Zhu Hui, style name Wenji, was from Wancheng County in Nanyang. His family was prominent, and he lost his father at a young age, yet he was remarkably brave. When he was thirteen years old, the Wang Mang regime fell, plunging the world into chaos. He and his relatives fled from the fields into Wancheng City. On the way, they encountered a group of bandits who were using knives to rob women of their clothes and jewelry. Zhu Hui's brothers and guests were terrified and too afraid to move. Zhu Hui drew his sword, stepped forward, and declared, "You can take the money, but you shall not rob women of their clothes! Today is the day of my death!" The bandits, noticing his youth yet courage, laughed heartily and remarked, "This kid’s got guts!" Then they let them go.
Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and Zhu Hui's father, Zhu Cen, had studied together in Chang'an and were on good terms. After Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, he wanted to find Zhu Cen, but Zhu Cen had already passed away. So, he summoned Zhu Hui and made him a court official. Later, Zhu Hui stepped down due to illness and completed his studies at the Imperial Academy. He was disciplined in his conduct and meticulous about etiquette, which earned him praise from many Confucian scholars for his noble character.
During the early years of the Yongping period, Yin Jiu, the Marquis of Xinyang and the Emperor's uncle, held Zhu Hui in high regard and personally visited him, but Zhu Hui avoided his visit. Yin Jiu then sent his servants to deliver gifts, but Zhu Hui still refused to see him. Upon hearing this, Yin Jiu sighed and said, "This is a man of integrity; do not force him." Later, when Zhu Hui became an official in the county, the Governor Ruan Kuang wanted to buy a maid from Zhu Hui, but Zhu Hui firmly refused. After Ruan Kuang's death, Zhu Hui sent a generous gift to Ruan Kuang's family. When others criticized him, Zhu Hui said, "Governor Ruan asked me for something before, so I could not bring myself to disobey him, fearing that using money would tarnish him. Now, I am sending gifts to show that I have no ulterior motives." When the General of the Cavalry, the King of Dongping, Liu Cang, heard about this, he summoned Zhu Hui and greatly respected him. On the first day of the first month, Liu Cang was about to enter the palace for New Year greetings. According to custom, the Minister of Works had to present a jade bi. At that time, Yin Jiu served as the Minister of Works, with great power, arrogance, and his subordinates' disobedience. Liu Cang sat in the court, and the time was running out, but the jade bi had not arrived yet. He asked his subordinates, "What's going on?" Zhu Hui saw the chief clerk of the Minister of Works holding the jade bi, so he went over and deceived him, saying, "I have heard about this jade bi many times but have never seen it. Can I take a look?" The chief clerk handed it over to him, and Zhu Hui immediately summoned the record keeper to take care of it. The chief clerk was shocked and hurried to report this to Yin Jiu. Yin Jiu said, "Zhu Hui is a righteous man; do not ask for the jade bi anymore." He then presented other jade bi to the palace. After Liu Cang returned from the palace, he summoned Zhu Hui and asked, "Do you think your performance just now compares to that of Lin Xiangru?" The Emperor heard about this and greatly praised him. Later, when the Emperor wanted to go to Chang'an and strengthen the palace guard, he appointed Zhu Hui as the guard commander. He was subsequently promoted to Prefect of Linhuai.
Zhu Hui is quite a formidable official. He promotes and appoints only upright individuals. If anyone complains, he makes an effort to address their issues and assist them as much as he can. But for those who break the law, they're in serious trouble and will be left helpless. The officials under him both respect and fear him, and even compose songs in his honor: "Upright and unyielding, ever striving, Zhu Hui of Nanyang, a name destined for history." Officials revere his authority, and the people appreciate his benevolence. However, a few years later, he was dismissed for legal violations.
Zhu Hui was very upright in his official duties, so those above him were very apprehensive about him, and he faced slander everywhere he went. After leaving Linhuai, he secluded himself in the countryside, wearing coarse clothes and subsisting on simple meals, not interacting with the local people, and the locals even mocked him for being too aloof. During the Jianzhong era, there was a severe famine in Nanyang. Zhu Hui distributed over a thousand shi of grain from his home to his poor relatives and friends, and the local people were deeply grateful for it. In earlier years, Zhu Hui had a good relationship with Zhang Kan from the same county. Zhang Kan had visited Zhu Hui at the academy and greatly respected him, considering him a friend. He even held Zhu Hui's hand and said, "I want to entrust my wife and children to you." Zhu Hui, seeing Zhang Kan as his elder, felt he couldn't agree, and they never crossed paths again. After Zhang Kan's death, Zhu Hui heard that his family was in financial difficulty, so he personally visited them and provided them with substantial financial support. Zhu Hui's youngest son was puzzled and asked him, "Dad, you and Zhang Kan weren't really friends, and you didn't have much contact. Why did we help them?" Zhu Hui said, "Zhang Kan once spoke words of a true friend, and I have always remembered them." Zhu Hui also had a good relationship with Chen Yi from the same county. Chen Yi passed away early, leaving behind a posthumous son named You, whom Zhu Hui always sympathized with. Later, Situ Huanyu became the prefect of Nanyang and wanted Zhu Hui's son Pian to take up an official position. Zhu Hui refused and instead recommended Chen Yi's son You. Huanyu was very moved and summoned Chen Yi's son. This exemplifies Zhu Hui's loyalty.
