Huang Fu Gui, courtesy name Weiming, is from Chaoyang in Anding. His grandfather, Huang Fu Leng, was a general responsible for the defense of the Liaodong region, and his father, Huang Fu Qi, was a commander in Fufeng. In the sixth year of Yonghe, the Western Qiang rebels surrounded the Sanfu region, including Anding Commandery. The court sent General Ma Xian to lead troops to fight, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. At that time, Huang Fu Gui was merely a commoner, but he believed that Ma Xian would definitely lose, so he wrote a letter to the court offering his insights. Soon after, Ma Xian was indeed defeated by the Western Qiang. The Prefect of Anding Commandery recognized Huang Fu Gui's military acumen, so he appointed him as a military aide and led eight hundred soldiers to fight against the Western Qiang. Consequently, Huang Fu Gui eliminated several Western Qiang leaders, and the Western Qiang forces withdrew. Eventually, Huang Fu Gui was promoted to the position of Chief Clerk.
Later, the Xiqiang people assembled a large force and attacked Longxi, burning it to the ground, which alarmed the court. Huangfu Gui submitted a memorial to request permission from the court to suppress the rebellion. In his memorial, he wrote: Over the years, I have repeatedly submitted proposals to the court. I anticipated their rebellion even before the Xiqiang took action. When Ma Xian first led troops, I knew he would not succeed. Everything I said can be verified. I have always believed that Ma Xian and his troops have been fighting for four years without winning, wasting billions in military expenditures, funds that represent the hard-earned money of the common people, but ended up in the pockets of corrupt officials. As a result, banditry is rampant, driving people to flee and become refugees. The Xiqiang rebellion is not because the court has been peaceful for too long, but because the border generals have failed to effectively pacify and manage. During stable times, they oppress the common people; to gain a little advantage, they create significant disasters; if they win a small battle, they exaggerate the victory; if they lose, they cover it up. The soldiers are tired and suffering, bullied by those corrupt officials, not rewarded for victories, yet left to starve and shiver after defeats. Many people starve to death in ditches, their bodies abandoned in the wilderness. The court sees only the army marching off to war, but hears nothing of victory's trumpet. The Xiqiang leaders cry and fear things getting out of hand. Therefore, it will take several years to recover from a defeat after a short period of peace. I am truly anxious and can hardly suppress my sighs! I hope the court will assign me two battalions and grant me military authority over two counties, so I can command a standing force of five thousand to mount a surprise offensive against the Xiqiang, coordinating with the Protector of the Qiang, Zhao Chong. I am familiar with the terrain and have considered the battle strategies. The court need not issue any orders or rewards, as I can quell the rebellion and surrender the enemy. If it is said that I am young and have a low rank, then those generals who have suffered defeats are not lacking in rank or age.
I earnestly beseech the court, even if it means meeting my end on the battlefield, I will dedicate myself to serving the court wholeheartedly.
However, the emperor did not accept his advice. Later, Empress Dowager Liang took over the court, and Huang Fu Gui was recommended as a person of virtue and integrity. He wrote a countermeasure, which said: ...
Emperor, when you first became emperor, you were diligent in political affairs and governing the country, and the realm was on the brink of peace. But later, corrupt officials emerged around you, abusing their power, plundering the people's wealth, and indulging in extravagance. These bad deeds all reached your ears.
Even worse, by favoring these treacherous individuals, they took bribes, sold official positions, abused their power, formed cliques, and threw the realm into chaos, causing the people to flee their homes one after another. So in every battle, we almost always lose; officials and the populace are exhausted, and the national treasury is empty. I am in Guanxi, secretly inquiring about the news, and I found that the fate of the nation rests entirely in the hands of these corrupt officials and nobles.
You possess innate wisdom and martial prowess. When you first took office, you promoted loyal ministers and good generals, rectified laws and regulations, and implemented many improvement measures. The entire nation brimmed with hope for a prosperous and peaceful future. But after the earthquake, disasters struck, dense fog covered the sky, the sun and moon were obscured, droughts raged, and bandits ran rampant, resulting in rivers of blood across the land, and the common people lived in fear. You have issued numerous edicts of condemnation, likely due to the corrupt officials in power. Those eunuchs who have acted particularly egregiously must be dismissed without delay, completely eradicating these corrupt parties and confiscating their money, to quell the people's grievances and address the divine retribution.
Ah, General Liang Ji and the Governor of Henan, they are now in high positions and hold great power; they are the backbone of the country and also relatives of the royal family. Today, being bestowed with a title might seem impressive, but they should be more humble and cautious, learn more Confucian teachings, and avoid getting caught up in pleasures. They should scale back on the ostentatious decorations in their homes. You see, the monarch is like a boat, the people are like water, the ministers are like passengers on that boat, and the two general brothers are at the helm. If you can focus on the well-being of the people, that is truly a blessing; if you become negligent, the boat could tip over, so you must be careful! If your virtues do not match your status, it is like building higher on a clay wall; the higher you build, the more dangerous it becomes—how can that be a stable approach? Those sly old foxes, as well as the drunkards and entertainers, who are full of flattery and only seek pleasure, are up to all sorts of mischief; they should all be punished to serve as a warning to others! They should think hard about the benefits of having virtuous officials and the consequences of losing them. Currently, those officials are just collecting paychecks without doing their jobs; the officials are passing the buck and dodging their responsibilities, so the emperor only hears what he wants to hear, not knowing the suffering of the people. I know that flattering has its benefits, and speaking the truth is dangerous, but how can I hide the truth just to save my life! I grew up on the border and hardly ever stepped into the palace, so I get a bit anxious; my words may not be expressed fully. That scoundrel Liang Ji resented me for calling him out, so he purposely demoted me to the lowest rank—Langzhong. I pretended to be sick and requested to return home, but the local officials all listened to Liang Ji, and he almost got me killed a few times. Later, I taught the Book of Songs and the Book of Changes; I had over three hundred students, teaching for fourteen years. Less than a month later, after Liang Ji was killed, the court sent me five appointment letters, but I turned them all down.
At that time, bandits were rampaging across Mount Tai, burning, killing, and looting. General Zong Zi was dispatched to quell them, but he failed. The court then sent me to be the governor of Mount Tai. After taking office, I devised several strategies and swiftly quelled the bandits.
