Dong He, known as Youzai, was from Zhijiang, Hubei, whose ancestors hailed from Jiangzhou in Chongqing. In the late Han Dynasty, Dong He led his family to migrate westward. Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yizhou, appointed him as the Magistrate of Niubi County, Jiangyuan County, and Chengdu County. Shu was a land rich in resources, and the customs of the time were quite extravagant. Wealthy families all dressed in fine garments and feasted on lavish meals, with weddings and funerals that were excessively lavish, often risking bankruptcy. Dong He himself was very frugal, wearing coarse clothes and eating simple meals. He took a strong stand against extravagance and waste, implemented relevant regulations, and managed to transform local customs wherever he served, gaining the respect of everyone and deterring violations of his regulations. However, some powerful local factions feared Dong He's strict enforcement of the law and slandered him to Liu Zhang, which led to Dong He being reassigned to Ba Dong as a Commandant. Upon hearing this, thousands of people, along with their families, cried and begged Liu Zhang to keep Dong He. Liu Zhang agreed to allow him to remain in his position for another two years. Later, Dong He was transferred back to Yizhou as the Prefect, while still upholding his honest and frugal ways. He interacted sincerely with the local ethnic minorities and was cherished and trusted by the people of the south.
After Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, he appointed Dong He as General of the Army, and he worked together with Zhuge Liang at the office of the Left General and Grand Marshal. The two of them consulted each other and helped each other, having a very good relationship. Dong He served as an official for decades, managing the border areas and participating in military and political affairs. After more than twenty years, when he passed away, there wasn't even a grain of rice left in his house. Zhuge Liang later became the Prime Minister and instructed his subordinates, saying: "Those who work together should collaborate and contribute more to the nation. If they argue over trivial matters, it will delay things and cause losses. Even if the result is right after the argument, it is a pity, like throwing away old shoes only to find a treasure. However, it is hard for people to be perfect. Only Xu Yuan-zh can remain unconfused, and Dong Youzai, who worked for me for seven years, would come to consult with me repeatedly about any matter. If you can learn from Yuan-zh's persistence and Youzai's diligence, and be loyal to the country, then I, Zhuge Liang, will make fewer mistakes." Zhuge Liang also said: "When I pacified Jiaozhou before, I frequently sought their opinions. Later, I interacted with Yuan-zh, who often taught me; when I worked under Dong Youzai, he always spoke frankly; later, when I worked under Wei Du, he advised me many times; although I am slow-witted and cannot fully accept their advice, I have maintained a good relationship with these four people, which attests to their sincerity in offering me candid advice!" Zhuge Liang's nostalgia for Dong He is evident.
Liu Ba, courtesy name Zichu, was from Zhaoyang, Lingling. He was quite famous when he was young, and the Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, invited him several times to take up an official position and recommended him as a man of talent, but he turned down the offers. After Liu Biao's death, Cao Cao attacked Jingzhou, and Liu Bei fled to Jiangnan. Many people from Jingzhou and the Chu regions followed him, but Liu Ba went to Cao Cao instead. Cao Cao appointed him as his advisor and sent him to recruit the three counties of Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang. Later, Liu Bei almost took control of these three counties, which left Liu Ba unable to serve Cao Cao any longer. He then went to Jiaozhi, which infuriated Liu Bei.
Not long after, Liu Ba returned from Jiaozhi to Shu. Shortly thereafter, Liu Bei subdued Yizhou, and Liu Ba apologized for his earlier actions, which Liu Bei did not blame him for. Zhuge Liang repeatedly recommended him, so Liu Bei appointed him as the Left General and Western Records Officer. In the 24th year of Jian'an, Liu Bei became the King of Hanzhong, and Liu Ba became a court official. He later replaced Fa Zheng as the Minister of Personnel. He lived a frugal life, did not pursue any personal ventures, and because he had joined Cao Cao against his original intentions, he feared Liu Bei might suspect him. Therefore, he was respectful, silent, and rarely interacted with others, speaking only when it was necessary. After Liu Bei declared himself emperor, all relevant documents and decrees were prepared by Liu Ba. In the second year of Zhangwu, he passed away. Following Liu Ba's death, the Minister of Personnel of the Wei Kingdom, Chen Qun, wrote to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, inquiring about Liu Ba's well-being and saying, "I hold Mr. Liu Zichu in high regard."