During the Yuanhe period, Emperor Suzong specifically inquired about the situation of Zhu Hui, the Prefect of Nanyang, while on inspection, and then summoned him, appointing him as the Minister of Personnel. A year later, he was reassigned as the Prefect of Mount Tai. Zhu Hui submitted a memorial requesting to remain in his original position, which the Emperor approved. He took the opportunity to submit many important suggestions, all of which the Emperor accepted. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Filling the vacant positions of the state without tarnishing his reputation for integrity, this truly is an outstanding official! Those ordinary officials only know how to flatter and please; they act without principles and lack a spirit of reflection, which has become a major problem. The suggestions you have made this time are exactly what I wanted! Keep up the good work!" At that time, food prices were soaring, and the county government's daily expenses were strained, which caused significant concern for the court. Minister Zhang Lin proposed in a memorial, "The reason why food is expensive is because money has lost its value! We could gather all the currency and switch to collecting taxes in cloth and silk, which would enhance circulation across the nation. As for salt, it is a necessity in people's lives; even if it is costly, everyone has to purchase it, so the court can sell salt themselves. We could also involve officials from Jiaozhi and Yizhou in trade to profit from buying and selling treasures, akin to the equal-field system during Emperor Wu's reign." The Emperor then ordered the various ministers to discuss this together.
As a result, Jia Kui submitted that Zhang Lin's suggestion was not feasible, so the matter was shelved. Later, someone brought up Zhang Lin's previous suggestion, saying that this method was really beneficial to the country, and the emperor agreed and ordered it implemented. Jia Kui then submitted a separate report: "According to ancient customs, the emperor does not concern himself with material quantities, vassals do not discuss counts, and those on salaries do not compete with commoners in business. Now this equal distribution law is no different from those who sell goods. The profits from salt are claimed by the government, and the common people will complain; if cloth and silk are taxed, officials will be corrupt and take bribes. This is not the behavior of a wise monarch." In the end, the emperor adopted the opinions of Zhang Lin and others because Jia Kui opposed it again, which infuriated the emperor, leading him to severely reprimand the ministers. Jia Kui and the others chose to imprison themselves.
Three days later, the emperor ordered their release, saying, "The country likes to hear different opinions. Even people with white hair can make mistakes. My orders are just words. Why did you lock yourselves up?" Jia Kui feigned serious illness and refused to participate in politics again. The officials under the Minister of Personnel were in a panic and told Jia Kui, "The emperor is about to punish us. Why are you claiming to be sick? The consequences will be severe!" Jia Kui replied, "I am eighty years old this year. I have been favored by the emperor to serve in the court. I should repay that with my life. If I know something is unfeasible but still comply with the imperial will, then I would not be fulfilling my duty as a subject. I'm now deaf and nearly blind, simply waiting for death." He fell silent after that. The other ministers did not know what to do, so they all jointly accused Jia Kui. The emperor cooled off, and the issue was dropped. After a few days, the emperor sent a court attendant to inquire about Jia Kui's well-being, a physician to treat him, and the imperial kitchen sent food. Only then did Jia Kui rise to express his gratitude. The emperor rewarded him with 100,000 coins, 100 pieces of cloth, and ten outfits.
Later, Jia Kui was promoted to the role of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Due to old age and frail health, he requested retirement and was appointed as a Cavalry Commander, receiving a reward of two hundred thousand coins. When Emperor He ascended the throne, Dou Xian marched north to campaign against the Xiongnu, and Jia Kui once again submitted a memorial advising against it. Not long after, Jia Kui passed away. His son, Jia Jie, studied Confucian classics and eventually became the Minister of Education during the reign of Emperor An. Jia Jie's son was Mu Gongshu.
Mu had the courtesy name Gongshu, and from a young age, he was known for his filial piety. At the age of five, he already had a reputation for being filial. When his parents were ill, he would fast until they recovered. As he grew older, he developed a strong passion for learning, often getting so absorbed in his studies that he would neglect his appearance, even wandering to the edges of ditches and riverbanks. His father often thought he was too obsessed with learning, almost like a fool who couldn't even tell how many legs a horse had. But Mu's determination in his studies only grew stronger.
Eventually, he passed the imperial examination for filial piety. In the later years of Emperor Shun of Han, banditry was rampant in the Jianghuai region, and local officials were powerless to control them. Someone told the Grand General Liang Ji, "Mu Gongshu not only has literary talent but also military strategy; he is a rare talent in the world. If he is appointed as an advisor, those bandits would not be a problem at all." Liang Ji had already heard of Mu Gongshu's reputation and summoned him, entrusting him with military affairs and placing great trust in him. When Emperor Huan of Han ascended the throne and Empress Dowager Shunlie held court, Mu Gongshu, given Liang Ji's immense power and influence, hoped he could assist the imperial family. Seizing the opportunity of unusual celestial phenomena, he submitted a memorial advising Liang Ji on the situation:
"I carefully consider that next year is the Year of the Pig, and the positions of Xingde and Qian are in alignment. The Book of Changes states that this is the year of 'Dragon Battle', with the original text saying, 'The dragon battles in the wild, its path is exhausted', meaning that yang will triumph over yin. The weather in September this year is gloomy and hot, and the Five Elements and Four Lords have all lost their vitality, which all support each other. The good aspects belong to yang, and the bad aspects belong to yin. If one can adhere to the right path and combat evil, then blessings will naturally come. My abilities are limited, and what I like the most is learning, acquiring knowledge from teachers and often having some methods to try. I hope the general will listen to my humble opinion, listen more to the opinions of Confucian scholars, surround yourself with loyal and honest people, stay away from those who are indecisive, be wholeheartedly for the public, let go of selfish desires, seek widely for talented individuals, and stay away from those who are deceitful. Rulers must be learners and should follow the natural order of the universe, gradually developing their own character. They should select individuals who are sincere, loyal, honest, and respectful as masters and lecturers for the emperor, and the general should join them in learning, participate in lectures, learn from the sages, and emulate the ancients, just like leaning against Nanshan Mountain; who can topple it? This summer, there was a halo around the moon, surrounding the Mars star; next year there might be some minor calamities. It is crucial to swiftly eliminate those treacherous officials, those who are despised by the people, to avoid disasters. The roles of Yilang and Daifu were meant to reward the knowledgeable and virtuous, but now there are many mediocre people among the Nine Ministers, and I hope the general will take this into careful consideration."
