Huan Rong, styled Chunqing, was a native of Longkang in Pei County. When he was young, he studied in Chang'an and studied the "Ouyang Shangshu," under the renowned scholar Zhu Pu from Jiujang. Despite his poor family background, he took on odd jobs to support himself, but he was very diligent in his studies and did not return home for fifteen years. He returned home only after Wang Mang seized the throne. Unfortunately, Zhu Pu passed away, and Huan Rong rushed to Jiujang to pay his respects, personally helping to repair the tomb. He stayed there to teach, attracting hundreds of students. After Wang Mang's failure, chaos broke out across the land. Huan Rong, with his books in hand, took his students to hide in the mountains, facing hunger and cold, but still persisted in teaching. Later, he traveled to teach in the Jianghuai region.
In the nineteenth year of Jianwu, Huan Rong, who was over sixty years old, was summoned by the Grand Tutor's Office. At that time, the son of Emperor Guangwu had just been named Crown Prince, and the court was selecting knowledgeable teachers in classics, so Huan Rong's student, He Tang from Yuzhang, was promoted to be a Lieutenant and taught the Crown Prince the "Shangshu." Once, Emperor Guangwu casually asked He Tang who his teacher was, and He Tang replied, "My teacher is Huan Rong from Pei." The Emperor immediately summoned Huan Rong to elucidate the "Shangshu," deeply impressed by his knowledge. He appointed him as a court gentleman, rewarded him with 100,000 coins, and had him teach the Crown Prince. Every time he attended court, the Emperor had Huan Rong present the classics before the ministers, praising him highly and remarking, "I should have lived earlier!" Later, when the position of Ouyang Scholar became vacant, the Emperor wanted Huan Rong to take the position. However, Huan Rong politely declined, stating, "My knowledge is limited, not as accomplished as my fellow student Pang Hong and the official Gao Hong from Yangzhou." The Emperor acquiesced and appointed Huan Rong as a scholar, while promoting Pang Hong and Gao Hong as court gentlemen.
Once, the emperor visited the university and asked the scholars to debate the classics in person. Huan Rong was dressed as a Confucian scholar, with a gentle demeanor, respectful attitude, and eloquent yet clear explanations of the classics. He consistently displayed humility and never relied on his eloquence to gain an advantage. The emperor bestowed a special reward upon him. The emperor also ordered the students to perform court music and play the chimes until dark. Later, at a banquet in the palace, the emperor rewarded him with precious fruits. While the other guests accepted their gifts and departed, Huan Rong held the fruits with both hands and thanked the emperor. The emperor smiled and pointed at him, saying, "This is a true Confucian scholar!" From then on, the emperor respected Huan Rong even more, often inviting him to stay in the prince's palace. After five years, Huan Rong recommended his student Hu Xian from Jiujiang to serve as a teacher for the prince, allowing him to retire and only visit the palace once a day. When Huan Rong was sick in bed, the prince sent his teachers to visit him daily and sent precious food, tents, bedding, and servants, telling him, "If anything were to happen to you, don't worry about your family." After Huan Rong recovered, he continued to serve as a teacher for the prince.
In the twenty-eighth year of Emperor Wu's reign, he gathered all officials for a meeting and asked who would be suitable to be the prince's teacher. The officials pondered the emperor's intentions and suggested the prince's uncle, General Yin Shi. At that moment, Doctor Zhang Yi stood up and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, are you choosing a teacher for the prince for the sake of the Yin family or for the sake of the world? If it is for the Yin family, then General Yin is suitable; but if it is for the world, the most talented person should be chosen!" Emperor Wu was pleased to hear this and said, "I wish to select a teacher for the prince to guide him. If even a doctor like you can speak frankly and offer me correction, then why not the prince?" Therefore, Emperor Wu immediately appointed Zhang Yi as the prince's grand tutor and Huan Rong as the prince's junior tutor, and rewarded them with carriages and horses.
