Ma Rong, courtesy name Jichang, was a native of Maoling in Fufeng and the son of the renowned master craftsman Yan. He was handsome, eloquent, and exceptionally talented. Initially, the scholar Zhixun of Jingzhao taught him Confucianism. Zhixun lived a reclusive life in the southern mountains and did not accept the court's summons, gaining a highly esteemed reputation in the Guanzhong area. Ma Rong studied under him and became exceptionally well-versed in the classics. Zhixun admired Ma Rong's talent and bestowed his daughter upon him in marriage.
In the second year of Yongchu, the general Deng Zhong heard of Ma Rong's reputation and summoned him to be an official. However, Ma Rong did not like the position and fled to the Liangzhou region, specifically Wudu and Hanyang, to lead a life of leisure. During a Qiang rebellion, the border descended into chaos, food prices soared, and many people starved to death on the journey from Guanzhong westward. Ma Rong also went hungry and regretted his decision, saying to his friends, "The ancients said, 'Holding a map of the world in one hand and cutting one's own throat with the other hand, even a fool would not do it.' This is because life is more precious than the world! Now, over a trivial matter of shame, losing one's life, this is not the philosophy espoused by Laozi!" So, he went to answer Deng Zhong's summons.
In the fourth year of Yongchu, he was appointed as a junior librarian and went to Dongguan to organize the classics. At that time, Empress Dowager Deng was ruling, with the assistance of Deng Zhong's brothers in governance. The common scholars and secular gentlemen believed in the development of culture rather than warfare, so the hunting ceremonies were canceled, and military exercises were stopped, leading to chaos unleashed by nefarious individuals. Ma Rong was angry, believing that the balance of cultural and martial governance was passed down by sages and that all five categories of talent are indispensable and must not be neglected. In the second year of Yuanchu, he composed the "Guangcheng Song" as a form of admonition. The poem begins with the following lines:
I heard that Confucius said, "Luxury leads to rudeness, frugality leads to constraint." Between luxury and frugality, there is etiquette as a boundary. Therefore, the two poems "Crickets" and "Mountain Pivot" criticize the rulers, condemning them for their constant busyness and toil. Joy without excess, sorrow without despair—this is the method used by the ancient monarchs to balance the national treasury, nurture the spirit, and ensure the long-term stability of the country. "Yu Mo" records the joy of playing ball; "Zhou Shi" records the grandeur of auspicious days for travel. Wise rulers and virtuous officials use these to enhance the prosperity of the country, not just for luxury and pleasure! Since the year before last, our country has faced many misfortunes. Your Majesty has been cautious and fearful, personally frugal, neglecting the imperial gardens, stopping court entertainment, diligently attending to state affairs, and worrying about national affairs for over a decade, which has gone beyond customary decorum. More importantly, the Empress Dowager embodies the virtue of Yao, fostering close and harmonious relations with her family, and Your Majesty also exemplifies the filial piety of Yu Shun, showing great respect and care for your relatives. Whenever they are ill, Your Majesty sends envoys to console them, with few interruptions. Your Majesty is always busy with state affairs, with no time for entertainment and relaxation, which may hinder your ability to adapt to changing circumstances and promote prosperity.
I believe that although the locust plague has had its effects, since May of this year, the timely rain suggests that good fortune is on the way. Now that winter is approaching, farming activities are at a standstill. Your Majesty should visit Guangcheng Palace to inspect the fields, check the growth of wheat seedlings, encourage the people to stock up on food, conduct military drills and hunting events, allow the people to once again see the beauty of the banners, hear the sound of bells and drums, lift their spirits and boost the morale of the army to welcome the auspicious atmosphere and bring good fortune. As a humble servant, I feel quite insignificant. My role involves studying the classics and documents. I adhere to the ancient texts and wish to reiterate the significance of hunting, and I have written a hymn to present to you. This piece is crude and humble, hardly worthy of Your Majesty's attention.
