Xu Miao, courtesy name Jingshan, was a native of Ji County, Yan State. When Emperor Taizu pacified the Hebei region, he summoned Xu Miao to serve as a strategist for the prime minister's military. Later, he was appointed as the magistrate of Fenggao County, and then transferred back to the court to serve as the Eastern Cao Yi Shi. When the Wei State was newly established, he became a Shangshu Lang. At that time, the court imposed a ban on alcohol, but Xu Miao drank heavily in secret. When the supervising officer Zhao Da inquired about official business, Xu Miao replied, "I...I’ve become a sage!" Zhao Da reported this to Emperor Taizu, who was furious upon hearing this.
At this moment, the General of the Northern Expedition, Xianyu Fu, came forward to defend Xu Miao: "Typically, those who drink classify alcohol into different tiers, referring to clear wine as 'sages' and cloudy wine as 'wise men.' Xu Miao has always been cautious and careful; this time he was simply drunk and rambling." As a result, Xu Miao avoided punishment. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Longxi and then transferred to be the Prefect of Nan'an Commandery. After Emperor Wen took the throne, Xu Miao served in succession as the magistrate of Qiao County, the Prefect of Pingyang, the Prefect of Anping, and the Agricultural Commissioner of Yingchuan. Wherever he went, he excelled, and the emperor rewarded him with the title of Marquis of Guannei.
Once, when the emperor's carriage arrived in Xuchang, he turned to Xu Miao and asked, "Have you become a sage lately?" Xu Miao replied, "In the past, Zi Fan died in Guyang, and my uncle was punished for drinking. I’m just like them, a slave to alcohol, unable to control myself, often getting drunk. While they became infamous for their scandals, I became known for my drunkenness." The emperor laughed heartily and said to those around him, "This reputation wasn’t earned without reason!" Afterwards, Xu Miao was promoted to serve as the military advisor to the Grand General.
Emperor Ming thought Liangzhou was too far from Chang'an and was also bordered by bandits from Shu, so he appointed Miao as the governor of Liangzhou and also made him the Protector of Qiang with great power. When Miao arrived in Liangzhou, Zhuge Liang was leading troops from Qishan, and the three counties of Longyou rebelled. Miao immediately sent his officers and the Prefect of Jincheng County to fight the rebels in Nan'an, and they defeated them.
The Hexi Corridor experienced little rainfall and frequently faced food shortages. Miao repaired the salt ponds in Wuwei and Jiuquan to store food, developed many paddy fields, recruited poor people to cultivate them, and as a result, every household was well-fed and well-clothed, and the warehouses were full of food. Then, he traded surplus military supplies for gold, silver, silk, and horses to support the court. Gradually, he collected all the weapons that the common people had hidden and stored them in the government warehouse.
After that, Miao grounded his leadership in benevolence and righteousness, established schools, spread education, banned extravagant burials, took a stand against superstitious practices, promoted good people, punished bad people, and improved the social atmosphere, gaining the people's support. The trade routes in the Western Regions were unimpeded, and the border tribes came to pay tribute, all thanks to Miao! He pacified the Qiang chieftain Ke Wu who had rebelled, was granted the title of Marquis of Duting, given a fief of three hundred households, and further promoted to General Who Establishes Might.
Dealing with the Qiang and Hu people, Miao never pursued minor mistakes; for serious offenses, he would first inform his subordinates, so that those who deserved death were publicly beheaded, earning the respect and fear of both the Qiang and the Hu. He distributed the rewards he received to his soldiers, not taking anything for himself, to the point that his wife struggled to make ends meet. Upon hearing this, the emperor was pleased and frequently sent supplies to his family. He punished wrongdoers, combated corruption, and restored peace to Liangzhou.
In the year 238 AD, Xu Miao was promoted to the position of Minister of Agriculture. Later, he was promoted to the position of Colonel of the Imperial Guard, and all the officials in the court held him in high regard. After completing his official duties, he resigned from his position. He later became a Grand Master of Ceremonies, and a few years later was promoted to Minister of Engineering. However, he lamented, saying, "The Minister of Engineering, Minister of Education, and Grand Commandant are all important positions for discussing court affairs. If there are no suitable candidates, the positions should remain vacant. How can I fill the position just because I am old and in poor health?" He firmly declined the offer.
In the year 249 AD, at the age of seventy-eight, Xu Miao passed away at home. The court buried him with the honors befitting a marquis and posthumously conferred upon him the title of Marquis Mu. His son Xu Wu inherited his title. Six years later, the court commemorated those upright and honest officials, decreeing, "Commending the virtuous and setting moral examples has always been valued by the sage kings; selecting the virtuous and educating them is praised by Confucius. Minister of Engineering Xu Miao, General Who Conquers the East Hu Zhi, and Commandant of the Guards Tian Yu all served in the previous dynasty, serving four emperors, leading armies when called upon, participating in court affairs, loyal and upright, selflessly devoted to his country, not greedy for wealth. After their deaths, they left behind no possessions at home. We greatly admire them! We hereby grant Xu Miao and their families two thousand bushels of grain and three hundred thousand coins, and made this known to the public."
