Man Chong, whose courtesy name was Boming, was a native of Changyi in Shanyang. At the age of eighteen, he became the district inspector of the county. At that time, various people in the county, including Li Shuo, formed factions and oppressed the people. The governor sent Man Chong to handle the situation. After Li Shuo and the others confessed, they ceased their misconduct. Later, Man Chong was appointed as the magistrate of Gaoping County. There was a man named Zhang Bao, the county's postal inspector, who was involved in corruption and disrupting government affairs. When Zhang Bao came to the county office, Man Chong had him arrested, interrogated him rigorously, and completed the trial that very day. Zhang Bao was dismissed, and Man Chong subsequently resigned and returned home.
When Cao Cao became the governor of Yanzhou, he hired Man Chong as his assistant. Later, when Cao Cao became the Grand Commander, he appointed Man Chong to serve in the Western Bureau, and later made him the magistrate of Xuchang County. At that time, Cao Hong, a prominent relative of Cao Cao, had a high status, and his guests committed crimes in Xuchang County multiple times. Man Chong arrested them and held trials. Cao Hong wrote to Man Chong requesting the release of the prisoners, but Man Chong ignored him. Cao Hong complained to Cao Cao, who summoned the magistrate of Xuchang County. Realizing that Cao Cao intended to release the prisoners, Man Chong swiftly executed the offenders. Cao Cao was pleased and remarked, "This is how such matters ought to be handled."
Later, the Grand Commandant Yang Biao was imprisoned, and the Minister of Works Xun Yu, the Minister over the Masses Kong Rong, and others approached Man Chong, saying, "Just question him, do not use torture." Man Chong did not respond and proceeded to question Yang Biao following legal procedures. After a few days, Man Chong went to see Cao Cao and said, "There is nothing significant to report from questioning Yang Biao. Before executing anyone, we must first clarify their charges. Yang Biao is well respected nationwide; if the charges are unclear, it will let the people down. I am concerned for you!" Cao Cao immediately pardoned Yang Biao. Initially, Xun Yu and Kong Rong were angry when they heard that Man Chong was going to torture Yang Biao, but after this incident, they grew to admire Man Chong even more.
At that time, Yuan Shao was powerful, controlling the Hebei region, and Runan was Yuan Shao's hometown. His disciples and officials were spread throughout Runan, all armed to resist Cao Cao. Cao Cao was deeply concerned, so he sent Man Chong to be the Governor of Runan. Man Chong recruited five hundred men willing to surrender, led them to capture over twenty strongholds, lured the leaders who had not yet surrendered, and killed over ten of them on the spot, swiftly restoring peace to Runan. Man Chong recovered twenty thousand households and two thousand soldiers, allowing them to farm in peace.
In the thirteenth year of the Jian'an era, Cao Cao campaigned against Jingzhou. Upon his return, he left Yue Jin as the General of Fendwei, stationed in Dangyang. Sun Quan frequently raided the eastern border, so Cao Cao recalled Yue Jin to the capital to serve as the Governor of Runan, granting him the title of Marquis of Guannei.
Guan Yu besieged Xiangyang, and Yue Jin assisted General Cao Ren in resisting at Fancheng. As a result, Cao's forces, including Yu Jin, were defeated by Guan Yu due to heavy rain causing flooding. Guan Yu launched a fierce assault on Fancheng, resulting in multiple breaches in the city walls, terrifying the soldiers. Some advised Cao Ren to escape under the cover of night using lightweight boats before Guan Yu could fully encircle them, arguing that even if they lost the city, it would be better than losing their lives. Yue Jin said, "The water is rising quickly, but it likely won't last long. I heard that Guan Yu has sent other generals to Jiaxia, causing panic among the local populace south of Xuchang. Guan Yu is hesitant to attack because he fears our troops will strike from behind. If we flee now, the entire region south of the Huai River will be lost to the state! You should hold your ground." Cao Ren agreed, so Yue Jin submerged his white horse in the river and swore an oath with his soldiers. At that moment, reinforcements led by Xu Huang arrived. Yue Jin fought bravely, achieved great success, and Guan Yu eventually retreated. Yue Jin was bestowed the title of Marquis of Anchangting.
After Emperor Wen ascended to the throne, Yue Jin was promoted to the position of Yangwu General. He defeated the Wu army in the Battle of Jiangling, earned military honors, and was appointed as Fubo General, stationed at Xinye. The army marched south and arrived at Jing Lake, with Yue Jin leading his forces in the front, facing the enemy across the water. Yue Jin instructed the generals, "The wind is strong tonight; the enemy will likely come to burn our camp. Everyone must be prepared!" All the troops remained on high alert. In the middle of the night, the enemy indeed sent ten units to launch a sneak attack and set fire, and Yue Jin led his forces in a counterattack, defeating the enemy, and was subsequently granted the title of Marquis of Nanxiang.
In the third year of Huangchu AD, Yue Jin was granted military authority. In the fifth year, he was appointed as the General of the Front. After Emperor Ming ascended to the throne, Yue Jin was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Changyi. In the second year of Taihe, Yue Jin served as the Inspector of Yuzhou. In the spring of the third year, someone reported that the Wu general Yan Jun claimed to go hunting north of the Yangtze River, and Sun Quan wanted to personally lead the expedition. Yue Jin anticipated that Sun Quan would attack Xiyang, so he made preparations in advance. Upon hearing this, Sun Quan decided to retreat. In the autumn, Cao Cao sent Cao Xiu to attack Hefei from Lujiang, and at the same time ordered Yue Jin to go to Xiakou. Yue Jin submitted a memorial stating, "Although Cao Xiu is clever and decisive, he rarely leads troops in battle. The route he is taking now is backed by a lake and the Yangtze River on the side, making it easy to advance but hard to retreat, which military strategists refer to as a dangerous position. If he enters Hefei without a strong foothold, he should be fully prepared." Before Yue Jin's memorial was acknowledged, Cao Xiu had already penetrated deep into enemy territory. Indeed, the enemy blocked the route at Wuqiangkou, cutting off Cao Xiu's retreat. Cao Xiu faced difficulties in battle and began to retreat. At this time, Zhu Ling and other reinforcements arrived, cutting off the enemy's retreat from behind, and they engaged with the enemy. The enemy panicked and fled, enabling Cao Xiu's army to return safely. That same year, Cao Xiu passed away, and Yue Jin succeeded him as the Commander of military operations in Yangzhou.
