Deng Biao, courtesy name Zhibo, was a native of Xinye in Nanyang and a descendant of the Grand Tutor Yu. His father Deng Han was granted the title of Marquis of Menghuang for his achievements in the early days of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and he rose to the position of Governor of Bohai Commandery. Deng Biao was determined to become a good official from a young age and was deeply filial. After his father passed away, he renounced his title in favor of his half-brother Deng Jingfeng. Emperor Xian of Han admired his noble character and granted his request.
Later, Deng Biao held various official posts across different regions and was summoned to work in the central government. He was promoted all the way to the position of Governor of Guiyang. In the seventeenth year of Yongping, he was summoned to the capital to take up the position of Grand Herald. A few years later, his stepmother passed away, and he requested to resign and return home to perform mourning rites. The court permitted him to mourn as a Palace Attendant. After the mourning period, he was appointed Minister of Chariots and later promoted to Grand Commander. After a few months, he succeeded Bao Yu as the Grand Commander. Deng Biao served as Grand Commander for four years before retiring due to health issues. In the first year of Yuanhe, the court approved his request, awarded him 300,000 coins, and permitted him to retain the privileges of a 2,000-bushel official until his death. The court also ordered that offerings be made at his ancestral temple by the Ministry of Rites according to the seasons, and the Intendant of Henan would send officials to visit him regularly, with sheep and wine delivered every year on the first day of August.
After Emperor He ascended the throne, he appointed Deng Biao Grand Tutor, entrusting him with the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, and granted him the title of Marquis of Guannei. In the early years of the Yongyuan period, the Dou clan exercised power with arrogance, and many officials in the court advised against it, but Deng Biao focused solely on self-cultivation and did not actively participate in correcting the court's policies. He also once requested the dismissal of the Chief Imperial Secretary Zhou Yu, because Zhou Yu had previously offended the Dou clan; Deng Biao faced considerable criticism for his actions, but contemporaries still praised his humility. After the Dou clan was executed, Deng Biao, due to his old age and frailty, requested to resign from his important position in the court, and the court granted his request, providing him with gifts of cattle and wine. In the spring of the fifth year of Yongyuan, Deng Biao died in office, and the Emperor personally went to offer condolences.
Zhang Yu, known as Boda, was a native of Xiangguo, Zhao State. His grandfather's sister was Emperor Guangwu of Han's grandmother, and Zhang Yu often visited Nandun and met Emperor Guangwu. When Emperor Guangwu passed through Handan as the Grand Marshal, who was a county official at the time, Zhang Yu went to pay his respects to Emperor Guangwu. Emperor Guangwu was delighted and remarked, "I finally see my nephew-in-law!" He then took Zhang Yu along on his journey north, and in Gaoyi, appointed him as the magistrate of Yuanshi County. He was later promoted to the position of Administrator of Zhuo Commandery, and then served as the Chief of Changshan Pass. During the Chimei Army's attack on the pass, Zhang Yu died in battle. Zhang Yu's father, Zhang Xin, initially fled to seek revenge, but later became the magistrate of Huaiyang and eventually died while serving as the magistrate of Jixian County.
Zhang Yu was recognized for his generosity and frugality. After his father's death, officials and residents of Jixian sent numerous gifts, amounting to several million coins, but he declined all of them. He even gave up his land to his uncle and lived as a guest in someone else's home. In the eighth year of Yongping, he participated in the examination for the title of Filial Piety, and then gradually rose through the ranks; during the Jianchu period, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yangzhou.
At that time, he went to Yangzhou to take office and needed to cross the river. Many people at the time said that there was the vengeful spirit of Wu Zixu in the Yangtze River, making crossing the river difficult and dangerous. His subordinates strongly advised him not to cross the river and not to take risks. However, he firmly replied, "If Wu Zixu really has divine powers, he should know that my purpose is to investigate wrongful cases and govern Yangzhou; how could that endanger me?" After that, he ordered to cross the river by boat. After taking office, he toured every corner of Yangzhou, even visiting remote mountainous areas, and personally tried prisoners, correcting many wrongful cases. The people were rarely blessed with such a diligent official; everyone was very happy, and they actively told him about any grievances or good suggestions.
