Xu Jing, courtesy name Wenxiu, was from Pingyu in Runan. When he was young, he gained fame alongside his younger brother Xu Shao, and they were often compared and evaluated by others, debating who was better and who was worse. However, the two brothers had a strained relationship. His brother Xu Shao became a county official and intentionally undermined Xu Jing's career, blocking his promotions. Xu Jing had to make ends meet by selling millstones. Later, Liu Yi from Yingchuan became the governor of Runan, elevated Xu Jing to an official position, recommended him as a candidate known for his filial piety and integrity, and then appointed Xu Jing as a Gentleman of the Imperial Academy, tasked with selecting officials.
Emperor Ling of Han died, and Dong Zhuo seized power. Dong Zhuo appointed Zhou Bi from Hanyang as the Minister of Personnel, and Zhou Bi and Xu Jing held discussions, determining which officials to appoint or dismiss, removing corrupt officials and promoting those who had been overlooked. They appointed Xun Shuang, Han Rong, Chen Ji, and others from Yingchuan to high-ranking positions and county governorships, appointed Han Fu as the Governor of Jizhou, Liu Dai as the Inspector of Yanzhou, Zhang Zi from Yingchuan as the Governor of Nanyang, Kong Hong from Chenliu as the Inspector of Yuzhou, and Zhang Mai from Dongguan as the Governor of Chenliu. They intended to appoint Xu Jing as the Governor of Bajun, but Xu Jing declined the offer and was subsequently appointed as the Deputy Imperial Censor.
After taking office, Han Fu and his men each led their troops back to the capital with the intention of killing Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo angrily said to Zhou Bi, "You said you wanted to promote good people; I listened to you, as I didn't want to go against the people's wishes. But the people you appointed, as soon as they took office, came to deal with me. Who did I provoke?" Dong Zhuo cursed Zhou Bi and had him killed. Xu Jing's cousin, Chen Xiangyu, and Kong Yu secretly discussed something. Fearing for his life due to Dong Zhuo, Xu Jing fled to Kong Yu's residence. After Kong Yu died, Xu Jing sought refuge with Chen Yi, the Governor of Yangzhou. After Chen Yi died, Xu Gong, the Commandant of Wu County, and Wang Lang, the Governor of Kuaiji, who knew Xu Jing before, took him in. Xu Jing looked after his relatives and friends in the area, managed local affairs, and was very kind and generous.
When Sun Ce launched his attack, everyone fled to Jiaozhou to escape the disaster. Sun Ben, on the other hand, sat firmly on the shore, first sending away his trusted followers and family members, and then slowly leaving himself. Onlookers couldn't help but sigh. After arriving in Jiaozhou, the Prefect of Jiaozhou, Shi Xie, treated him especially well and respected him.
Yuan Hui from Chen Guo was also seeking refuge in Jiaozhou at that time. He wrote a letter to the Prefect, Xun Yu, saying, "Xu Jing, he is a talented individual with exceptional wisdom and strategy. Since his exile, he has been with a group of people. Every time they encounter danger, he always thinks of others first, and only then himself, suffering hardships and hunger alongside his relatives and friends. He manages everyone with benevolence and righteousness, always considering others. I could go on praising his virtues for a long time."
Zhang Xiang from Julu arrived in Jiaozhou as Cao Cao's envoy, hoping to win over Sun Ben and form an alliance, but Sun Ben declined. Sun Ben also wrote a letter to Cao Cao:
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Oh, the world is in chaos! Wars are everywhere, and those cowardly people have all hidden away in remote places. It's been over a decade, and etiquette has fallen by the wayside. Back when I was in Kuaiji Commandery, I received your letter, full of heartfelt sincerity, and I still remember it now. Later on, that Yuan Shu wanted to wipe out my clan, inciting those rebels and blocking the roads everywhere, preventing us from heading north. Coincidentally, when the imperial army retreated, Yuan Shu's troops came over, Kuaiji Commandery was lost, my family's fortune was completely wiped out, and the area south of the Yangtze River became enemy territory. At that time, I was completely at my wit's end, had no choice but to sail to Jiaozhou with Yuan Pei, Deng Zixiao, and others to escape.
