong was just twelve, while his younger brother Lu Pi was only seven. The brothers cried all day long, and they refused to accept any consolation money sent by the county, instead focusing on mourning, displaying more propriety than many adults. The people in the village thought highly of them. At fifteen, Lu Gong lived with his mother and brother at the imperial academy, studying the Book of Songs, immersing themselves in their studies, cut off from the outside world. The brothers received praise from many Confucian scholars, and many scholars competed to take them on as students.
General Zhao Xi held Lu Gong's ambitions in high regard. Every year during the holidays, he would send his son to deliver wine and provisions to them, but the Lu Gong brothers always politely declined them. Lu Gong believed his younger brother was still too young and wanted him to establish his own reputation first, so he pretended to be sick and refused to take up an official position. Despite several formal invitations from the county, he consistently declined. His mother pressured him to go, so Lu Gong reluctantly went, eventually becoming a teacher in Xinfeng. During the Jianchu era, Lu Pi was recommended as a virtuous man, and only then did Lu Gong begin his service as a minor official in the county. Hearing this, Grand Tutor Zhao Xi summoned him to serve alongside him. Emperor Suzong convened many Confucian scholars at the Baihu Guan for discussions, and Lu Gong was summoned for his expertise in Confucian texts, participating in the debates at that time.
Ah, this old fellow, because of his straightforwardness, the emperor specially sent a carriage to take him to his new post, where he took on the role of magistrate for Zhongmou County. This magistrate governed the area by performing good deeds and never resorted to punishment. There was a man named Xu Bo who had a land dispute with others, and several magistrates couldn't resolve it. But when he intervened, he swiftly resolved the issue, causing those involved to feel embarrassed and willingly cede the land. There was also a village head who borrowed someone's ox and refused to return it, leading the ox owner to report him. Despite several orders to return the ox, the village head refused to listen. The magistrate sighed and said, "It seems I haven't done a good job of educating him!" He then prepared to resign, even removing his official seal. The lower-ranking officials cried and begged him to stay, and finally, the village head, ashamed, returned the ox, confessed, and the magistrate chose not to pursue the matter further. From that point on, everyone held him in high esteem.
In the seventh year of Jianchu, locust plagues swept across the country, resulting in a total crop failure. It was as if the fields were being chewed to bits by dogs, but Zhongmou County remained unscathed. Hearing about this, Yuan An, the governor of Henan, was skeptical and sent an official named Feiqin to investigate. The county magistrate accompanied Feiqin to visit villages and households. While they were resting under a mulberry tree, a wild hen flew in and landed next to them. There was a child nearby, and Feiqin asked him, "Why don't you catch it?" The child replied, "The wild hen is hatching chicks!" Feiqin was shocked and quickly bid farewell to the county magistrate, saying, "I came to see how you were doing. The locusts are not invading, that's strange; the animals are all well-behaved, that's strange; even a child shows compassion, that's strange. I have stayed too long and have disturbed you." After returning to the office, Feiqin reported the situation in detail to Yuan An. That year, Zhongmou County had a bountiful harvest, right where the county magistrate's office stood! Yuan An reported this to the emperor, who was equally impressed.
Later, the emperor asked officials to recommend capable and virtuous individuals. The county magistrate recommended a scholar from Zhongmou named Wang Fang. The emperor immediately sent a carriage to bring Wang Fang to the capital, giving him the same treatment as the ministers' recommendations. Ultimately, Wang Fang became a court official. The county magistrate served in Zhongmou for three years, with notable accomplishments. He resigned after his mother's death and returned home, leaving the people longing for him. He was later appointed as an imperial censor. When the emperor was discussing sending generals Dou Xian and Geng Bing to fight the Xiongnu, the county magistrate submitted a memorial advising:
"Your Majesty, you're overworking yourself, worrying day and night about the nation, concerned about border conflicts, and trying to stabilize the north and protect the people from calamities. However, I think this might not be the best approach."
