Zhang Zhao, known by his courtesy name Zibu, was from Pengcheng. He loved studying since childhood, excelled in clerical script, and studied the 'Zuo Zhuan' under Bai Hou Zian. He read extensively and was recognized as a scholar alongside Zhao Yu of Langye and Wang Lang of Donghai, and they had a good relationship. When he was young, he was recommended as a person of filial piety and integrity, but he declined the offer. He discussed the taboos of the previous dynasty with Wang Lang, and the talents in the state at that time, such as Chen Lin, held them in high regard. Later, Inspector Tao Qian recommended him as a man of great talent, but he also did not accept it. Tao Qian believed that Zhang Zhao looked down on him, leading to his arrest. Zhao Yu went to great lengths to rescue him, allowing him to escape danger. Amidst the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty, most of the people in Xuzhou fled to Yangzhou, and Zhang Zhao also made his way south across the Yangtze River. After Sun Ce established his foundation, he appointed Zhang Zhao as his Chief Historian and General of the Army. Sun Ce treated Zhang Zhao as if they were old friends, even bringing him along to meet his mother, and entrusted him with important military and political affairs. Zhang Zhao frequently received letters and memorials from northern scholars, all crediting Zhang Zhao for their accomplishments. Zhang Zhao wanted to keep it private and not publicize it, but he feared being accused of selfishness; if he did publicize it, he worried it might be inappropriate, leaving him in a dilemma. When Sun Ce heard this, he burst out laughing and said, "In the past, Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi, and Duke Huan called him 'Father Zhong' twice, and ultimately Duke Huan became a hegemon. Now that Zibu is so talented, I can put him to good use. Can my accomplishments really be less than those of Duke Huan of Qi?"
After Sun Ce's death, he passed the reins of power to his younger brother Sun Quan. Before Sun Ce passed away, he entrusted his younger brother Sun Quan to his subordinate Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao led a group of officials to assist Sun Quan. They presented memorials to the court, swore allegiance to the Han dynasty, and issued orders to various subordinate cities, ensuring that the generals both inside and outside could fulfill their responsibilities. Due to overwhelming grief, Sun Quan had not yet begun to handle government affairs. Zhang Zhao said to Sun Quan, "As a subject, the most important duty is to inherit our ancestors' aspirations, carry them forward, and achieve great things. Now that the world is in chaos, with bandits everywhere, how can you, as a filial and upright official, indulge in sorrow and show ordinary emotions?" Therefore, Zhang Zhao personally helped Sun Quan onto his horse, led the troops to battle, and finally stabilized the situation, providing everyone with a sense of direction. Zhang Zhao continued as Sun Quan's Chief Historian, with the same duties as before. Later, Liu Bei presented a memorial to the court recommending Sun Quan as General of Chariots and Cavalry, while Zhang Zhao became the military advisor.
Sun Quan often went hunting, riding horses and shooting tigers, with tigers frequently charging at the saddle. Zhang Zhao's face changed drastically, and he stepped forward, saying, "General, how can you do this? As a ruler, you should be able to control heroes and command talents. How can you venture into the wild to chase after ferocious beasts and compete with them in bravery? If something were to go wrong, how would people mock you?" Sun Quan apologized to Zhang Zhao, saying, "I am young and tend to think short-term, so I feel ashamed." However, he could not change this habit, so a square-shaped tiger-hunting carriage was made for him, with no cover around it. One person drove the carriage, while Sun Quan shot tigers from inside. Sometimes, they encountered fierce wild beasts that would crash into the carriage, but Sun Quan enjoyed it, playfully striking at the wild beasts with his hands for fun. Despite Zhang Zhao's persistent counsel, Sun Quan always smiled and did not respond.
In the second year of the Wei Huangchu era, the Wei kingdom sent envoy Xing Zhen to confer the title of King of Wu upon Sun Quan. Upon entering, Xing Zhen remained in his carriage. Zhang Zhao said to Xing Zhen, "Etiquette demands respect, and the law does not permit disrespect. Are you so arrogant because you think the Jiangnan region is weak and lacks the military might to intimidate you?" Xing Zhen immediately got off the carriage. Sun Quan appointed Zhang Zhao as the General of Suiyuan and titled him as the Marquis of Youquan. Sun Quan drank heavily at the Diaotai Pavilion in Wuchang. He had his attendants sprinkle water on the officials and declared, "Today's drinking will only be complete when we are all passed out under the platform." Zhang Zhao remained serious and silent before stepping outside to sit down. Sun Quan sent for Zhang Zhao to come back, saying, "We are just drinking and having fun together; why are you angry?" Zhang Zhao replied, "In the past, King Zhou of Shang built a wine pool and a meat forest, indulging in drunken revelry all night. At that time, he also thought it was very happy and did not think there was anything wrong." Sun Quan fell silent, his face showing shame, and he decided to stop drinking.
Initially, Sun Quan sought to appoint a Prime Minister, and everyone unanimously recommended Zhang Zhao for the position. Sun Quan said, "We are currently in a tumultuous time, and the responsibilities of the Prime Minister are significant. This is not a good time to favor him." Later, after Sun Shao passed away, the officials once again recommended Zhang Zhao. Sun Quan said, "Am I showing favoritism towards Zibu? The duties of the Prime Minister are heavy, and Zhang Zhao is upright. If his opinions are not accepted, it will lead to resentment, which is not a good thing." So Gu Yong was appointed as the Prime Minister.
Feeling he had attained a sufficiently high position, Zhang Zhao voluntarily relinquished his official duties and military command back to Sun Quan. Sun Quan further appointed him as the Deputy General of Wu, a position just below the Three Ministers, and changed his title to Marquis Lou, granting him a fief that supported ten thousand households. With time on his hands at home, he wrote "Commentaries on the Zuo Zhuan" and "Annotations on the Analects."