I have heard that in the past, those instructors taught students in the archery range and armory, and taught students on Lingtai Mountain. Some people praised them for teaching well. However, they truly did not grasp that thunder and lightning are part of nature's order, and war brings chaos and peace. The teachings from Huangdi and Yandi have faded from memory; from Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang onwards, only some rumors can be vaguely heard. Now, let’s discuss this small suburb of Fengdu, spanning seventy li, which yields a variety of plants from the Spring and Autumn periods. The Book of Songs celebrates various wild grasses, and the music plays "Zouyu." So, when the Han Dynasty was just established, a mix of winds and rains converged in the emperor's domain, harmonizing the energies of yin and yang.
After investigating the geographical location of this sacred land, the site was chosen in the southern outskirts. Looking at the extent of this area, it is vast and magnificent, with a broad view that stretches for miles, where heaven meets earth. This area is surrounded by rivers, with the San Tu River on the right, Songshan and Taihangshan on the left, Hengshan in front, Wangwushan behind, as well as the Bo River and Zhi River nourishing this land. Jinshan and Shilin rise majestically among them, towering and steep, with a continuous range of peaks and stunning vistas. A sacred spring flows from the side, dyeing the pond red with its water, and the strange-shaped stones glisten like suspended chimes by the water's edge.
The grassland here is filled with a variety of grasses, aromatic herbs, and tasty wild vegetables, as well as various types of wild plants. As for trees, there are dense bamboo forests, lush trees, and many precious trees in clusters, such as paulownia, phoenix tree, bauhinia, cypress, willow, maple, and poplar, their bright colors and lush foliage fluttering in the breeze. In the gentle spring breeze, the trees exude their fragrance, creating a carpet of flowers, plants, and trees, resulting in a beautiful scene that is difficult to describe.
By October, the chilling, ominous air settles in, leading to the withering of the grass, and people start clearing the fields, burning away the weeds and trees.
Next, spread out a huge hunting net, covering the entire land, catching all the animals in the marshes and capturing all the birds and beasts flying in the wilderness. Look, the birds trapped in the enclosure— it seems as though the mountains themselves have shifted. They chirp in groups, the cacophony is overwhelming; even Ziyi, with his keen ears, feels dizzy, while Lizhu, with her sharp eyes, cannot make sense of it. The cunning Lishou feels bewildered, and Chenzi, the strategist, is left feeling disoriented.
At this time, the hunting encirclement is very large, covering valleys and rivers, with various traps and nets spread across pits and marshes, and high walls towering over the mountains. The army stands in formation, with troops positioned both in front and behind; the troops are well-organized and poised for battle.
It is said that the emperor chose an auspicious day, rode in a gorgeously decorated carriage, and set off! This carriage, drawn by six majestic black steeds, boasts magnificent flags atop its canopy, and a tall and ornate flagpole stands on the roof. The caravan is grand, as if the Changxing star is racing through the sky, its long beard trailing behind; the sun, moon, and stars themselves seem to shine in its honor, while the North Star and the Black Tortoise look on with curiosity. The caravan is gorgeously decorated, shining with gold and sparkling with jade. The army camps on the plains, soldiers sow seeds on high ground, the military camps are continuous, and the colorful flags flutter in the sunlight.
The air is fresh, the battlefield has been cleared, the emperor takes an oath, selecting elite soldiers. Situ leads the infantry, Sima commands the cavalry, chariots and war horses advance side by side, orders are swiftly communicated, and discipline is strictly maintained. The war drums sound, the bells ring, the soldiers charge bravely, heading straight for the enemy's formation. The two armies fiercely engage in battle, rushing in all directions, the fighting is exceptionally brutal, with shouts and neighs all around, as they chase and flee, chaos on the battlefield. Dust flies, covering the sky, the sun, moon, and stars dim in comparison. The soldiers fight bravely, displaying extraordinary talent and courage.
War horses neigh, eagles soar, cavalry charge into the fray, chariots speed along, both sides engage in fierce combat in the Central Plains. The enemy army is in disarray, with devastating losses among both men and horses, feathers scattered everywhere, soldiers and war horses lying dead and wounded. Then, javelins fly out like lightning, arrows rain down, soldiers on both sides fight to the death. Soldiers and overturned vehicles flee in all directions, the horrific scene is heart-wrenching. In the intense battle, weapons clash, heads shatter, wild animals and birds dare not come near. Some soldiers fall before they even have a chance to fight, some flee in disarray, some fall and never get up, the battlefield is strewn with bodies, piled high like mountains—a gruesome sight.