We traveled all over, passing through Dongou, Minyue, and other countries, covering tens of thousands of miles, without even seeing the boundaries of the Han Dynasty. Drifting at sea, facing strong winds and waves, often running out of food, only able to eat wild grass and vegetables to stave off hunger, many people starved to death, with over half of our group perishing. Finally, we reached the South China Sea, encountered General Er Xiaode, and heard that you were known for your loyalty and righteousness, organizing the army and preparing to welcome the imperial army while inspecting Mount Song. Hearing this news, I was filled with mixed emotions! Yuan Pei, Xu Yuanxian, and I quickly packed up our things, getting ready to make our way north to Jingzhou. However, the Yi and Yue tribes in Cangwu Commandery rose up in rebellion, the provincial capital was attacked and breached, the routes were cut off, Xu Yuanxian was killed, and the elderly, the weak, women, and children were all mercilessly slaughtered.
I walked over five thousand li along the riverbank, only to encounter a plague. My aunt and many relatives and friends died, and almost all of my family have perished. The few of us who remained supported one another and finally arrived in this county. If you do the math, out of every ten people who died from war and disease, only one or two remain. The suffering of the common folk is truly beyond words! I am afraid that I will eventually die on the road, become an enemy's captive, and worry every day, unable to eat or sleep. I wish to return with the tribute envoy, back to the court, where I could die. However, both land and water routes in Jingzhou are cut off, and the post stations in Jiaozhou are also severed. I want to head to Yizhou, but it too has tight defenses, and I can't get in at all. The former Jiaozhi Prefect Shi Weiyin asked me to entrust his brother in Yizhou to him. I also wrote to him, pouring my pain and pleas into the letter, but I have not received any response so far. Though I long for the court's grace and hope to return, how can I?
The emperor, in his wisdom, has appointed you to lead the campaign against the rebellion. All rebels who disobey the imperial edict will be dealt with one by one by you. I believe those who serve the country will be wholeheartedly devoted, and those who obey will be united. Mr. Zhang Ziyun harbored aspirations to support the royal family during his time in the capital. Although he is now in a remote area and cannot directly participate in court affairs, he is also a stronghold of the country, your external support. If Jingzhou and Chudi are pacified and the royal army moves south, if you can give Mr. Ziyun orders to protect him and allow him to leave through Jingzhou, that would be even better. If not, you can also introduce him to the brothers in Yizhou and let them accept him. If heaven blesses him to survive and the disasters subside, he can return to the court, relieve his fugitive guilt; even if he dies and is laid to rest, what regrets could there be? But if he encounters danger along the way, if things go awry, and he meets an untimely death, he would forever carry the burden of guilt, dying far from home.
In history, General Yizhou of Yingqiu, holding the military token, led a large army to conquer; General Han Xin of Bolu, assisting the Han Dynasty, led the elite troops, shaking the four corners of the world. Now you bear a heavy responsibility, helping the needy; you are a pillar of the country, bearing a great responsibility, much like Huo Guang. Five marquises and nine earls are all under your control; no subject has ever surpassed you in honor. Yet, with a higher position comes greater responsibility, and with a higher salary comes a heavier burden. Your high position comes with great responsibility; your words and actions affect rewards and punishments, and your thoughts influence fortunes and misfortunes. If your actions are in line with righteousness, the country will be peaceful; if your actions go against righteousness, it will lead to chaos. The safety of the country depends on you; the lives of the people are in your hands. The people are eagerly looking to you. With such a heavy responsibility, how can you not thoroughly study the lessons of history, set aside past grievances, unite with your ministers, carefully assess talents, and select officials? If you choose the right person, even enemies should be valued; if you choose the wrong person, even relatives should not be entrusted with important tasks. Make stabilizing the country your priority, aim to benefit the people; once you achieve success, your name will be etched in history, leaving a lasting legacy; I hope you strive for this! Think for the country, cherish the people." Xiang resented Jing for not accepting responsibility, searched for the memorial entrusted to him by Jing, and threw it all into the water.