In the autumn of the fourth year of the Yanxi era, the rebellious Qiang, including the Xianling faction, attacked Guanzhong together. Duan Ying, the Protector-General of the Qiang, was sent to suppress them. As a result, the Xianling faction was strong enough to seize the camp. Having previously studied the Qiang situation, I was eager to achieve success, so I wrote to the emperor:
Since I took on this task, I have felt overwhelmed. It is thanks to the integrity and decisiveness of Qian Hao, the Inspector of Yanzhou, and the honesty and trustworthiness of General Zong Zi that I was able to successfully complete the task without any major issues. Now, most of the rebellious bandits have been eliminated, and the Mount Tai region has been mostly pacified. However, I have heard that the Qiang people have rebelled again. I grew up in Binzhou and Qizhou, and I am now fifty-nine years old. I have served as a county official before and have experienced two Qiang rebellions. I understand their situation quite well and have made some reliable predictions. I have a habit of worrying that I am getting old and may not have the opportunity to repay the court's favor, so I would like to request a more relaxed position. I want to take a simple cart and head alone to the Sanfu region to promote the court's authority, using my knowledge of the local terrain and forces to assist the army in battle. I've been holed up in a remote place for years, watching the county officials handle their business. From minor disturbances to rebellions in the East Sea region, the problems are the same. Trying to tackle strong enemies with brute force is not as effective as stabilizing the situation first; trying to emulate Wu Qi and Sun Tzu by diligently training the army is not as effective as sticking to the law. The recent turmoil hasn’t settled down yet, and I am truly very worried. Therefore, I have gone beyond my jurisdiction to do everything I can to handle these matters.
In winter, the Qiang people finally launched a large-scale offensive, which greatly alarmed the court. The court promoted Guo Gui to the rank of Zhonglang General, allowing him to hold the emperor's seal and supervise the military in the Guanzhong region to campaign against the Qiang tribes, including Lingwu, achieving a resounding victory, with over 800 enemy heads taken. The Qiang tribes, including Xianling, were impressed by Guo Gui's might and reputation, and more than 100,000 people surrendered. The next year, Guo Gui led a cavalry force to campaign against the Longyou region, but due to blocked roads, a large-scale epidemic broke out in the army, leading to the deaths of nearly a quarter of his troops. Guo Gui personally inspected the troops in the camp, which deeply moved them. The Dongqiang also sent envoys to surrender, and communication was restored in the Liangzhou region.
Before this, the Prefect of Anding, Sun Jun, was corrupt and embarrassed; the Commandant of a vassal state, Li Xi, and the Imperial Inspector Zhang Bing, indiscriminately executed surrendered Qiang; the Governor of Liangzhou, Guo Hong, and the Prefect of Hanyang, Yue Xi, were old and weak, unable to perform their duties, but they exploited their connections and disregarded the law. After Guo Gui arrived at the border of the state, he reported their offenses to the court individually; some were dismissed, and some were executed. Upon learning this, the Qiang people surrendered in droves. Dian Chang, the leader of the Shen Di tribe, along with more than 100,000 people, also surrendered to Guo Gui.
After several years as a general, wielding the emperor's seal, leading the army, and securing numerous victories, when he returned home, he harbored no selfish motives. He often reported to the court and despised eunuchs, refusing to associate with them. Therefore, there were factions within and outside the court that resented him, and they falsely accused Guo Gui of accepting bribes from the Qiang to feign their surrender. The emperor's edicts repeatedly chastised him. Guo Gui feared that he could not escape punishment, so he penned a letter to defend himself:
It was in the autumn of the fourth year when the barbaric invaders from the west were running rampant, causing chaos from the western province to Jingyang. Our old capital was in a panic, and the court was in a frenzy, looking only to the west. Surprisingly, the Emperor didn't think poorly of me, a fool, and urgently sent me to lead the troops. Thanks to divine blessings, I finally turned the situation around. The various Qiang tribes all obediently bowed their heads and admitted their guilt, sending representatives to the county to apologize and make reparations. The savings amounted to over a billion! I see myself as a loyal minister, too afraid to seek rewards, and feeling there is nothing much to say. I am only writing this down to avoid future regrets.
Before going to battle, I briefed the provincial governor Sun Jun, the commandant Li Xi, and the military inspector Zhang Bing on the situation. Upon returning from battle, I reported their crimes to the governor of Liangzhou, Guo Hong, and the magistrate of Hanyang, Zhao Xi, providing solid evidence that led to their arrests. These five officials and their followers are scattered across half the country. Other officials and clerks holding official seals are also implicated, involving hundreds more. In order to retaliate against me, and for their descendants to avenge their fathers, the families of these officials have been sending gifts and spreading rumors, falsely accusing me of bribing the Qiang people.
If I used my own money, how could my family possibly have that much money? If I used the government's money, the accounts would be clear. Even if I were foolish enough to believe their nonsense, just think about the past—we even sent princesses and beauties to the Xiongnu and Wusun! Now I've only spent tens of millions to pacify the rebellious Qiang people. Is that really wrong? This is a military strategy, a sound strategy for the nation and its people. What have I done wrong? Where have I violated any ethics? Since the Yongchu era, many generals have been sent out, and there have been five failures, each costing a fortune. Those generals who won the battle were promoted and rewarded when they returned to the court. And now, I have to go back and deal with these messes, investigate various county officials, offend many people, even old friends have turned against me, and suffered various slanders and persecutions, all of which are expected.
Although I have my share of stains, my integrity is well known, but now I have ended up with a reputation in tatters, feeling both ashamed and pained. As the saying goes, "a deer doesn’t get to choose the music it hears when it dies," I dare to report these situations to you.
That winter, when I returned from the war, I was appointed as a Yilang by the court. According to my merits, I should have been rewarded. But the eunuch Xu Huang and the Left Official wanted to take advantage of me and sent guests several times to inquire about my merits, trying to coax me, but I never went along with them. Xu Huang was very angry, so he seized on some minor mistakes I had made in the past and reported me to the authorities. My colleagues wanted to raise funds to send gifts to help me resolve the matter, but I firmly refused. As a result, since the border conflicts hadn’t fully settled, I was thrown into Tingwei Prison, convicted, and demoted to Left Colonel. Many officials and over three hundred students, including Zhang Feng, showed up at the palace gates to plead for me. Luckily, there was a general amnesty, and I was finally able to go home.
