Zhang Hong, whose courtesy name was Zigang, was from Guangling, Jiangsu. He went to study in the capital, and upon returning to his hometown, he took the imperial examination and was recognized as a 'Mao Cai' (a talented scholar). He was also summoned by the local government, but he declined the position and instead sought refuge in Jiangdong. When Sun Ce rose up in rebellion, Zhang Hong joined him. Sun Ce appointed him as the Chief Military Officer, and they launched an attack on Danyang together. Once, when Sun Ce personally led a military campaign, Zhang Hong advised him, "General, you are the center of military decision-making, and the entire army relies on you. You should not rashly take risks and fight against small enemy forces. I hope you will value the talent you’ve been given by heaven, not let the people down, and not make the people in the country worry."
In the fourth year of the Jian'an era, Sun Ce sent Zhang Hong with a memorial to the Imperial Palace in Xuchang, and later, Zhang Hong remained there and became a court censor. He had a good relationship with people like Kong Rong, the Minister of Works. When Cao Cao heard that Sun Ce had died and wanted to take advantage of the situation to attack Eastern Wu, Zhang Hong advised Cao Cao, "It is not the way of righteousness to attack someone just because they have died. If you lose the battle, you will only create enmity and ruin the peaceful relationship. It is better to take the opportunity to improve relations with them." Cao Cao accepted his advice and immediately recommended Zhang Hong to be the General Who Subdues the Enemy while also serving as the Governor of Kuaiji. Later, Cao Cao wanted Zhang Hong to help persuade Sun Quan to submit to the court, so he appointed him as the Commandant of Eastern Kuaiji.
Sun Quan appointed Zhang Hong as the Chief of Staff, and together they set out to attack Hefei. Sun Quan wanted to recklessly lead a light cavalry unit to surprise the enemy, but Zhang Hong advised, "War is dangerous, and fighting is even more perilous. Currently, your soldiers are underestimating the enemy's ferocity due to their high morale, feeling anxious about the situation. Even if they can kill the enemy general and capture the enemy's flag to shake the battlefield, that's something a subordinate ought to do, not what a commander should do. I hope you can exercise caution like Meng Ben and Xia Yu, and think more about strategies like King Ba." Sun Quan accepted Zhang Hong's advice and stopped the operation.
After returning to Jianye, Sun Quan planned to go to war again the next year, and Zhang Hong once again advised, "Throughout history, heavenly appointed rulers, even with divine favor and good governance that benefits the people, still need military achievements to demonstrate their merit. However, timing is everything; you must act decisively and then assert your authority. We are currently in a time of national weakness, and you have already achieved significant success in quelling the rebellion. You should take some time to recuperate, develop production, appoint talents, implement benevolent policies, align with the will of heaven, and you can quell the rebellion with ease." Sun Quan then abandoned the idea of going to war.
Zhang Hong suggested to Sun Quan that he move the capital to Moling, and Sun Quan accepted his advice. Zhang Hong was tasked with returning to Wu County to reunite with his family, but he passed away en route. Before he died, he handed a letter to his son Zhang Jing, in which he wrote: "Since ancient times, those with both a country and a family have aspired to implement sound policies that reflect a prosperous era. However, the outcomes of governance are often disappointing. This is because monarchs often struggle to control their emotions and fail to leverage the advice of their advisors effectively. Human nature often shies away from challenges and gravitates towards ease, favoring the familiar while rejecting the different, which contradicts the principles of effective governance. The Book of Documents states, 'Following goodness is like climbing a mountain, while following evil is like a swift descent,' highlighting the challenges of doing good. A monarch inherits his ancestors' legacy, occupies a favorable position, wields national power, enjoys ease and pleasure, and often feels no need to seek help from others; while loyal ministers must offer challenging advice, speak uncomfortable truths, and voice differing opinions. Isn't this quite normal? Division breeds contradictions, clever words can lead to misjudgments, surface loyalty can be misleading, indulging in favors and emotions blurs the line between wisdom and folly, and disrupts the order between elders and juniors—all stemming from emotional turmoil. Thus, a wise ruler must grasp this principle, seek talent with eagerness, be open to others' counsel, manage his emotions, curb desires, prioritize justice over personal favors, ensuring no bias from above and no selfish motives below. One must think carefully before acting, tolerate shortcomings, and conceal weaknesses to achieve the noble goals of benevolence and righteousness." Zhang Hong passed away at sixty. After reading the letter, Sun Quan couldn't hold back his tears.
