Yu Xu, with the courtesy name Shengqing, was from Wuping County in the state of Chen. His grandfather, Yu Jing, served as a jailer in the county, handling cases with fairness and integrity, always striving for leniency in his rulings. Every winter when he submitted his case summaries to the higher authorities, he would weep as he submitted them. He often said, "The Magistrate of Donghai, Yu Gong, was just a small village headman at first, but his son Yu Dingguo eventually became the Prime Minister. I have been adjudicating cases for sixty years; although I may not be as good as Yu Gong, I am not far behind! Why can't my descendants become high-ranking officials?" So, Yu Xu was given the courtesy name "Shengqing."
At the age of twelve, Yu Xu could already understand the "Book of Documents." He became an orphan at a young age and took care of his grandmother filially. The county recommended him as a filial grandson, and the Prime Minister admired him and wanted him to become an official. Yu Xu declined, saying, "My grandmother is ninety years old and cannot be separated from me." The Prime Minister did not force him. Later, after his grandmother passed away, Yu Xu completed his mourning period and was summoned by Grand Commandant Li Xiu to serve as a Langzhong at his residence.
In the year 4 AD, the Qiang and Hu tribes rebelled, throwing Bingzhou and Liangzhou into chaos. The Grand General Deng Zhong said that the military budget was tight, and they were struggling to cope, so he suggested abandoning Liangzhou and concentrating their forces on the northern enemies. He called a meeting with the ministers to discuss. Deng Zhong said, "It's like patching up torn clothes, using the good parts to patch up the holes; then you can still wear it; if not, both pieces will be lost." Everyone thought he made sense.
After Jia Xu heard this news, he went to find Li Xiu and said, "I heard that the court is planning to abandon Bingzhou. In my opinion, this is highly inappropriate. The late emperor painstakingly expanded the territory, and it was not easy to stabilize it. Now, just out of fear of spending a bit more money, they want to give up. If Liangzhou is abandoned, the Sanfu region will become a border; if Sanfu becomes a border, the imperial mausoleum will be left vulnerable. This is too dangerous! As the saying goes, 'Generals come from the west while prime ministers come from the east.' The soldiers of Liangzhou are brave and skilled in battle, much stronger than other provinces. Now, the Qiang and Hu dare not attack Sanfu or threaten the court's heartland because Liangzhou is holding them back! The people of Liangzhou fight fiercely and show no signs of retreat because they are loyal to the Han Dynasty! If we abandon the land of Liangzhou, relocate the people, and they settle elsewhere, they will certainly have second thoughts. If those ambitious heroes gather and advance eastward, even with fierce generals like Peng Yue and Xiang Yu or great strategists like Jiang Taigong, they may not be able to resist. The ministers liken it to mending clothes, saying that some can still be saved, but I fear it will spread like an infection and eventually become uncontrollable. Abandoning Liangzhou is certainly not a viable solution!" Li Xiu said, "I didn’t realize things were this serious. Thanks for your heads-up; we nearly messed up. So, what do you suggest we do?"
Jia Xu said, "Nowadays, Liangzhou is in turmoil, and the people are anxious. I am worried that something unexpected could happen at any moment. It would be best for the officials from the four provinces and nine ministries to select a few individuals from Liangzhou and arrange some idle positions for the eldest sons of the governors and county magistrates. On the surface, this is a reward to commend their merits, but in reality, it serves to control them and prevent any trouble." Li Xiu thought his idea was good, so he summoned the officials from the four provinces and nine ministries, and everyone adopted Jia Xu's suggestion. As a result, the court recruited notable figures from Liangzhou to serve in official positions, and the sons of governors and county magistrates were appointed as officials to appease them. Deng Zhong and his brothers found Jia Xu's suggestion quite odd and were very dissatisfied, hoping to use bureaucratic rules to undermine him. Later, bandits from Chaoge, led by Ning Ji and others, attacked local officials and killed them with several thousand troops, occupying the area for several years. The state and counties were unable to deal with them, so they sent Jia Xu to be the magistrate of Chaoge. Many old friends came to console Jia Xu, saying, "Going to a place like Chaoge is really unfortunate!" Jia Xu smiled and said, "My ambition isn't to seek comfort; my work is not to avoid difficulties; this is my responsibility. As the Book of Songs states, 'Without facing challenging tasks, how can one recognize a good tool?' If I don't face complex and challenging situations, how can my abilities be demonstrated?"
As soon as Pang Xu arrived, he went to visit the Prefect of Henei, Ma Leng. Ma Leng encouraged him, saying, "As a knowledgeable person like you, you should be a counselor in the court. Why did you come to a place like Chaoge?" Pang Xu replied, "When I was first appointed, many scholars came to offer their condolences, but in reality, they were implying that I was incompetent. Chaoge is located on the border of the states of Han and Wei, backed by the Taihang Mountains, facing the Yellow River, and a hundred miles from Aocang. There are tens of thousands of refugees from Qingzhou and Jizhou. The bandits do not know how to recruit soldiers using Aocang, rob the weapons in the warehouse, defend the city, and cut off the country's communication arteries, which isn't really a concern. Their power has just grown, and it is difficult to confront them head-on. Military strategy emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. I hope you can give me more power and not restrict me."
After arriving in Chaoge, Pang Xu set three standards to recruit able-bodied men, recommending people he knew, from officials to ordinary workers. Those who had participated in robberies were given top priority, followed by those who injured or stole, while those who were idle despite wearing mourning clothes were not considered. He recruited more than a hundred people, hosted a feast for them, pardoned all their crimes, and then sent them to infiltrate the bandits, luring them into committing robberies while he ambushed them with his forces, waiting for the right moment. As a result, he killed hundreds of bandits at once. He secretly hired impoverished seamstresses to sew clothes for the bandits, crafting sleeves from colored fabrics to create flags. Whenever someone wearing such clothes appeared in the market, the officials would immediately arrest anyone wearing them. The bandits were thrown into a panic and scattered, and everyone remarked on Pang Xu's ingenuity. Later, Pang Xu was promoted to the position of Magistrate of Huaixian.
Later, the Qiang tribe invaded Wudu, and Empress Dowager Deng believed Pang Xu possessed exceptional military talent, so she promoted him to the position of Prefect of Wudu and summoned him to the Jia De Hall, bestowing numerous rewards upon him.