Ma Liang, courtesy name Jichang, was from Yicheng in Xiangyang. He had five brothers, all of whom were well-known. There was a saying in the village: "Of the five Ma brothers, White Eyebrow is the best." Ma Liang had a white hair in the middle of his eyebrows, hence the nickname. After Liu Bei became the Governor of Jingzhou, he appointed Ma Liang as his assistant. When Liu Bei entered Shu, Zhuge Liang accompanied him, while Ma Liang stayed in Jingzhou. He wrote a letter to Zhuge Liang: "I heard that Luocheng has been captured; this is truly a blessing from above! Brother, this is the perfect opportunity for you to assist the ruler, help him achieve his great ambitions, and bring glory to our family. You should use your wisdom wisely, act with caution, and seize this opportunity to select talented individuals. If you can foster harmony, build strong relationships, and embody virtues that surpass those of heaven and earth, then it will benefit the country and avoid conflicts. This represents the pinnacle of music and the finest harmony. Though I may not be Zhong Ziqi, I can't help but admire your efforts!" Later, Liu Bei appointed Ma Liang as the Left General's Secretary. Liu Bei sent Ma Liang as an envoy to the state of Eastern Wu, instructing him to coordinate the relationship between their two families and assist in maintaining good relations with General Sun Quan. Ma Liang replied, "Why don't you try writing a draft yourself?" The messenger then drafted a letter, stating: "Our sovereign has dispatched the secretary Ma Liang to consolidate and strengthen friendly relations, continuing the legacy of Kunwu and Shiwei. Ma Liang is a man of integrity and compassion, a distinguished talent in the Jingchu region. He does not pursue superficial extravagance but possesses noble virtues. We hope you will welcome him as a gesture of goodwill." Sun Quan received him with great respect.
Later, Liu Bei declared himself emperor and appointed Ma Liang as an attendant minister. When Liu Bei marched east to attack Sun Quan, he sent Ma Liang to Wuling to persuade the barbarians of the Five Streams to surrender. The leaders of those barbarians all accepted Liu Bei's seal and official titles, and were pleased to follow his orders. However, Liu Bei suffered a defeat at the Battle of Yiling, and Ma Liang unfortunately died in this battle. Liu Bei posthumously honored Ma Liang's son, Ma Bing, with the title of cavalry captain.
Ma Liang's younger brother, Ma Su, styled Youchang, followed Liu Bei into Shu. He served as the county magistrate of Mianzhu and Chengdu, and also as the Administrator of Yueju. He was very talented and had a keen interest in military strategy. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang valued him highly. Before his death, Liu Bei told Zhuge Liang, "Ma Su talks more than he acts, and cannot be entrusted with important tasks. You must observe him carefully!" Yet, Zhuge Liang still had faith in Ma Su and appointed him as a military advisor, frequently summoning him for discussions on military matters that could last from dawn until dusk.
In the sixth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang led his troops on a northern campaign, preparing to launch an attack on Mount Qi. There were many experienced generals at the time, such as Wei Yan and Wu Yi, and everyone believed these veteran commanders should lead the vanguard. However, Zhuge Liang went against popular opinion and chose Ma Su to lead the army as the vanguard. Ma Su ended up being defeated by Wei general Zhang He at Jiaping, resulting in the scattering of his troops. Lacking a secure stronghold, Zhuge Liang had no choice but to retreat to Hanzhong. Shortly after Ma Su was imprisoned, he died, which led Zhuge Liang to weep profusely. Ma Liang passed away at thirty-six, while Ma Su died at thirty-nine.
Chen Zhen, courtesy name Xiaochi, was from Nanyang. When Liu Bei became the Governor of Jingzhou, he hired Chen Zhen as his assistant, sending him to inspect various counties. Later, Chen Zhen followed Liu Bei to Shu. After the pacification of Shu, Chen Zhen served as the Commandant of the Northern District of Shu County, later appointed as Prefect of Wenshan, and was then transferred to Jianwei County. In the third year of Jianxing, he was appointed as a Minister, later promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and was ordered to go on a mission to Eastern Wu.
In the seventh year of Jianxing, Sun Quan declared himself emperor and appointed Chen Zhen as Captain of the Guard to congratulate Sun Quan on his accession to the throne. Zhuge Liang wrote a letter to his brother Zhuge Jin, saying, "Xiaochi's loyal and honest character becomes more apparent as he grows older. He gets along very well with the people of Eastern Wu, and their discussions are very harmonious and joyful, which is very rare." When Chen Zhen arrived in the territory of Wu, he wrote a letter to the Wu officials, saying, "The envoys of the two countries frequently visit each other, and the alliance and friendship are increasingly close. With Eastern Wu proclaiming itself emperor, the world has responded, and everyone is submitting to you. Now is the perfect time to unite and attack the enemy together. What enemy can’t we defeat? Both the court and the people of Western Shu are looking forward to the success of this alliance. Although I may not have the skills, I am fortunate to serve as an envoy to enhance the friendship between the two countries. As soon as I set foot in Wu, I felt an overwhelming excitement, like returning home. Just as recorded in the Spring and Autumn Period, when Xianzi went to the state of Lu and violated Lu's taboos, receiving criticism. I would appreciate it if you could let me know in advance to help me fulfill my mission successfully. I will announce the alliance right away, and we will all adhere to it. Because the circumstances and systems of our two countries differ, I am worried about any negligence. I hope you can provide me with guidance on how to proceed."