Xu Miao and his fellow townsman Han Guanman studied together. Han Guanman was insightful and talented, equal to Xu Miao, but younger than Sun Li and Lu Yu. He served as the Inspector of Yuzhou, achieving remarkable results, but passed away while in office. Lu Qin wrote a review praising Xu Miao in his book, saying, "Sir Xu has high aspirations, noble character, exceptional talent, and a strong will. In his interactions with others, he is idealistic yet humble, pure but not isolated, well-read yet disciplined, strong-willed yet tolerant. While sages find integrity difficult to achieve, for Sir Xu, it came naturally."
Someone asked Lu Qin, "During the reign of Emperor Wu, people considered Xu Gong well-versed in worldly matters, but after returning to the capital from Liangzhou, people thought he was distant. Why is that?" Lu Qin replied, "In the past, officials like Mao Xiaoxian and Cui Jigui were in power; they promoted honest and frugal officials. At that time, people changed their attire to pursue fame, but Xu Gong did not change his habits, so people considered him knowledgeable. Now, extravagance prevails in the world, and people imitate each other, but Xu Gong still upholds his refined character, not following the crowd. Thus, people used to think he was knowledgeable, but now they think he is distant. This reflects the fickle nature of human perception, while Xu Gong remains consistent!"
Hu Zhi, style name Wende, was originally from Shouxian, Anhui. When he was young, he, Jiang Ji, and Zhu Ji were all well-known in the Jianghuai region, serving as officials in various counties. Later, Jiang Ji became a district officer and went to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao asked him, "What’s Hu Zhi like? What about his son?" Jiang Ji replied, "He has a son named Hu Zhi; although he may not be as broad-minded as his father in general, he is even better at handling specific matters." Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately summoned Hu Zhi to be the magistrate of Dunqiu County.
In Dunqiu County, there was a commoner named Guo Zheng who was having an affair with his cousin and had killed her husband, Cheng Ta. The local official Feng Liang was imprisoned for testifying. Guo Zheng and his cousin both denied the accusations, and Feng Liang, unable to endure the torture, falsely accused himself in an attempt to shift the blame onto Guo Zheng. After Hu Zhi took office, he carefully observed their expressions, conducted a thorough investigation of the incident, and ultimately found conclusive evidence.
Later, Hu Zhi was transferred to the position of East Cao Yiling Clerk in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the state requested him to serve as a Secretary. At that time, General Zhang Liao was on bad terms with his bodyguard Wu Zhou. Zhang Liao found the governor Wen Hui, hoping to ask Hu Zhi to mediate. Hu Zhi declined, citing illness. After Zhang Liao came out, he said to Hu Zhi, "I hold you in high regard; why do you let me down like this?" Hu Zhi replied, "In ancient times, when making friends, what's important is whether the other party is greedy, timid, and gullible to rumors. If these can be achieved, then one can get along for a long time. General Wubonan is a gentleman. You used to admire him greatly, yet now, over a minor disagreement, there's a rift. Moreover, my capabilities are limited; how can I guarantee eternal harmony? So I am unwilling to participate." Zhang Liao was moved by his words and reconciled with Wu Zhou.
Cao Cao called him back to the Prime Minister's Mansion. During the Huangchu period, Hu Zhi was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel as a Junior Official, later becoming the Prefect of Changshan, and then transferred to be the Prefect of Dongguan. Once, a scholar named Lu Xian was killed. Hu Zhi said, "This person had no enemies, but he had a young and attractive wife; that could be why he was murdered." He thoroughly investigated the young neighbors around Lu Xian, and noticing Li Ruo's change in demeanor when questioned, Hu Zhi pressed further. Li Ruo eventually admitted to the crime, and the perpetrator was apprehended. Every time the army had achievements and rewards, Hu Zhi distributed the rewards to the soldiers without keeping any for himself. He served as the Prefect for nine years in the county, and the people thrived in peace and prosperity, and the soldiers followed his orders.
He was appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou, promoted to General of Zhenwei, and granted the title of Marquis of Guanneihou. The great general Zhu Ran besieged Fancheng, and he swiftly set out to rescue the city with a small force. Many people at that time believed that the enemy forces were strong and difficult to resist, but he said, "Fancheng is low-lying and has few troops, so we must lead the army to support it; otherwise, it will be dangerous!" So he immediately led his troops to Fancheng, relieved the siege, and everyone was relieved. Later, he was promoted to General Conquering the East, granted the seal of authority, and put in charge of military affairs in Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and other areas. He opened up farmland, stored food, and had enough reserves for many years, establishing a base for the Eastern Expedition, farming while also guarding. He also opened up waterways between various counties for easy passage of ships and remained vigilant against enemies. As a result, the border areas were peaceful and safe. He was calm, composed, and meticulous, did not impose his integrity on others, and was loved wherever he went. He passed away in the second year of Jiaping, leaving behind no wealth, only the clothes and book box given by the court. The military advisor reported this to the court, and he was posthumously honored as Marquis of Yanglingting, with an estate supporting one hundred households, and the posthumous title of Zhen Marquis. His son Wang Wei inherited his title. Six years later, the court issued an edict praising his integrity and honesty, and granted money and food to his family, which was recorded in the biography of Xu Mai. Wang Wei served as the Inspector of Xuzhou during the Xianxi era, achieving notable accomplishments, serving as magistrate of three counties, and enjoying a stellar reputation everywhere he served. He passed away in Anding in the end.