The Qiang people, with several thousand soldiers, blocked Pang Xun at Chencang and Xiaogu. Pang Xun halted his advance and publicly declared that he would write to the court asking for reinforcements, and would set out only after the reinforcements arrived. Upon hearing this, the Qiang dispersed their forces to raid the nearby counties. Taking advantage of the dispersed Qiang forces, Pang Xun traveled around the clock, covering more than a hundred miles in a single day. He also ordered his soldiers to light two more fires each day, with more fires each day than the previous day, making the Qiang hesitant to approach. One of his men asked him, "Sun Bin suggested reducing fires to appear weak, but you're increasing them. Military strategy advises traveling no more than thirty miles a day to guard against surprises, yet you've covered almost two hundred miles today. Why is that?" Pang Xun replied, "The enemy has more people and we have fewer troops. Walking slowly makes it easy for the enemy to catch up, but moving quickly makes it difficult for the enemy to predict. When the enemy sees our fires growing each day, they'll surely think reinforcements from the commandery have arrived. With so many troops moving quickly, they'll definitely fear our pursuit. Sun Bin was showing weakness, but I'm demonstrating strength. The situations are different."
When Pang Xu arrived in Wudu County, there were fewer than three thousand soldiers under his command, while the Qiang people numbered over ten thousand, besieging Chiting for dozens of days. Pang Xu ordered the army not to use strong crossbows, but instead use smaller crossbows in secret. The Qiang people thought that the crossbow bolts were weak and had a short range, which led them to attack even more fiercely. Pang Xu ordered twenty strong crossbows to shoot at the same target simultaneously, hitting the target every time. The Qiang people were frightened and retreated. Pang Xu seized the opportunity to counterattack and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. The next day, Pang Xu paraded all his troops and ordered them to go out from the east gate and come in from the north gate, marching back and forth as if they were trading several times. The Qiang people did not know how many troops Pang Xu had, instilling fear and unease among themselves. Pang Xu estimated that the enemy would retreat, so he covertly dispatched over five hundred troops to ambush in a shallow water area, waiting for the enemy to pass by. As anticipated, the Qiang forces began a massive retreat, and Pang Xu launched an attack, defeating the Qiang army and capturing many prisoners. The Qiang army disbanded and fled south to Yizhou. Pang Xu then surveyed the terrain, constructed more than 180 fortifications, recalled the scattered populace, and provided relief to the poor, thereby stabilizing Wudu County.
Previously, because of the rugged and steep terrain, ships and vehicles could not pass through, and goods had to be transported by donkeys and horses, with transportation costs reaching fifty percent. Pang Xu personally led officials and soldiers to survey the valleys and rivers, organizing people to burn stones and cut wood to open up waterways from Ju County to Xiabian County, resulting in annual savings of over forty million dollars. When Pang Xu first arrived in Wudu County, there were only over ten thousand households. After he pacified the chaos and called back the dispersed people, within two to three years, the number of households surged to over forty thousand, and the prices of salt and rice plummeted to one-tenth of what they had been. In the end, Pang Xu was exonerated from his duties in recognition of his accomplishments.
In the year 107 AD, Chen Chan stepped down, and I took over as the Colonel of the Imperial Guards. Just a few months later, I impeached Grand Tutor Feng Shi, Grand Commandant Liu Xi, as well as several Palace Attendants, including Cheng Huang, Chen Bing, Meng Sheng, Li Run, and others. The officials in the court all looked at me with suspicious looks, saying that I was too harsh. The three Grand Ministers even jointly submitted a petition, accusing me of arresting many innocent people in the summer, causing panic among the officials and widespread complaints.
I also wrote a memorial in my defense, saying, "Laws and regulations are like levees holding back a flood, while punishments are like the reins controlling a horse. Nowadays, the states rely on the counties, the counties rely on the townships; everyone passes the blame to each other, and the common people are suffering. Those who do things perfunctorily are considered competent, while those who are diligent and responsible are treated as fools. The crimes committed by those I impeached are not just one or two, and the officials in the two courts fear my impeachment, so they turn around and falsely accuse me. I would rather die like the loyal official Shi Yu for speaking the truth than to leave these matters unclear!"
After reading my memorial, the Emperor ultimately dismissed Tao Dun from his position as Minister of Works.
At that time, Palace Attendant Zhang Fang frequently abused his authority, accepting bribes and acting out of self-interest. Yu Xu recorded these incidents, but his reports were repeatedly suppressed. Yu Xu was so angry that he tied himself up and went to the Ministry of Justice to report, saying, "In the past, Emperor Xiaohui heavily relied on Fan Feng, which led to confusion in the succession of the throne and almost caused the downfall of the country. Now Zhang Fang is being so arrogant and domineering; the country is facing disaster again! I cannot bear to serve in the same court as him, so I have bound myself to report this; please don't let me meet the same fate as Yang Zhen!"
After submitting the memorial, Zhang Fang wept as he complained to the emperor, which led to Yu Xu being punished and assigned to a minor position. Zhang Fang was hell-bent on destroying Yu Xu. Within two days, Yu Xu was summoned for questioning in four different prisons. The jailer advised Yu Xu to find a way to escape, but Yu Xu replied, "I'd rather die than let anyone question my integrity!"
At this time, eunuchs Sun Cheng, Zhang Xian, and others realized that Yu Xu was punished for his loyalty to duty. They jointly petitioned to meet with the emperor. Sun Cheng said, "Your Majesty, when you first ascended the throne, you often detested treacherous officials, knowing that they would bring disaster to the country. Now that you are the emperor yourself, you are instead promoting them. How is this any different from the late emperor's policy? Yu Xu, the Commandant of the Capital Garrison, dedicated himself to you, but he was imprisoned; while official Zhang Fang, who committed obvious crimes, framed the loyal. Now a comet is hovering over the Yulin Army camp, and divination says that there are treacherous officials in the palace. You must arrest Zhang Fang quickly to restore order. Please decree the release of Yu Xu and restore his official position!" At that moment, Zhang Fang was standing behind the emperor, and Sun Cheng shouted at Zhang Fang, "Treacherous Zhang Fang, why don’t you get out of the hall right now!" Zhang Fang had no choice but to quickly run to the east to hide. Sun Cheng continued, "Your Majesty, quickly arrest Zhang Fang and don't let him go to his mother for mercy!"
