Chen Fan, whose courtesy name was Zhongju, was from Pingyu in Runan. His grandfather had been the Administrator of Hedong. When Chen Fan was ten years old, he spent a day idly in a room, and as a result, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds and a mess. His father's friend, Xue Qin from the same county, came to visit him and said, "Young man, why don't you clean up the courtyard to welcome guests?" Chen Fan replied, "A true man should establish himself in the world by cleaning up the filth; why would he care about cleaning a room?" Xue Qin was amazed to know Chen Fan's ambition to govern the world.
When Chen Fan first started his official career, he was recommended as a model of filial piety and integrity and became a Langzhong (a junior official). When his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position and returned home to fulfill his mourning duties. After the mourning period, Inspector Zhou Jing invited him to take up a position as his assistant, but due to their differing opinions and Chen Fan's candid counsel, he resigned and left. Subsequently, the provincial government repeatedly summoned him to take up official positions such as Fangzheng (a position of integrity), but he declined all of them.
General Li Gu recommended him, and the court summoned him to serve as a Counselor, later promoted to the position of Governor of Le'an. At that time, Li Ying served as the Inspector of Qingzhou, with a great reputation and strict governance. Upon hearing his reputation, officials in subordinate counties voluntarily resigned, except for Chen Bo, who remained because of his integrity. In Le'an commandery, there was a man named Zhou Qiu, also known as Mengyu, known for his noble character. Previous Governors had invited him to serve as an official multiple times, but he refused until Chen Bo persuaded him. Chen Bo, without asking for his name, specially prepared a bed for him, which he took away after Zhou Qiu left. Zhou Qiu was from Linji and had a good reputation. In the local area, there was a man named Zhao Xuan, who, after his father's death, did not cover his father's grave and instead lived in it, dressing in mourning attire and observing filial piety for over twenty years. The people in his village praised his filial piety, and the state and commanderies commended him several times. The commandery recommended Zhao Xuan to Chen Bo, who, upon meeting him, inquired about his wife. It turned out that Zhao Xuan's five sons were all born while he lived in the tomb. Chen Bo was outraged and exclaimed, "Sages establish rites, and virtuous men follow them. Even those who are not virtuous should strive to emulate them. Moreover, sacrifices should not be excessive, as it may appear disrespectful. Furthermore, living in a tomb and bearing children inside, deceiving the public and dishonoring the spirits is utterly unacceptable." Thus, he punished Zhao Xuan for his crime.
General Liang Ji wielded immense power. He sent a letter to Chen Bo making a request, but Chen Bo completely disregarded him. When Liang Ji's envoy came pretending to visit, Chen Bo, infuriated, killed the envoy, which resulted in his demotion to the magistrate of Xiuwu County. He later rose through the ranks and eventually became a Minister.
Once upon a time, the two counties of Lingling and Guiyang were overrun by bandits, causing great suffering to the people. The court ministers discussed how to deal with the bandits, and the emperor ordered each state to recommend good and capable people. However, a minister named Fan opposed this idea in a memorial, stating: "In the past, the founding emperor conquered the world, bringing peace and treating his people like his own children. The people of these two counties are also your subjects! If your subjects have become bandits, isn't it because corrupt local officials have been oppressing them? You should order the Three Offices to look into local officials thoroughly, report any misconduct, and replace them with honest officials dedicated to serving the people. That's the only way to achieve real justice. This way, you won’t need to send in the troops; the bandits will calm down on their own. Furthermore, there are too many redundant officials in the court, with over two thousand clerks and officials in the Three Offices. Suitable individuals should be retained, and the incompetent ones should be dismissed. Why allow everyone to recommend talents? Is this not giving opportunities to those who seek favor with their superiors?" His words ruffled some powerful feathers, and he was demoted to be the governor of Yuzhang.
He was a straight-shooter who steered clear of the powerful, and the common folks respected him but kept their distance, thinking he was a bit too serious. Later, he was summoned back to serve as the Minister of Personnel, and the folks who sent him off didn’t even make it out of town. He was then promoted to Chief Herald. During this time, a county magistrate named Li Yun spoke up boldly, angering Emperor Huan and barely avoiding execution. Fan interceded on Li Yun's behalf, but he ended up getting dismissed and sent back home to farm. Not long after, he was recalled to serve as a Court Advisor, and shortly after, he was promoted to the rank of Glorious Excellence. At that time, the court was handing out way too many rewards, and there were just too many concubines in the palace. Fan once again submitted a memorial advising:
I heard that governing the country should prioritize the state, while serving the monarch should focus on keeping the monarch pleased. I am now favored by the emperor, holding a position among the Nine Ministers, and dare to speak out when I see something wrong, which I hope pleases you. Those nobles, whose esteemed status is like the stars in the sky, are granted land and protect the country. The rules established by the founding emperor dictate that only those with merit can be enfeoffed as nobles. However, I have heard that now, Deng Wanshi's father Deng Zun, for his meager contributions, is being posthumously ennobled, and the title of Huang Jun's ancestor is being elevated. Those close officials acquire fiefs through corrupt means, favorites are rewarded without merit, appointments are granted without regard for their abilities, land is allocated without considering their contributions, and even within a single family, multiple members are made nobles. As a result, the celestial signs are in disarray, and the balance of yin and yang is disrupted, agriculture suffers, and the common people are suffering. I understand that the enfeoffments have already been granted, and it may be too late to say this now. I can only hope that Your Majesty will put an end to this practice from now on.