Wang Chang, style name Wenshu, was a native of Jin Yang in Taiyuan. When he was young, he and his fellow townsman Wang Ling both gained fame. Wang Ling was older than him, and Wang Chang looked up to him like an older brother. When Emperor Wen was in the Eastern Palace, Wang Chang served as a literary officer for the Crown Prince and was later promoted to the position of Zhongzhuzi. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, Wang Chang was appointed as a cavalier attendant, in charge of agriculture in Luoyang. At that time, the trees near the capital had already become a forest. Wang Chang cut down the trees to cultivate the land, diligently persuading the people to farm, leading to a significant increase in reclaimed land. He was later promoted to Inspector of Yanzhou. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he was promoted to General of Yanglie and granted the title of Marquis of Guannei. Although Wang Chang held positions outside the capital, he always had the court in mind, believing that the Wei dynasty had inherited the flaws of the Qin and Han dynasties, with cumbersome and strict laws, failing to make significant changes to align with the ideals of earlier rulers. He thought that restoring the prosperity of the past was unlikely. Therefore, he wrote over twenty essays on "Zhi Lun," roughly following ancient systems while integrating the current situation. He also wrote more than ten military books, discussing the use of unconventional military tactics, which he presented to the court during the Qinglong era.
He gave modest and humble names to his nephews and sons to convey his values. His nephews were named Mo, style name Chujing; Shen, style name Chudao; his sons were named Hun, style name Xuanchong; Shen, style name Daochong. He also wrote instructions for them:
Ladies and gentlemen, the key to teaching children is ensuring their safety, health, and respect for their parents. Everyone knows that these three principles are well-known virtues, but some people still endanger themselves and even ruin their families because of misguided approaches. Why is this? Because they learned wrong ways since childhood! Filial piety to parents and benevolence towards others are the cornerstone of all virtues. By embodying these values, one can find their place in society. By being filial to parents, the family will be stable; by being benevolent towards others, the community can respect you. Only then can one cultivate inner virtue and earn a good reputation.
If a person does not pay attention to fundamental moral development, but pursues superficial fame and fortune, fosters cliques and engages in self-serving interests, then they will be weighed down by hypocrisy and harmed by factional strife. These two harms are very obvious, but many people still repeat the same mistakes, getting increasingly worse, all because they are blinded by the allure of immediate fame and fortune! Wealth and reputation are what everyone desires, but sometimes gentlemen refuse them even when they achieve them; why? Because they do not like to obtain them through improper means! People often only know how to pursue, but do not know how to retreat; they only know desires but do not know satisfaction, so they end up in predicaments, filled with regret. As the saying goes: "Those who don't know contentment will lose what they desire." Therefore, finding contentment brings lasting happiness. Look at the rise and fall in history, consider the future's fortunes and misfortunes; how many of those who chase fame and fortune without knowing contentment can truly maintain their family legacy and enjoy lasting blessings? I encourage you to teach your children, follow the teachings of Confucianism, learn from the thoughts of Daoism, and use "profound silence and humility" as guiding principles. I hope you heed this warning and refrain from violating it. Even ancient people had inscriptions on their door lintels and warnings on their staffs, constantly reminding themselves to act with caution, and when it comes to their own reputation, that deserves even greater care!
Things develop too fast, often leading to failure; taking it slow can actually lead to success. Fresh flowers blooming in early spring wither by nightfall; while pine and cypress trees endure snow and frost, staying green all year round. Therefore, a gentleman does not seek quick success or engage in factionalism. For example, when Fan Kuai boasted about his martial skills in front of the Qin guests, Wu Zi interrupted him and broke his hairpin because of his arrogance. Those with virtues tend to boast, while those with talents tend to be arrogant; boasting covers up others, and arrogance oppresses others. Those who cover up others will also be covered up by others; those who oppress others will also be oppressed by others. Therefore, the Xi clan of Jin was exterminated, and Wang Shu of the Zhou dynasty was punished, all because of their self-importance and cutthroat competitiveness. Thus, a gentleman doesn’t brag about himself—not out of humility, but out of disdain for overshadowing others’ accomplishments.
One must yield in order to expand, be humble in order to gain, and show weakness in order to become strong; few fail to succeed. Praise and criticism can lead to both good and bad outcomes, so the wise are very cautious about them. Confucius said, "I don’t judge others as good or bad; if I praise someone, I must first examine them." He also said, "Zigong is good at evaluating others. Is Zigong wise? I don't have time to think about that."