The emperor asked the ministers, and Minister Jia Lang, who had a good relationship with Zhang Fang, testified that Yu Xu was guilty. The emperor hesitated slightly and said to Sun Cheng, "You can leave for now, I need some time to think about this."
Therefore, Yu Xu's son, Yu Yi, and more than one hundred students of Yu Xu, holding flags, knelt in front of Chief Eunuch Gao Fan's carriage, knocking their heads to the ground, drawing blood, as they accused Zhang Fang of his crimes. Gao Fan then reported to the emperor, resulting in Zhang Fang being exiled to the border, Jia Lang and six others either being executed or dismissed from their positions, and Yu Xu being pardoned and released on the same day. Sun Cheng also submitted a memorial detailing Yu Xu's contributions, in very forceful terms. The emperor finally came to understand the situation and recalled Yu Xu to serve as a consultant. After a few days, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Works.
At that time, local officials and officials of the 2,000-stone rank forced the people to pay fines to redeem themselves, under the pretense of "charitable funds" purportedly meant for the poor, but in reality, it was a tool for these officials to extort money. Yang Xu submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating: "Since the previous year, poor people have been reporting that local officials have taken bribes totaling over a million coins, with a continuous stream of reports, and many officials have been punished to the tune of tens of millions, but the three top officials and provincial governors rarely report or handle these cases. Think back to the Yongping and Zhanghe eras, when local governments lent money to the poor from funds intended for laborers, and after the Minister of Works investigated, all county officials were dismissed and punished. Now, we should follow the previous regulations, abolish this power, and eliminate these excessive taxes." The emperor ordered that according to Yang Xu's memorial, the counties received a stern reprimand, and from that point forward, such redemption fines were abolished.
Before, the chief scribe of Ningyang County went to the capital to lodge a complaint, saying that his county magistrate was corrupt, and it had been unresolved for six or seven years. In his memorial, the chief scribe wrote: "As a subject of Your Majesty, Your Majesty is like my father. I have submitted more than 100 petitions, but have not received any response. Do I have to go to the Xiongnu to complain?" The emperor was furious, presented the memorial to the Minister, and the Minister censured the chief scribe for disloyalty and lack of filial piety. Yang Xu countered, "The chief scribe complained because of grievances between the ruler and his subjects; the failure to respond to over 100 petitions lies with the relevant authorities. There’s no need to punish so harshly." The emperor accepted Yang Xu's suggestion, only criticizing the chief scribe. Yang Xu then said to the chief secretaries, "When common people have grievances, they travel great distances, even cutting their hair and offering their hearts, to come to the capital to complain, yet they do not receive any resolution. How can this be the way of serving a ruler? What ties do you have with those corrupt officials, and what animosity do you hold against the common people who complain?" Everyone present felt ashamed. Yang Xu also wrote, "The position of Tai Lang is esteemed and a crucial step for officials. Some counties have seven or eight Tai Lang, while others have none. It should be evenly distributed to meet the expectations of the people." Many of Yang Xu's proposals were accepted. Yang Xu liked to expose others' mistakes, never concealing them, thus offending the powerful many times. He faced investigation and punishment nine times, but his unwavering integrity never wavered until his old age. In the early years of Yonghe, he was promoted to the position of Chief Secretary but resigned due to official duties. The court, recognizing his loyalty, summoned him once more, but he had already passed away. Before his death, he said to his son Yang Gong, "I served the emperor, acted with integrity, and could face my conscience. My only regret is that during my time as an official in Chaoge, I killed hundreds of bandits, some of whom might have been wrongfully accused. For over twenty years since then, my family has not increased in size; this is my sin against heaven!" Yang Gong was very talented and rose to the position of Prefect of Shangdang.
Fu Xie, whose courtesy name was Nan Rong, was from Lingzhou in the north. Originally given the name Youqi, he was inspired by the story of "San Fu Bai Gui" and changed his name to Nan Rong. Fu Xie was about six feet tall and had a commanding presence. When he was young, he studied under General Liu Kuan and was twice recommended for his filial piety and incorruptibility. Once, he learned of a funeral in the county where he was recommended, so he gave up his official position to pay his respects. Later, he served as a military commander and, alongside General Huangfu Song, fought against the Yellow Turban Army, which was led by Zhang Jiao.
Fu Xie has always hated eunuchs. After going on a military campaign, he wrote to the emperor: "I have heard that all major disasters in the world do not come from external sources, but from within the realm. Therefore, after Yu Shun ascended the throne, he first eliminated four traitorous officials before appointing sixteen wise ministers. If these villains are not removed, good people will not have the opportunity to serve. Now Zhang Jiao has rebelled in Zhao and Wei, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion has spread to six provinces. These are examples of turmoil starting from the palace and spreading throughout the country. I have accepted the mission to suppress the rebels and have just arrived in Yingchuan, where I have won every battle. While the Yellow Turban army is indeed formidable, it does not pose a significant threat to the court. My true concern is that without addressing the root cause, the flood will only worsen. Your Majesty is compassionate and often hesitant, which is why the eunuchs hold power while loyal officials are not valued. Even if Zhang Jiao is defeated and the Yellow Turban army is quelled, my concerns will only deepen. Why? Evil and righteous individuals should not coexist in the court, just as ice and fire cannot occupy the same space. Those treacherous individuals will see the achievements of the righteous and feel endangered, resorting to deceit and collusion to create false prosperity. Just as a filial son who repeatedly advises will eventually be suspected, and a rumor can become a reality. If Your Majesty does not carefully discern the truth, loyal officials may be killed like Du You. Your Majesty should take a page from Yu Shun's book and eliminate the four villains swiftly, so that loyal officials can dare to advise, and the treacherous individuals will naturally disappear. I believe that serving Your Majesty as a loyal official is akin to a filial son serving his father. How can a son serve his father without putting in his utmost effort? Even if I am executed for this, it will still be a blessing for the country if Your Majesty heeds my words and listens less to those treacherous individuals."
After the memorial was submitted, the eunuch Zhao Zhong was furious. After Zhang Jiao was suppressed, Fu Xie had made significant contributions and deserved to be rewarded, but Zhao Zhong slandered him before the emperor. Emperor Ling still recalled the contents of Fu Xie's memorial, so he did not punish him either, only assigning him the position of Commandant of Anding. Eventually, due to illness, Fu Xie stepped down from his position.