The soldiers and civilians in Runan all greatly admire Yue Jin. The common folk came out one after another to see him off, and the roads were packed to the brim, and there was no way to stop them. The military officials proposed executing the troublemakers. The court decreed that Yue Jin should lead a thousand troops, with the rest left out of the equation. After four years, Yue Jin was appointed as the General for Conquering the East. In the winter of that year, Sun Quan claimed he would attack Hefei. Yue Jin requested to gather troops from Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and all the troops were assembled. The enemy soon retreated, and the court ordered the troops to be withdrawn. Yue Jin believed that the enemy's retreat was likely a ruse to draw them out, so he requested not to withdraw the troops. Sure enough, Sun Quan returned after more than ten days, arrived at Hefei's walls, couldn't take the city, and had to pull back.
The next year, the Wu general Sun Bu sent a messenger to Yangzhou to surrender, saying, "The journey is too far, we cannot come in person, please send troops to meet us." The governor Wang Ling presented Sun Bu's letter and requested to send troops to meet them. Yue Jin believed it was a trick and disagreed with sending troops. He wrote a reply to Wang Ling, saying, "Knowing right from wrong, wanting to avoid disaster, submit to the court, abandon evil and do good, that's really commendable. Now you want to send troops to meet them, but with too few troops, they wouldn't be able to defend themselves, and with too many troops, secrets may be leaked. It's best to have a private discussion first, confirm the sincerity of surrender, and then decide how to act based on the situation." Yue Jin instructed the chief official of the prefecture that if Wang Ling wanted to send troops to meet them, do not give him any troops. Later, Wang Ling's request to send troops didn't go through, and only a commander with seven hundred cavalry was sent to meet them. Sun Bu launched a nighttime assault, and the commander fled in defeat, with over half of his men killed or wounded.
At first, Le Jin and Wang Ling had a poor relationship while working together. Wang Ling's faction slandered Le Jin, claiming he was old and incompetent, so Emperor Ming summoned Le Jin. After Le Jin arrived in the capital, he appeared vigorous and healthy. Emperor Ming saw him and promptly sent him back. Le Jin made repeated requests to stay, but the court responded, "In the past, Lian Po had a huge appetite and Ma Yuan could still ride horses into battle. You are not old yet, but claim to be old. You're not at all like Lian Po and Ma Yuan! You should think about how to defend the border and benefit the country."
The next year, Sun Quan sent General Lu Xun to launch an attack on Lujiang. Many believed they should rush to provide support. However, Zhang Liao said, "Although Lujiang is small, the enemy troops are strong and courageous. If they hold their ground, they can last a long time. Moreover, the enemy abandoned their ships and traveled two hundred miles before attacking. Their rear is unprotected, clearly trying to lure us in. We should let them continue forward, in case they get away too quickly for us to catch up!" So Zhang Liao organized the army and went to Yang Yikou. When the enemy heard that a large army was coming from the east, they quickly fled at night. Sun Quan has plans to attack Hefei every year.
In the first year of the Qinglong era, Zhang Liao wrote: "On the south side of Hefei City, which is near the Yangtze River, while the north side is far from Shou Chun. If our troops attempt to rescue, they must first defeat the enemy's main force before they can break the siege. It is easy for the enemy to attack, but it is difficult for us to rescue. The troops in the city should be relocated to a position thirty miles west, where we can take advantage of the terrain. Then build a fortified city there to defend. This will allow us to lure the enemy onto the plains and cut off their retreat, giving us a strategic advantage." General Jiang Ji believed: "This would be seen as a sign of weakness. If the enemy sees our campfires, they might take the opportunity to attack the city, which would be like retreating before a fight. In this way, the enemy will plunder recklessly, and the region north of the Huai River will definitely not be able to hold on." The Emperor disagreed.
Zhang Liao again wrote: "Sun Tzu's Art of War emphasizes the importance of deception in warfare. Therefore, to appear weak while being strong, to distract the enemy with incentives, and to deter the enemy with intimidation. This means that the outward appearance doesn’t always have to match reality. The Art of War also says, 'Those who are good at confusing the enemy must show a certain form.' Now that the enemy has not yet arrived, we will move the city inside first, which is a tactic to lure the enemy. We should lead the enemy away from water sources, choose advantageous terrain for battle, win outside, and reap the rewards inside." Minister Zhao Zi recognized the merit in Zhang Liao's strategy, and the Emperor ultimately granted his request.
That year, Sun Quan personally led troops to besiege Xincheng. Due to the long journey, they dared not to disembark for more than twenty days. Zhang Liao told his generals, "Sun Quan knows we have relocated the city; someone in his army will definitely brag about it. Now he is launching a major attack to take all the credit. Although he does not dare to truly attack, he will definitely come ashore to flaunt his military might and assert his strength." So Zhang Liao secretly sent six thousand infantry and cavalry to ambush in a concealed location in Hefei. Sun Quan indeed came ashore to flaunt his military might, and Zhang Liao's ambush immediately launched an attack, killing hundreds of enemy soldiers, with many others jumping into the water to escape.