Once, Sun Quan asked Chief Minister Yan Jun, "Do you still remember the things you wrote secretly when you were a child?" Yan Jun began to recite the passage "Confucius Resides" from the "Classic of Filial Piety." Zhang Zhao said, "Yan Jun, you are so crude; let me recite for Your Majesty." Then he recited the passage "A Gentleman's Duties" from the same text. Everyone felt that Zhang Zhao's recitation was just right. Every time Zhang Zhao went to see Sun Quan, he spoke with a particularly tough attitude, firm and righteous, clear on his face. Once, he angered Sun Quan with his frank advice, and he was unable to attend court for a long time. Later, when an envoy from Shu came and boasted about how strong their country was, no court officials dared to refute him. Sun Quan sighed and said, "If Zhang Zhao were here, he would definitely not let the envoy from Shu be so arrogant. He would either put them in their place or silence them. How dare they boast like this?" The next day, Sun Quan sent someone to Zhang Zhao's house to pay a visit and wanted to see him. Zhang Zhao quickly got up to pay his respects, but Sun Quan hurriedly knelt to stop him. After Zhang Zhao sat down, he looked up and said, "In the past, the Empress Dowager and King Huan entrusted Your Majesty to me. So, I want to be loyal to the country, repay your kindness, and hope to leave behind a good reputation after I die. However, my abilities are limited, and I often go against your wishes. I thought I would be demoted or even thrown into the wilderness, but I didn't expect you to still summon me and give me the opportunity to serve by your side. But, my simple mind is always focused on serving the country until my last breath. As for changing my mind, flattering for fame and wealth, I would never stoop to that!" Sun Quan repeatedly thanked him after hearing this.
Sun Quan wanted to confer the title of King of Yan on Gongsun Yuan and sent Zhang Mi and Xu Yan to Liaodong. Zhang Zhao advised Sun Quan, saying, "Gongsun Yuan has betrayed the Wei Kingdom and is afraid of being attacked, which is why he has come seeking help from so far away. This is not his genuine intention at all. If he changes his mind and wants to show loyalty to the Wei Kingdom, our envoys will not be able to return, and it will be a laughingstock for everyone." Sun Quan was hesitant at the time, weighing his options, but Zhang Zhao's opinion was very firm. Sun Quan couldn't take it anymore, slammed the table, picked up a knife, and angrily said, "Officials of the Wu Kingdom come to the palace to see me, and when they leave the palace, they come to see you. I have shown you the greatest respect, but you have repeatedly undermined me in front of everyone. I'm really worried I might be making the wrong decision!" Zhang Zhao looked at Sun Quan and said, "I know you may not always accept my words, but I am always loyal. It was the Empress Dowager who called for me, an old minister, before she passed away. Her words of will and last wishes are still echoing in my ears!" With tears in his eyes, Sun Quan threw the knife on the ground and wept alongside Zhang Zhao. However, in the end, Zhang Mi and Xu Yan were still sent to Liaodong. Zhang Zhao, upset that his advice was ignored, feigned illness and refused to attend court. Sun Quan was very angry and ordered the door of Zhang Zhao's house to be filled with dirt. Zhang Zhao then further barricaded the door with dirt from inside. As a result, Gongsun Yuan indeed killed Zhang Mi and Xu Yan. Sun Quan made several attempts to comfort and apologize to Zhang Zhao, but Zhang Zhao still refused to get out of bed. Sun Quan even went to Zhang Zhao's house and called out to him, but Zhang Zhao claimed to be very ill. In a fit of rage, Sun Quan ordered Zhang Zhao's front door to be set ablaze in an attempt to intimidate him, but Zhang Zhao reinforced the door even more securely. Sun Quan had the fire extinguished and stood outside Zhang Zhao's house for a long time. Only when Zhang Zhao's sons helped him out did Sun Quan personally escort him back to the palace and reflect deeply on his actions. With no other choice, Zhang Zhao finally returned to court.
Zhang Zhao had a solemn appearance, exuding dignity. Sun Quan often said, "I don’t dare to speak carelessly in front of Zhang Gong." People throughout the Wu kingdom held him in great respect. He passed away at the age of eighty-one in the fifth year of the Jiahe era. He left a will, requesting to be buried in plain clothes, in a simple coffin, and to be buried in accordance with the season. Sun Quan dressed in plain mourning attire to pay his respects and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Wen Hou." His eldest son Cheng had already been appointed as a marquis, while his youngest son Xiu succeeded him in his title.
Zhang Zhao's grandson Zhang Fen, at the age of twenty, designed and constructed a massive siege engine, which was recommended to Sun Quan by Bu Zhi. Zhang Zhao was unwilling, saying, "You're still young; why would you want to throw yourself into the military?" Zhang Fen replied, "In the past, Tong Wang died in battle, Zi Qi managed A Cheng. Although I, Zhang Fen, may not have much talent, youth is no excuse." So Zhang Fen became a general, earned numerous military accolades, and eventually rose to the position of Governor of Banzhou, being titled as the Viscount of Lexiang Pavilion.
Zhongsi, who was known for his talent and scholarship since childhood, had a good relationship with Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi, and Yan Jun. Sun Quan appointed him as the Western Clerk of the General of the Valiant Cavalry, and later sent him to be the Commandant of the Western Region in Changsha. He defeated the mountain bandits and had an elite army of 15,000 men under his command. He later served as the Commandant of Ruxu, the General of Fervent Might, and was granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang, overseeing 5,000 soldiers. Zhongsi was a tall, strong, and upright man, known for his outspoken nature and keen ability to judge character. He promoted Cai Kuan from Pengcheng and Xie Jing from Nanyang, both of whom were then unknown youths, and they both became pillars of the state. Cai Kuan became the Commandant of the Guard, and Xie Jing became the Prefect of Yuzhang. When Zhuge Ke was young, everyone thought he was very talented, but Zhongsi said that the one who would bring down the Zhuge family in the future was Zhuge Ke's brother, Zhuge Dan. Zhongsi was diligent and studious, deeply engaged in a wide range of topics, and anyone with a bit of talent was willing to visit him. He passed away at the age of sixty-seven in the seventh year of Chiwu, and was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Ding. His son, Zhen, inherited his title. After Zhongsi's wife passed away, Empress Dowager Wulie, Sun Quan's mother, wanted to find him a bride from Zhuge Jin's family. Zhongsi felt hesitant because of his close ties with Zhuge Jin, but Sun Quan persuaded him, and they eventually became in-laws. They had a daughter, whom Sun Quan married to his son, Sun He. Sun Quan frequently reminded Sun He to show respect to Zhongsi and stressed the importance of proper etiquette between elders and juniors. When Zhuge Ke was killed, Zhongsi's son, Zhen, also died.