It’s said that Lord Fu Xie later became a Yilang. At the time, the Western Qiang revolted, and Bian Zhang and Han Sui stirred up trouble in the Longyou region, prompting the court to order nationwide conscription, imposing endless taxes. Minister Cui Lie argued that Liangzhou should be abandoned. The emperor convened a meeting with the officials, and Cui Lie insisted on his opinion. Fu Xie candidly stated, "The only way to stabilize the realm is to kill Minister Cui Lie!" Secretary Yang Zan immediately reported this to the emperor, claiming that Fu Xie had insulted a high-ranking official. The emperor inquired about what had transpired, and Fu Xie replied:
"In the past, when Modu Chanyu was so arrogant and domineering, General Fan Kui, being a top general, wanted to lead a hundred thousand troops to invade the Xiongnu territory, driven by a strong desire. However, he never forgot his status as a subject, just considering whether or not to do so. Even Ji Bu said, 'Fan Kui can be executed!' Now Liangzhou is the key strategic location in the country, the barrier of the nation. When the founding emperor was just starting out, he sent Li Shang to pacify Longyou; successive emperors continuously expanded the territory, establishing four commanderies there, which everyone believed crippled the Xiongnu's strength. Now, due to the poor management of the court, a whole province has rebelled, causing panic across the nation, leaving Your Majesty unable to sleep peacefully. Prime Minister Cui Lie, instead of considering how to quell the rebellion, wants to abandon such a large area; I really don't understand. If those barbarians occupy that place, they are strong and sturdy, causing chaos; it would be the biggest threat to the realm and the nation's greatest worry. If Cui Lie doesn’t realize this, he’s being incredibly foolish; if he knows but intentionally says so, then he is disloyal!" The emperor accepted Fu Xie's opinion. From then on, the court increasingly valued Fu Xie's talents and character, and whenever there was an opening among the officials, everyone would recommend him.
After some time, Zhao Zhong became the General of the Chariots and Cavalry. The Emperor asked Zhao Zhong to talk about his achievements in subduing the Yellow Turban Army. Zhen Ju and his colleagues said to Zhao Zhong, "Fu Nanrong used to serve in the eastern army and made contributions without receiving any rewards, so people everywhere were very disappointed. Now that you hold such an important position, General, you should promote talented individuals and appease the people." Zhao Zhong listened and sent his younger brother, Zhao Yan, to curry favor with Fu Xie. Zhao Yan said to Fu Xie, "Nanrong, you didn't flatter my brother properly before, not even earning the title of Marquis!" Fu Xie sternly refused, saying, "Whether one encounters opportunities or not is fate; whether achievements are rewarded depends on the timing. I, Fu Xie, am not seeking personal rewards!" Zhao Zhong grew to resent Fu Xie even more, yet feared his reputation and dared not harm him. Many nobles also disliked him, so Fu Xie was soon transferred and became the Prefect of Hanyang.
Magistrate Fan Jin, known for his keen judgment, recommended Xie for the position of Filial and Incorrupt Official. Later, Fan Jin was transferred to Hanyang County as the Prefect. After completing the handover of work with Xie and smoothly transferring the seal, he left, and the people were very pleased with both of them. Fan Jin, with the style name Wenyuan, was from Nanyang. Xie was particularly attentive to the needs of the people, and the rebellious Qiang people were deeply grateful for his generosity, and they all surrendered to him. So he vigorously developed agricultural land and established over forty military camps.
At that time, the governor Geng Bi handed over all his power to the administrative assistant Cheng Qiu, who was corrupt and engaged in bribery, causing widespread dissatisfaction. In the fourth year of Zhongping, Geng Bi took the troops from six counties to suppress the bandits Wang Guo and Han Sui in the Jincheng area. Xie realized that Geng Bi's troops lacked combat effectiveness and were bound to lose, so he advised him, "Sir, you've only just taken office, and people are still unfamiliar with you. Confucius said, 'Failing to teach people how to fight is akin to abandoning them.' The soldiers you are leading now have not been trained, and you have to cross the vast Longshan Mountains. Every move carries risks. When the bandits learn that a large army is approaching, they will surely unite. The frontier troops are very brave, and their attack power is hard to resist. Your newly assembled army lacks coordination. If an internal rebellion occurs, it will be too late to regret your decision. It would be wiser to pause military operations for now, train the troops, and establish a clear system of rewards and punishments. Let the bandits relax their guard, believing we are timid and afraid of conflict, and internal contradictions will intensify, leading them to split apart. When that time comes, you can lead a well-trained army to attack the divided bandits, and victory will be within your grasp! Now you are neglecting a comprehensive strategy and instead risking inevitable failure. In my opinion, it is not worth it." Geng Bi ignored his advice. When the army reached Didi, betrayal struck, first killing Cheng Qiu, then Geng Bi, and the bandits subsequently surrounded Hanyang. The city's forces were dwindling, and food supplies were running low, but Xie remained steadfast in defending the city.
At that time, thousands of northern Hu cavalry followed the rebel army to attack the county city. These people had all received the magistrate's kindness before, and they all knelt outside the city, requesting the magistrate to return to his hometown. At that time, thirteen-year-old Zigan was in the government office. He knew that the magistrate was upright and resolute, with great integrity, and he was worried that he would not compromise to save himself. So he advised, "The country is in chaos now, which is why you cannot remain in court. Now the whole world is in rebellion, and the military strength is not enough to protect itself. The Qiang and Hu people from your hometown have all received your kindness before, and they want you to give up the county city and go back. You must agree to their request. When you return to your hometown, you can lead ambitious righteous men, support those who act with righteousness, and save the world." Before Zigan finished speaking, the magistrate sighed and said to Zigan, "Don't you know that I will definitely die? This reflects the saying that 'only saints can achieve the highest form of righteousness, while others may only strive to uphold it'! Moreover, King Zhou of Yin was so cruel that Boyi refused to eat food from the Zhou dynasty and starved to death, yet Confucius praised his virtue. Now the court has not reached the level of King Zhou of Yin's cruelty. Is my integrity not even comparable to Boyi's? The world is in great chaos, and the noble aspiration to uphold integrity has faded. Is it right for me to accept the court's salary while only thinking of escaping danger? Where can I go? Ultimately, I will still face death. You have talent and wisdom; you must strive to make a difference!" After the magistrate finished speaking, Zigan was choked up and unable to speak, and those around him began to weep.
