Pan Jun (潘濬), courtesy name Chengming, was a native of Hanshou in Hunan. When he was young, he studied under Song Zhongzi. By the age of thirty, he was appointed by the Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, as a government official in Jiangxia County. At that time, the magistrate of Shaxian County was corrupt and acted unjustly. After Pan Jun investigated the magistrate and dealt with him, the magistrate was executed, which sent shockwaves throughout the entire county. Later, he served as the county magistrate of Xiangxiang, with remarkable achievements. After Liu Bei occupied Jingzhou, he appointed Pan Jun as an administrative official. When Liu Bei entered Shu, Pan Jun remained in Jingzhou to manage government affairs.
Sun Quan killed Guan Yu, took over Jingzhou, and appointed Pan Jun as an Assistant General, giving him military power. Later, Pan Jun was promoted to General of Valor and given the title of Marquis of Changqian. After Sun Quan declared himself emperor, he appointed Pan Jun as the Minister of the Interior, and further ennobled him as Marquis of Liuyang, and later promoted him to Grand Minister. At that time, the tribes in the Wuxi region were in a state of constant rebellion. Sun Quan granted Pan Jun the authority to lead various armies to quell the uprisings. Pan Jun was strict in rewards and punishments, and the number of rebels killed and captured was significant. Since then, the influence of the tribes in Wuxi has significantly waned, and lasting peace was restored in the region.
Previously, Pan Jun and Lu Xun were stationed together in Wuchang, managing government affairs, before both returned to their original posts. At that time, Lv Yi, the official in charge of supervision, was arrogant and had impeached Prime Minister Gu Yong, Left General Zhu Ju, and others, but all of these attempts were thwarted by Sun Quan. Xie Hong, the Huangmen Shilang, privately asked Lv Yi, "How is Lord Gu's situation?" Lv Yi replied, "Not too good." Xie Hong asked again, "If Lord Gu is dismissed, who would take his place?" Lv Yi did not answer, and Xie Hong said, "Could it be Tai Chang, Pan?" Lv Yi remained silent for a long time before saying, "You are almost right." Xie Hong continued, "Tai Chang, Pan, has always harbored a deep resentment towards you, but he hasn't had the chance due to the distance. If you allow Lord Gu to step down today, it’s likely that Tai Chang, Pan, will come after you tomorrow!" Lv Yi was very afraid, so he withdrew the charges against Gu Yong. Pan Jun requested to return to the court, came to Jianye, wanted to resign and strongly advise Sun Quan. Upon arriving in Jianye, he learned that Crown Prince Sun Deng had advised Sun Quan multiple times, but his counsel had been ignored, so Pan Jun planned to gather all the officials, take the opportunity to kill Lv Yi, take responsibility himself, and eliminate this disaster for the country. Lv Yi secretly learned of this news and claimed illness and did not go out. Every time Pan Jun entered the palace to meet Sun Quan, he would expose Lv Yi's deceit. As a result, Lv Yi's power gradually waned until he was ultimately executed. Sun Quan felt guilty about this and reprimanded his ministers, as detailed in the 'Biography of Sun Quan'. In the second year of Chiwu, Pan Jun passed away, and his son, Pan Zhu, succeeded him. Pan Jun's daughter married Sun Lü, the Marquis of Jianchang.
Lu Kai, styled Jingfeng, was a native of Wu County of Wu Commandery and a descendant of the Prime Minister Sun Xun. Initially serving as the magistrate of Yongxing County and Zhuji County during the Huangwu era, he achieved political success wherever he went. He was later appointed as the Colonel of Jianwu, leading troops into battle. Despite commanding many soldiers, he was always engrossed in reading. He had a great fondness for the "Tai Xuan Jing" and often explained its principles, using divination to predict events, which always proved accurate. In the Chiwu era, he was appointed as the Administrator of Dan'er, suppressed the rebellion of Zhu Ya, secured numerous victories, and was promoted to the rank of Jianwu Colonel. In the fifth year of the Five Phoenix era, he was ordered to suppress the mountain bandit Chen Bi in Lingling, successfully killing Chen Bi and emerging victorious. He was appointed as the Inspector of Baqiu, General of the Left Flank, and Marquis of Duxiang, later promoted to the Commander of the Right Division of Wuchang. He joined other generals in the expedition to Shouchun, and upon his return, he was further promoted to General Who Subdues Wei and General for Pacifying the Frontier. After Sun Xiu ascended the throne, he was appointed as the General Who Conquers the North, serving as the Governor of Yuzhou. After Sun Hao succeeded to the throne, he was promoted to Grand General Who Guards the West, Commander of Baqiu, Governor of Jingzhou, and granted the title of Marquis of Jiaxing. When Sun Hao made peace with the Jin Dynasty, the envoy Ding Zhong returned from the northern territories and suggested a surprise attack on Yiyang. Lu Kai advised against it, and this incident was recorded in Sun Hao's biography. In the first year of Baoding, he was promoted to Left Prime Minister.