Even those sages, despite their noble virtues, are treated this way, so why should we ordinary folks care so much about what others think?
General Mayuan once warned his nephew: "Listening to others speak ill of you is like hearing your parents' names; you can only listen and not casually repeat what you hear." This piece of advice is spot on! If someone speaks ill of you, you should first reflect on yourself. If you have really done those things, then what they said is correct; if you haven't done them, then they're just spouting nonsense. If it is true, then there’s no need to resent others; if it's false, it can't hurt you, so why bother seeking revenge? Moreover, people who get upset when others talk bad about them usually fear that those nasty words will hurt their reputation. Trying to get back at them will only make things worse; it's better to just focus on improving yourself. As the saying goes: "To keep warm, nothing is better than a thick fur coat; to stop others from slandering you, nothing is better than self-cultivation." This statement is so true!
As for those who can't tell right from wrong and have ulterior motives, even just being close to them is not allowed, let alone confronting them! The consequences can be serious! Those hypocritical people, their words are unreliable, their actions and words are inconsistent, and their shallow and hypocritical nature is easy to see through; but people are still deceived by them, without examining their words and actions. Like Wei Feng of Jiyin and Cao Wei of Shanyang, they are typical examples of evil scheming and ultimately failing. They deceive people, collude with evil, and mislead young people. Even though they ended up getting executed, they served as a warning for future generations, but they had already harmed many people. Therefore, we must be careful and cautious!
In my opinion, those hermits living in the mountains, like Boyi and Shuqi, would rather starve to death on Shouyang Mountain than be burned to death in Mianshan. Although this can inspire corrupt officials to repent and correct their ways, I don't want to do what even the saints wouldn't do. Now, your ancestors all wear hats and official robes, are respectable people who uphold benevolence and righteousness, take pride in being cautious, are filial to their parents and siblings at home, and are diligent and eager to learn outside. The path I'm on is different from theirs, but we all have our own goals.
Guo Boyi from Yingchuan is very astute and perceptive in dealing with people and situations. However, he is somewhat brusque in nature, not meticulous enough, and places a higher value on fame and fortune than most; when he encounters someone compatible, he treasures them as a gem, but when he encounters someone he doesn't get along with, he casts them aside like old rags. Although I understand him well and have a good relationship with him, I wouldn't want your son to follow in his footsteps. Xu Weichang from Beihai is not one to chase after fame or status, is disinterested in fame and fortune, and is devoted to the path. He judges right and wrong based on the words of ancient sages, never easily praising or criticizing others. I hold him in high regard and hope your son can learn from him.
Liu Gonggan from Dongping is well-educated, gifted, honest, and principled, but he is somewhat reckless with rules. His strengths and weaknesses are both obvious. I admire and respect him, but I don't want your son to imitate him. Ren Zhaoxian from Lean is straightforward and sincere, upright in dealing with people, generous, humble, and polite. He stands firm no matter the circumstances; although he is a bit timid, he is very brave in critical moments, devoting himself to the country and the people. I regard him as a friend, admire him greatly, and hope your son can look up to him.
If you can distill the strengths of these individuals and apply them more broadly, you will understand what I mean. In short, when it comes to finances, prioritize supporting your relatives, assist those in dire need when offering help, respect elders when coming and going, approach discussions with objectivity and fairness, be loyal and upright when holding office, assess practical abilities when selecting people, avoid arrogance and impatience in life, maintain optimism in poverty, make decisions in line with reason when advancing or retreating, take time to think things through, and that's enough. With that said, what do I have to worry about?
In the year 234 AD, the court decreed: "To find those talented, wise, visionary, insightful, strategic, and cautious individuals who are upright, diligent, and dedicated to the public good, regardless of age or background, each official above the rank of minister is to recommend one person." Sima Xuanwang recommended Wang Chang.
During the Zhengshi period, Wang Chang was transferred to Xuzhou, titled as Wuguan Tinghou, later promoted to General of the Southern Campaign, and granted the power to command the military in Jingzhou and Yuzhou. Wang Chang believed that while the country may have a standing army, there are no guaranteed strategies for winning in war; the terrain may have natural strongholds, but defense strategies are not unchanging. Currently stationed in Wancheng, over three hundred miles from Xiangyang, with various troops scattered and ships docked in Xuanchi, it would be too late for mutual support in an emergency. Therefore, he requested to move the government to Xinye, train a naval force in Jingzhou and Yuzhou, actively promote agriculture, increase arable land, and make sure the granaries are filled to the brim with grain.