Later, Liu Zhang sent for Zhuge Liang to come to Shu, and he accepted the invitation. Liu Zhang appointed Zhuge Liang as the governor of both Ba and Guanghan. In Nanyang, Song Zhongzi wrote to Wang Shang, the governor of Shu, saying, "Zhuge Liang is exceptionally talented and a rare genius; you should learn from him." In the sixteenth year of Jian'an, Zhuge Liang was appointed governor of Shu. In the nineteenth year of Jian'an, Liu Bei conquered Shu and appointed Zhuge Liang as the chief of staff of the left general. Once Liu Bei became the King of Hanzhong, he appointed Zhuge Liang as Grand Tutor. When Liu Bei ascended to the throne, he appointed Zhuge Liang as Minister of Works and said to him, "I struggle to inherit this great legacy and lead the realm, and I can't sleep peacefully at night, fearing I won't govern the country well. The people do not feel close to me, and the court officials lack sufficient respect. You must uphold the Five Teachings, prioritizing generosity. You must work hard! Always maintain noble character, do not slack off, and make me satisfied!"
Even though Zhuge Liang was over seventy, he still had a passion for talent, actively promoted newcomers, and enjoyed engaging discussions without ever growing weary of them. Even the Prime Minister Zhuge Liang held him in high regard. In the second year of Zhangwu, Zhuge Liang passed away. His son Zhuge Qin died early. Zhuge Qin's son, Zhuge You, became a secretary during the Jingyao era. Zhuge Liang had a good relationship with Chen Ji of Yingchuan, Yuan Huan of Chenjun, Hua Xin of Pingyuan, and Wang Lang of Donghai. Hua Xin, Wang Lang, and Chen Ji's son Chen Qun were all important court officials in the early Wei dynasty. They all wrote letters to Zhuge Liang, reminiscing about old times with deep sentiments. There were many such letters, but they won't be detailed here.
Mi Zhu, courtesy name Zizhong, was a native of Qu County in the East China Sea. His ancestors had been engaged in business for generations and had accumulated a vast amount of wealth, with tens of thousands of servants and a vast estate. Later, the Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, invited him to serve as his deputy. After Tao Qian's death, Mi Zhu honored Tao Qian's last wishes and went to Xiaopei to welcome Liu Bei. In the first year of Jian'an, when Liu Bei was away resisting Yuan Shu, Lu Bu attacked Xiapi, capturing Liu Bei's wife and children. Liu Bei's army moved to Haixi in Guangling, and at this time, Mi Zhu married his sister to Liu Bei as his wife, providing two thousand servants and a large amount of gold and silver to assist Liu Bei's army; it was Mi Zhu's support that helped Liu Bei regain his strength during a challenging time. Later, Cao Cao recommended Mi Zhu for the position of Prefect of Yinye County, while Mi Zhu's brother, Mi Fang, took up the post of Prefect of Pengcheng. Both resigned from their official posts to accompany Liu Bei on his journeys. When Liu Bei was preparing to go to Jingzhou, he sent Mi Zhu to contact Liu Biao and appointed Mi Zhu as the Left General and Command Attendant. After the pacification of Yizhou, Liu Bei appointed Mi Zhu as the General of Anhan, ranking above that of the Military Advisor. Mi Zhu was gracious and generous, yet lacking practical skills. Therefore, Liu Bei treated him with the utmost respect, never assigning him military responsibilities. Nevertheless, Liu Bei's rewards and treatment of Mi Zhu surpassed those given to others.
Mi Fang was the Prefect of Nan County and worked alongside Guan Yu, but had a strained relationship with him. In the end, he betrayed and joined Sun Quan, resulting in Guan Yu's defeat and eventual death. Mi Fang was bound and brought before Liu Bei to apologize, but Liu Bei comforted him, saying that brothers should not be held accountable for each other's mistakes and continued to treat him as before. Overcome with shame and anger, Mi Fang fell ill and passed away a year later. His son, Mi Wei, achieved the rank of General of the Tiger's Elite; and Mi Wei's son, Mi Zhao, became the Commander of the Tiger Cavalry. From Mi Fang to Mi Zhao, each of them excelled in equestrian archery and had strong martial skills. The legacy of Mi Zhu and his family highlights their significant contributions to the turbulent era of the Three Kingdoms.
