Xiahou Dun, also known as Yuanrang, was from Qiao County in Pei and a descendant of Xiahou Ying. He started studying at fourteen. One time, after someone insulted his teacher, Xiahou Dun killed him on the spot, which earned him a reputation for bravery. When Cao Cao first raised his army, Xiahou Dun served as his deputy general, accompanying him on various military campaigns. After Cao Cao was named General Who Inspires Valor, he made Xiahou Dun his Marshal, stationed at Bai Ma. Later, Xiahou Dun was promoted to Colonel Who Breaks Chariots and appointed as the Administrator of Dong Commandery. When Cao Cao was on campaign against Tao Qian, he left Xiahou Dun in charge of guarding Puyang. However, Zhang Miao betrayed Cao Cao and welcomed Lu Bu, and Xiahou Dun quickly rushed to support Cao Cao, dressed simply. They ran into Lu Bu and fought. After Lu Bu retreated, he snuck into Puyang and stole supplies from Xiahou Dun's army. Lu Bu also sent someone to feign surrender, captured Xiahou Dun, and demanded treasure from him, which caused panic among Xiahou Dun's troops.
Han Hao, a subordinate of Xiahou Dun, immediately stationed troops outside the camp gate of Xiahou Dun, summoned the officers and generals, and ordered them to stand their ground with their weapons and not to move around, thus stabilizing the morale of the army. Then Han Hao ran to Xiahou Dun and pointed at those who captured him, shouting angrily: "You rebels, how dare you capture the Grand General and still hope to survive?! I am ordered to suppress the traitors; how can I let you go just because he is a Grand General?" With tears in his eyes, Han Hao said to Xiahou Dun, "What will happen to the law in this country?" After that, he immediately ordered the soldiers to attack those who captured Xiahou Dun. Those people were terrified and begged for mercy, saying, "We just wanted to get some money!" Han Hao sternly rebuked them and finally executed them all. After Xiahou Dun was rescued, Cao Cao heard about this and said to Han Hao, "This incident should serve as a model for generations to come!" He then ordered that in the future, anyone holding hostages should be dealt with directly, regardless of the hostages. From then on, hostage-taking incidents disappeared.
After Cao Cao returned from Xuzhou, Xiahou Dun followed him to fight against Lu Bu but was shot in the left eye by a stray arrow. Later, he became the Prefect of both Chenliu and Jiyin, and was also appointed as the General of Establishing Martiality and granted the title of Marquis of Gao'an Township. During a severe drought and locust plague, Xiahou Dun ordered the diversion of Taishou River, the construction of reservoirs, personally helped with the digging, and led soldiers to encourage everyone to grow rice, benefiting the common people. He was later transferred to be the Governor of Henan. After Cao Cao pacified Hebei, Xiahou Dun served as the Grand General in charge of rear defense. After the city of Ye was captured, he was promoted to General of Fubo, continued to serve as the Governor of Henan, and was given the authority to handle affairs flexibly, free from rigid rules.
In the twelfth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao awarded Xiahou Dun for his previous achievements, granting him an additional 1,800 households of fief, bringing his total to 4,300 households. In the twenty-first year of Jian'an, Cao Cao returned from his campaign against Sun Quan and appointed Xiahou Dun to command twenty-six armies stationed at Juchao. Cao Cao also bestowed upon him musicians and renowned courtesans, saying, "Wei Jiang was rewarded with music and stone instruments for his military achievements; what more for a general like you!" In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao stationed his troops in Mobei and often rode in a carriage with Xiahou Dun, demonstrating particular favor towards him, even permitting him to enter his private quarters, a privilege not granted to other generals. Xiahou Dun was appointed as the Front General, leading the forces back to Shou Chun and later stationed in Shaoling. When Cao Pi ascended to the throne, he appointed Xiahou Dun as the Grand General, but a few months later, Xiahou Dun passed away.
Although Xiahou Dun was always in the military, he valued learning highly and personally sought guidance from masters. He was known for his integrity and simplicity, always sharing his surplus with others and refraining from commercial enterprises. He was posthumously bestowed the title of "Loyal Marquis," and his son Xiahou Chong inherited his title. Cao Pi held Xiahou Dun's contributions in high regard and desired for his descendants to inherit the marquis title, granting him another 1,000 households of fief and ennobling Xiahou Dun's seven sons and two grandsons as Marquis within the Passes. Xiahou Dun's brother Xiahou Lian and son Xiahou Mao were also ennobled as Marquis. Initially, Cao Cao married his daughter, Princess Qinghe, to Xiahou Mao. Xiahou Mao later rose to the position of Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, General Who Guards the West, and was granted the authority to confer honorary titles. After Xiahou Chong's passing, his son Xiahou Yu inherited the title; and after Xiahou Yu's passing, his son Xiahou Shao succeeded to the title.
Han Hao is from Hanoi. Shi Huan of the Pei clan and Han Hao are both famous for their loyalty and valor. Han Hao was promoted to the rank of Central Protector General, while Shi Huan was promoted to the rank of Central Commander. Both of them commanded the Imperial Guard and were granted the title of Marquis.
Xiahou Yuan, with the courtesy name Miaocai, was a distant cousin of Cao Cao. When Cao Cao was young, he once got into trouble over a trivial issue in the county and was almost sentenced to a serious crime. It was Xiahou Yuan who came forward to speak on his behalf, allowing Cao Cao to escape danger. Later, when Cao Cao raised an army, Xiahou Yuan followed him. He started as a minor official and later rose to the roles of Governor of Chenliu and Governor of Yingchuan. During the Battle of Guandu, Xiahou Yuan served as a commanding officer. After Yuan Shao's defeat, Cao Cao assigned him to oversee military supplies for the provinces of Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou. At that time, the army was facing food shortages, but thanks to Xiahou Yuan's prompt delivery of supplies, the army was able to recover.
Later, when Chang Xi led a rebellion, Cao Cao first sent Yu Jin to attack but failed to capture him, so he sent Xiahou Yuan and Yu Jin together on an expedition. The two joined forces and defeated Chang Xi, resulting in the surrender of over ten of his camps, with Chang Xi himself surrendering to Yu Jin. After Xiahou Yuan's triumphant return to court, he was promoted to the rank of Dianjun Xiaowei. When the Yellow Turban leaders in the Jinan and Le'an regions, such as Xu He and Sima Ju, attacked cities, captured territory, and killed local officials, Xiahou Yuan led troops from Taishan, Qi, and Pingyuan to quell them, achieving a decisive victory by killing Xu He, pacifying the counties, and capturing a large amount of food to supply the army.
In the year 134 AD, Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Yuan as the military commander. After returning from his campaign against Sun Quan, Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan to lead various military leaders to quell the rebellion led by Lei Xu in Lujiang, quickly defeating Lei Xu. Xiahou Yuan then served as the General of the Western Expedition, engaging the bandits in Taiyuan with Xu Huang, capturing over twenty camps, killing the bandit leader Shang Yao, and capturing their cities. He also accompanied Cao Cao in campaigns against Han Sui and others in the Weinan area. Later, he led troops to pacify the rebellions in Yemiao and Qindi areas with Zhu Ling. Finally, he joined Cao Cao in Anding, where Yang Qiu surrendered.
In the seventeenth year of his reign, Cao Cao returned to Ye city and appointed Xiahou Yuan as the General of the Guard, stationed in Chang'an alongside Zhu Ling, Lu Zhao, and others, to confront the bandit Liu Xiong in Nanshan, who surrendered. Xiahou Yuan then surrounded Liang Xing, a supporter of Sui and Chao, in Huxian, breached Liang Xing's defenses, killed him, and was granted the title of Marquis of Bochangting. During this time, Ma Chao besieged the Inspector of Liangzhou, Wei Kang, in Jixian. Xiahou Yuan went to provide assistance, but before he could arrive, Wei Kang was defeated. Ma Chao intercepted Xiahou Yuan's army when they were still more than 200 miles from Jixian, resulting in some losses. At this time, the Qindi people revolted once more, forcing Xiahou Yuan to lead his troops back.