After Chen Zhen arrived in Wuchang, Sun Quan and Chen Zhen together swore a blood oath of allegiance at the altar, dividing the territories: Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Youzhou, and Qingzhou were allocated to Eastern Wu, while Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Jizhou, and Yanzhou were allocated to Shu Han, with the territory of Sizhou divided at the Hangu Pass. After returning home, Chen Zhen was granted the title of Marquis of Chengyang Pavilion. In the ninth year of Jianxing, Commander Li Ping was dismissed due to false charges; Zhuge Liang wrote to his Chief Clerk Jiang Wan and Attendant Dong Yun, saying, "Before Xiaoxi went to Eastern Wu, I told him that Eastern Wu is like fish scales, hard for our people to approach. I think that although fish scales cannot be easily touched, unexpected incidents like those involving Su and Zhang can still occur. He should be made aware of this." In the thirteenth year of Jianxing, Chen Zhen died, and his son Chen Ji succeeded him as Marquis.
Dong Yun, courtesy name Xiuzhao, was the son of General He, who commanded the army. When Liu Bei appointed Liu Shan as the Crown Prince, Dong Yun was selected as a close aide to the Crown Prince but was later reassigned to manage the imperial stables. After Liu Shan ascended the throne, Dong Yun was promoted to Minister of the Yellow Gates. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was preparing for a northern campaign and stationed in Hanzhong. He was worried that as Liu Shan grew older, he might be easily influenced by corrupt individuals. Dong Yun was known for his integrity and fairness, so Zhuge Liang wanted him to oversee court affairs. Zhuge Liang submitted a memorial stating: "The Palace Attendants Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, and Minister Dong Yun were all carefully chosen by the late emperor to assist Your Majesty. They are able to carefully consider and offer advice, faithfully presenting their opinions. It is their duty to do so. I believe that they should be involved in the decision-making process for all matters within the palace to address shortcomings and enhance governance. If they do not provide good advice, they should face consequences to caution those who neglect their responsibilities." Zhuge Liang then requested to appoint Fei Yi as a military advisor, while Dong Yun was promoted to Palace Attendant and also appointed General of the Tiger Guard, responsible for the Emperor's personal guards. Guo Youzhi was largely a figurehead, while most strategic matters were handled solely by Dong Yun. Dong Yun worked diligently to rectify mistakes and uphold good governance.
Later, Liu Chan wanted to expand the harem. Dong Yun believed that the number of an emperor's concubines should not exceed twelve. The harem already had enough concubines and should not be increased. He firmly opposed this idea. As a result, Liu Chan held him in even higher regard. When Jiang Wan, the Chancellor, became the Inspector of Yizhou, he submitted a memorial requesting to resign from his official position and credit Fei Yi and Dong Yun. He also stated in the memorial, "Dong Yun has served Your Majesty for many years and assisted the royal family. He should be granted a title and land to commend his achievements." Dong Yun resolutely declined. As Liu Chan matured, he began to favor the eunuch Huang Hao. Huang Hao was cunning and tried to flatter those in power in order to elevate his own status. Dong Yun frequently offered Liu Chan serious counsel and privately reprimanded Huang Hao multiple times. Huang Hao was deeply fearful of Dong Yun and dared not act recklessly. During Dong Yun's lifetime, Huang Hao's official position never exceeded that of a Yellow Gate Attendant.
Now, turning to Zhuge Zhan. He once planned an outing with the Chancellor Fei Yi, the Chief of Central Military Affairs Hu Ji, and others. The carriage was ready, but then Dong Hui, the imperial physician from Xiangyang, came to visit Zhuge Zhan. Dong Hui was young and held a low official position. When he saw that Zhuge Zhan was about to leave, he felt somewhat awkward and considered leaving. Zhuge Zhan did not allow it and said, "I originally intended to chat with like-minded friends when going out. Since you came to visit me specially, let's skip the banquet. Let's just chat here, which aligns better with my intentions." So Zhuge Zhan had the horses untied, and Fei Yi and the others did not set out. This insistence on principles and respect for subordinates reflects Zhuge Zhan's conduct. In the sixth year of the Yanxi period, Zhuge Zhan was promoted to Assistant General of State. In the seventh year, he served as a Palace Attendant and temporarily took on the role of Minister of Works, becoming the deputy to the Grand General Fei Yi. In the ninth year, Zhuge Zhan died.