National affairs hinge on this matter, affecting the lives of countless people. In recent years, the harvest has been poor, and the common people are struggling to make ends meet; the national treasury is bare, and there’s hardly any grain stored. Moreover, a major calamity has struck recently, leaving everyone very afraid. Your Majesty, being filial and compassionate, has mourned for your mother for three years, following the advice of the prime minister on political matters. The people live in peace and contentment, and for three years, they’ve not heard a single alarm. Everyone misses you, as if there’s a longing that remains unfulfilled. Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time for everything to flourish, yet you are starting a war, disturbing the whole country to fight those barbarians. This isn’t a blessing for the people, nor is it the right time for a change of dynasty!
The common people are a creation of heaven, and heaven cares for all that it has created, just like parents care for their children. Anything that can’t live in peace and harmony will disrupt the natural order, let alone people. So those who care for the people will surely be blessed by heaven. In the past, King Tai of old valued the lives of the people, which is why he left the land of Bin and received the protection of heaven.
Those Rong and Di barbarians come from different places from all directions; they are savage and brutal, hardly different from beasts. If they were to coexist with us Han people, they would disrupt the natural order and oppress the good. Therefore, a wise king merely keeps them in check to prevent their random invasions and won’t completely eliminate them.
The border is now peaceful and quiet; we should cultivate virtue, advocate governing by non-action, and allow the people to live and work in peace and contentment, enjoying ample clothing and food. If the king implements benevolent governance, then heaven will bring auspicious signs, the winds and rains will come at the right time, and blessings will be bestowed upon all. Even the distant barbarians will come to pay tribute. The Book of Changes says: "When the vessel is full, it will bring good fortune." This means that as long as we treat others with virtue, just like a vessel filled with sweet rain, it will eventually bring good fortune. True prosperity arises from moral victories; using force to defeat others will ultimately lead to destruction. The Xiongnu have been defeated by the Xianbei, fleeing to the area around Shi Hou Mountain in the Hexi Corridor, thousands of miles away from the border, yet we want to attack them while they are weak; this is hardly a righteous act. In the past, when Taifu sacrificed to the gods and went out to battle, not a single Xiongnu warrior was encountered, but the army was already exhausted. Since the Battle of the Mountains, the war has dragged on, like an unending thread; the generals have been killed, and countless soldiers have been injured or killed, still suffering from the wounds of war. The hearts of orphans and widows remain heavy with grief; kind-hearted individuals worry for them and seek ways to help them recover. How can we take this risk again, disregarding the safety of the people? Now that conscription has just begun, the resources of the Grand Minister of Agriculture are already insufficient, messengers are still on the road, officials at all levels are urging for conscription, and both the upper and lower classes are under great pressure; the common people are already enduring great hardships. The areas of Sānfǔ, Bìngzhōu, and Liángzhōu have little rain, wheat seedlings are withering, and a large number of cattle and sheep are dying; all of this contradicts the will of heaven! The ministers and the people in the court all believe that we should not go to war, but Your Majesty seems to heed only one person's counsel and sacrifices the lives of thousands, not considering their opinions. The Emperor should understand the will of heaven and the feelings of the people in order to know the success or failure of the matter. I am worried that if this continues, our central plains will also decline like the Xiongnu; it is not just a simple issue of the Xiongnu! I urge Your Majesty to empathize with the people, halt the war, and align with the will of heaven.
