Zheng Tai, style name Gongye, was from Kaifeng, Henan, and was the great-grandson of a minister of agriculture. He was very knowledgeable from a young age. When Emperor Ling of Han was about to pass away, he knew that chaos was imminent and secretly contacted many heroes and warriors. Despite his family's wealth, owning four hundred acres of land, he often struggled to make ends meet and had a strong reputation in Shandong.
Initially, he was recommended for the position of a filial and incorrupt official, and three provincial administrations invited him to take up official posts, but he declined. Later, General He Jin came into power and recruited talents, appointing Gongye as a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and later promoted him to Imperial Censor. He Jin wanted to eliminate the eunuchs and sought the help of Dong Zhuo, the Governor of Bing Province, to assist him. Gongye advised He Jin, "Dong Zhuo is arrogant, greedy, and unscrupulous. If you hand over state affairs and important responsibilities to him, he will indulge his desires and surely endanger the court. General, with your reputation and power, you should take charge, punish the guilty, and not rely on Dong Zhuo for help. Moreover, situations change rapidly, and the lessons of history are clear before us!" He also analyzed several urgent matters for He Jin. When He Jin did not listen to him, Gongye resigned. He told Xun You from Yingchuan, "He Jin is not a good person to assist."
Not long after, He Jin was killed, and Dong Zhuo indeed rebelled. Gongye, along with Wu Qiong, the Palace Attendant, and He Yong, Dong Zhuo's Chief Clerk, persuaded Dong Zhuo to appoint Yuan Shao as the Administrator of Bo Hai to lead the uprising in Shandong. After the rebels rose, Dong Zhuo summoned the officials to discuss and mobilized a large army to suppress the rebels, and none of the ministers dared to oppose. Worried about Dong Zhuo's overwhelming forces, Gongye spoke out, "To govern a country, one relies on virtue, not sheer numbers!" Dong Zhuo was displeased and asked, "Are you saying that the army is useless then?" Gongye, fearing the consequences, changed his words.
This doesn't imply that the army is without value, but rather that depending solely on Shandong’s forces might not be enough for warfare. If you doubt me, allow me to break it down for you.
Now Shandong's various counties have united, and the common people are fully involved. Their strength is significant, but since the time of Emperor Guangwu, the court has enjoyed peace, and the people have lived in comfort and leisure for a long time. Confucius once said, "Failing to train soldiers for war is like abandoning them." So although there are many people, their combat effectiveness is lacking; this is the first point.
You come from the Western Province, and when you were young, you served as a general. You are familiar with military affairs and have been on the battlefield several times, earning a reputation across the land. Everyone respects you; this is the second point.
Yuan Shao is from a noble family in the capital; Zhang Miao is from a prominent family in Dongping County, rarely leaving his house; Kong Rong only knows how to talk big; they lack the capability to command troops in battle, let alone charge into the fray. They cannot compare to you; this is the third point.
Shandong's soldiers are originally lacking in elite troops, lacking the bravery of Yong Ben, the speed of Qing Ji, the steadfastness of Liaocheng, and the strategy of Liang and Ping. At best, they might serve in minor supporting roles; this is the fourth point.
Even if there are such people, they are not united internally, with a disorganized hierarchy and infighting. If they rely on numbers and fight individually, only concerned with their own victory or defeat, unwilling to work together, it will be troublesome; this is the fifth point.
The various counties in Guanxi are more familiar with military affairs. In recent years, they have frequently fought with the Qiang people. Even women can handle guns and spears, carry bows and arrows, not to mention those strong soldiers. Facing those who fight aimlessly will be a walk in the park; this is the sixth point.
Furthermore, the fiercest soldiers, dreaded by the common folk, are from Bingzhou, Liangzhou, as well as the Xiongnu, Tuge, Huangzhong Yicong, and Western Qiang people. You now control these forces, like unleashing tigers and rhinos on mere dogs and sheep; this is the seventh point.
And your generals are your trusted confidants, who have followed you for a long time, are deeply grateful, loyal, reliable, and exceptionally wise. Using your powerful army to sweep away those scattered troops is as easy as a strong wind blowing away leaves. This is the eighth point.
There are three situations in which battles will fail: using a chaotic army to attack an ordered army will fail; using an unjust army to attack a just army will fail; using an army that goes against the will of heaven to attack an army that follows the will of heaven will fail. You are upholding justice and punishing traitors with loyalty and righteousness. By leveraging these three advantages against the three factors that lead to failure, you are empowered to attack. Who dares to stop you? This is the ninth point.
Zheng Xuan from Dongzhou is well-versed in knowledge, while Bing Yuan from Beihai is known for his integrity. They are models admired by Confucian scholars. If those generals consult them, they will discern who is strong and who is weak. Moreover, although Yan, Zhao, Qi, and Liang were powerful, they were eventually defeated; although the seven states of Wu and Chu had a large army, they were eventually defeated at Xingyang. Furthermore, given your wise governance and the dedication of your ministers, how could they ever support those rebellious bandits? This is impossible. This is the tenth point.
If the suggestions they propose are somewhat useful, there's no need to mobilize troops just to intimidate the populace, causing the conscripted commoners to gather and cause trouble, abandoning morality, relying on numbers, and weakening your authority instead.
Dong Zhuo was pleased and appointed Zheng Gongye as a general to lead the army in an attack on the eastern region. Someone told Dong Zhuo, "Zheng Gongye is extremely cunning, secretly colluding with foreign enemies. Now you are giving him troops and horses to strengthen his own power; I'm worried about you!" Dong Zhuo then revoked his military power and only allowed him to serve as a councilor.
After Dong Zhuo moved the capital to Chang'an, chaos ensued across the land, and the common people struggled to put food on the table. Many scholars and officials faced immense hardships. However, Zheng Gongye came from a wealthy family, hosting banquets for guests every day, singing and drinking, and providing assistance to many impoverished individuals. Later, he conspired with his associates He Yong and Xun You to assassinate Dong Zhuo. When their conspiracy was uncovered, He Yong and others were arrested, while Zheng Gongye escaped and fled eastward to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu appointed him as the Inspector of Yangzhou, but he tragically died en route at just forty-one.
