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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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Deng Zhi, styled Bo Miao, was a native of Yiyang Xinye and was a descendant of Yu, the Minister of the Han Dynasty. In the late Han Dynasty, he went to the Shu area and initially went unnoticed, remaining in obscurity. At that time, Zhang Yu, an official in Yizhou, was very good at judging people, so Deng Zhi sought him out. Zhang Yu told Deng Zhi, "You will live past seventy and rise to the rank of Grand General, and even be granted a marquis title." Deng Zhi learned that Pang Xi, the Prefect of Ba Xi, was keen on recruiting talent, so he went to join him.

Later, when Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, Deng Zhi was appointed as the supervisor of the official residence in Pixian, overseeing the residence. During Liu Bei's visit to Pixian, he had a conversation with Deng Zhi and was greatly impressed by his abilities, immediately promoting him to be the Magistrate of Pixian, later promoting him to Prefect of Guanghan. He was known for his integrity and strictness in various places, achieving notable results. Eventually, he was recalled to the imperial court, where he was appointed as a Minister.

Liu Bei died in Yong'an. Prior to this, Sun Quan sought to establish peace with Shu, and Liu Bei repeatedly sent Song Wei, Fei Yi, and others to respond to him. Zhuge Liang was deeply concerned that if Sun Quan learned of Liu Bei's death, he might reconsider, leaving them uncertain of how to proceed. Deng Zhi said to Zhuge Liang, "The Emperor is still young and has just ascended the throne. We should send a capable envoy to reaffirm our friendly relations with Sun Quan." Zhuge Liang replied, "I have been contemplating this for some time and have yet to find a suitable candidate. Finally, today I have found the right person." Deng Zhi asked who it was, and Zhuge Liang said, "It's you." Thus, Deng Zhi was dispatched to restore relations with Sun Quan.

Sun Quan was indeed a little hesitant, not wanting to see Deng Zhi. Deng Zhi took the initiative to request an audience with Sun Quan, saying, "I have come not just for Wu, but also for Shu." Sun Quan then received him and said to Deng Zhi, "I do want to form an alliance with Shu, but I am worried that the young emperor of Shu, with a small and weak country, will be taken advantage of by Wei, and we won't be able to protect ourselves, hence my hesitation." Deng Zhi replied, "Together, Wu and Shu have the land of four provinces. You are the rightful ruler appointed by heaven, and Zhuge Liang is an outstanding figure of the time. Shu has steep terrain as a barrier, and Wu has the Three Rivers as a natural defense. By combining these advantages, like lips and teeth that rely on each other, we can conquer the world when attacking and maintain balance when defending. This is a natural course of action. If you were to join Wei now, they would surely demand your visit to their capital and ask for your crown prince as a hostage. If you refuse, Wei would claim Shu's rebellion and attack you, prompting Shu to attack in return, which would mean you would lose control of the Jiangnan region." Sun Quan remained silent for a long time and said, "You are right." He then cut ties with Wei and formed an alliance with Shu, sending Zhang Wen to visit Shu. Shu later sent Deng Zhi again, and Sun Quan said to him, "If peace reigns in the world, our two states can each govern themselves. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Deng Zhi replied, "There can't be two suns in the sky or two kings on the land. If we first defeat Wei before discussing this, Your Excellency, you have not truly understood the will of heaven! Let everyone fulfill their duties and loyalty. If we’re going to make a big show of going to war, then we’ve really only just started!" Sun Quan laughed heartily and said, "Your sincerity is really impressive!" Sun Quan also wrote a letter to Zhuge Liang, saying, "Those who brag and plot won’t get anywhere in the end; only Deng Zhi can help us find peace between our two states."