Xiu was a notable figure. When he was young, he worked with Zhuge Ke and Gu Tan around Sun Deng, teaching Sun Deng to read "Han Shu." He rose from being a junior official of the Crown Prince to the Right Deputy Commander. Once, Sun Quan went hunting and didn't return until dark. Xiu wrote a letter of advice to him, which made Sun Quan very happy. He even shared this letter with Empress Wulie. After Sun Deng's death, Xiu became a Palace Attendant, then the Commander of the Imperial Guards, in charge of military affairs for the three armies, and later was promoted to General of Yangwu. Eventually, he was falsely accused by the faction of Sun Ba, the King of Lu, and was implicated with Gu Tan and Cheng due to the controversy surrounding the battle achievements at Shaobi. Xiu and Cheng conspired with the military officer Chen Xun to falsely report their battle achievements, and as a result, they were all banished to Jiaozhou. At that time, the Imperial Secretary Sun Hong was notably treacherous, and Xiu had always disapproved of him. Sun Hong took the opportunity to falsely accuse Xiu, and Sun Quan ordered his execution. He was only forty-one years old at the time.
Gu Yong, whose courtesy name was Yuantan, was from Wu County, Wu Commandery. When Cai Bojie returned from the north and was hiding from his enemies in Wu, Gu Yong followed him to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Later, he was recommended by local officials and became the Magistrate of Hefei County before the age of twenty. He was then transferred to Lou County, Qu'a County, and Shangyu County, where he achieved notable success in governance at each location.
When Sun Quan served as the Administrator of Kuaiji, he did not take office himself but appointed Gu Yong as his deputy to fulfill the role of Administrator. Gu Yong pacified the local bandits, and public safety in Kuaiji Commandery greatly improved, gaining the support of the people. Several years later, Gu Yong was recalled to the court and appointed as the Left Sima. After Sun Quan was titled the King of Wu, Gu Yong's official positions continued to rise, successively serving as Dali, Fengchang, concurrently as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and finally granted the title of Marquis of Yangsui Xiang.
After being granted the title of marquis and returning home, his family didn't even know about it. When they found out, they were all taken aback. This shows that Gu Yong was modest, devoted to public service, and even when promoted and ennobled, he did not boast at all, which reflects his noble character.
In the year 221 AD, Zhuge Ke brought his mother to Wu. Upon her arrival, Sun Quan personally went to welcome her at the door and hosted a grand banquet attended by all civil and military officials, along with the crown prince who came to congratulate her. Zhuge Ke was someone who neither drank alcohol nor spoke much, yet always behaved appropriately. Sun Quan once exclaimed, "Mr. Zhuge doesn’t speak often, but when he does, he gets right to the point." Even at lively banquets, everyone was wary of getting drunk in front of Zhuge Ke, so they held back. Sun Quan also said, "Having Mr. Zhuge around makes people feel a bit uneasy." It is evident how much respect everyone had for him.
That year, Zhuge Ke was appointed Grand Minister, promoted to the title of Marquis of Liling, succeeded Sun Shao as Prime Minister, and also took charge of the Secretariat’s affairs. He selected civil and military officials based on their abilities and strengths, assigning positions accordingly without showing favoritism. He often secretly investigated the hardships of the people and areas in need of improvement in governance, and then quietly informed Sun Quan. If Sun Quan accepted his suggestions, he would give credit to Sun Quan; if not, he would keep it to himself. Sun Quan valued him greatly for this. However, in court, Zhuge Ke spoke gently, but his principles were unwavering.
One time, Sun Quan asked Zhang Zhao about the pros and cons, and Zhang Zhao suggested that there were too many laws and the punishments were too harsh and should be eased. Sun Quan stayed silent and turned to Zhuge Ke, asking, "What do you think?" Zhuge Ke replied, "What I’ve heard is pretty much what Zhang Zhao said." So, Sun Quan ordered the punishments to be reduced.
After some time, Lv Yi and Qin Bo were appointed as Chancellors of the imperial secretariat, tasked with reviewing documents from all levels of government. They gradually abused their power, taking advantage of their positions to accumulate wealth, under the guise of correcting criminals and investigating wrongdoing to scrutinize every detail, and using thorough investigations to frame and slander ministers, resulting in the false accusations and criticism of innocent individuals like Zhuge Ke. Later, Lv Yi's crimes were exposed, and he was imprisoned in Tingwei Prison. Zhuge Ke came to investigate the case, and when imprisoned Lv Yi saw him, Zhuge Ke remained composed and inquired about Lv Yi's confession. Before leaving, Zhuge Ke asked Lv Yi, "Do you have anything else to say?" Lv Yi bowed his head in silence. At that time, the imperial secretary Huai Xu personally insulted Lv Yi, and Zhuge Ke reprimanded Huai Xu, saying, "Officials should act according to the law, how can you behave like this!"
Zhuge Jin passed away in the nineteenth year of his tenure as prime minister, at the age of seventy-six, in the sixth year of Chiwu. He initially fell ill, and Sun Quan sent the doctor Zhao Quan to treat him, even specially appointing his youngest son Zhuge Ji as a cavalry officer. Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jin sorrowfully said, "Zhao Quan is very good at determining life and death; I definitely won't survive. The emperor wants me to see my son being appointed before I die." Sun Quan went to offer condolences in plain clothes and posthumously awarded Zhuge Jin the title of Marquis of Su. Zhuge Jin's eldest son, Zhuge Shao, had died young; his second son Zhuge Yu was in poor health, leaving only his youngest son Zhuge Ji to inherit the title, but unfortunately, Zhuge Ji had no heirs, leading to the end of the title. In the first year of Yong'an, Sun Quan issued a decree saying, "The late prime minister Zhuge Jin, with noble character, loyalty, and talent, assisted the country and prioritized rituals, but his title was lost; I deeply regret this! Let Zhuge Jin's second son Zhuge Yu inherit the title, becoming the Marquis of Liling, to recognize the contributions of the Zhuge family."