The envoy from the kingdom, formerly known as the Jiuquan Prefect Huang Yan, persuaded the prefect: "The outcome of success or failure is already clear. If you rise up now to resist, the best outcome would be to establish hegemony, and the worst would be to gain merit akin to Yi Yin and Lü Shang. The world is no longer under Han rule. Have you not thought about leading us subordinates in rebellion?" The prefect slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Huang Yan angrily: "As an official of the court, you actually speak for the rebels!" He then commanded his soldiers to go to battle, and finally died on the battlefield, posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Zhuangjie. Zigan later gained fame and rose to the position of Prefect of Fu Feng.
Gai Xun, styled Yuangu, was from Guangzhi in Dunhuang, with several generations of high-ranking officials in his family. He was initially recommended as a filial and incorrupt official and later became the Changshi of Hanyang. At that time, the Prefect of Wuwei, abusing his power and engaging in misconduct and corruption, was brought down due to the scandal involving Su Zheng. The Governor of Liangzhou, Liang Hu, feared the powerful figures behind the prefect and wanted to kill Su Zheng to clear his name. He went to Gai Xun for advice. Gai Xun had a grudge against Su Zheng, and some suggested he take revenge.
Gai Xun said, "No! Killing for personal gain is not loyalty; exploiting others' misfortunes is not benevolence." Then he advised Liang Hu, "We raise a hawk to make it fierce, but if we kill it after it becomes fierce, what's the use of raising it?" Liang Hu, upon hearing this, gave up on the idea of killing Su Zheng. Su Zheng, grateful for escaping death, went to express his gratitude to Gai Xun. However, Gai Xun did not see him, saying, "I'm just giving advice to Governor Liang, not for you, Su Zheng!" Thus, Su Zheng's resentment toward Gai Xun remained unchanged.
In 178 AD, the Qiang and Hu tribes in the northern region rebelled, causing unrest in the Longyou area. The governor, Zuo Chang, levied tens of millions of coins to fund the war. Ma Xun, the grandson of Ma Yuan, advised Zuo Chang that the amount of money being levied was excessive. Zuo Chang was angry and sent Ma Xun to establish a camp in Ayang to fend off the enemy, with the intention of blaming him for any military failures. However, Ma Xun achieved significant victories in battles.
The rebels attacked Jincheng and killed the county governor, Chen Yi. Ma Xun advised Zuo Chang to rescue them, but Zuo Chang did not listen. The rebels further surrounded Zuo Chang's residence in Jixian. Zuo Chang, feeling frightened, then summoned Ma Xun. Initially, Ma Xun and his companions resided in Ayang. When Zuo Chang's order arrived, his companions were skeptical and reluctant to follow. Ma Xun angrily said, "In the past, Zhuang Jia was executed for tardiness, and Rang Ju drew his sword against a general. Can today's officers compare to the military supervisors of old?" His companions, afraid, followed Ma Xun. Ma Xun immediately led his troops to rescue Zuo Chang. Upon arriving, Ma Xun confronted the rebels, accusing them of treason against the court. The rebels said, "If Governor Zuo had heeded your advice earlier and sent troops to confront us, perhaps we might have reconsidered our actions. Now, our crimes are too severe; we cannot surrender." They then dispersed and left.
Zuo Chang was dismissed for illegally collecting money, and Fu Feng resident Song Xiao took over his position. Song Xiao was worried about the many thieves and rebels, so he said to Ma Xun, "The people of Liangzhou lack cultural education, which is why rebellions keep breaking out. I want to copy the 'Classic of Filial Piety' more often, perhaps to help everyone understand what righteousness is." Ma Xun advised, "In the past, Jiang Taigong was sealed in the state of Qi, and Cui Zhu killed Duke Zhuang of Qi; Bo Qin was sealed in the state of Lu, and Qing Fu seized the political power of Lu. Did those two states lack scholars? Now, instead of urgently pacifying the rebellion, pursuing such an unusual approach will not only offend the entire state but also be ridiculed by the court. I think this is not feasible." Song Xiao did not listen and still petitioned the court to implement his idea. As a result, he was indeed reprimanded by the court for misreporting military information and was dismissed.
It is said that the rebellious Qiang people surrounded the Qiang Protector Xia Yu at the Chu Guan (granary). At that time, General Huangfu Song, along with the state and county military forces, went to rescue Xia Yu. Upon reaching Hu Pan (a place name), they were defeated by the Qiang. Huangfu Song gathered about a hundred remaining soldiers and formed them into a fish scale formation. The elite Qiang cavalry launched a fierce attack, resulting in many soldiers' deaths. Huangfu Song was struck by three arrows yet remained resolute, pointing to a wooden stake and declaring, "I will die here!"
At this moment, a Qiang named Dian Wu, who originally had a good relationship with Huangfu Song, halted the Qiang soldiers and said, "This Chief Clerk is a virtuous man. If you kill him, it violates the principles of heaven!" Huangfu Song looked up and cursed, "You dead traitor, what do you know? Come and kill me!" The Qiang soldiers looked at each other in shock. Dian Wu dismounted and tried to help Huangfu Song onto his horse, but Huangfu Song refused and was eventually captured by the Qiang. The Qiang admired his loyalty and bravery and did not dare to harm him, so they sent him back to Hanyang. Later, Governor Yang Yong reported to the court, recommending Huangfu Song to be appointed as the Prefect of Hanyang. At that time, the people were starving and turning to cannibalism, but Huangfu Song distributed food to help them, even giving his own food and saving thousands of people.
Later, Huangfu Song resigned from his post, but the court called him back to serve as the Captain of the Rebel Suppression. Emperor Ling summoned him and asked, "Why are there so many rebellions in the world?" Huangfu Song replied, "It is because the favored sons of court officials are causing chaos." At that time, the eunuch and military officer Jian Shuo was also present. When the emperor asked Jian Shuo, he was afraid and did not know how to answer, which led him to hold a grudge against Huangfu Song. The emperor then asked Huangfu Song, "I have organized a grand feast at Pingle Palace and offered many treasures from the palace to reward the soldiers. What do you think?" Huangfu Song said, "I have heard that 'the ancient kings won people over with virtue, not by flaunting military might.' Now the enemy is far away on the border, yet you are deploying troops near the capital, which is not enough to demonstrate decisiveness and will only fuel a bellicose atmosphere." The emperor said, "Good! It's a shame I got to know you too late. None of the other ministers have said anything like that."