Furthermore, in recent years, the harvest has been poor year after year. If fifty or sixty percent of the harvest can be saved, it would be considered good. Thousands of people have no clothes or food, living in hardship. Yet in the palace, there are thousands of palace women who eat meat, wear silk, and spend an immeasurable amount on cosmetics and powders. There is a saying that "thieves do not visit a family with five daughters," because families with many daughters are very poor. With so many palace women in the harem now, wouldn't it lead to national poverty? Therefore, it is said that marrying off all the palace women will bring peace to the world; when Chu country women are sad, the Western Palace will face disaster. Furthermore, hoarding without use will inevitably lead to anxiety and sorrow, ultimately resulting in disasters such as droughts and floods. Prisons are for prohibiting evil and illegal behavior, and officials are for governing the country based on talent. If the law is unfair and officials are improperly selected, then the principles of good governance will be lost. Currently, it is said that prisoners are incarcerated out of resentment, and titles are bought with money. Flies won't come without a foul odor. Your Majesty should investigate the pros and cons clearly and choose loyal and kind talents. Regarding the selection and appointment of officials, it should be left to the Ministry of Personnel and the Three Excellencies to be responsible for rewards and punishments, each performing their duties. Wouldn't that be better?
The Emperor listened to his advice and released more than five hundred palace women. He only granted Huang Jun the title of Guanneihou, while Deng Wanshi was appointed as Nanxianghou.
In the sixth year of Yanxi, the Emperor went hunting in Guangcheng. The officials submitted a memorial with their advice:
I heard that if the emperor goes hunting in the imperial garden, he should only venture to the western suburbs during the mid-autumn season, conduct military exercises appropriate to the season, and sacrifice some birds and beasts to express filial piety. If you violate this rule, it would be considered indulgence. So Gao Tao warned Emperor Shun "not to indulge in leisure," and Zhou Gong warned King Cheng "not to indulge in playing in the fields." Even Yu Shun and King Cheng have such warnings, let alone those whose virtues are not as good as these two emperors! Now that the country is at peace, everyone should practice restraint, especially given the current dilemma of the Three Empties! The fields are empty and no one is farming, the court is lacking in officials, and the warehouses are empty, which is called the Three Empties. In addition, the war has not yet ended, people from all over are displaced, and Your Majesty is worrying about the country day and night. How can you mobilize troops and go hunting and enjoying leisure in a grand manner? Moreover, there is a lot of rain before autumn, the common people have just started planting wheat, and now they have missed the farming season. They are being forced to drive away birds and beasts and clear the roads; this is not the behavior expected of a wise and compassionate ruler! Duke Jing of Qi wished to see the sea and visit Langya, but Yanzi explained to him that the people dislike seeing banners and chariots and frown upon hearing the sound of chariots and horses. Duke Jing of Qi thus gave up the idea. King Mu of Zhou wanted to travel around leaving tracks of chariots and horses, and Jie Gong Moufu recited the poem "Qi Zhao" to him, urging him to abandon this idea. This illustrates the significant harm that can come from indulging in pleasure! Unfortunately, the memorial was not accepted.
Fan later became the Grand Master of Ceremonies and, together with General Huang Wan of the Five Officials, was responsible for selecting officials. They did not favor the powerful and wealthy but were accused by the offspring of the powerful and wealthy and were dismissed from their positions. After some time, he was summoned to be the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and later promoted to the Grand Commandant. Eight years later, he succeeded Yang Bing as the Grand Commandant. Fan declined, saying, "I believe in not forgetting the past and adhering to the old rules; I do not measure up to Taichang Hu Guang; 'Qi Seven Policies, Instruct Five Canons', I am not as good as the Yilang Wang Chang; wise and astute, skilled in both civil and military matters, I am not as good as the dismissed Li Ying." The emperor did not agree with his refusal.
At that time, the eunuchs such as Su Kang and Guan Ba were reinstated and began to ostracize and harm loyal officials, currying favor with the emperor. The Grand Minister of Agriculture Liu You, the Minister of Justice Feng Gun, and the Prefect of Henan Li Ying were all falsely accused and punished for offending the emperor. Dong Zhuo, who was in court at the time, vigorously defended Li Ying and others, requesting the emperor to pardon them and promote their positions. He repeatedly pleaded with a sincere and earnest tone. But the emperor refused to listen, and Dong Zhuo finally left in tears.