Zhuge Shao, courtesy name Xiaozhe, was well-read and knowledgeable, enjoying discussions on ethics and morality. He was renowned alongside his contemporaries, including Lu Xun, Zhang Dun, and Bu Jing, and was considered superior to them. People from all over the country came to visit him; some left after discussing matters, while others formed deep friendships with him before departing. His reputation spread far and wide, and people near and far praised him highly. Sun Quan married him to his daughter. At the age of twenty-seven, Zhuge Shao was appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhang. Upon taking office, he first paid respects at the esteemed Xu Ruzi's tomb and treated Xu Ruzi's descendants well. He also forbade immoral and improper sacrificial practices. He encouraged talented subordinates to study and promoted those who excelled to higher positions, improving the overall moral climate. Ding Xu from Qiantang, Zhang Bing from Yangxian, Wu Can from Wucheng, and Yin Li from Yunyang were all of humble origins, but Zhuge Shao promoted and befriended them, helping them gain recognition. When Zhang Bing's father passed away, Zhuge Shao personally mourned with him. While on his way to Yuzhang for his new position, Zhuge Shao passed by Zhang Bing's home and learned that Zhang Bing was seriously ill. Despite having over a hundred guests waiting for him, Zhuge Shao bid them farewell, saying, "Zhang Zhongjie is seriously ill and cannot bid me farewell. I regret that I cannot see him. I must go and say goodbye to him. Please wait a moment." He genuinely cared for his subordinates and consistently performed good deeds. Ding Xu later became the General of the Army, Zhang Bing became the Prefect of Yunyang, Yin Li became the Prefect of Lingling, and Wu Can became the Tutor of the Crown Prince. People believed that Zhuge Shao had a keen eye for talent. After serving as Prefect of Yuzhang for five years, Zhuge Shao passed away, leaving behind two sons, Zhuge Tan and Zhuge Chengyun.
Tan Zimo, when he was young, was called one of the "Four Friends" by the Crown Prince along with Zhuge Ke. He rose from Central's illegitimate son to Deputy Commandant. During the reign of Chiwu, he replaced Zhuge Ke as Left General. When handling official business, he never used counting rods for calculations, but simply calculated in his mind, able to find all the mistakes and omissions. The officials under his command all respected him. Later, he was promoted to Attendant Charioteer. Xue Zong served as the Minister of Selections, who strongly recommended Tan, saying, "Mr. Tan is meticulous in his thinking, is well-versed in reasoning, has outstanding abilities, and his virtue is recognized by everyone. It is truly beyond my foolish self to surpass him." Later, Tan replaced Xue Zong. A few months after his grandfather Yong passed away, Tan was appointed as the Minister of Ceremonies, while concurrently serving as the Acting Minister of Yongping. At that time, Prince Lu Ba was highly favored and had a good relationship with the Crown Prince. Tan wrote a memorial to the Emperor, saying, "I have heard that a country or a family must clearly define the etiquette of hierarchy, so that there is a distinction in status, clear hierarchy, in order to enhance family affection and eliminate covetousness. In the past, Jia Yi stated in his strategies for securing the country that the strength of the vassals was analyzed, believing that those with powerful forces, even if they were relatives, could bring disaster; those with weak forces, even if distant relatives, could preserve the family. Therefore, although Prince Huainan was the Emperor's own younger brother, he could not maintain his fiefdom due to his overwhelming power; while Wu Rui, a distant subject, could inherit the title of Prince of Changsha because his power was weak. Emperor Wen of Han once had Lady Shen and the Empress sit together, Yuan Ang asked Lady Shen to leave her seat, Emperor Wen was angry at the time, but when Yuan Ang explained the etiquette of hierarchy and warned with the case of Empress Lu killing Lady Qi, Emperor Wen was pleased, and Lady Shen also understood the reason. My words are not meant to favor either side; I just hope to appease the Crown Prince and also reassure Prince Lu." Because of this incident, Prince Lu Ba developed a rift with Tan.
Quan Ji, the son-in-law of Princess Chang and son of General Wei Quan Cong, was a guest of King Lu Ba. Quan Ji was treacherous, and Tan Xiang had always looked down on him. Before this, Tan's brother Tan Cheng and Zhang Xiu went north together to campaign against Shou Chun. Quan Cong was the Grand Commander at the time, and he fought against Wei General Wang Ling at Shao Bi. The battle was going poorly, and the Wei army took advantage of their victory to attack, capturing General Qin Huang's army from the Five Camps. Zhang Xiu and Tan Cheng mounted a vigorous counterattack to halt the Wei army's advance. At that time, Quan Cong's sons Quan Xu and Quan Duan were also serving as generals in the army. They launched an attack while the Wei army was halted and managed to drive them back. When it was time to reward their achievements, they believed that preventing the Wei army's advance was a greater accomplishment than driving them back, so Zhang Xiu and Tan Cheng were only appointed as minor generals, while Quan Xu and Quan Duan received minor official positions. Consequently, Quan Ji and his son harbored even greater resentment towards Tan and plotted against him. Tan was exiled to Jiaozhou, where he was imprisoned. In his anger, he wrote twenty essays titled "New Words," one of which, "Knowing Difficulties," was likely a work of self-pity. He spent two years in exile before dying in Jiaozhi at the age of forty-two.
His courtesy name was Zizhi, and he was the grandson of Sun Quan. During the Jiahe era, he and his uncle Lu Mao were summoned by the imperial court. Sun Quan even wrote a letter to the chancellor stating, "My grandson Zizhi is polite and respectful. When I saw him, he was even better than what I had heard before, which brings me great joy." Later, he was appointed as the Cavalry Commander, overseeing the Imperial Guard. He then served as the Commander of the Western District of Wu, and alongside Zhuge Ke and others, he pacified the Shanyue tribes, returning with eight thousand elite soldiers to garrison at Zhangkeng. He was appointed as General of Zhao Yi and later entered the court as an attendant. During the battle of Shaobi, he was appointed as General of Fendou and served as the Capital Supervisor. Several years later, he and his brother Sun Tan, Zhang Xiu, and others were transferred to Jiaozhou, where he passed away at the age of thirty-seven.
Zhuge Jin, also known by his courtesy name Ziyu, was from Yangdu in Langya. During the late Han Dynasty, he went to Jiangdong to escape the chaos of war. After the death of Sun Ce, Sun Quan's brother-in-law, Hong Zi from Qu'a, recognized Zhuge Jin as a remarkable individual and recommended him to Sun Quan. Sun Quan, along with Lu Su and others, welcomed him with high regard. Zhuge Jin later served as the Chief Minister under Sun Quan and was subsequently promoted to Central Commandant. In the twentieth year of the Jian'an era, Sun Quan sent Zhuge Jin to Shu to strengthen ties with Liu Bei. He met with Liu Bei and Liu Qi, his brother, but they did not meet privately afterward.