It is said that those fierce wild beasts and venomous creatures, each with sharp teeth, dark mouths, large chests, and strong hind legs, move swiftly and flexibly, occupying dangerous terrain, no one dares to approach. So people like Zheng Shu and Jin Fu were sent, they went in naked, risking their lives, crossing mountains and valleys, venturing deep into remote areas, hunting tigers, wild oxen, bears, and wild boars.
Some are light and agile, some are slender; they cross mountains, scale peaks, and even reach the treetops, chasing monkeys and gibbons until they have hunted all the wild beasts from the mountains, leaving only a few lonely ones. They use various traps and nets, as well as bows and arrows, to work together like stars scattered in the mountains, taking care of each other and performing their duties. A variety of bird-catching tools and nets are deployed, arrows fly, and flocks of wild chickens take flight in panic, filling the sky like a dark cloud and falling down like hail.
A figure, feigning mystery and profundity, then turns back, goes upstream, comforts Fengyi, stimulates Jumang, surpasses desolation, walks out of Chongyang, resounds loudly across the Milky Way, and crosses the Tianhe River. He guides the realm of ghosts, goes straight to the realm of the divine, summons spirit protectors, calls upon Fangxiang, drives away fierce ghostly diseases, and dispels malicious spirits and auspicious creatures. He binds Wanliang, wipes away the wandering light, puts on Tiangou, and binds the sheep in the tomb.
After that, he calms his emotions, relaxes his face, and leisurely walks to the place of Bo Yi, shooting fish with arrows and setting up fishing nets between Chuanyue and Zeyu. He soars, nesting in sandy fields and ancient Gu places; the Huainan bird turns toward the sun like a sunflower, basking all day, lifts the axe, breaks through heavy ice, opens the door to hidden insects, searches for hidden fish scales, and tramples on mollusks. He goes against the current, fights in the turbulent rapids, plays on the banks of the Fen River, dives into deep pools, with Kui Long on his left and Jiaotuo on his right, presenting King Tuna in spring and soft-shelled turtles in summer.
Then, he fully immersed himself in exploring various unpredictable scenes, investigating up and down. The valleys were desolate, the wilderness bleak; there were no birds in the sky, no beasts on the ground, only fishermen raising their flags, hunters preparing their tools, the vehicles were worn, and the hunting expedition had concluded as he returned to the forbidden garden. He rested at the Zhaoming Pavilion, relaxed at the Gaoguang Pavilion, gazing over the expansive pond. The pond was bordered by jade terraces and ringed with golden embankments, planted with willows, covered with green moss, shimmering with waves, the water rippling, creating a seamless connection between sky and earth like a boundless rainbow. The sun rose in the east, and the moon appeared on the western water slope.
He ordered the driving away of the water spirits, chased the mythical creatures, eliminated the short fox, and bound the whales. Then, he rode on a magnificent boat, unfurled the cloud sails, spread out the colorful awnings, sailed with the breeze along the swift current, singing joyfully, fish leaping out of the water one after another, water caltrops and water chestnuts floating, Xiangling descending, Han women playing. Various waterfowl, including swans, mandarin ducks, gulls, teal, cormorants, pelicans, egrets, geese, and teals, all peacefully rested by the water, folding their wings. Various fish, including crucian carp, catfish, silver carp, grass carp, loach, bream, and flatfish, all happy because of his pure moral character, leaped alongside him; even the white birds of Lingzhao and the leaping fish of Mengjin pale in comparison to this spectacle.
Ah, he was still singing and dancing there, still posing as if he were governing the country and pacifying the world; it's quite a pity!
Alright, after the temple sacrifices were completed, the kitchen was prepared with a feast, the vehicles and personnel were organized, and the weapons and equipment were all set.
Next, bring out the livestock and birds for sacrifice, and reward the soldiers. The army lines up in formation, with thousands of troops and generals; the wine cups are always full, and the sacrificial tables are always full. The wine is neatly arranged, and the chefs move about busily; fine wine is constantly served, and roasted meats are promptly provided. The drums thunder as everyone raises their cups to drink, the bell tolls, signaling the start of the formal banquet.