At that time, the young eunuch Zhao Jin and the local bully Zhang Si from Nanyang were currying favor with the eunuchs, exploiting their power and breaking the law. The two county magistrates Liu Zhi and Cheng Jin investigated their crimes, and although there was a pardon at the time, they were still executed according to the law. This angered the eunuchs, and the relevant authorities reported that Liu Zhi and Cheng Jin should face the death penalty for their actions. Furthermore, the Prefect of Shanyang, Zhai Chao, confiscated the property of the eunuch Hou Lan; and the Prefect of Donghai, Huang Fu, killed the magistrate of Xiapi, Xu Xuan. Zhai Chao and Huang Fu were both sentenced to the punishment of having their heads shaved and wearing shackles, and were sent to serve in the left army.
Dong Zhuo, together with Sima Liuju and Sima Liu Mao, submitted a memorial requesting the pardon of Liu Zhi, Cheng Jin, Zhai Chao, Huang Fu, and others, but the emperor was very unhappy. The relevant officials impeached the three of them, and Liuju and Liu Mao were so frightened that they dared not speak again. Dong Zhuo had no choice but to submit a memorial alone, writing:
I have heard that Duke Huan of Qi established his dominance over the realm, first by putting his domestic affairs in order; the "Spring and Autumn" records the history of the state of Lu, noting even the smallest mistakes. Therefore, we must first set our own house in order before demanding the same from others. Now there are bandits causing chaos outside; this is like an affliction affecting the limbs; internal chaos is a hidden danger at the core. I cannot sleep at night or eat, genuinely worried that those around Your Majesty are becoming more familiar, while loyal counsel is increasingly ignored, internal troubles are getting worse, and external troubles are deepening. Your Majesty, you stand above the marquises, having inherited the throne. Even in a modest family with millions in assets, future generations would still feel ashamed and would not dare to squander the family legacy; how can you afford to be negligent? Do you not value yourself? Do you not remember the late emperor's struggles in unifying the realm?
In the past, the five marquises of the Liang family were notorious for their wickedness throughout the realm. The emperor, in his wisdom, had them captured and executed, and everyone thought things should calm down a bit. Not long after this incident, the lessons of the past loom large before us, but now those close ministers are starting to conspire again. Such as the eunuch Zhao Jin and the treacherous Zhang Si, they are greedy and cruel, deceiving those around Your Majesty. Former Taiyuan Prefect Liu Zhi and Nanyang Prefect Cheng Wangjin were both arrested and executed. Although it is said that, following the amnesty, no one should be executed again, their intention is to eliminate evil; this is crucial. But Your Majesty, what are your concerns? Allowing these villains to gain power and deceive the Emperor's ears will only provoke the wrath of heaven. If merely punishing them is already excessive, not to mention imposing severe penalties and sentencing them to death!
Ah, in the past, the Governor of Shanyang, Zhai Chao, and the Minister of Donghai, Huang Fu, were both exceptionally upright individuals who despised wrongdoing. Zhai Chao confiscated Hou Lan's property, and Huang Fu punished Xu Xuan for his crimes. Consequently, both were sentenced and denied pardons. In fact, Hou Lan was rampant, and confiscating his property was considered lenient; Xu Xuan committed serious crimes and deserved his punishment. Previously, Prime Minister Shentu Jia criticized Deng Tong, and the magistrate Dong Xuan dared to oppose the princess in Luoyang. As a result, Emperor Wen specifically summoned him, and Emperor Guangwu generously rewarded him. It is not heard that these two ministers were killed for speaking out. But now, the palace eunuchs are consumed with jealousy towards one another, framing each other, and because of this, people are sent to prison. If they hear me say this, they'll surely run off to complain. Your Majesty should take steps to address the disorder among those around you, listen more to the opinions of the officials in the Ministry of Personnel, have regular audiences with the court officials, select those who are upright and honest, and drive away the wicked. By doing this, Heaven will be pleased, the world will enjoy peace, and good fortune will surely follow! Your Majesty may dislike my words, but as a ruler, you must have your own persistence. Even if I have to risk my life, I must speak!
After reading the memorial, the Emperor grew even angrier and did not listen to my advice. Everyone in the court resented him. The eunuchs grew increasingly arrogant and overbearing, and if the officials' memorials were mildly displeasing to the Emperor, they were sent back, and many officials below the rank of Chief Historian were punished as a result. However, the Emperor was reluctant to act against those esteemed ministers. Zhi, known by his courtesy name Wenli, hailed from Gaotang; Jin, known as Youping, was from Shaanzhou. Both were well-educated and unafraid to speak the truth within the political sphere, often confronting the bad people. At that time, they were both well-known, but ultimately, both met their end in prison.