During the Jiaping period, after the Grand Tutor Sima Xuanwang had Cao Shuang executed, he requested a wide-ranging inquiry into the successes and failures of governing the country and ensuring the safety of the state. Wang Chang proposed five strategies for governing the country: first, to promote Confucianism, curb extravagance, facilitate student admission to the Imperial Academy, and enhance educational institutions; second, to implement an examination system, since examinations act as a benchmark for assessing right from wrong and evaluating talent; third, to allow officials to serve longer terms, promoting them based on their achievements; fourth, to limit officials' salaries, encourage integrity and public service, and discourage them from seeking personal gain at the expense of the people; fifth, to eliminate extravagance and waste, promote frugality, establish clear distinctions in clothing styles for different ranks, store food and silk, and encourage the people to return to a simple way of life. The court received his suggestions with appreciation. Subsequently, the court asked him to draft a system for assessing the performance of officials. Wang Chang believed that although there was a system for assessing officials during the Tang and Yu dynasties, the specific methods had not been preserved. The Zhou dynasty's system stipulated that the Chancellor was responsible for assessing the performance of all officials and rewarding or punishing them, but there were no specific assessment criteria. This demonstrates that wise monarchs excelled at appointing talented individuals, generally establishing a system for assessing officials, and then entrusting specific officials to implement it in order to understand the abilities of officials. This was his main point of view.
The following year, Sima Shi reported: "Sun Quan has exiled loyal officials and is internally embroiled in disputes between legitimate and illegitimate heirs, presenting an excellent opportunity for us to strike at Wu and Shu. Between Baidi City and Yiling, Qianzhong, Wuxian, Zhiyue, and Fangling are all located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, with the local populace and neighboring tribes near Xincheng Commandery. We can launch a surprise attack on these places." Therefore, Sima Shi sent the Prefect of Xincheng, Zhou Tai, to attack Wuxian, Zhiyue, and Fangling, sent the Inspector of Jingzhou, Wang Ji, to Yiling, and went to Jiangling himself. Floating bridges made of bamboo were constructed on both banks, crossing the river to attack the enemy.
The enemy retreated to the southern bank, but simultaneously opened seven routes to launch an attack. Sima Shi ordered the soldiers to simultaneously shoot all the crossbows, and the enemy general Shi Ji, terrified, fled into Jiangling City under the cover of night. During the pursuit, hundreds were slain. Sima Shi wanted to lure the enemy to a decisive battle on flat ground, so he first sent five armies to retreat along the main road, which pleased the enemy when they saw it. At the same time, he displayed the captured armor, warhorses, and severed heads beneath the city walls to provoke the enemy, and then set up an ambush to wait for them to take the bait. Shi Ji indeed pursued, fell into the ambush, and was decisively defeated. Shi Ji fled, and Sima Shi also killed the enemy generals Zhong Limao and Xu Min, captured their armor, flags, drums, treasures, equipment, and weapons, and then returned in triumph. Wang Ji and Zhou Tai also made contributions.
Therefore, Sima Shi was promoted to Grand General of the Southern Expedition and was appointed as the Yitong Sansi (Equivalent to the Minister of War), and was conferred the title of Marquis of Jingling. Later, Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled, and Sima Shi led his troops to resist the rebellion. For his successful suppression of the rebellion, his two sons were each granted marquisates, and Sima Shi himself was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. During the rebellion of Zhuge Dan, Sima Shi occupied Jiashi, approached Jiangling, and prevented Shi Ji and Quan Xi from reinforcing to the east. After Zhuge Dan was suppressed, the court issued a decree saying, "In the past, Sun Bin assisted the state of Zhao and struck directly at the capital. The rapid advance of the western front was also to meet the needs of the eastern front!" Sima Shi was conferred a thousand households of land, added to the previous, totaling four thousand seven hundred households, and was promoted to Minister of Works, still holding the positions of Imperial Commissioner and Commander. In the fourth year of Ganlu, Sima Shi passed away and was posthumously honored as Marquis Mu. His son, Sima Hun, inherited the title and served as the Commandant of the Yueqi during the Xianxi period.
Wang Ji, courtesy name Boyu, was from Qucheng, Laizhou, Shandong. He lost his parents when he was young and lived with his uncle. His uncle treated him very well, and Wang Ji was known for being filial. When he was seventeen, the county sought to appoint him as a minor official, but he wasn't interested, so he left to study in the Langya region. During the Huangchu period, he was recognized as a filial and upright person and became a Langzhong. At that time, when Qingzhou was just pacified, Governor Wang Ling specifically recommended him as an assistant and later insisted on having him back after transferring him to the position of secretary. After some time, Minister Wang Lang wanted to recruit Wang Ji, but Wang Ling refused to release him. Wang Lang even wrote a letter to the state criticizing this situation, saying, "Good ministers can be promoted to assist the monarch, good court officials can enter the royal family for employment; this is the rule of ancient times when feudal lords contributed talents. Now the state is holding back the court guards and officials of the Secretariat; this is truly unprecedented!" Wang Ling successfully pacified Qingzhou largely thanks to Wang Ji's support and coordination. Later, the Grand General Sima Xuan Wang also noticed him, and before Wang Ji could assume his new position, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat.