In the second year of the Yuanhe era, he was transferred to the position of Magistrate of Yanzhou, and continued to achieve remarkable results, earning him high praise. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of Magistrate of Xiaopai County. There was a Puyang slope in the north of Xiaopai County, with many fertile lands nearby, but it had been abandoned for so long that it was no longer cultivable. He ordered the digging of irrigation channels, resulting in the cultivation of hundreds of hectares of arable land. He also encouraged the people, provided them with seeds and farming tools, and personally worked in the fields. That year, the harvest was abundant. Many impoverished people from neighboring counties moved to Xiaopai, built homes, and gradually established a market. Later, the area of cultivated land expanded to over a thousand hectares, and the people's lives were greatly improved.
At that time, there was an official named Dai Run, a former official from the Ministry of War who wielded significant power in the county. He made a small mistake, so Yu instructed him to surrender himself to Xuzhou prison, where he would face legal consequences. Officials beneath the Chief Clerk were intimidated by his actions and dared not act recklessly again.
In the sixth year of the Yongyuan era, he was recalled to the court and appointed as the Minister of Agriculture. Later, he was promoted to Grand Commandant, and Emperor He of Han held him in high regard. In the fifteenth year of Yongyuan, Emperor He of Han went on a southern tour to offer sacrifices, and Yu, serving as both Grand Commandant and Commandant of the Guards, remained in the capital. Hearing that the emperor was going to Jiangling, he felt that the journey was too far and risky, so he quickly sent someone to deliver a memorial counseling the emperor against it. The emperor replied, "The sacrificial activities have already ended, and I plan to offer sacrifices by the Yangtze River. After receiving your memorial, I will turn back at the Han River." Upon the emperor's return, Yu was rewarded.
In the year 106 AD, Yang Zhen was appointed as the Grand Tutor, overseeing the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. Empress Dowager Deng, believing that Emperor Shang of Han was still too young, wanted senior officials to live in the palace, so she ordered Yang Zhen to reside there. The palace provided him with a tent, bedding, and meals from the imperial kitchen every day, permitting him to return home every five days. Every time Yang Zhen attended court, the empress dowager praised him highly and had him sit separately from the other officials. Yang Zhen submitted a memorial saying, "Now is a time of national stability, and we should refrain from leisure activities as was customary. The vacant lands of Guangcheng Palace and Shanglin Park should be allocated to the impoverished for cultivation." The empress dowager accepted his suggestion.
After Emperor An of Han ascended the throne, Yang Zhen repeatedly petitioned for retirement. The emperor dispatched a eunuch to check on his health and also rewarded him with a cow, ten hu of wine, encouraging him to take care of himself. He received numerous rewards, including money, textiles, weapons, and garments. In the year 114 AD, in recognition of his contributions to national policy-making, Yang Zhen was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anxiang, with a fief of 1,200 households, on the same day as Grand Commandant Xu Fang and Minister of Works Yin Qin. That autumn, due to bandits and floods, Xu Fang and Yin Qin were dismissed, and Yang Zhen also felt uneasy, so he submitted a request for retirement, but was later reappointed as Grand Commandant.
In the year 117 AD, King Xinye fell ill, and the Empress Dowager went to stay at the residence of King Xinye with the imperial entourage. Yang Zhen, along with Situ Xiaqin and Sikong Zhang Min, submitted a memorial saying, "King Xinye's health is not good, and the imperial entourage has been staying there for many days in a row. We are genuinely concerned. It is said that when an emperor travels, there must be careful arrangements, strict vigilance must be maintained during stays, roads must be cleared prior to passage, palaces must be cleaned before residing, and overnight stays away from the palace are not permitted, all for strengthening security. Your Majesty's devotion to filial piety is truly sincere, personally visiting King Xinye and caring about his illness with deep affection. However, staying outside for a long time, all officials can only wait outside, leading to much speculation. It is appropriate to return to the palace as soon as possible, not only for the ancestral temple and the state but also for the welfare of all subjects." They submitted their request three times, firmly requesting the Empress Dowager to return to the palace, and she finally did.