Nineteen years after, Zhao Qu, Yin Feng, and others plotted to take down Ma Chao. Jiang Xu also raised his banner in Lucheng. Zhao Qu and others deceived Ma Chao with a clever ruse, letting Ma Chao attack Jiang Xu and taking the opportunity to slaughter Ma Chao's wife and children. Ma Chao fled to Hanzhong, where he then laid siege to Qishan. Jiang Xu urgently called for aid, and the generals deliberated, hoping to wait for Cao Cao's orders before taking action. Xiahou Yuan said, "Cao Cao is in Ye City, running four thousand miles back and forth. If we wait for his orders, Jiang Xu and the others will have already been defeated; there's no time!" So Xiahou Yuan marched out with his troops, with Zhang He at the front, leading five thousand infantry and cavalry, entering through the narrow roads of Chencang, while Xiahou Yuan himself escorted the supplies from behind. When Zhang He arrived at the Wei River, Ma Chao led thousands of Qiang warriors to intercept him. Before the fighting even started, Ma Chao bolted, and Zhang He pursued him, capturing Ma Chao's military equipment. By the time Xiahou Yuan arrived, all the counties had surrendered.
Han Sui was in a vulnerable position, and Xiahou Yuan planned to launch a surprise attack on him. Han Sui fled. Xiahou Yuan seized Han Sui's supplies and chased him more than twenty miles outside Lueyang City. The generals proposed attacking Lueyang City, but someone suggested they first attack Xingguo. Xiahou Yuan believed that Han Sui's troops were formidable and that Xingguo's defenses were solid, making it difficult to take it by force anytime soon. Therefore, it would be wiser to strike at Changle Qiang first. Most of the Changle Qiang were part of Han Sui's forces, and they would surely return to defend their homes. If we only defend without attacking, we risk becoming isolated and vulnerable; if we attack Changle, we can engage Han Sui's forces in open battle and surely capture him. So Xiahou Yuan left some generals behind to secure the supplies and led the lightly equipped infantry and cavalry to attack Changle, burning the Qiang camp to the ground and capturing many of their fighters. The Qiang soldiers in Han Sui's army fled back to their tribes. Han Sui did indeed rush to aid Changle and confronted Xiahou Yuan's army. The generals saw Han Sui's numerical advantage and were greatly intimidated, wanting to fortify their position before engaging. Xiahou Yuan said, "We've marched a thousand miles, and now you want to build a camp?" The troops will be exhausted and won't last long. The enemy may be numerous, but they are not hard to handle! So Xiahou Yuan ordered the attack, defeating Han Sui's forces and capturing Han Sui's battle standard. He returned to Lueyang and subsequently surrounded Xingguo. The King of Di fled to Ma Chao, and the remainder surrendered. Next, Xiahou Yuan attacked Gaoping Tuge, and they all fled. Xiahou Yuan seized their supplies, cattle, and horses. Finally, Cao Cao bestowed command authority upon Xiahou Yuan.
At first, Song Jian declared himself king and proclaimed himself the King of Pinghan at He Shou in response to the chaos in Liangzhou. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan to lead troops to suppress him. After Xiahou Yuan arrived, he surrounded Fuhan and, after a month, captured it, killing Song Jian and all officials below the rank of Prime Minister under him. Xiahou Yuan then sent Zhang He and others to pacify the Hexi Corridor, crossed the Yellow River into Xiaohuangzhong, and the Qiang tribes in the western region surrendered, pacifying the Longyou region. Cao Cao ordered, "Song Jian has rebelled for over thirty years. Xiahou Yuan has quickly defeated him. He is formidable in the Guanzhong region and unstoppable. Confucius once said, 'Compared to him, neither you nor I are as good.'" In the year 21 AD, he was granted an additional 300 households, bringing the total to 800 households. He also defeated the Di and Qiang in Wudu, seizing over 100,000 hu of grain.
When Cao Cao marched west against Zhang Lu, Xiahou Yuan led the generals, marquises, and nobles of Liangzhou to meet Cao Cao at Xiuting. Every time Cao Cao received the Qiang and Hu people, he had Xiahou Yuan intimidate them. After Zhang Lu surrendered and Hanzhong was pacified, Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Yuan as General of the Guard, ordering him to oversee the pacification of Bajun alongside Zhang He and Xu Huang. Cao Cao returned to Ye, leaving Xiahou Yuan to guard Hanzhong and appointing him as General of the Western Campaign. In the year 23 AD, Liu Bei's army attacked Yangping Pass, and Xiahou Yuan led his soldiers to resist, leading to a stalemate that lasted several years. In January of the year 24 AD, Liu Bei secretly set fire to the deer antlers within the encirclement at night. Xiahou Yuan sent Zhang He to guard the eastern encirclement, while he himself led light troops to guard the southern encirclement. Liu Bei provoked Zhang He to fight, putting Zhang He's army at a disadvantage. Xiahou Yuan dispatched half of his troops to support Zhang He, but ultimately faced an attack from Liu Bei and perished in battle. He was posthumously honored as the Marquis Min.
At first, although Xiahou Yuan won many battles, Cao Cao often warned him, saying, "Even generals can feel fear sometimes and cannot rely solely on bravery. Generals should have courage as their foundation and then apply strategy; if you only know how to charge into battle, you're no different from anyone else." Yuan's wife was the sister of the founding emperor; their relationship was quite special. Their eldest son, Heng, married the daughter of the Marquis of Haiyang, who was quite well-regarded. Heng inherited the title and later became the Marquis of Anningting. In the Huangchu era, his second son, Ba, also received rewards; during the Taihe era, his fourth son also received a title; they were all granted titles as Marquis within the borders. Ba held the position of Right General in the Campaign Against Shu during the Zhengshi era, and later became the Marquis of Bochangting; he had a particularly good relationship with Cao Shuang. After Cao Shuang's death, it’s said that Ba was very panicked and fled to Shu. In recognition of the merits he had previously established, the court pardoned his sons and relocated them to Le Lang County. Ba's brother Wei became the Governor of Yanzhou; Wei's brother Hui became the Prefect of Le'an; Hui's brother He became the Prefect of Henan. After Heng died, his son Ji inherited the title and became the General of the Tiger Guards. When Ji died, his son Bao took over the title.
Cao Ren, courtesy name Zixiao, is Taizu's cousin. He has always enjoyed horseback riding, archery, and hunting since he was young. Later, during the chaos that engulfed the land, heroes and warriors rose to rebellion, and Cao Ren secretly recruited over a thousand young men around the Huai River and Sishui regions. Later, he followed Taizu and became a deputy commander, and was promoted to the rank of Lifen Colonel. When Taizu defeated Yuan Shu, Cao Ren achieved notable victories. In the campaign to conquer Xuzhou, Cao Ren often led the cavalry, charging at the front lines. He also personally confronted Lü You, a general serving Tao Qian, defeated him, and then returned to Pengcheng to rejoin the main army, where he defeated Tao Qian's forces. He then launched attacks on Feixian, Huaxian, Jimou, and Kaiyang. When Tao Qian sent other generals to aid these counties, Cao Ren led his cavalry to defeat them. During Taizu's campaign against Lu Bu, Cao Ren launched a solo attack on Juyang, captured the city, and captured Liu He, one of Lu Bu's generals. When Taizu pacified the Yellow Turban Rebellion and welcomed the emperor to Xuchang, Cao Ren was appointed Governor of Guangyang in recognition of his repeated military achievements. Taizu admired his bravery and strategy, so rather than appointing him as governor, he appointed him as a court officer overseeing the cavalry. When Taizu campaigned against Zhang Xiu, Cao Ren launched solo attacks on nearby counties, capturing over three thousand men and women. As Taizu's army retreated under pursuit from Zhang Xiu, Cao Ren rallied the morale of his troops, bravely fought the enemy, and ultimately defeated Zhang Xiu.
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were deadlocked at Guandu for a long time. Yuan Shao sent Liu Bei to recapture the counties that had secretly surrendered to him, and many places responded to Liu Bei. In the area south of Xuchang, the people and officials were in a panic, which was a headache for Cao Cao. Guo Jia said, "The south is currently at war, the situation is urgent, and there is no way to withdraw troops to support. Liu Bei, with Yuan Shao's army, is pressing forward, so it is natural for those places to rebel. Liu Bei had just taken command of Yuan Shao's army and hadn't fully gained control yet. We can definitely win by attacking him!" Cao Cao agreed with Guo Jia and sent cavalry to attack Liu Bei, driving him away and recapturing the rebellious counties.