Later on, Zhuge Liang stationed in Hanzhong and appointed Deng Zhi as the Central General and General of the Rising Valor. After Zhuge Liang's death, Deng Zhi was promoted to Chief Military Advisor, Chief General, and concurrently the Governor of Yanzhou, and was titled the Marquis of Yangwu. Soon after, he was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. Sun Quan often corresponded with Deng Zhi and presented him with many valuable gifts. In the sixth year of the Yanxi era, Deng Zhi was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and later given the authority of a temporary command. In the eleventh year of the Yanxi era, a local officer in Fuling killed the Commandant and rebelled; Deng Zhi led the army to suppress the rebellion and executed the rebel leader on the spot, allowing the people to return to a peaceful and prosperous life. Deng Zhi passed away in the fourteenth year of the Yanxi era.

Zhuge Zhan served as a general for over twenty years, with a clear system of rewards and punishments, and a great care for his soldiers. He relied on the government salary for his own food and clothing, leading a simple life, never seeking luxury. However, in the end, he did not accumulate any wealth, and his wife and children often went hungry and cold. Upon his death, he left no money behind. He had a straightforward and upright personality, not being politically savvy, which made it hard for him to connect with scholars. At that time, few people respected him, except for Jiang Wei, who held him in high regard. His son, Zhuge Xu, inherited his title and during the Jingyao era, became a Left Ministerial Official, and later served as the Governor of Guanghan during the Jin Dynasty.

Zhang Yi, courtesy name Bogong, was from Wuyang in Jianwei. His great-grandfather, Zhang Hao, held the title of Sikong, and his grandfather, Zhang Gang, was the Prefect of Guangling, both of whom were famous figures. During Liu Bei's campaign to pacify Yizhou, he served as its Governor, with Zhang Yi serving as his scribe. During the Jian'an period, he was recommended for his filial piety and integrity, becoming the magistrate of Jiangyang County. He was later transferred to Fuling as magistrate, and then promoted to the Taishou of Zitong, gradually advancing to become the Taishou of Guanghan and Shu County. In the ninth year of Jianxing, he was appointed as the commander of Laijiang and General of Suinan. Zhang Yi strictly adhered to the law and regulations, which made the local tribes not very fond of him. When the local leader Liu Zhou rebelled, Zhang Yi led troops to suppress him. Before Liu Zhou was fully defeated, Zhang Yi was summoned back by the court. Everyone felt that he should immediately ride back to handle the matter, but Zhang Yi said, "No. I was recalled because of the rebellion of the local tribes. I had not fulfilled my duties properly, but my successor has not arrived yet. I am currently on the battlefield and should quickly transport and store supplies, prepare to defeat the rebels. How can I abandon national affairs just because I was recalled?" Thus, he continued to work diligently until his successor arrived, at which point he left. Later, Ma Zhong, building on the foundation Zhang Yi had laid, completely wiped out Liu Zhou. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang held him in high regard upon hearing about it. When Zhuge Liang launched a northern campaign, he appointed Zhang Yi as the commander of the vanguard, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Fufeng. After Zhuge Liang's death, Zhang Yi was appointed as the leader of the vanguard for his contributions in suppressing Liu Zhou and was granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes. In the first year of Yanxi, he entered the court as a Minister of State, and was later promoted to General Who Establishes Might, was awarded the ceremonial axe, further ennobled as Marquis of Duting, and eventually achieved the rank of Grand General Who Conquers the West.

Eighteen years later, I returned to Chengdu alongside General Wei Yan. Wei Yan intended to launch another campaign, but I strongly opposed it, believing that our country was small and our people were already exhausted, and that we should not misuse military force. Wei Yan ignored my advice and insisted on bringing me along, promoting me to the rank of Grand General Who Pacifies the South.

Jiang Wei arrived at Didao and decisively defeated Wang Jing, the governor of Yongzhou in Wei, with tens of thousands of Wei soldiers killed near the Tao River. I suggested, "We should stop; continuing the attack might ruin this great victory." Jiang Wei was very angry and said, "That's like drawing legs on a snake!" In the end, Jiang Wei still besieged Wang Jing in Didao, but the city remained unconquered. After I voiced my differing opinion, Jiang Wei held some resentment towards me, but he still brought me along on every expedition, and I had no choice but to follow.