Rong gathered all the students, displayed his own carriages, horses, and official seals, and said, "Today I am able to obtain all these, thanks to my usual diligent study. Shouldn't you all work even harder?" Later, Rong helped the Crown Prince complete his studies in Confucian classics, then submitted his resignation, saying, "I am fortunate to have served by the Crown Prince's side, teaching him the classics for many years. However, my wisdom and knowledge are limited, and I have not played a significant role. Now, the Crown Prince has mastered the classics and is well-versed in both ancient and modern texts. As the heir and future monarch, no one can match his dedication and knowledge. This is a blessing for our nation and a fortunate event for everyone. I have sent my assistant Si to bid you farewell." The Crown Prince replied, "I have been studying for nine years, but I still do not fully understand the teachings of the classics. The Five Classics are profound, and the words of the sages are difficult to comprehend. Only the most intelligent person in the world can understand them! Moreover, I am dull-witted and cannot accept your teachings. When some teachers bid farewell to their students in the past, some would explain the classics in detail and interpret the texts, while others would leave home and go to the countryside to bid farewell to their teachers. Now that I accept your farewell, I cannot refuse, and I only hope that you take care of yourself, eat well, and take care of your health." At the age of thirty, Rong was appointed Minister of Rites. Rong experienced a very difficult period when he was young, enduring hunger and cold alongside his relative Huan Yuanqing, but he still persisted in studying and reciting. Huan Yuanqing mocked Rong, saying, "You are just wasting your time. When will your efforts bear fruit?" Rong just smiled and did not reply. When Rong was appointed Minister of Rites, Huan Yuanqing exclaimed, "As a farmer's son, I never imagined studying could lead to such great rewards!"
After the emperor ascended the throne, he held Zhang Rong in particularly high regard, regarding him as a mentor, and was very close to him. He also granted official titles to Zhang Rong's two sons. Zhang Rong, who was over eighty years old, felt his age and requested retirement several times in writing. Each time, the emperor rewarded him with gifts. One time, when the emperor inspected the Taichangfu, he had Zhang Rong sit in the east, arranged the tables and chairs, and gathered all the officials, from the General of the Cavalry to the Prince of Dongping, as well as hundreds of Zhang Rong's students. The emperor personally served him, referring to him reverently as "Master" every time he spoke. After the inspection, the emperor bestowed upon Zhang Rong all the treasures of the Taichangfu. This was how the emperor favored Zhang Rong.
In the second year of Yongping, when the Three Yong structures (used for sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, ancestors, and the state) were just completed, the emperor appointed Zhang Rong to the title of Wugeng. After every large archery event and ceremony honoring the elders, the emperor would call Zhang Rong and his students to the hall to personally explain the scriptures. Later, the emperor appointed Zhang Rong as the Marquis of Guannei, with a fief of five thousand households.
Every time Zhang Rong fell ill, the emperor would dispatch emissaries to check on him, and officials from the Taichangfu and the Imperial Hospital came in droves. When Zhang Rong was seriously ill, he penned a letter expressing his gratitude, wanting to resign from his position and title. The emperor personally visited his home, got out of the carriage in the alley, walked to Zhang Rong's bedside holding scriptures, caressed Zhang Rong, cried, and bestowed upon him bedding, drapes, swords, garments, and other valuable items before finally leaving. After that, when nobles, generals, and officials visited him during his illness, they dared not ride their carriages to the door but had to bow under the bed. After Zhang Rong passed away, the emperor changed into plain clothes, attended his funeral, and granted him a burial site on Shoushan Mountain. The emperor also promoted Zhang Rong's two nephews to positions equivalent to four hundred dan, eight students to positions equivalent to two hundred dan, and many other students became government officials. Zhang Rong's son, Zhang Yu, succeeded him in his title.
The book says: Zhang Yi exposed the crimes of the Yin Marquis, thereby obtaining a high official position and a lucrative salary. He boldly spoke his mind, even at the risk of offending others, and his integrity touched future generations, demonstrating that his integrity was exceptional. However, those who can earn rewards with just a few words bring shame to the righteous; those who accept titles without hesitation are praised by people. Zhang Yi, however, conspired with Qi Yuan at court, thinking he was morally superior. Was his integrity perhaps lacking? In the past, Le Yangzi sacrificed his son for personal glory, only to have his achievements later questioned; Xi Ba was sentenced for releasing a deer, but he became a government official because of it. Thus, to truly understand benevolence and righteousness and to distinguish truth from falsehood, one must start from the actual situation. If the ruler of the country can examine things in this way, they will be able to distinguish between true and false good and evil.