Good grief, Mr. Mu recommended Zhonghao and Luamba first. As a result, the next year, Yanwei wanted to support the Prince of Qinghe, and there were two incidents of the Yellow Dragon in Peigu. Mr. Mu felt that there was no good solution to this situation, so he used the term "Dragon Battle" to explain the matter, and then recommended Zhonghao as the attendant officer, Luamba as the councilor, and even recommended himself to become the Court Historian.
Mr. Mu was fifty years old at the time and heard that there was a remarkable figure named Zhao Kangshu in the same county, who lived a quiet life teaching scriptures without holding an official post on Wudang Mountain. Mr. Mu wrote to him, asking him to be his teacher. When Zhao Kangshu passed away, Mr. Mu still honored him as a teacher and handled his funeral arrangements. His respect for teachers and righteousness was well-known at the time.
Mr. Mu always felt that the world was in decline, and people's hearts had changed, so he wrote an article called "The Importance of Virtue." In the article, he wrote:
"The corruption of the world is not something that happened overnight. Confucius said, 'The principle of the Great Dao is to make the world a commonwealth, select the talented and capable, promote trust and harmony.' Look, even he was so lamenting! This 'Dao' means seeing the world as a unified whole, understanding others' actions, and being clear in one's own heart. Therefore, if actions go against the Dao, one will feel ashamed in their heart, not because of fear of punishment; if actions go against reason, one will feel uneasy, not because of fear of ceremonial constraints. Therefore, acting in accordance with one's nature is the Dao, and achieving the perfection of one's nature is virtue. Once virtue and nature are lacking, people will value benevolence and righteousness, leading to the decline of morality; when laws and rituals prevail, simplicity disappears. Therefore, using benevolence and righteousness to mend morality is like using inferior materials for repairs; using laws and rituals to constrain simplicity is like binding it with chains. You see, what people once valued is now being disregarded, and it will only worsen in the future!"
If the sky is not high and vast, it cannot cover everything; if the earth is not deep and firm, it cannot support everything; if people are not honest and kind, they cannot endure. Confucius showed great reverence for the land, and Chu Yan couldn't bear to sever the ties, all of which shows how profound the virtues of the sages are! Laozi also said: "A great man should be in a solid place, not in a weak place; he should be grounded in reality, not chase after illusions, so he should abandon those superficial things and choose those real things." Sometimes, even if the situation is not good, we should respond with generosity; sometimes, even if things go wrong, we should try to solve them in a kind way. Therefore, forgiving others for their mistakes is a sign of generosity; helping others make up for their mistakes is a generous act. In the past, Ma Yuan understood this principle very well. He taught his nephews: "I hope that when you hear others' mistakes, you should treat them as you would your parents' names - you can hear them, but you cannot speak them out." What a profound statement! You see, from ancient times to the present, the sages have practiced this, and the Han Dynasty's Bingji and Zhang Ziru also did this, which is why they are remembered in history and celebrated for generations; how wonderful! Ah, nowadays the social atmosphere is not right, people slander each other and nitpick; this is known as "zang fou." When writing about the bad aspects of a person, they also erase the good aspects; when criticizing the shortcomings, they completely deny the strengths. Everywhere there is such an atmosphere, how can it be considered good! These behaviors not only violate the ways of a gentleman, but also endanger oneself and affect one's family; it's truly sad! Those who do this kind of thing simply do not realize the consequences, so when disaster strikes, it is too late to remedy it.
That's the situation, but it could be worse. Everyone sees this phenomenon, but can't better themselves. Why is that? Those chasing fame and fortune just keep running forward, ignoring what's behind them; those who are rich and powerful are arrogant and look down on others; intelligent people look down on the foolish, and the rich won't lend a hand to the poor; honest folks feel lonely and helpless, and talented individuals are suppressed and not given opportunities. That's why Tian Fen got his hands on Anguo County's gold through his connections, and Chunyu Yi spoke flattering words based on his status. Talented individuals like Han Xin and Zhai Yi could become famous ministers of the Han Dynasty, but they couldn't even help a struggling scholar or suggest a lonely talented soul, let alone those of lower status! That's why Qin Xi and Shi Yu are remembered in history, but no one inherits their spirit. Therefore, when the social climate is good and folks are honest, even the villains can stick to the right path and can't be tempted by benefits; when the social atmosphere is corrupt and the people are wicked, even good people can be swayed by bad influences, and justice can't stop them. Why is that? Because those in front have already gone off track, and those behind just follow along, so hypocrisy and showiness take over, while loyalty and honesty become rare; there are more unkind and ungrateful people, and fewer simple and kind-hearted people. This probably reflects the lament of "Abandonment" and the sorrow of "Birdsong" from the Book of Songs.
Alas! If scholars everywhere could all emulate Confucius's noble character, learn from Chu Yan's good conduct, learn from Mr. Li's earnest teachings, emulate the noble sentiments of Ma Yuan, despise the immoral behavior of the two prime ministers, praise the integrity of Han Leng, admire Bing and Zhang's magnanimity, and reject the slanderous atmosphere in society, then their character would be noble, their achievements would be brilliant, their reputation would be distinguished, and they would shine themselves, leaving behind immortal merits and spreading an indelible reputation. Then they will realize that superficial people are lacking, while those with depth are truly abundant. Those with superficiality will eventually decay like grass and trees, while those with depth will endure like gold and stone. How can they be discussed together?