Later, I was appointed as Duan Liao General. After a few months at the camp, I recommended General Zhang Huan to replace me in my letter. I said, "I have heard that a person's character is not fixed, and politics rise and fall; armies are not always strong or weak, but the abilities of generals vary. I have found General Zhang Huan to be exceptionally talented and strategic, and he should be appointed as marshal to fulfill everyone's expectations. If the court still thinks I should continue to participate in military affairs, then I hope the court will give me a more relaxed role so that I can assist Zhang Huan." The court agreed to my request, and Zhang Huan replaced me as Duan Liao General, while I was appointed as General of the Chariots for the Xiongnu. When Zhang Huan was promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture, I once again replaced him as Duan Liao General.
I'm a bit cunning; being in a high position makes me want to retire and enjoy life. I have written several times claiming illness, but none have been approved. Coincidentally, my friend Wang Min, the magistrate of Shangjun, passed away. I donned mourning attire and crossed the border to pay my respects to his coffin in Xiating. I then discreetly instructed my subordinates to inform Hu Fang, the Inspector of Bingzhou, that I had left the military camp without permission, violating the law and that he should quickly report me to the court. Hu Fang said, "Are you trying to provoke me so you can retire? I should cherish talents for the court; how can I help you with this plan?" So he said nothing. Later, the disaster of the Partisan Prohibition erupted, and many renowned virtuous people were implicated and arrested. Although I was a famous general, my reputation was not very good. I saw myself as a hero of the Western Regions and felt ashamed to be involved, so I voluntarily wrote, "I recommended the former Grand Minister Zhang Huan because he was a partisan; when I was sentenced, students from the Imperial Academy such as Zhang Feng wrote for me because they were partisans. I deserve punishment for these actions." The court understood my meaning but did not investigate. People at that time regarded me as quite wise.
I served on the border for several years, and the northern border had been subdued. In the first year of Yongkang, I was summoned back to the court and appointed as the Minister of the Interior. That summer, the court held a banquet, and the emperor ordered the officials to recommend talented and upright individuals and asked for their opinions on national affairs. I replied:
The relationship between the emperor and Heaven is akin to that between an emperor and his subjects, or a father and his son; they should be warned to stay away from disasters and move towards auspiciousness. Your Majesty, in the past eight years, you have resolved three major cases, dealt with a favorite in the palace, and even killed two high-ranking officials. Yet disasters continue to occur, and the common people are not at ease, probably because of the promotion and demotion of officials and the application of punishments, which have been somewhat unjust. Former Grand Commandants Chen Fan and Liu Ju were loyal and talented but were left idle at home; Liu Hu, Feng Gun, Zhao Dian, and Yin Xun were very upright, offended many people, and were eventually exiled; Li Ying, Wang Chang, and Kong Yi were honest and self-restrained, but never became prime ministers. Regarding the incidents involving implicated factions, they occurred without justification, harming good people, and even innocent people were implicated. Improving the political situation is as simple as flipping a hand, but the ministers remain silent, fearful of past lessons, watching one another, and no one dares to speak the truth. I hope Your Majesty can put aside your pride, even if just for a moment, to accept frank advice, so that past mistakes can be rectified, and good luck will surely come in the future.
The memorial was presented, but the emperor ignored it.
Later, Huang Fu Gui was transferred to be the Prefect of Hongnong, granted the title of Marquis of Shouchengting, with a fief of two hundred households, but he refused the reward. He was subsequently appointed as the Protector-General of the Qiang. In the third year of Xiping, he was recalled due to illness, but passed away in Gucheng before he could reach the capital, at the age of seventy-one. He composed a total of twenty-seven works, including poems, inscriptions, steles, praises, prayers, eulogies, memorials, decrees, letters, proclamations, and notes.
The article states: Confucius once said, "If you do not feel ashamed about what you say, then it is easy to do it." Look at what Huang Fu Gui said, his heart is clear and unburdened! He has a clear understanding of himself, so he can obtain an official position; he can see talented individuals and is willing to give up his own position, so he does not greedily pursue power and feels no resentment in stepping aside; he never boasts about his achievements, and others are not afraid of his power. Therefore, he can make contributions on the border and still protect himself.
Zhang Huan, also known as Ranming, was from Dunhuang Yuanquan. His father, Zhang Dun, served as the Han Yang Prefect. When Zhang Huan was young, he studied in the Three Borders region, became a disciple of the Grand Commandant Zhu Chong, and studied the "Ouyang Shangshu." Initially, the "Mou Shi Zhangju" had elaborate and lengthy language with over 450,000 characters; Zhang Huan reduced it to 90,000 characters. Later, he was appointed by General Liang Ji to serve in the prefecture, he submitted his revised "Zhangju" to Emperor Huan, and the court ordered East Guan to collect it. Due to illness, he resigned from his position. Later, he was recommended as a virtuous person, ranked first in the policy examination, and was promoted to the rank of Yilang.
In the first year of Yongshou, Huan was transferred to be the State Capital Commandant in Anding. Shortly after taking office, the Left Commander Xue Jian and Qie Qu Bode of the Southern Xiongnu led over 7,000 people to attack Meiji, and the Eastern Qiang also rose up in response. At that time, Huan's army had only over 200 people. Upon hearing the news, he immediately ordered the troops to march out. His officers, recognizing the overwhelming odds, pleaded with him not to go. But Huan did not listen and led the troops directly to the Great Wall, gathered his soldiers, and sent General Wang Wei to negotiate the surrender of the Eastern Qiang, severing the link between the Southern Xiongnu and the Eastern Qiang. Seeing this situation, the leaders of the Qiang tribes voluntarily befriended Huan and joined forces to fight against Xue Jian. After several battles, they defeated Xue Jian. Bode was frightened and surrendered with his people, which ultimately stabilized the border.
The leaders of the Qiang people were very grateful for Huan's grace, sending twenty horses, and the chief of the Xianling tribe also sent eight gold ingots. Huan accepted them and then called the scribe in front of all the Qiang people, poured wine onto the ground and declared, "These horses are like sheep; I will not put them in the stable; this gold is like food; I will not hoard it for myself." Then he returned the horses and gold to them. While the Qiang people are known for their greed, they also hold honest officials in high regard. In the past, eight captains were greedy, causing a lot of suffering to the Qiang people. Huan was known for his integrity and uprightness, and his reputation for fairness spread far and wide.