Huangfu Song, along with Zongzheng Liu Yu and Zuojun Xiaowei Yuan Shao, was in charge of the Forbidden Army back then. Huangfu Song said to Liu Yu and Yuan Shao, "I have recently seen the emperor. The emperor is quite intelligent, but he has been deceived by the people around him. If we work together to eliminate those treacherous villains and appoint talented individuals to revitalize the Han Dynasty, wouldn't that be great? We could then retire after achieving success." Liu Yu and Yuan Shao already had this idea, so they formed an alliance with Huangfu Song. Before they could take action, the Chief Justice, Zhang Wen, recommended Huangfu Song to be the Prefect of Jingzhao. The emperor was considering reusing Huangfu Song, but Jian Shuo and others were afraid of him, so they advised the emperor to adopt Zhang Wen's memorial. Thus, Huangfu Song became the Prefect of Jingzhao.
It is said that the magistrate of Chang'an County, Yang Dang, whose father was a eunuch, abused his power and amassed over ten million coins by exploiting the people. Despite many high officials pleading for him, Xun (a name mentioned later) refused to comply and reported the matter to the emperor, implicating Yang Dang's father as well. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation, sending shockwaves through the capital.
At that time, Gao Wang, the Imperial Medical Officer of Jingzhao, was favored by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, wanting Gao Wang's son to become a Filial and Incorrupt Official, faced Xun's disagreement. Someone advised him, saying, "The Crown Prince is the future emperor, Gao Wang is the Crown Prince's favorite, and Jian Shuo is the emperor's favorite. Refusing their request means you're crossing three powerful figures. It's enough to cause you trouble!" Xun replied, "Selecting talents is to serve the country. If they are not talented and virtuous, I will never use them. Even if it costs me my life, I wouldn't regret it!" Despite being a local official, the emperor often consulted him on important military and state affairs and was highly trusted and rewarded. Xun held one of the highest positions among the court officials.
After the emperor's death, Dong Zhuo deposed the young emperor, Shao, and killed Empress Dowager He. Gai Xun wrote a letter to him, saying, "In the past, Yi Yin and Huo Guang wielded great power based on their achievements, which sent chills down people's spines. You are just a fool, why should you be able to last long? Now there are people congratulating you at the door, and people mourning for you at home, shouldn't you be more cautious?" Dong Zhuo was very afraid after reading the letter. So he summoned Gai Xun to serve as an advisor.
At that time, General Zuojun Huangfu Song led thirty thousand elite soldiers stationed in Fufeng. Gai Xun discreetly reached out to him, planning to join forces against Dong Zhuo. As a result, Huangfu Song was also summoned back to the capital by Dong Zhuo, and Gai Xun felt that his strength was too weak to act alone, so he also returned to the capital. From court ministers to ordinary officials, no one served Dong Zhuo without bowing and scraping in submission, except for Gai Xun, who always stood tall, insisted on etiquette, and startled everyone he met. Dong Zhuo asked Minister Wang Yun, "I want to find a capable Colonel of Justice, who is suitable?" Wang Yun said, "Only Gai Jingzhao." Dong Zhuo said, "This person is too clever; I cannot assign him to an important position." So he appointed him as the Prefect of Yingchuan. Before he had even assumed office, he was summoned back to the capital.
At that time, the Henan magistrate Zhu Jun presented military strategies to Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo interrupted Zhu Jun and said, "I have won so many battles; I have a good grasp of things. Don't talk nonsense and don't insult my tactics!" Gai Xun replied, "Even the wise monarch Wu Ding sought advice from others, so how can someone like you want to silence others?" Dong Zhuo said, "I was just joking." Gai Xun responded, "Have you ever heard of angry words being considered a joke?" Dong Zhuo then apologized to Zhu Jun. Although Gai Xun was upright, he secretly despised Dong Zhuo and felt unfulfilled. He later died from a carbuncle at the age of fifty-one. Before his death, he instructed his family not to accept rewards from Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo, wanting to appear magnanimous, conferred upon him the Eastern Garden Secret Hat and, according to etiquette, arranged for his burial at Anling.
His son, Gai Shun, rose to the position of Yongyang Prefect.
Zang Hong, known as Ziyuan, was a native of Sheyang in Guangling. His father, Zang Min, was very capable. In the first year of Xiping, the bandit Xu Zhao in Kuaiji raised an army, proclaimed himself "Grand General," and made his father the King of Yue, capturing many cities with his army of tens of thousands. The court appointed Zang Min as the Inspector of Yangzhou. Zang Min, along with the Prefect of Danyang, Chen Yin, attacked Xu Zhao and defeated him. Xu Zhao regrouped and became a great threat. Zang Min and others continued to fight for three years and finally quelled the rebellion, capturing Xu Zhao and his son, executing thousands. As a result, Zang Min was promoted to the position of Colonel Commandant for Pacifying the Xiongnu.
When Zang Hong was fifteen years old, he was appointed as a Gentleman Cadet due to his father's achievements and earned a reputation in the imperial academy. He was tall and strong, with remarkable looks. Later, he passed the imperial examination and was appointed Magistrate of Jiuyou County.
During the later years of the Zhongping period, he resigned from his official position and returned home. The Administrator of Chenliu, Zhang Chao, invited him to serve as an official. At that time, Dong Zhuo killed the emperor with the intent to harm the nation. Zang Hong said to Zhang Chao, "Your family has received imperial favor for generations, and your brothers are all serving as administrators of large counties. Now that the royal family is on the brink of collapse and the treacherous Dong Zhuo is eyeing the throne, this is the perfect time for patriots to step up! Our Chenliu County is still relatively peaceful and prosperous. If we raise the banner of rebellion, we can gather twenty thousand troops. We can use this force to take down the traitors and set an example for everyone, isn't that the right thing to do?" Zhang Chao nodded in agreement and, together with Zang Hong, they traveled west to Chenliu to talk it over with his brother Zhang Miao. Beforehand, Zhang Miao asked Zhang Chao, "I heard that you have appointed Zang Hong to handle all the political affairs as the official. What kind of person is Zang Hong?" Zhang Chao replied, "Zang Hong is a true talent, his abilities and strategies are superior to mine." Zhang Miao then called Zang Hong for a conversation and was really impressed by him. Subsequently, Zhang Miao sent Zang Hong to visit the Inspector of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, and the Inspector of Yuzhou, Kong Rong, and they hit it off right away.