Mu also wrote "On Breaking Off Friendship," a critique of the current situation. Liang Ji was arrogant and lawless, causing complaints from all levels of society. Mu, once Liang Ji's subordinate, feared that his growing crimes would lead to disaster, so he once again submitted a memorial advising: In ancient times, wise monarchs always had ministers assisting them in doing good deeds, as well as officials who dared to speak out and give advice. Even on artifacts, inscriptions were engraved to record success and failure, to ensure the lessons are not forgotten. Therefore, when the monarch walks the right path, subjects can find their way; obeying the monarch is like climbing to a great hall, while disobeying the monarch is like falling into a deep abyss.
Now you are a general, with a respected status, just like General Shen Bo, ranking first among all officials. If you do good deeds for a day, the world will embrace benevolence and righteousness; if you do evil for a day, the world will collapse and disintegrate. Recently, the government is short of money and food, and coupled with floods and pests, the expenses of officials in the capital have surged, and the number of allocation documents issued by the court has skyrocketed tenfold. Those officials are all greedy, trying to profit off the people, extorting and exploiting them, coercing the people into paying exorbitant taxes. Public taxes are already heavy, but the private collections are even more oppressive. Most local officials are not chosen wisely, insatiable, treating the people as enemies; some have been tortured to death by brutal punishment, while others have committed suicide due to unbearable burdens. They also plunder the people's property, claiming to act on your orders. As a result, you, General, have become at odds with the people; officials are rife with complaints, and everywhere on the road is filled with sighs. In history, the Qin Dynasty's rule was marked by cruelty and oppression, the people fled one after another, Chen Sheng's call ignited the masses, yet those sycophantic courtiers insisted that all was well! They ignored the problems and refused to take action, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. In the later period of the Yonghe era, the court's rules were relaxed, losing the people's hearts; within just four or five years, the national treasury ran dry, and the people grew disenchanted and disloyal, as lawless elements exploited the chaos, almost causing a disaster in Jingzhou and Yangzhou. Fortunately, Empress Shunlie ascended the throne and worked hard to govern, with internal and external unity, only then did she quell the rebellion. Now the people are enduring the suffering of the Yonghe era, which is intolerable from a perspective of benevolence, nor can it be accepted in terms of long-term governance strategies!
The generals and ministers are the monarch's trusted advisors, like being in the same boat. If the carriage overturns or the boat sinks, everyone will suffer together. How can you turn away from the light and embrace darkness, ignoring the danger and allowing the monarch to suffer alone without concern? You should promptly replace incompetent local officials, reduce expenses on palaces and gardens, and reject the various gifts sent by local officials. This way, you can showcase your integrity, dispel the people's doubts, root out corrupt officials, and enable inspectors to fulfill their duties. With strict laws and a clear conscience, your standing as a general will be greatly enhanced, and your merits will be passed down through the generations. Heaven's will is discerning; no lie can escape scrutiny. I hope you will seriously consider my advice.
He (referring to the Governor of Jizhou) did not listen to advice but instead worsened the situation. He bribed the eunuchs in the palace and recruited more of them, arranging for his own son, relatives, and friends to hold important positions in the provinces and counties. Mu once again submitted a strong recommendation in his memorial, hoping to ultimately make him see the truth. In his reply, he stated, "If that's the case, there's nothing I can do!" Despite the sincerity of Mu's advice, he faced no repercussions.
In the first year of the Yongxing era, the Yellow River flooded, devastating hundreds of thousands of homes, leading to famine and displacing countless people. Banditry was rampant in Jizhou, so the court appointed Mu as the Jizhou governor. There were three court eunuchs in Jizhou who were palace attendants, and they all went to visit Mu with official documents. Mu was disdainful of them and declined to meet. When the officials in Jizhou heard that Mu was coming to manage the Yellow River, over forty of them promptly resigned. After Mu took office, he reported on officials at all levels across various counties, and some even took their own lives as a consequence. Leveraging his reputation and political savvy, he completely eradicated the bandit leaders. Some of the nobles he implicated even perished in prison. There was a eunuch named Zhao Zhong whose father died, and he wanted to return to his hometown of Anping for burial, but he deceived by using precious jade, boxes, and figurines as burial items. Upon hearing of this, Mu ordered a thorough investigation in the counties. The officials, fearing his strict enforcement, dismantled the tomb, retrieving both the body and the burial items, and arrested Zhao Zhong's family members. When the emperor heard about this, he was furious and summoned Mu to the capital, sentencing him to labor duty. Thousands of students from the Imperial Academy, including Liu Tao, gathered at the palace gates to plead for justice on Mu's behalf, stating:
"We saw Zhu Mu, who had been sentenced, wholeheartedly dedicated to the public good and deeply concerned for the country and its people. Upon assuming his position in Jizhou, he was resolute in his determination to eradicate corruption. Those high-ranking officials, their fathers, brothers, sons, and relatives are spread throughout the provinces, like tigers and wolves, harming the people. Mu, in contrast, acted like a net that closed off loopholes and caught those who did evil, fulfilling the will of heaven. Therefore, the eunuchs in the palace hated him very much, spreading rumors and slandering him everywhere, which ultimately led to his sentencing to serve as a military officer. Wise individuals believe that Mu, like Yu and Ji, toiled diligently yet suffered the same injustices as Gong and Gun. If the deceased were aware, Tang Yao would be enraged by Chongshan, and Emperor Shun would mourn over Cangwu. Now, those eunuchs close to the emperor have usurped the country's power, hold titles, and, when granting rewards, render the starving commoners wealthier than Jisun; with a single command, Yi Yin and Yan Hui can be transformed into tyrants like Jie and Zhou. Yet Mu, standing alone and disregarding his personal safety, does not despise glory and wealth, nor does he embrace shame; he is solely concerned that the king's laws will not be upheld, worried that the heavenly net has long been neglected, thus, he exhausts himself in his concerns for the emperor. We propose using facial tattoos and the amputation of toes as a substitute punishment for Mu to serve as a military officer."