Nine years later, Li Ying and others were arrested and interrogated for forming cliques and engaging in self-serving activities. Eunuch Zhang Fan wrote a memorial to the Emperor, strongly advising:
I've heard that wise rulers value and rely on their capable ministers, while rulers of doomed states fear honest advice. Therefore, even though King Tang of Shang and King Wu of Zhou were wise and virtuous, they were able to prosper thanks to Yi Yin and Lv Shang, while King Jie of Xia and King Zhou of Shang perished due to the loss of their wise ministers. It can be seen that the ruler is the head, and the ministers are the body, both mutually dependent, and the rise and fall of a nation hinges on the collaboration between the ruler and ministers. I've seen officials like Li Ying, Du Mi, and Fan Pang, who were principled and devoted to their country. However, because they spoke out honestly, they were subjected to harsh interrogations by the emperor; some were imprisoned, while others were exiled to die. This silenced the people and blinded the world. Isn't this just like Qin Shihuang's burning of books and burying of scholars? After King Wu destroyed the Shang dynasty, he still erected a monument for Bi Gan to show respect; but now, Your Majesty, you are in power, yet you first kill loyal officials and good generals. How can you treat good people so coldly while favoring the bad? Those treacherous individuals may appear sincere and smooth-talking, but those who listen will be confused and those who see will be misled. The nation's fortune hinges on the ruler's ability to recognize and choose the virtuous; the rise and fall of the country depend on whether the ruler can discern good from evil, loyal from treacherous. O ruler, you hold the political power of the world and shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing it. Your words and actions must align with the wisdom of the sages, and your decisions must not deviate from the right path. If you speak carelessly, it could lead to chaos in the realm, not to mention the wrongful execution of the innocent!
In the past, when Yu the Great was touring Cangwu, he saw someone killed in the market. He got off his carriage and cried out, "All the sins of the world are on me alone!" That's why his enterprise could prosper. Now, Qingzhou and Xuzhou are suffering from drought, crops are failing, the people have been displaced, and even eating wild vegetables is difficult to sustain. Meanwhile, the palace is full of palace ladies, national finances are spent on silk and satin, relatives and private individuals are embezzling and taking bribes, which aligns with the saying, "Salaries flow outside the office, and political power rests with the officials." In the late Spring and Autumn Period, the national power of the Zhou Dynasty declined, and there were no disasters for decades, which is a sign that heaven has forsaken it! Heaven has shown great favor to the Han Dynasty, yet calamities keep occurring, which is a clear reminder to Your Majesty! To avert disasters, the key lies in cultivating virtue. As a high-ranking official, with heavy responsibilities, I dare not seek comfort and watch the rise and fall of the country. Even if my words are accepted and I am executed for it, I will have no complaints.
The emperor was displeased with my words, and under the guise of promoting talent, he appointed some inappropriate people, ultimately dismissed me.
In the first year of Yongkang, the emperor passed away. Empress Dowager Dou took over the government, issuing a decree stating, "The common people support the monarch in order for the monarch to govern the country, and this requires good ministers to consolidate the royal affairs. The former Grand Commandant Chen Fan was loyal, upright, and honest. Let him serve as the Grand Tutor and be responsible for handling the affairs of the Secretariat." At that time, still in mourning, with no successor to the throne determined, many Secretaries avoided court attendance, fearing the powerful ministers. Chen Fan wrote to rebuke them, saying, "The ancients valued integrity; even if the country perishes, they must remain loyal as if their country were still alive. Now that the emperor has not yet named a successor, the government affairs are piling up day by day. How can you ministers lie in bed like wilted greens? This is unreasonable and lacks righteousness!" The Secretaries were frightened and quickly got up to resume their duties.
After Emperor Ling ascended to the throne, Empress Dowager Dou issued a generous edict to Chen Ban: "Commending achievements to encourage virtuous deeds, promoting righteousness to educate the people; without merit, there will be no reward. This is the principle praised in the 'Da Ya.' Grand Tutor Chen Ban assisted the late emperor for many years; his virtues of loyalty and filial piety are second to none in the court, and his integrity and steadfast character remain unwavering even in his old age. Now, you are appointed as the Marquis of Gaoyang, with a fief of three hundred households." Chen Ban wrote a letter to decline the appointment:
When the messenger came to my house and bestowed upon me the seal of the Marquis of Gaoyang, I felt genuinely anxious and at a loss for what to do. I have heard that humility is about cultivating oneself and demonstrating virtues, but I do not wish to use humility as a pretense for seeking fame. I believe that one should only receive a title based on merit. Upon careful reflection, I realize that I have no outstanding abilities in the positions I have held before. I have taken the salary I was entitled to, and even that which I was not. Although I have not been upright and honest, I hold in high regard the saying, 'A gentleman does not accept what is obtained through improper means.' If I were to accept the title without refusing it, it would be akin to accepting it while hiding my face, angering the heavens and bringing disaster to the people. At that time, what could I rely on? I hope Your Majesty can understand my frailty due to old age, consider this a lesson, and refrain from seeking personal enjoyment. Empress Dowager Dou disagreed, but Chen Ban remained resolute in his refusal. After submitting over ten petitions, he ultimately refused the appointment.