Yuan Shao then sent another general, Han Xun, to cut off Cao Cao's route to the west. Guo Jia defeated Han Xun at Jiluo Mountain, winning a significant victory. After that, Yuan Shao was too afraid to split his forces and attack again. Guo Jia, along with Shi Huan and others, cut off Yuan Shao's supply lines and burned a large amount of his provisions. After pacifying Hebei, Cao Cao began to besiege Huguan. Cao Cao ordered, "Once we breach the city, kill them all!" But after several months of besieging it, they still hadn't taken it. Guo Jia told Cao Cao, "In warfare and sieges, you need to leave the enemy a way out and give them a glimpse of hope. Now you order to kill them all, it will only make the defenders fight to the death. Huguan is strong and well-supplied. If we launch a strong attack, our casualties will be high. If we besiege for a long time, it will delay us. Now we block the army at the strong city and attack those who are destined to die, that's not a good strategy." Cao Cao followed Guo Jia's advice, and Huguan surrendered. Cao Cao then appointed Guo Jia as the Marquis of Duting.
It is said that after pacifying Jingzhou back then, he was appointed as the General of the Southern Campaign, stationed in Jiangling, responsible for defending against the great general Zhou Yu of the Wu Kingdom. Zhou Yu led tens of thousands of troops to attack, with the vanguard, consisting of several thousand troops, arriving first. He climbed up the city wall to survey the situation, immediately gathered three hundred men, and sent the deputy Niu Jin to lead them to meet the enemy. The enemy forces were overwhelming, and Niu Jin's smaller contingent was quickly surrounded. The Chief Historian Chen Jiao and others on the city wall saw that Niu Jin and his men were about to give in, and everyone's faces went pale with fear. However, he was furious, immediately called for his warhorse, and Chen Jiao and the others quickly helped him onto the horse. Chen Jiao advised him, "The enemy forces are too many; we simply cannot hold on! Even if we abandon these three hundred men, it's nothing. Why do you have to risk yourself?" He ignored him, put on his armor without hesitation, mounted his horse, and led dozens of personal guards out of the city gate.
With the enemy just a hundred paces away, there was a trench ahead. Chen Jiao and the others thought that he would help Niu Jin and his men break out, but they were shocked when he crossed the trench and charged straight into the enemy lines! Only then were Niu Jin and his men able to break free. However, before the other soldiers had completely withdrawn, he returned and scattered the enemy troops, killing several of them, which forced the enemy to retreat. Initially, Chen Jiao and the others were terrified when they saw him charge out, but when they saw him come back, they all exclaimed, "The general is truly extraordinary!" His bravery won over all the soldiers and officers. The Emperor held him in even greater esteem and elevated him to the title of Marquis of Anping Pavilion.
Later, the emperor launched a campaign against Ma Chao, appointing Ren Xiong as the General of Anxi to lead various generals in defending against Ma Chao at Tongguan, ultimately achieving victory over Ma Chao at Weinan. Afterwards, Su Bo and Tian Yin rebelled, and Ren Xiong was appointed as the General of the Agile Cavalry, leading seven armies to suppress Su Bo and Tian Yin, defeating them. The emperor once again appointed Ren Xiong as the General of the Southern Expedition, bestowing upon him the seal of authority, and stationed him at Fancheng to guard Jingzhou, where he was officially appointed as General of the Southern Expedition.
As Guan Yu besieged Fancheng, the Han River flooded, and the seven armies under Yu Jin were overwhelmed by the flood, and Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu. Ren Xiong commanded several thousand troops to defend the city, though part of the city was submerged, they resolutely held their ground. Guan Yu besieged Fancheng by boat, with multiple layers of defense, severing all lines of communication, running out of food, and no reinforcements in sight. Ren Xiong inspired his soldiers, encouraging them to prepare for a fight to the end. The soldiers were moved by his determination, bravely fighting the enemy without any retreat. Eventually, General Xu Huang arrived with reinforcements, the water level began to recede, Xu Huang attacked Guan Yu from the outside, and Ren Xiong led his troops to break through the siege, ultimately forcing Guan Yu to withdraw.
Chen Qun was a bit unruly when he was young, but became very disciplined in following the law after growing up and becoming a general. He always carried the legal code with him and conducted his affairs accordingly. When Marquis Yanling Xiahou Zhang went north to campaign against the Wuhuan, Emperor Wen was still in the Eastern Palace. He wrote to warn him, saying, "When leading troops in battle, you must abide by the law; you cannot be like General Zhen Nan!" Later, when Emperor Wen became emperor, he appointed Chen Qun as General of Chariots and Cavalry, entrusting him with military command in Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Yizhou. He was also enfeoffed as Marquis of Chen, with an additional two thousand households added to his estate, making a total of three thousand five hundred households. The emperor also posthumously honored Chen Qun's father, Chen Chi, as Marquis Mu of Chen, and granted him ten households to maintain his tomb. Afterwards, Chen Qun was summoned back and stationed at Wancheng.
Sun Quan sent General Chen Shao to occupy Xiangyang, and the emperor ordered Chen Qun to go and attack him. Chen Qun, along with Xu Huang, defeated Chen Shao and captured Xiangyang. He also sent General Gao Qian and others to relocate the people from Hannan to Hanbei and help them settle. Emperor Wen sent an envoy to immediately appoint Chen Qun as Grand General. The emperor then ordered Chen Qun to move his troops to Linying, promoted him to Grand Marshal, once again placing him in command of troops stationed at Wujiang, and later returning to station at Hefei. In the fourth year of Huangchu, Chen Qun passed away and was posthumously granted the title Marquis of Loyalty. His son, Chen Tai, inherited his father's title, eventually rising to the position of General Who Guards the East and was granted the staff of authority, which was later changed to Marquis of Ningling. After Chen Tai's passing, his son, Chen Chu, inherited his father's title. The emperor also granted titles to Chen Tai's brothers, Chen Kai and Chen Fan, as marquises, and Chen Qun's subordinate, Niu Jin, rose through the ranks to become a General.
Chen Qun's younger brother Chen Chun initially held the title of Yilang and was involved in military affairs under the Ministry of Works. He led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry in the siege of Nanpi. Yuan Tan deployed troops to confront the enemy, resulting in heavy casualties. Cao Cao considered temporarily halting the attack, but Chen Chun countered, "Now we have come a long way to attack the enemy. If we cannot take them down, retreating will damage our reputation. Moreover, our army is deep in enemy territory, making it hard to hold our position for long. If they win, they'll become overconfident, and if we lose, we'll be demoralized. By using their pride and our fear, we will definitely defeat them!" Cao Cao took his advice and intensified the assault. Yuan Tan was defeated, and Chen Chun's cavalry cut off Yuan Tan's head. Later, during the Northern Campaign against the Three Commanderies, Chen Chun's cavalry captured the Chanyu Tadun. Because of these military achievements, he was appointed as the Marquis of Gaoling Pavilion, with a fief that included three hundred households. He also participated in the campaign to conquer Jingzhou, chased Liu Bei at Changban, captured Liu Bei's two daughters and supplies, and absorbed his scattered troops. Later, he participated in the capture of Jiangling and followed the army back to Qiao County. Chen Chun passed away in the fifteenth year of Jian'an. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred upon him the title Marquis Wei. His son Chen Yan inherited his title, rose to the rank of General of the Army, and was granted the title Marquis of Pinglexiang during the Zhengyuan period. After Chen Yan's death, his son Chen Liang inherited the title. Cao Hong, whose courtesy name was Zilian, was Cao Cao's cousin. When Cao Cao raised troops to attack Dong Zhuo, he arrived at Xingyang, where he was defeated by Xu Rong, a general of Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao lost his horse while being closely pursued by the enemy. Cao Hong dismounted and offered his horse to Cao Cao. Cao Cao hesitated, but Cao Hong insisted, "The world can do without me, Cao Hong, but not without you!" He then walked alongside Cao Cao to the banks of the Bian River. The water was too deep to wade through, so Cao Hong searched for a boat along the riverbank and crossed the river with Cao Cao, then escaped back to Qiao County.