Zhuge Jin offered advice to Sun Quan, never speaking bluntly; instead, he expressed his thoughts tactfully. He would briefly mention his ideas, and if Sun Quan disagreed, he would change the topic and later approach the subject from a different angle, using metaphors to explain his views. This often helped to diffuse Sun Quan's anger. Zhu Zhi, the Governor of Wu County, was promoted by Sun Quan and held in high regard. However, when Zhu Zhi made a mistake, Sun Quan found it difficult to reprimand his subordinate. Zhuge Jin sensed Sun Quan's frustration and, not daring to speak directly, privately inquired about Sun Quan's thoughts. He then wrote an article discussing general principles while subtly conveying his own thoughts. After presenting it to Sun Quan, he was pleased and said, "I've come to understand. Yan Hui's morality has a way of bringing people closer together, surprisingly." Sun Quan once angrily rebuked the Commandant Yin Mo on serious charges. Many people pleaded for Yin Mo, further angering Sun Quan. Only Zhuge Jin remained silent. When asked why he did not speak, Zhuge Jin replied, "I, like Yin Mo, have experienced the tragedy of my hometown being destroyed and loved ones being killed. We abandoned our graves, lived in hardship with the elderly and children in the wilderness, and later sought refuge with the emperor, surviving by his grace. I haven't lived up to my own responsibilities, much less urge him to serve the country faithfully, which led to his betrayal of your trust and committing a grave error. I'm ashamed to face you, much less say anything." Sun Quan was touched by this and said, "Let's pardon him."
Next, he participated in the campaign against the forces of Guan Yu and was granted the title of Marquis of Xuancheng. Later, he took over from Lu Meng as the Administrator of Nanjun, stationed in Gong'an. When Liu Bei launched his eastern campaign against Wu, Sun Quan wanted to negotiate with him. Lu Xun wrote a letter to Sun Quan, saying: "I heard that Liu Bei's army has already reached Baidi City. You may be worried that the ministers will accuse you of invading Jingzhou and killing Guan Yu, leading to deep resentment and great calamity. Therefore, it is unwise to negotiate with Liu Bei. This is a shortsighted view that overlooks long-term strategies! Allow me to help you assess the priorities and the gravity of the situation. If you can suppress your anger and consider my advice, you can swiftly arrive at a decision without needing to consult other ministers. Consider the relationship between Guan Yu and the late emperor. Which holds greater importance, Jingzhou or the entire realm? Both deserve vengeance, but which should take precedence? If you carefully consider these points, you can easily make a decision." At that time, it was rumored that Lu Xun had secretly reached out to Liu Bei through his family. Sun Quan said: "Ziyu (Lu Xun's courtesy name) and I have sworn an oath of loyalty to one another. He will not betray me, just as I will not betray him." In the first year of Huangwu, Lu Xun was promoted to Left General, overseeing Gong'an, granted a ceremonial baton, and appointed as the Marquis of Wanling. Because of his proud and forthright nature, Yu Fan was exiled, but Lu Xun pleaded for him several times. In a letter to his family, Yu Fan wrote: "Zhuge Liang is known for his integrity and kindness, blessed by heaven, praised by many, and able to protect himself. As for me, with grave transgressions and having offended the powerful, even if someone like Qihuang Yang intercedes on my behalf, I do not have the virtues of Yang She, making it challenging for me to obtain clemency." "Zhuge is honest and kind, protected by heaven, praised by all, and able to maintain his integrity. With accumulated sins and heavy suspicions, even with the help of an elder like Qihuang, without the virtues of Yang She, it is unlikely that I will receive a pardon."
Jin is handsome and cultured, and people at that time all thought highly of him. Sun Quan valued him greatly and consulted him on important matters. Sun Quan even privately asked Zhuge Jin, "I recently received a letter from Boyan (Zhuge Liang) stating that Cao Pi has died, the people have been harmed, and the situation will quickly settle down like a flag in tatters. It is said that Cao Rui is now using loyal ministers, reducing punishments, showing favor, and reducing taxes and labor duties to please the people. But this is even more dangerous than during Cao Cao's reign. I disagree. Cao Cao's actions, aside from his excessive killings and sowing discord among family, were indeed cruel. But he was able to command generals, which few people have been able to do throughout history. Cao Pi was significantly inferior to Cao Cao, and Cao Rui is even less capable than Cao Pi. Cao Rui's push for small favors and kindness is because his father just died, and he senses his authority waning, fearing that the suffering people will suddenly revolt. So he endures humiliation to win over the people, hoping to secure his position. This hardly signals prosperity! It is said that he is promoting Chen Changwen, Cao Zidan, and others. Some are mere scholars, and some are just relatives of the imperial family. How can they control the talented and strategic generals to dominate the world? If power is not concentrated, things will go wrong, just like Zhang Er and Chen Yu in the past. They were not at odds, but once they held power, they killed each other, which is the inevitable law of development. Furthermore, Chen Changwen and others were able to do good things in the past because Cao Cao strictly controlled them out of fear of his authority, so they worked diligently and did not dare to do bad things. When Cao Pi succeeded, he was already old, inherited Cao Cao's legacy, and used favors to influence them, so they were loyal. Now Cao Rui is young and easily manipulated. Individuals like Chen Changwen and Cao Zidan will exploit this situation, conniving and flattering each other, attaching themselves to the powerful. If this continues, villains will rise, scheming against each other, ultimately leading to disunity and moral decay. Once this happens, courtiers will fight for power and profit, and the young and incompetent emperor will quickly lead the country to ruin. From ancient times to the present, has there ever been a time when four or five people held power without infighting? The strong oppress the weak, and the weak seek outside help, which leads to the downfall of the nation! Ziyu (Zhuge Jin), pay close attention, Boyan is always good at strategy, but he may not have fully considered this issue.