Sun Hao did not like being advised bluntly by others, and his ministers dared not go against his wishes. Lu Kai told Sun Hao, "Between ruler and subject, there should be no hiding of the truth. If unexpected situations arise, no one will know how to handle them." After hearing Lu Kai's words, Sun Hao permitted him to speak frankly.
When Sun Hao moved the capital to Wuchang, the people of Yangzhou had to travel upstream to supply goods, resulting in significant hardship. Moreover, many of Sun Hao's policies were misguided, resulting in widespread poverty among the common people. Lu Kai submitted a memorial that stated:
I have heard that a virtuous ruler takes joy in the happiness of the people; a tyrannical ruler takes joy in their own happiness. The joy that comes from the happiness of the people will last a long time; the joy that comes from one's own happiness fades quickly, even leading to the downfall of the country. The people are the foundation of the nation. Their well-being should be valued, and their lives cherished. When the people are content, the ruler can be content; when the people are happy, the ruler can be happy. In recent years, the authority of kings has been negatively influenced by Xia Jie and Shang Zhou, their wisdom obscured by treacherous villains, and their benevolence obstructed by evil advisors. Despite the absence of disasters, the people are dying in large numbers; without wars, the treasury is empty; punishing those who are innocent and rewarding those who don't deserve it will bring calamity from heaven. I am deeply saddened by those ministers who seek to please the emperor, exploit the people, lead the ruler into unjust acts, and corrupt political customs. Now, with friendly relations with neighboring countries and peace on all sides, we should take some time to rest, build our strength, and wait for the right moment. However, by angering the heavens now, disturbing the people, causing unrest and discontent, this isn't the way to keep the country and its people safe!
I've heard that fortune and misfortune are all determined by heaven, just like shadows follow their objects and echoes follow sounds. When the object moves, the shadow moves; when the object stops, the shadow stops. The scores have their own inherent connections, and they can't be changed merely by words. In the past, the Qin state fell because rewards were too lenient and penalties too harsh; the political punishments were a mess, the common people wasted their energy on luxury and pleasure, they were captivated by beauty and obsessed with wealth, corrupt officials were in power, talented people were buried, and the people lived in fear all day long, which caused suffering for all, leading to their downfall. The Han Dynasty thrived because the emperor led by example, was honest and trustworthy, was open to advice, recruited talents widely, and showed kindness to the people, even going out personally to seek talent in remote areas, widely absorbing various opinions, thus achieving great success. These are all clear examples from history!
Recently, the decline of the Han Dynasty and the division of the realm into three parts, Cao Cao lost control, while the Sima family seized power. Yizhou, with its strategic location, elite troops, could preserve the country for generations by closing the door and keeping to themselves, but the Liu brothers created chaos through their power struggles and greed, with unclear rewards and punishments; the monarch indulged in luxury and pleasure, and the people's energy was wasted on useless things, which ultimately led to their defeat by the Sima family, resulting in the capture of both the ruler and his ministers. This is a vivid example right in front of us!
I am foolish and shallow in knowledge, with little talent, and I can only lament for Your Majesty's realm. I am just reporting what I have seen and heard, the suffering of the people, and the chaotic judicial system, hoping Your Majesty will halt those costly and labor-intensive projects, reduce unnecessary corvée labor, strive for a more compassionate government, and abandon the harsh policies.
Wuchang has steep and treacherous terrain, and the conditions are harsh. It’s hardly a suitable place to establish a capital and safeguard the nation while caring for its people. Ships are prone to sinking when docked, and constructing homes is fraught with danger. There's even a children's rhyme that goes: "I'd rather drink water from Jianye than eat fish from Wuchang; I'd rather die in Jianye than live in Wuchang." I’ve heard there are strange signs in the sky, with Mars acting up. This saying in the children's rhyme reflects the will of heaven; using the metaphor of peaceful living to describe death sufficiently illustrates the heavens' intent and the suffering of the people!