After the emperor read his memorial, he pardoned him. Mu Mu stayed at home for several years, and many officials in the court recommended him. So he was summoned and became a Minister. Mu Mu always hated eunuchs. After he became an official in the court, he worked with them every day and was determined to eradicate them. So he wrote to the emperor: "According to the precedents from the Han Dynasty, eunuchs were involved in selecting scholars only after the Jianwu period. Starting from the Yanping period, the status of eunuchs rose increasingly in status. They dressed in sable robes and adorned with jade rings, held important positions, and held sway over court affairs. Their influence extended across the nation, and they enjoyed favor for a time, while their descendants and relatives also held important positions. Therefore, they grew arrogant and above the law. Those who were cruel, cunning, and unscrupulous flattered them for official positions; those who were arrogant and relied on favoritism oppressed the people, causing widespread suffering among the populace. I propose that they all be dismissed, the previous system must be reinstated, and some upright and knowledgeable individuals should be selected to replace them according to the old regulations. In this way, Your Majesty could become a sage ruler like Yao and Shun, the officials could become virtuous ministers like Ji and Qi, and the common people could enjoy your benevolence." However, the emperor did not accept his suggestion.
Later, Mumu entered the palace to meet the emperor again and stated in front of him: "I have heard that in the old customs of the Han Dynasty, there should be one attendant and one chief attendant responsible for handling the affairs of the Shangshu, and one Yellow Gate Officer responsible for conveying and handling memorials. These positions should be held by people of status and position. Since Empress Dowager Hexi took power, she did not interact with the officials and ministers, instead using eunuchs as chief attendants and small yellow gate attendants to convey orders between the two palaces. From that time on, the power of the eunuchs has surpassed that of the emperor, resulting in widespread suffering among the populace. They should all be dismissed, and virtuous scholars should be widely selected to participate in political affairs." The emperor was very angry upon hearing this and did not respond. Mumu knelt on the ground and refused to get up. The situation was reported to the emperor by those around him, and after a while, Mumu finally got up and left. Since then, the eunuchs in the palace have repeatedly used imperial edicts to attack him on various pretexts.
Mumu was known for his integrity and steadfastness, yet he faced repeated frustrations in his career. Not long after, he fell ill due to grief and resentment, developing abscesses. In the sixth year of Yanxi, he passed away at the age of sixty-four. He served as an official for several decades, always leading a frugal lifestyle and wearing simple, coarse clothing, with little to no wealth to speak of. The officials collectively submitted a memorial praising Mumu for his noble character, loyalty, integrity, piety, respectfulness, caution, adherence to the right path, and recommended that he be honored. The court issued an edict praising him and posthumously bestowed upon him the title of Prefect of Yizhou. He left behind a total of twenty works, including essays, strategies, memorials, teachings, books, poems, records, and satires.
When Zhu Mumu served as an official in Jizhou, he promoted people of noble character, many of whom later became high-ranking officials in central and local governments. His son, Zhu Ziye, was well-known for his integrity and reputation from a young age, and later became the Prefect of Henan. When Zhu Mumu's father passed away, Zhu Mumu and some Confucian scholars posthumously honored him with the title "Mr. Virtuous and Proclaiming." After Zhu Mumu's death, Cai Yong and Zhu Mumu's students, in recognition of his character, honored him with the title "Mr. Literary and Loyal."
Zhu Mu saw society's corruption and the prevalence of cliques, so he wrote "On Breaking Friendship" to express his criticism of this phenomenon. Cai Yong believed that Zhu Mu was upright and aloof, and wrote "On True Friendship" to expound Zhu Mu's thoughts and further elaborated on its meaning. In fact, Confucius once said, "Do not flatter superiors in your interactions with them, and do not be disrespectful in your interactions with inferiors," and also said, "Yan Pingzhong is good at interacting with people." Zixia's students once asked Zizhang for advice on social interactions. The Book of Changes explains the principle of "severing ties," and the Book of Songs contains poems that celebrate gatherings of friends. Friends who are talented, virtuous, upright, honest, knowledgeable, and able to help each other can forge true friendships; even if they meet wearing coarse clothes and riding simple vehicles, they can uplift one another and rise together. This is the true way of making friends. As for friends like Tian Fen, Dou Ying, Wei Qing, and Huo Guang, who align themselves with the powerful, once their power declines, they immediately distance themselves; friends like Zhuan Zhu and Jing Ke, who befriend out of gratitude, and Hou Sheng and Yu Rang, who sacrifice themselves for repayment, their relationships are built on favors or self-interest, and once the interests change, the feelings change as well. These do not represent true friendship; we cannot learn how to interact with people correctly from them. Zhu Mu severed ties with like-minded individuals simply because he had few friends; he scorned those who were generous, losing sight of the true meaning of friendship. Cai Yong said Zhu Mu was upright and aloof; this appears to be the case! In ancient times, there were many skilled in the art of friendship, such as Wang Yang, Gong Yu, Chen Zun, and Zhang Song in the Han Dynasty, and Lian Fan, Qing Hong, Chen Zhong, and Lei Yi in the middle period. Yue Hui, styled Boqi, was from Changling in Jingzhao. His father was a minor official in the county who sought to execute him after offending the county magistrate. At just eleven years old, Yue Hui knelt in front of the county office crying every day, day and night without rest. When the county magistrate heard about it, he was touched by Yue Hui's filial piety and decided to release his father.
After growing up, Yue Hui developed a passion for studying Confucian classics and studied under Dr. Jiao Yong. Jiao Yong later became the governor of Hedong, and Yue Hui followed him into office, studying hard in seclusion and keeping to himself. Later, Jiao Yong was investigated for some matters, and many of his students were caught up and imprisoned. Only Yue Hui remained unscathed, which only strengthened his resolve to be a respected scholar. He was upright and honest, and he refused to associate with anyone he deemed unworthy, even if they were high-ranking officials. Yin, the Marquis of Xinyang, invited him several times, but Yue Hui always declined.