The following year, Sun Quan personally led an army claiming to be a hundred thousand strong to Xincheng in Hefei. Zhang Liao quickly rushed to support and recruited dozens of strong men to fell pine trees to craft torches, drenched them in sesame oil, lit them upwind, burned the enemy's siege engines, and also shot and killed Sun Quan's general Sun Tai. The enemy then retreated. In the spring of the third year, Sun Quan sent thousands of soldiers to cultivate land north of the Yangtze River. By August, Zhang Liao believed the crops were almost ripe, with men, women, and children all working in the fields. Their garrison was stationed far from the city, some even hundreds of miles away, creating a prime opportunity for a surprise attack. So Zhang Liao sent a commander to lead three armies down the east bank of the river, destroying the enemy's farmland, burning the food supplies, and then returning. The Emperor issued a decree praising him and bestowed all the captured spoils upon the soldiers.
In the year 199 AD, due to old age, Zhang Chong was summoned back to the court and promoted to Grand Commandant. Zhang Chong did not own any property or have savings at home. The Emperor said, "You lead troops outside, wholeheartedly serving the public, exhibiting the same loyalty and integrity as Xingfu and Jie Zun. I grant you ten hectares of land, five hundred hu of grain, and two hundred thousand coins, to commend your integrity, loyalty, frugality, and thriftiness." Zhang Chong was granted a total of 9,600 households as his fief and was also ennobled as a Marquis for his two sons. In the year 242 AD, Zhang Chong passed away and was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Jing. His son Zhang Wei inherited the title, renowned for his integrity and moderation, eventually rising to the rank of Commandant of the Guards.
Tian Yu, styled Guo Rang, was a man from Yongnu in Yuyang. When Liu Bei sought refuge with Gongsun Zan, Tian Yu, still a young man, chose to join Liu Bei, who greatly appreciated him. Later, when Liu Bei became the Inspector of Yu Province, Tian Yu requested to return home due to his elderly mother. Liu Bei tearfully bid him farewell, saying, "It's such a pity we can't accomplish great things together!"
Gongsun Zan appointed Tian Yu as the magistrate of Dongzhou County. Gongsun Zan's general Wang Men betrayed him, leading tens of thousands of soldiers sent by Yuan Shao to attack Dongzhou. Everyone was terrified and wanted to surrender. Tian Yu climbed the city wall and said to Wang Men, "You left him after receiving Gongsun Zan's favor, which must have been for a compelling reason; but now you have turned into a traitor, which shows that you are a troublemaker. You're like someone holding a water jar—limited in wisdom; defending the city doesn’t need any special tools. I’ve taken on this task, so why don’t we launch a counterattack?" Wang Men left in shame. Although Gongsun Zan recognized Tian Yu's talents, he couldn't put him to good use. After Gongsun Zan was defeated, Xian Yu Fu was chosen by the locals to serve as the acting governor, and since he had a good relationship with Tian Yu, he appointed him as his chief of staff. At that time, various heroes were rising up, and Xian Yu Fu did not know who to join. Tian Yu said to Xian Yu Fu, "In the end, it will be Cao Cao who unifies the country. You should surrender to him quickly to avoid any future troubles." Xian Yu Fu followed his advice and was highly valued and rewarded by Cao Cao. Cao Cao appointed Tian Yu as a military strategist in his administration, then appointed him as the magistrate of Yingyin County and Langling County, and promoted him to be the prefect of Yiyang, whereever he went, he governed effectively.
Marquis Zhang Zhang of Yanling led an expedition against Daijun and appointed Tian Yu as his staff. When the army reached the north bank of the Yishui River, they were ambushed by the enemy, and the soldiers panicked, unsure of what to do. Tian Yu used the terrain to make the army form a circular formation, with archers and crossbowmen positioned inside, using feigned troops to exploit the enemy's weaknesses. The enemy couldn't advance and scattered in retreat. Tian Yu led the army in pursuit, defeated the enemy, and successfully pacified Daijun, all thanks to his strategies.
I was transferred to Nanyang as governor. Before that, there was a man named Hou Yin in Nanyang who rebelled and took thousands of followers to hide in the mountains as bandits, causing unrest in the whole region. The previous governor captured more than five hundred of Hou Yin's accomplices and reported to the court that they deserved execution.
I met with the incarcerated individuals, comforted them, offered them a way out, and encouraged their reform. Then, I released them from their restraints. The prisoners bowed repeatedly, promising to reform, and then they began to communicate with one another. As a result, the bandits dispersed, and Nanyang County was restored to peace. I wrote a detailed report on this and reported it to Cao Cao, who was quite pleased.
In the early period of Emperor Wen of Han, the nomadic tribes in the north were strong and often harassed the border regions. The court appointed Yu as Colonel and Protector of the Wuhuan, while Qian and Jie were respectively responsible for protecting the Xianbei. From east of Gaoliu to west of Wamo, there were dozens of Xianbei tribes, each ruled by leaders like Binen, Mijia, and Suli, each controlling their own territory. At that time, they also swore to refrain from trading horses with the Central Plains.
Yu believed that the alliance of these nomadic tribes posed a threat to the Central Plains, so he first incited discord among them and provoked them into attacking one another. Suli violated the agreement and secretly sold a thousand horses to the court, which led to an attack from Binen and prompted him to seek help from Yu. Yu was worried that they would unite and cause greater harm, so he decided to help the weak and strike against the evil forces to establish his authority. He took only an elite force deep into the enemy camp, but the Hu were numerous and surrounded him from all sides, cutting off his escape route.