I heard that a country is not truly a country without a three-year reserve. Now we don't even have a one-year reserve. This is our responsibility as subjects! However, those officials are all high and mighty, yet they show no willingness to help the nation. They only think of ways to please the emperor and gain some benefits, and the result is that the people suffer. They don't care about the country at all! Since Sun Hong led the rebellion, the common people have stopped caring about farming; food supplies have dried up, and fathers and sons are being forced to separate for military service. Food and living expenses are rising while savings dwindle. The people are complaining, the country is on the brink of collapse, yet no one seems to care! The common people are so impoverished they can't afford to put food on the table; they are selling their children. A barrage of taxes keeps hitting them, and the people are worn out. Local officials not only lack sympathy for the people but also ramp up their exploitation. Those inspectors are indifferent to the people's suffering, only showing off their power, disturbing the people everywhere, making things even harsher. The people are suffering, and their money is running out; this is completely counterproductive! I hope Your Majesty can eliminate these troublemakers, extend compassion to orphans and widows, and comfort the hearts of the people. In this way, the people will be freed from harm, like fish escaping toxins or animals fleeing traps, and people from all corners will flock to your side. This way, the people can live and work in peace, ensuring the kingdom established by your predecessors is preserved.
I heard that too many sounds and distractions can make it difficult for people to hear clearly, and too many colors can make it difficult for people to see clearly. These are not beneficial for the governance of the country, but rather harmful. In the past, when the former emperor was in power, the number of concubines and weavers in the palace did not even add up to a hundred; food reserves were abundant, and wealth was plentiful. After the former emperor's death, the young emperor and his successor began to indulge in luxury and did not follow the old path of the former emperor. I heard that now there are thousands of weavers and ineffectual officials, and calculating the wealth they generate is not enough to cover the country's expenses. Instead, they are drawing a salary from the state without contributing, year after year, which serves no purpose! I hope Your Majesty can arrange marriages for them or assign some to those who are unmarried. In this way, Heaven will be pleased, the people will be happy, and there will be peace in the world!
I heard that the King of Tang in the Shang Dynasty selected talents from merchants, Duke Huan of Qi selected talents from charioteers, King Wu of Zhou selected talents from woodcutters, and even Han emperors selected talents from among their servants. Those wise kings and virtuous monarchs selected talents based only on their abilities, not merely focusing on status, so their achievements and reputation have been passed down through the ages. They did not just look at appearances, selecting those who were good-looking, sweet-talking, and likable.
Now I see in our court that there are some favored courtiers who hold high positions but lack abilities, cannot bear heavy responsibilities, cannot help the court, and only know how to form cliques and exclude the loyal. I hope Your Majesty can select courtiers skilled in both civil and military affairs and allow them to perform their duties effectively. From local governors and military commanders to border towns and the court's officials, all should strive to implement benevolent policies and education, assist Your Majesty, and save the people. Everyone should fulfill their responsibilities diligently, even if it means addressing minor issues; then the world will achieve peace, and justice will prevail in the legal system. "The song of Kang Zai is composed, and the principles of punishment are clarified"! I hope Your Majesty will thoughtfully consider my humble suggestions.
At that time, those military officials in the palace, He Ding, that kid, was especially good at flattering and ingratiating himself, was deeply trusted by the emperor and wielded significant power. Zhang Kai criticized him directly in front of him: "Look at those who were not loyal when serving the emperor before, who caused chaos in the court—how many of them can have a good ending? Why do you always flatter and deceive the emperor? You should change! Otherwise, you will eventually face the consequences!" He Ding loathed Zhang Kai and tried to frame him, but Zhang Kai was unfazed, wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the public, loyal and outspoken in his reports and memorials, his loyalty was evident.
In the first year of the Jianheng era, Zhang Kai fell ill, and the emperor sent the Chief of the Palace Secretariat Dong Chao to ask him if he had any final words. Zhang Kai said: "He Ding cannot be trusted again; he should be reassigned to a remote post and not be allowed to participate in court affairs again. Also, that Xi Xi, a minor official, has built a mansion in Puli and wants to restore his previous extravagant lifestyle, which should not be permitted. Yao Xin, Lou Xuan, He Shao, Zhang Ti, Guo Chuo, Xue Ying, Teng Xiu, as well as his younger brothers Xi and Kang—some of these individuals are honest, upright, loyal, and talented—pillars of the nation who can assist in governance. I hope Your Majesty will recognize their worth, listen to their opinions more, and let them contribute to the country, even if it’s just to help fill in the gaps." After saying these words, Zhang Kai passed away at the age of seventy-two.