Yangzhou Governor Chen Wen had a good relationship with Cao Hong. Cao Hong brought over a thousand of his own soldiers to Chen Wen to recruit more troops and purchase horses. He recruited two thousand elite soldiers from Lujiang and several thousand more from Danyang before joining Cao Cao at Longkang. While Cao Cao was campaigning in Xuzhou, Zhang Miao defected and joined Lu Bu. At that time, there was a famine, and Cao Hong led his army to occupy Dongping and Fan County, hoarding food supplies for the troops. Cao Cao battled Zhang Miao and Lu Bu in Puyang, where Lu Bu was defeated and forced to flee. Cao Hong then took Dong'e and went on to capture more than a dozen counties, including Jiyin, Shanyang, Zhongmu, Yangwu, Jingxian, and Mixian. In recognition of these military achievements, he was appointed as the Eagle Rising Colonel and later promoted to the General of Yangwu. After the capital was moved to Xuchang, Cao Hong was appointed as the Grand Adviser. He later campaigned against Liu Biao, defeating his armies in Wuyang, Yinye, Duyang, and Bowang, earning the title of General Lifen and was granted the title of Guomingting Marquis. Cao Hong followed Cao Cao in many battles and was eventually appointed as the General of Duhu. After Cao Pi ascended to the throne, Cao Hong was appointed as the Guard General, later promoted to the General of Cavalry, and granted the title of Yewang Marquis with an additional one thousand households, making a total of two thousand one hundred households, with a special promotion in rank. He was later renamed as the Duke of Duyang. Initially, Cao Hong came from a wealthy family but was very stingy. When Cao Pi borrowed things from him in his childhood, Cao Hong always gave very little, which Cao Pi held a grudge against. Later, one of Cao Hong's retainers committed a crime and was sentenced to death. Many ministers interceded on his behalf, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Empress Dowager Bian told Empress Guo, "If Cao Hong dies today, I will issue an order to depose you tomorrow!" Empress Dowager Bian tearfully pleaded with Cao Pi, resulting in Cao Hong being spared from execution but stripped of his title. Cao Hong was a loyal servant of the late emperor, and many were sympathetic to his plight.
After Cao Rui ascended the throne, Cao Hong was appointed as Rear General, reappointed as Marquis of Lecheng with a fief of one thousand households, promoted to the rank of Special Advisor, and once again appointed as General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the sixth year of Taihe, Cao Hong passed away and was posthumously given the title of Marquis Gong. His son, Cao Fu, inherited his title. Initially, some of Cao Hong's households were allocated to his son Cao Zhen by Cao Cao, allowing him to become a Marquis. Cao Hong's cousin, Cao Yu, was known for his caution and respect, rising to the rank of General of the Guards and also being enfeoffed as a Marquis.
Cao Xiu, styled Wenlie, was a member of the Cao family. During the chaos of the realm, Cao Cao's relatives each fled back to their ancestral homes. When Cao Xiu was in his teens, his father passed away, and he, along with a servant, simply buried his father, taking his elderly mother across the Yangtze River to the Wu region. Later, upon hearing that Cao Cao had raised troops, he changed his name and made his way to Jingzhou, then secretly returned to the north, where he met Cao Cao. Cao Cao remarked to his companions, "This is the steed of a thousand li from my family!" He then had Cao Xiu stay with Cao Pi, treating him as if he were his own son. Cao Xiu frequently joined Cao Cao in military campaigns and was appointed as the commander responsible for the Emperor's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.
Liu Bei stationed Wu Lan near Hefei, and Cao Cao sent Cao Hong to campaign against him, appointing Cao Xiu as the Commander of Cavalry to assist Cao Hong in battle. Cao Cao said to Cao Xiu, "Although you are a staff officer, you are actually the commander." Upon hearing Cao Cao's orders, Cao Hong also entrusted everything to Cao Xiu. Liu Bei then stationed Zhang Fei at Gushan, intending to cut off Cao's army's retreat. While everyone hesitated, Cao Xiu stated, "If the enemy truly wanted to cut off our path, they would secretly ambush us. But now they are making noise first, showing their lack of ability. We should attack Wu Lan quickly before they are fully assembled, and when Wu Lan is defeated, Zhang Fei will naturally flee." Cao Hong followed his advice, led the troops to attack Wu Lan, achieved a resounding victory, causing Zhang Fei to flee.
After Cao Cao captured Hanzhong, the various armies returned to Chang'an, and Cao Xiu was appointed as the Commander of the Central Army. After Cao Pi declared himself king, Cao Xiu was appointed as the General of the Army and was granted the title of Marquis of Dongyang for his previous merits. After Xiahou Dun passed away, Cao Xiu was appointed as the General Who Guards the South, serving as the military governor and commanding the various troops. The Emperor personally saw him off to his post, even getting off the carriage to bid him farewell by holding his hand. Sun Quan sent troops to garrison Liyang, but Cao Xiu defeated them shortly after arriving. He then sent troops to cross the Yangtze River, burning the enemy's camp in Wuhu and destroying thousands of homes. Later, Cao Xiu was promoted to General of the East, serving as the Governor of Yangzhou, and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anyang by Jin.
When Cao Cao campaigned against Sun Quan, he appointed Cao Xiu as the Grand General Who Conquers the East, granting him the symbolic highest military authority, the Yellow Battle Axe, allowing him to command generals like Zhang Liao and more than twenty provincial and county armies. They battled Sun Quan's generals, including Lv Fan, at Dongpu, defeating them. Afterwards, Cao Xiu was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou. When Cao Rui ascended the throne, Cao Xiu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Changping. The Wu general Shen De was stationed in Wancheng, but Cao Xiu defeated him, killing Shen De. The Wu generals Han Zong and Zhai Dan later surrendered their armies to Cao Xiu. Cao Xiu's fief increased by four hundred households, bringing his total to two thousand five hundred. He was later promoted to Grand Marshal while continuing to serve as Commander of Yangzhou.
In the second year of the Taihe era, Cao Rui divided his forces into two armies to campaign against the state of Wu. He sent Sima Yi to attack from Hanshui, while Cao Xiu led his troops to march towards Xunyang. The Wu generals feigned surrender, which lured Cao Xiu deep into enemy territory. As a result, Cao Xiu's forces were defeated and retreated to Sushiting. At night, the army was thrown into chaos after being startled, leading soldiers to abandon many pieces of armor, weapons, and supplies. Cao Xiu submitted a letter of apology to the emperor, who dispatched Yang Ji, the Commandant of Tuenqi, to offer him comfort and rewarded him with many gifts. As a consequence of this defeat, Cao Xiu's health deteriorated, and he eventually passed away, posthumously honored with the title Zhuanghou. His son, Cao Zhao, inherited his title.
Cao Zhao was a talented man who served as a Cavalier Attendant and Commandant of Tuenqi. Later, when Emperor Ming fell gravely ill and was discussing his succession plans with Prince Yan and others, the emperor suddenly reversed his decision and ordered Cao Zhao to return home and assume the title of marquis. Cao Zhao passed away during the Zhengshi period and was posthumously appointed as Guard General, with his son Cao Xing inheriting his title. Earlier, Emperor Wen granted three hundred households to Cao Zhao's brother, Cao Zuan, bestowing upon him the title of marquis. Later, Cao Zuan also served as the General Who Eliminates Wu, but sadly passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Former General.
Cao Zhen, known as Zidan, was a descendant of Cao Cao. When Cao Cao raised his army, Cao Zhen's father, Cao Shao, recruited soldiers and was killed by provincial officials. Cao Cao, feeling pity for young Cao Zhen, who had lost his father, adopted him and treated him like his own sons, even allowing him to live with Cao Pi. Once, while hunting, Cao Zhen was chased by a tiger, but he turned around and shot the tiger dead, demonstrating remarkable skill! Cao Cao admired his bravery and appointed him as commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Later, Cao Zhen defeated bandits in Lingqiu and was appointed as Marquis of Lingshouting. As a deputy general, he defeated Liu Bei's generals and was appointed as Major General. When following Cao Cao to Chang'an, he served as the commander of the army. Cao Cao was deeply saddened by Xiahou Yuan's death at Yangping. Therefore, he appointed Cao Zhen as the military commander for the campaign against Shu, leading Xu Huang and others to defeat Liu Bei's general Gao Xiang. After Cao Cao personally went to Hanzhong, he withdrew the troops and sent Cao Zhen to Wudu to meet Cao Hong and others, then stationed together in Chencang. After Cao Pi became emperor, he appointed Cao Zhen as General Who Guards the West, overseeing military operations in Yongzhou and Liangzhou, and granted him command authority. Due to his previous achievements, Cao Zhen was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongxiang. Later, when Zhang Jin and others rebelled in Jiuquan, Cao Zhen sent Fei Yao to suppress them, defeating and executing them. In the third year of Huangchu, Cao Zhen returned to the capital and was appointed as Grand General of the Upper Army, in charge of the national military, and was granted command authority. He, along with Xiahou Shang and others, campaigned against Sun Quan, achieving victory in a battle at Niuzhu. He was later promoted to Grand General of the Central Army and also held the position of an official. In the seventh year of Huangchu, when Cao Pi fell seriously ill, Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, Sima Yi, and others were appointed to assist the new ruler as per the posthumous edict. After Emperor Ming Cao Rui ascended the throne, Cao Zhen was granted the title of Marquis of Shaoling and promoted to Grand General.