Yue Zizhong'en, relying on his father's achievements, became an official at a young age. He was a kind, diligent, and eager learner, inheriting his father's teachings and teaching "The Book of Documents" to hundreds of students. After his father passed away, Yue Zhong'en was supposed to inherit the title, but he submitted a request that the title be passed on to his brother's son, Fan. The emperor did not agree, so he had no choice but to accept the reward and give all the rent to his brother's son. Since Yue Zhong'en was the son of the late emperor's tutor and was known for his modesty and politeness, the emperor was very close to him, often engaging him in discussions about the classics and seeking his advice on political matters within the palace. He gradually promoted him to the position of supervisor. The emperor himself compiled the "Five Families' Essential Chapters" and had Yue Zhong'en review them in the Xuanming Hall, and appointed him as the supervisor of the Tiger Guard.
In the fifteenth year of the Yongping era, Yu Zhong'en was appointed as the teacher of the crown prince and was later promoted to the position of Cavalry Captain. The emperor issued a decree instructing the crown prince and other princes to congratulate him and pay their respects. Yu Zhong'en made many suggestions, many of which were adopted. When Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, Yu Zhong'en requested to resign from his position due to his mother's passing. The emperor granted his request, permitting him to observe mourning at home while still retaining his position as Attendant. In the second year of the Jianchu era, he was promoted to Garrison Cavalry Captain. When Emperor He ascended to the throne as a young boy, the Grand Attendant Dou Xian, who was a powerful relative, wanted the young emperor to study the Confucian classics and therefore wrote to the Empress Dowager:
The Book of Rites states: "The fate of the world is in the hands of the emperor; the virtue of the emperor lies in his studies. By increasing learning and wisdom, one can achieve more with less effort; by cultivating morality and perfecting the inner self, one can naturally follow the right path. When King Cheng was still an infant, the Duke of Zhou was in front of him, Shi Yi was behind him, Tai Gong was on his left, and Shao Gong was on his right. King Cheng held court with the assistance of the four sages. Therefore, his thoughts were not overlooked, and his actions were without error." Emperor Xiao Zhao ascended to the throne at the age of eight, with ministers assisting him in governance, and renowned Confucian scholars Wei Xian, Cai Yi, Xiahou Sheng, and others were selected as his teachers, which ultimately contributed to his virtuous reputation. In the first year of Jianchu, Zhang Pu, Wei Ying, and Zhao Xun were also lecturing in the palace. It is my belief that Your Majesty possesses natural intelligence and should gradually study the classics, but you only engage with attendants and do not study the rites and regulations. Huan Rong once served as the emperor's teacher; Yu Zhong'en revered etiquette from a young age and inherited his father's teachings, serving as the late emperor's teacher twice as a military officer. Both father and son served in the palace across four reigns, and now he is gray-haired but still loves etiquette and possesses noble character. There is also Liu Fang, a royal relative skilled in the Book of Songs, highly regarded by the late emperor. Yu Zhong'en and Liu Fang should be arranged to teach Your Majesty together, to promote the customs of our dynasty and exemplify moral education. He was initially appointed as Changle Shao Fu, then returned to the palace as a lecturer. Shortly after, he was promoted to Shizhong and Feng Che Weifu. In the fourth year of Yongyuan, he succeeded Ding Hong as Grand Master. The following year, he died of illness. He taught two emperors, both of whom favored him greatly, granting him rewards that totaled several million in value. He was held in high esteem during his time. His students Yang Zhen and Zhu Chong both reached high positions as Three Excellencies in the imperial court.
At first, he learned a commentary on classical texts of four hundred thousand characters from Zhu Pu; the content was lengthy and filled with a lot of superfluous material. When he began lecturing to the emperor, he streamlined it to two hundred and thirty thousand characters. Later, he edited and organized it himself, and the final draft was one hundred and twenty thousand characters, which became the well-known "Commentary on the Taichang Chapters" authored by Huan Jun.
His son Pu inherited his title, which was passed down to his great-grandson. His second son Yan also carried on the family tradition of scholarship, and his grandsons Luan and Bin were also well-known.