Yu ordered the army to advance, camping more than ten miles from the Hu, piled up cow and horse manure, and set it ablaze, then withdrew the troops via another route. Seeing the flickering flames, the Hu believed the Han army was still present. They pursued for miles before realizing they had been deceived. They chased to Macheng and heavily surrounded Yu's army. Yu was well-prepared; he had the Sima display flags, beat drums, and blow horns, sending infantry and cavalry out from the south gate to attract the attention of the Hu. Yu himself led the elite troops out from the north gate, attacking from both inside and outside, taking the Hu by surprise. The Hu army was in chaos, abandoning their helmets and armor and scattering in all directions. The Han army pursued for more than twenty miles, and the ground was littered with Hu corpses.
Later, the king of the Wuhuan tribe, Gu Jin, was defiant and disregarded the rules. When Yu was inspecting the border, he brought just over a hundred riders into Gu Jin's territory. Gu Jin actually dared to come and see Yu, so Yu had his men execute Gu Jin on the spot to serve as a warning to others. Everyone was frightened and were too frightened to act rashly, so they had no choice but to recommend Gu Jin's brother as his successor. From then on, the Hu people were terrified, and Yu's reputation shook the desert.
Bandit Gao Ai, with several thousand men under him, often raided in Youzhou and Jizhou, harming the people. Yu orchestrated the execution of Gao Ai by the Xianbei Suli tribe and delivered his severed head to the capital. The court appointed Yu as the Marquis of Changle Pavilion. Yu served as Colonel for nine years, constantly suppressing the strong tribes that wanted to merge and expand, fostering mutual suspicion among them. Yu incited division among fugitive criminals, as well as those who plotted against the court and were unfavorable to the Hu, preventing their schemes from succeeding and denying them peace.
Yu's career was not yet finished, but allies of Youzhou Governor Wang Xiong sought to replace Yu with him. They spread rumors that Yu was causing trouble on the border and creating problems for the state. So the court transferred Yu to Runan, appointing him as Prefect, and also made him General for the Suppression of Barbarians.
During the reign of Emperor Taihe of Wei, Gongsun Yuan rebelled in Liaodong. The emperor wanted to send troops to quell the rebellion but was unsure whom to send. At this time, Yang Ji, the General of the Central Army, recommended the Inspector of Yuzhou, Zhuge Dan. Therefore, the emperor appointed Zhuge Dan to command the various armies of Qingzhou in his official role, granting him the power of command to suppress Gongsun Yuan. At the same time, envoys from the Wu Kingdom were colluding with Gongsun Yuan, and the emperor saw that the Wu forces were numerous and would have to cross the sea to fight, so he ordered Zhuge Dan to withdraw his troops.
Zhuge Dan estimated that the Wu ships would soon return, as the end of the year brought strong winds and waves, and the Wu army would be afraid of sea storms. He analyzed that there was no place to dock on the eastern coast, so the Wu army would definitely head to Chengshan. Chengshan had no place to hide ships, so the Wu army could only walk along the coastline. Therefore, he scouted the coastline, surveyed the terrain, and identified strategic locations to deploy his troops and bolster defenses. After reaching Chengshan, Zhuge Dan even ascended the observation platform constructed by Emperor Wu of Han. Sure enough, when the Wu army returned, they encountered bad weather; the ships crashed against the rocks and sank in the sea, the waves washed the ships ashore, and the Wu army had nowhere to hide and were all captured. Initially, the other generals waited on open ground for the enemy, and when the enemy was defeated, they all clamored to get involved in the aftermath, wanting to salvage the treasures from the sunken ships. Zhuge Dan worried that the desperate captives would fight to the death, so he refused all their requests.
Zhuge Dan initially commanded the Qingzhou army as its governor. Cheng Xixin, the Inspector of Qingzhou, was resentful and often deliberately countered Zhuge Dan's military strategies. Cheng Xixin knew the emperor had a fondness for pearls, so he secretly reported Zhuge Dan to the emperor, saying, "Although Zhuge Dan has made military achievements, his military discipline is lax. He has seized many weapons, jewels, and gold, which he has secretly distributed and not turned over to the national treasury." As a result, Zhuge Dan's contributions went unrecorded. Later, Sun Quan led an army of a hundred thousand to attack Xincheng, and General Man Chong wanted to lead various armies to rescue. Zhuge Dan said, "The enemy is launching a full-scale assault. Their goal is not merely to capture a few minor spoils of war, but to use the attack on Xincheng to distract our main forces. We should let them attack the city, dampen their spirits, and not engage them head-on. If the city cannot be held, the enemy's morale will drop; once they are exhausted, we can strike again for a more significant victory. If the enemy sees through our strategy, they won't attack the city and will likely withdraw. If we charge out recklessly, we risk falling into the enemy's trap. Moreover, in a confrontation, we should keep the enemy guessing about our intentions and not let them easily guess our plans." Zhuge Dan promptly submitted a report to the court, and the emperor adopted his suggestion. As a result, the enemy indeed retreated. Later, when the Wu army launched another invasion, Zhuge Dan went to resist, and the enemy immediately withdrew. That night, someone in the army panicked and exclaimed, "The enemy is coming again!" Zhuge Dan remained still in bed and commanded everyone to say, "Anyone who dares to move will be put to death!" After a while, no enemy came.
At the end of the Jingchu era, three hundred more counties were added, making a total of five hundred households. At the beginning of the Zhengshi era, he was appointed as the General of the Guards against the Xiongnu and was also conferred the title of General of Valor, concurrently serving as the Inspector of Bingzhou province. The Hu people on the border heard of his reputation and came to pay tribute one after another. The region he governed was stable and peaceful, and the people loved and respected him. Later, the court summoned him to serve as the Guard Commander. He repeatedly requested to resign, but the Grand Tutor Sima Xuanwang, recognizing his abilities, wrote to persuade him to stay, but he did not listen. In his reply, he said, "I am over seventy years old and still holding an official position; it’s like a cracked pot leaking water that keeps flowing in the dark, what sin is this?" So he firmly claimed illness and stayed home. Later, he was appointed as the Grand Minister of the Palace, enjoying the salary of a minister. He passed away at the age of eighty-two, and his son Pengzu inherited his title.