Sun Qian, courtesy name Gongyou, was from Beihai. When Liu Bei was appointed as the Governor of Xu Province, he appointed Sun Qian as an official, and he followed Liu Bei in his campaigns. After Liu Bei turned against Cao Cao, he dispatched Sun Qian to negotiate an alliance with Yuan Shao. Later, when he was preparing to head to Jing Province, he sent Sun Qian and Mi Zhu to meet with Liu Biao, and they accomplished everything very smoothly. Later, Liu Biao wrote a letter to Yuan Shao, discussing the power struggles among Yuan Shao and his brothers, and in the letter, he wrote: "Every time I discuss this matter with General Liu Bei and Sir Sun Gongyou, I feel deeply troubled and saddened." This shows the high regard Liu Biao had for Sun Qian. After Liu Bei pacified Yi Province, Sun Qian was promoted from an attendant to the rank of Bingzhong General, ranking just below Mi Zhu and equal to Jian Yong. Unfortunately, Sun Qian passed away shortly thereafter.
Jian Yong, courtesy name Xianhe, was a native of Zhuo commandery. He became acquainted with Liu Bei at a young age and followed him closely. After Liu Bei arrived in Jingzhou, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, and Sun Qian were appointed as officials handling various affairs, often serving as Liu Bei's conversation partners and tasked with relaying messages. When Liu Bei entered Shu, Liu Zhang took a liking to Jian Yong. Later, when Liu Bei besieged Chengdu, he sent Jian Yong to persuade Liu Zhang to surrender. Surprisingly, Liu Zhang and Jian Yong shared a carriage and surrendered together. Liu Bei appointed Jian Yong as General of Zhaode. Jian Yong was known for his free-spirited behavior, candid personality, and laid-back demeanor, often sitting on the ground and leaning casually even in front of Liu Bei, paying no mind to etiquette. Even compared to those under Zhuge Liang, he had his own bed, slept with his arms as a pillow, and never bothered with formalities when he spoke. Once, during a drought ban on alcohol, those caught brewing alcohol secretly would be punished. Officials found brewing tools in the homes of the people, and someone suggested punishing both the ones caught with the tools and the actual brewers. While out with Liu Bei, Jian Yong saw a couple strolling down the road and said to Liu Bei, "Those two are up to something; why not arrest them?" Liu Bei asked, "How do you know?" Jian Yong replied, "They have brewing tools, just like those who want to brew alcohol." Liu Bei laughed heartily and forgave those who secretly brewed alcohol. Jian Yong's humor was often like this.
Yi Ji, style name Jibo, was a native of Shanyang. When he was young, he followed his fellow townsman, General Liu Biao. When Liu Bei was in Jingzhou, Yi Ji often visited Liu Biao. After Liu Biao's death, Yi Ji followed Liu Bei across the Yangtze River and entered Yizhou together. After the stabilization of Yizhou, Liu Bei appointed Yi Ji as the Left General and Chief of Staff, holding him in high regard, on par with Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and others. Later, Liu Bei sent Yi Ji to Dong Wu, where Sun Quan, having heard of Yi Ji's eloquence, sought to outwit him in conversation. As soon as Yi Ji entered, Sun Quan asked him, "Doesn't it feel burdensome to serve such an improper lord?" Yi Ji replied, "One bow and one rise, that's not difficult." Yi Ji was always quick-witted in his responses, and Sun Quan was very surprised. Later, Yi Ji was promoted to the title of General of Manifest Merit and, along with Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Liu Ba, and Li Yan, developed the Shu Code, which was established by these five individuals.