Emperor Ming was intensely focused on the construction of palaces, wearing out the common people. Wang Ji submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying, "I've heard that in ancient times, water was used as a metaphor for the common people, saying 'water can carry boats, but also capsize them.' Therefore, officials must be careful and cautious, not take their responsibilities lightly. If the common people are living in comfort, they are prone to negligence; if they suffer, they are likely to harbor resentment. Therefore, the wise rulers of ancient times ensured the people lived simple lives to prevent issues. Yan Yuan once told the story of Dong Yezi driving a carriage; the horse was exhausted but still had to keep running forward, which illustrates that it is on the verge of collapse. Now the labor demands are heavy, separating men, women, and children. I hope Your Majesty will take this lesson to heart, remember the principle of 'water can carry boats but also capsize them,' allow the horse to rest before it runs out of steam, and lighten the burden on the people before they are exhausted. When the Han Dynasty was established, by Emperor Xiaowen's reign, only princes of the same surname remained. Jia Yi was worried about this, saying, 'Putting fire under the woodpile to sleep and saying it is safe, how is that possible?' Now the bandits have not been eliminated, and the fierce generals hold military power; if they're restrained, there won't be any troops left to defend against the enemy. Over time, it will be difficult to hand over to future generations. In times of peace and stability, if we don’t address potential threats, if future generations are not ambitious, the country will be in danger. If Jia Yi were alive today, he’d definitely be even more concerned!"
Wang Su, known for his many commentaries and interpretations of classical texts, also participated in the formulation of court rituals, changing some of Zheng Xuan's previous statements, but he remained committed to metaphysical principles, often conflicting with Zheng Xuan's views. Later, he was promoted to be the Prefect of Anping, but resigned due to official duties. The Grand General Cao Shuang then asked him to be an attendant and later appointed him as the Prefect of Anfeng. Anfeng borders the state of Wu, and he governed the area very strictly, but also with kindness, putting clear defensive measures in place that deterred the Wu army from invading. He was later promoted to General for Suppressing Bandits.
Once, the Wu Kingdom gathered its forces in Jianye, proclaiming its intention to attack Yangzhou. The Governor of Yangzhou, Zhuge Dan, asked Wang Ji for advice. Wang Ji said, "In the past, Sun Quan failed twice in attacking Hefei, once in Jiangxia, and later Quan Cong and Zhu Ran failed in attacking Xiangyang. Now that Lu Xun and others have passed away, Sun Quan is getting old and has no worthy heir at home, and the court is short on capable strategists. If Sun Quan personally leads the troops, there could be chaos at home, like a festering sore that could burst at any moment; if he sends generals, the old generals are dead, and the new ones are unreliable. His grand mobilization is just to consolidate his power and protect himself." Later, Sun Quan ultimately did not dare to go to war.
At that time, Cao Shuang held great power, and the social climate was deteriorating. Wang Ji wrote some commentaries on current affairs, criticizing the ills of the time. Later, he was recalled to the capital due to illness and appointed as the Governor of Henan. Before he could take office, Cao Shuang was killed. Because Wang Ji was formerly a subordinate of Cao Shuang, he was also dismissed as per protocol.
It is said that he later became a Minister of State, then was sent to serve as the Governor of Jingzhou, and was also given the title of General of Yanglie. He joined forces with the Grand General Wang Chang in the campaign against the Wu Kingdom. He once ambushed Bu Xie in Yiling, but Bu Xie defended the city gates and did not come out. He feigned a full-scale assault, but discreetly dispatched troops to seize Xiong Fu's estate, capturing over 300,000 measures of grain, capturing the General of Anbei Tan Zheng, and having several thousand people surrender. He resettled these surrendered civilians and established Yiling County. The court also rewarded him with the title of Marquis of the Passes. He also suggested that Wang Chang build fortifications and move the administrative center of Jiangxia there, to threaten Xiakou, so that the Wu army would think twice before crossing the river. He established clear protocols, reorganized the military and agriculture, and also renovated schools, earning him praise from the southern populace.
At that time, the court was deliberating on plans to attack the state of Wu and issued an edict for him to assess the feasibility of marching. He replied, "If the military expedition is unsuccessful, it will damage the court's prestige and deplete the country's resources. Therefore, thorough preparations must be made before taking military action. If preparations for communication channels, stockpiling of provisions, and water battles are not done well, even if a large number of troops are amassed along the river, there is no guarantee of victory. Currently, there are the Ju River and Zhang River in Jiangling, which can irrigate thousands of acres of fertile land; in the Anlu area, ponds and embankments are abundant, with fertile land. If we can advance by both land and water, develop agriculture, and strengthen our military resources, we can then lead troops to Jiangling and Yiling, dividing forces to occupy Xiakou, following the Ju River and Zhang River to transport food by boat downstream. When the enemy sees that our officials and soldiers are prepared for a prolonged campaign, those who resist the court will become discouraged, while those who want to submit to the court will become more determined. Then, we can join forces with local tribes to attack from within and use elite troops to attack from the outside; then the area north of Xiakou will definitely be conquered, and the counties beyond the river will be unable to withstand. In this way, the connection between Wu and Shu will be severed, and once the connection is severed, Wu will be conquered. Otherwise, the advantages of military action are hard to foresee." Therefore, the court stopped the plan to attack Wu.