Speaking of this man, he wrote over ten poems, essays, and inscriptions, with excellent literary talent. His son Zixuan rose to become the Governor of Nanjun and the Minister of Personnel, which was quite an achievement. Zixuan's son, Shang, served as a Counselor during the reign of Sun Hao. Because of his sharp wit, his rank continued to rise, and he quickly became a Palace Attendant and Minister of the Palace Secretariat. Sun Hao asked him to play the zither, but he boldly replied, "I don't know how to play the zither." Sun Hao ordered him to learn. Later, in a casual chat, Shang talked about the joys of playing the zither and even brought up the story of Jin Pingong and Shi Kuang, saying, "Jin Pingong asked Shi Kuang to play the qingjiao, but Shi Kuang replied that he wasn't worthy of playing that tune." Sun Hao felt that Shang was subtly mocking him and was quite displeased. Later, Shang got into trouble for other matters, was thrown into jail, and his past misdeeds were dug up. In the end, he was sent to Jian'an to work on shipbuilding, and after some time, he was killed.
Initially, he, along with his hometown buddies Qin Song (style name Wenyu) and Chen Duan (style name Zizheng), were held in high regard by Sun Ce and took part in planning military affairs. Sadly, they all passed away at a young age.
Let's talk about Yan Jun, whose courtesy name was Mancai, and who was from Pengcheng. He loved learning from a young age, excelling in poetry, calligraphy, the Three Rites, and the study of philology. To avoid the chaos of war, he fled to Jiangdong, where he developed a close friendship with Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi, both of whom were equally esteemed. He was known for his honesty and kindness, always offering sincere advice and eager to contribute to his country. Zhang Zhao recommended him to Sun Quan, who appointed him as the Cavalry Commandant and a Military Attendant. Later, after the death of General Lu Su, Sun Quan asked Yan Jun to take over Lu Su's position, commanding ten thousand troops to defend Lukou. Everyone was happy for him, but he repeatedly declined, saying, "I am just a simple scholar, ignorant of military affairs. If you make me guard the fortress, there will definitely be chaos, and I would regret it far too late!" He spoke passionately and was even moved to tears, and only then did Sun Quan agree. Everyone admired his genuine humility and straightforwardness. Sun Quan became the King of Wu and later Emperor, and Yan Jun served as the Guard Officer and even went on a mission to Shu, where Prime Minister Zhuge Liang held him in high regard. He shared his salary and rewards with relatives and friends, often finding it hard to make ends meet at home. There was a man named Liu Ying in Guangling, an old friend of Yan Jun's and a renowned scholar living in the countryside. When Sun Quan wanted to summon him, Liu Ying pretended to be ill. After his brother, who was the Administrator of Lingling, passed away, Liu Ying went to mourn, and Sun Quan, discovering that his illness was a pretense, had him arrested. Yan Jun rushed to Liu Ying and urged him to return and apologize to Sun Quan. Although Sun Quan was furious and stripped Yan Jun of his official position, Liu Ying was pardoned. Eventually, Sun Quan appointed Yan Jun as the Minister of Works, but Yan Jun eventually passed away.
Cheng Bing was a notable figure who wrote the books *Xiao Jing Zhuan* and *Chao Shui Lun*, and he engaged in discussions on Guan Zhong and Ji Lu with Pei Xuan and Zhang Cheng, and their discussions were recorded for posterity. Pei Xuan, whose courtesy name was Yan Huang, was from Xiapi and was a learned and virtuous individual who attained the esteemed position of Grand Master of the Palace. He once discussed the strengths and weaknesses of Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Yi of Jin, and Duke Hui of Jin with Ziqin. Ziqin and Pei Xuan held completely opposing views, but both were reasonable. When the Crown Prince spent time with Ziqin, he praised Ziqin's literary talent.