Ziyi initially served as the Yellow Gate Attendant, later was assigned to lead troops and was appointed as a General. After the death of Sun Xiu (Kai), he returned to the court and became the Assistant to the Crown Prince's Imperial Secretary. A man named Hua Ji served as the Right Historiographer at that time. He recommended Ziyi in a memorial presented to the court, saying: "Ziyi is physically strong and exceptionally capable, with military skills that rival those of Lu Su. When summoned by the court, he immediately rushed back to the capital without a second thought, passing through Wuchang without taking any military equipment or supplies. He is decisive and brave on the battlefield, and is frugal with money. Xia Kou is currently an important enemy stronghold, and a renowned commander should be sent to guard it. I believe that no one is more suitable for this task than Ziyi."
Sun Hao had always harbored resentment towards Sun Xiu, often clashing with him, and faced repeated slander from He Ding and others. Because Sun Xiu was a senior minister, it was hard to take legal action against him. Additionally, Lu Kang was a prominent general fighting on the frontlines at the time, so Sun Hao had to bide his time. It was only after Lu Kang's death that Sun Hao relocated Sun Xiu's family to Jian'an.
Some say that in December of the first year of Baoding, Sun Xiu conspired with the Grand Marshal Ding Feng and the Imperial Censor Ding Gu to overthrow Sun Hao and enthrone Sun Xiu's son as emperor while Sun Hao was away on a ritual sacrifice. At that time, General Liu Ping of the Left led the vanguard, so Sun Xiu discreetly confided in Liu Ping about the plan. Liu Ping refused and swore not to reveal it, so their plan ultimately failed. The Court Astrologer Chen Miao reported that it had not rained for a long time during Sun Hao's reign, the weather was abnormal, and there might be a conspiracy, which left Sun Hao feeling very anxious.
I came from the area around Jingzhou and Yangzhou and came across twenty pieces of advice from Sun Xiu to Sun Hao. I asked many people in the Wu Kingdom, and many claimed they had never heard of Sun Xiu presenting such advice. Upon careful examination of the advice, I found it to be very sharp and direct, which Sun Hao likely would not tolerate. Some believe Sun Xiu hid the advice away, afraid to bring it to light. Later, when he became gravely ill, Sun Hao sent Dong Chao to visit him, hoping to hear his thoughts. Sun Xiu then handed the advice to him. The authenticity is hard to verify, so it was not recorded in official history. Nonetheless, I admire his bravery in openly criticizing Sun Hao; this serves as a warning for future generations, so I transcribed these contents in Sun Xiu's biography.
Sun Hao sent his trusted aide Zhao Qin to convey his message verbally, responding to Sun Xiu's previous advice, saying, "I will follow the will of the late emperor in any decision I make. What is there to be unhappy about? Your advice is misguided. Furthermore, the Palace of Jianye is inauspicious, so I moved out. The buildings in the Western Palace are in disrepair, and we need to think about relocating the capital. What's wrong with that?"
Sun Xiu wrote in a memorial: "I've noticed that since you took the throne, the heavens haven't been on your side; various natural disasters are frequent, court officials aren't doing their jobs, and bad people are colluding with each other. All of this is caused by you not following the will of the late emperor. The prosperity of a country depends on the blessings of heaven and its own virtues, not just staying in the palace! You do not listen to the advice of the ministers but act recklessly on your own, causing the army to be in turmoil and running around, which goes against the will of heaven! Even the heavens can't stand to see this; that's why disasters are happening, and the people are singing sad songs and complaining. Even if you live in comfort, how can you govern when the people are suffering? This is my first point: you haven't followed the late emperor's teachings!"
I heard that a country should be founded on wise and capable individuals. The Xia Dynasty killed Long Feng, while the Shang Dynasty valued Yi Zhi; these are successful examples from the past and are lessons we should learn from today. Lord Wang Fan, with outstanding talent and integrity, is a pillar of the country; he is truly the Long Feng of Wu State! However, because he disagreed with your actions and spoke frankly, you killed him and left his body unattended. The entire country is saddened, knowledgeable individuals are grieving, and they feel that the tragedy of King Fu Chai of Wu is on the verge of repeating itself. The late emperor valued talented individuals, but you have strayed from his principles; this is your second offense against the late emperor!