I submitted memorials, but they were not accepted. Whenever encountering political matters beneficial to the people, I would do my best to explain their advantages, never concealing anything. Later, he was appointed as a Doctor of the Book of Songs, and from then on, his family's studies flourished, with an increasing number of students. He was later promoted to the position of Attendant to the Emperor, frequently summoned to banquets where the Emperor would inquire about the outcomes of political affairs, and he was generously rewarded and treated well. He was later promoted to the position of Xiang of Le'an. At that time, there were many bandits in the eastern region, robbing in groups and causing turmoil across various counties. Upon taking office, he raised the rewards and openly offered amnesty, resulting in bandit leaders such as Zhang Han surrendering along with their followers. He appointed Zhang Han as the Commandant of Bochang, and the remaining bandits fought amongst themselves, eventually all being pacified, restoring peace to the provinces and counties. In the ninth year of Yongyuan, I was summoned to serve as a Councilor. In August, I took part in a ceremonial drinking while fasting at the Zhangtai Studio. The Emperor even sent a eunuch to lead me to him. That evening, I was appointed as an Attendant, and the Emperor even allowed me to accompany him in his carriage, demonstrating great kindness toward me. In winter, I was promoted to the position of Guanglu Xun, overseeing elections with great fairness and integrity; even the nobles in the capital were unable to influence me. In the thirteenth year of Yongyuan, I succeeded Lv Gai as the Minister of Works. In the fifteenth year of Yongyuan, I accompanied the Emperor on an inspection tour to Nanyang, promoted my son to the position of Langzhong, and allowed my son-in-law to accompany the Emperor on the trip. At that time, my brother Pi also served as an Attendant, with all our family members holding positions in the court, basking in great prestige. Later, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was dismissed from my position. After the accession of the Shang Emperor, I was appointed as the Commandant of Changle Guard. In the first year of Yongchu, I succeeded Liang Wei as the Minister of Works. Initially, during the later years of the reign of Emperor He, he ordered that minor offenses could be judged during the wheat harvest season, but the various provinces and counties tended to govern the people with harsh methods, so even during the sweltering summer, cases continued to be adjudicated. I submitted a memorial advising against this, stating:
I carefully studied the imperial edict and felt that the emperor shines like the sun in the sky, constantly caring for the people, hoping to foster a harmonious social atmosphere through the reduction of penalties. Those who do not warrant the death penalty should not be tried for the time being. Elevate the virtuous and remove the greedy and cruel, to better assist the emperor in his benevolent governance, following the will of heaven, creating a harmonious society, and benefiting the people.
According to the previous system, light penalties could only be enforced after the beginning of autumn, but starting from the fifteenth year of Yongyuan, it was changed to the beginning of summer. However, the governors and prefects in various regions failed to genuinely consider the core purposes of caring for the people, stabilizing society, promoting the virtuous, and dismissing the evil. Instead, they summoned farmers during the peak of summer, detained them for interrogation, resulting in the people being overworked and the situation dragging on. The officials managing the capital replicated its practices, even inspecting various regions in spring, claiming to care for the impoverished, yet lacking any genuine concern, which disrupted the counties. Those integrity assessments were not urgent at all; arresting one person could implicate dozens, which not only violated natural laws but also severely harmed agricultural production. The Book of Changes states that during the summer solstice, the hexagram "Gou" should be observed; the text says: "After issuing orders to the four directions," meaning that the monarch should issue commands on the day of the summer solstice, ordering all actions to stop in order to help the growth of yin energy. If even ordinary activities should be halted, then how much more so arrests and interrogations, which would take away the people's time for farming!
It has been several years experiencing droughts and floods; crops have failed, and the common people are starving, and refugees are everywhere. It is now early summer, and various crops have just begun to grow; it's the season when yang energy nurtures all living things. However, starting from March, the weather has been cold and not warm at all, and the growth and changes of all living things are not receiving the warmth they need. The "Monthly Ordinances" state: "In early summer, reduce the penalties for minor crimes, release minor offenders. If we follow autumn's patterns, there will be continuous days of rain, and the harvest will not be good." The book also says: "In the middle of summer, release serious offenders and increase their food. If we follow autumn's patterns, plants will wither, and people will be prone to illness." Reducing penalties for minor crimes acknowledges that these offenders have already faced punishment and do not need to be kept for too long, so they should be released periodically. I think it is now early summer; we should consider this guidance from the "Monthly Ordinances" and aim to set the deadline for hearing cases at the start of autumn, to align with the season and allow all things to flourish, the world will be in harmony, and justice will prevail.
During the reign of Emperor Suzong, the time limit for adjudicating cases was set before the winter solstice. Later, there were different opinions on this matter, resulting in ongoing debates. Empress Dowager Deng ordered the court officials to discuss the issue collectively. In the end, they collectively submitted a memorial stating that yin and yang depend on each other and promote each other, each has its own time to manifest its effects. Violating this principle would harm all things. Although the methods of governance by emperors throughout history may vary, this principle remains constant. The laws and regulations throughout the four seasons should adhere to this principle. The "Monthly Ordinances" were compiled by people from the Zhou Dynasty, based on the calendar of the Xia Dynasty. Certain aspects of the calendar, including the starting date, clothing, sacrificial animals, symbols, and tools, may evolve over time. Therefore, it is said: "The Yin Dynasty followed the rituals of the Xia Dynasty, the Zhou Dynasty followed the rituals of the Yin Dynasty, and the changes between them are well-documented." The I Ching states: "Do not employ the hidden dragon." This means that in November and December, the yang energy is dormant and has yet to begin its manifestation. Although it warms and nourishes all things, the yin energy is still strong, causing the ground and water to freeze, obstructing the yang energy and giving rise to winter. Therefore, it is said: "Walking on frost and solid ice, yin begins to solidify. Taming its way, it becomes solid ice." This indicates that yin energy starts to manifest in May and solidifies into ice by November.