Cheng Bing, whose courtesy name was De Shu, was from Nandun in Runan. He studied under Zheng Xuan and later escaped the turmoil to Jiaozhou, where he engaged in discussions on the classics with Liu Xi and eventually mastered the Five Classics. He was appointed as the Grand Historian by Shi Xie. Sun Quan heard that he was a famous Confucian scholar and received him with great honor, appointing him as the Crown Prince's Tutor. In the fourth year of Huangwu, Sun Quan married the daughter of Zhou Yu to the Crown Prince, with Cheng Bing serving as the Minister of Rites at that time, responsible for welcoming the princess in Wu. Sun Quan personally went to Cheng Bing's ship to see him and extended him great courtesy. Upon his return, Cheng Bing calmly addressed the Crown Prince, saying, "Marriage is the beginning of human relations and the foundation of royal teachings. Therefore, the sage kings all attach great importance to it, using it as an example to educate the world. That's why the Book of Songs praises 'Guan Ju' and places it first. I hope Your Highness will uphold rituals and teachings at home, emulate the good virtues in the 'Zhou Nan' chapter, leading to a harmonious realm." The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Our ability to achieve this hinges on your guidance, esteemed teacher." Cheng Bing later died of illness while in office. He wrote three books, *Zhou Yi Zhai*, *Shang Shu Bo*, and *Lun Yu Bi*, totaling over 30,000 words. During Cheng Bing's tenure as the Crown Prince's Tutor, Zheng Chong of Henan, known for his diligence and integrity, was also a dedicated scholar.
Kan Ze, with the courtesy name Derun, was a native of Shan Yin in Kuaiji Prefecture. His family had been farmers for generations, but Kan Ze himself was particularly studious. Despite being poor and unable to afford books, he frequently transcribed texts for others to earn money for paper and ink. After each transcription, he would memorize everything he had copied. He actively sought out teachers, read extensively, and excelled in calendrical and arithmetic knowledge, gaining a wide reputation. He was recommended as an exemplary and honest candidate, appointed as the magistrate of Chenzhou, and later promoted to the magistrate of Chen County. When Sun Quan was the General of Chariots and Cavalry, he appointed Kan Ze as a secretary in his Western Bureau; later, when Sun Quan became emperor, he appointed Kan Ze as a court secretary. During the Jiahe era, he was appointed Chief of the Palace Library while also serving as an attendant. In the fifth year of the Chiwu era, he was appointed as the Grand Tutor for the Crown Prince and also served as the Chief of the Palace Library.
Now, this Zheng Xuan, his knowledge was vast, spanning the classics and other writings. However, it would be impractical to use all of it, so he carefully curated articles and annotations on rituals from various schools of thought, teaching them to the Crown Prince and princes. He also established rules for their behavior in the court and meeting guests, even writing the "Annotations on the Ganxiang Calendar" to standardize the calendar.
Whenever the court needed to discuss important matters and encountered doubts from the classics, they would always turn to him for guidance. In recognition of his significant contributions to Confucianism, he was granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang. He was humble and cautious, responding with respect to inquiries from the palace's minor officials. He never criticized others, and even if someone's appearance was not pleasing, he would never gossip about them. With his extensive knowledge, he was well-informed. Once, Sun Quan asked him, "Which is the best among books, commentaries, and poems?" Zheng Xuan took this opportunity to advise Sun Quan to learn from history in governing the country, so he said that Jia Yi's "Inquiry into the Mistakes of Qin" was the best. Sun Quan even took the time to read this article.
Earlier, there was a man named Lv Yi who had committed a grave offense. The officials investigated rigorously and wanted to sentence him to death. Some even suggested burning all his writings as a form of punishment and to promote virtue. Sun Quan heeded his advice and spared Lv Yi from the punishment of having his books burned. Some officials believed that stricter punishments should be imposed on subjects, but Zheng Xuan consistently argued, "We should adhere to the principles of propriety and law." He was gentle yet principled, which characterized his interactions with others. In the winter of the sixth year, Zheng Xuan passed away, leaving Sun Quan deeply saddened, to the point of not eating for several days.