I heard that the prime minister is the backbone of the country and must be treated with utmost importance. The Han Dynasty had Xiao He and Cao Shen assisting, while the late emperor had Gu Yong and Bu Zhi as wise advisors. But you promoted Wan Yu, a mediocre individual who was merely a servant before, to a high position that does not match his abilities and qualifications. You have sidelined the veteran ministers and made him an important assistant because of his meek personality, without considering his talents. The talented officials are angry; this is your third offense against the late emperor!
The late emperor cared for the people as if they were his own children, taking care of orphans and widows meticulously, finding wives for those without partners, providing clothes for those in need, and even burying unattended bodies. But you have strayed from his principles; this is your fourth offense against the late emperor!
The downfall of Xia Jie and Shang Zhou was due to favoring evil women; the failure of King You and King Li was also due to favoring concubines. The late emperor knew this lesson well and avoided it, so there were no seductive women by his side, and no unfaithful women in the harem. Now you have three thousand beauties in the harem and countless concubines, while many widows and elderly women suffer outside the palace, resulting in natural disasters as a consequence; this is your fifth offense against the late emperor!
The late emperor handled state affairs diligently and always worried that he was not doing well enough. Since you ascended to the throne, you have been indulging in the harem, being misled by women, causing many things to be delayed. The officials below have also begun to be corrupt; this is the sixth way you have strayed from his example!
The late emperor lived a simple life, never dressed in fancy clothes, and there were no grand buildings in the palace. There was little emphasis on decoration, so the country was prosperous, the people lived comfortably, and there were no thieves. But Your Majesty, you are constantly levying taxes on the states, exhausting the people's money. The palace is adorned in lavish splendor, which goes against the late emperor's teachings; this is the first point!
The late emperor trusted foreign officials like Gu Yong, Lu Xun, Zhu Ran, and Zhang Zhao, and had Hu Zong and Xue Zong assisting in the court, so the country could prosper and the society was upright. Now the officials you use are not suitable, and those like Chen Sheng and Cao Fu are just small officials; even the late emperor did not value them, yet you trust them. This is the second point against the late emperor!
Every time the late emperor invited his ministers to a banquet, he was very frugal; the ministers were well-behaved, and officials could speak freely. But you are overly concerned with formality and force the ministers to drink a lot of alcohol. Alcohol is for entertainment; drinking too much is bad. How is this any different from the excesses of King Zhou of Shang? This is the third point against the late emperor!
The Han emperors Huan and Ling grew close to eunuchs and ultimately lost the support of the people. Now you are promoting eunuchs like Gao Tong, Zhan Lian, and Yang Du, giving them high positions and salaries, even handing over the army to them. If there is a war on the river, these individuals lack the military strength to fend off any enemies; this is the fourth point against the late emperor!
There is now a large number of palace maids in the palace, and the eunuchs are still searching for commoners in various states and counties. Those with money are released after paying, while those without money are forcibly taken away. The roads are echoing with complaints, and many mothers and children are forced to separate, which violates the fifth decree of the late emperor!
When the late emperor was alive, he also raised various princes and the crown prince. If a wet nurse was needed, her husband would be arranged a job, given money and food, and allowed to visit home regularly to see their children. Now the situation has drastically changed, with forced separations of spouses, husbands forced into service, and children dying. This violates the sixth decree of the late emperor!
The late emperor once said, "The country stands on the foundation of its people; the people depend on food, with clothing, shelter, and transportation following closely behind. I care about all three." But now, agriculture is neglected, violating the seventh decree of the late emperor!
The late emperor selected talents regardless of their background, promoting those with abilities. None of those promoted were unqualified, unlike now where those who are all show are promoted and those who form cliques are favored, violating the eighth decree of the late emperor!
The late emperor's soldiers were not allowed to do other work, farming in spring and harvesting rice in autumn, only engaging in battle by the river. But now, soldiers are burdened with various tasks and food supplies are insufficient, violating the ninth decree of the late emperor!
Clear rewards and punishments are necessary for unity, but now the soldiers by the Yangtze River die in battle with neither mourning nor rewards, violating the late emperor's sixteenth decree.
There are already enough local officials, and with the addition of palace eunuchs meddling, the situation becomes chaotic. Ten commoners are only matched by one official; how can we possibly carry on like this? During the reign of Emperor Jing, the rebellion in Jiaozhi was caused by too many officials, violating the late emperor's seventeenth decree, emulating the mistakes of Emperor Jing.
Those officials are simply the enemies of the common people! During the reign of the former emperor, there were officials like Lv Yi and Qian Qin, but they were later executed as a form of atonement to the people. Now, they have established a position of scrutiny and actively encourage people to lodge complaints everywhere, which contradicts the former emperor's 18th posthumous instruction.