Qin Mi, style name Zici, is from Mianzhu, Guanghan. He was talented and knowledgeable from a young age, but when summoned by local authorities, he always claimed to be ill to avoid attending. He wrote to the governor Liu Yan, recommending the Confucian scholar Ren Dingzu, stating: "In the past, Bai Li Xi and Jian Shu were able to strategize despite their old age, while Gan Luo and Zi Qi achieved great feats at a young age. The Book of History praises the wise old men with white hair, and the Book of Changes extols Yan Hui, showing that talent should be judged based on ability, not age. However, nowadays, most talents selected through the national examination tend to be young and promising, neglecting the elderly. This division between supporters and opponents is a luxury of peaceful times, not a necessity of chaotic times. To rescue the people in times of crisis, one must possess extraordinary abilities, stand out from the crowd, shake neighboring countries, shock all directions, align with the will of heaven, and follow the people's hearts; with harmony between heaven and man, there is no need for worry even in times of disaster. Just like Duke Ye of Chu, who had a fondness for dragons, those who embrace falsehood will reap false rewards, let alone the truthful ones. The recluse Ren An is virtuous, righteous, and renowned; if you value him, the entire region will fall in line. King Tang appointed Yi Yin, causing the unrighteous to stay away; King Wu valued the two Gongs, enshrining their names in history. Thus, chasing superficial fame at the expense of significant accomplishments, prioritizing appearances over the welfare of the people, were values highly regarded by ancient sages. You are in search of precious talents akin to jade, and Ren An is shining like the sun. What’s there to think twice about? Just like you don’t need a lamp in daylight because the sun's light is enough, I’m just being foolish for sharing my thoughts."
Wang Shang wrote to Mi, saying, "When will these hard times ever end! Just like Bian He, who offered jade to the world, you should also come to the state capital to meet the governor."
Mi replied, "In the past, Emperor Yao asked Xu You to serve as an official, but Xu You declined not because he wasn't great enough, but because he found the government too noisy and simply blocked his ears; Chu invited Zhuangzi to take a government position, but Zhuangzi also turned it down, not because he wasn't knowledgeable enough, but because he was holding a fishing rod and paid no attention. The Book of Changes says 'firm and unwavering,' why should I go and present treasures? Furthermore, given your wisdom as governor, you are his good helper. If you do not implement strategies like Xiao He and Zhang Liang now, that wouldn't be wise. As for me, I just want to bask in the sun in the fields, read about Yan Hui's simple meals, recite about Yuan Xian's humble cottage, occasionally fly to the woods, hang out with friends like Ju Nuo, listen to the monkeys' cries, and watch the cranes calling from high above. Living like this, without seeking wealth or fame, makes me very happy. I'm not well-known, just like an unnoticed turtle. Since few understand me, that makes me precious. This is my ideal life—why would I worry about poverty?"
Later, Wang Shang established shrines for Yan Junping and Li Hong, and Mi wrote to him, saying: "I have been unwell recently, and only just heard that you established a shrine for Yan Junping and Li Hong. You are truly a person of great loyalty and deep feelings! Look at Yan Junping's articles; he is the best in the world. He is as noble and unyielding as Boyi and Shuqi, as towering and immovable as Mount Tai. Even Yang Xiong praises him endlessly, so naturally, his reputation is well-known. If Li Hong hadn't been implicated by 'Fayan,' his reputation would surely have been significant. Unfortunately, he lacks the majestic literary style of Yan Junping and can only be seen as a follower of the famous. Like Yang Xiong, who is dedicated to writing, contributes to society, is not greedy for fame and fortune, and has noble character, his works are now widely celebrated across the nation. With such talent in the country, it deserves to be recognized far and wide, but you did not build a shrine for him, which is a pity! There weren't many cultural figures in Shu in the past. The scholar Sima Xiangru went to Qilu to study the Seven Classics, returned to teach the people, and Shu's culture caught up with Qilu. Therefore, the 'Geography Records' say: 'The literary envoy promotes education, and Sima Xiangru is the teacher.' When the Han Dynasty had talented individuals, the nation thrived; although Dong Zhongshu and others did not participate in the Fengshan ceremony, Sima Xiangru set the rituals. Being able to establish rituals, create music, and change customs, isn't that a benefit to society? Even coming from a royal background, Confucius helped Qi Huan Gong dominate, and Gong Yanggao also recommended Shusun Bao as prime minister. I also hold Sima Xiangru's contributions in high regard and believe he should have a shrine built for him. Please hurry and write an inscription!"