He first served as a minor official. Later, when the governor got into trouble and was executed, no one dared to attend the funeral except for him, which led to him facing punishment. Upon his return, he became an assistant responsible for talent selection. He was fair and just, never played favorites. Those who tried to use connections to get ahead were all ignored by him.
In the same county, a guy named Yang Zheng was always badmouthing him. Later, Yang Zheng's son was recommended as a filial and incorrupt candidate, and the villagers began to look up to Yang Zheng. Later, Sikong Mou Rong invited him to work at his mansion. By chance, Di Wu Lun, the magistrate of Shu County, succeeded Mou Rong as Sikong, and since they were from the same hometown, he saw no reason to stay and suggested a man from Yingchuan, Du An, before leaving himself. Many prominent officials respected his actions and kept trying to recruit him, but he turned them all down.
Later, the court summoned him to serve as a Yilang. Just as General Dou Xian was preparing to campaign against the Xiongnu, he repeatedly submitted written advice, and the court praised him for his loyalty. Afterwards, he was promoted to the position of Shangshu Pushe. At that time, Wang Diao, the prefect of Henan, and Li Fu, the magistrate of Luoyang, had a particularly close relationship with Dou Xian, and they behaved very arrogantly. He directly accused Wang Diao and Li Fu, and also implicated the Colonel of the Jili. He reported those individuals, regardless of their identity or status, daring to expose them, and the powerful despised him. Dou Xian's younger brother, the Marquis of Xiayang, wanted to visit him, but he turned down the visit. The Dou brothers were typically arrogant and overbearing, and they were very angry at his behavior of not flattering themselves.
His wife frequently urged him, saying, "Ancient people had ways to evade disaster and safeguard themselves; why do you have to offend people by speaking out?" He replied sternly, "How can I be at ease eating and waiting to die in the court?" So, he advised in writing again, "I've heard that the failures of past emperors were often due to the shifting of power. Ministers who wield significant power often invite disaster due to their influence. In the past, the late emperor departed early because his virtuous reign had not yet been established. Your Majesty, in the prime of your reign, has inherited a great legacy. Your uncles should not interfere in court affairs to prevent the people from thinking you are showing favoritism. The Book of Documents states: 'When heaven and earth are out of order, all things suffer harm; when the ruler and his ministers are disordered, the people suffer calamity.' If political affairs are not corrected in time, the consequences could be dire. What needs to happen now is for Your Majesty to relinquish some power for the greater good, and the ministers should act with humility and caution. In this way, your uncles can retain their titles and land for a long time, and the Empress Dowager can avoid worrying about the ancestral temple. This is the wisest course of action!" However, his memorial was ultimately disregarded.
It is said that at that time, Empress Dou was in power, the young emperor was still a child and lacked real power. He Hui wanted to fulfill his ambitions but was blocked at every turn, so he pretended to be ill, claiming he was unwell. The emperor granted him money and sent imperial physicians to treat him. He Hui took the opportunity to recommend Guo Jun from Rencheng and Gao Feng from Chengyang to the emperor, and then pretended to be even more seriously ill, refusing to rise. The emperor promoted him and appointed him as a cavalry captain, but he declined the appointment in a memorial, stating: "I have received the emperor's favor many times, but I have no way to repay it. The governance of the country is in the hands of the nobles, which Confucius criticized; the power is in the hands of the nobles, as warned in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals'. The sages' words are heartfelt; every word rings true! Recently, the relatives have grown wealthy and become arrogant and overbearing, ultimately leading to their downfall. Now Your Majesty is still thinking about offering sacrifices to the late emperor and not focusing on state affairs; your uncles are all favored and have power everywhere. If they cannot exercise restraint, they will surely face punishment. I am old and near death, and before I pass, I wish to share my humble opinion, hoping that Your Majesty will heed my words." The emperor granted his request and allowed him to resign and return home. Dou Xian became even more arrogant and overbearing, acting tyrannically and coercing officials across the regions, until He Hui took his own life by poison. His students donned mourning attire for his burial, with hundreds in attendance, and the common people mourned deeply. Later, the Dou family was executed, and the emperor finally assumed control of the government. He Hui's students, including He Rong, petitioned for justice on behalf of He Hui, extolling his loyalty. The emperor appointed He Ji, the son of He Hui, as a court physician.
Let's talk about He Chang, whose courtesy name was Wengao, and he was from Fufeng, Pingling. His ancestors lived in Ruyin. His sixth generation ancestor was Bi Gan, who studied the Book of Documents at the court of Cao Nai. During the reign of Emperor Wu, Bi Gan served as the Minister of Justice, contemporaneous with Zhang Tangs. Zhang Tang enforced the law strictly, while Bi Gan advocated for kindness and generosity, often clashing with Zhang Tang. Although he couldn't always get his way, he still saved thousands of people. Later, Bi Gan was promoted to the Commandant of Dan Yang and then moved to Pingling. He Chang's father, He Chong, served as the Commandant of Qiancheng during the Jianwu period, but resigned due to illness and then lived in seclusion.