Zhang Miao had already made plans to raise troops. After Zhang Chao arrived, they collaborated on the plan and convened a meeting with other regional governors in Suanzao. They set up an altar and prepared to take the oath, but everyone hesitated to step forward. Ultimately, they unanimously chose Zang Hong. Zang Hong tidied up his clothes, ascended the altar, and inscribed the oath in blood, saying, "The Han dynasty is in decline, and imperial authority has weakened. The treacherous Dong Zhuo seized the opportunity amid the chaos, harmed the emperor, devastated the people, and the country stands on the brink of ruin! The Governor of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, the Governor of Yuzhou, Kong Rong, the Prefect of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, the Prefect of Dongjun, Qiao Mao, the Prefect of Guangling, Zhang Chao, and others have united in rebellion against Dong Zhuo. All of us taking this oath must unite with one heart and one mind, be loyal to the country, and we must never waver, even sacrificing our lives without hesitation. If anyone breaks this oath, may heaven punish them, and may they meet a grim fate! The heavens and earth, our ancestors, and all future generations will judge our actions!" Zang Hong's oath was passionate and inspiring, and those who heard him speak were all filled with enthusiasm. However, after that, the various lords hesitated, and none were willing to take the initiative to mobilize their troops, resulting in shortages of food and supplies, causing the army's morale to plummet. Gong Sun Zan and Liu Yu were at odds, so Zang Hong dispatched someone to discuss strategies with Liu Yu for dealing with Gong Sun Zan. Upon reaching Hejian, they encountered a conflict between Youzhou and Jizhou, and the road was blocked, forcing them to seek refuge with Yuan Shao first. Upon meeting Zang Hong, Yuan Shao recognized his formidable reputation and consequently befriended him, appointing him as the Inspector of Qingzhou.
The former Governor of Qingzhou, Jiao He, only knew how to speak flowery language and enjoyed empty talk. At that time, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was everywhere, but Qingzhou was rich and prosperous, with ample military strength. Jiao He wanted to go to the capital with other allies, but before they could set off, the city was overrun by the Yellow Turban army. Jiao He was completely unconcerned with military affairs, only focusing on inviting wizards and praying to deities. He even feared that the Yellow Turbans would cross the frozen river, so he had his men throw many ice balls into the river. Consequently, his forces scattered, and Jiao He succumbed to illness. Zang Hong later reassured the fleeing populace, and the common people settled down again.
After serving as the Governor of Qingzhou for two years, Yuan Shao grew wary of Zang Hong's influence and transferred him to Dongjun as the Prefect, stationed in Dong Wuyang. At this time, Cao Cao was besieging Zhang Chao in Yongqiu, and the situation was very critical. Zhang Chao told his officers, "The only one who can save me now is Zang Hong." Someone said, "Yuan Shao and Cao Cao have a good relationship, and Zang Hong is Yuan Shao's man. He probably won't risk offending Yuan Shao over this." Zhang Chao replied, "Zang Hong is a well-known man of honor; he won't forget his loyalties. Perhaps he is just constrained by Yuan Shao's power and unable to act."
When Zang Hong first heard that Zhang Chao was besieged, he, barefoot and in tears, rallied his men to rescue Zhang Chao. But he realized his forces were too weak, so he sought help from Yuan Shao, who brushed him off completely. Zhang Chao's city was eventually breached, and the entire Zhang family was annihilated. Zang Hong resented Yuan Shao for this and cut ties with him from that point on. Yuan Shao then besieged Zang Hong with troops, but failed to capture him for several years. Yuan Shao sent Chen Lin, a fellow villager of Zang Hong, to write him a letter, reminding him of their shared interests and reproaching him for neglecting loyalty. Zang Hong's response was:
From such a distance, I have been thinking of you all along, dreaming of you night and day. Although we are close in proximity, we have taken different paths. How can I even describe this sadness and regret! I have never forgotten your help in the past, and this time, I'm thankful for your kindness. Your words about blessings and misfortunes ring true in both personal and public matters. With your talent and wide knowledge, how could you not see the bigger picture and understand my struggles? Therefore, I have not written any fancy words to reply to you; I just hope you can see my struggles and understand who I am. Receiving your letter again, my heart is a jumble of emotions. Although I want to reply, your words have already expressed your deep affection and friendship.
I am a humble person with no great ambitions or abilities. Later, due to a business trip, I was fortunate enough to gain your appreciation and trust, which allowed me to hold such an important position. Now, how can I feel happy about this? Every time I climb the city tower and see your flags and drums, your camp, and think of the days we risked our lives together, I can't help but tear up. Why is that? Because I feel I did the right thing by supporting you; your kindness to me goes beyond the typical ruler-subject relationship. When I accepted your appointment, we shared the same ideals, aiming to eliminate enemies and support the royal family. Who would have thought that my land would be invaded by the enemy, the governor would meet misfortune, and my request for reinforcements would be rejected, which ultimately led to the fall of my homeland, Hongzhou? With my limited power, I could do nothing; how could I maintain our friendship or live up to the ideals of loyalty and filial piety? Therefore, I can only take up my weapon with a heavy heart, turning against you. If you, my lord, could show a bit of the ancient virtues of loyalty and forgiveness, warmly welcome those who come, and show understanding to those who must go, then I wouldn't have to fight this war like Jizha.
In the past, Zhang Jingming swore a blood oath on the altar, served his master faithfully, and eventually forced Han Mu to relinquish the seal, allowing the master to obtain the land. However, later, after he petitioned the court for rewards and titles, he was granted a title and inheritance, but because he did not receive your forgiveness, he met a tragic end. Lu Bu Fengxian fought against Dong Zhuo and then sought refuge with you, requesting your support to fight but did not receive it. He could have left without issue, but instead, he was killed. Liu Zihuang was sent on a mission, and because he delayed his mission, he was not allowed to resign. He was both afraid of you and missed his hometown, so he devised a scheme to trick his way back home. It can be said that they all had loyalty and filial piety, and did not betray your dominance, but in the end, they all met their demise at your hands without a proper ending. Those who flattered you gained wealth and glory, while those who went against your will were killed. While this may serve your interests, it is not what we scholars desire. So I take this as a cautionary tale, choosing instead to defend this isolated city to avoid becoming dependent on enemy states.