Initially, Emperor Huan of Han wanted to appoint his beloved Lady Tian as Empress. However, Liang Ji felt that Lady Tian came from a humble background, while the Dou family was well-respected, so he strongly opposed it. The Emperor had no choice but to appoint Lady Dou as Empress. Once Empress Dou was in power, she delegated authority to Liang Ji. Liang Ji and the Empress's father, General Dou Wu, collaborated to attract talented individuals and participate in political affairs, and the people of the realm longed for peace. However, the Emperor's wet nurse, Zhao Rao, attended to the Empress Dowager daily, colluding with eunuchs like Cao Jie and Wang Fu to curry favor with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager trusted them, often issuing decrees, appointing officials, and conferring titles, and their relatives and friends were involved in corruption and abuse of power. Liang Ji always hated them and wanted to eliminate these eunuchs, which coincided with Dou Wu's thoughts. Liang Ji felt he had earned the Empress Dowager's trust by winning the people's support, thus he was confident his plan would succeed. He subsequently penned a memorial to the Empress Dowager:
I have heard that speaking insincerely and behaving unethically is deceiving heaven and failing the people. If one speaks out and criticizes, offending those evil people, disaster will soon follow. In either case, I would rather face danger than deceive heaven! Rumors are rampant in the capital now, with chaos all around, all saying that Hou Lan, Cao Jie, Gong Chengxin, Wang Fu, Zheng Sa, and others, as well as Lady Zhao and those female officials, are disrupting the court's affairs. Those who are close to them are getting promoted and rich, while those who oppose them are framed. The ministers in court now are like algae in the river, going with the flow, only concerned about enjoying their salaries, fearing retaliation. When you first took the throne, you followed the will of heaven, executing wicked officials like Su Kang and Guan Ba. At that time, the realm was at peace, and everyone was joyful. How is it that in just a few months, you have started to indulge those close ministers again? Those extremely corrupt officials are just as serious as they are. If they are not executed quickly, chaos will surely ensue, endangering the state, with unimaginable consequences. I hope you will read my memorial to those close ministers, making sure all those corrupt people know how much I despise them. The Empress Dowager did not adopt his suggestion, and those who heard about it in the court were shocked and afraid. So Liang Ji and Dou Wu discussed countermeasures; the details are documented in "The Biography of Dou Wu."
It is said that Cao Jie and his followers used deception, falsely claimed imperial orders, and plotted to kill Dou Wu and others. Dou Wu, who was already in his seventies, upon hearing the news, immediately led more than eighty officials and students, drew his sword, and rushed into the Chengming Gate, shouting loudly: "The Grand General is loyal and devoted to defending the country, while the eunuchs and officials of the Yellow Gate rebel and create chaos. Why accuse the Dou family of disloyalty and injustice?" Wang Fu happened to come out and held a grudge against Dou Wu. Upon hearing Dou Wu's words, he rebuked Dou Wu, saying, "The emperor has just passed away, the imperial mausoleum has not been completed, what merit does Dou Wu really have? How can three members of the same family—brothers and father and son—become marquises? He even took in many concubines, living extravagantly, squandering vast amounts of wealth in just a few months! If even the ministers behave this way, can we still call this loyalty and righteousness? You are a pillar of the country, yet you choose to curry favor with the powerful—what’s your goal?" He then ordered Dou Wu's arrest.
Dou Wu drew his sword at Wang Fu, and Wang Fu's soldiers dared not approach. More people were sent to surround Dou Wu, and he was eventually captured and thrown into the prison at the Yellow Gate North Temple. The officials of the Yellow Gate severely humiliated Dou Wu, cursing, "Old man! Do you think you can cut our numbers and take away our benefits?" Dou Wu was killed that very day. Dou Wu's family members were all exiled to remote areas, his relatives, students, and former subordinates were all dismissed from their positions and faced numerous restrictions on their movements and activities.
Dou Wu's friend, Zhu Zhen from Chenliu, was the magistrate of Zhixian. Upon hearing about this incident, he resigned from his post to pay his respects to Dou Wu, buried Dou Wu's body, and hid Dou Wu's son Dou Yi near Ganling. This matter was later discovered, and Zhu Zhen was imprisoned, with his whole family put in chains. Zhu Zhen endured brutal torture yet refused to disclose Dou Yi's whereabouts, which ultimately saved Dou Yi. Later, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the court issued a general amnesty, and Dou Yi was pardoned and later rose to become the Prime Minister of Lu.
Zhu Zhen, style name Bo Hou, began his career in the local government and once submitted a formal accusation against Shan Kuang Zang, the Tai Shou of Ji Yin, which also implicated Kuang's brother, Shan Chao, who held the titles of Central Regular Attendant and General of Chariots and Cavalry. Emperor Huan of Han arrested Shan Kuang for questioning and reprimanded Shan Chao, who then went to the prison to apologize. At that time, officials from the Three Departments remarked, "The chariots and horses are like chickens and dogs, swiftly rooting out evil like the wind, speaking of Zhu Bo Hou!" "Chariots like chickens, horses like dogs, swiftly rooting out evil like the wind, Zhu Bo Hou."