He Chang was known for his straightforwardness and integrity. He felt that his interests and hobbies were not in line with the prevailing trends of the time, so he would feign illness and not attend court whenever he was summoned. During the Tang Yuanhe period, he was invited by the Grand Commandant Song You to serve as his assistant, who showed him great respect. He Chang was an eloquent speaker, always considering the bigger picture and correcting others' mistakes. The Minister of Works, Yuan An, also held him in high regard. At that time, strange birds, animals, and plants kept appearing in the capital and various regions, with some people interpreting them as auspicious signs. He Chang was well-versed in classics, history, and astronomy, and felt these occurrences were ominous. He warned Song You and Yuan An, "These so-called auspicious signs only appear when rulers possess good virtues, while disasters and strange phenomena happen when politics are in turmoil. Look at the records in the Zuo Zhuan - when quails nested in Duke Zhao's home, he died; during Confucius' time, a qilin was captured, and soon after Confucius passed away; sea birds sought refuge from the storm with Duke Wen of Zang, and the noblemen criticized him! Now strange birds fly into the palace, peculiar plants grow in the courtyard - these are not good omens, we need to be cautious!" Song You and Yuan An were so frightened that they couldn't speak. Shortly after, Emperor Suzong died.
At that time, the Dou family was in control, and the court officials were living extravagantly and wastefully, granting rewards that exceeded regulations, which drained the national treasury. Chang Ge submitted a memorial to Song You:
I have heard that you are loyal and dutiful to the monarch, diligent and conscientious in your duties, even contemplating how to rectify past mistakes after stepping down. I have observed emperors and ministers of past dynasties, and none of them wished to leave a legacy for future generations, but few truly achieved peace in the realm. This is because wise monarchs and capable ministers rarely appear together! With your wise leadership and enlightened policies, and your governance of the country with gentle and pure morals, the prospect of peace is within reach. Confucius once said, "If someone employs me, I can govern the country well in three years." Having been in power for over two years, you should hold yourself to the highest standards to meet the people's expectations. The "Book of Rites" states that if the harvest is bad for a year, one must reduce one's own food and clothing. Nowadays, the people are suffering, and their plight has reached a critical point. In recent years, natural disasters have continued, the people have had no harvest, and the disaster situation in the border areas of Liangzhou is severe. Men are weary from fighting on the battlefield, women are working hard to transport goods, and the elderly, orphans, and widows rely on each other, sighing in distress. Even in the Central Plains, both public and private reserves have been depleted. Now is the time to cut expenditures, yet the state's rewards are excessively generous. It is crucial to recognize that all state expenditures stem from the people's hard-earned income! A wise ruler's rewards should be regulated, and loyal ministers' rewards should also be measured, just like the jade tablet of Emperor Yu and the silk of Duke Zhou. You are now in a high position of power with great responsibility. You should correct the rules, help the people, and how can you be content with merely staying within the law? You should first hold yourself to strict standards and use this to guide your subordinates, consider returning a portion of the rewards you have received, articulate the advantages and disadvantages, and recommend that the nobles return to their fiefs, lift the ban on hunting grounds, save unnecessary expenses, and help the poor and weak, so that blessings may be shared across the realm, allowing the people to live and work in peace. In doing so, heaven will bless you, and your political achievements will be truly remarkable.
At that time, the people will sing your praises, and historians will record your contributions as well; it's not just about resigning like Zigong or fasting like Gongyi!
The prince of the state of Qi, Prince Liu Chang, went to offer condolences for the national misfortune. His petition was not replied to, and the court official Dou Xian sent someone to assassinate him. The assassination occurred at the city gate guard station, but the murderer was not caught. Liu Chang reported the incident to the emperor, saying, "Liu Chang is a royal relative and a local official. He came to offer condolences for the country, and his petition should have been replied to. He was near the barracks of the imperial guard at the time, yet he suffered such a brutal death. None of the officials who followed Dou Xian's orders went to pursue the murderer, and there was no trace of the murderer. The murderer has not been identified. I hold several key positions and oversee the department that investigates crimes. Therefore, I want to personally investigate the truth and quell this disturbance. However, the Grand Secretary and the Censorate Chief believe that, according to convention, the three senior ministers should not handle cases of theft personally. In the past, Chen Ping lived in a tumultuous era and still understood the responsibilities of a prime minister. He said, 'Internally pacify the vassals, externally pacify the barbarians, and ensure that each minister knows his role.' Now the Grand Secretary and the Censorate Chief fail to consider the principles of justice in their decisions; they are misled by rumors, indulging in evil without seeing any fault. Only you, Your Majesty, possess keen insight and should not have any doubts. I cannot bear to see this any longer and request permission to report the case directly to you." The emperor agreed. When the Grand Secretary and the Censorate Chief heard that Liu Chang was going to investigate the case, they sent people to follow him. As a result, Liu Chang revealed the truth of the situation, and the people of the capital praised him for enforcing the law fairly. I passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an assistant censor. At that time, Dou Xian was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and launched a large-scale attack on the Xiongnu. The emperor also ordered Dou Xian's brothers, Dou Du and Dou Jing, to construct lavish mansions, causing the people to suffer greatly and voice their grievances.
I submitted a memorial to advise the emperor: "I've heard that the Xiongnu have been acting arrogantly and oppressively for a long time. The humiliation of Pingcheng being besieged and their arrogant and disrespectful letters—these two great humiliations—ministers should be willing to sacrifice their lives to seek revenge. However, Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Lu have swallowed their anger and refrained from retaliating against them. Now, Empress Dowager, you uphold virtuous conduct, and Emperor, you govern the country with kindness and generosity. The Xiongnu have not committed any major crimes, and the Han Dynasty has no reason to be ashamed. However, now is the perfect time for spring planting, yet such a large project has been initiated, leading to widespread grievances among the people, leaving everyone feeling uneasy. Moreover, extravagant mansions are being built for Weiwei Dou Du and Feng Che Du Du Jing, occupying a vast area, which is simply excessive. Even though I'm just a minor official, I really can't understand why Dou Du and Dou Jing, who are close trusted ministers of the emperor, should set an example for the officials. The army is on the march, the court is in disarray, the people are anxious, and local officials are at their wits' end, yet they insist on large-scale construction of lavish mansions, decorated extravagantly, which sets a poor example and tarnishes our reputation for future generations! The construction of these mansions should be halted immediately, and we must consider the suffering of the people." After my memorial was submitted, the emperor did not accept it. Later, I was appointed as a secretary, and I once again submitted a memorial to advise, saying:
Ah, those loyal ministers dare to speak out for the country, even at the risk of offending the ruler and jeopardizing their lives and families. Why is that? Because the bond of loyalty between ruler and subject is significant, and there are certain things that must be addressed! Thinking back on past events, when the country was in turmoil and disaster struck families, these events were not coincidental; the reasons are quite clear. In the past, the Duke of Zheng showed favoritism towards his nephew, and the Duke of Wei placed his trust in Zhou Yu. This unchecked favoritism ultimately led to great calamities. From these examples, even if you love your own children, if you give them poison when they're hungry, aren't you harming them too?