In the second year of the Jingyao era, I was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry on the Left and appointed as the governor of Jizhou. Six years later, Jiang Wei and I were both in Jiange, persuading Zhong Hui to surrender in Fucheng. In the second month of the following year, I accompanied Zhong Hui to Chengdu, where I was ultimately killed by marauders.

Zong Yu, courtesy name Deyan, was a native of Anzhong County in Nanyang. During the Jian'an period, he accompanied Zhang Fei to Shu. In the early years of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang appointed him as his chief clerk, later promoting him to be a military advisor and a general. After Zhuge Liang's death, Shu Han was concerned that Wu or Wei might take advantage and attack Shu, so they increased the garrison at Baqiu by ten thousand soldiers, partly as a reinforcement and partly to weaken Wu's influence. When Shu Han heard that Wu had increased the garrison at Baqiu, they also increased the garrison at Yong'an as a precaution.

Zong Yu was sent on a mission to Wu, where Sun Quan asked him, "East Wu and West Shu are like one family; why have I heard that West Shu has bolstered the garrison at Baidi City?" Zong Yu replied, "I believe that East Wu increasing the garrison at Baqiu and West Shu increasing the garrison at Baidi City are both necessary due to the circumstances; there's no need for us to question one another." Sun Quan laughed heartily, commended his honesty, and held him in high regard, second only to Deng Zhi and Fei Yi. Later, Zong Yu was promoted to Palace Attendant and transferred to the position of Minister. In the tenth year of Yanxi, he was appointed as the Colonel of Mounted Troops.

At that time, General Deng Zhi returned from Jiangzhou to meet the emperor. He said to Zong Yu, "According to the law of propriety, a person over sixty should not serve in the military. Why did you just accept military power?" Zong Yu replied, "You are over seventy and have not given up military power; why can't I accept it at sixty?" Deng Zhi was proud and arrogant; even great generals like Fei Yi would avoid him, but Zong Yu did not yield to him at all. Later, Zong Yu was dispatched to Eastern Wu again, and Sun Quan held Zong Yu's hand, weeping as he bid him farewell, saying, "Every time you come with a mission, consolidating the friendly relations between the two countries. Now you are old, I am old too; I am afraid we will never see each other again in the future!" Sun Quan also gave Zong Yu a large quantity of pearls, and then Zong Yu returned to his country.

After that, Zong Yu was promoted to the post-general, supervised Yong'an, and then promoted to the Grand General of the West Expedition, bestowed the title of Marquis of Guannei. In the first year of Jingyao, he was summoned back to Chengdu because of illness. Later, he served as the Grand General of the Garrison, leading the Inspector of Yanzhou. At that time, Protector Zhuge Zhan had just begun to take charge of the court. Liao Hua visited Zong Yu, wanting to pay a visit to Zhuge Zhan together. Zong Yu said, "We are both over seventy; we have enjoyed enough glory and wealth; we are just waiting to die; why bother to flatter those young people?" So they did not go.

Liao Hua, styled Yuanjian, originally named Chun, was from Xiangyang. He used to be Guan Yu's assistant. After Guan Yu was defeated, he surrendered to Dong Wu. But he always wanted to return to Liu Bei, so he pretended to be dead and deceived everyone, and everyone believed his ruse. Then he took his old mother and journeyed westward day and night. He happened to meet Liu Bei on his eastern expedition in Zigui. Liu Bei was thrilled and appointed Liao Hua as the Prefect of Yidu. After Liu Bei's death, Liao Hua became a military adviser, and later became the Supervisor of Guangwu, gradually rising in ranks, and eventually became the Right General of Chariots, holding the staff of authority, and also became the Inspector of Bingzhou, being granted the title of Marquis of Zhongxiang, known for his decisive and courageous leadership. His official rank was equal to that of Zhang Yi, and even higher than that of Zong Yu.