Later, Huan was transferred to be a Zhonglang general in the Xiongnu. At this time, the Xiongnu, along with the Wuhuan from Shuofang, launched a rebellion, burning the Liaojiang general's mansion and establishing a base in Chikeng, where fires raged everywhere. The soldiers were terrified and eager to flee. Huan, however, sat calmly in his tent, engaged in study and discussion with his disciples, without any panic. He covertly reached out to the Wuhuan, earned their trust, and orchestrated the assassination of the Xiongnu leader, defeating their army. The remaining tribes surrendered.
In the first year of Yanxi, the Xianbei launched an invasion at the border, and Huan led the Southern Chanyu's forces against them, killing hundreds of people.
In the second year, Liang Ji was killed, and Huan was dismissed and imprisoned due to his connection to Liang Ji. Huan was close friends with Huangfu Gui. After Huan was imprisoned, those who had known him before were too afraid to speak out, but Huangfu Gui recommended him seven times in a row. Four years later, Huan became the Governor of Wuwei once more. He fairly collected taxes, reformed the administration, and under his governance, Wuwei County became the best among all counties, bringing stability to the Hexi region. A local custom deemed children born in February, May, or the same month as their parents as ominous, leading to their killing. Huan explained the reasoning behind it and enforced strict rewards and punishments, which ultimately changed the custom, and the people even built a shrine in his honor. Due to his outstanding achievements, Huan was promoted to General of Duliang. In just a few years, both Youzhou and Bingzhou were stabilized.
In the ninth year of spring, the court appointed Zhang Huan as the Grand Minister of Agriculture. When the Xianbei heard that Zhang Huan was gone, that summer, they united with the Southern Xiongnu and Wuhuan, invading the nine border counties from several routes, with some five to six thousand cavalry and others three to four thousand cavalry, plundering the area and killing the people. In the autumn, the Xianbei led eight to nine thousand cavalry to invade the border again, also conspiring with the Dongqiang to swear an alliance. This time, the Shen Di of Shangzhou, the Xianling of Anding, and other tribes jointly attacked Wuwei and Zhangye, inflicting significant damage on the border regions. This deeply concerned the court, which appointed Zhang Huan as the Protector of the Xiongnu, entrusting him with command over the three provinces of Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou, as well as Duliang and Wuhuan, at the level of the nine ministers, and also overseeing the political achievements of the governors and two thousand stone officials, with exceptionally generous rewards. When the Xiongnu and Wuhuan heard that Zhang Huan had arrived, they all chose to surrender, totaling two hundred thousand people. Zhang Huan executed only the ringleaders, while the rest were pacified and accommodated. Only the Xianbei people escaped back beyond the border.
In the spring of the first year of Yongkang, the Dongqiang and Xianling cavalry attacked Guanzhong, numbering five to six thousand riders, besieging Fuping and plundering Yunyang. In the summer, they broke through two military camps, killing over a thousand people. In winter, the Qiang people Anwei and Mopei forced their kin to attack the Sanfu region again. Zhang Huan dispatched Sima Yinduan and Dong Zhuo to meet them in battle, achieving a resounding victory, killing their leader and capturing over ten thousand soldiers, restoring peace to the three regions. He was due for a title based on his merits, but because Zhang Huan refused to curry favor with the eunuchs, the rewards were never issued. He was only awarded two hundred thousand coins and had a family member promoted to a court official. Zhang Huan declined the rewards, expressing a desire to relocate to Hongnong Huayin. Previously, people from border areas were not allowed to move to the interior, but because of Zhang Huan's great achievements, the court made an exception and approved his request, making him a resident of Hongnong.
In the first year of Jianning, Zhang Huan returned triumphantly. At that time, Empress Dowager Dou presided over the court, and Grand General Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan planned to eliminate the eunuchs. The plan was leaked, and Chief Eunuch Cao Jie and his associates launched a rebellion. Because Zhang Huan had just returned from the frontier and was unaware of their scheme, Cao Jie and others forged an edict, ordering Zhang Huan and the Minister of Works Zhou Jing to lead five battalions to surround Dou Wu. Dou Wu committed suicide, and Chen Fan was also killed. Zhang Huan was promoted to Minister of Works and appointed as Grand Minister of Agriculture, and was granted a title due to his merits. Zhang Huan felt deeply resentful of being exploited by Cao Jie and firmly declined the rewards in a memorial, returning the seal and ribbon.
In the summer of the second year of Jianning, a green snake appeared in front of the imperial throne, accompanied by a severe storm that brought hail and lightning that struck down trees. The court ordered all officials to deliberate on these ominous omens. Zhang Huan submitted a memorial in which he stated:
I heard that the wind can carry commands, and animals can also sense each other. Wood can only thrive through burning, and only by depending on one another can we find light. Snakes can bend and stretch, just like dragons can soar and lurk. Following nature is a good omen; going against nature will bring disaster. An excessive buildup of Yin energy can turn into hail. Therefore, General Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan, whether they were devoted to the country and the people or were upright and principled, were ultimately framed by villains and tragically killed, leading to widespread panic among the populace. The people are outraged. In the past, Duke Zhou's funeral deviated from established rites, and disaster struck. Now, Dou Wu and Chen Fan were loyal but did not receive forgiveness from the court; the emergence of these evildoers is precisely due to this! They should be reinterred without delay, and their families should be moved back to their hometowns. Those who were imprisoned due to guilt by association should also be released. Although the Empress Dowager resides in the Southern Palace, her treatment and favor are lacking, and court officials dare not speak, resulting in disappointment both inside and outside the court. We must consider the greater good and restore respect for the Empress Dowager.
The emperor held Huan's advice in high regard and even specifically asked the eunuchs, but in the end, the ministers unanimously opposed it, and the emperor ultimately did not adopt it. Later, Huan was elevated to the position of Minister of Ceremonies. He, together with the Imperial Secretary Liu Meng, Diao Wei, and Wei Liang, recommended Wang Chang and Li Ying as candidates for the Three Excellencies. However, Cao Jie and his associates vehemently opposed it, so the emperor issued a decree sternly reprimanding them. Huan and the others were imprisoned in the Tingwei Prison; they were not released for several days and were fined three months' salary as a penance. Wang Yu, the Colonel-Director of Retainers, a eunuch seeking to dominate the court officials, solicited recommendations from everyone, and all the officials, fearing him, complied with his demands, with the exception of Huan. Wang Yu, infuriated, seized this opportunity to falsely accuse Huan of forming cliques and exiled him back to the countryside.