Zhuge Liang prepared his troops at Qishan, and the three counties of Nan'an, Tianshui, and Anding responded to him. The Emperor sent Cao Zhen to lead a large army to station in Meixian, and at the same time sent Zhang He to attack Zhuge Liang's general Ma Su, resulting in a decisive defeat for Ma Su. The people of Anding County, including Yang Tiao, together with officials and civilians, defended Yuezhi City, which was surrounded by Cao Zhen's army. Yang Tiao said to everyone, "The Grand General is here in person, and I intend to surrender quickly." So he tied himself up and walked out to surrender. Nan'an, Tianshui, and Anding counties were all pacified.
Cao Zhen believed Zhuge Liang had been defeated at Qishan, and his next attack would likely take the Chencang route. Therefore, he sent generals Hao Zhao and Wang Sheng to guard Chencang and strengthen the city's defenses. In the spring of the second year, Zhuge Liang did indeed besiege Chencang, but Chencang was already prepared, and Zhuge Liang failed to capture it. The Emperor increased Cao Zhen's land grant, totaling 2,900 households including the previous ones. Four years later, Cao Zhen went to Luoyang to meet the Emperor and was promoted to Grand Marshal, honored with the privilege of wearing his sword and shoes in court, and exempted from the bowing ceremony during court sessions. Cao Zhen believed that "the Shu kingdom has repeatedly invaded our borders and should be thoroughly defeated. By attacking with multiple armies simultaneously, a great victory can be achieved." The Emperor accepted his advice.
Cao Zhen was preparing to embark on a western campaign, and the Emperor personally bade him farewell outside the city. Cao Zhen departed from Chang'an in August, traveling south along the Ziwu Road. Sima Xuanwang went north along the Han River, preparing to meet in Nanzheng. Some other troops took the Xiegu route, while others entered from Wuwei. Unfortunately, they faced over thirty days of heavy rain, which washed away some of the plank roads. The Emperor commanded Cao Zhen to return with his army.
When Cao Zhen was young, he served the Emperor Taizu alongside his relatives Cao Zun and Zhu Zan from his hometown. Cao Zun and Zhu Zan both passed away early, which caused Cao Zhen great sorrow. He requested the Emperor to set aside part of his fief to reward the sons of Cao Zun and Zhu Zan. The Emperor replied, "The Grand Marshal possesses the benevolence to nurture orphans like Uncle Xiang, as well as the integrity to maintain a clean and honorable reputation like Yan Ping. A gentleman helps others in their good deeds, so I permit Cao Zhen to share his fief and grant the sons of Cao Zun and Zhu Zan the title of Marquis of Guannei, each with one hundred households." Every time Cao Zhen went on a campaign, he shared both joys and hardships with his soldiers. When the military rewards were inadequate, he used his own wealth to supplement them, and the soldiers were willing to serve him. After falling ill and returning to Luoyang, the Emperor personally visited his home to check on his health. After Cao Zhen's death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Marquis Yuan, and his son Cao Shuang inherited his title. The Emperor, in remembrance of Cao Zhen's contributions, issued a decree stating, "The Grand Marshal Cao Zhen was loyal and upright, assisting two former emperors. He neither relied on the power of his relatives in the court nor acted arrogantly towards the common people. He was a humble and cautious man who maintained his position! All five sons of Cao Zhen, Xi, Xun, Ze, Yan, and Ai, were all granted the title of Marquis." Initially, Emperor Wen granted Cao Zhen two hundred households of fief and conferred the title of Marquis on his brother Cao Bin.
Zhao Bo gained a reputation for his cautious and steady demeanor from a young age within the royal family. Emperor Ming liked him very much when he was still in the Eastern Palace. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he appointed Zhao Bo as the Assistant Minister of Imperial Guards, and later promoted him step by step to the position of City Gate Commander. He was also appointed as the Imperial Secretariat and then promoted to General of Martial Guards. The Emperor trusted him greatly. When the Emperor fell seriously ill, he summoned Zhao Bo to the inner chamber, appointed him as Grand General on the spot, granted him a commander's seal, and entrusted him with the military affairs of the whole country. He was also asked to assist the young prince alongside the Grand Marshal Sima Xuanwang. After Emperor Ming's death, Prince Qi ascended to the throne and further promoted Zhao Bo to the position of Palace Attendant, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Wuan, with a fief comprising 12,000 households. He was granted the privilege to wear shoes and carry a sword in the court, not required to hurry or address the Emperor with the usual formalities.
Ding Mi came up with an idea for Zhao Bo to persuade the Emperor to appoint Sima Xuanwang as Grand Tutor through an imperial edict. On the surface, this appeared to honor Sima Xuanwang; however, it was actually a strategy by Ding Mi to control all official communications through himself. Zhao Bo's brothers Xi, Xun, and Yan also attained significant positions in the court, enjoying the peak of favor and influence. People like He Yan, Deng Yang, Li Sheng from Nanyang, Ding Mi from Pei, and Bi Gui from Dongping were all prominent figures at the time, but Emperor Ming deemed them too ostentatious and subsequently demoted them. Once Zhao Bo rose to power, he reinstated and promoted these individuals, regarding them as his trusted confidants.
He Yan and others wanted to establish a reputation for themselves, so they advised Shuang to attack the Shu Han. Shuang followed their advice, and Xuan Wang tried to stop him, but he couldn't. In the fifth year of Zhengshi, Shuang led sixty to seventy thousand troops to march west to Chang'an, advancing from Luogu. At that time, logistics in the Guanzhong region and the Di and Qiang areas were inadequate, leading to the deaths of many livestock and resulting in the weeping of common people and ethnic minorities along the route. After the army entered the valley and marched for hundreds of miles, the Shu army took up defensive positions in the mountains, preventing any further advance of the army. Shuang's aide Yang Wei analyzed the situation at the time and believed that they should retreat quickly; otherwise, they would fail. Deng Yang and Yang Wei argued in front of Shuang, with Yang Wei saying, "Deng Yang and Li Sheng are undermining the country's affairs; they should be executed!" Frustrated, Shuang ordered the troops to withdraw.
Initially, He Shuang enjoyed a good relationship with Xuan Wang due to his seniority, so He Yan's father always respected him and did not dare to act on his own. Later, when He Yan and others rose to power, everyone supported them and advised He Shuang that with such great power, he should not delegate everything to others. So He Yan, He Yang, and He Mi became Ministers, with He Yan in charge of selecting officials and overseeing the Colonel of the Slaves and the Intendant of Henan; many matters no longer needed to go through Xuan Wang. Xuan Wang feigned illness to evade He Shuang.
He Yan and his associates seized control, distributing hundreds of acres of mulberry fields among themselves in Luoyang and Yewang Dian Nongbu, and even demolished the Tangmu land (land rewarded by the emperor to meritorious officials) for themselves, abusing their power to embezzle state property and extort wealth from local governments. Subordinate officials recognized the shift in power dynamics and dared not defy their commands. He Yan and others had conflicts with the courtier Lu Yu, so they capitalized on a small mistake by Lu Yu, fabricated charges against him and ensured his implication, confiscated Lu Yu's seal, and then reported to the court. Their arrogance was rampant during this time.