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Sun Quan's remarks analyzed the potential crisis within the Cao Wei political landscape, pointing out that Cao Rui's governance strategy of offering "small favors and benefits" actually concealed its internal weaknesses and the pitfalls of power fragmentation, ultimately resulting in corrupt officials taking control and the country heading toward decline. He believed that while Cao Cao was ruthless, his considerable personal prestige and military might were crucial for maintaining political stability. In contrast, Cao Pi and Cao Rui lacked such qualities, which would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Wei state. Sun Quan's comments also showcased his sharp insight into the current situation and his exceptional political strategy. He seized this opportunity to elaborate on his strategic thinking to Zhuge Jin, establishing a crucial theoretical foundation for future confrontations with the Wei state.
Sun Quan gave him a high rank, appointing him as Grand General and Left Commander, also in charge of the affairs of Yuzhou. Later, Lv Yi was killed, and Sun Quan issued an edict to discuss matters with Zhuge Jin. The specific content can be found in "Biography of Sun Quan." Zhuge Jin always replied seriously according to the situation, speaking logically and with solid evidence. Zhuge Jin's son, Zhuge Ke, was a famous figure at that time, and Sun Quan held him in high regard; however, Zhuge Jin was always worried about him, feeling that he was not someone who could uphold the family legacy, and often felt anxious about it. In the fourth year of Chiwu, Zhuge Jin passed away at the age of sixty-eight. Before his death, he instructed that the simplest coffin be used, and to wear ordinary clothes for burial, keeping it simple. At that time, Zhuge Ke had already been appointed as a marquis, so his brother Zhuge Rong inherited the title, stationed in Gong'an, and commanded the troops. His soldiers and officials were very supportive of him. The border was tranquil, so in autumn and winter, they organized hunting and military exercises, while in spring and summer, they hosted large gatherings for guests, giving soldiers time off. Some guests even traveled from afar. At each gathering, Zhuge Rong would ask each guest about their talents, then encouraged them to drink and chat together, competing with each other, playing chess, dice, archery, pot throwing, and various entertainment activities were organized in a well-structured manner. Fruits and snacks were constantly served, and fine wine was slowly consumed. Zhuge Rong strolled around, reveling in the festivities all day. His brother and father were very simple; even in the military camp, their attire was very plain; but Zhuge Rong wore lavish clothing, completely different from them. After Sun Quan's death, Zhuge Rong was appointed as General of Fenwei. Later, Zhuge Ke campaigned against Huainan and ordered Zhuge Rong to lead the troops to the Mian River, battling the western forces, granting him temporary command. After Zhuge Ke was killed, Sun Quan sent Wu Nan to arrest Zhuge Rong along with Shi Ji, Sun Yi, Quan Xi, and other generals. When Zhuge Rong heard that the army was coming, he was so terrified that he couldn't decide what to do. When the army surrounded the city, he drank poison and took his own life, and his three sons were also executed.
Bu Zhi, also known as Zishan, was from Huaiyin. During a time of great turmoil, he fled to Jiangdong alone, in dire poverty. He met Wei Jing, a fellow Guangling native, that same year. The two of them cultivated melons together to survive, working hard during the day and studying at night. In Kuaiji, there was a man named Jiao Zhengqiang, a member of a local powerful family who was tyrannical and overbearing, often bullying the people. Zhu Zhi and his friend Jing wanted to make a living in his territory but feared his bullying. So they gathered some melons and fruits to pay a visit to Jiao Zhengqiang. At that time, Jiao Zhengqiang was inside, asleep. They waited quite a while. Jing wanted to give up and leave, but Zhu Zhi held him back, saying, "We came here because we were afraid of his power. If we leave now, will we look impressive? We will only create resentment!" Eventually, Jiao Zhengqiang opened the window and spotted them. He ducked behind his desk and arranged seats in the tent, allowing Zhu Zhi and Jing to sit outside. Jing felt humiliated, while Zhu Zhi stayed composed. Jiao Zhengqiang cooked a meal and sat at the large table to eat, with an array of lavish dishes, but only offered Zhu Zhi and Jing a meager plate of plain vegetables. Jing lost his appetite, but Zhu Zhi finished his meal before they took their leave. Jing angrily asked Zhu Zhi, "How can you put up with this?" Zhu Zhi replied, "We are poor to begin with. It's only to be expected for the host to treat us poorly. There's no shame in that."
Sun Quan appointed Zhu Zhi as the chief scribe of the General Against Bandits, and also appointed him as the magistrate of Haiyan County. Later, he recalled him and appointed him as the Cavalry General and Eastern Clerk. In the fifteenth year of Jian'an, he was sent to serve as the Prefect of Poyang. In the same year, he was reassigned as the Governor of Jiaozhou and appointed as the General of the Standing Martial Forces, commanding a thousand troops, and directly heading south for his new post. The following year, he was posthumously honored as the Commissioner-in-chief and General of the Southern Campaign. Wu Ju, the Prefect of Cangwu appointed by Liu Biao, secretly harbored rebellious intentions, appearing to submit while actually opposing. Zhu Zhi devised a plan to lure him into surrendering, requested to meet with him, and then had him executed to demonstrate his power, greatly shocking others. The brothers Shi Xie all surrendered, and the southern warlords began to submit. Prominent families in Yizhou, including Yong Kai, killed Zheng Ang, the Prefect designated by Shu Han, and made contact with Shi Xie, intending to surrender to Eastern Wu. Zhu Zhi was ordered to send envoys to convey goodwill, pacify, and accept them. Therefore, Zhu Zhi was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Frontier and appointed as Marquis of Guangxin.
In the first year of Yankang, Sun Quan sent Lv Dai to replace Zhu Zhi, while Zhu Zhi led ten thousand loyalists from Jiaozhou to Changsha. As Liu Bei was advancing eastward, the tribes in Wuling were also becoming restless, so Sun Quan ordered Zhu Zhi to go to Yiyang. After Liu Bei's defeat, the counties of Lingling and Guiyang were still in turmoil, with forces obstructing the army at every turn; Zhu Zhi traveled extensively to quell the rebellions, ultimately bringing them to peace. In the second year of Huangwu, he was promoted to Right General and Left Guard of the Army, and his title was changed to Marquis of Linxiang. In the fifth year, he was granted temporary command and transferred to garrison at Okou.