Kong Rong, styled Wenju, was from the state of Lu and the 20th generation grandson of Confucius. Seven generations prior, his ancestor Kong Ba was the tutor of Emperor Yuan of the Han dynasty and served as the Palace Attendant. His father, Kong Zhou, was the Commandant of Mount Tai.
Kong Rong demonstrated exceptional talent from an early age. During that period, he accompanied his father to the capital. The Intendant of Henan, Li Ying, was very aloof and only received guests who were either famous or had family ties with him. Kong Rong wished to meet Li Ying, so he made his way to his residence and told the gatekeeper, "I am a relative of Mr. Li." The gatekeeper conveyed this information to Li Ying, who invited Kong Rong in and asked, "Do our ancestors have a connection?" Kong Rong confidently replied, "Of course! My ancestor Confucius and your ancestor Li Laojun shared the same ideals and respected each other, so we are connected through our ancestors." Everyone present was thoroughly impressed. Later, the esteemed scholar Chen Wei arrived, and they told him about the incident. Chen Wei remarked, "This child is bright at such a young age, but who knows if he will amount to anything when he grows up?" Kong Rong quickly retorted, "Perhaps you are getting old and your reactions are slowing down?" Li Ying laughed heartily and said, "This child is destined for greatness!"
When I was thirteen years old, my father passed away. I was heartbroken and struggled to come to terms with it for a long time. Eventually, I managed to pick myself up, and the folks in my village praised me for my filial piety. I have always loved learning and read many books since I was young. Later, my friend Bao Xuan and I went to the capital to look for government jobs, but we did not get the opportunity. At that time, I was twenty-six years old, struggling to make ends meet, and didn't have the heart to tell Bao Xuan. Noticing I was down, Bao Xuan said, "Even if your brother is not at home, can't I help you?" So he let me stay at his house. Later, word got out about this, and officials from the court and local authorities secretly dispatched people to apprehend me. Fortunately, I escaped, but eventually, both Bao Xuan and I were caught and thrown in jail. Neither of us had any idea what crime we were accused of. Bao Xuan said, "I should take the blame." I said, "He came to seek refuge with me; it's not my fault, please let me take the blame." Officials also asked my mother, and she said, "Family matters are for the eldest son to decide; the responsibility should fall on me." We all insisted on taking the blame, and the local officials were at a loss, so they reported the case to the court. In the end, the court ultimately found Bao Xuan guilty. Because of this incident, my reputation skyrocketed, and I was now talked about in the same breath as Tao Qiu Hong from Pingyuan and Bian Rang from Chenliu. I received offers from many provinces and counties to take on official roles, but I turned down all of them.
Later, Situ Yang invited me to his residence to take up an official post. At that time, Yang was investigating corrupt officials and preparing to demote and punish them, while I had repeatedly recommended the relatives of some powerful officials. The senior officials feared offending those in power, so they gathered their subordinates to interrogate me. I defended myself with reason, detailing the crimes of those individuals impartially. Henan Intendant He Jin was to be promoted to Grand General, and Yang sent me to congratulate him, but I did not go and instead returned the congratulatory message directly to his residence, then resigned. The officials in Henan thought I was out of touch and secretly dispatched assassins to eliminate me. The assassins reported this to He Jin, saying, "Kong Rong has a great reputation. If you offend him, talented individuals will be discouraged. It would be better to show respect to him, which would show your open-mindedness and enhance your reputation." He Jin followed the assassin's advice, not only sparing my life but also appointing me to an official position and recommending me for a high position as an Assistant Imperial Secretary. However, I disagreed with the Chief Clerk Zhao She, so I feigned illness as an excuse to return home.
Later, I was appointed as a Registrar in the Ministry of Works, then promoted to Colonel of the Central Army. After three days in office, I was promoted to General of the Household Cavalry. During the period when Dong Zhuo was deposing and installing emperors, every time I submitted a memorial, I offered candid advice and criticized Dong Zhuo's errors. Because I repeatedly angered Dong Zhuo, I was demoted to a Gentleman of the Court. At that time, the Yellow Turban Rebellion was widespread across various regions, particularly in Beihai, so Dong Zhuo had the three offices jointly recommend me for the position of Prefect of Beihai.
When he arrived in the county, Tao Qian immediately began to pacify the people, train the army, and send out messages to connect with various states and counties. Zhang Rao and his Yellow Turban army, numbering two hundred thousand troops, retreated from Jizhou. Tao Qian confronted them directly but was defeated by Zhang Rao, forcing him to retreat to Zhuxu County with his remaining troops. Gradually, he gathered over forty thousand men, women, and children misled by the Yellow Turban forces, rebuilt the city, established schools, promoted Confucianism, and recommended notable talents like Zheng Xuan, Peng Qiu, and Bing Yuan. The esteemed figures in the county, Zhen Ziran and Lin Xiaocun, had died young, and Tao Qian lamented not having known them sooner. He ordered memorial sacrifices to be held for them in the county temple. Tao Qian showed great respect to anyone with even the slightest merit. For those in the county without descendants and scholars from elsewhere who passed away, Tao Qian would arrange coffins and ensure they received proper burials.
At this time, the Yellow Turban army invaded again, and Tao Qian stationed himself in Douchang, only to find himself surrounded by the bandit Guan Hai. In this critical situation, Tao Qian sent Taishi Ci, a man from Donglai, to seek help from Liu Bei, the magistrate of Pingyuan. Liu Bei was surprised and said, "Kong Beihai (referring to Kong Rong) actually knows there's a Liu Bei out there?" He immediately sent three thousand troops to rescue them, which caused the Yellow Turban bandits to scatter and flee.
At that time, as Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were gaining power, Tao Qian chose not to align himself with either. His deputy, Zuo Cheng, claimed to have a strategy and urged Tao Qian to find a supporter. Aware that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao would eventually aim to dominate the Han dynasty, Tao Qian refused to associate with them and, in a fit of rage, executed Zuo Cheng.