He Shuang indulges in eating, drinking, and entertainment, living like an emperor. His home is filled with treasures from the Shangfang (the royal workshop). He has a large number of wives and concubines and has secretly claimed several talented women from the former emperor, as well as generals, craftsmen, musicians, and thirty-three virtuous women, whom he treats as entertainers. He even forged an edict to send fifty-seven talented women to Ye Tai, where the late emperor's concubines would teach them singing and dancing. He confiscated musical instruments from the Grand Music department and weapons from the arsenal, and constructed a lavish underground chamber adorned with exquisite silk, where he frequently drank and celebrated with He Yan and his companions. He Yan's younger brother, He Xi, was deeply concerned and attempted to advise him multiple times. He even wrote three articles warning about the dangers of extravagance and debauchery, speaking quite seriously, yet not daring to directly confront He Shuang, instead hinting at him through advising his brother. He Shuang realized it was aimed at him and felt very displeased. He Xi's repeated warnings were in vain, and he left in tears. Xuan Wang was secretly making preparations for him.
During the winter of the ninth year, Li Sheng was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou and went to pay a visit to Xuan Wang. Xuan Wang feigned illness, claiming to be gravely sick while deliberately displaying signs of weakness. Li Sheng did not realize this and thought it was true.
In the first month of the lunar calendar, the emperor went to Gaoping Mausoleum to pay respects to his ancestors, and the Shuang brothers followed him. Xuan Wang secretly gathered troops, first took control of the arsenal, then camped his troops on the other side of the Luo River Floating Bridge. He told the emperor, "When I returned from Liaodong before, the late emperor had summoned you, Prince Qin, and me, and held my hand, repeatedly stressing the importance of future affairs. At that time, I assured the late emperor, 'The late emperor's father and grandfather had also entrusted future affairs to me, as you know, there’s no need for concern; should any difficulties arise, I will certainly carry out your orders.' Dong Ji, the Huangmen Ling, and others, as well as those who served the late emperor when he was sick, all heard about this. Now General Shuang has blatantly disregarded the late emperor's dying wish, broken the laws of the land, usurped kingly power within the palace, and wielded authority outside; he disrupted the arrangements of various military camps, took control of the imperial guards, and arranged important official positions for his own people; the palace guards, the elderly who have served the royal family for generations, have all been driven away by him; he aims to install his own people for his selfish agenda; he has become more and more arrogant. Moreover, he appointed Zhang Dangdang, the Huangmen, as the commander, specifically tasked with managing official documents, monitoring the emperor, seizing power at the opportune moment, and driving a wedge between the emperor and the empress dowager, damaging brotherly relations. The people are anxious and afraid; you are merely a puppet emperor now, how can you be stable in the long run! This is not what the late emperor intended when he first summoned us. Although I am old, how could I forget the late emperor's instructions? In the past, Zhao Gao's arrogance brought about the downfall of the Qin Dynasty; Empress Lü and Huo Guang handled it in time, and the Han Dynasty continued. This is a significant matter you should heed; this is what I thought of when I was ordered by the late emperor. The Grand Commandant Ji and Prefect Fu believe that Shuang shouldn't hold both military power and control over the palace guards at the same time, and so they reported this to Yongning Palace. The Empress Dowager instructed me to act according to the memorial. I immediately ordered the relevant personnel and the Huangmen Ling to strip Shuang, Xi, and Xun of their military powers, to send them back to their residences, and to ensure there are no delays to the emperor's chariot; anyone who dares to cause a delay will face military justice. I endured the pain and stationed the troops at the Luo River Floating Bridge, prepared to respond to any emergencies.
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Shuang Taifu was supposed to report to King Xuan at the time, but his report was blocked. He was in a panic, not knowing what to do. At this time, Huan Fan, the Grand Minister of Agriculture from Pei State, heard about the news of the military mutiny. He disregarded the Empress Dowager's summons entirely, forged a decree, opened the Pingchang Gate, took weapons, dismissed the guards at the gate, and then ran to Shuang Taifu. Upon learning of this, King Xuan said, "Shuang will definitely reject Huan Fan's suggestion." Huan Fan persuaded Shuang Taifu to take the emperor's chariot to Xuchang and rally the outside forces to support the throne. Shuang Taifu's brothers were torn, and Huan Fan sternly addressed Shuang Xi, his brother, "In this situation, does your family still expect to regain its former wealth and status? Even an ordinary person would think of self-preservation in such a situation. Moreover, you are with the emperor, commanding the world. Who would dare to defy you?" Shuang Xi was still hesitant. Later, Xu Yun, the Shizhong, and Chen Tai, the Shangshu, urged Shuang Taifu to confess to King Xuan without delay. Shuang Taifu then sent Xu Yun and Chen Tai to see King Xuan, confessing and pleading for mercy. Only then did King Xuan agree to hear his report. Ultimately, Shuang Taifu and his brothers were spared execution and returned to their estate as marquises.
At first, Zhang Dang privately sent selected beauties from the Zhang and He families to Shuang, the Grand Tutor. Xuan Wang suspected them of having an affair, so he arrested Zhang Dang and charged him with crimes. Zhang Dang confessed that Shuang, Yan, and others were secretly plotting a rebellion, training troops in advance, and planning to revolt within three months. As a result, Yan and others were all arrested and thrown into prison. The ministers in the court discussed the matter, believing: "In the 'Spring and Autumn Annals', it says 'if a relative is appointed as a general, he must be executed.' Grand Tutor Shuang, relying on his family connections, has been favored for generations. He even personally received the dying emperor's final edict, which entrusted the realm to him, but harbored evil intentions, betrayed the emperor's trust, conspired with Yan, Yang, Zhang Dang, and others to seize the throne, and Huan Fan was also involved, committing egregious offenses." Therefore, Grand Tutor Shuang, Shuang Xi, Shuang Xun, Yan, Yang, Mi, Gui, Sheng, Huan Fan, Zhang Dang, and others were all executed, along with their families. During the Jiaping period, the court posthumously honored the achievements of Grand Tutor Shuang, bestowing the title of Duke of Xinchang on his grandson Xi, with a fief consisting of three hundred households, to support Grand Tutor Shuang's mother, Empress Zhen.
Yan was the grandson of He Jin. His mother, Lady Yin, was the wife of the founding emperor. Yan grew up in the palace, married a princess, and was known for his exceptional talent from a young age. He appreciated Daoist philosophy, wrote essays on morality, poems, and various other works, amounting to dozens of works.
Xiahou Shang, courtesy name Boren, was a relative of Cao Cao. He had a good relationship with Emperor Wen Cao Cao and was his friend. When Cao Cao attacked Jizhou, Xiahou Shang was his military advisor, leading the cavalry into battle. Later, he became a literary official among the Five Officials. When the Wei dynasty was newly established, Xiahou Shang was promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant. When the Hu tribes in Dai commandery rebelled, the court sent Marquis Yanling Zhang Liao to suppress the rebellion, with Xiahou Shang assisting him to pacify the Dai commandery before returning to court. When Cao Cao died in Luoyang, Xiahou Shang was ordered to escort Cao Cao's coffin back to Ye city. Due to his past contributions, Xiahou Shang was titled as the Marquis of Pingling Pavilion, appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, and later promoted to Central Army Commander.
After Emperor Wen Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, Xiahou Shang was re-titled as the Marquis of Pingling Township, promoted to General of the Southern Expedition, concurrently serving as Inspector of Jingzhou, and given command over military affairs in the southern regions. Xiahou Shang submitted a memorial saying, "Liu Bei's forces are stationed in Shangyong, where the mountain roads are steep and perilous. They will not be on guard against us. If we use surprise tactics to secretly advance, taking them by surprise, we can swiftly capture Shangyong." As a result, Xiahou Shang led his army to capture Shangyong, pacifying three commanderies and nine counties, and was later promoted to Grand General of the Southern Expedition. Although Sun Quan appeared to pledge allegiance, Xiahou Shang still reinforced defenses because he suspected Sun Quan had ulterior motives.
In the third year of the Huangchu era, the emperor arrived at Wancheng and sent Xiahou Shang to lead the army in besieging Jiangling alongside Cao Zhen. Sun Quan's general, Zhuge Jin, faced off against Xiahou Shang's army along the river. Zhuge Jin crossed to a small island in the middle of the river and deployed naval forces there. Xiahou Shang prepared numerous oil-filled ships at night, led tens of thousands of troops to secretly cross the river downstream, attacked Zhuge Jin's army, set fire to their ships on both banks, and defeated Zhuge Jin. Before Jiangling City fell, a large-scale epidemic broke out, and the court ordered Xiahou Shang to withdraw his forces. Xiahou Shang's fiefdom expanded by six hundred households, totaling one thousand nine hundred households with the previous ones, granting him great power and promoting him to Marquis.