Sun Quan bestowed upon him an honorific title, appointed him as the Governor of Jizhou, and sent him to Xiling as the Governor, replacing Lu Xun to oversee the two regions there. However, because Jizhou was under the control of Shu, Sun Quan later relieved him of his duties as Governor of Jizhou. At that time, Sun Quan's eldest son Sun Deng lived in Wuchang. He was a kind-hearted person who appreciated talent and wrote to Zhuge Ke, stating, "Talented individuals are meant to foster education, assist in governing the state, and manage significant affairs. Some individuals are inherently slow-witted and fail to grasp principles and patterns. Although they aspire to do good and embody the qualities of a gentleman, they often do not consider things thoroughly in terms of the priority of matters and how to navigate them. The Book of Documents says, 'Caring for others requires effort, doesn't it? To be loyal to others, how can one not teach?' Isn't that the essence of it? Isn't this what we expect from a gentleman?"
Zhuge Ke carefully investigated the achievements and shortcomings of eleven individuals working in the Jingzhou area at that time, such as Zhuge Jin, Lu Xun, Zhu Ran, Cheng Pu, Pan Jun, Pei Xuan, Xiahou Cheng, Wei Jing, Li Su, Zhou Tiao, and Shi Gan. He then submitted a memorial recommending them to Sun Deng and encouraged him to employ them. In his memorial, he said: "It is said that a monarch should not concern themselves with trivial matters; officials and department heads should each fulfill their duties. Therefore, when Emperor Shun appointed nine virtuous ministers, he no longer had to worry and could play the five-stringed zither and recite poems from 'South Wind' without having to attend court sessions or temples, and the world was governed in an orderly manner. Duke Huan of Qi employed Guan Zhong, and even when he traveled in a car with disheveled hair, the state of Qi was well governed and was able to command the vassal states. Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was able to gather Zhang Liang, Xiao He, and Han Xin, three outstanding talents, and thus established his dynasty; while Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, lost these exceptional talents, which ultimately led to his downfall. Jia An assisted the emperor in the court, and Prince Liu Zhang of Huainan dared to plot rebellion; Zhi Du guarded the border, and the Xiongnu were forced to hide and dared not act recklessly. Therefore, where virtuous individuals are present, they can resist external threats, defend the country's thousands of miles of territory, and indeed are the country's greatest assets, and the rise and fall of the country depend on them. Currently, Wang Hua of Sun Wu has not yet reached the northern region of Han, and there are still signs of rebellion and disorder in the Yellow River and Luoyang areas. Now is the time to identify heroes and employ talented individuals! I hope His Highness the Crown Prince will recognize these talents, as it would greatly benefit the realm!"
Lu Yi, this guy, works in the provincial government, working as a proofreader. He's incredibly meticulous and nitpicky, always reporting small mistakes and quick to accuse others, trying to establish his authority! He’s so good at complaining that many people have been wronged and punished severely. The common people feel at risk to speak up; everyone is on edge—who wouldn't be afraid? In the past, the officials handling cases were all talented individuals, like Gao Tao, and there were stories of Lü Hou redeeming his mistakes. When Zhang Tang and Yu Dingguo were judges, the common people didn’t suffer from injustices, and the country thrived in peace. Nowadays, these lower officials are completely different from before, handling cases for bribes, disregarding human lives, and shifting the blame onto the emperor. Isn't this just inviting resentment towards the country? When one person is wronged and unjustly treated, the emperor's morality is damaged, and that’s really frustrating! A wise monarch should be cautious in using punishment, as history shows wise rulers have always done this, as the texts say! In the future, when handling cases, seek the opinions of Gu Yong in the capital, and Lu Xun and Pan Jun in Wuchang, to make sure everything is fair and just, and to get to the bottom of things—even if someone suffers, they will have peace of mind.
He continued: "The emperor represents heaven, the empress represents earth, and the palace and its officials are like the stars in the sky. If governance can align with the will of heaven, selecting suitable officials, then yin and yang will harmonize, and the sun, moon, and stars will follow their natural course. But now, there are many vacant positions, and even when there are ministers, the emperor doesn’t trust them. How can there be no change between heaven and earth? That’s why we’ve seen droughts lately, as a sign from the heavens. Also, in the sixth year of Jiahe, on the fourteenth day of the fifth month, and in the second year of Chiwu, on the first and twenty-seventh days of the first month, there were earthquakes. The earth is yin, and officials are also yin. When yin energy is strong, earthquakes happen, all due to the officials misusing their power! When anomalies occur in heaven and earth, it is to warn the emperor; shouldn’t the emperor think carefully about what’s causing all this?"
Sun Quan said again: "Prime Minister Gu Yong, Grand General Lu Xun, and Minister of Ceremonies Pan Jun, these three individuals have a great responsibility to worry about the country and the people. They wholeheartedly serve the country, toil day and night, have been unable to eat or sleep well, and only think about how to stabilize the country, benefit the people, and plan for the long-term peace and prosperity of the country. They are truly the pillars of the country! We should trust them fully, not let other officials monitor their work, just look at their work results, and assess their responsibilities. If these three ministers happen to overlook some issues, that's understandable; how could they dare to abuse their power and oppress the people?"
Sun Quan continued: "Establish rewards to commend good deeds, set penalties to deter bad behavior, appoint talented individuals, strictly enforce laws and regulations—what can't we accomplish? What problems can't be solved? What voices can't be heard? What issues can't be seen? If every county magistrate can select suitable individuals and work together to govern the country, wouldn't the country prosper? I've heard there are too many unnecessary officials in every county; having too many officials burdens the common people, and customs have deteriorated as a result. These unscrupulous officials rely on their official positions to abuse their power and neglect their duties, causing trouble for the common people. I think we should get rid of all these unnecessary officials." Sun Quan found this reasoning compelling, so he killed Lv Yi. Zhuge Ke had recommended talents many times before, helping those who were wronged, solving their difficulties, and submitting petitions dozens of times. Although Sun Quan could not adopt all of them, he often accepted his suggestions and benefited greatly from them.
In the ninth year of the Chiwu era, Zhuge Ke succeeded Lu Xun as Prime Minister. He continued to teach students as before, never without a book in hand, dressed and living like a Confucian scholar. However, his wives and concubines at home dressed in extravagant attire, which drew considerable criticism. He spent twenty years living in Xiling, and neighboring countries respected his reputation. He was generous and well-liked, maintaining a calm demeanor, but the areas under his jurisdiction were well-organized.