In his hometown of Danyang, there was a predecessor named Tang Gu, a Confucian master known for his character cultivation and diligent study. He wrote annotations for "Guoyu," "Gongyangzhuan," and "Guliangzhuan," with dozens of people often studying under him. After Sun Quan became the King of Wu, he appointed Tang Gu as an advisor, and famous figures like Lu Xun, Zhang Wen, and Luo Tong all studied under him. In the fourth year of the Huangwu era, Tang Gu became the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing before passing away.
Xue Zong, whose courtesy name was Jingwen, hailed from Zhuyi in Pei County. When he was young, he fled with his clan to Jiaozhou to escape the chaos of war, where he became a student of Liu Xi. Later, when Shi Xie surrendered to Sun Quan, Sun Quan appointed Xue Zong as the General of the Household of Five Offices, and he later became the Prefect of Hepu and Jiaozhi.
At that time, Jiaozhou had just been developed, and the Inspector Lu Dai led troops to suppress the rebellion. Xue Zong accompanied them, traveling south, crossing the South Sea, and reaching Jiuzhen Commandery. After accomplishing their mission, Xue Zong returned to Jianye (the capital of Sun Wu) and served as an official in the Ministry of Rites.
Once, Zhang Feng, an envoy from the Western Regions, deliberately mentioned the name of the Shangshu Han Ze in front of Sun Quan to mock him, and Han Ze was momentarily at a loss for an appropriate response. Xue Zong happened to be standing nearby offering wine, so seizing the opportunity, he remarked, "What does the character '蜀' mean? When there is a dog, it's called '独,' when there is no dog, it's called '蜀,' surviving in misery with eyes wide open, even bugs crawl into the stomach!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng replied, "You shouldn't mention our Western Regions anymore, right?" Xue Zong immediately responded, "The sky is not called '天' unless it has a mouth; now that you are submitting to us, you are in the emperor's capital!" Everyone present laughed happily, and Zhang Feng was left speechless by Xue Zong's quick wit. Xue Zong's quick reaction and cleverness were just like this.
Lu Dai has returned to the capital from Jiaozhou, and I am worried that the person replacing him may not be capable, so I wrote a memorial to the emperor. In the memorial, I mentioned that in ancient times, Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun went on a southern tour and eventually died in Cangwu. During the Qin Dynasty, counties were set up in Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiangjun, thus, these areas have long been under central authority. Later, Zhao Tuo raised troops in Panyu and subdued the leaders of the Baiyue tribes, and that is how the areas south of the Pearl River were integrated. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the rebellion led by Lu Jia was quelled, nine counties were established, and a governor was sent to govern Jiaozhi. The region is remote with rugged mountains, diverse customs, different languages, and communication relies on interpreters. The common people behave almost like beasts, with no regard for age, barefoot, with unkempt hair, and wearing strange clothes. Although there are officials, in reality, it's nearly as if there are none.
Since then, the court gradually exiled some Chinese criminals to that place, and these people slowly learned the local language and customs, and they could also work as messengers to deliver letters. They gradually became acquainted with the etiquette and culture of the Central Plains. Later, Xi Guang became the governor of Jiaozhi, and Ren Yan became the governor of Jiuzhen. They taught the locals how to farm, dress properly, and wear hats, and also helped them with matchmaking, teaching them about marriage and even establishing schools to teach them Confucian classics. Over the next four hundred years, the local situation gradually improved. However, when I first arrived in Jiaozhi, in the counties of Zhuyai, marriages had to wait until August. At that time, everyone had to gather together, and as long as the man and woman agreed with each other, they could get married, and parents couldn't interfere. In Mi Ling County of Jiaozhi and Doupang County of Jiuzhen, there was an even more outrageous custom: if a brother died, the younger brother had to marry his sister-in-law. This had become an established local custom, and officials turned a blind eye to it. The people of Jinan County were completely naked and showed no shame. In short, they were like insects, lacking any sense of shame! However, the area was vast and densely populated, and the environment was treacherous, making it prone to rebellion and difficult to govern. County officials could only adopt a policy of appeasement, creating the appearance of obedience, and the taxes collected were merely enough to cover their expenses. They mainly relied on precious products such as pearls, spices, ivory, rhino horn, tortoiseshell, coral, glass, parrots, jade, and peacocks to enrich the national treasury, rather than relying too much on tax revenue. However, Jiaozhi was, after all, located outside the nine counties of the Central Plains, and most of the appointed officials were not very astute. During the Han Dynasty, the laws were relatively lenient, which led to frequent rebellions. Zhuyai County was abolished due to the greed of local officials who shaved the locals' heads to make wigs for profit.