The Jingzhou region is desolate, bordering on barbarians, and separated from the Wu State by the Han River, where most common people resided in the southern region. Xiahou Shang opened a route from Shangyong, traveled over seven hundred li westward, and most mountain dwellers and local tribes surrendered to him. Within five or six years, thousands of households joined him. Five years later, Xiahou Shang was promoted to Marquis of Changling Township. Xiahou Shang had a favored concubine who was his favorite, more than his wife, who was Cao Cao's daughter. Therefore, Emperor Wen ordered Xiahou Shang's concubine to be strangled. Xiahou Shang was devastated, fell ill, and became delirious. After the concubine was buried, he couldn't resist going to see her. When Emperor Wen heard about it, he was furious and remarked, "Du Xi was right about Xiahou Shang being frivolous!" However, since Xiahou Shang was a loyal minister, Emperor Wen did not lessen his favor.
Six years later, Xiahou Shang fell gravely ill and returned to the capital. Emperor Wen visited him repeatedly, holding his hand and weeping. Xiahou Shang passed away and was posthumously honored with the title Dao Marquis. The court also awarded Xiahou Shang three hundred additional households and conferred the title of Marquis of Guannei upon Xiahou Shang's sons.
At the beginning, He Yan, whose courtesy name was Pingshu, was not well-known when he was young. At the age of twenty, he became an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Once, when he went to meet the emperor, he sat together with Mao Zeng, the brother of the empress. He felt humiliated, and it showed on his face. Emperor Ming took a dislike to him because of this, and demoted him to a post in the Yulin Guard. During the Zhengshi period, Cao Shuang rose to become the regent. He Yan was Cao Shuang's cousin. He then steadily climbed the ranks to become a Regular Mounted Attendant and Central Protector-General.
Thus, He Yan's career began to flourish. From a nameless official, he gradually ascended to a significant position. However, his youthful arrogance and dissatisfaction also led to considerable trouble for him, which perhaps foreshadowed the challenges he would face in his future career.
King Xuan of Sima asked Xuan Yi about current affairs. Xuan Yi replied: "Selecting talents for government officials is a major national issue, so the power to select officials lies with the court, which represents the upper echelons of power. Filial piety is reflected in the people, and the assessment of virtue and vice is determined by the villagers, which is the lower-level judgment. The key to talent selection is to clearly define the boundaries between upper and lower levels of power, without interfering with each other. Why? If the upper level oversteps, the selection criteria may be lost, which may lead to power struggles; if the lower level oversteps, it may involve the people in power distribution, leading to power diffusion and chaos. If power is decentralized to the populace, the common people will assume authority; if power is diffused, chaos will ensue. For many years, the officials in the prefectures have been responsible for assessing talents, but it has remained disorganized and lacks a coherent system. Isn't this because of the unclear boundaries between upper and lower level powers and the disconnect between them? If the officials only assess the conduct and seniority of officials, and if their conduct and seniority meet the criteria, they can become officials. Why? Filial piety is reflected in the family, so won't they be loyal and diligent in their official duties? Benevolence is reflected in the family, so won't they be compassionate to the people when in office? Justice is reflected in the village, so won't they be fair and just in handling public affairs? These three criteria, evaluated by officials, even if they do not directly appoint officials, can determine whether a person is suitable for office. Conduct varies, seniority differs, so naturally appointed officials will have different levels. Why must officials be involved in the selection of lower-level officials, relying on the opinions of the upper level? If the upper and lower levels encroach on each other, chaos will result. Furthermore, the court issues orders and assesses the merits and demerits of officials, with various positions having supervising officials conducting daily assessments, not requiring officials to be involved; whereas village evaluations are based on feelings, which may lead to talented individuals being overlooked and mediocrity prevailing. How can the atmosphere be upright in this way? Tiantai County is far from the capital, and those who can be selected are often near the capital. Who wouldn't embellish the truth to achieve their goals? As long as there are connections, those who cultivate themselves at home are not as good as those who make connections in the village; and those who make connections in the village are not as good as those who operate in the prefecture. Once connections are established, there will be deception; even severe punishment of officials will be ineffective. It is better to let everyone do their own job, with officials recommending to the court based on the abilities of their subordinates, and the court deciding on the rank of officials based on recommendations of officials and evaluations from the village, without bias. Officials are only responsible for assessing the conduct of officials, distinguishing between high and low, determining ranks, without arbitrary promotions or demotions. The court is responsible for the final decision, with officials bearing responsibility for any mistakes. Officials recommend, officials assess, and appointments are made in order. If appointments are improper, the responsibility lies with external factors. This way, internal and external supervision, with merits and demerits based on evidence, balancing each other, who would dare to commit fraud? This approach fosters public trust and ensures smooth governance, enabling the selection of talents."
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Xuan Yi also stated: "In ancient times, official positions were established to assist the people and manage society, so lords were appointed to govern the people. The lords who manage the people should possess centralized authority, clearly defined roles, and stability at all levels; with centralized power, work efficiency will be high, and matters will not be complicated. In scenarios where matters are simple, efficiency is high, and stability is maintained, there is no scenario in which society is poorly governed. The ancient kings established many countries; although we cannot know the specific situation, the division of territories, with each holding its own land, was not a system of mutual restraint. An examination of the five-rank system from the Yin and Zhou dynasties shows only distinctions in size and nobility, with no situation where the lord, ministers, and people restrained each other. If the official position system lacks uniformity, work efficiency will decline; with low work efficiency, how can matters be simple? If matters are not simple, how can the people be stable? If the people are not stable, evil will breed, and deceit will spread. The ancient kings understood this principle, so they centralized power and unified management. Since the Qin Dynasty, neglecting the teachings of the sages and managing official positions out of self-interest, they oppressed the people; fearing that officials would not do their jobs, they set up supervisory officials; fearing that the supervisory officials would be corrupt, they established inspectors; officials restrain each other, supervisory officials supervise each other, everyone has their own hidden agendas, and the objectives at different levels are misaligned. The Han Dynasty inherited this system and did not change it. During the Wei Dynasty, there were numerous matters to address, leaving little time for resolution. Although it is difficult to restore the five-rank system, some norms can be established to unify management. The current senior officials include lords, ministers, and the people, as well as county governors and provincial governors, which has become overly complicated. If the county governors are only responsible for the overall direction of management, then it is the same as the province, and there is no need to set up county governors. The county governors should be abolished, leaving only the provincial governors; with the existence of provincial governors, supervision will not be abolished; tens of thousands of county officials can return to the fields to engage in agricultural production, reduce expenses, and increase wealth, this is the first point. The officials of large counties are all capable of being county governors. Disputes often arise in lawsuits; compliance leads to stability, while sticking to one's own views leads to disputes. The essence of harmony lies in reconciling differing opinions, and the benefits of getting along from top to bottom lie in mutual assistance; compliance leads to stability, this is the principle of harmony between music and instruments. Eliminating these disputes, reducing official positions, and simplifying matters is the second point. County officials are tasked with overseeing the various districts, forming factions and being corrupt; if things are not handled properly and delays occur due to official business, the people will endure suffering, and this is where the problem lies. If these official positions are merged, the source of chaos will be eradicated, this is the third point. Nowadays, the country is declining, the people are poor, talents are scarce, and there are few capable individuals. Good officials in the counties often exceed one; the counties often shift responsibility to each other, with the responsibility lying below. The superior officials of the county governors must first be qualified; these officials who serve the people must first be qualified. Officials are the lifeblood of the people, and they are often ignorant. Now, if these official positions are merged, officials will select more honest individuals, and virtuous practices will become widespread, leading to a peaceful populace, this is the fourth point. Counties with over ten thousand households are called county governors, those with over five thousand households are called prefects, and those with less than a thousand households will retain their current leadership. From above the prefects, assessment and promotion will be based on ability, and the area of management will also increase. This establishes a system for talent selection and performance evaluation; if the system is determined, then there will be order in official positions, and political achievements will be clear, this is the fifth point. If the county governors are abolished and counties report directly to the province, matters will not be blocked, and officials will not be delayed. Although it is not possible to completely restore the system of the three generations, it can achieve the goal of simplification, making things more convenient for the people and saving expenses; this is the key."