His son Yan, styled Shuyuan, became a court official at a young age thanks to his father's connections. He was proficient in classical studies, of good character, and had a good reputation. In the first year of Yongchu, he entered the palace to give lectures to Emperor An, was promoted three times, and eventually became the Minister of Infantry. During the Yongning period, when Emperor Shun was established as the Crown Prince, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Tutor, and a month later, he was promoted to Grand Tutor. After his mother's death, he requested to return home to observe mourning, and the court permitted him to observe mourning in accordance with the rites of a senior official. Over a year later, the emperor sent envoys bearing cattle and wine, allowing him to end his mourning, and then appointed him as a Grand Master of Splendor, and later as the Grand Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. At that time, the original Crown Prince was deposed, and he was appointed King of Jiyin. He, along with the Grand Herald Lai Li and the Court Minister Zhang Hao, counseled against it, but their efforts were in vain. This incident is detailed in the "Biography of Lai Li."
After Emperor Shun took the throne, he was appointed as the Grand Tutor and, together with the Grand Commandant Zhu Chong, handled the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. He returned to the palace to give lectures to the emperor, and at a banquet in the palace, he suggested that the Three Excellencies and the Masters of Writing should work in the palace, a suggestion that the emperor accepted. Due to his commitment to justice in the court, the emperor conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Yangping, but he steadfastly declined. He served as an official for three years but was dismissed due to his association with imprisoned individuals. Later, he was appointed as Grand Master of Splendor again. In the second year of Yangjia, he succeeded Lai Li as the Grand Herald, and a few days later, he was promoted to the Grand Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. In the fifth year of Yonghe, he succeeded Wang Gong as the Grand Commandant. In the first year of Han'an, he was dismissed due to a solar eclipse. The following year, he died at home.
He had several hundred students, among whom Huang Qiong and Yang Ci stood out as the most distinguished. His grandson was called Dian.
His grandson Dian, style name Gongya, inherited the family legacy and taught "Shang Shu" in Yingchuan, with hundreds of students. He was recommended as a person of filial piety and integrity and became a Langguan (郎官). Not long after, the Prime Minister Wang Ji was killed for committing a crime, and Wang Ji's friends and relatives were too afraid to visit him. Only Dian, the official known as Gongya, took care of Wang Ji's affairs, buried him, mourned for three years, personally tended to the grave, and even built a shrine for him before leaving after fulfilling all the rites.
Yuan Wei, the father of Yuan Shao, was appointed Minister of Works. Yuan Shao passed the highest civil service examination and was appointed as an Imperial Clerk. At that time, eunuchs held power, and government officials were powerless against them. Yuan Shao often rode a tall horse, and the capital's residents both respected and feared him. There was even a saying: "Quick, quick! Get out of the way of the Imperial Clerk on the dappled horse!" Later, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in Xingyang, Yuan Shao was ordered to lead the army in battle. After the Yellow Turbans were defeated, he returned to the capital but did not receive any recognition due to disagreements with the eunuchs. He served as an Imperial Clerk for seven years without promotion and was later transferred to the position of Gentleman of the Palace.
Following Emperor Ling's death, Grand General He Jin seized power. Yuan Shao and He Jin discussed the plan to eliminate the eunuchs; although they ultimately failed, his loyalty and sense of righteousness were acknowledged. The court decreed that one member of Yuan Shao's family could hold an official position and rewarded him with two hundred thousand coins. He later followed the court west into Guanzhong, was appointed as the Deputy Imperial Clerk, and was granted the title of Marquis. After the court moved to Xuchang, he was promoted to Palace Attendant. In the sixth year of Jian'an, Yuan Shao died.
Yuan Luan, style name Shichun, was the son of Yuan Shao. He was known for his strong integrity from a young age, wearing coarse clothes, eating simple meals, and never pursuing wealth. Because the world was chaotic at that time, many local officials were not good people, which he felt was shameful, so he was unwilling to pursue an official career.