Ten years later, he passed away, and his son Xie later passed away, inheriting his title and also being appointed as General of the Guard. Xie's brother Chan succeeded him as Governor of Xiling and was appointed General of Zealous Martial Might and Marquis of Xiting. In the first year of the Fenghuang era, he was summoned back to the court to serve as Supervisor of the Imperial Guards. After having spent generations in Xiling, Chan felt he had not adequately fulfilled his duties and feared gossip, so he decided to surrender to the Jin Dynasty. He sent his son Ji and brother Xuan to Luoyang to assume their posts. The Jin Dynasty appointed Chan as the Commander of all military affairs in Xiling, Guard General, and Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, temporarily acting as Governor of Jiaozhou and titled Duke of Yidu; Ji was appointed as Supervisor of all military affairs in Jiangling, Left General, and was titled Cavalier in Regular Attendance, serving as Prefect of Luling and titled Marquis of Jiangling; Xuan was appointed as Palace Attendant and General of Proclamation, titled Marquis of Duxiang. The Jin Dynasty also dispatched General Yang Hu of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector Yang Zhao of Jingzhou to aid Chan. Sun Hao sent Lu Kang with troops to advance west, which caused Yang Hu and his men to flee in fear. Lu Kang captured the city, killed Chan and others, nearly annihilating the Bu family, with only Xuan permitted to continue the ancestral worship.
Zhou Zhao wrote a book, praising Bu Zhi, Yan Jun, and others, stating that so many wise and virtuous individuals throughout history have ultimately ended up in ruin, the ruin of their families and the downfall of their nations. The reasons are not singular, but ultimately, the main problems are just four: rashly expressing opinions; pursuing fame and fortune; forming cliques; and being impatient for success. Rashly expressing opinions can hurt others; pursuing fame and fortune can damage friendships; forming cliques can deceive the ruler; and being impatient for success can lead to a loss of virtue. If these four faults are not corrected, no one can accomplish anything significant. Nowadays, there are also many people who can achieve this; it's not just the ancients who can do this! But to truly achieve perfection, no one surpasses Gu Yong, Zhuge Liang, Bu Zhi, Yan Jun, and Zhang Xiu.
The Analects says, "The Master was mild and yet stern; he was good at leading people," and also states, "He was good at bringing out the good in people, not the evil." Gu Yong exemplified this. The Analects further states, "He looks dignified, yet is gentle; listens to his words, yet is stern," and Zhuge Liang fits this description. The Analects also mentions, "Respectful and calm, imposing but not fierce," and Bu Zhi achieved this. Yan Jun and Zhang Xiu do not seek fame and fortune; they have no thoughts of seeking petty advantages. These five individuals, although their moral levels vary, their importance varies as well; they all managed to avoid these four faults, which is a common trait among them.
In the past, Ding Yi came from a humble background, and I, Zhou Zhao, also came from a humble background. Gu Yong promoted them, allowing them to be on par with Lu Xun and Quan Cong, so there were no complaints, and the social atmosphere improved. Zhuge Liang, Bu Zhi, and Yan Jun were all commoners in their youth; they were close friends, yet opinions about them varied. At first, people mentioned Yan Jun first, then Bu Zhi, and finally Zhuge Liang; later, they all assisted wise rulers and handled political affairs. Their positions and experiences were different; in terms of seniority, their order should reflect the reverse of their initial standings, which reflects society's judgment of merit. However, the three of them had a deep friendship and never encountered any problems; this is what true friendship looked like in ancient times!
Lu Kang once led tens of thousands of troops and was stationed at Luku Pass, which was a remarkable achievement at the time. Who wouldn't want to do that? However, after Lu Kang's death, Yan Jun was recommended to take over his position, but he believed he lacked the ability and firmly declined, ultimately not accepting it. Later, he rose to the rank of Nine Columns and oversaw eight positions, but he felt that these honors and wealth were not sufficient for him to boast, and his salary was not enough for his expenses. Zhuge Liang and Bu Zhi both attained the rank of general, with immense power and wealth. Yan Jun was free of greed, and neither Zhuge Liang nor Bu Zhi recommended him. They all stuck to their own aspirations and maintained their reputation. Confucius stated, "A gentleman is dignified yet not quarrelsome, sociable yet not partisan." These three truly achieved that. Zhang Xiu's reputation was on par with those three. He served as a regional general, with a position similar to Zhuge Liang and Bu Zhi. However, there were distinctions in their achievements, which reflected in their titles. Zhang Xiu, in his position, clearly understood his abilities, had no ulterior motives, did not seek fame and fortune, followed etiquette at court, spoke cautiously, and was loyal. Even the emperor's relatives were worried about his failure; even the lowly Cai Wenji praised his talent. He married the prince's consort but demonstrated a deep concern for the welfare of the people, showing great concern for the country and the people. He could foresee the outcomes of various matters, embodying the wisdom and virtue of a true gentleman. When it comes to governing the country, leading troops in battle, and establishing achievements in a short period of time, these five individuals all accomplished this. However, what is even more commendable is that they always adhered to their moral principles, did not seek fame and fortune, and regardless of promotion or demotion, they were able to maintain their reputation, transcending the ordinary and truly deserving of emulation by future generations. Thus, I have summarized their deeds as a reference for future gentlemen. Zhou Zhao, style name Gongyuan, together with Wei Yao, Xue Ying, and Hua Ji wrote the Wu Book. Later, he became a Middle Official, but was imprisoned for committing a crime. Hua Ji pleaded for him, but Sun Xiu did not agree, and he died.
It is said that people view Zhang Zhao as follows: he assisted the court following the late emperor's wishes, made many contributions, was known for his loyalty and integrity, and never sought personal gain in his words and actions. However, he was strict and intimidating; also a bit aloof and proud. Therefore, he did not achieve the ranks of prime minister or grand tutor, and lived a relaxed life among the common folk, enjoying his later years. This shows that power doesn't always win over people's hearts.
As for Gu Yong, he drew on his past merits and experience and was skilled at employing strategies, which is why he eventually obtained a high official position. Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi earned respect for their noble character and disciplined approach. The brothers Zhang Cheng and Gu Shao were eager to learn from their elders and loved connecting with talented individuals. Zhou Zhao held them in high regard, so it is detailed here.
Tan Xian was upright and loyal. The brothers Xiu and Cheng were both committed to doing good. Unfortunately, because of their strong feelings of love and hate, they criticized each other, and this contentious atmosphere even spread to the southern regions, which is really unfortunate!