I witnessed that after Huang Gai took office as the Prefect of Nanhai, he felt that the supplies provided were insufficient, which led to his own ousting after he killed the chief scribe. The Prefect of Jiuzhen, Dan Meng, allowed his father-in-law Zhou Jing to take control and invited numerous high-ranking officials to feast and revel. The magistrate Fan Xin performed a dance to curry favor with Zhou Jing at the banquet, but Zhou Jing refused to join in. Fan Xin insisted, which made Dan Meng angry, and he hit Fan Xin, who then ran away. Fan Xin's younger brother, Fan Miao, gathered a band of followers to assault the prefectural government and killed Dan Meng with poisoned arrows. The Prefect of Jiaozhi, Shi Xie, sent troops to quell the uprising but failed. There was also a governor of Jiaozhi, Zhu Fu, a Kuaiji native, who promoted many fellow villagers such as Yu Bao and Liu Yan to official positions. These officials oppressed the common folk, forcibly collected taxes, and demanded a bushel of rice for each yellow croaker caught. The populace voiced their grievances, bandits rose up, and attacked the provinces and counties. Zhu Fu fled to the sea, where he ultimately perished. Later, Zhang Jin of Nanyang assumed office; he clashed with Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou, and his troops were weak. They fought every year, and the soldiers grew weary of the constant fighting; they left at will or stayed as they pleased. Zhang Jin struggled to maintain control, lacked authority, and was frequently undermined, and ultimately met the same fate.
Later, a man from Lingling named Lai Gong came. He was kind and cautious, but not well-informed about current affairs. Liu Biao then appointed a man from Changsha, Wu Ju, as the Governor of Cangwu. Wu Ju was a rough and overbearing warrior who did not respect Lai Gong. The two often argued, and Wu Ju eventually forced Lai Gong out, then requested the court to send Bu Zhi to replace him. At that time, Zhang Jin's former subordinates, Yi Liao, Qian Bo, and others, were still arrogant. Bu Zhi eliminated them one by one, stabilizing the situation before being transferred as well. After Lu Dai took office, the Shi family staged a rebellion, and the Yue army moved south to quell the uprising. After pacifying the revolt, the court reappointed officials, strengthened central rule, and established a reputation, with officials of all levels obeying orders. This shows that the key to effective border governance and pacifying the populace is selecting the right leaders. The responsibilities of local officials are significant, especially in remote areas, where their actions have a direct impact on the people's well-being. Although Jiaozhou appears stable on the surface, there are still remaining bandits in Gaoliang; the border regions of Nanhai, Cangwu, Yulin, and Zhuguan are also troubled, with bandits rampant, serving as hideouts for fugitives. If Lu Dai does not return to the south, the new governor needs to choose someone competent and shrewd to manage these eight counties, who possesses a broad strategic vision and the wisdom to gradually quell the unrest in Gaoliang, giving them adequate power and support while assessing their performance to ensure effective governance. If they are mediocre and only adhere to conventions without exceptional abilities, these issues will escalate and could ultimately result in disaster. The nation's safety hinges on appointing capable individuals, a point that cannot be overlooked. I'm worried that the court might rush into appointments, so I feel compelled to speak up, hoping the emperor will take this into serious consideration.