In the spring of the first year of Xianxi, Liao Hua and Zong Yu were called back to Luoyang, but they both fell ill and died on the way. Yang Xi, styled Wenran, was from Wuyang in Jianwei. In his youth, he was well-known alongside Cheng Hong from Baxi, Yang Tai from Bajun, and Zhang Biao from Shu. Yang Xi always placed Cheng Hong first, and Prime Minister Zhuge Liang had a good understanding of him. When Yang Xi was in his twenties, he began his career as a county scribe, later becoming a military officer, overseeing prisons, managing cases, and adjudicating matters of right and wrong. Everyone thought he was fair and just in his dealings, so he was appointed as the chief registrar of the court. After Zhuge Liang's death, he became a clerk in the Right Selection Department, and Governor Jiang Wan appointed him as a historian. When Jiang Wan became a grand general, he appointed Yang Xi as a clerk of the Eastern Bureau, later promoting him to the Military Advisor of Nanzhong, assisting the governor of Jianwei, and he also served as the Prefect of Jianning. Due to illness, he was summoned back to Chengdu and appointed as a military supervisor, later becoming the Prefect of Zitong. He then returned to the court as the Captain of Archers, always honest and unpretentious, never a burden to others. In the twentieth year of Yanxi, he followed the grand general Jiang Wei on an expedition to Mangshui. Yang Xi consistently looked down on Jiang Wei, often joking after drinking with an air of arrogance and disdain. Despite appearing generous, Jiang Wei was secretly jealous and could not tolerate Yang Xi's demeanor. After the army returned, the authorities were ordered to accuse Yang Xi, resulting in his demotion to commoner status. Yang Xi passed away in the fourth year of Jingyao.

Although Yang Xi is somewhat simple-minded and laid-back, he never flatters or seeks to please others, and rarely writes a full page of official documents. However, he is deeply loyal to his old friends and is honest and kind. He has always taken care of his childhood friends Han Yan and Li Tao from Brazil, despite Han Yan's frailty from long-term illness and Li Tao's fall from grace. Back then, people said Qiao Zhou lacked talent and hardly anyone respected him, but Yang Xi held him in high regard and once remarked, "We future generations will never surpass this old man!" This made knowledgeable folks respect Yang Xi even more. Zhang Biao, who started out with a rank similar to Xi Zhi's, went on to become a high-ranking official and even served as the General of the Left and Right Imperial Guards, while Xi Zhi died young. Qi and Tai also passed away early. Xi Zhi wrote the "Praise of Jihan's Assistants" in the fourth year of Yanxi, many of whom are now mentioned in the "Book of Shu," so I noted him on the left. Since then, no one who passed away has received posthumous honors, which means some deserving individuals are missing from the official records. I've included the life stories of those Xi Zhi praised in the "Praise of the Assistants" who don’t have their own biographies under the praises, so you can get a good sense of who they were.

In the past, King Wen sang songs of virtue, and King Wu sang songs of prosperity. Those lords who could change the era established their own code of conduct; it was not an overnight endeavor. It all depended on creating a foundation and laying the groundwork in order to shine for future generations! Starting from the middle to late period of the Han Dynasty, royal law collapsed, heroes rose in rebellion one after another, wars continued, the people were displaced, suffering countless casualties. At this time, those ambitious rulers began to reflect, such as the Yan and Dai States, where the voice of benevolence and righteousness spread far and wide; the Qi State and the Lu State, where the wind of bravery spread everywhere; the Jing State and the Ying State, where the people wholeheartedly pledged allegiance; the Wu State and the Yue State, where both the wise and the foolish relied on their benevolence; the Ba State and the Shu State, where all within thousands of miles were awed by their reputation; the Yong State and the Han State, where even powerful enemies were scared off. That's why they were able to inherit the foundation laid by the founding ancestor and restore the sacrifices of the Han Dynasty. However, treacherous and malevolent forces continued to stir chaos, and punishment had not yet been handed down from heaven, much like the Battle of Mengjin, where another battle would take place at Mingtiao. Destiny has its limits; Emperor Zhaolie suddenly fell seriously ill. Although he eventually unified the country and all nations submitted to him, this was the result of the outstanding talents of that time supporting and acclaiming each other. It was the result of Emperor Zhaolie's virtue inspiring others—a truly remarkable gathering of talents! Therefore, a eulogy was written to praise his achievements, to be remembered by future generations. The eulogy is as follows: Emperor's legacy, spreading in all directions, Rising from Zhongshan, gathering the spirit of excellence, Born at the right time, soaring like a dragon. Emerging from Yan and Dai, assisting Jingzhou, Wu and Yue attaching themselves, coming from afar to pay respects, Controlling Ba and Shu, annexing Yong and Han, Restoring order to the world, the ancestral shrine is at peace, Inheriting past achievements, spreading virtues, The people of Huaxia praise, the voice of the Western Emperor reappears, Creating a peaceful and prosperous era that flourished through the ages. - In praise of Emperor Zhaolie