Tao Qian harbored great ambitions, wholeheartedly wanting to pacify the rebellion, but he lacked the ability and had too many ideas. Ultimately, he achieved little. He served in the county for six years, while Liu Bei was recommended to be the Inspector of Qingzhou. In the first year of the Jian'an era, Yuan Tan attacked Tao Qian. From spring to summer, with only a few hundred soldiers left, arrows flew everywhere, swords clashed, and the battle was fierce. Tao Qian remained calm and composed, sitting at his desk reading, chatting and laughing. On the night the city was breached, Tao Qian escaped to Mount Dongshan, while Yuan Tan captured his wife and children.
Later, Emperor Xian of Han relocated the capital to Xuchang, and the court summoned Tao Qian to serve as the Grand Architect, later promoted to the role of Minister of Finance. Every time he attended court meetings, Tao Qian always made reasoned arguments, forcing the other officials to fall in line.
Initially, Grand Tutor Ma Rixi was sent on a mission to Shandong. Upon reaching Huainan, Yuan Shu repeatedly showed contempt towards him. Yuan Shu even snatched his seal, refusing to let him leave and trying to coerce him into leading the army. Ma Rixi felt profound regret and eventually died of anger. After his body was returned to the court, the court deliberated on arranging a grand funeral for him.
But Kong Rong alone expressed opposition. He said, "Ma Midi holds a high position of authority and is a special envoy sent by the court with the mission of pacifying the east. However, he is ingratiating himself with the treacherous Yuan Shu, being led around like a puppet. The memorials he submits always place Yuan Shu's name first, deceiving both above and below, using such underhanded tactics to serve the emperor. In the past, Guo Jia faced the army of the Jin state without fear, and Yi Liao faced the blade without changing his expression. As a court minister, how can one give in to threats from others? Furthermore, Yuan Shu's rebellion has been going on for quite some time, and Ma Midi has been associating with him for years. The Han Code stipulates that associating with criminals for over three days makes one liable. The Spring and Autumn Annals record that Shusun Dechen of Lu state was labeled as 'unworthy' for not exposing the crimes of Xiang Zhong. When Zheng state suppressed the rebellion of Duke You, they even went so far as to chop up the coffins of the Zijia clan. Although the emperor pities the old minister and doesn't want to hold him accountable, he should not reward him either." The court ultimately adopted Kong Rong's opinion. At that time, many people wanted to restore corporal punishment, but Kong Rong suggested: In ancient times, there was a place called Dun Pang, where life was good. When common people made mistakes, it was their own doing; officials were just, the laws were clear, and there were no major problems in governance. However, as time went on, society declined, the moral atmosphere deteriorated, and government policies caused people to become disheartened, with the laws ending up harming them instead. Therefore, if those in power go astray and the common people have been disillusioned for a long time, trying to use ancient harsh laws to control them is simply out of touch with the times!
Just like King Zhou of Shang cutting off the legs of the people of Chaoge, everyone in the world said he was cruel and unjust. Just think about it, if every local lord were to cut off someone's legs, wouldn't that make every place like King Zhou of Shang? It's impossible to achieve social stability and harmony! Furthermore, those who have been punished only want to die in their hearts; how can they even think about living well? They will only become worse and worse, and will never turn back. Just look at Su Sha stirring up trouble in Qi, Yi Li causing chaos in the State of Song, Zhao Gao, Ying Bu, and these notorious villains who harm the common people! You can't stop people from committing crimes at all; instead, you'll completely extinguish any thoughts of reform. Even if you are as loyal as Yu Quan himself, as honest as Bian He, as clever as Sun Bin, as unjust as Xiang Bo, as talented as Sima Qian, as wise as Zi Chan, as long as you are subjected to the punishment of the knife and saws, you will never be able to lift your head for the rest of your life.
Just think about it, the achievements of Da Yu in flood control, Duke Mu of Qin dominating the Western Rong, the valiant warriors of Nan Sui, Duke Wu of Wei's "Chu Yan" music, Chen Tang's achievements in pacifying the Xiongnu, Wei Shang's contributions to guarding the border—all of these cannot be achieved! The Han Dynasty pioneered the path of reform in order to avoid this situation. Therefore, wise monarchs should think carefully, play to their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, and not rigidly adhere to established rules.
Although the court recognized the wisdom of this principle, in the end, it did not change. At this time, the Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, failed to pay tribute to the court and even committed numerous acts of disrespect and defiance, even holding a grand ceremony to honor the heavens and putting on an emperor's airs. The court issued an edict to take action against him. So, (someone) wrote a memorial saying:
I heard that Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou, is a ruthless and overbearing person, acting tyrannically and committing various offenses, even holding sacrificial ceremonies to heaven and earth, putting on a show that rivals the state's rituals. Although he is deserving of severe punishment, for the sake of the nation's reputation, this matter should be concealed. Why? The emperor's authority is unparalleled, and his position is sacred; his being is akin to that of a celestial entity, and ministers cannot reach him; he is like the stars and the sun, beyond their grasp. If any subordinate dares to challenge the emperor, wouldn't chaos reign? Therefore, I believe that despite Liu Biao's grave offenses, we must exercise patience for now. Just as Jia Yi said about being cautious around sacred matters, this is the reason. Look, when the Qi army invaded Chu, they only demanded thatched roofs; when the royal army lost the battle, they did not record the mistakes of the Jin people. Now bringing Yuan Shu's crimes to light, and now investigating Liu Biao's affairs, wouldn't that encourage those with ill intentions to believe that imperial authority can be easily challenged? Liu Biao is overbearing and acts arbitrarily, executing nobles at his whim, obstructing the court's orders, intercepting tribute goods, associating with villains, and forming his own faction; he is simply a major rebel, and the situation is dire! This is as serious as placing a cauldron in a temple; what could be a more serious crime than this? It's clear that the situation is on the brink of collapse. I believe we should keep the sacrificial rituals under wraps, and we should focus our efforts on bolstering national defense.