In the third year of the Huanglong era, Jianchang Hou Lu was appointed as the General of the Town Army, stationed in Banzhou, appointing Zong as the Chief Historian to manage various external affairs and to teach him to read. After Jianchang Hou Lu passed away, Zong was appointed as the Minister of the Cao officialdom, and later promoted to the Minister of the Imperial Carriage.
At that time, Gongsun Yuan surrendered to Sun Quan but later rebelled. Sun Quan was furious and wanted to personally lead the troops against him. Zong submitted a memorial advising His Majesty, "You are the sovereign of all nations and the protector of the people! Therefore, you should strengthen your defenses at all times and maintain dignity when traveling, in order to preserve the peace of the country and stabilize the hearts of the people. In the past, Confucius disliked the chaotic times and wanted to cross the sea on a raft, while Jilu was very happy, but Confucius said there was no viable solution. Emperor Yuan of Han wanted to travel on a tower ship, but Xue Guangde requested to cut his own throat and dye the wheels of the carriage with his blood to dissuade him. Why? Because the perils of water and fire are extremely dangerous, and not something an emperor should involve himself in! As the saying goes, 'Children of wealthy families dare not sit under the eaves,' let alone someone as noble as you?
Now, the small, disorganized nation of Liaodong has weak fortifications, no defenses, and ill-equipped people who are as chaotic as wild dogs and sheep. We can surely defeat them in battle, as the imperial decree states. However, that place is cold and desolate, crops cannot be grown, and the people all ride horses, living without a fixed abode. Once the army arrives, they will surely know they cannot defeat us and will scatter like frightened birds and beasts, making it impossible to find anyone. Even if we capture their territory, it will be of little use; this is the first concern.
Moreover, the water there flows swiftly, navigation is fraught with challenges, the sea voyage is unpredictable, and it is hard to avoid wind and waves. One misstep could lead to separation of people and ships. Even if you have the saintly virtues of Yao and Shun, you would be unable to showcase your abilities; even if you have the courage of Meng Ben and Xiang Yu, you cannot exert your strength; this is the second issue.
In addition, the area is shrouded in mist, the seawater evaporates, and it is easy to develop edema, which can also spread among people. Those who travel by sea rarely do not get sick. This is the third problem. Since heaven has made you a wise monarch, you should take advantage of this peaceful era to comfort the people. As auspicious signs continue to appear, the world will be stable. The rebellion's downfall is imminent. Once we stabilize the domestic situation, Liaodong will naturally perish. We just have to wait for them to surrender. However, you are now defying the natural course of events, taking unnecessary risks and sacrificing the country's stability for a fleeting impulse. This is not only a national concern but also unprecedented in history. Therefore, the courtiers are deeply anxious, unable to eat or sleep. I hope Your Majesty can temper your thunderous anger, hold back your rage, choose a stable path, and not take risks. Only then can the subjects receive blessings and the world can prosper." At that time, many ministers offered their counsel, and ultimately, Sun Quan chose not to go to war. On the first few days of the first month, which was a Yiwei day, the powerful minister ordered Zong (the same person mentioned earlier) to compose a birthday congratulatory piece, but to avoid using clichés. Zong understood the meaning of the imperial decree and immediately began to write. The piece he crafted was both magnificent and eloquent. Upon reading it, the powerful minister remarked, "Write two more paragraphs to make it a total of three paragraphs." Zong wrote two more paragraphs of birthday congratulations, with entirely new sentences and no repetition, and everyone thought it was well written. In the third year of the Chiwu era, he was appointed as the Shangshu of the Selection Department. Five years later, he was promoted to Prince Taifu while continuing to serve as Shangshu of the Selection Department. In the spring of the sixth year, he passed away. The poems and prose he penned throughout his life are countless, amounting to tens of thousands of words. These works were compiled into a collection titled "Sizai." Additionally, he compiled and edited two other works, "Wuzong Tushu" and "Erjing Jie," which have both been preserved.