During the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling, people like Chen Fan could establish a good social atmosphere and dared to criticize the current situation. However, those who navigated dangerous environments, served as officials alongside corrupt officials, ultimately faced downfall. They wished to uphold noble sentiments and distance themselves from corruption! It is truly regrettable that those scholars in the world viewed withdrawal from the secular world as a mark of nobility, but lacked mutual sympathy. They considered seclusion to be an unjust act, so they repeatedly resigned from their official positions but refused to leave completely; they regarded benevolence and righteousness as their responsibility, and even if the road was long, they worked harder. When the opportunity arose to collaborate with Dou Wu for a great cause, they believed it was a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity! This was indeed a remarkable achievement, akin to the legendary assistance provided to kings by Yi Yin and Jiang Shang! Although the task was not completed, his honesty and loyalty were enough to move the hearts of the people. The Han Dynasty did not perish in troubled times, and this was all thanks to several loyal ministers over more than a hundred years!
Wang Yun, style name Zi Shi, was from Qi County, Taiyuan. His family had served as officials in various states and counties for generations, all of them prominent figures. Guo Lin Zong from the same county had met Wang Yun and greatly admired him, saying, "Wang Yun can make progress by leaps and bounds in a single day, this is the talent needed to assist a monarch!" So they became friends.
When Wang Yun was nineteen years old, he became a minor official in the county. At that time, a minor eunuch named Zhao Jin from Jinyang was greedy, violent, and licentious, becoming a significant menace in the area. Wang Yun captured and executed him. However, Zhao Jin's brothers flattered the court eunuchs and framed Wang Yun. Emperor Huan was furious upon hearing this and arrested Governor Liu Zhi, who was eventually sentenced to death. After attending Liu Zhi's funeral, Wang Yun returned to his hometown of Pingyuan and mourned for three years before returning home. He returned to official duties and opposed the promotion of a man named Lu Fo in the county, who had a questionable reputation yet was promoted by Governor Wang Qiu. Wang Qiu was furious and sought to eliminate Wang Yun. When the governor Deng Sheng heard about this, he quickly summoned Wang Yun to serve as his deputy. Wang Yun rose to prominence, while Lu Fo was dismissed from his position.
Mr. Yun had lofty ambitions from a young age, aspiring to achieve great things. He studied diligently and practiced archery every day. Later, the three public officials of the court recognized him and appointed him as an Imperial Censor, a high-ranking position. In the first year of Zhongping, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, and he was specially appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou to suppress the rebellion. He enlisted the help of scholars such as Xun Shuang and Kong Rong and took action against those who colluded with the Yellow Turbans.
He then defeated several leaders of the Yellow Turban army and accepted the surrender of hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels along with generals such as Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. On the battlefield, he captured correspondence between Zhang Rang and his associates, proving Zhang Rang's secret connections with the Yellow Turbans. Mr. Yun reported this evidence to the Emperor, who was outraged and reprimanded Zhang Rang harshly. Even though Zhang Rang apologized, the Emperor chose not to impose severe punishment. Zhang Rang, feeling bitter, secretly conspired against Mr. Yun. As a result, the following year, Mr. Yun was arrested and imprisoned.
Later, Yun was released after a general amnesty was declared, and he resumed his position as the governor. However, just a few days later, he was arrested again on different charges. Minister Yang Ci believed that Yun was an honorable man and did not want him to suffer injustice again, so he sent someone to visit him and said, "You have been arrested twice within a month because of Zhang Rang's matter. This situation is very dangerous; you need to be cautious!" Yun's subordinates rushed to him in tears, bringing medicine and urging him to save his life. But Yun replied loudly, "As a subject, if I make a mistake, I should accept punishment. How can I take medicine when I should be facing my fate?" After speaking, he slammed the cup and boarded the prison transport.
Upon arriving at the court, everyone urged him to confess, and the court ministers sighed in sympathy for him. General He Jin, Prefect Yuan Wei, and Minister Yang Ci submitted a joint petition on Yun's behalf, saying, "Only by treating people sincerely can one gain the assistance of loyal ministers; only by tolerating talented individuals can one inspire the loyalty of righteous men. Just like Emperor Wen of Han valued Feng Tang and Duke Dao of Jin forgave Wei Jiang. Yun was ordered to pacify the rebellion, and he quickly pacified Yuzhou. He was about to be rewarded for his achievements, but he was sentenced to death for some trivial matters, which is an overly harsh punishment. This will dishearten the courtiers! As prime ministers, we cannot sit idly by. We earnestly request the emperor to show mercy!"
After reviewing the petition, the emperor agreed to reduce Yun's crime. That winter, a general amnesty was declared across the realm, but Yun was not pardoned. The three officials once again pleaded for him. It was not until the following year that Yun was finally released. At that time, the eunuchs held significant power and frequently resorted to executions. Yun was afraid of being framed again, so he changed his name and went into hiding in the area of Henan and Chenliu.
After the emperor's death, I rushed to the capital to pay my respects. At that time, General He Jin was planning to eliminate the eunuchs. He summoned me to discuss plans and appointed me as an attendant to the imperial guards, and later promoted me to the position of Intendant of Henan. When Emperor Xian ascended the throne, I was appointed as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, and then further promoted to the position of Prefect of the Masters of Writing.