When he was in his forties, the magistrate at that time, Xiang Miao, was quite renowned, and he recommended Yuan Luan as a candidate known for his filial piety and integrity. Yuan Luan was appointed as the magistrate of Jiaodong County. Shortly after taking office, Xiang Miao passed away, and Yuan Luan immediately resigned and returned home to observe mourning rituals. After three years of mourning, he returned to officialdom. People between the Huai and Ru Rivers held his filial piety in high regard. Later, he became the magistrate of Siwu County and Ji County, both with notable accomplishments in governance. Many officials recommended him, and the court summoned him to serve as a counselor. He submitted five proposals to the court: select talents, thoroughly evaluate and appoint officials, remove corrupt officials, reduce the scale of the imperial court, and reduce taxes and labor obligations. However, his proposals were stifled by the eunuchs and were not accepted. Later, due to illness, he stepped down from office. In the first year of Zhongping, at the age of seventy-seven, Yuan Luan passed away at home, leaving behind his son, Yuan Ye. Yuan Ye, styled Wenlin, and also known as Yan, was a very upright person. His aunt was the wife of Sikong Yang Ci. After Yuan Luan's passing, his aunt returned to her family to mourn. When she arrived near the house, she stopped at the post station, arranging the appearance of her attendants before entering. Yuan Ye was deeply troubled by this. When his aunt asked him about it, he remained silent and wept uncontrollably. Officials sent offerings for the memorial rites, and the county sent people to collect them, but Yuan Ye adamantly refused to accept them. Every time he went to the capital, he never accepted hospitality from the Yang family. He was known for his unwavering integrity. His guests and attendants all respected his integrity, as he never accepted gifts from others. He served as a county magistrate and later successfully passed the imperial examination, being recommended as a virtuous, upright, and talented person. The three high-ranking officials summoned him, but he did not accept. During the Chunping period, the world was in turmoil, and (Fu) sought refuge in Kuaiji, then took a boat to Jiaozhi. The local Yue people held him in high esteem for his character, and disputes among the villagers were rare. Later, he was wrongfully accused by malicious individuals and died in a Hepu prison.
Fu Bin, courtesy name Yanlin, was the grandson of Fu Yan, the elder brother of Fu Bin. His father, Fu Lin, courtesy name Yuanfeng, showed talent and wisdom at a young age. During the early reign of Emperor Huan, he became a councilor and served the emperor in the palace, but his upright character alienated those around him. He was later sent away to serve as the magistrate of Xu County, but was dismissed due to illness. After his mother died, Fu Lin was overwhelmed with grief and died before he could settle his affairs, at the age of just forty-one. He left behind twenty-one inscriptions, elegies, praises, essays, letters, and other writings.
Fu Bin was acclaimed alongside Cai Yong from a young age. Initially recommended as a filial and upright official, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. Feng Fang, the son-in-law of the Palace Attendant Cao Jie, who held the same position as Fu Bin, resented Fu Bin for his integrity and refusal to socialize with him. Feng Fang falsely accused Fu Bin and others of forming a clique, but the Minister of Works, Liu Meng, who admired Fu Bin, did not pursue the matter. Cao Jie, however, accused Liu Meng of protecting his allies and requested his imprisonment. The court officials were apprehensive, but Liu Meng remained composed and was released after ten days, but was only dismissed from his position. As a result, Fu Bin was removed from office. In the first year of Guanghe, Fu Bin passed away at home at the age of forty-six, leaving many scholars mourning his loss.
He left behind three essays, including "Seven Discourses," with a preface co-authored by Cai Yong and others, noting Fu Bin's exceptional qualities: early intelligence and wisdom, outstanding talent, profound knowledge, eloquence, incorruptibility in office, noble character, and integrity in retirement. A monument was erected to honor him.
Liu Meng, a native of Langya, served as the Minister of Rites during the reign of Emperor Huan. Due to his upright character, he offended the powerful and chose to resign and return home. When Emperor Ling ascended the throne, the Grand Tutor Chen Fan and Grand General Dou Wu summoned him back to serve in office.