Five years later, Prince Wang Feng of Nanyang and Prince Wang Zhi of Donghai passed away. The emperor was deeply saddened by their premature deaths and wanted to hold seasonal sacrifices for them. He came to ask me what to do. I replied, "Your Majesty, you are benevolent and care for the people. In this prosperous era, your thoughts of the deceased are even more profound. Your sorrow over the deaths of the two princes is deep. Issuing an edict to express your mourning is in accordance with ritual. I have consulted previous classics and found that in the past, when Princes Huai of Liang, Min of Linjiang, Ai of Qi, and Huai of Linhuai passed away without leaving descendants, their brothers were Emperor Jing, Emperor Wu, Emperor Zhao, and Emperor Ming. However, history does not record any sacrifices held for them. If a decision is made to hold a sacrifice at this time, it will not be recorded in the annals of history. I believe the two princes were still quite young, and your compassion and mourning, along with the rituals and posthumous titles, are more than enough to show your kindness. Once the ritual is completed, it should be stopped. Regarding the annual sacrifices, they do not adhere to the proper rituals and go against the late emperor's system, so I dare not do so."
At first, Cao Cao launched an attack and slaughtered the inhabitants of Ye City, and many women and children of the Yuan family suffered aggression. Cao Pi, Cao Cao's son, secretly took Yuan Xi's wife, Lady Zhen, as his concubine. Kong Rong penned a letter to Cao Cao, stating, "King Wu conquered King Zhou and bestowed Daji upon Duke of Zhou." Cao Cao was puzzled by the allusion and later asked Kong Rong which classic it came from. Kong Rong replied, "Based on the current situation, that's probably it." Later, Cao Cao campaigned against the Wuhuan and ridiculed Kong Rong, remarking, "The Grand General is on a far-off campaign, leaving the lands desolate. In the past, the Suishen did not offer tribute with arrows, and the Dingling stole Su Wu's cattle and sheep. These incidents can be considered together."
At that time, the harvest was poor and there were constant wars. Cao Cao submitted a memorial proposing a ban on brewing alcohol, but Kong Rong wrote several letters in opposition, using many disrespectful terms towards Cao Cao. Kong Rong saw Cao Cao's cunning becoming more apparent and could no longer tolerate it, so his tone in the letters grew increasingly extreme, often confronting Cao Cao. He even suggested emulating the ancient emperor's system, proposing not to divide the territory into vassal states within a thousand miles. Cao Cao grew increasingly suspicious of Kong Rong's intentions, becoming more wary of him. However, due to Kong Rong's great reputation, Cao Cao outwardly feigned tolerance towards him while secretly resenting Kong Rong's frank criticism, fearing he would hinder his grand plans. Xi Lu, from Shanyang, understood Cao Cao's thoughts and employed various tactics to petition for Kong Rong's removal from office. Cao Cao seized this opportunity to publicly articulate his resentment towards Kong Rong, stating:
It is said that in the times of the Tang and Yu dynasties, the ministers were particularly humble, which led to the appearance of qilins and phoenixes, amid widespread praise. Later on, as the world declined, some even sacrificed themselves for their monarch and destroyed their own states for the sake of the country. When things got even worse, even the slightest grievances must be avenged, and the smallest favors had to be repaid. Therefore, Chao Cuo suffered for the country's sake, while Qu Yuan's loyalty to the Chu state led to betrayal by the officials; Peng Chong's rebellion started with Zhu Fu; Deng Yu's reputation was damaged by Zong and Feng. Considering these examples, joy, anger, sorrow, and resentment can all lead to both blessings and misfortunes, so we must be careful! In the past, Lian Po and Lin Xiangru, mere officials of small states, could demonstrate mutual humility; military figures like Kou Zhun and Jia Chang could put aside their pride and maintained amicable relations; Emperor Guangwu bore no grudges against Bo Sheng; Duke Huan of Qi did not question the loyalty of the captives of Shigou. How could those with grand ambitions be held back by such trivial matters?
I heard that the two of you used to have a good relationship. This small misunderstanding can surely be resolved, and you should reconcile. But now, the resentment is only deepening, and both of you want to hurt each other. Hearing all this makes me very uneasy; I can't even sleep at night. When the country moved east in the past, Wen praised Hongyu's reputation, and it matched reality. Hongyu was proficient in Confucianism, learned from Zheng Xuan, and also mastered the "Sima Fa." Hongyu also praised Wen for his vast knowledge. It's strange; how did things change so much from before? I don't have much of a relationship with Wen, nor any obligation to Hongyu, but I hope everyone can get along peacefully. I don't want to see everyone hurting each other, so I thought I could help you reconcile. I know that you have been stirred up by those petty people. As a subject, I cannot educate the world or cultivate my own family, but I can train soldiers, serve my country, and take down those superficial social climbers. That much, I can do.
Rong replied:
Ah, I received your letter, and I am really anxious! I've known Hongyu for a long time, and I have praised his merits and virtues before. I wanted him to make a good impression on the emperor and help the country. I never thought of covering up his mistakes. Even if he made a mistake, I wished he wouldn't be punished. When he was demoted before, I was actually happy for him. Back in the day, Zhao Xuanzi summoned Han Jue in the morning and had him killed by evening, and happily sent people to congratulate him! I don’t have Han Jue’s merits, so how could I dare interfere with the court's fair judgment? My loyalty doesn't compare to Qu Yuan's, and my wisdom doesn't match Chao Cuo's. It was wrong for me to hold that official position, and being acquitted was just my luck. You actually told Rong about these thoughts of mine, making me feel ashamed and scared at the same time.
Zhu, Peng, Kou, and Jia are all contemporary heroes, engaging in conflict while expressing concern for the nation. As for someone like me with mediocre abilities, I am like insects gnawing at one another, only harming myself and never achieving anything significant. Marquis Jin thinks that the debates among his ministers are important, while Shi Kuang believes that it is more important for everyone to work diligently. I have a rather slow disposition and prefer not to engage in arguments. Even if I have suffered humiliation, it pales in comparison to the belittlement I feel from others, like a mosquito bite that soon fades away. Zi Chan once said that people's hearts vary; some rely on power and only seek victory for glory, but they fail to recognize that the people of Song treat guests from all corners like wine boiling in a large pot—the wine mustn't go sour! Those worthless things, hard and unyielding like gourds, are despised simply for their lack of utility.