Huan was once the General of Du Liao and fought alongside Duan Jing, but their relationship was strained due to certain matters. When Duan Jing became the Colonel of the Capital, he sought to exile Huan to Dunhuang with the intention of harming him. Huan was filled with anxiety and fear, so he submitted a memorial expressing his gratitude to Duan Jing, in which he stated:
"This humble official, lacking understanding of the situation, has received an appointment from the state governor and traveled thousands of miles to take up the post, all out of sincerity. You are kind and understanding of my hardships, sending letters even while I have been unable to return. The emperor's grace is evident. I have already written a letter explaining the situation, but the deadline imposed by the state is pressing, and the county officials are anxious and eagerly awaiting my response. My parents have passed away, and their spirits rest upon me. If you show mercy, even if it is just a little favor, that kindness will reach the underworld, benefiting their spirits. Even after death, I will not be able to repay your kindness. It's akin to seeking great assistance without any effort, as absurd as Chunyu Kun slapping his thigh and laughing at the sky. I am aware that I may be criticized for saying this, but I can't help but hold onto a glimmer of hope. Why? Worthless rotten wood was buried with honor by King Wen; a dead horse was honored by King Zhao. Are the virtues of Dangtong, King Wen, and King Zhao not great? Ordinary people facing injustice will cry out to the heavens, beating their chests when they have nowhere to turn. Now my cries to the heavens are in vain, and beating my chest brings no relief; my heart is filled with despair. Born in a prosperous era, yet I have become a scapegoat; as a lowly individual, I find myself with nowhere to turn. If you do not show mercy, I will be left at the mercy of others. I can only gaze to the east, rendered speechless."
General Jiang, although strong and brave, was touched by my letter and ultimately softened. At that time, most of those imprisoned could not remain calm; some died, and some were exiled. But I stayed indoors, adopted a thousand students, and wrote over 300,000 words of "Shangshu's Difficulties."
I had lofty ambitions when I was young and once said to my friends, "A great man should make contributions to the country on the border." When I became a general, I indeed achieved recognition. Dong Zhuo admired me and sent his brother to bring a hundred pieces of silk. But I held a deep disdain for Dong Zhuo and decisively refused. I passed away at the age of seventy-eight in the fourth year of Guanghe. My last words were, "Throughout my career, I only sought a meager salary, refusing to be tainted by the world. This is fate and a common occurrence in life. But the darkness underground never sees the light of day. I will be tightly wrapped in silk and sealed with nails, which makes me uncomfortable. Fortunately, I had prepared a tomb in advance. I will die in the morning, be buried in the evening, and laid on a funeral bed with just a headscarf. Extravagance is not the ways of Duke Wen of Jin, and frugality is not the demeanor of a nobleman. Follow your heart, and you should have no regrets." His sons followed his will. Many temples were built in Wuwei to honor me, with incense being offered for generations. I left behind twenty-four works, including inscriptions, praises, letters, teachings, admonitions, narratives, strategies, and records.
Zhang Huan's eldest son, Zhang Zhi, known by his courtesy name Boying, was the most renowned. Zhang Zhi and his younger brother, Zhang Chang, known by his courtesy name Wenshu, were both skilled in cursive script and continue to be praised to this day.
When Zhang Huan served as the Prefect of Wuwei, his wife became pregnant and dreamed of wearing Zhang Huan's official insignia and singing in a pavilion. She consulted a fortune teller who predicted, "You will definitely give birth to a son, who will return to this place in the future to become the Prefect and eventually die in this building." She did indeed give birth to a son named Zhang Meng, who became the Prefect of Wuwei during the Jian'an period. Zhang Meng killed the Inspector of Handan, Shang, and soon the local army surrounded him. Ashamed of being captured, Zhang Meng climbed the pavilion and set himself on fire, just as the fortune teller predicted.
Ah, starting from being enfeoffed as a marquis in a remote village, the Zhang family held official positions for several generations, wielding great power and arrogance for decades. The people hated them and longed to rise up against them. Chen Fan and Dou Wu rebelled, hoping to unite the people of the world. Many prominent figures heard about this, but Zhang Huan chose to heed the words of petty men and used force to stop the loyal and righteous. Though he was filled with resentment, he still resigned from his position and offered his apologies. As the Book of Songs says, "What can we do when we hear their cries?"
Duan Zheng, styled Jiming, was from Guzang, a town in Wuwei. His ancestors were descendants of Gongshu Duan of the Zheng state and great-grandsons of Hui Zong, the Protector-General of the Western Regions. Duan Zheng practiced archery from a young age and was known for his generosity, but later adopted a scholarly disposition, focusing on ancient classics. He was initially recommended for his filial piety and integrity, serving as a county official and magistrate, achieving success in every position he held.
Later, he was promoted to the position of Commander of Liaodong. At that time, the Xianbei tribes invaded the border, and Duan Qiang quickly mobilized his troops to confront them. He was worried that the enemy would be scared and run away, so he sent someone to pretend to deliver an imperial decree, stating that they should retreat. Duan Qiang pretended to retreat on the way and secretly set up an ambush on the return route. The Xianbei people fell for it and chased after Duan Qiang. Duan Qiang then led a large army to attack, defeating them completely, killing or capturing them all. Because of forging the imperial decree, he was originally supposed to be severely punished, but due to his great achievements, he was appointed as Chief Justice. After the punishment was carried out, he was then summoned to be a court advisor.
At that time, the bandit leaders Dong Guodu and Gongsun Ju from the Mount Tai and Langye regions gathered thirty thousand people, wreaking havoc and destroying counties and commanderies. The court dispatched troops to suppress them, but for several years, they faced failure. In the second year of Yongshou, Emperor Huan of Han issued an edict for the nobles and ministers to recommend talented military commanders. Minister of Works Yin Song recommended Duan Qiang, who was then appointed as a General. He led an attack against Dong Guodu, Gongsun Ju, and others, achieving a decisive victory, slaying them and capturing over ten thousand prisoners. The remaining bandits surrendered or scattered. Duan Qiang was enfeoffed as a marquis, rewarded with five hundred thousand coins, and secured an official position for his son.