In the subsequent years, a series of droughts occurred, and the national treasury was depleted. Yang Zhen wrote a memorial requesting to use a portion of the tax revenue from the past three years to provide relief to the provinces. The Emperor approved his request. In the year 119 AD, due to natural disasters and man-made disasters, Yang Zhen was dismissed from office. In the year 121 AD, Yang Zhen passed away in his home, and the court dispatched envoys to offer condolences. Yang Zhen's youngest son, Yang Yao, was appointed as a court physician, while his eldest son, Yang Sheng, succeeded to his title.
Xu Fang, known by the courtesy name Yeqing, was from Zhi County in the Pei Kingdom. His grandfather, Xu Xuan, was a master of learning who taught Wang Mang using the Book of Changes. His father, Xu Xian, also inherited his grandfather's profession.
Old Zhang comes from a long line of scholars. Later, in the Yongping era, he was recommended for his filial piety and became an official, starting out as a minor court official in the palace. Old Zhang is dignified in appearance and speaks eloquently. The Emperor was impressed by him and directly promoted him to the position of court gentleman. He handled important confidential matters at court, working with meticulous care, never making a mistake while serving under two emperors. When Emperor He ascended the throne, he was promoted to Commandant of Justice and later appointed Prefect of Wei County. In the tenth year of Yongyuan, he was appointed Minister of Finance and Grand Minister of Agriculture. He worked diligently and achieved remarkable political success, which was evident to all. In the fourteenth year of Yongyuan, he was appointed Minister of Works.
Lao Zhang felt that the "Five Classics" had been passed down for too long, and the meanings of many saints had become difficult to understand. Therefore, he believed that annotations should be made to make it easier for future generations to study. So he wrote a letter to the emperor, saying: "It is said that the 'Book of Songs,' 'Book of Documents,' 'Book of Rites,' and 'Book of Music' were all compiled by Confucius; and detailed explanations and annotations on these books began with Zixia. Later, various schools of thought interpreted these books differently. The Han Dynasty inherited the mess from the Qin Dynasty, and many classical texts were lost or damaged, with many original texts incomplete, let alone annotations. To address these deficiencies, establish standards for classical studies, and widely solicit the opinions of Confucian scholars, the court even established the Imperial Academy. Since Confucius had been dead for a long time, many profound meanings were at risk of being lost. Therefore, the court established fourteen scholars and set up exams in two grades, encouraging everyone to study, in order to guide people to learn correct knowledge and correct wrong practices. However, I have found that scholars and their students in the Imperial Academy interpret the classics based solely on their own understanding, not following the teachings of their teachers, covering up for each other, and fostering a troubling trend. Every exam is noisy, with various conflicting interpretations and mutual accusations. Confucius said 'to transmit but not create,' and also said 'I transmit rather than innovate,' meaning that he abhorred not knowing something in historical records but failing to annotate it. Now these people do not interpret according to the classical annotations, but instead make far-fetched associations, misinterpreting their teachers' teachings as mistakes and their own understanding as correctness, belittling the classics. This trend is becoming more and more prevalent, which is not the court's original intention in selecting talents! Correcting bad habits and adhering to loyalty and integrity have been the way for the past three generations; to focus on the fundamentals is the fundamental principle of Confucian learning. I believe that the exams for scholars and the two grades should be based on classical annotations, with fifty difficult questions to assess their knowledge. Those who provide more comprehensive explanations will be ranked higher, and those who go against the interpretations of their teachers and attack each other will all be judged as wrong. The top six in each subject of the 'Five Classics,' and the 'Analects' should not require examination. While these issues have persisted for a long time, they are still correctable."