I adhere strictly to your teachings in all matters, not daring to slack in the slightest. Xi used to be my subordinate and was also recommended by me. Zhao Shuai promoted Xi Gu without diminishing Gong Shu's advancement! I know you appreciate talent, and your teachings truly resonate with me. Even if there are people like Yi Bo who avoid talented individuals, I will not hold a grudge against those who rely on old friendships to exclude capable officials! I am telling you all my thoughts, hoping that our friendship can be as good as before. I’ll always keep your well-meaning advice in mind.
After a few years, Kong Rong was promoted again and became the Grand Minister. He was generous and did not envy others, enjoyed making friends, and was happy to help younger generations. After retiring, his home was always bustling with guests, and the wine cups were never empty. He truly had no worries! He was very close to Cai Yong. After Cai Yong passed away, there was a Hu Ben guard who resembled Cai Yong. Whenever Kong Rong got drunk, he would call him over to drink together and say, "Although my old friend is gone, at least there is someone who looks like him!" When Kong Rong heard about others' strengths, he embraced them as his own. If he heard valuable advice, he would carefully consider it, improve upon it, and then share it with the person, while gently pointing out their weaknesses and praising their strengths. He had a knack for recognizing talent and helped many people advance. He was aware of others' weaknesses but chose not to speak of them, believing it was his own shortcoming. Therefore, talented people everywhere admired him.
Cao Cao had long harbored grievances against Kong Rong, and Xi Lu further inflamed the situation by fabricating accusations against him. Therefore, he had the Chancellor and Military Strategist Lu Cui write a forged memorial accusing Kong Rong, saying: "Kong Rong, the Minister of Works, when he was in Beihai, saw the court in turmoil and unrest, recruited soldiers and amassed troops, plotting against the state, and even claimed, 'I am a descendant of a great sage, but was annihilated by the Song state. Do people who possess the world still need your golden sword?' When he spoke to Sun Quan's envoy, he defamed the court. Kong Rong also violated court regulations, dressed inappropriately, behaved inappropriately, and wore old clothes while loitering in the palace. He also engaged in nonsensical talk with Mi Heng while dressed casually, saying, 'How deep can a father's love for his son be? Ultimately, it's just a matter of desire. And what about a son's feelings for his mother? It's like placing something in a clay pot; once taken out, it falls apart.' Later, he and Mi Heng exchanged flattery. Mi Heng said, 'If only Confucius were still alive.' Kong Rong replied, 'Then Yan Hui should be brought back to life.' This is an outrageous crime and deserves severe punishment!"
The memorial was submitted, and Kong Rong was arrested and ultimately executed at the age of fifty-six. His wife and children were all killed. His eldest daughter was seven years old, and his son was nine years old. Because of their young age, they were spared and taken in by others. The two children were playing chess when Kong Rong was taken away, remaining still. Someone nearby asked, "Your father has been taken away, why don't you get up?" The son replied, "What sense does it make for a bird's nest to be destroyed while the eggs remain unharmed?" The host left some meat soup, which the son drank when he felt thirsty. The daughter said, "We have already suffered a great calamity today, how much longer can we live? Who cares about drinking meat soup?" It was only when the brother cried and pleaded that he managed to stop her. Someone told Cao Cao about this, and Cao Cao also killed Kong Rong's two children. As he was being taken to the execution ground, Kong Rong said to his brother, "If there is awareness after death and we could see our parents again, how wonderful that would be!" So he stretched his neck, faced death calmly, without changing his expression, making everyone present feel sorrowful.
At first, Zhi Yixi Yuan Sheng from Jingzhao had a close relationship with Yang Xiu and often advised Yang Xiu to be less rigid. After Yang Xiu's death, everyone was too afraid to retrieve his body. Yuan Sheng went over and touched Yang Xiu's body, saying, "Wenju (Yang Xiu's style name) died for justice, what meaning do I have to live?" When Cao Cao learned of this, he was furious and sought to arrest Yuan Sheng and execute him, but he was later pardoned and released.
Emperor Wen of Wei greatly admired Yang Xiu's literary talent and often exclaimed, "Yang Xiu is a talent like Yang Xiong and Ban Gu!" He also ordered a nationwide competition to find works that could surpass Yang Xiu's literary prowess. Those that met the criteria were rewarded with gold, silver, and other treasures. Yang Xiu authored a total of twenty-five works, including poetry, eulogies, inscriptions, essays, six-character poems, policy essays, memorials, proclamations, edicts, and letters. Emperor Wen of Wei believed that Yuan Sheng possessed the same loyalty and integrity as Lu Bu, so he promoted him to the position of Grand Master of the Palace Attendants.
The article commented: In the past, the counselor Zheng You once said: "Where there are fierce beasts on the mountain, people will not go to pick wild vegetables." Therefore, Confucius firmly stood against the plots of regicide and usurpation; Ping Zhong served in the court, hoping to rescue the crisis of invasion by the Qi state. Noble aspirations and an upright character like Yang Xiu's are enough to move the world, but also anger the powerful. Therefore, the tragic death of Yang Xiu occurred while he was alive, and his wish to contribute to the country was only realized after his death. His righteous and resolute character ultimately led to a tragic fate. Does compromising really ensure survival? Yang Xiu's integrity and honesty can be compared to the purity of Kunlun jade and the crispness of autumn frost!
Xun Yu, styled Wenruo, was from Yingchuan, Yingyin, and was the grandson of Xun Shu, the magistrate of Langling. His father, Xun Gun, served as the magistrate of Jinan. Xun Gun feared eunuchs, so he arranged for Xun Yu to marry the daughter of the Grand Commandant Tang Heng. Xun Yu had a reputation for talent from a young age, so he was spared from criticism. The people of Nanyang, especially He Yong, were good at judging people. When he saw Xun Yu, he regarded him highly, saying: "This is a great talent to assist emperors!"