The article comments, "The Fu family has produced generations of scholars since the Eastern Han and Western Han dynasties, with several generations obtaining titles through their knowledge. During the period of revival, the Huan family rose to even greater prominence, from Huan Rong to Huan Dian, passing down their knowledge through the generations. Fathers, sons, and brothers alternated in serving as imperial tutors, and those who received their teachings achieved high positions as ministers, which was highly prestigious in that era. Confucius said, 'In ancient times, scholars studied for their own learning, but nowadays scholars study to please others.' Studying to please others relies on reputation, while studying for oneself is about following one's heart to grasp the truth. The Huan family has been respected for generations; are they not studying for themselves?
Ding Hong, styled Xiaogong, was from Dingling, Yingchuan. Gong Cheng, styled Youchun, served as the County Lieutenant of Yingyang during the late reign of Wang Mang. When Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu attacked Yingyang, the city held out, but Gong Cheng persuaded the officials to surrender, and then he surrendered as well. Emperor Guangwu was especially pleased and rewarded him heavily, appointing him as a general and leading him to go to war. Gong Cheng was the first among his troops to cross the Yellow River, then he issued a proclamation to various counties, seizing enemy camps and territories, capturing twenty-one counties across Henan, Chenliu, Yingchuan, and beyond in one swift campaign.
In the first year of Jianwu, he was appointed as the Governor of Henan. Later, when it was time to reward the meritorious officials, the emperor asked everyone what rewards they wanted. While other generals clamored for fertile lands and wealthy counties, Gong Cheng requested a fief in his hometown. Someone asked him, 'Everyone wants counties, but you specifically want a village, why is that?' Gong Cheng said, 'In the past, Sun Shu'ao advised his son to choose barren land when receiving a fief. Having made only a small contribution, I am already satisfied with a village as my reward.' The emperor, impressed by his words, appointed him as the Marquis of Xin'an Township in Dingling, with a fief comprising five thousand households, and later promoted him to the Marquis of Lingyang."
At the age of thirteen, he studied Ouyang's Book of Documents with Huan Rong, mastering the text in three years, becoming skilled in debate, and even serving as a lecturer. From then on, he studied even harder, diligently, even donning rough clothes and shouldering burdens to travel great distances for his studies.
At first, Ding Hong followed Emperor Shizu into battle, while his younger brother Ding Sheng, still young, lived with him. Ding Hong loved his brother deeply, and they endured hardships together. After Ding Hong's brother Ding Chen died, it was time for Ding Hong to inherit the title, but he wrote to give up the title to his brother, but the emperor refused his request. After his brother's funeral, Ding Hong donned mourning attire beside the grave, then discreetly slipped away, leaving a letter for his brother, which read: "I, Ding Hong, am so passionate about reading that I neglect my brotherly duties. I have been weak and sickly since I was young, studying with my teacher. I have failed to honor my parents properly during my life, and I cannot fulfill my filial duties even in death. Neither heaven nor my ancestors have blessed me. I am now very ill and unable to shoulder the responsibilities that come with the title. I previously requested to resign from the title, which the emperor did not approve. Now I am forced to inherit the title, but I must relinquish it and seek out a renowned physician. If I do not recover, I will perish in the wilderness."
Ding Hong used to work together with Bao Jun and Huan Rong in the government, and they had a very good relationship. After Ding Hong renounced his title, he met Bao Jun in the East Sea, but he was in such a mad state that he didn't recognize him. Bao Jun stopped him and said, "In the past, people like Boyi and Wu Qi dared to do such things in chaotic times in order to achieve their ideals. The principle of the 'Spring and Autumn' Annals is that personal matters should not interfere with national affairs. Is it truly wise to forsake your ancestral legacy for the sake of brotherly loyalty?" Ding Hong was deeply moved by these words, wept and sighed, but in the end, he went back to inherit his title and opened a school at home. Bao Jun also recommended Ding Hong's knowledge and character in a memorial to Emperor Han Zhang, who greatly appreciated him.
In the tenth year of the Yongping period, the Emperor summoned Ding Hong to explain the "Decree of the Marquis of Wen," rewarded him with imperial clothing and a ribbon, provided him with a carriage, and afforded him the same status as a doctor. Not long after, Ding Hong was appointed as an attendant. In the thirteenth year of the Yongping period, he was also appointed as the Director of Archery. In the fourth year of Jianchu, he was reappointed as the Marquis of Luyang.