In the year 157 AD, he was promoted to Protector-General of the Qiang. At this time, eight Qiang tribes such as Shaodang, Shaohe, Dangjian, and Lejie were plundering and causing chaos in the Longxi and Jincheng areas. He led ten thousand and two hundred cavalry, along with Qiang volunteers from the Huangzhong region, setting out from Huanggu, and fiercely attacked these Qiang people. Pursuing them south of the Yellow River, he ordered military officers Tian Yan and Xia Yu to lead the charge, tethered together with ropes, and fought another battle at Luoting against the Qiang army, utterly defeating them, killing over two thousand, including their leaders, and capturing over ten thousand prisoners, while the remaining Qiang soldiers scattered in flight.
In the second year of spring, the remaining Qiang tribesmen allied with the chief of the Shaohe tribe to attack Zhangye, and captured Julu Wu, killing officials and civilians from the vassal state, and rallying more than a thousand Qiang people from other tribes to charge towards his army. He dismounted and personally engaged in battle, fighting until noon, after his sword broke and he ran out of arrows before the enemy retreated. He relentlessly pursued them, fighting as he went, battling day and night, snacking on some meat and sipping snowmelt when he got hungry, and kept this up for over forty days, chasing all the way to Jishi Mountain at the source of the Yellow River, traveling over two thousand miles, ultimately slaying the chief of the Shaohe tribe and capturing over five thousand. He also dispatched troops to assault the Qiang in Shicheng, killing and drowning more than sixteen hundred people. More than ninety households of the Shaodang tribe also surrendered to him. Later, other Qiang tribes gathered in Baishi, and he led his troops to attack, capturing more than three thousand people. During the winter, the Lejie and Lingwu tribes besieged Yunjie, killing and plundering officials and civilians, and he led his troops to break the siege, capturing hundreds of people.
In the winter of 159 AD, the Shen Di of Shangjun, the Laojie of Longxi, and the Wuwu and other Qiang tribes jointly attacked Bingzhou and Liangzhou. He led the Qiang militia from Huangzhong to avenge them. However, the Governor of Liangzhou, Guo Hong, sought military glory and deliberately stalled his forces, preventing him from advancing. The Qiang militias, now homesick, all mutinied. Guo Hong shifted the blame onto him, resulting in his arrest and demotion to Left Colonel rank. The Qiang people took advantage of the situation and grew even bolder, breaching fortifications, colluding with each other, and harassing counties and prefectures everywhere. As a result, many officials filed petitions against him, totaling in the thousands. The court realized he had been falsely accused by Guo Hong and issued an edict to investigate the matter. He simply admitted guilt, too afraid to defend himself, and the people in the capital hailed him as an honorable man. Later, he was promoted from an ordinary soldier to become a Yilang, and then appointed as the Governor of Bingzhou.
Back then, several Qiang tribes in Dian Na, numbering around five to six thousand, went to attack Wuwei, Zhangye, and Jiuquan, burning, killing, and looting, leaving the homes of ordinary people in ashes. After six years, the Qiang people's power grew stronger, and Liangzhou was almost unable to hold on. In winter, the court sent Geng Ying as the Qiang Colonel's protector, urging him to get there quickly. In the spring of the second year, Qiang tribal leaders Feng Lu, Liang Duo, and Dian Na, along with three hundred fifty-five chieftains and over three thousand families, surrendered to Geng Ying. However, the Dangjian and Lejie tribes were still holding out. In winter, Geng Ying led tens of thousands of troops and defeated them, killing their leaders and capturing over four thousand people.
In the spring of the eighth year, Geng Ying went to attack the Lejie tribe, taking more than four hundred heads, with over two thousand people surrendering. In summer, he led his troops to attack the Dangjian tribe in Huangzhong, but Geng Ying's army suffered a defeat and was besieged for three days. Thanks to a hermit named Fan Zhi who had a clever idea, Geng Ying secretly led his troops to break through at night, then returned with a drum and gong, which led to a great victory and many captured prisoners. Geng Ying pursued the retreating Qiang in the valley, chasing them from spring to autumn, fighting almost every day. The Qiang were starving and eventually scattered, fleeing to the vicinity of Wuwei.
Geng Ying defeated the Western Qiang, taking twenty-three thousand heads, capturing many prisoners, and tens of thousands of livestock. The tribes that surrendered included over ten thousand families. The court named Geng Ying the Marquis of Duxiang, granting him a fief of five hundred households. In the first year of Yongkang, the Dangjian tribes rebelled again, gathering over four thousand people to launch another attack on Wuwei. Geng Ying pursued them to Luanniao, defeating them decisively, killing their leaders, taking over three thousand heads, and finally bringing the Western Qiang to heel.
Regarding the Eastern Qiang and Xianbei tribes, since General Ma Xian died in battle during the Western Expedition, the court has struggled to control them, so they often come to harass the Sui region. Later, General Huang Fu Gui and Colonel Zhang Huan spent several years bringing them to surrender, but these people kept surrendering and rebelling. Emperor Huan asked Duan Cheng, "The Eastern Qiang and Xianbei tribes are causing trouble and rebellion, and although Huang Fu Gui and Zhang Huan each have strong armies, they have not been able to pacify them. I want you to lead troops to the east to suppress them; what do you think? Think of a solution." Duan Cheng replied, "Although the Eastern Qiang and Xianbei tribes have rebelled many times, about 20,000 households have surrendered to Huang Fu Gui, and the loyal and disloyal have been distinguished. The remaining rebels are not many. Currently, Zhang Huan has hesitated to launch an attack for some time, probably because he is worried about external dissent and internal conspiracy. When our army arrives, they will undoubtedly be intimidated. Furthermore, from winter to spring, they have been stationed without dispersing; both their people and livestock are exhausted, and they are on the brink of collapse. If we attempt to negotiate their surrender again, we are just waiting for the strong enemy to perish on their own. I believe these individuals are driven by ambition and cannot be swayed by favors. Even if they temporarily submit due to circumstances, they will rebel again when our army leaves. Only by capturing their leaders and holding them hostage with a knife to their necks can we completely solve the problem. There are probably more than 30,000 households of Qiang people left in the east, living near the border without obstacles on the way. They do not have the influence of Yan, Qi, Qin, and Zhao, but have long been disrupting Bingzhou and Liangzhou, repeatedly invading the Sui region. Xiriver County and Shang County have relocated their populations several times, and Anding County and Beidi County are also in a precarious situation. From Yunzhong County, Wuyuan County to Hanyang County, over 2,000 miles of land, the Xiongnu and Qiang have taken control of the land, like a festering wound within the body. If not eradicated completely, it will only continue to fester.