He was known for his purity, frugality, and simplicity, distributing rewards to his soldiers. Gifts sent by the Hu and Di people in private were all registered and kept in the government office, never taken home, and his family often lived in poverty. Despite his different status, everyone held him in high regard for his integrity. In the sixth year of Jiaping, the court issued a decree to honor him and also rewarded his family with money and provisions, as noted in Xu Mai's biography. The inscription on the "Epitaph for the Late Guard Commander Yu" states: "He was known for his purity, frugality, and simplicity, and all rewards were distributed among the soldiers. Every gift from the Hu and Di peoples was recorded and stored in the office, not taken home; his family was often poor."
Qian Zhao, also known as Zi Jing, hailing from Anping Guanjin, went to study with Yue Yin in the same county in his teens. Later, Yue Yin became the Chief of Staff to General He Miao, and Qian Zhao completed his studies with him. Just as chaos erupted in the capital, both He Miao and Yue Yin were killed. Qian Zhao, along with Yue Yin's students such as Shi Lu, courageously buried Yue Yin's body and escorted it back to his hometown, putting their lives at risk. While traveling, they were ambushed by bandits, causing Shi Lu and the others to flee. The bandits wanted to break open the coffin to steal the nails, but Qian Zhao pleaded for mercy through tears. The bandits were moved by his sincerity and let them go. This incident brought him great fame.
The Governor of Jizhou, Yuan Shao, recruited him to his staff, where he served as a supervisor and also led the Wuhuan cavalry. When Yuan Shao's companion violated orders, Qian Zhao took decisive action first and reported later. Yuan Shao appreciated his decisiveness and held no grudge against him. After Yuan Shao's death, he continued to serve Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Shang. In the ninth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao besieged Ye City. Yuan Shang sent Qian Zhao to oversee the transportation of military provisions in Shangdang. Before the supplies could arrive, Yuan Shang was defeated and retreated to Zhongshan. At that time, Yuan Shang's uncle, Gao Gan, was the Inspector of Bingzhou. Qian Zhao believed that Bingzhou had strategic positioning, with Mount Heng to the east and the Yellow River to the west, a military force of fifty thousand, and capable of blocking the fierce Xiongnu to the north. He advised Gao Gan to receive Yuan Shang and observe the situation together. However, Gao Gan was inept and secretly conspired against Qian Zhao. When Qian Zhao heard about this, he quietly departed as the roads were obstructed and couldn't catch up to Yuan Shang. He then went east to join Cao Cao. Once Cao Cao seized control of Jizhou, he also enlisted Qian Zhao to his staff.
Cao Cao was preparing to attack Yuan Tan. He heard that the Wuhuan people in Liucheng were planning to send troops to aid Yuan Tan. Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao to persuade and win over the Wuhuan people, instructing him to go to Liucheng. When Zhang Liao arrived in Liucheng, he unexpectedly ran into Qiao Wang showcasing his power, preparing to send five thousand cavalry to support Yuan Tan. At the same time, Gongsun Kang, the Governor of Liaodong, claimed the title of Governor of Pingzhou and sent an envoy, Han Zhong, with the Chanyu's seal to falsely grant Qiao Wang the title of Chanyu on behalf of the court. Qiao Wang called a meeting of the tribal leaders, with Han Zhong in attendance. Qiao Wang asked Zhang Liao, "Previously, Yuan Shao claimed to have received an imperial decree to appoint me as Chanyu; now Cao Cao says he wants to report to the emperor again and officially appoint me as Chanyu; Liaodong has also brought the seal. So who is the legitimate one, really?"
The envoy replied, "Originally, Yuan Shao was able to appoint officials by the emperor's decree. Later, Yuan Shao went against the imperial order, so the emperor commanded Cao Cao to replace him, saying that he needed to report back to the emperor and officially appoint you as the Chanyu (a title for a ruler of the Xiongnu). This is the right course of action. Liaodong is a remote and small county; how dare you appoint officials on your own?" Han Zhong said, "Our Liaodong is located to the east of the vast sea, with a million troops and tribes like Buyeo and Mohe that can be utilized. In the current situation, the strong will always prevail. Why does Cao Cao do this?" The envoy scolded Han Zhong, "Cao Cao is respectful, humble, and wise. He is loyal to the emperor, suppresses rebels, pacifies the people, and brings peace to the realm. Your ruler and ministers are foolish and stubborn, relying on the dangerous terrain and distance, going against the emperor's orders, trying to appoint officials independently and tampering with the court's seals. They should be eliminated. How dare you be so arrogant and disrespectful as to slander your superiors!" After speaking, he grabbed Han Zhong's head and slammed it against a pillar, drawing his sword to kill him. The King of Qiao was so frightened that his face turned pale; he clung to the envoy, barefoot, begging him to spare Han Zhong, and the people around were all terrified. The envoy finally sat down, explaining the principles of success and failure in governance to the King of Qiao and others, and the consequences of fortune and misfortune. Everyone knelt on the ground, respectfully listening to his teachings. Consequently, the Liaodong envoy was sent back, and the King of Qiao also canceled the plan to send troops to support Yuan Tan.
Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan in Nanpi and appointed Zhao Tao as a military strategist, following him to campaign against the Wuhuan. Upon reaching Liucheng, he was appointed as the Colonel of the Wuhuan Protectorate. Upon returning to Ye City, the head of Yuan Shang was delivered from Liaodong and displayed in the horse market. Zhao Tao was deeply saddened upon seeing this and set up a mourning altar for Yuan Shang. Cao Cao greatly admired his loyalty and recommended him for his talent. Later, he followed Cao Cao in pacifying Hanzhong. Once the situation was resolved, he returned to Ye City and was appointed as the Colonel for Suppressing the Barbarians, commanding the armies of Qingzhou and Xuzhou to crush the bandits in Donglai, killing their leader and stabilizing the eastern region. After Emperor Wen of Han ascended the throne, Zhang Zhao was appointed as the Chief Protector of the Xianbei Colonel, stationed in Changping. At that time, the border people scattered and fled to the deep mountains and old forests, with several thousand people defecting to the Xianbei side. Zhang Zhao showed great kindness in winning over those defectors. Jianyi Zhonglang General Gongsun Ji and others, along with their subordinates, all pledged loyalty to the court and then returned to their own counties. More than a hundred thousand households from the Su Li and Mi Jia clans of the Huailai Xianbei also pledged their loyalty to the court.
The army was preparing to campaign against the state of Wu, so the court recalled Zhang Zhao. When Zhang Zhao returned to the court, the army had already withdrawn. He was then appointed as the Right General and sent to serve as the governor of Yanmen Commandery. Yanmen Commandery is located on the border, and despite defensive measures, bandit attacks never ceased. Zhang Zhao not only trained the locals for battle, but also petitioned the court to reinstate taxes for over five hundred households of the Wuhuan people, to prepare their horses, and sent scouts to gather intelligence on the enemy. Whenever the enemy invaded the border, Zhang Zhao led the troops to counterattack, and each time achieved decisive victories. As a result, the morale of both officials and civilians soared, and the border was restored to relative peace. He also skillfully sowed discord among the enemy, leading to mistrust among them. Conflicts already existed among the Xianbei leaders Budugen, Xieguini, and Kebineng, so they brought over thirty thousand households to Yanmen Commandery to pledge allegiance to the court. The court ordered an assault on Kebineng, killing Kebineng's brother Juluohou, as well as the defected Wuhuan lords Wang Tong, Wang Ji, and others, which deepened the hatred between Kebineng and the court.
So Zhang Zhao personally led Xie Guini and his men to Yunzhong Commandery to attack Ke Bineng, and defeated him. Zhang Zhao also secured the allegiance of over a hundred thousand households of the Hexi Xianbei, repaired the ancient city of Shangguan in Xingbei, and stationed troops there to secure the area. Whether they were large or small barbarian tribes, they all pledged loyalty to the court. Those who had defected, even if they were relatives, dared not hide them, and voluntarily sent them to the government. Consequently, the border regions stabilized, and banditry diminished. Zhang Zhao also chose some talented and knowledgeable individuals to study at the Imperial Academy, and after they returned, they taught each other. Within a few years, the school flourished. The capital of Yanmen Commandery, Guangwu City, had well water that was both bitter and salty, so the people had to carry water buckets seven miles away to drink, making a fourteen-mile round trip. Zhang Zhao, based on the local terrain, took advantage of the mountainous terrain to dig channels and bring water into the city, greatly benefiting the local populace.
After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he bestowed upon Zhang Zhao the title of Marquis of Guannei. In the second year of Taihe, the Wuhuan Protector, Tian Yu, was besieged by Ke Bineng at the former city of Mayi, and quickly sent a messenger to request assistance from Guanqiu Jian. Guanqiu Jian immediately organized the troops and prepared to rescue Tian Yu. However, the officials in Bingzhou routinely obstructed him. Guanqiu Jian believed that when a general was besieged, he could not be constrained by bureaucratic protocols, so he submitted a petition to lead the troops himself. He also quickly sent a detailed letter explaining the situation and his plan to first strike the enemy's stronghold from the northwest, then march east to completely eliminate the enemy. Once the letter was delivered, the morale of Tian Yu's army soared. Guanqiu Jian also discreetly sent a letter to the enemy's route, which frightened Ke Bineng and caused his troops to scatter. Guanqiu Jian's army arrived at the former city of Pingcheng, and the enemy forces fled in panic.
Ke Bi Neng assembled a large force of cavalry and arrived at the northern frontier of the former Pingzhou. Guanqiu Jian conducted a covert operation and launched a surprise attack, killing a large number of enemies. Because Zhuge Liang had sent troops to Shu many times, and Ke Bi Neng was cunning and unpredictable, there was a possibility that the two were in collusion. Guanqiu Jian requested to remain vigilant, but some doubted the distance was too great and did not believe his words. As a result, Zhuge Liang indeed sent envoys to establish contact with Ke Bi Neng at Qishan, and Ke Bi Neng even reached the former city of Beidi, coordinating with Zhuge Liang. The emperor then ordered Guanqiu Jian to devise a battle plan. By that time, Ke Bi Neng had already retreated to the southern desert. Guanqiu Jian and Governor Bi Gui discussed, "The nomads are unpredictable. If we exhaust ourselves chasing them from afar, we will not catch up due to speed differences. If we want to launch a surprise attack, the treacherous terrain and challenges in transporting supplies will complicate secrecy. The best strategy is to secure the passes at Xinxing and Yanmen, station troops in the north of the pass, pacify the people outwardly, let the soldiers farm inwardly, store food supplies, wait until the horses are well-fed in autumn and winter, and the troops of the prefectures and counties are assembled, then take the opportunity to attack, which is sure to result in total victory." Before the plan could be put into action, Guanqiu Jian fell ill and passed away.
Guanqiu Jian served in Bingzhou for twelve years, and his reputation was widely recognized. His achievements in border defense were second only to Tian Yu, and the people fondly remembered him. The Prefect of Yuyang, Fu Rong, also distinguished himself in military affairs at Yanmen, and after Guanqiu Jian's tenure, he made significant contributions in Liaodong. Guanqiu Jian's son, Guanqiu Jia, inherited his title. His second son, Guanqiu Hong, was equally brave and resolute as his father. When he served as the Prefect of Longxi, he followed Deng Ai in the conquest of Shu, achieved military successes, and was later appointed Zhenwei Protector during the Xianxi era. Guanqiu Jia and the Minister of Works of the Jin Dynasty, Li Yin, were half-brothers, both of whom passed away at an early age.