Look, we have been surrounded for so long, and reinforcements have not arrived. I am thinking, to preserve our lives, enduring humiliation is preferable to clinging to so-called righteousness and ending up with the entire army destroyed, right? Think about it, Yan Ying did not bow down even in the face of death, and the author of the Southern History did not distort facts for survival; that's why they are remembered in history for generations. Moreover, I am currently holding a strong fortress, commanding so many soldiers, using three years of savings as one year's military budget, trying my best to solve everyone's difficulties, and comforting the people. Why would I want to give up resistance and go home to farm? My only concern is that when autumn arrives, Bo Gui will lead his forces southward, Zhang Yang and Fei Yan will attack again, and the north will face utter devastation. By then, the ministers will all petition for my surrender. You should heed this as a warning and consider the fates of people like Cao Cao, and quickly withdraw your troops! Why persist in flaunting your might beneath my city in your rage?
You ridiculed me for relying on the Black Mountain Army for rescue, but have you forgotten how the Yellow Turban Army came together? In the past, Liu Bang subdued Peng Yue in Juye, and Emperor Guangwu rose to power in the Green Woods, both achieving imperial success. As long as we can help the ruler achieve great things, what is there to worry about? Moreover, I've received an imperial decree to collaborate with them!
Kong Zhang, you go abroad to pursue personal gain, while Zang Hong died for the monarch; you attach yourself to the alliance leader, while Zang Hong left his mark in Chang'an. You claim that if I die, my reputation will vanish, but I find it amusing that you live in obscurity! We started with the same goal, but ended up going our separate ways; let's each rely on our own abilities; there's nothing more to discuss!
Shao saw the letter from Hong Liang and knew he had no intention of surrendering, so he increased his troops and launched a fierce attack. The city had run out of food, and no one came to their aid. Hong Liang realized he was trapped and couldn't escape, so he gathered officials and soldiers and said, "Yuan Shao is acting unreasonably, plotting treachery, and not providing relief to the soldiers of Hong County. For the greater good, I have no choice but to die. None of you are to blame, but you have suffered because of me. While the city still stands, quickly take your wives and children and escape." The officials wept and replied, "You have no grudge with the Yuan family, but because of the county magistrate, we cannot bear to leave you behind."
At first, they were able to dig up rats and cook tendons for food, but eventually, there was nothing left to eat. The registrar offered the three bushels of rice left in the treasury to make porridge. Hong Liang said, "How can I eat this alone?" So they cooked thin porridge and distributed it to all the soldiers. He even sacrificed his beloved concubine to feed the soldiers. The soldiers wept, unable to lift their heads. In the city, seventy to eighty men and women embraced one another and died together, with not a single one betraying their comrades.
The city has fallen, and Hong Liang has been captured. Yuan Shao put on a grand display, summoning all his generals to see Hong Liang. Yuan Shao said, "Zang Hong, how could you betray me like this? Do you submit today?" Hong Liang glared at Yuan Shao from the ground and said angrily, "The Yuan family has served the Han Dynasty for generations, receiving great favor. Now that the royal family is weak, instead of trying to support it, you want to take advantage of the situation and plot wrongdoing, killing the loyal to establish your own power. I have seen the general call Zhang Miao his elder brother, so my father should be considered your younger brother. Yet, you cannot unite to eliminate harm for the country; instead, you sit back and watch others being slaughtered. Unfortunately, I am weak and cannot avenge the realm with a sword. Why should I submit to you?" Yuan Shao initially liked Hong Liang and wanted to pardon him if he surrendered, but upon seeing Hong Liang speak so resolutely, he knew he would never surrender, so he ordered him to be killed.
There was a man named Chen Rong from Hongze, who was a scholar when he was young and held Zang Hong in high regard. Later, he followed Zang Hong and became the county magistrate of Dongjun. When Zang Hong's city had not yet been breached, Cao Cao sent Zang Hong back home to join Yuan Shao. At that time, Chen Rong was also present. Seeing Zang Hong about to be killed, he rose to his feet and addressed Yuan Shao, "General, you want to do great things, to eliminate evil and promote good for the world, but you are killing loyal and righteous men first. Is this really appropriate? Zang Hong is a county magistrate; why do you want to kill him?" Yuan Shao felt a little embarrassed and had Chen Rong dragged out, saying, "You are not Zang Hong's relative; why are you speaking for him?" Chen Rong replied, "Benevolence and righteousness have no fixed objects; following them makes one a gentleman, while abandoning them makes one a villain. I would rather die alongside Zang Hong than live another day under you, General!" As a result, Chen Rong was also killed. Among Yuan Shao's subordinates, not a single one did not sigh, whispering among themselves, "Today, two loyal and righteous men were killed!"
Previously, Zang Hong sent out two officers to seek help from Lu Bu. By the time they returned, the city had already fallen, and both of them died in battle. A commentary remarked: Yongqiu was besieged, and Zang Hong's righteous indignation was truly inspiring! Just imagine him barefoot, crying out and donning his armor, begging to fight; it really makes one's heart ache! Are not those heroes, in their pursuit and insistence on justice, alike? Those who conspire and scheme do so solely for their own interests. Moreover, the city Zang Hong is defending is already in dire peril, with Cao Cao and Yuan Shao mutually restraining each other; Zang Hong just wants to rely on external assistance to alleviate the current crisis. An army driven by anger is a significant taboo in military strategy! It embodies the loyalty and righteousness reminiscent of Jing Ke's assassination of the Qin, but unfortunately, it did not succeed in the end.
In praise: The Xianbei and Qiang tribes disrupted the borders, and Deng Mao, Cui Lie, and other generals abandoned Liangzhou. Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu, and others plotted treacherously, twice saving Jincheng. Ge Xun resisted Dong Zhuo, finally showing his determination. Zang Hong, though lacking in strength, possessed a heart full of loyalty and righteousness, with lofty aspirations.