Zixian, who became the General of the Palace to Weinan, fell ill and died on his way to battle in Jiaozhi. His younger brother Ying, styled Daoyan, initially served as a Junior Official in the Secretarial Office, and was later promoted to Cavalry Supervisor after Sun Xiu became emperor. Several years later, he resigned due to health reasons. When Sun Hao first became emperor, Ying served as the Left Legal Officer, and later was promoted to Minister of Appointments. After the crown prince was appointed, he also assumed the additional role of Grand Tutor.
In the third year of the Jianheng era, Sun Hao wistfully remembered the posthumous writings left by his father Zong and asked Ying to continue writing. Ying then presented a poem: "As a minister of the past, once served in Han, spanning generations, quite involved in observing the court. When Minister Zong faced the difficulties of his time, lost the imperial seal, and the country fell into chaos. In this fortunate land, some remnants survived, heaven inspired his heart, and he returned to the southeast. Initially a lowly official, he was trapped in barbarian territories. The great emperor established the foundation, grace and virtue extended far. Specifically summoned to serve, rescued from the depths, freed from humble attire, accepted the appointment, guarded the coastal region at the edge of the sea, moved to the capital, and rose to a pivotal position. Withered yet honored, severed yet reconnected, from obscurity to prominence, not the beginning he had hoped for. It was also due to favor and fortune, contentment in the heart. Highly esteemed by the cultured emperor, granted the title of Eastern Palace, appointed as a tutor, his brilliance and prestige grew. Alas, the lament of the former minister, reflecting on his unwavering loyalty, great kindness unrepaid, entrusted his legacy to the world until the end. Alas, the minister's humble status, only his nephews and brothers, fortunate to have been born and raised, entrusted with the legacy of Zong. Passing on his teachings in the courtyard, stubborn and hard to enlighten. Unable to complete the construction of the hall, aspiring to continue his farming. Who could have foreseen the benevolence of the holy dynasty, overflowing with benevolence? In recording the former minister, lamenting his lack of achievement, elevated and honored with distinction. Honored from a thousand miles away, commanded to march south, with banners and flags prepared, golden armor clanging. Yet the minister's mediocrity was truly insignificant, now following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors; serving as a tutor in the Eastern Palace, upholding the family's legacy, his talents did not match those of his predecessors. The emperor's virtue is vast, elegance is esteemed, mourning the deceased minister, hoping to honor his legacy. How foolish and ignorant I was, never to imitate! Gazing upon past favors, contemplating this stubborn void, who can endure such shame, truly living in disgrace? Day and night, I ponder and evaluate myself, father, son, and brothers, all blessed through generations; death is merely tying grass, life vowed to self-sacrifice, even if reduced to ashes, no repayment could ever be enough."
His older brother Zixiu, who reached the position of General of the Southern Expedition, died of illness on the way to Jiaozhi for battle. His younger brother Ying, styled Daoyan, initially was just a low-ranking Secretariat Drafter, and only rose to the position of Cavalier Attendant after Sun Xiu first ascended to the throne. After a few years, he resigned due to poor health. When Sun Hao first ascended to the throne, he was appointed as Left Minister of Justice, and later promoted to Minister of Selection. After the Crown Prince was appointed, he was appointed as Grand Tutor.
In the third year of Jianheng, Sun Hao remembered the unfinished works of his father Zong and instructed Ying to continue writing them. Ying wrote a poem to express his feelings, saying that his ancestors had served in the Han Dynasty for generations, but his father Zong experienced war and decline in family fortunes. Fortunately, he was later valued in the state of Wu, and he himself rose from a low-ranking official to his current position step by step. However, compared to his ancestors, he felt deeply unworthy and ashamed. While his brother died in battle in Jiaozhi, he could only be a low-ranking official in the court, overwhelmed by shame. He was restless day and night, repeatedly pondering, thinking that his ancestors had received imperial favor for generations, and even if he gave his life, he could not repay it.
In that year, it was suggested to excavate the Shengxi to connect the Jianghuai water system. Sun Hao sent Ying with ten thousand troops to do it. However, there were too many rocks in that area, and the project was too difficult. In the end, it was not completed, and Ying was dismissed and transferred to Wuchang as the Left Commandant. Later, after He Ding was executed, Sun Hao revisited the Shengxi project, arresting Ying, imprisoning him, and exiling him to Guangzhou.