In the sixth year of Zhongping, Xun Yu was recommended as a virtuous and filial official and later promoted to the position of Kangfu magistrate. When chaos erupted due to Dong Zhuo, Xun Yu resigned and returned to his hometown. Han Rong, from the same county, was leading over a thousand families of relatives to hide in the Mishi Mountains to escape the turmoil. Xun Yu told the village elders: "Yingchuan is a place surrounded by enemies on all sides. When there are changes in the world, this area is always a hotspot for conflict. Although Mishi County has a strategic location, it is not enough to withstand major disasters. We should leave quickly." Many villagers were reluctant to leave their hometown. At that time, the Governor of Jizhou, Han Fu (from the same county as Han Rong), sent people to welcome Xun Yu. Xun Yu then followed Han Fu alone with his clan, and most of those who stayed behind were killed or captured by Dong Zhuo's general, Li Jue.
Wow, Guo Jia arrived in Jizhou, only to discover that Yuan Shao had already squeezed Han Fu out. Yuan Shao was really courteous to Guo Jia, treating him like a VIP. Guo Jia knew full well that the Han Dynasty was falling apart, and he was constantly thinking about how to fix this mess. At that time, Cao Cao was in Dongjun, and Guo Jia heard that Cao Cao was very capable, so he thought that Yuan Shao would not amount to much. In the second year of the Chuping era, he ditched Yuan Shao and went to join Cao Cao. Cao Cao had a quick chat with him and was thrilled, saying right away, "You’re my Zhang Liang!" He quickly appointed Guo Jia as a military officer, and he was just 29 at the time. The next year, he got promoted to Cao Cao's East General.
In the first year of the Xingping era, Cao Cao went to attack Tao Qian in the east, leaving Guo Jia to guard Zhencheng and take care of rear operations. As a result, Zhang Miao and Chen Gong actually rebelled against Cao Cao in Yanzhou, and even secretly summoned Lu Bu to their side. Once Lu Bu arrived, the nearby cities quickly surrendered. Zhang Miao sent a messenger to mislead Guo Jia, claiming, "General Lu has come to assist Cao Cao in attacking Tao Qian; you need to prepare military supplies at once!" Guo Jia sensed that something was amiss and immediately ordered his troops to prepare for battle, thwarting Zhang Miao's scheme. Guo Gong, the Governor of Yuzhou, arrived with tens of thousands of troops and requested a meeting with Guo Jia. Guo Jia was about to go, but Xiahou Chun quickly intervened, saying, "How do you know Guo Gong is not with Lu Bu? Are you going to see him so rashly? You are now the defender of a province; going there could be dangerous!" Guo Jia responded, "Guo Gong doesn't have a good relationship with Zhang Miao, and his quick arrival indicates he hasn't made up his mind yet. While he's hesitating, we should persuade him quickly; even if you can't sway him, you can at least keep him neutral. If you show suspicion first, he might get angry and ally with Lu Bu, so it's better to go see him." When Guo Gong met Guo Jia, he found him completely unafraid. Realizing the city couldn't be captured, he withdrew his forces. Guo Jia then dispatched Cheng Yu to persuade Fan County and Dong'e County to defend their cities, successfully securing these three cities while waiting for Cao Cao's return. In the second year, after Tao Qian's death, Cao Cao sought to seize the opportunity to capture Xuzhou before dealing with Lu Bu. Guo Jia advised Cao Cao:
Liu Bei established a strong foothold in Guanzhong, while Emperor Guangwu took root in Henei. Both first secured their base before aiming for the realm. They could win battles in attack and hold their ground in defense, so even if they experienced a few failures, they ultimately achieved great success. General, when you first rose up in Yanzhou and pacified Shandong, that was a crucial area in the realm, your very foundation! If you don't secure it first, where will you lay your foundation? You need to quickly dispatch troops to deal with Chen Gong; don't let him turn his attention westward, seize the chance to harvest ripe wheat, stockpile food, and prepare to annihilate Lu Bu in one fell swoop—then Lu Bu won't pose a threat. But now you're leaving Yanzhou to the east, I don't see any benefits in that. Keep more troops; if you leave too few troops, it will be hard to secure your rear. Lu Bu will take advantage of the situation, plundering everywhere, creating panic among the populace. Even if you manage to hold a few cities, the rest will slip away from you; how will you be able to return? Furthermore, the terror of your previous attacks has made the people of Xuzhou remember the shame of their families, and they will definitely guard obediently. Even if you take Xuzhou, you might not be able to hold it. If they band together in fear, fortifying their defenses and waiting for your attack, your 100,000-strong army could find itself trapped before the battle even starts. There's always a balance between sacrificing some things and gaining others; you need to weigh the current situation carefully, General, and I hope you'll take it to heart. Cao Cao swiftly harvested the ripe wheat and engaged Lu Bu in battle once more. Lu Bu was defeated and fled, Cao Cao pursued his victory, bringing peace to each county, and ultimately securing Yanzhou.
In the first year of the Jian'an era, Emperor Xian returned from Hedong to Luoyang. Cao Cao planned to welcome the emperor and move the capital to Xuchang. Many believed that Shandong was still in turmoil, and meritorious officials like Han Xian and Yang Feng were acting arrogantly and were hard to manage. Guo Jia advised Cao Cao, saying, "In the past, when Duke Wen of Jin welcomed King Xiang of Zhou, all the vassals returned one after another; when Emperor Gaozu of Han mourned for Emperor Yi, the whole world pledged allegiance. Now that the emperor is wandering without a home, General, you were the first to raise the flag of righteousness, but with the chaos in Shandong, you haven't had the chance to go far to welcome him. Even while you're fighting off enemies, you always keep the royal family in mind. Now that the emperor's carriage is returning, the eastern capital is in ruins, loyal and righteous people want to protect their roots, and the people miss the old glory. Seizing this opportunity to welcome the emperor and align with the people's wishes would be a brilliant move; uphold justice, obey the world, this is a great strategy; support righteousness, attract talents, this is a great virtue. Even if there are rebels in all directions, what's the big deal? What is there to fear about Han Xian and Yang Feng! If you do not pacify them now, and let the heroes have other ideas, it will be too late to solve them later." Cao Cao followed his advice.