Guo Huai, styled Boji, was a native of Yangqu, Taiyuan. He passed the imperial examination during the Jian'an period and was appointed as the deputy magistrate of Pingyuan Prefecture. When Cao Cao became the General of the Five Officials, he transferred Guo Huai to his command as a subordinate official. Later, Guo Huai was promoted to the position of Chief of Military Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office and accompanied Cao Cao in the campaign against Hanzhong. After Cao Cao returned, he left the General Who Conquers the West, Xiahou Yuan, to resist Liu Bei, and appointed Guo Huai as Xiahou Yuan's Chief of Staff. During the battle between Xiahou Yuan and Liu Bei, Guo Huai fell ill and did not go to the front lines. After Xiahou Yuan was killed in battle and chaos broke out in the army, Guo Huai quickly rallied the scattered soldiers, proposed General Zhang He, known for eliminating bandits, as the commander of the army, thus stabilizing the morale.
The next day, Liu Bei wanted to cross the Han River and attack. The generals believed that the disparity in forces between us and the enemy was too great to overcome and suggested deploying defensive formations along the Han River to prevent Liu Bei from pursuing his victory. However, Guo Huai said, "This merely shows weakness and won't intimidate the enemy. It is not a good strategy. It is better to set up formations further away from the Han River, lure the enemy over, and attack them when they have crossed halfway, so we can defeat Liu Bei." Implementing Guo Huai's strategy, Liu Bei indeed suspected that we were bluffing and did not dare to cross the river easily. Guo Huai maintained a resolute stance. Guo Huai reported the situation to Cao Cao, who appreciated his strategy and granted Zhang He command authority, allowing Guo Huai to continue as Chief of Staff. After Cao Pi became king, he appointed Guo Huai as Marquis of Guannei and promoted him to Senior Historian of the Western Garrison. Later, Guo Huai served as the protector of the army in the campaign against the Qiang people, assisting the General of the Left Zhang He and the Champion General Yang Qiu in suppressing the rebellion led by mountain bandits Zheng Gan and Lu Shui, achieving victories. As a result, the Guanzhong region achieved stability, and the people were able to live and work in peace.
In the first year of the Huangchu period, Guo Huai was ordered to congratulate Cao Pi on his accession to the throne, but he fell ill en route, causing a delay. When all the courtiers had gathered, Cao Pi sternly asked him: "In the past, King Yu met with the feudal lords on Tu Mountain, and those who arrived the latest, such as Fengfeng Shi, were executed. Now the whole world is celebrating, but what's the reason for your lateness?" Guo Huai replied: "I heard that during the time of the Five Emperors, the people were governed by virtue and education, and it was only during the Xia Dynasty, when political decline began, that punitive laws were used. I live in a prosperous era like that of Yao and Shun, so I know I won't be killed like Fengfeng Shi." Cao Pi was pleased with his response, promoted Guo Huai to be the Inspector of Yongzhou, and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Sheyang Pavilion. He officially assumed his post five years later. Pi Xiti, the leader of the Qiang people in the Anding region, rebelled, and Guo Huai led troops to pacify them. Whenever the Qiang and Hu people surrendered, Guo Huai would first send someone to inquire carefully about their family situation, the number of men, women, children, elderly, their ages, and so on; after meeting them, Guo Huai could quickly understand their situation, asking detailed questions, and everyone said he was perceptive and wise.
In the year 228 AD, Zhuge Liang launched a campaign from Qishan, sending General Ma Su to Jieting, while Gao Xiang was stationed at Lieliu City. Zhang He defeated Ma Su, then attacked and captured Gao Xiang's camp, losing both places. Zhang He also defeated the renowned Qiang leader Tang Xiti in Longxi, winning a victory at Fuhan, and was later promoted to General Who Establishes Might.
In the year 230 AD, the Shu army attacked Lucheng. At that time, the Longyou region faced food shortages, and everyone was discussing large-scale grain transport from Guanzhong. However, Xiahou Mao used a mix of kindness and pressure to win over the Qiang and Hu people, encouraging them to send grain voluntarily, resolving the army's food problem, and was later promoted to General Who Displays Valor.
In the year 232 AD, Zhuge Liang led troops out of Xiegu and cleared farmland in Lankeng. At that time, Sima Yi was stationed with his troops at Weinan; Xiahou Mao believed that Zhuge Liang would definitely strive for the Northern Plains, so he suggested they should occupy it first, but many others disagreed with him. Xiahou Mao said, "If Zhuge Liang crosses the Wei River and reaches the Northern Plains, linking up with the troops on the Northern Mountain, cutting off the road from Long Mountain, disturbing the people and minority groups, this would not be a good thing for the country!" Sima Yi thought he was right, so Xiahou Mao took up position in the Northern Plains. Before the defense works were completed, the Shu army launched a large-scale assault, and Xiahou Mao took the initiative to meet them in battle. After a few days, Zhuge Liang led a large army westward, and the generals all believed he was targeting the Western Encirclement, but only Xiahou Mao believed it was a diversion, trying to lure the troops to reinforce the Western Encirclement, and would actually attack Yangsui. That night, Zhuge Liang did indeed attack Yangsui, but thanks to Xiahou Mao's preparations, the Shu army could not breach the defenses.