Sima Jing Wang had just ascended to power, and he wrote a letter to King Jing admonishing him, "The world is vast, with complex affairs; thus, one must be diligent both day and night. If one's aspirations are upright, then evil will not breed; if one's heart is calm, then things will not be chaotic; if one's thoughts are thorough, then orders will not be cumbersome; if one associates with loyal and upright people, then both near and far will obey. Thus, I understand that harmony arises from self-cultivation, while stability in the world stems from inner calm. Xu Yun, Fu Jia, Yuan Kan, and Cui Zan were all upright men at that time; they were honest and straightforward, free of personal agendas, and they can collaboratively manage state affairs." King Jing accepted his advice.
The nobleman from Gaogui Township, promoted in official rank, was granted the title of Marquis of Changle Pavilion. As a result, Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled, and the court appointed Sima Shi as the acting military supervisor, granting him the authority of a temporary command to lead the army in Xuchang, where he coincidentally met Prince Jing. Prince Jing asked him, "How do you deal with Guanqiu Jian and the others?" Sima Shi replied, "The Huainan rebellion isn't driven by the common people’s desire to revolt, but rather by Jian and his followers using deception and threats to push people into desperation. Everyone is afraid of being killed, so they join forces. Once our army arrives, they will surely fall apart instantly, and the heads of Jian and Qin will be hanging at our military camp gate within half a day!" Prince Jing said, "Good!" and allowed Sima Shi to command the frontline army.
Many believed that Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin were fierce adversaries, suggesting that Sima Shi should not act rashly and should hold his ground. However, Sima Shi believed, "Jian and the others have advanced with their troops but have not attacked, showing that their deception has been uncovered and their morale is faltering. If we do not demonstrate our strength to boost morale, but instead stop and fortify, it will appear that we are timid and afraid. This isn't how you win a war! If they take advantage to plunder the people, the armies of the provinces may also be breached by them, causing further disunity. Those who have been coerced by them will feel guilty and may not return, resulting in a loss of combat effectiveness and creating a breeding ground for traitors. If the Wu army takes this chance to strike, Huainan will not be able to hold on, and Qiao County, Pei County, Runan, and Yuzhou will all be in danger. This would be a huge mistake! We should immediately advance to occupy Nandun, which has a large warehouse with enough military provisions for forty days. By capturing a stronghold and stockpiling supplies, we can make the enemy fear us first, which is crucial for quelling the rebellion!"
Sima Shi repeatedly requested permission, and King Jing eventually consented to let him march his troops to Yinshui. Upon arriving at Yinshui, he said, "Military strategy emphasizes speed; I've never heard of anyone winning by dragging their feet. Now there are powerful enemies outside, and internal traitors causing chaos. If we do not engage in timely battle, the consequences could be dire. Many people advocate for a steady and cautious approach, which is valid, but pausing the advance is not the way to go. Holding strong cities, fortifying positions, and constantly supplying the enemy is a terrible strategy!" King Jing wanted to hold off until the other armies arrived and did not agree to Sima Shi. Sima Shi stated, "Generals sometimes don't have to follow the king's orders. If I stand to gain, so do you. This is about capturing cities, and Nandun is one of them!" So Sima Shi took the initiative to attack Nandun, while Guanqiu Jian and others from Xiangcheng also intended to seize Nandun. After traveling over ten miles and learning that Sima Shi had already arrived, they retreated back to Xiangcheng.
At that time, Deng Ai, the Inspector of Yanzhou, was stationed at Lejia. Guanqiu Jian sent Wen Qin to lead troops to attack Deng Ai. Sima Shi realized their forces were scattered, so he led his troops to strike Xiangcheng, and Guanqiu Jian's army was ultimately defeated. Once Wen Qin and the others were subdued, Sima Shi was promoted to General of the South, Commander of military affairs in Yuzhou, appointed as Inspector of Yuzhou, and granted the title of Marquis of Anle Township. He requested the allocation of two hundred households and asked for his uncle and cousins to be granted the title of Marquis of Guanneihou as a reward for his uncle's support. The Emperor granted his request.
Zhuge Dan has rebelled, and the court appointed Wang Ji as the General of Zhen Dong, commanding the military forces of Yangzhou and Yuzhou in his former capacity. The large army was stationed in Xiangcheng. Given the elite strength of the enemy forces, the court ordered Wang Ji to gather the troops and build strong fortifications. Wang Ji made repeated requests to lead an attack. At the same time, the Wu Kingdom sent Zhu Yi to assist Zhuge Dan, and the army was stationed in Ancheng. The court then ordered Wang Ji to relocate his troops to Beishan for defense. Wang Ji told the generals, "We have already built strong fortifications and our troops are gathering. We just need to focus on our defenses and wait for the enemy to show their weaknesses. Now we are moving our forces to defend a dangerous location, giving the enemy an opening. Even the wisest among us would struggle to manage the aftermath!" Taking the situation into account, Wang Ji wrote to the court, "We are facing the enemy directly and should stand our ground like a mountain. Moving to a dangerous location for defense will only undermine morale and put us at a great disadvantage. All the troops are stationed with deep trenches and high walls, ensuring our morale remains steadfast. This is the key to holding off the enemy." After Wang Ji's memorial was submitted, the court approved his request.