Zhuge Liang, truly unparalleled in loyalty and heroism! His strategies by the river stabilized the situation, bringing peace from Wu to Shu. His achievements are worthy of eternal praise. Entrusted by the late emperor, he reformed military affairs, spread moral teachings, and transformed society. Under his rule, the nation thrived in peace and stability. Though he aspired to strengthen the nation, he could not fully realize this ambition. - "Praise for Prime Minister Zhuge"

Xu Situ, known for his integrity and eloquence, his words and actions reflect the essence of Confucian values. - "Praise for Xu Situ"

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, heroes of great stature! They served Liu Bei valiantly like two fierce tigers, always brave and loyal. Their achievements can be compared to those of Han Xin and Geng Yan, but their downfall due to underestimating the enemy is regrettable. - "Praise for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei"

Ma Chao, a brave general who rebelled and fought for various lords. Although he sometimes disagreed with others, he defended territories before his tragic downfall. His eventual betrayal of the righteous path by aligning with Cao Cao is truly regrettable. - "Praise for Ma Mengqi"

Fa Zheng, this strategist with extraordinary wisdom, who can foresee the rise and fall of the world, faithfully assists Liu Bei, always giving advice. He is skilled in strategies and makes judgments based on the actual situation. - "Praise of Fa Xiaozhi"

Pang Tong, this outstanding military advisor, elegant and talented, gave his life for Liu Bei, loyal and dedicated, a paragon of loyalty and righteousness, willing to sacrifice his life to repay Liu Bei's kindness. - "Praise of Pang Shiyuan"

General Huang Zhong, extremely brave, able to conquer steep mountains, achieved great military successes, a rare talent at that time. - "Praise of Huang Hansheng"

Dong Yun, this military official, honest and upright, always speaks frankly, respected by the people as a role model. - "Praise of Dong Youzai"

Deng Zhi, this ambitious and accomplished general, generous and decisive, never hesitates when faced with danger, defended the peace of the border. - "Praise of Deng Kongsan"

Deng Zhi, styled Kongsan, from Nanjun. He followed Liu Bei into Shu, and after the pacification of Shu, he served as the Commandant of Jianwei. Later, he was appointed as Grand Commandant of Zhuti, General of Anyuan, and stationed in Nanchang County. He passed away in the second year of Zhangwu. Because his achievements are not fully documented, he has no separate biography.

Fei Yi, this general, talented in both civil and military affairs, during his tenure, was always diligent and responsible, handled government affairs orderly, good at managing finances, generous and charitable, courteous and principled in his dealings with others. - "Praise of Fei Binbo"

Guan Binbo hailed from Jiangxia. Liu Zhang's mother was the aunt of Guan Shu, and Liu Zhang married his daughter off to Guan. In the 18th year of the Jian'an era, Guan fought alongside Li Yan against Liu Bei in Mianzhu, and later surrendered to Liu Bei alongside Li Yan. After Liu Bei took over Yizhou, he appointed Guan as a General, and later became the Prefect of Bajun and the Commander of Jiangzhou. In the first year of Jianxing, he was granted the title of Marquis of Duting and was additionally given the title of General of Zhenwei. Guan was skilled in dealing with people. General Li Yan was notably proud and did not maintain close relationships with military aides of similar rank; despite being over twenty years younger than Li Yan, Guan had a remarkably close relationship with him, akin to that of peers. He passed away at the age of thirty-seven. Records of his specific deeds are scarce, which is why he was not given a biography.