They play the magnificent Jin State music "Yang A," followed by the enchanting southern melodies resembling frog and bird calls. This music can shake people's hearts and refresh their senses. The captivating music intimidates the heart, even scaring the hidden enemies, as it plays on the broad roads outside the farmland, delighting the common folk.
Therefore, the emperor's benevolence shines on the Central Plains, and his influence reaches far and wide. Neighboring countries to the east come to pay tribute on large ships, tribes from the west cross the hills to pay homage, border regions in the south offer tributes through interpreters fluent in the Nine Translations, and the Di people from the north express friendship through messengers. This illustrates the importance of being vigilant during peaceful times and remembering the chaos of governance. This is how emperors showcase their martial might and subdue distant tribes.
It is said that the Han Dynasty has achieved fruitful results in the realm of virtue, attained significant gains in the depths of benevolence and righteousness, but hunting etiquette has fallen into neglect, and field hunting activities have also ceased. People can no longer see the brilliance of the sun and moon, nor hear the rumble of thunder. This situation has persisted for twelve long years. Now the court intends to examine the hidden treasures, employ officials from Tianfu, return to essential traditions, and uphold established rules. The court wants to identify honest and upright individuals, promote talented individuals, employ buried talents, and discover reclusive sages. They will assess those who are showy and vain, value those who are solid and capable, hire exceptional talents from the fields, and appreciate hidden talents. Therefore, the court is on a broad search for talent, as if scouring mountains and marshes for treasures, meticulously examining the sacrificial vessels, and attentively listening to the sounds from the streets and alleys, like seeking talent among exiled individuals; like searching for talent in the kitchen as Yi Yin did; like looking for talent in the fish and salt industry as Jiaogeng did; like finding talent among those who drive large carts as Ning Qi did. Allow these individuals to express themselves freely and fully utilize their abilities; their insights exceed those of the three revered dynasties, their talents surpass those of the five emperors, and they can perceive auspicious signs and summarize various blessings. In the end, the phoenix perches on the towering wutong tree, the qilin settles in the West Garden, the court is gifted precious bird feathers, and accepts the white jade ring bestowed by the Queen Mother. From then on, the Han Dynasty enjoys peace throughout the realm, boundless like the movement of heaven and earth, aiding the deities in governing the land, participating in the virtuous governance of the heavens, transcendent, unique, brilliant, and enduring. May future generations flourish and endure throughout the ages.
After the ritual and musical activities ended, Ban Gu headed north back to the capital from Xincheng, passing through Yique and returning to Luoyang. He wrote a hymn to present to the court, but offended the Deng clan and was confined in Dongguan for ten years without any promotion. Later, due to the death of his brother's son, Ban Gu resigned and returned home. The Empress Dowager was furious upon hearing this, believing that Ban Gu was disregarding the emperor's edict and seeking a local position, so she ordered him to be imprisoned.
After the Empress Dowager's death, Emperor An took power and summoned Ban Gu back to the court to serve once more. Later, he was appointed as the Chief Historian for the stable of the Prince of Hejian. When the court embarked on an eastern tour to Mount Tai, Ban Gu presented the "Hymn of the Eastern Tour," which the emperor was highly impressed by, so he was appointed as a court official. When the Marquis of Beixiang ascended the throne, Ban Gu resigned due to illness and took up the position of county magistrate.
In the year 133 AD, the court issued a decree to select honest and upright officials. The Captain of the City Gates, Cen Qi, recommended Du Rong, who was summoned to the court for the examination. He performed exceptionally well in the examination and was appointed as a court gentleman. The Grand General Liang Shang also recommended him to be the Commander of the Cavalry, and later he was promoted to the position of the Governor of Wudu. At that time, a rebellion had erupted among the Western Qiang people, and General Ma Xian and Colonel Hu Chou were leading troops to suppress it, but made little progress. Du Rong predicted their defeat and requested to lead the expedition personally, stating:
Right now, the Qiang people are raiding one another. We should hurry to send troops deep into enemy territory and defeat their various factions. But Ma Xian and his companions are stalling at every turn and are too afraid to push forward. The Qiang and Hu can see dust kicking up for miles and hear the war drums echoing even farther. Now they're on the run, yet we're just letting them slip away behind us. They're bound to invade the Sui region, bringing immense disaster to the people. I request that five thousand troops be sent from Guandong, without needing to disclose the battalion number. I'll do my utmost to lead them, charge into battle, and be at the front of the line. Within a month, we will surely defeat them. I have studied the classics since I was young and have never been a military officer. Speaking out like this without caution will surely come off as arrogant and bring disaster. Just like Mao Sui back in the day, who was once a nobody but ended up achieving great things because of one statement. I'm worried that Ma Xian and the others will just defend the city and only talk about attacking from the west, but the Qiang people will come out from the east, and their soldiers may mutiny.