At this time, a historian named Hua He wrote a letter to Sun Hao, saying: "I have heard that in ancient times, the Five Emperors and the Three Sovereigns all established historians to record their achievements and good deeds, passing them down to future generations. The historians Sima Qian and Ban Gu of the Han Dynasty were both great talents of their time; their writings are exquisite and have been preserved to this day, much like the Six Classics. Since the founding of our Wu country, during the late reign of the Great Emperor, he ordered the Chief Historian Ding Fu and Court Official Xiang Jun to start compiling the Wu history. However, they were not qualified to write historical records, and what they produced was inadequate. During the reign of the Young Emperor, Wei Yao, Zhou Zhao, Xue Ying, Liang Guang, and I were sent to collect and organize historical materials, working together to compile the history of Wu. Zhou Zhao and Liang Guang have passed away, Wei Yao committed a crime, and Xue Ying was demoted for ineffective performance, so the book has been on hold and is still unfinished. My abilities are limited; I can only provide annotations for Xue Ying and his colleagues. If I were to write, I definitely wouldn't produce anything good; I would only end up like Ding Fu and Xiang Jun, diminishing the Great Emperor's achievements and overshadowing the glory of our time. Xue Ying is knowledgeable and his writing is exceptional; he stands out among his colleagues. Although many officials today understand the classics and history, there are few like Xue Ying who excel in recording, so I deeply regret that the country does not appreciate him. I hope he can complete this unfinished task and have his work included in the official annals. Once this is done, I am willing to retire to the mountains and have no complaints."
After hearing Hua He's words, Sun Hao summoned Xue Ying back and appointed him as the Left Historian. Not long after, the Minister of Appointments, Miao Yi, was demoted to the position of Prefect of Hengyang because he offended some petty officials due to his adherence to principles. Upon taking office, he was held accountable for past responsibilities and submitted a formal apology. He visited Xue Ying, but was reported by others for showing no fear of punishment and frequently gathering with guests at Xue Ying's home. Sun Hao then ordered Miao Yi to be arrested and sent to Guiyang, while Xue Ying was sent back to Guangzhou as well. Before he reached Guangzhou, Sun Hao summoned him back and restored his original position.
At that time, the nation's legal system was flawed, and the measures were cumbersome and harsh. Xue Ying often proposed suggestions to Sun Hao, advocating for lighter penalties, simpler corvée labor, and benefits for the people. Some of the suggestions were adopted. Later, Xue Ying was promoted to Guanglu Xun. In the fourth year of Tianji, the Jin army attacked Sun Hao. Sun Hao wrote a letter to Sima You, Wang Hun, and Wang Jun requesting surrender, which was penned by Xue Ying. After Xue Ying arrived in Luoyang, he was swiftly appointed as a Cavalier Attendant. He responded to questions with clarity and logic. In the third year of Taikang, Xue Ying passed away, leaving behind eight essays called "New Discussions."
People praised Zhang Hong's writings, which were well-written, correct, and logical, marking him as a remarkable talent of his era. Sun Ce treated him similarly to how he treated Zhang Zhao, and there was good reason for that. Yan Jun, Cheng Bing, and Kan Ze were well-known Confucian scholars of the time! Yan Jun resigned from his official position to take care of his old friends, showing true elder wisdom!
Xue Zong, with his profound knowledge and upright character, was a loyal minister to Wu. As for Lu Ying and Gu Yong, they indeed inherited the admirable qualities of their predecessors. However, in that tyrannical era, they were promoted to prominent positions multiple times, which led people to question whether they were truly gentlemen. "Yan, Cheng, Kan, all prominent scholars of their time. Yan Jun resigned to care for old friends, truly an elder statesman!" "Xue Zong was knowledgeable and loyal to Wu. As for Ying and Gu, they followed the ways of their predecessors, but in that cruel era, they rose to prominence multiple times, raising doubts about their true gentlemanly nature."