In the first year of Chuping, I took over as the Minister of State from Yang Biao, while continuing to serve as Chancellor. When Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Guanzhong, I quickly gathered important books and texts from the Orchid Pavilion and Stone Chamber and took them with me. Upon arriving in Chang'an, I organized these books and submitted separate reports. I also compiled the ancient systems that were in place before the Han Dynasty and reported them to the court one by one. I put a lot of effort into preserving these classical texts. At that time, Dong Zhuo was still in Luoyang, and all government affairs were entrusted to me. I outwardly flattered him, catering to his every need, and Dong Zhuo trusted me completely, without any suspicion, which is why I was able to support the royal family and the court both inside and out during times of crisis.
Seeing that Dong Zhuo's tyranny was deepening and the signs of his usurpation were becoming clear, I secretly conspired with the Colonel of the Capital, Huang Wan, and the Minister of Works, Zheng Gongye, to remove him. I petitioned the court to appoint Yang Zan as Acting General of the Left and Sun Rui as the Prefect of Nanyang, sending them with troops from Wuguan under the pretext of attacking Yuan Shu, but in reality planning to divide the troops to attack Dong Zhuo and bring the emperor back to Luoyang. Dong Zhuo became suspicious and detained them, so I transferred Sun Rui to serve as my attendant and Yang Zan to be the Minister of Works.
The following year, Dong Zhuo returned to Chang'an and recognized my contributions, granting me the title of Marquis of Wen with a fief of five thousand households. I resolutely declined. Sun Rui advised me, "Be humble and prudent, and consider the timing. You and Grand Tutor Dong are of equal status and were both enfeoffed as marquises, but you alone maintain your integrity, which is not a wise decision!" I followed his advice and only accepted a fief of two thousand households.
In the spring of the third year, it rained non-stop for over sixty days. I, along with Shisun Rui and Yang Zan, climbed up to a high platform to pray for the rain to stop and to revisit our plans. Shisun Rui said, "Since the end of last year, the sun has disappeared, heavy rain has been continuous, the moon's movements are unusual, comets have appeared, daytime is dark, nighttime is bright, and fog is pervasive. This suggests that a drastic change is coming, and internal uprisings will be successful. The time is pressing; you need to act fast." I agreed with him, so I secretly reached out to Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo's general, to collaborate. When Dong Zhuo came to pay his respects, Lu Bu assassinated him. This is detailed in the "Records of Dong Zhuo."
Initially, Cao Cao wanted to pardon Dong Zhuo’s followers, and Lu Bu also advised him to do so several times. However, Cao Cao soon hesitated and said, "These people are not guilty; they just followed their master. If we now declare them as criminals and then pardon them, it will only make them suspicious in their hearts. This isn’t a good way to reassure them." Lu Bu also wanted to distribute Dong Zhuo's wealth to court officials and generals, but Cao Cao disagreed. Cao Cao always looked down on Lu Bu, seeing him as just a swordsman. Even though Lu Bu had proven himself, he was always bragging and blowing his own horn. When he didn’t get what he wanted this time, he gradually fell out of favor with Cao Cao.
Cao Cao had a strong personality, loathed evil, and was initially afraid of Dong Zhuo's wolf-like ferocity, so he tried to please him. After Dong Zhuo's death, Cao Cao thought that there would be no more danger. However, when dealing with political affairs, he consistently lacked a gentle approach, enforced laws strictly, and failed to consider practical measures, which led to his subordinates' lack of support. Most of Dong Zhuo's generals and officials in court were Liangzhou people, and Cao Cao planned to disband their armies. Someone advised Cao Cao, saying, "The Liangzhou people have always feared the Yuan family and are also afraid of the easterners. If their military power is suddenly removed now, they will definitely feel insecure. You can appoint Huangfu Yi as general to command them, let them stay in Shaanxi to appease them, and then slowly negotiate with the easterners after observing the situation." Cao Cao said, "No. The uprisers in the east are my allies. Stationing troops in strategic locations now to appease the Liangzhou people will only raise suspicions among the easterners, which would be very problematic."
At that time, rumors spread among the people that they wanted to exterminate all the Liangzhou people, causing widespread fear and anxiety. The Liangzhou people in Guanzhong each took up arms to defend themselves. They said to each other, "Ding Yanshi and Cai Boying were only caught up in this because of their ties to Dong Zhuo. Now that Cao Cao neither pardons us nor allows us to keep our army, if we disband our army today, won't we be easy prey tomorrow?" Dong Zhuo's subordinates Li Jue, Guo Si, and others, who had previously commanded troops in the east, were already feeling restless, so they hatched a plot to rebel and launched an attack on Chang'an. Chang'an was captured, and Lu Bu fled in every direction. Lu Bu halted his horse at Qingzuo Gate and invited Cao Cao to leave with him, saying, "You can leave now!" Cao Cao said, "If heaven blesses me and the country finds stability, that would be my wish. If I fail, I will sacrifice myself for the country. The emperor is still young and can only depend on me now. I can't just survive by compromising during a crisis. I would rather do everything I can to make amends to the lords of the east and genuinely think about the country's welfare."