Emperor Suzong ordered Ding Hong, Prince Xian of Guangping, Lou Wang, Cheng Feng, Huan Yu, Jia Kui, and a group of Confucian scholars to discuss the similarities and differences of the "Five Classics" at the White Tiger Temple in the North Palace. General Wei Ying was tasked with presiding over the questioning, while Chunyu Gong was responsible for recording, and the Emperor personally took part in the deliberation. Due to his profound knowledge, Ding Hong performed exceptionally well in the debate, receiving praise from other scholars and the Emperor himself. Contemporaries praised him, saying, "There is no one in the court who can compare to Duke Ding's knowledge." Ding Hong received numerous rewards, was promoted to be a Registrar, and later replaced Cheng Feng as the Minister of the Treasury. From then on, Ding Hong's disciples increased, with thousands of students traveling from afar to study under him. People like Liu Kai from Pengcheng, Ba Mao from Beihai, and Zhu Jiang from Jiujiang all achieved high-ranking official positions. In the third year of Yuanhe, Ding Hong was reappointed as the Marquis of Mating.
After Emperor Han He ascended to the throne, he was promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the fourth year of Yongyuan, he took over the position of Minister of Education from Yuan An. At that time, Empress Dowager Dou was effectively ruling, and the Dou clan brothers all held significant power. In light of a solar eclipse, I wrote a memorial to the emperor saying:
I've learned that the sun embodies the essence of yang energy, always maintaining its brilliance, symbolizing the monarch; the moon is the essence of yin energy, which undergoes regular cycles of fullness and waning, symbolizing the subjects. Therefore, a solar eclipse indicates that the subjects are overpowering the monarch, with yin energy overshadowing yang energy; if the moon remains full without diminishing, it suggests that subordinates are becoming arrogant and overbearing. During the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the Huangfu family wielded significant external power, their faction was strong, and they usurped the power of the monarch, resulting in a solar eclipse. The Book of Songs states: "At the conjunction of the tenth month, on the day xinmao, there was an eclipse, which is the disgrace of the emperor." The Spring and Autumn Annals record thirty-six solar eclipses, and there were thirty-two instances of regicide. Celestial phenomena do not appear without cause; there's always a reason behind it. Power must not be left unchecked; crucial powers must not be entrusted to others. Reflect on ancient history and consider the early Han Dynasty; the calamities that brought down the nation stemmed from this very issue. Therefore, the Sanhuang clan dominated the state of Lu, the Tian family held power in the state of Qi, and the Six Ministers divided the state of Jin; the Lu clan held power, frequently changing heirs; during the reigns of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping of Han, the imperial lineage was nearly extinguished. Therefore, even if one has relatives akin to Duke Zhou, lacking Duke Zhou's virtue, one cannot truly wield power.
Although the Grand General now wants to restrain himself and not overstep, people from far and wide are very afraid, trembling and waiting for the imperial edict. Provincial governors and officials of the level of two thousand stone have just taken office to pay respects to the emperor, requesting an audience and waiting for a response. Even if they hold the emperor's seal and decree, they dare not leave immediately, and they may have to wait for dozens of days. They have all betrayed the court and aligned themselves with the Grand General's faction, which shows the weakening of the monarch's authority and the expansion of the power of the subjects. The wickedness on earth will be mirrored in the heavens, and even with hidden conspiracies, heaven can see through people's hearts and warn the monarch through celestial phenomena. Recently, when the full moon exceeded the expected date and did not diminish, it was a manifestation of the subjects' arrogance, betrayal of the monarch, and monopolization of achievements. Your Majesty has not yet grasped this fully, so heaven is once again warning you. You should take heed to avert disasters. The Classic of Poetry says, "Fear the anger of heaven, do not dare to play and frolic." If you can personally rectify politics and prevent dangers in advance, then the threats will vanish, disasters will be eliminated, and blessings will come.
Catastrophic floods and towering trees that block the sky began as mere trickles and tiny shoots. Therefore, it is easy to prevent dangers in advance, but it is difficult to mend the fence after the sheep are gone. People often overlook the details, resulting in great disasters. Kindness should not be dispensed lightly, nor should justice be easily forsaken. After handling matters, one should reflect on them as if gazing into a mirror. I believe that those minor officials who curry favor with the powerful, flatter and please others, must face strict punishment.