If we now deploy five thousand cavalry, ten thousand infantry, and three thousand war chariots, and use three winters and two summers, it will be enough to quell them. The estimated cost will be no more than 5.4 billion coins. In this way, we can completely eliminate the Qiang people, make the Xiongnu submit for a long time, relocate them to the counties, and we can recover our own land. I estimate that since the Yongchu era, the Qiang rebellion has been ongoing for fourteen years, costing 24 billion coins; by the Yonghe era, it has continued for seven years, costing over 8 billion coins. Despite this massive expenditure, we have yet to completely eliminate them; the remaining rebels rise up again and continue to threaten the populace. If we do not temporarily let the people suffer a little now, we will never achieve stability in the future. I am willing to give my all and await your orders."
The emperor agreed to his proposal and carried it out as per his memorial.
In the spring of the first year of Jianning, Geng Jing led more than ten thousand soldiers, carrying provisions for fifteen days, directly from Pengyang to Gaoping, fighting against the Qiang people at Fengyishan and Xianling. The enemy outnumbered Geng Jing's soldiers, causing fear among them. Geng Jing ordered the soldiers to sharpen their arrows, form three layers of spears, utilize heavy crossbows for support, and deploy light cavalry as the left and right wings. He encouraged the soldiers, saying, "Now we are thousands of miles away from home. Winning battles will lead to success; fleeing will lead to death. Let's all work together to make achievements!" After speaking, he shouted with fervor, and the soldiers responded and charged forward. Geng Jing rode his horse to charge and suddenly attacked the enemy, resulting in a decisive defeat for the enemy, killing over 8,000 enemy soldiers and capturing 280,000 livestock, including cattle, sheep, and horses.
At that time, Empress Dowager Dou presided over the court and issued a decree, saying: "The Xianbei and Eastern Qiang tribes have been a constant threat to us for many years. Geng Qing had previously reported his intention to completely eliminate them. He braved the snowstorm, traveled day and night, personally led the charge, and inspired the soldiers. In just a few days, the enemy was defeated, with bodies piling up like mountains, countless captives, and immeasurable spoils. This has erased our century-old shame and brought solace to the spirits of the soldiers who sacrificed for their country. His merits are remarkable, and I highly commend him. When the Eastern Qiang are completely pacified, I will reward him. For now, Geng Qing is awarded two hundred thousand coins and appointed as the General of the Qiang." Then she ordered the allocation of funds from the Zhongzang Prefecture to increase military expenses and appointed Geng Qing as the General who Subdues the Qiang.
In the summer, Geng Qing pursued the Qiang people, chasing them to Qiaomen and all the way to the Guimashui River. Later, he heard that the Qiang people had fled to Sheyanze, so Geng Qing led light cavalry day and night, covering over two hundred li in a day and night, arriving at dawn and defeating them. The remaining Qiang people fled to Luochuan and regrouped. Geng Qing sent the cavalry general Tian Yan with five thousand men to attack them from the east, and the acting cavalry general Xia Yu with two thousand men to flank them from the west. The Qiang people surrounded Tian Yan and his men with six to seven thousand men, but they were quickly defeated and forced to flee. Geng Qing quickly advanced with Tian Yan, pursuing them to Lingxianshui. Geng Qing's soldiers were hungry and thirsty, so he ordered them to seize the Qiang people's water, causing them to scatter and flee once more. Geng Qing continued to pursue them, fighting and chasing, all the way to Lingwu Valley. Geng Qing, clad in armor, was the first to charge, inspiring all his soldiers to follow. The Qiang people were completely defeated, abandoning their weapons and fleeing. After pursuing them for three days and nights, the soldiers were utterly exhausted. By the time they reached Jingyang, the remaining four thousand enemy soldiers had dispersed into the mountains of Hanyang.
At that time, Zhang Huan reported to the emperor, saying, "Although the Dongqiang people have been defeated, it is still difficult to completely eliminate their remnants. Dou Xiang is impulsive by nature and prone to acting recklessly. I'm concerned he might get arrogant and complacent after winning battles, making it difficult to maintain long-term stability. It is best to first calm them with kindness, so as not to leave any regrets." The emperor then issued a decree to Dou Xiang. Dou Xiang then reported again:
"I already knew that although the Dongqiang people are numerous, they are weak and easy to control. Therefore, I have considered more thoroughly than those confused individuals, thinking about how to maintain peace forever. However, the Chief Commandant Zhang Huan claimed the Qiang were strong and hard to defeat, suggesting we should surrender. Even though the court is wise, they chose to buy into Zhang Huan's nonsense, so my plans were ignored while his were accepted. Things have turned out completely opposite to what I expected, and I'm really mad at him. He believed the words of those rebellious Qiang people and put it nicely that my army had lost several times. He also said that the Qiang people are all of the same origin, and we can't just wipe them all out, saying the valleys are so big we can't clear them all out, and that spilling blood would ruin the land and bring disaster."
I think to myself, since the time of the Zhou and Qin dynasties, the Rong and Di tribes have been causing turmoil. Since the revival of the Han Dynasty, the Qiang people's rebellions have been the most severe, impossible to fully suppress. Even if they surrender, they will rebel again. Now, the Xianbei Qiang and other Qiang tribes are constantly rebelling, occupying cities, looting property, desecrating tombs, and harming the people. The heavens are furious, which is why I have been sent to carry out punishment. Previously, the Xing State was oppressive, and when the Wei State attacked, it rained as soon as their army set out. When I led my troops into battle during the summer, we received continuous rainfall, leading to a bountiful harvest and healthy people. This shows that the heavens are on my side, and there will be no disasters; the people support me, which enables us to win battles. From west of Qiaomen to east of Luochuan, the original government offices and cities are all linked together, not remote or hard to reach. The army can move through without any obstacles, and won't face repeated defeats like Zhang Huan claims. Zhang Huan is a court official and a military leader, who has been stationed for two years but has failed to quell the rebellion. All he talks about are just empty words like "cultivating virtue and preparing for battle" and "convincing enemies to surrender," without any real basis.