When I witnessed General Huo Xian facing great challenges in the beginning, the court officials all petitioned for him to take control of national affairs. Huo Xian was humble and cautious, firmly declining the high position, earnestly expressing his thoughts and speaking very sincerely, which made everyone happy. However, after a few years, before the grand ceremony had even concluded, the situation took a sudden turn; Huo Xian's brothers took control of the government. Huo Xian wielded significant military power, while Huo Du and Huo Jing commanded the imperial guards, but they treated the people brutally, lived extravagantly, disregarded the law, indiscriminately killed innocents, and sought only their own pleasures. Now everyone is talking about it, saying that the old favoritism has resurfaced.
I notice those court officials all wavering, afraid to speak the truth, calculating their next moves. If the Huo brothers continue to act recklessly, they might achieve great success like Jifu and Baoshen. If the Huo brothers fall from power, they can assist Empress Dowager Lu like Chen Ping and Zhou Bo, seizing power. In short, they are not worried about the rise and fall of the Huo brothers. With my limited abilities, I only want to address the root of the problem, prevent the Empress Dowager from losing her title, prevent the Emperor from being disgraced, and let the Huo brothers enjoy long-lasting prosperity. However, someone of my lowly status wanting to protect the Empress Dowager and the Huo family may inevitably incur the Emperor's severe punishment.
My ancestors have received imperial favor for generations, and I am the eighth generation. Yet, I am inept, rising to a high position in just a few years, close to the center of power. Whenever I think of the royal favor, I am afraid for my own life. Although I know that speaking bluntly will bring disaster, I still risk my life to do what I can, unable to bear watching disasters happen in silence. Huo Gui, the young Marquis of Fuma, is loyal and courageous. He requests to resign from his position to curb his family's power. Including him in planning and heeding his advice is indeed a matter concerning the ancestral temple and the family's welfare.
He Chang has repeatedly spoken out against the Dou family, exposing their wrongdoings, drawing the ire of the Dou family. At that time, Prince Kang of Jinan was arrogant and unruly, so He Chang voluntarily requested to serve as the Grand Tutor of Jinan. In Jinan, He Chang assisted Prince Kang, teaching him moral principles and using laws and regulations to correct his mistakes. Prince Kang held him in high regard.
A year later, He Chang was transferred to serve as the Prefect of Runan. He Chang detested the clerks who pursued reputation through harsh means, so he governed with generosity and kindness during his tenure. Every year on the day of the Beginning of Spring, he would summon the circuit inspectors to the government office, and then dispatch officials well-versed in Confucianism to inspect the counties, commending those who were filial and loyal. When encountering wrongful cases, he always applied the principles of the "Spring and Autumn Annals" to judge the cases. As a result, there were no complaints within the jurisdiction of Runan Commandery, and the people were grateful for his grace. Those living away returned home to support their parents, and some even observed mourning attire, with more than two hundred individuals sharing their wealth with one another. He Chang also established an Office of Rites, not appointing clerks who only knew how to manipulate words. In addition, he repaired the old canal in Dianyang, benefiting the people, and increasing cultivated land by over thirty thousand hectares. Local officials and the people together carved stones, praising He Chang's merits.
After the downfall of the Dou clan, someone reported that He Chang's son had close ties with Marquis Xia Yang, leading to He Chang being dismissed from office. In the twelfth year of Yongyuan, he was summoned back to the court, and after three promotions, he served as General of the Five Household Officials. He Chang had always detested the Court Eunuch Cai Lun, and Cai Lun held a grudge against him as a result. In the first year of Yuanxing, when He Chang failed to observe the fasting and abstinence due to a minor illness during a temple ritual, later when Empress Dowager Deng went to worship at the tomb of Grand Tutor Yu, He Chang stood up to accompany the officials. Cai Lun took this opportunity to report that He Chang was feigning illness, which ultimately resulted in He Chang's punishment and death at home.
Historical records comment: During the Yongyuan era, the emperor was young, and the empress dowager held power, with the Dou clan leveraging their status as imperial relatives; it appeared that the chaos reminiscent of Empress Lü and Huo Guang's monopolistic rule was on the verge of repeating. Fortunately, the fortunes of the Han Dynasty had not yet waned, and many loyal ministers still remained in the court. Ministers Yuan An and Ren Shang stood firm in their integrity, while ministers Le Yang, He Jin, and others defended their positions with reason in the court, thus able to curb the Dou clan's arrogance using the young emperor's authority. Otherwise, the nation would be in peril! During the period of the Dou clan's monopoly of power, only He Chang managed to escape unscathed, but he was dismissed due to his son's poor associations, missing the chance to achieve greatness, which is truly unfortunate!
In praise of him: "Zhu Sheng was entrusted and remained loyal. Gong Shu Bi Liang welcomed the honest critique. He cut ties with false friends, valuing sincerity over pretense. He defended himself against slander, and He Chang was not superstitious. He spoke out about the nation's crisis, willingly bearing the false accusations."