Chen Zhi succeeded Zhuge Zhan as the Imperial Attendant, and he conspired with Huang Hao, leading to Huang Hao's involvement in court affairs. After Chen Zhi's death, Huang Hao rose from the Yellow Gate Commander to the Palace Attendant and Commandant of the Chariot, gaining significant power, which ultimately contributed to the downfall of Shu. Every commoner in Shu missed Zhuge Zhan. Later, when Deng Ai invaded Shu, he heard of Huang Hao's deceit and planned to kill him. However, Huang Hao managed to save his life by bribing Deng Ai's confidants with a large sum of money.
Chen Zhi, style name Fengzong, was from Runan and the grandson of Xu Jing's brother. He lost his father at a young age and grew up in Xu Jing's household. He gained a reputation at a young age and gradually rose to the position of Selection Cadet, renowned for his seriousness and dignity. He was talented in various disciplines, including fortune-telling, which Fei Yi highly valued, allowing Chen Zhi to succeed Zhuge Zhan as the Imperial Attendant. After Lu Yi's death, Chen Zhi also acted as the Minister of the Secretariat and was appointed as General Who Guards the Army. Although General Jiang Wei held a higher position than Chen Zhi, he often led troops outside and rarely participated in court affairs. Chen Zhi pleased the emperor above and flattered the eunuchs below, gaining favor and wielding even more power than Jiang Wei. In the first year of Jingyao, Chen Zhi passed away, causing deep sorrow for the emperor, who wept uncontrollably and issued an edict praising Chen Zhi's virtues and achievements. He posthumously bestowed upon Chen Zhi the title of "Loyal Marquis," granted his son the title of Marquis of Guannei, and promoted his second son Yu to the position of Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Since Chen Zhi gained favor, the emperor's resentment toward Zhuge Zhan intensified, believing that Zhuge Zhan's arrogance stemmed from Chen Zhi's flattery of Huang Hao, leading to discord. Zhuge Zhan's grandson, Zhuge Hong, later served as the Prefect of Baxi during the Jin Dynasty.
Lü Yi, also known by his courtesy name Jiyang, was from Nanyang. His father Lü Chang once sent his former boss Liu Yan to Shu territory, but became stranded on the mountain road and never made it back. Lü Yi grew up without a father, but he had a passion for reading and playing the zither. Initially, after Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, he appointed Lü Yi as the Salt Bureau Commandant, in charge of managing the revenue from salt and iron. Later, Commandant Wang Lian recommended Lü Yi, along with Du Qi from Nanyang and Liu Gan from Nanxiang, to serve as Commandants of the Diancao. Lü Yi was later promoted to be the county magistrate of Xindu and Mianzhu, demonstrating great compassion for the people. The common folks praised him as the finest magistrate in the region. He was later promoted to be the Governor of Baxi. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang led troops on expeditions for several years, requesting troops and generals from various counties. Many counties were reluctant to offer support, but Lü Yi voluntarily recruited five thousand men to support Zhuge Liang. He also pacified and restrained the army, with no one deserting. He was later transferred to be the Prefect of Hanzhong, also overseeing agricultural affairs to ensure military provisions. After Zhuge Liang's death, Lü Yi was promoted to be the Governor of Guanghan and Shu County. Shu County was the capital of Yizhou with a large population. Many soldiers fled, leading to chaos after Zhuge Liang's death. Lü Yi took preventive measures and constraints, while encouraging the people. Over the years, more than ten thousand fugitives voluntarily surrendered. He later returned to the court as a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, succeeding Dong Yun as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. He managed government affairs with great efficiency, never delaying, and he never entertained guests at home.
Lv Yi, whether in local or central government positions, led a very frugal life, was humble and cautious, and was a man of few words. He governed with clarity and succinctness, never beat around the bush, and was praised by everyone for his integrity and competence. However, he enforced the law very strictly and preferred officials who followed the rules, so although he held a high position, his reputation locally was not as strong as it had been when he served in the county. In the fourteenth year of the Yanxi era, Lv Yi died. His son, Lv Chen, was the magistrate of Chengdu during the Jingyao era; Lv Chen's brother, Lv Ya, served as a court official, renowned for his integrity and literary talent, having written fifteen essays on "Standards." Du Qi later became a county magistrate, military general, and Sima, while Liu Gan became the Prefect of Baxi. They were on good terms with Lv Yi and were well-known at the time, but their frugality and adherence to the law didn't match Lv Yi's.
The book assesses: Dong He was simple and kind, Liu Ba was honest and upright, Ma Liang was honest and reliable, and were all regarded as virtuous gentlemen; Chen Zhen was loyal and cautious, and grew increasingly principled with age; Dong Yun assisted the monarch with unwavering loyalty, and were regarded as outstanding officials of Shu Han. Lv Yi had a good reputation when working in local government positions, but his reputation declined when he took on roles in the central government, similar to those of Huang Ba and Xue Xuan.