What makes you say that? Previously, the Lingqiang people caused chaos, and Zhao Chongguo relocated them to the interior; only then did the unrest at the borders subside. Ma Yuan relocated them to the Sanfu region, where they initially surrendered but later rebelled again, and they remain a threat even today. Therefore, this worries those officials with foresight. The population in the border regions is already sparse, often being invaded by the Qiang people, and they still want to allow those surrendered Qiang to live among them; it's like planting thorns in fertile soil or keeping venomous snakes in the house. Therefore, I uphold the authority of the Han Dynasty and devise long-term strategies, aiming to completely eradicate their roots to prevent them from growing and expanding again. It was originally planned to spend 5.4 billion over three years; now, just one year in, less than half of the budget has been utilized, and the remaining rebels will be thoroughly eliminated. Each time I act on the imperial decree, the army operates outside the court's jurisdiction. I hope you can trust my words, entrust this matter to me, and allow me to manage it according to the circumstances without compromising the interests of the court.
In the second year, the court dispatched envoy Feng Zhan to persuade the scattered Qiang in Hanyang to surrender. However, Geng Jing believed it was now the spring planting season, and the common folk were busy in the fields. Even if the Qiang temporarily surrendered, the government lacks food reserves; they would surely rebel and plunder again. If we don't act while they are still unaware, it could lead to trouble later; we might even find ourselves completely wiped out by them.
In the summer, Geng Jing personally led his troops to the camp, about forty to fifty li away from where the Qiang were stationed at Tingshan. He sent Tian Yan and Xia Yu to lead five thousand men to occupy the advantageous position on Tingshan. The Qiang surged out and launched a fierce attack on the mountain, shouting: "Where are Tian Yan and Xia Yu? Where are the Qiang from Huangzhong? Today we will fight to the death!" The defending troops on the mountain were momentarily terrified, but Tian Yan and others quickly rallied their spirits and fought the Qiang to the last man, and to their surprise, they won! The Qiang were defeated and fled east, gathering again at Shehugu and dividing their forces to guard the entrances and exits of the various valleys.
Geng Jing planned to annihilate them in one fell swoop and not let them escape again, so he sent a thousand men to the west county to erect a barrier made of wood, twenty paces wide and forty miles long, to block the Qiang. At the same time, he sent Tian Yan, Xia Yu, and others to lead seven thousand men to stealthily ascend the western mountain, set up camp, and dig trenches under the cover of night, about a mile away from the enemy. He also sent Sima Zhang Kai and others to lead three thousand men to climb the eastern mountain. The Qiang finally discovered the ambush and attacked Tian Yan and the others, cutting off their water supply. Geng Jing personally led infantry and cavalry to launch an attack from the water, forcing the Qiang to retreat. Geng Jing and Zhang Kai then launched a pincer attack on the Qiang from the east and west sides of the mountain, completely defeating them and causing the Qiang to scatter once again. Geng Jing pursued them all the way to the entrances and exits of the valleys, pursuing them through the deep mountain gorges, killing more than nineteen thousand of their leaders and capturing countless livestock, supplies, clothing, tents, and more. The four thousand Qiang who had previously surrendered after Feng Zhan's persuasion were resettled in Anding, Hanyang, and Longxi counties. Thus, the rebellion of the Eastern Qiang was finally suppressed.
Geng Jing fought in a total of over 180 battles, killing over 38,600 enemies, capturing over 427,500 cattle, horses, mules, donkeys, and camels, and spending a total of 4.4 billion units of ancient currency, while losing over 400 soldiers. In recognition of his achievements, the court appointed him as the Marquis of Xinfeng County, with a fief of ten thousand households. Geng Jing was very kind to his soldiers, personally visiting and bandaging their wounds when they fell ill. He spent over ten years on the border, never having a peaceful night's sleep, always sharing the hardships with his soldiers, so everyone was willing to fight bravely for him.
In the spring of the third year, I triumphantly returned to the capital with over 50,000 Qin and Hu cavalry, along with tens of thousands of warhorses and captives. The emperor sent the Grand Herald with a ceremonial staff to comfort me in Gaoyang. After the army arrived, I was appointed as the Imperial Attendant, then promoted to the Commandant of the Guards, and later became the Intendant of Henan. During this time, someone desecrated the tomb of Lady Feng, but since I had previously advised the emperor, I was only demoted to Chief Censor and later promoted to Colonel Director.
I was good at currying favor with eunuchs, which helped me retain my wealth and status. I formed an alliance with the Imperial Attendant Wang Fu and plotted against other eunuchs, which resulted in additional rewards from the emperor, bringing my total to fourteen thousand households. The following year, I took over from Li Xian as the Grand Commandant, but resigned due to illness that winter and returned to my position as Colonel Director. A few years later, I was transferred to Fengchuan as the Prefect, and later promoted to Grand Master of Ceremonies.
In the second year of Guanghe, I succeeded Quiao Xuan as the Grand Commandant. After just over a month, there was a solar eclipse, prompting me to resign immediately. The relevant authorities also brought charges against me, and the Emperor ordered me to hand over my seal and report to the Ministry of Justice for an investigation. At that time, the Colonel of the Imperial Guard, Yang Qiu, accused Wang Fu and implicated me in the charges. I was subjected to direct interrogation in prison, and ultimately, I took poison and ended my life; my family was also exiled to the border. Later, the eunuch Lu Qiang interceded on my behalf, stating that I had made significant contributions, so Emperor Ling ordered my family to return to their original county. Initially, Huangfu Gui, Zhang Huan, and I were all prominent figures in the capital and were known as the "Three Bright Stars of Liangzhou." It was said: Shanxi is home to many brave warriors; the "Three Bright Stars" are equally renowned. The military forces and chariots were entangled in a chaotic battle, with dust flying, and they advanced all the way to the He and Tong Passes. Huangfu Gui and Zhang Huan assessed the situation and quickly quelled the rebellion. They were both skilled in both civil and military affairs, and mutually accommodating. They pursued two Di tribes' armies, and wherever their swords were aimed, the enemy was left defenseless. The fighting was fierce, but eventually, calm returned to the valley.