"Good morning! How's your day going?"
Xuan Yi continued, "The use of culture, like the changing of the four seasons, requires rulers to emulate the way of heaven, govern all affairs, and adjust governance methods according to the situation. In times of peace and prosperity, one should use rituals and music to educate the people, and in times of extravagance, use frugality for governance. At the end of the era of the hundred kings, the remnants of the Qin and Han dynasties are still present, society is extravagant, and there should be significant reforms to align with the people's desires. In the current system, from dukes to marquises, from grand generals to lower officials, all can wear luxurious fabrics, jewelry, and accessories. Lower officials wear colorful clothing, much like the common folk. Although there are differences in rank, court officials' attire has become nearly indistinguishable from that of the emperor, with bright colors now adopted by the common folk. It is impossible for the market not to sell luxurious clothing, for merchants not selling valuable goods, and for craftsmen not to produce exquisite crafts. Therefore, a fundamental reform is needed that balances culture and substance, following the ancient system, and finding a way to...
King Xuan replied, "Your choices in selecting officials, establishing key positions, and reforming the clothing system are commendable. The character of the rural population is assessed, and the court generally follows your recommendations regarding the performance of officials. However, there are still some long-standing customs that have ultimately remained unchanged."
The Qin Dynasty did not have provincial governors, only district officials and other local officials. Although the Han Dynasty had provincial governors, their responsibilities were limited to just six decrees, so the governors traveled in ordinary carts. Their subordinates were called attendants, without fixed offices, and they did not obey orders like courtiers. Over time, provincial governors gradually evolved into formal official roles. In the past, Jia Yi had also expressed concerns about the clothing system. Although Emperor Wen of Han wore coarse clothing, he still could not satisfy everyone. Perhaps these three issues will need to wait for capable individuals to address them."
Xuan replied, "Although Emperor Wen of Han wore coarse hemp clothing (yi ti) himself, he did not implement any reforms. There were still extravagant attire and favored ministers enjoying unrestricted rewards in the court. From these observations, it appears he was only concerned with his reputation and did not genuinely intend to rectify the political system. Now that you, as a hereditary marquis, have become a chancellor, emulating the ancient sage kings, aiming to achieve a prosperous era, reverse the decline, and rectify the fundamentals. If you establish a good system at the top, the people below will naturally follow. You should maintain a keen determination during the reform so that once the orders are issued, the implementation below will be as swift as an echo. You humbly say 'we must wait for capable individuals,' but this is not the way of assisting the Yin and Zhou dynasties like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou did! I don't quite understand your intentions."
Not long after, Gao Rou was appointed as the General Who Conquers the West and was authorized to command the military of Yongzhou and Liangzhou. He fought the Battle of Luogu Valley with Cao Shuang, which sparked considerable debate at the time. Later, Cao Shuang was killed, and Gao Rou was transferred to the position of Grand Herald, and a few years later, he was promoted to the Minister of Ceremonies. Having been previously suppressed by Cao Shuang, Gao Rou had been feeling resentful.
Although the Imperial Secretary Li Feng had previously gained the favor of the Grand General Sima Jingwang, he privately admired Gao Rou. Therefore, he conspired with the father of the Empress, the Household Counsellor Zhang Ji, to arrange for Gao Rou to assist in court affairs. At that time, Li Feng wielded significant power in the court; his son even married a princess, and he and Zhang Ji were fellow villagers from Fengyi, so Zhang Ji trusted him. Li Feng secretly summoned his brother, Li Yi, the Inspector of Yanzhou, to the capital, hoping he would lead troops into the capital to instigate trouble together. However, Li Yi's request to enter the capital was denied.
In the second month of the sixth year of Jiaping, just as they were about to confer a title on a noble, Li Feng and others planned to take advantage of the soldiers guarding the palace gates to kill the Grand General while the Emperor was in the Xuan Palace. They intended to support Gao Rou in taking the throne and appoint Zhang Ji as the General of the Cavalry. Li Feng secretly spoke to Huangmen Supervisor Su Shuo, Yongning Department Head Le Dun, and others, "Many of you who work in the palace have committed illegal acts before. The Grand General is strict and has reported you several times. Zhang Ji's fate should serve as a warning." Su Shuo and the others agreed to listen to him.
The Grand General Cao Shuang had a vague sense of their conspiracy and invited Li Feng to meet. Li Feng, unaware of the deception, went and was killed immediately. This matter was reported to the court, and Gao Rou, Zhang Ji, Su Shuo, Le Dun, Liu Xian, and others were all arrested and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Minister of Justice Zhong Yu submitted, "Li Feng and others conspired to coerce the Emperor, unlawfully kill a high-ranking court official, and their crimes are extremely serious. I request that they be punished according to the law."
Therefore, the court summoned the officials and the Minister of Justice for a joint discussion. Everyone unanimously agreed, "Li Feng and the others all received special favors from the Emperor, handling important confidential matters; Zhang Ji relied on the power of the Empress Dowager's family; Gao Rou is from a noble family. They all hold high positions but harbor treacherous intentions, conspire to rebel, collude with eunuchs, conspire and strategize, fearing the Emperor's wrath, they dare not act openly, yet they still intend to hold the Emperor hostage, commit crimes, plot to assassinate loyal officials, unlawfully enthrone a new ruler, attempt to overthrow the court, and endanger the state. Zhong Yu's memorial fully complies with the legal provisions; we request your approval for the execution."
The imperial edict came down: "Princess Qizhang is the late emperor's favorite; her three sons are spared from death." In the end, Li Feng, Gao Rou, Zhang Ji, Le Dun, Liu Xian, and others were all executed along with their entire families, while the remaining relatives were exiled to Yelang Commandery. Gao Rou was known for his generosity and kindness, facing death in the Eastern Market with a calm expression and composure; he was only forty-six at the time. During the Zhengyuan period, the court later honored the descendants of those who had served faithfully, ennobling Gao Rou's great-grandson Gao Ben as the Marquis of Changling Pavilion, with a fief of three hundred households to support the descendants of Gao Rou.
At first, the General of the Central Army, Gao Yang, had a good relationship with Cao Shuang and He Yan. Previously, someone forged a decree intending to appoint He Yan as Grand General and Xu Yun as Grand Commandant to handle the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat together. Before dawn, someone rode a horse to deliver this fake decree to Xu Yun's door, telling the guards, "There is a decree!" and then quickly ran away. Xu Yun immediately burned the decree and did not show it to Sima Jingwang. Later, as Cao Shuang's conspiracy was exposed, Xu Yun was demoted to General of Northern Defense, with a command staff, responsible for military affairs in the Hebei region. Before he could depart, he was found to have illegally released state property; he was arrested and handed over to the Court of Judicial Review, ultimately exiled to Yelang Commandery, where he ultimately died during the journey.
Prince of Qinghe, He Yan, was also regarded as a prominent figure in Jizhou, just like Xu Yun. During the Ganlu period, he became a Minister and was executed for being involved in the affairs of the Duke of Gaogui Township. When He Yan was a county magistrate, his mother advised him, "You are an ordinary farmer's son; you have already risen to the rank of two thousand stones. It’s enough; it’s not wise to aim higher; you should stop here." He Yan did not heed his mother's advice, later serving as the governor of two provinces and as the Colonel-Director of Retainers, but ultimately met a failed end. Xu Yun's friend, the county's Cui Zan, also advised Xu Yun, saying that he was too ostentatious in his dealings and should be more careful.
The book states: The Xiahou clan and the Cao clan intermarried for generations; therefore, figures like Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Cao Shang, and Cao Zhen, all due to their relationship with the Cao clan, were quite prominent at the time and made significant contributions to the accomplishments of Cao Wei. However, their moral character was lacking; they held high positions, indulged in pleasure, and were insatiable, which aligns with the warnings found in the I Ching and what Taoists typically abhor! He Yan was dignified in appearance, conducted himself well, and had a solid reputation, but he was closely associated with Cao Shuang, colluding both internally and externally; although he held a prominent position, there's no record of him advising Cao Shuang on his faults or promoting talented individuals. Given these examples, how can we possibly avoid such an outcome?