The emperor issued Lao Zhang's memorial to the court ministers, and everyone agreed with Lao Zhang's opinions. In the sixteenth year of Yongyuan, Lao Zhang was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. In the first year of Yanping, he was promoted to Grand Marshal and, together with Grand Tutor Zhang Yu, handled court affairs. He received many rewards from the emperor and enjoyed great favor. After Emperor An ascended the throne, he was titled Marquis of Longxiang with a fief of 1,100 households. That year, he encountered natural disasters and banditry, so he was dismissed from office and returned to his fief. This dismissal was part of a broader response to the disasters that affected the three highest-ranking officials, starting with the Marquis of Fang. Heng, the son of the Marquis of Fang, was supposed to inherit the title, but he renounced it in favor of his younger brother Chong. After a few years, Heng eventually accepted the title. Zhang Min, styled Bodai, was a native of Mao County in Hejian. In the second year of Jianchu, he was recommended as a filial and honest official, and he rose through the ranks to become a Minister of the Court in the fifth year of Jianchu. During the Jianchu era, an incident occurred where someone insulted another person's father, leading to the son of the insulted man killing the offender. The emperor pardoned him, sparing him from the death penalty and reducing his punishment. This incident set a precedent and led to the creation of the "Law on Insults." Zhang Min disagreed with this law and submitted a petition against it, stating:
This "Light Disrespect Law" was a temporary grace granted by the late emperor, not an official legal provision! Matters of life and death should be carefully decided from the top down, just like the natural order of the four seasons, where life and death are natural laws. If we set a precedent by writing forgiveness as part of the law, wouldn't that intentionally create opportunities for wrongdoers to exploit loopholes in the law? Confucius said: "People can be guided to do things, but they cannot be allowed to know the reasons behind them." The teaching of the "Spring and Autumn Annals" is that a son who does not avenge his father is not a true son. However, the laws and regulations have not lightened the penalties because we cannot set a precedent for murder! Now, those who invoke "righteousness" as an excuse can receive leniency, and those who kill indiscriminately have loopholes to exploit, giving law enforcement officials the chance to exploit the system. This does not guide us toward the righteous path of "humility and non-contention"! Moreover, there are nearly four to five hundred cases of "Light Disrespect," and everyone is watching each other to figure out how to handle them. The situation is becoming more and more serious, and it is simply impossible to continue like this. I heard that the teacher once said: "The key to solving a problem is to be practical." So the founding emperor repealed the cumbersome and harsh laws and established concise three-chapter laws. In the edict of the Jianchu period, some changes were made to the ancient system, and called upon the three dukes and court officials to eliminate these outdated practices. His suggestions were set aside and not accepted. Zhang Min subsequently submitted another memorial:
The emperor's favor towards me led to my promotion. I am slow-witted and do not understand your intentions, nor do I dare blindly follow everyone's opinions. I carefully studied the classics of Confucius and the laws established by Gao Yao, and found that their fundamental purpose was to prohibit the people from doing evil. I do not understand what the decree on "light insults" is meant to prohibit. It cannot prevent people from insulting each other, but instead will open the door to mutual violence, and law enforcement officials may act corruptly as a result. Some say, "Establishing laws should prioritize the preservation of life." I believe that among all things in the world, human life is the most precious. The principle of retribution has been a common practice for three generations. Now, in order to preserve life, the door to violence is opened, and even if one person does not die, the world will be harmed as a result. The Book of Documents states, "Only considering immediate benefits will cause a hundred harms and no benefits, and the people will flee the city." In spring, all things grow, and in autumn, all things wither. This is the law of nature. In spring, the withering of one thing is a disaster; in autumn, the flourishing of one thing is a sign. Emperors should emulate heaven and earth, follow the seasons, emulate sages, and adhere to the classics. I hope Your Majesty will show compassion for the people, carefully weigh the pros and cons, and solicit opinions widely. This will be a blessing for the world.
The emperor listened to my advice. Nine years later, I was appointed as a Colonel in the Imperial Guard, and two years later, I was promoted to Governor of Runan. I was known for my honesty and frugality, enforcing the law fairly and clearly distinguishing between rewards and punishments. Later, I was dismissed due to certain incidents. In the first year of Yanping, I was appointed as a Gentleman of the Court, and later promoted to Governor of Yingchuan. In the first year of Yongchu, I was summoned to serve as Minister of Works, and during my term, I strictly adhered to the law in my duties. Three years later, I resigned due to illness, but my request was not approved. In the spring of the sixth year, a grand archery event was held, during which I suddenly collapsed while in attendance, which led to my dismissal. Later, my condition worsened, and I ultimately passed away at home.