The emperor established laws based on the actual situation at that time. Emperor Xiaozhang attached great importance to the ancient principles of governance, trying to improve the imperfect areas, enacting laws and regulations, hoping to align with the will of heaven, honor the people's ways of survival, and achieve peace throughout the realm. But since the change of dynasty, the years have been bad, food prices have been high, and the common people have been living a hard life. Those rebellious minor officials, as soon as November comes, regardless of guilt, are sentenced to death without hesitation, and even cases with doubts are no longer retried. If an innocent person is executed, it undermines the king's moral authority, not to mention many people. The I Ching states regarding November, "A noble man deliberates slowly on death sentences," so difficult cases should be carefully investigated, and death sentences should be postponed until the end of winter. If the beginning of spring falls in December, then they should not rush to execute prisoners as they had done in the past. Later, this method was implemented.
When he was in office, he promoted many talented individuals, with dozens rising to high office. However, some prestigious families felt resentment for not being promoted. When he heard about this, he said, "Isn't a lack of diligent study and discussion a cause for concern? Do scholars not have the provincial examination for selection?" In the end, he did not say anything further. He was humble and unassuming, his advice in his memorials aligned with classical teachings, and he did many beneficial things in secret, but he never boasted about himself, so people felt he was not firm and upright enough. Three years later, due to old age and frailty, he resigned from his position and returned home. Six years later, at the age of eighty-one, he passed away peacefully.
He had two sons who both became officials. The eldest son, Qian, became the Prefect of Longxi and had great political achievements. Qian's son, Xu, rose to the position of Grand Preceptor, and together with Emperor Xian, fled to Guanzhong and conspired with Minister Wang Yun to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Later, when Li Jue launched an attack on Chang'an, both Xu and Wang Yun met their end.
His other son, Zi Shuling, was calm and diligent in his studies, particularly hardworking. As a result, he rarely socialized and didn’t respond much to greetings. His friends thought this was a flaw, but he was content with himself. Eventually, he became proficient in the Five Classics and taught the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents, earning a reputation as a renowned Confucian scholar. Upon returning to his hometown, he served as the supervisor of the postal office, where the generals under his command regarded him as both a teacher and a friend.
In the first year of Jianchu, the emperor issued a decree recommending talented and virtuous individuals, and Liu Kuan, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, put his name forward. At that time, over a hundred candidates sat for the exam, and he ranked at the top, being appointed as a court official and later promoted to magistrate of Xinye County. A year later, he excelled in all aspects of his duties, leading to his promotion as the Governor of Qingzhou. He prioritized recognizing talent and applied punishment judiciously. Seven years later, he was imprisoned for committing a crime and awaited trial by the judge.
In the first year of Yuanhe, he was summoned to court and subsequently promoted, eventually becoming the Prime Minister of Zhao. He had numerous students across the country, and people in the eastern regions called him "the revival of the Five Classics, Shuling of Lu." Once, Prince Zhao sought to avoid illness and planned to temporarily relocate to the official residence, but Zhao firmly opposed this. Prince Zhao wrote to the emperor to express his views, prompting the emperor to issue a decree requesting Zhao's opinion. Zhao submitted a memorial stating, "I have heard that the Book of Rites mentions that vassals die in guest rooms while ministers die in their main chambers." He continued, "Your Highness, if you wish to abolish the official residence to expand leisure grounds, that is absolutely unacceptable." The emperor accepted Zhao's counsel, and as a result, Prince Zhao held him in great respect. Later, when the emperor visited Zhao, he specifically summoned Zhao, sought his advice on the classics, and rewarded him generously. He held this position for six years, during which many auspicious signs appeared, earning him widespread respect.