The court ignored his suggestion. Du Rong sent another memorial, stating, "The stars are now appearing between Canopus and Pleiades. Canopus represents the west, and Pleiades represent the border troops. According to the stars, this means there will be changes in the Bingzhou region. The Western Rong and Northern Di tribes are likely gearing up to rebel! We should be prepared on both fronts." Not long after, the Longxi Qiang did indeed rebel, and the Wuhuan invaded Shangjun, all of which confirmed Du Rong's prediction.
Du Rong was promoted several times and eventually became the Prefect of Nanjun during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han. Previously, Du Rong had crossed the Grand General Liang Ji, who stirred up the relevant departments to accuse him of corruption in the prefecture, dismiss him from office, shave his head, and exile him to Shuofang. Du Rong appealed in writing to prove his innocence and was eventually pardoned, allowing him to return to court, reappointed as a Censor, and engaged in writing at Dongguan. In the end, he resigned from his post due to illness.
Ma Rong was a remarkably accomplished scholar, who was renowned for his extensive knowledge and was a prominent Confucian scholar of his time, teaching thousands of students! Lu Zhi from Zhuo County and Zheng Xuan from Beihai were among his students. Not only was he knowledgeable, but he was also proficient in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and could even play the flute. He lived a carefree and unconstrained life, not adhering to the rules of Confucian scholars. However, his lifestyle was quite refined, with luxurious clothing and housing.
It is said that when he taught classes, he sat high up in the hall, with beautiful crimson drapes hanging, teaching students in front, with a band playing behind him. The students took turns listening to the lectures, and few were ever allowed into his study. Once, he sought to annotate the "Zuo Zhuan." After reading the annotations by Jia Kui and Zheng Zhong, he said, "Jia Kui's annotations are meticulous but not comprehensive, Zheng Zhong's annotations are comprehensive but not meticulous. What more could I possibly contribute, given that it is both meticulous and comprehensive?" So he ultimately wrote only a work titled "Differences and Similarities Among the Three Commentaries." He also annotated the "Xiao Jing," "Analects of Confucius," "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," "Three Rituals," "Book of Documents," "Biographies of Exemplary Women," "Laozi," "Huainanzi," and "Li Sao." Additionally, he composed essays, odes, inscriptions, elegies, letters, records, petitions, memorials, seven-character poems, qin songs, strategies, and testaments, totaling twenty-one pieces.
Initially, Ma Rong offended the Deng clan and was hesitant to confront the powerful, thus he assisted Liang Ji in drafting petitions against Li Gu and also wrote the "Xi Di Song" to praise the Grand General Liang Ji. As a result of his actions, many honorable individuals held him in disdain. He lived to the age of eighty-eight, passing away in the ninth year of the Yanxi era, instructing his family to ensure a simple burial for him. His great-grandson, Ma Ridi, would later serve as the Grand Tutor during the reign of Emperor Xian.
Some have commented: Ma Rong refused the invitation from the Deng family, hesitated between Longxi and Hanzhong, was he trying to maintain his integrity? However, he later found it hard to let go of wealth and glory, reluctant to give up his comfortable lifestyle, and eventually became indulgent in luxury and pleasure, formed factions, and drew considerable criticism. Truly, very few people can resist temptation and stick to their principles. Those who have endured hardship tend to be indifferent to fame and fortune; those who enjoy a comfortable life tend to value their comfort even more. Those who are unafraid of the dangers of high positions are often those who have no choice; those who don’t worry about their family’s decline are typically the wealthy. Ultimately, people tend to return to a state they find comfortable. People view things differently, which often leads to mutual mockery.