At first, Li Quan borrowed "The Strategies of the Warring States" from Mr. Mi. Mr. Mi asked him, "The 'Strategies of the Warring States' talks about the strategies of vertical and horizontal alliances during the Warring States period. What do you want it for?" Li Quan replied, "Confucius and Yan Ping collected and compiled a large number of books and eventually completed important works like the 'Spring and Autumn Annals.' Just like the vastness of the sea is only visible when it merges with rivers, a gentleman should read widely and learn as much as possible in order to have profound knowledge."
Mr. Mi countered, "If what is recorded in the books conflicts with historical records or the classics of the Zhou Dynasty, Confucius would not adopt it; if the principles contradict natural laws, Yan Ping would not expound on it. The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' records that the sea will become murky due to silt accumulation and needs annual flushing to remain clear. A noble person should read widely, but also adhere to ritual norms and not read everything. The capricious and crafty strategies found in 'The Strategies of the Warring States' and the devious schemes of the Qin state are all for the purpose of killing and seizing power, for self-preservation, which is exactly what the classics condemn. Therefore, Confucius angrily wrote the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' strongly promoting upright behavior, and created the 'Book of Filial Piety,' extensively expounding on moral norms, in order to prevent disasters in advance. Laozi did the same, nipping troubles in the bud before they grow. Isn't this worthy of our belief? Although King Cheng was a wise and enlightened monarch, he delayed hunting because he saw a wild rabbit. Although Duke Ding was wise, he neglected state affairs because of his indulgence in female entertainment. There are countless examples of this. The Daoist classics say, 'By not pursuing external things, one can keep their inner peace.' Therefore, the laws of nature are stable, the movements of the sun and moon are predictable, and righteousness is like an arrow; this is the path that a noble person should follow. Recorded in the 'Great Plan,' disasters often arise from what one says and does, so where are those deceitful strategies of the Warring States period?"
Someone said to Mr. Mi, "You want to compare yourself to the reclusive virtuous men such as Chao Fu, Xu You, and the Four Wise Ones; why do you still want to show off your literary talent?" Mr. Mi replied, "My writing cannot fully express what I want to convey, and my words cannot fully articulate my thoughts, so where is the showing off of my literary talent? Confucius visited Duke Ai three times in the past, but in the end only spoke of the contents of seven volumes of books; some things are truly hard to articulate. Jieyu sang as he walked, and future generations praised his poems because of this; the fisherman sang by the Canglang River, and the sages praised his integrity because of this. Both of these people had no intention of achieving anything at that time. Tigers are naturally born with colorful fur, and phoenixes with vibrant feathers; are they born with these colors just for decoration? These are simply natural traits. The Yellow River and Luo River became famous thanks to written records, and the Six Classics have endured through the ages because of writing, so what's wrong with a gentleman admiring good virtues and showing off their talents? As a foolish person myself, I feel ashamed of Gezi Cheng's mistakes, let alone someone more talented than me!"
After Liu Bei took over Yizhou, Xiahou Zuan, the governor of Guanghan, invited Zhuge Liang to be his teacher and advisor, and also appointed him as the recorder of the Five Officials, honoring him as "Father Zhong." Zhuge Liang feigned illness to stay at home, and Xiahou Zuan, along with the magistrate Gu Po and the registrar Wang Pu, went to Zhuge Liang's house for a banquet and a chat. Zhuge Liang remained in bed, not moving. Xiahou Zuan asked Gu Po, "The living conditions in Guanghan are much better than in Yizhou; I wonder how the talents here stack up against those in Yizhou?"