In the second year of the Yongyuan era, he was promoted to Governor of Dong Commandery. During his time as governor of both commanderies, he devoted himself to repairing water conservancy facilities, ensuring that the people were well-fed and well-clothed, and enjoyed prosperous lives. He also recommended many reclusive talents and distinguished scholars. The following year, he was appointed Governor of Chenliu. He served three consecutive terms in this role, but was later summoned to the Ministry of Justice for questioning after being accused of misreporting the conditions of the poor.
In the eleventh year, he was summoned to the court again and later promoted to the position of Zhong San Daifu (中散大夫). At that time, Grand Minister Jia Kui (侍中贾逵) recommended him to the emperor, saying that he was knowledgeable and should be given an important position. During a court meeting, the emperor summoned a group of Confucian scholars, and Zhao Xiang, along with Grand Minister Jia Kui, Shangshu Ling Huang Xiang, and others, engaged in a debate on various issues. The emperor appreciated Zhao Xiang's insights. After the meeting, the emperor specially rewarded him with a set of hat, shoes, socks, and clothes. Zhao Xiang wrote a letter saying, "Although I am dull and incompetent, I have been appointed to such an important position and have been fortunate enough to be summoned by Your Majesty. I have debated with the ministers in the court, but I have not been able to fully demonstrate my talent. The clothing Your Majesty has bestowed upon me is excessively generous. I have learned that those who interpret the classics merely convey the thoughts of their predecessors and should not argue with each other. If they argue, the truth becomes muddled, similar to rules and standards that should not be distorted at will. Debaters must clarify their basis, and speakers must establish their own views. Empty and useless words should not be put forward, in order to cultivate profound thoughts and relentless learning, thereby deepening one's knowledge. Different perspectives should be articulated based on each person's background and insights, examining their significance widely. To understand the poet's intentions, one should examine the origins of the Da Ya, Xiao Ya, and Song in the Book of Songs, understand the mutual admonitions between Shun, Yu, and Gao Tao, and grasp the propositions put forward by Zhou Gong and Ji Zi, observing from a humanistic standpoint to enlighten the world. Since Your Majesty accepts a wide range of different opinions to unlock your own wisdom, do not allow common people to suffer consequences for speaking their minds; since you are searching widely for hidden talents, ensure that those hidden away in remote areas are not overlooked."
He served as the Court Attendant for thirteen years but was later removed from office. In the second year of the Yongchu era, the court ordered officials to recommend virtuous and knowledgeable Confucian scholars, and General Deng Zhong recommended him. He was promoted to several higher positions, once again serving as the Court Attendant and Left Central General, and later became one of the Three Elders. In the fifth year of the Yongchu era, he died in office at the age of seventy-five.
Wei Ba, styled Qiaoqing, was from Jiyin County, Juyang. His family had a long tradition of good manners and morals. Wei Ba's parents died when he was young, and he lived with his brothers. The people in his village admired the harmonious relationship he had with his brothers and his generous nature. During the Jianchu period, he was recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt official and was later promoted eight times. He was appointed as the Administrator of Julu during Emperor He's reign. He was known for his simplicity and generosity, and he governed his region effectively. When his subordinates made mistakes, he would first point out their errors. If they did not correct themselves, he would then dismiss them. If his subordinates accused each other, Wei Ba would always praise the strengths of the accused and never mention their faults. This made the accusers feel ashamed, and the conflicts among them vanished.
In the sixteenth year of Yongyuan, he was summoned to serve as the Grand Supervisor of Works. The following year, Emperor He passed away, and Wei Ba was responsible for building the Shun Mausoleum. It was the middle of winter, and the ground was frozen. The imperial envoys sent to oversee were quite impatient and punished local officials to pressure Wei Ba. He chose to comfort them instead of reprimanding them harshly. Instead, he reassured them, saying, "If anyone is wronged, it is my responsibility." The local officials appreciated him and worked even harder, doubling their efficiency.
In the first year of the Yanping era, he succeeded Yin Qin as the Grand Master of Ceremonies. The following year, due to illness, he requested retirement and was appointed as a Household Counselor. In the fifth year of Yongchu, he was appointed as the Commandant of Changle, but due to illness, he requested to resign from his position. He returned to serve as Grand Master of Ceremonies and died while in office.