"In Praise of Wang Wenyi: Stationed in Qijiu, firm in principles, abiding by the initial commands, adhering to the norms of the world, military resources relied upon, distinguishing between what is beneficial and what is not."

"In Praise of Liu Zichu: The Minister of Works is known for his clarity and honesty, his actions are orderly, his aspirations are righteous, he tastes the classics, leaning on his high integrity, fond of emulating the ancients."

"In Praise of Mi Zizhong: Anping, Han, and Yong Rong, whether marriage or as a guest, observing proper etiquette at the time, this is what defines a loyal subject."

"In Praise of Wang Yuantai, He Yanying, Du Fuguo, Zhou Zhongzhi: The Minister of Finance is diligent and cautious, the Grand Herald is clear and true, the advice is offered discreetly, the Confucian scholars are profound, proclaiming the great transformation, whether at the forefront or in the ranks."

Wang Yuantai, courtesy name Mou, was a man from Hanjia, known for his elegance and integrity. During Liu Zhang's rule, he served as the Governor of Ba County and later returned to the provincial government as an official. After Liu Bei took over Yizhou, he appointed Wang Yuantai as his Chief Aide. When Liu Bei became King of Hanzhong, he appointed several experienced officials from Jingzhou: Lai Gong from Lingling as Grand Preceptor, Huang Zhu from Nanyang as Palace Attendant, and Wang Yuantai as Minister of the Interior. In the early years of Jianxing, Wang Yuantai was bestowed the title of Marquis of Guanneihou, and later took over as Grand Preceptor after Lai Gong. Lai Gong, Huang Zhu, and Wang Yuantai had few records of their specific achievements, so no individual biographies were written for them. Lai Gong's son Lai Hong served as the Chief Clerk of the Western Bureau under the Chancellor, followed Zhuge Liang to Hanzhong, and died at a young age. Zhuge Liang was very saddened and wrote to the Chief Clerk Zhang Yi and Jiang Wan, saying, "The Prefect Lai Hong has died, and the official Yang Yong has also died, resulting in a significant loss to the court!" Yang Yong was also from Jingzhou. Later, General Jiang Wan asked Zhang Xiu, "Before Hanjia, there was a figure like Wang Yuantai; who can possibly fill his shoes?" This shows the immense respect Wang Yuantai commanded during his time.

He Yanying, from Pi County in Shu Commandery, once studied under Ren An, a scholar from Guanghan, immersing himself in Ren An's teachings. He and Du Qiong shared the same teacher, but He Yanying's reputation surpassed Du Qiong's. During Liu Zhang's rule, he served as the Prefect of Jianwei. After Liu Bei pacified Yizhou and became the Governor of Yizhou, he appointed He Yanying as his Assistant Ritual Master. Later, He Yanying employed divination to counsel Liu Bei on declaring himself Emperor. After Liu Bei became Emperor, He Yanying was elevated to the position of Grand Herald. He passed away in the Jianxing period. Due to the absence of records regarding his accomplishments, no separate biography was written for him. His son He Shuang, courtesy name Hanzhou, was known for his wit and humor, reminiscent of Chunyu Kun and Dongfang Shuo. He served as the Prefect of Shuangbai County and passed away at an early age.