During the reign of the former emperor, officials would stay in their positions for a long time before being assessed for promotion. Now, county officials are being transferred shortly after taking office. These frequent transfers waste both people's resources and funds, which is utterly unreasonable and goes against the former emperor's 19th posthumous instruction.
Every time the former emperor reviewed the memorials, he would carefully investigate and verify, so there were no wrongful convictions in the prison, and those who died accepted their fate. Now they are going against the former emperor's practice, which violates the 20th posthumous instruction of the former emperor.
If I am correct, please have my words recorded; if I am mistaken, I accept any punishment. I hope Your Majesty will seriously consider my words.
Jing Zong, courtesy name Yin, is known to be a very kind individual. He started as an Imperial Censor and an official in the Ministry of Personnel. When the Crown Prince heard about his reputation, he held him in high regard. Later, Quan Ji, Yang Zhu, and others aligned themselves with Prince Lu Ba and vied with Jing Zong for power and influence, secretly plotting against each other. As a result, Jing Zong was arrested and subjected to brutal torture in prison, but he never admitted to any wrongdoing.
Later, he was appointed as the Governor of Hengyang. In the 11th year of the Chìwū era, there was a rebellion by the tribes in the Jiāozhǐ region, capturing many cities and resulting in chaos throughout Jiāozhōu. The court then appointed Jìngzōng as the Inspector of Jiāozhōu and Colonel of Ānnán. After Jìngzōng entered the Jiāozhǐ region, he adopted a strategy of both rewards and punishments, actively persuading defectors to surrender, notably the chieftain Huángwú from the Gāoliáng region, who surrendered with over three thousand households. Jìngzōng continued southward, reiterating his sincerity by sending gifts. More than a hundred rebel leaders and over fifty thousand common households surrendered, even from the most remote and challenging areas, bringing peace back to Jiāozhōu. The court subsequently promoted him to General of Ānnán. He then set out to defeat the rebels in the Cāngwú Jiànlíng region, securing a victory. In total, more than eight thousand troops were mobilized for the pacification.
In the first year of the Yong'an era, Pan Jun was summoned to serve as the governor of Xiling Prefecture and was appointed as the Duting Marquis. Later, he was transferred to Hulin. The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Hua He, recommended Pan Jun in a memorial, saying: "Pan Jun is naturally intelligent, outstanding in talent, and of noble character. He previously served in the selection office, leaving behind commendable achievements. During his tenure in Jiaozhou, he exercised the court's benevolence, and refugees flocked to his side, stabilizing the border areas. The regions of Cangwu and Nanhai suffer from fierce storms and miasma every year, with strong winds capable of breaking trees, flying sand and rocks, and miasma pervading like mist, making it difficult for birds to pass through. Since Pan Jun took office, the fierce storms and miasma have disappeared, trade and travel are unimpeded, the people are free from diseases, and crops are abundant. The provincial capital, Linhai, has salty seawater in autumn, and Pan Jun built water storage facilities, ensuring the people had access to fresh water. A warm atmosphere took hold, influencing both people and deities, attracting scattered individuals with the court's prestige. When he was ordered to leave, the people were grateful for his kindness, reluctant to see him go. Carrying the elderly and children, they willingly followed him, with not a single person hesitating, and there was no need for a military escort. Previous military commanders led the troops with intimidation, but none united them with kindness and trust like Pan Jun. He served in the province for more than ten years, where there were many local treasures, yet he had neither a beautiful concubine nor precious objects at home, which is rare among officials today! He should assist the court in the capital city, emulate the virtuous ministers of the Tang and Yu eras, and make contributions to the nation. It is a waste of his talent to have him serve in a position of little responsibility by the river; although there are many competent people in Hulin, if he were summoned back to the capital and appointed to a higher position, the country would prosper and develop!"
After Pan Jun passed away, his son Pan Shi inherited his title and served as the Governor of Chaisang and General of the Yangwu. In the first year of the Tian Ce era, Pan Shi and his cousin Pan Yi relocated to Jian'an together. In the second year of Tian Ji, Pan Shi was called back to Jianye and reinstated as a general and marquis.
It is said that Pan Jun was upright and honest, while Lu Kai was known for his loyalty and bravery, both embodying the qualities of true gentlemen. Pan Jun governed with integrity, made significant achievements, and became well-known in the south, rightfully earning the title of a great leader of his time.