Hu Guang, courtesy name Boshi, was from Huarong in Nanjun. His sixth-generation ancestor, Hu Gang, was a man of high moral integrity and strong ambition. During the reign of Emperor Ping, the Grand Minister of Works, Ma Gong, summoned him. Just as Wang Mang was usurping power, Hu Gang took off his official robes, left the government office, and fled to Jiaozhi, living in seclusion among the butchers' community. He only returned to his hometown after Wang Mang's downfall. His father, Hu Gong, had served as the Commandant of Jiaozhi.
Hu Guang became orphaned at a young age and lived in poverty, struggling to manage the household on his own. When he grew up, like many of his peers, he worked as a minor official in the county. Fa Zhen, the son of Governor Fa Xiong, returned home to visit his father. Fa Zhen had a keen eye for talent. As the year-end talent selection approached, Fa Xiong ordered Fa Zhen to help him find talented individuals. Fa Xiong gathered all the officials for a meeting, and Fa Zhen carefully observed through a crack in the window, pointing out Hu Guang to Fa Xiong, who then recommended Hu Guang as a candidate known for his filial piety and integrity. After arriving in the capital and passing the examinations and writing assessments, Emperor An considered Hu Guang to be the finest in the realm. In less than a month, he was appointed as a Gentleman-in-Waiting at the Ministry of Personnel, promoted five times, and eventually became the Chief of the Writing Bureau.
The Emperor wanted to appoint an Empress, but there were four favored ladies in the palace, and he was unsure whom to choose. So, he thought of using a lottery to let chance decide.
I, along with Minister Guo Qian and Shi Chang, jointly submitted a memorial to advise the emperor, saying: "We feel that the matter of selecting an empress is too important for you to decide on your own, and even thinking about using the method of drawing lots to let the gods decide. We have searched through historical records and ancestral rules and have never seen such a method being used before! Relying on gods and divination might not necessarily result in selecting a virtuous person; even if by chance the right person is chosen, it wouldn’t be due to your good judgment! A truly virtuous person, her outstanding qualities are naturally revealed, and the person destined by heaven to become empress must possess a unique temperament. We should carefully examine those well-born women, prioritize virtues over age, and age over appearance, and then make decisions based on ancestral rules and your wise judgment. Once a decree is issued, it's like water spilled; once it's out, you can't take it back. Once your edict is issued, everyone in the world will know. As your subjects, it’s our duty to point out issues, and we take this responsibility seriously." The emperor listened to our advice and ultimately chose the noblewoman Liang as the empress.
At that time, Minister of Personnel Zuo Xiong proposed reforms to the imperial examination system, limiting the age to over forty years old, with Confucian scholars tested on their knowledge of the classics, and civil officials tested on their essay-writing skills. I, along with Shi Chang and Guo Qian, wrote a letter to argue against him, saying:
I heard that Your Majesty regards erudition as a virtue, but I believe that offering counsel and suggestions is a sign of a subject's loyalty. Ancient texts state that when faced with uncertainties, one should consult with various ministers; the Book of Songs also commends the wise ancients for seeking input from the common folk. When making important national decisions, one must draw on past experiences and lessons, seeking the opinions of the elderly to avoid mistakes and errors. I personally think that Minister Zuo Xiong's recommendation to select candidates who are filial and incorrupt, restricting them to those over forty, with students writing essays and officials drafting memorials, is not appropriate. Though the imperial decree has been issued, Your Majesty has graciously allowed us to participate in the discussion, which carries significant responsibility! The significance of this imperial decree is as crucial as if it were inscribed in the classics; it should shine as brightly as the sun and moon, and be as unyielding as metal and stone, serving as a model for future kings, benefiting the people for generations. The Book of Songs states: "Heaven is hard to deceive; only the Emperor can achieve true fairness and impartiality." We must proceed with caution!