Recently, General Dou Xian went on campaign again, striking fear into the various counties and prefectures, with officials from all over vying to pay him tribute. Although General Dou Xian claimed he did not want them, the items were not returned to their owners. Because of this, the officials responsible for transportation acted without restraint, committing offenses with impunity. Therefore, corruption runs rampant among officials, and the common people sigh and lament. It is said that heaven must maintain its severity; if heaven is not severe, the sun, moon, and stars will dim. A monarch must be strong; if a monarch is not strong, the ministers will grow overbearing. Now is an opportune moment for a change of dynasty, political reform, correction of mistakes, and compliance with the will of heaven.
After submitting the memorial for more than ten days, the Emperor appointed Zhang Heng as the Grand Marshal and concurrently as the Guard Commander, stationed in the Southern and Northern Palaces. Subsequently, the Emperor recalled General Dou Xian's seal, and Dou Xian and his brothers took their own lives.
At that time, in a large county with a population of five to six hundred thousand, only two individuals of filial piety and integrity were recommended. In a county with a population of two hundred thousand, and even in small counties where diverse ethnic groups coexisted, two individuals were recommended. The Emperor deemed this unfair and ordered the court officials to deliberate on the matter. Zhang Heng and Prime Minister Liu Fang submitted a memorial saying, "The assessment of population numbers should be graded, and diverse ethnic groups mixed together should not be simply measured by population numbers. Starting from now, for every two hundred thousand people in a county, one filial and incorrupt individual should be recommended each year; for four hundred thousand people, two individuals; for six hundred thousand people, three individuals; for eight hundred thousand people, four individuals; for one million people, five individuals; for one million two hundred thousand people, six individuals. For populations of less than two hundred thousand, one individual should be recommended every two years; for populations of less than one hundred thousand, one individual should be recommended every three years." The Emperor accepted their proposal.
Six years later, Zhang Heng died, and the Emperor bestowed upon him an exceptional burial. His son, Zhang Zhan, inherited his title. After Zhang Zhan's death, his son, Zhang Fu, inherited the title. After Zhang Fu's death, his son, Zhang Xia, inherited the title.
It is said that some people commented: "Confucius said, 'Tai Bo gave up the world three times, and the common people could no longer praise him.' Mencius also said, 'Those who hear the story of Bo Yi will become honest, and the weak will establish their ambitions.' However, Tai Bo gave up the world to avoid the Zhou Dynasty, and Bo Yi left the capital to maintain his noble character. They never thought of fighting for anything from the beginning. Therefore, Tai Bo is regarded as the most virtuous person, and Bo Yi is called a wise man. Later generations heard stories of their selflessness and admired their demeanor, but they only imitated their reputation without grasping the true meaning behind their actions, leading to various hypocritical behaviors and greedy desires. People like Deng Biao and Liu Kai, who gave up their official positions to their younger brothers for the sake of reputation, let their younger brothers wear shabby clothes while they gained a good reputation. Isn't this too morally shallow? A gentleman speaks not to boast of his principles, but to inspire those who are just beginning to awaken in the world; a gentleman acts not just to do well for himself, but to educate those who are just beginning to act in the world. Words and actions have such a great impact on society, how can one not be cautious! Let's take a look at Ding Hong; what matters more to him: loyalty or patriotism? Why did he eventually awaken and follow righteousness? This is truly different from those who care only about their reputation!"
Praise: Waiting for questions at dawn, responding like a bell; carriages and horses are arranged in the courtyard, and grand ceremonies are prepared in the hall; His Majesty the Emperor is dignified and solemn, accompanied by scriptures; Ding Hong is humble and cautious, never flaunting his virtues; delivering profound insights at the White Tiger Temple, and deep remarks during a solar eclipse. "Praise: Waiting for questions at dawn, responding like a bell. Carriages and horses are lined up in the courtyard, and the hall is prepared with solemn ceremonies. The solemn Emperor, holding scriptures to follow. Ding Hong is modest and cautious, yielding without showing off. Delivering profound insights at the White Tiger Temple, and deep remarks during a solar eclipse."