Sima Wenwang led a large army to set up camp at Qiutou, dividing the troops to encircle Shouchun, with each group responsible for a specific section. There were a total of twenty-six armies in the eastern and southern cities of Shouchun. Wenwang ordered the officers to station in the southern region and strictly prohibited unauthorized troop movements. When the city ran out of food, the enemy launched relentless attacks on the camp day and night, but Wang Ji steadfastly resisted and pushed back the enemy. After Shouchun was breached, Sima Wenwang wrote a letter to Wang Ji, saying: "Many had suggested relocating the troops, and numerous requests were made for this. At that time, I had not yet been on the scene, and I also felt that a relocation should be considered. General, your careful consideration of the pros and cons, sticking to your own opinions alone, defying the court's orders and dismissing everyone's opinions, ultimately subdued the enemy and captured the traitors. Even those deeds mentioned in ancient times cannot compare to your merits!" Sima Wenwang wanted to send some generals to lead light troops deep into enemy territory to win over the descendants of Tang Zi and others, taking this opportunity to completely eliminate the state of Wu. Wang Ji advised, "Previously, Zhuge Ke took advantage of the victory at Dongguan, committing all available troops in Jiangbiao to besiege Xincheng. As a result, Xincheng was not captured, but our forces suffered the majority of the casualties. Jiang Wei also once achieved a victory at Taoshui, but when the light troops penetrated deep into enemy territory, the supply of food and grass was insufficient, and the army was completely wiped out at Shanggui. After a great victory, complacency can lead to overconfidence. Now that the enemy has just been defeated on the front lines and domestic rebellions have not been quelled, this is their chance to regroup and strategize. Moreover, the army has been fighting outside for over a year, and the soldiers are feeling homesick. Now that we have captured and killed one hundred thousand enemies, the criminals have received their just deserts. There has never been a complete victory like this in history. After Emperor Wu defeated Yuan Shao at Guandu, he believed he had achieved sufficient success and chose not to pursue further, worried it might tarnish his reputation!" Sima Wenwang thus halted this plan.
Because Huainan has just been pacified, the court promoted Wang Ji to General of the East, responsible for military affairs in Yangzhou, and bestowed the title of Duke of Dongwu on him. Wang Ji firmly declined in a memorial to the court, attributing the achievements to his subordinates, so his Chief of Staff Sima and six others were ennobled as marquises. In that year, Wang Ji's mother died, and the court ordered that this matter be kept confidential, then brought Wang Ji's father Wang Bao's coffin back to Luoyang for a joint burial, posthumously naming Wang Bao as Governor of Beihai. In the fourth year of the Ganlu era, Wang Ji was promoted to General of the South, responsible for military affairs in Jingzhou. The Emperor also granted him additional titles and honors, rewarding him with a thousand households, bringing his total to five thousand seven hundred households. Previously, he had also ennobled his two sons as Viscount of Ting and Viscount of Guannei. In the second year of Jingyuan, the Prefect of Xiangyang reported that bandits from Wu, including Deng You, wished to surrender, so the court ordered Wang Ji to take the opportunity to intimidate the Jiangdong area. Wang Ji suspected it might be a trick and quickly sent messengers to submit his memorial, stating, "Since the Jiaping era, the court has experienced continuous internal disturbances. The most important thing now is to stabilize the country, bring peace to the people, and not raise troops and disturb the people in pursuit of external interests." Emperor Wen of Wei replied, "Most people who handle matters tend to go along with others' intentions. Few can adhere to principles, to be honest. I’m really touched by your loyalty and dedication. I always take your advice seriously." In the end, Deng You and the others did not surrender as expected.
That year, Wang Ji passed away, and the court posthumously bestowed upon him the title of Sikong and the posthumous title of Jinghou. His son Wang Hui inherited the title, but sadly died young. During the Xianxi reign, the court reinstated the five-tiered system of noble titles. Due to Wang Ji's past contributions, the court granted his title to his grandson Wang Yu, and also conferred upon his son the title of Guanneihou. After the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, the court decreed: "The late Sikong Wang Ji was known for his outstanding achievements, integrity, and incorruptibility; he did not seek wealth, held important positions for a long time, had no private wealth at home, and he is remembered for his distinguished reputation after death, sufficient to inspire future generations. His family was granted two slaves."
Comments: Xu Miao was known for his lofty ideals and broad-mindedness, Hu Zhi was characterized by his noble character, Wang Chang was known for his broad knowledge, while Wang Ji was recognized for his profound knowledge and upright conduct. They all held important military and political positions and left remarkable achievements. They can truly be regarded as the pillars of the nation and exemplary figures of their time!