It is said that Cao Cao served as the emperor's advisor in Xudu and also held the title of Chancellor. Every time Cao Cao led troops into battle, he consulted with Xun Yu on state affairs. Xun Yu also suggested Cao Cao's relative, Xun You, as well as Zhong Yao, Guo Jia, Chen Qun, Du Xi, Sima Yi, and Xi Zhicai, these talented individuals to Cao Cao, and everyone agreed he had a keen eye for talent. However, his picks for governors of Yangzhou and Liangzhou, Yan Xiang and Wei Kang, both ended in defeat.
Yuan Shao occupied the Hebei region and became a bit full of himself. Cao Cao took a hit from Zhang Xiu, and Yuan Shao's letter to Cao Cao was filled with arrogance. Cao Cao was furious and wanted to strike first at Yuan Shao, but he worried he might not win, so he went to ask Xun Yu for advice. Xun Yu pointed out that while Yuan Shao was powerful, he would eventually be defeated by Cao Cao. He suggested that Cao Cao first capture Lu Bu, and then deal with Yuan Shao. Cao Cao listened to his advice, and three years later he captured Lu Bu and brought Xu Province under control.
Five years later, Yuan Shao marched a big army to attack Xuchang, and Cao Cao and Yuan Shao faced off. Yuan Shao had a strong army, and everyone was pretty scared. Kong Rong, the Minister of Works, piped up and asked Xun Yu, "Yuan Shao has a large territory, a strong army, and strategists like Tian Feng and Xu You to advise him, loyal ministers like Shen Pei and Feng Ji to handle affairs for him, and warriors like Yan Liang and Wen Chou who are incredibly brave and lead his army. Aren't we in for a tough fight?" But Xun Yu replied, "Sure, Yuan Shao has a lot of soldiers, but his army is undisciplined; Tian Feng is stubborn and does not follow orders; Xu You is greedy and lacks principles; Shen Pei is stubborn and lacks strategy; Feng Ji is stubborn; Yan Liang and Wen Chou are just brave fighters, and it is easy to capture them." In the end, things played out just like Xun Yu said they would; for more details, check out "The Biography of Yuan Shao."
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fought many battles. Although Cao Cao won, his army was running out of food. He wrote a letter to Xun Yu to discuss returning to Xu City and letting Yuan Shao's army catch up. Xun Yu replied, "Although food is scarce now, it is not as critical as the situation in Xingyang and Chenggao during the Chu-Han Contention. At that time, neither Liu Bang nor Xiang Yu wanted to retreat first because it would weaken their momentum. Although your forces are small now, you occupy advantageous terrain, hold your ground, and choke Yuan Shao's supply lines, making it difficult for him to make any moves for six months. When Yuan Shao realizes this stalemate, there will definitely be a change in his mind. This is a good opportunity to employ a surprise attack; do not miss it!" Cao Cao listened to Xun Yu's words, held his ground, and then employed a surprise attack to defeat Yuan Shao, who fled. Cao Cao appointed Xun Yu as the Marquis of Wansui Pavilion, with a fief of one thousand households.
In the sixth year, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao, who had yet to recover and was unable to regroup. Cao Cao wanted to leave some troops there to guard while he went south to attack Liu Biao. He asked Xun Yu for advice. Xun Yu said, "Yuan Shao has just been defeated, and everyone is afraid. Now is not the time to march south after victory. Instead, you should keep your troops in Jianghan. If Yuan Shao regroups and takes advantage of your absence, it could spell trouble for you!" Cao Cao listened and decided against the idea of heading south.
Nine years after, Cao Cao captured the city of Ye and became the Governor of Jizhou. Some suggested that Cao Cao reinstate the administrative system of the Nine Provinces, believing that such a broad jurisdiction in Jizhou would make it easier for the realm to submit. Cao Cao was considering adopting this suggestion. However, Xun Yu said, "We are still following the old rules. The areas under the jurisdiction of Jizhou include Hedong, Fengyi, Fufeng, Xihe, Youzhou, and Bingzhou. When you took Ye by force, the entire realm was thrown into fear, and everyone was afraid of not being able to keep their own territory and troops. If you occupy another place now, they will definitely think they are next, and the people's resolve will easily falter. If something goes wrong one day, it will be difficult to control the realm. I hope you first bring peace to the northern territories, then repair Luoyang, move south to control the Chu area and Yingdu, and ensure that the kings and nobles pay tribute willingly. Once the realm knows your intentions, everyone will be at ease. Once the realm is stable, then consider reinstating the ancient system. This is a long-term plan!" Cao Cao replied, "If it weren't for you stopping me, I would have made a big mistake!" So Cao Cao gave up the plan to restore the Nine Provinces.
In the twelfth year, Cao Cao penned a letter to Xun Yu, stating:
Let's talk about the rebellion led by Yuan Shao back in the day, when he faced off against Cao Cao at Guandu. At that time, Cao Cao had a small army and was short on supplies, so he considered retreating back to Xuchang. However, Xun Yu strongly urged Cao Cao to hold his position and even came up with a strategy to make allies far away while attacking those close by to lift the gloomy spirits of the troops. Cao Cao listened to his advice, fortified his camp, and ultimately defeated the formidable enemy Yuan Shao, turning a crisis into a safe situation. After Yuan Shao's defeat, Cao Cao's provisions ran out and he planned to abandon Hebei to attack Liu Biao in Jingzhou. Xun Yu analyzed the pros and cons in detail, changing Cao Cao's plan. As a result, Cao Cao managed to reclaim Hebei and bring peace to four provinces, including Jizhou. If Cao Cao had listened to the advice to retreat from Guandu, Yuan Shao would have definitely pursued him in victory, and Cao Cao's army would have been demoralized because of greed, leading to inevitable defeat. Furthermore, if he had attacked Liu Biao in the south, abandoning Yanzhou and Yuzhou, marching a starving army deep into enemy territory, crossing mountains and rivers, not only would victory have been hard to come by, but he would have also lost his stronghold. Xun Yu's two strategies really saved the day, and his strategies and accomplishments are truly impressive. Therefore, the previous emperor held Xun Yu's strategic planning in high regard while not placing much importance on battlefield victories. People in ancient times valued strategic planning over just brute force in taking cities. When you look closely at Xun Yu's achievements, he truly deserves a higher rank. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize his contributions, and the rewards he gets don’t reflect his true contributions. I really feel for him! I want to reevaluate his contributions and grant him more land and households.