Liu Kuan, style name Wenrao, was from Huayin County, Hongnong Commandery. His father, Liu Qi, served as the Minister of Works during the reign of Emperor Shun. Once, while traveling, Liu Kuan encountered a man who had lost his ox. The man recognized his ox beside Liu Kuan's cart. Without a word, Liu Kuan dismounted and walked home. After a while, the man found his ox and brought it back, apologizing and requesting punishment according to the law for his mistake. Liu Kuan replied, "Things can look alike, and mistakes can happen. Luckily, you found your ox. No need to apologize." The people in the village admired his character of not caring about personal gain or loss.
During the reign of Emperor Huan, Zhang Wen was appointed as an official in the General's Office and eventually rose to the position of Minister of Works. When an earthquake struck the capital, the Emperor specifically consulted him. He was later promoted to the position of Prefect of Donghai Commandery. In the eighth year of the Yanxi era, he was summoned to serve as the Prefect of Nanyang. He served in three commanderies and was known for his gentle and kind treatment of others. Even in urgent situations, he never raised his voice. He often said, "Using punishment to govern the people may stop crimes, but it also takes away their sense of shame." Therefore, when his subordinates made mistakes, he would lightly punish them with a reed whip and never impose severe penalties. If a subordinate did something good, he credited them for their achievements. In times of disaster, he willingly took responsibility. During his rest stops on official tours, he would gather scholars, officials, and hermits to study and discuss scriptures together. When encountering elderly villagers, he comforted them using simple language that they could understand; when meeting young people, he taught them the importance of respecting their parents and loving their siblings. Everyone was influenced by him, and life gradually improved for everyone.
When Emperor Ling had just ascended the throne, Zhang Wen was summoned to be the Grand Master of the Palace Library and lectured the emperor at Huaguang Palace. Later, he was promoted to be an Imperial Attendant, and the emperor rewarded him with a garment. He was then promoted to be the Commandant of the Cavalry, followed by the Minister of Rites, and then the Grand Commandant. In the fifth year of the Xiping era, he succeeded Xu Xun as the Grand Commandant. Emperor Ling was fond of learning, and every time he summoned Zhang Wen, he would have him teach the classics. Once, Zhang Wen became intoxicated in front of the emperor and fell asleep on the table. The emperor asked, "Is the Grand Commandant drunk?" Zhang Wen lifted his head and replied, "I dare not get drunk; it's just that the responsibilities weigh heavily on me, and I am filled with worries, feeling as if I am drunk." The emperor appreciated his words. Zhang Wen was simple and liked to drink, not paying much attention to hygiene, which became a source of amusement in the capital. Once, he invited guests for a meal, sent a servant to buy wine, and waited a long time before the wine was bought, and he ended up getting extremely drunk. The guests couldn't take it anymore and scolded him, saying, "You are simply an animal!" After a while, Zhang Wen sent someone to check on the servant, worried he might not handle the scolding well and could harm himself. Then he said to the people around him, "That person called me an 'animal,' which is quite insulting! So I am worried he might seek death." His wife wanted to test his temper, so she deliberately dressed him up neatly before he went to court, then had a maid serve him meat soup, intentionally spilling the soup on his court robes. The maid quickly cleaned up, but Zhang Wen remained unfazed; he just slowly said, "Did the soup splash on your hands?" That's just how his personality was. People throughout the realm praised him as a wise elder. "Enforce strict punishments, and the people will be devoid of shame."
Later, due to a solar eclipse, he was removed from office. He was then appointed as a Colonel. In the second year of the Guanghe era, he succeeded Duan Jing as the Grand Commandant. After serving as Grand Commandant for three years, he was dismissed again due to unusual celestial events (solar eclipse). He then became the Yongle Prefect and was later promoted to Guanglu Xun. Because he had previously reported the Yellow Turban Army's rebellion plan, the Emperor learned of this and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Luxiang, with a fief consisting of six hundred households. He died in the second year of the Zhongping era at the age of sixty-six. After his death, he was posthumously conferred the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, with a special rank promotion, and was posthumously honored with the title of Marquis Zhaolie. His son Song succeeded him in the title and rose to the rank of Grandee of the Imperial Clan.
Praise: Zhuo and Lu were generous and kind, with sincere virtues and moral integrity. They show compassion for insects and care for their embryos. Their leniency and authority in governance are also regarded as exceptional.