Actually, talent selection should be based on ability, not stuck in fixed patterns. The six remarkable strategies mentioned in the Book of Songs do not necessarily have to rely on classics; the governance of Zhengguo and Aguo does not have to be completed using memorials. Gan Luo and Qicai were both recognized for their talents at a young age; Zhongjun and Jiayi rose to prominence in their early twenties. The Han Dynasty inherited the systems of the Zhou and Qin Dynasties, and also drew on the experiences of the Shang and Xia Dynasties, inheriting the merits of their ancestors, learning from the teachings of the classics, while also absorbing the experiences of the feudal lords. The wise monarchs and talented ministers have always governed the country in an orderly manner, and the imperial examination system has remained unchanged. Now, just because of the suggestion of a courtier, you want to change the old regulations; the benefits have yet to materialize, yet everyone is already dissatisfied. Reforming the old system is a significant national matter, yet you did not consult with court officials or discuss it with the ministers. If after the order is issued there are differing opinions, the court may lose its effectiveness; if there are the same opinions, then the emperor's order has already been executed. I believe this order should first be circulated among the officials for discussion, to determine if there is consensus among everyone's opinions, and then you can carefully consider everyone's opinions. I risk incurring the wrath of the heavens by daring to speak out, hoping Your Majesty will take my suggestion into consideration. Despite my earnest plea, the emperor did not adopt it.
At that time, the position of the governor of Chenliu Commandery was vacant, and the Minister of Personnel, Shi Chang, recommended Hu Guang. They said, "We have heard that virtue and ability should be rewarded with favor, and achievements should be rewarded with titles. 'Rewarding merit with merit' is praised in the 'Classic of Rites', and 'Five Services, Five Chapters' is the hierarchical system established by the heavens. Therefore, when subjects are loyal, the ruler ought to bestow generous rewards, select talents without losing virtue, and the people will forget their fears of life and death. Privately, we believe that the chief clerk Hu Guang is upright, humble and gentle, knowledgeable, well-versed in various principles, and has mastery of the nuances of the 'Six Classics', as well as the previous regulations and systems. He is gentle and non-offensive, elegant and polite, with a loyal and virtuous character, caring for the country and its people as if they were his own family. He does not boast of his talents, does not show off his achievements, is cautious and careful in his actions, and exhibits impeccable conduct. He has worked diligently for over ten years, wholeheartedly devoted to the public good, never considering personal gain, nor rushing for advancement. We believe that after serving as chief clerk for many years, Hu Guang has worked hard and achieved much. His mother is elderly, and now that he has received the emperor's grace, he should be sent to a distant place to take on a governorship. Chenliu Commandery is relatively close to the capital, and now that the position of governor is vacant, Hu Guang is outstanding in ability and capable of handling complex affairs. We hope he can participate in the selection process, reform local practices, and inspire the populace to uphold the law and emulate virtuous behavior."
Hu Guang worked in the Ministry of Officialdom for ten years, proficient in various government affairs. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Jiyin but was dismissed for making false recommendations for candidates. He then served as the Prefect of Runan and was later promoted to Minister of Agriculture. In the first year of Han'an, he was promoted to Minister of Works. After the death of Emperor Zhi, he succeeded Li Gu as Grand Commandant, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel. Due to his contributions during the establishment of Emperor Huan, he was granted the title of Marquis of Yuyang and Anle. He later resigned because of illness. He was then appointed as Minister of Works, before retiring. Shortly after, he was called back as a Special Envoy, then appointed as Grand Master of Ceremonies, and later promoted to Grand Commandant, but was dismissed due to a solar eclipse. He later served as Grand Master of Ceremonies again and was once again appointed as Grand Commandant.
In the second year of Yanxi, General Liang Ji was executed. Hu Guang, along with Minister of Works Han Yan and Minister of Ceremonies Sun Lang, were implicated for failing to protect the imperial palace in time and were all demoted to commoners and stripped of their titles and lands. He was later appointed as Grand Master of the Palace and Minister of Ceremonies. In the ninth year of Yanxi, he was appointed as Minister of Works again.