Xun Yu repeatedly refused. Cao Cao compared him to Jie Zitu, saying, "Jie Zitu once said: 'Stealing from others is called theft.' Moreover, the brilliant strategies you have proposed are related to the rise and fall of the country. How can you claim all the credit? Do you want to emulate the noble character of Lu Zhonglian and refuse with the noble integrity of a sage?" So Cao Cao increased Xun Yu's fiefdom by a thousand households, adding to the previous one, totaling two thousand households. Cao Cao also wanted to give Xun Yu an important official position, but Xun Yu repeatedly declined, turning down the offer more than ten times before Cao Cao gave up. Later, when Cao Cao was preparing to attack Liu Biao, he asked Xun Yu for his strategy. Xun Yu said, "Now that the world is largely pacified, the people of Jingzhou and Hanzhong know that their end is near. We can feint to the east while attacking from the west, departing from Wancheng and Yexian, moving quickly and unexpectedly to catch them off guard." Cao Cao accepted his advice. Coincidentally, Liu Biao died of illness. In the seventeenth year, Dong Zhao and others wanted to persuade Cao Cao to accept the title of "Duke of a State," with the nine ceremonial gifts prepared; they secretly asked Xun Yu for his opinion. Xun Yu said, "Cao Cao initially raised his army under the banner of righteousness to support the Han Dynasty. Although his achievements are great, he has always upheld his loyalty and integrity. A noble person loves others with morality and should not act this way." This matter was left unresolved. Cao Cao was very unhappy about it.
As Cao Cao was preparing to launch a campaign against Sun Quan in the south, he submitted a memorial requesting Xun Yu to travel to Qiao County to visit and reassure the troops, and included a mention of Xun Yu in the memorial. The memorial stated: "I have heard that in ancient times, when generals were dispatched on campaigns, there would be supervisors above and subordinate generals below, all to uphold the dignity of the state’s orders and minimize errors. Now that I am about to cross the river to attack Sun Quan, I must send an important envoy to declare the royal command. The use of both civil and military officials has been a tradition since ancient times. Let Xun Yu—Privy Secretary, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Marquis of Wansui Pavilion—who is a highly respected minister and revered by all, wait at the camp where the troops are stationed, and accompany me as we advance, proclaiming the royal command and intimidating the enemy. The military situation is critical; there's no time to seek prior approval, so I have taken the liberty of retaining Xun Yu to bolster the army's prestige." Once the memorial was submitted, the Emperor approved it, appointing Xun Yu as Privy Secretary and Grand Master of Ceremonies, granting him authority to participate in military matters under the Prime Minister. Upon reaching Ruxu, Xun Yu fell ill and remained in Shou Chun. Cao Cao sent him food, but upon opening it, they discovered it was an empty vessel. Xun Yu took the medicine but unfortunately passed away at the age of fifty. The Emperor was profoundly saddened and halted festivities for several days. He was posthumously bestowed the title Marquis of Jing. The following year, Cao Cao proclaimed himself Duke of Wei.
The article comments: Since the relocation of Emperor Xian of Han to the Western Capital, the Shandong region has been in constant turmoil, and the fate of the realm is at stake. Xun Yu, however, made his way to Henei and Jizhou to seek refuge with Cao Cao. Observing his decisions, speeches, and strategies carefully, he always worked for the greater good of the country, devoting himself entirely. He wasn’t out to gain personally during the chaos. He truly took benevolence and righteousness as his responsibility, hoping to rescue the people in times of crisis. However, he rejected Dong Zhao's advice, ultimately leading to tragedy. Could this really be fate's doing? People’s opinions of Xun Yu can sometimes be exaggerated or downplayed. I think it's tough for those who are below average to achieve perfection. Their wisdom and strategies may be lacking, and their initial ideas may not necessarily achieve the final goal. This is something that can’t be entirely blamed on them. Take Wei Yang, for instance; despite his cleverness, one remark led to the downfall of two states. It was not because he lacked benevolence and righteousness, but because there are gains and losses, and one cannot have both. In the turbulent situation at that time, without great talent and strategy, it was impossible to save the crisis. If someone gains too much credit and power, the throne will inevitably change hands. This was dictated by the circumstances of the time and couldn’t be reconciled. We can only look at his final choice, which reflects his sacrifice for what he believed was right.
Speaking of Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao, he was a truly talented strategist with impressive achievements and a formidable reputation. Everyone says he was formidable! However, during his rule, there were many treacherous villains, and to win people over, he spent heavily and surrounded himself with a lot of shady characters.
As for Cao Cao, he enjoyed listening to the bold, free-spirited music from the northern seas. The rising and falling, the ups and downs of the music made him feel great. But folks from the south found it off-putting and strange, with very few appreciating it. He had grand ambitions and wanted to accomplish great things, but who could really help him out?
It wasn't until he met Sima Yi! Sima Yi, he was indeed a fiercely loyal person, seeing the country in peril, he was deeply troubled. He assisted Cao Cao, made significant contributions, and helped change the fate of the country. But he was excessively discreet in his actions, leaving others puzzled about his true thoughts.
This Sima Yi, his relationship with Cao Cao is indeed perplexing; despite his remarkable achievements, he remained extremely cautious, leading people to suspect he was hiding secrets.
Praise: His public accomplishments are impressive, and his reputation soars. Navigating power's intrigues, surrounded by flatterers. His talent is exceptional, but his emotions are often unpredictable. Easily unsettled by the mundane, he rarely finds harmony. Where can he find solace and allies for his lofty ambitions? With Yu's support, he genuinely senses the nation's urgency. His accomplishments usher in change, yet his intentions remain suspect.