At first, the court appointed Song Yi, from the same county, as the Left Fengyi and Wang Hong as the Right Fufeng. At that time, the Sanfu region was densely populated, with sufficient food and a strong military presence. Li Jue and others originally wanted to kill Yang Yun immediately, but they feared that Song Yi and Wang Hong might cause trouble, so they first summoned them back. Wang Hong sent a messenger to tell Song Yi, "The reason Guo Si and Li Jue haven't acted against the nobles yet is because we are not in Chang'an. Having been summoned back today, our entire family could be killed tomorrow. What can we do?" Song Yi said, "Although fortune and misfortune are unpredictable, this is the court's command, and we have no way to evade it." Wang Hong said, "Now the righteous forces are rising up against Dong Zhuo, not to mention his followers! If we join forces to attack those who are doing evil around the emperor, the Shandong region will definitely respond to us, thus turning peril into safety!" Song Yi disagreed. Wang Hong was unable to take action alone, so the two returned to Chang'an together, and they were both thrown into Tingwei Prison. Li Jue later arrested Yang Yun, Song Yi, and Wang Hong, and killed them all.
At that time, Yang Yun was fifty-six years old. His eldest son, Yang Gai, his second son, Yang Jing, Yang Ding, and more than ten members of his clan were all killed, only his nephews, Yang Chen and Yang Ling, managed to escape and return to their hometown. The emperor was deeply saddened, the people's morale was at a low ebb, and no one dared to retrieve Yang Yun's body; only the former magistrate of Pingling, Zhao Jian, resigned to oversee his funeral arrangements.
Wang Hong, known as Changwen, had great strength when he was young and was not one to sweat the small stuff. When he first served as the Intendant of Hongnong, he went after the eunuchs in the county who bought their way into office. He even arrested and interrogated high-ranking officials, including those with the rank of two thousand stones, without mercy, sending shockwaves through the neighboring counties. He had always been at odds with the Colonel of the Guard, Hu Zhong. After Wang Hong was imprisoned, Hu Zhong wasted no time in ordering his execution. Just before his death, Wang Hong cursed, "Song Yi, that scholar isn’t fit to discuss important matters. Hu Zhong takes pleasure in seeing others fall, but he'll get his comeuppance too!" After that, Hu Zhong kept dreaming of Wang Hong whacking him with a stick, got sick, and died a few days later.
Later, the court relocated to Xuchang, and the Emperor recalled Yang Yun's loyalty. He ordered a reburial for him, sent a Colonel from the Tiger Guard to pay his respects, granted secret treasures from the Eastern Garden, posthumously restored him to his original rank, and sent him back to his hometown to be buried. His grandson Yang Hei was made the Marquis of Anle Pavilion, with a fief of three hundred households to govern.
Shi Sunrui, styled Junce, was from Fufeng and was quite talented and crafty. He made a name for himself in the campaign against Dong Zhuo; even though he didn't get any rewards, he managed to dodge death. Eventually, he rose to become one of the Three Elders of the State and a Grandee of the Palace. Whenever there was a vacancy among the Three Excellencies, Yang Biao and Huangfu Song would always step aside for him. In the second year of the Xingping era, he accompanied the Emperor on his journey east and was killed by bandits.
Zhao Jian, courtesy name Shu Mao, was from Changling, known for his honesty and cleverness. During the early Ping period, he served as a minister in charge of selecting officials. Dong Zhuo repeatedly attempted to rig the selections for his own gain, but Zhao Jian firmly refused, with a resolute and incisive demeanor. Dong Zhuo was furious and ordered his execution, causing those around him to tremble in fear, while Zhao Jian remained calm. Eventually, Dong Zhuo regretted his actions, apologized to Zhao Jian, and set him free. After the coup in Chang'an, he fled to Jingzhou, where Liu Biao treated him with great respect. When Cao Cao pacified Jingzhou, he summoned Zhao Jian and expressed regret for not having met him sooner. In the end, he became the Chief Historian under Prime Minister Zhong Yao.
The article commented that while scholars ought to uphold integrity, they should also use strategic thinking to achieve great things. For example, Wang Yun could have first eliminated Dong Zhuo and then used his power to expose his crimes, which could have quickly restored stability. However, he avoided disaster from suspicion and conflict because he knew that his loyalty and righteousness were fundamental. Therefore, overthrowing Dong Zhuo was not lacking in honesty, dividing power was not opportunistic, and waiting for the right moment was not cunning. When his strategies succeeded and his goals were achieved, it all ultimately returned to honesty.
The article concluded by praising Chen Fan, who came from a humble background but had lofty ambitions, like the clear Tianhe River. While human plans may be meticulous, the arrangements of fate are unpredictable. Those who suffer misfortune may simply be victims of bad luck. Zhao Jian faced difficulties with a bright and honest heart, loyal and steadfast. Although he did not achieve his ultimate goals and died for his country, the rise and fall of eras and the successes and failures of events are all part of life.