After Emperor Ling took the throne, he and Grand Tutor Chen Fan were in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and his title was reinstated. He later resigned because of illness. When Chen Fan was killed, he succeeded Chen Fan as Grand Tutor, continuing to oversee the Ministry of Personnel.
Hu Gong is said to be 80 years old, yet he remains vigorous and doesn't look old at all! When his stepmother was alive, Hu Gong always showed great respect in his words and actions. After his stepmother passed away, he managed the funeral arrangements with meticulous care, never being careless. Hu Gong was known for his gentle humility, always speaking softly and respectfully. He was capable in his work and had a good understanding of the court's rules and regulations. Although he wasn't one to speak out directly, he often played a role in rectifying mistakes. Therefore, a saying circulated in the capital at the time: "**When all things are unclear, ask Bo Shi; in the world of moderation, there is Hu Gong.**" Later, he and Li Gu deliberated on state affairs, but their views often clashed. Also, because he became relatives with Ding Su, a eunuch at the court, many people harbored criticisms of him during that period.
Hu Gong served in the government for over 30 years, attending to six emperors and holding high positions with generous rewards. Whenever he resigned citing illness, the court would call him back within a year. He held several prestigious positions, including Minister of Works, Minister of the Masses, Grand Commandant, and Grand Tutor. He elevated the prominent talents of his time and was recognized as one of the "Three Ministers" along with Chen Fan and Li Xian. Whenever they attended court, Chen Fan would pretend to be ill to avoid Hu Gong, showing the high respect people had for him. Hu Gong passed away at 82 in the first year of the Xiping era. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Grand Tutor and conferred upon him the seal of the Marquis of Anle Xiang, a coffin made of cypress wood from Dongyuan, and an escort for his funeral procession. He was given a burial site at his original tomb, with the posthumous title of "Marquis Wengong," and one of his family members was appointed as a Langzhong. From government officials, scholars, to common officials, hundreds of his subordinates wore mourning clothes to attend his funeral, making it a grand affair from his passing to burial. Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, no minister's funeral had been more grand than his.
Many years ago, Yang Xiong wrote the "Proverbs for One Hundred Officials" inspired by the "Yu Zhen," nine of which were lost. Later, Cui Xuan and his son from Zhuo County, along with Liu Zhao, the Marquis of Linyi, supplemented sixteen more, which were written in a very elegant and beautiful style. Yang Xiong compiled these proverbs, added annotations, and named them "Proverbs for One Hundred Officials," making a total of forty-eight. In addition, he also wrote many poems, fu, inscriptions, odes, proverbs, mourning texts, and some explanatory articles on phonology, totaling twenty.
In the sixth year of Xiping, Emperor Ling longed for the contributions of Hu Gong, so he had his portrait painted in the palace and had the court gentleman Cai Yong write a eulogy to praise him.
It's said that holding an official position comes with great responsibility. If one loses their position, the loss could be devastating. Thinking of relying on salary to preserve one's life is a common thought among officials; advancing based on ability is the usual path. However, if someone places too much value on material things, they risk losing themselves; if they are too straightforward, they will offend others; if they refuse difficult tasks, they will violate morality; if they insist on their own views, they will ruin themselves. In short, taking the easy road is simple, but controlling a dangerous path is difficult. That's why people in ancient times were very careful about their duties and always hesitated at crossroads. If a person can stay resolute and not be influenced by external factors, not even worrying about their own safety in critical moments, how could anyone in later generations look down on them? The ancients often viewed comfort and pleasure as warnings. Isn't that a lesson for you all?
The Analects says, "A gentleman is calm and composed, while a petty person is often anxious." This is not just a saying. Deng Gong and Zhang Gong, as teachers, were neither at fault nor particularly distinguished; they were quite ordinary. They diligently researched the legal texts and handled various memorials with great care. Hu Gong also presented himself as honest and obedient, adopting a respectful demeanor. While the court's rules and regulations are reasonable, their strict enforcement can sometimes cause issues. "Be cautious in doubts about the law, and careful in discussions of memorials and articles," highlights their cautious and meticulous approach. But how can one navigate court affairs smoothly relying solely on caution and care?