In the year 234 AD, Shu general Qiang Wei marched out of Longxi. Xiahou Mao led his troops to pursue, catching up to Qiang Wei at Qiangzhong. Qiang Wei retreated, so Xiahou Mao then dealt with the Qiang tribe leader Midiang and others, bringing peace to over 3,000 households of the Roudi people, and resettled them in the Guanzhong region. Xiahou Mao was promoted to the rank of Left General. The Xiongnu people of Liang Yuanbi in Liangzhou led over 2,000 households to submit to Yongzhou. Xiahou Mao petitioned the court for permission to settle them in Gaoping, Anding County, to serve as a buffer for the local populace, and later established a Western Prefect there. Xiahou Mao was further promoted to Front General, while still serving as provincial governor.
Five years later, Xiahou Xuan led troops to attack the Shu Kingdom, with the army led by Huainan taking the lead. Huainan felt the situation was unfavorable and voluntarily withdrew, so they avoided a major defeat. Afterwards, they were granted titles and ranks by the court.
In the eighth year, the leaders of the Qiang tribes in the Longxi, Nan'an, Jincheng, and Xiping regions, such as Ehe, Shaoge, Fatong, and Ezhase, united to rebel, attacking cities and colluding with the forces of the Shu Kingdom. The renowned Hu leader in Liangzhou, Zhi Wudai, also joined the rebellion. The court dispatched troops to quell the rebellion, with Xiahou Ba leading the forces stationed at Weichi. When the army from Huainan arrived at Dida, everyone agreed that they should first pacify the Fuhanshan region, resolve the Qiang tribes' internal rebellion, and then undermine the enemy's conspiracy from the outside. However, Huainan analyzed that Jiang Wei would definitely come to attack Xiahou Ba, so he led his troops into Fengzhong, then turned south to confront Xiahou Ba. Jiang Wei indeed attacked Weichi, but the Huainan army arrived just in time, forcing Jiang Wei to flee. Huainan then suppressed the rebellious Qiang tribes, defeating and killing Ehe and Shaoge, and subduing more than 10,000 households.
In the ninth year, Ezhase and others stationed troops at Hekou and Baitu Ancient City, occupying the river to block the advance of the army. Huainan discovered that the enemy's main force was upstream of the river, so they secretly crossed the river downstream, seized Baitu City, and launched an attack, securing a decisive victory. Zhi Wudai besieged Wuwei, while his family stayed in Xihai. Huainan quickly marched to Xihai with the intention of raiding Zhi Wudai's stronghold, but Zhi Wudai quickly turned back to confront them. The two sides clashed north of Longyi, with Huainan defeating him and driving him away. There was a guy named Ju'e Lu on the west side of Shitou Mountain, setting up roadblocks on the main road to intercept the court's messengers. Huainan took care of him on the way back. Jiang Wei set out from Shiyin, detoured to Qiangchuan, then headed west to support Zhi Wudai, while leaving Liao Hua, the Prefect of Yinpingshu, at Chengzhong Mountain to fortify the area and gather the scattered remnants of the Qiang tribes. Huainan planned to divide his forces to launch an attack on Liao Hua.
The generals all felt that Jiang Wei's military strength was formidable, and he had connections with the barbarians in the west. Liao Hua held a strategic position. If the troops were divided into two routes, the forces would be scattered. At that point, they would be unable to defeat Jiang Wei or capture Liao Hua. This isn't a viable plan. It's better to concentrate the forces and head west together, taking advantage of the fact that the barbarians and Shu have not completely united yet, cutting off their internal and external connections. This is the best strategy. Huai Nan said, "Attacking Liao Hua now, surprising him, Jiang Wei will definitely come back to rescue. By the time Jiang Wei arrives, Liao Hua will have already been captured by us, leaving Jiang Wei exhausted. We don't need to penetrate deep into enemy territory; the alliance between the barbarians and Shu will naturally collapse. This is a win-win strategy!" So Huai Nan sent Xiahou Ba and others to pursue Jiang Wei in Dazhong, while he led a large army to attack Liao Hua. Jiang Wei did indeed quickly return to rescue Liao Hua, just as Huai Nan had expected. Later, Huai Nan was elevated to the Marquis of Duxiang.
In the year 249 AD, Guo Huai was promoted to the position of General of the Western Conquest and was also in charge of military affairs in Yongzhou and Liangzhou. That year, he collaborated with the Inspector of Yongzhou, Chen Tai, to defeat the Shu generals such as Ju An, easily capturing them.
In 250 AD, the Emperor issued a decree commending him: "In the Battle of Hanchuan back then, we were on the brink of defeat; thanks to your taking on the mission at a critical moment, turning the tide. Your contributions are all recorded in the imperial records! You have been in the Guanzhong region for over thirty years, fighting enemies externally and pacifying the people internally, with great achievements. In recent years, you have defeated Liao Hua and captured Ju An, with remarkable military achievements; I am extremely pleased! Now, I appoint you as General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the title of Yitong San Si, and your previous position remains unchanged." The Emperor also elevated his title, making him the Marquis of Yangqu, with a fief consisting of 2,780 households, and granting an additional 300 households to be given to one of his sons as a Viscount.
In the year 256 AD, Guo Huai passed away and was posthumously titled Grand General and given the posthumous title Zhenhou. His son Guo Tong succeeded him. Guo Tong later became the Governor of Jingzhou and also passed away. His son Guo Zheng inherited the title. Later, during the Xianxi era, the court established a five-rank title system, and due to Guo Huai's significant contributions in earlier times, he was posthumously granted the title of Fenyangzi.
Historical assessments indicate: Man Chong was resolute in his aspirations, firm and decisive, brave, and strategic; Tian Yu was known for his integrity and clear strategies; Qian Zhao upheld justice, demonstrated bravery and valor, and achieved remarkable military success; Guo Huai's strategies were meticulous and had a lasting impact on the governance of Qinzhou and Yongzhou. However, Tian Yu only attained the rank of a minor provincial governor, and Qian Zhao ultimately rose to the position of county magistrate, both of whom were unable to fully realize their potential.