Gu Piao answered: "Starting from the Western Han Dynasty, the official ranks may not be as high as those in Yizhou, but its academic achievements are just as notable as those of Yizhou. Yan Junping's works serve as a guide to Huang-Lao studies; Yang Xiong, using the Book of Changes, wrote the Tai Xuan Jing, and based on the Analects, he composed the Fa Yan; Sima Xiangru drafted the sacrificial text for Emperor Wu of Han. These are well-known throughout the land." Xiahou Zuan then asked: "What about Master Zhuge?" Zhuge Liang tapped his cheek with a book and said, "I hope you don't take the title 'Zhongfu' too seriously. Let me share with you the basic situation in Shu. Shu has Mount Wen, the Yangtze River originates from here, emperors prosper here, the gods bless this land's prosperity, that's why it boasts thousands of miles of fertile land. Rivers like the Huai River, Ji River, and the Yangtze River, with the latter being the largest, that's the first point. Great Yu was born in Shiniu, now known as Mount Wen County, that's the second point. During Emperor Yao's reign, a great flood occurred; Gun's management failed, Great Yu dredged the Yangtze River, dug the Yellow River, diverted the water to the sea, relieving the people's suffering. No one has achieved greater merit since the dawn of humanity. The Heavenly Emperor arranges the governance of the world, decides on conquests, and those conquests start from Yizhou. The Three Emperors emerged from the valley, which is now called Xiegu. These are common aspects of our Yizhou. How do you compare these with the rest of the world?" Xiahou Zuan was left speechless and did not know how to respond.
Yizhou appointed Qin Mi as the sacrificial official. After Liu Bei declared himself emperor and prepared to conquer Sun Wu in the east, Qin Mi felt the timing wasn’t right and that they would surely lose; he was subsequently imprisoned and later released. In the second year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang became the Governor of Yizhou, chose Qin Mi as his aide, and soon promoted him to Left Middle General and Chief Water Officer.
Sun Wu dispatched an envoy, Zhang Wen, to make inquiries, and all the officials in the court went to see him off. Everyone attended except for Qin Mi, and Zhuge Liang even sent messengers to urge him multiple times. Zhang Wen asked, "Who is that guy?" Zhuge Liang said, "He is a renowned scholar from Yizhou." When Zhang Wen saw Qin Mi, he asked him, "Have you read any books?" Qin Mi replied, "Even five-year-olds can read, so why ask?" Zhang Wen then asked, "Does the sky have a head?" Qin Mi said, "Yes." Zhang Wen asked, "Where is it?" Qin Mi said, "In the west. The Book of Songs states, 'He gazes westward,' so it can be inferred that the head of the sky is in the west." Zhang Wen then asked, "Does the sky have ears?" Qin Mi said, "The sky is high, so it listens to sounds from below. The Book of Songs states, 'The crane's call reaches the heavens,' if the sky had no ears, how could it hear the crane's call?" Zhang Wen asked, "Does the sky have feet?" Qin Mi said, "Yes. The Book of Songs states, 'The sky's steps are arduous,' if it didn't have feet, how could it walk?" Zhang Wen continued, "Does the sky have a surname?" Qin Mi said, "Yes." Zhang Wen asked, "What surname?" Qin Mi said, "The surname is Liu." Zhang Wen asked, "How do you know?" Qin Mi replied, "The emperor's surname is Liu, so I know." Finally, Zhang Wen asked, "Does the sun rise in the east?" Qin Mi said, "Although it rises in the east, it eventually sets in the west." Zhang Wen was greatly impressed by Qin Mi's direct answers. Qin Mi's debating skills were just as formidable. Later, he was promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture and passed away four years later. In his youth, Qin Mi examined the genealogy of the emperors and found out that all the Five Emperors were from the same family, which he disputed. He also discussed the emperor, princes, and overlords, as well as the theory of raising dragons, making a lot of sense. Qiao Yunnan often sought advice from Qin Mi when he was young and documented Qin Mi's insights in "Spring and Autumn Arguments." Due to the extensive nature of the text, further details are not included here.
The commentary said: Xu Jing achieved fame at a young age, known for his honesty, kindness, and a focus on nurturing talent. Although his behavior may not have always been proper, Jiang Ji considered him to be a pillar of talent. Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Yi Ji were all known for their generosity and held in high regard. Qin Mi began to yearn for a life of seclusion, but ultimately did not follow through. However, he was adept at debate and possessed elegant writing skills, and could be regarded as one of the outstanding talents of his era.