Wu Ziyuan, also known by his courtesy name Yi, hails from Chenliu. He followed Liu Yan into Shu. During the reign of Liu Zhang, he served as the General of the Household Troops, leading troops to oppose Liu Bei in Fuxian County, and later surrendered to Liu Bei. After Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, he appointed Wu Yi as the General of the Army to Suppress Rebels and married Wu Yi's sister as his wife. In the first year of the Zhangwu era, Wu Yi served as the Governor of Guanzhong. In the eighth year of Jianxing, he and Wei Yan entered the Nan'an area and defeated the Wei general Fei Yao, and was appointed as the Marquis of Ting, later promoted to Marquis of Gaoyang, and finally promoted to Left General. In the twelfth year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang passed away, and Wu Yi was appointed as the Inspector of Hanzhong, General of Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as the Inspector of Yongzhou, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Jiyang. He passed away in the fifteenth year of the Jianxing era. His deeds are not recorded, which is why he does not have a separate biography. Wu Yi's younger brother, Wu Ban, also known by his courtesy name Yuanxiong, was the son of the general Wu Kuang under Grand General He Jin. He was renowned for his valor, often holding similar official positions as Wu Yi. During the time of Liu Bei, he served as a military leader. During the reign of the Later Lord, he gradually rose to the rank of General of Cavalry, holding the command, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Mianzhu.

The chariots and cavalry are powerful and vigorous, exercising broad compassion, using the weak to overcome the strong, and avoiding peril. - Praise for Wu Ziyuan

Li De'ang, ...... (Biographical details of Li De'ang are missing in the original text) ...... governing southern Anhan, fighting against the old hometown, eradicating corruption, enforcing justice to establish authority, and expanding to the barbarians and Pu, strengthening the country. - Praise for Li De'ang

Zhang Junsu, ...... (Biographical details of Zhang Junsu are missing in the original text) ...... aiding the Han with his wisdom, being both shrewd and benevolent, expressing far-sighted ideas, asking pointed questions, praising the beauty of the time, and continuing our work through the ages. - Praise for Zhang Junsu

Huang Gongheng, ...... (Biographical details of Huang Gongheng are missing in the original text) ...... defending the north with keen insight, strategically planning, leading efforts to eradicate corruption, and achieving notable success. Being assigned to the eastern front, the end of his life was marked by misfortune, his original aspirations were filled with sorrow, and he roamed far and wide. - Praise for Huang Gongheng

Yang Jixiu, ...... (The biography of Yang Jixiu should be included here, but the original text is missing) ...... loyal in the ranks of the Yue cavalry, steadfast in his resolve, dedicated to both internal and external affairs, putting public interests above personal gain. -- Praise for Yang Jixiu

Zhao Zilong, Chen Shuzhi, ...... (The biographies of Zhao Zilong and Chen Shuzhi should be included here, but the original text is missing) ...... diligent in the southern expeditions, loyal in the western campaigns, skilled in selecting talents of the time, valiant generals. -- Praise for Zhao Zilong, Chen Shuzhi

Shuzhi, he is from Runan. He followed Liu Bei from Yuzhou and served in a position similar to Zhao Yun, both renowned for their loyalty and bravery. During the early Jianxing period, he served as the Commandant of Yong'an and General Who Conquers the West, and was titled as a Marquis.

Fuyuanbi, whose name is Kuang, is from Xiangyang. He followed Liu Bei to Shu. After pacifying Yizhou, he became the Prefect of Bajun. During the Jianxing period, he was appointed General Who Guards the South, promoted to Right General, and was conferred the title of Marquis of Zhongxiang.

Liu Nanhe, whose name is Yong, is from Yiyang. He followed Liu Bei to Shu. After pacifying Yizhou, he became the Prefect of Jiangyang. During the Jianxing period, he gradually advanced to the rank of General of the Household for Maintaining Order, was conferred the title of Marquis of Guannei, and later passed away. His son Liu Shi inherited his title. He also had a younger son Liu Wu, who was very talented in literature, on par with Fan Jian, and rose to the position of a court official.

Sinong, his talent, his writing is exceptional, with magnificent language and clear organization, shining brightly!

Li Zhengfang, he accepted a posthumous order, intending to rectify the administration, but he neither expressed his opinions nor showed agreement, leading to unusual behavior that drew criticism from contemporaries, ruining his career as a result.

Wei Wenchang, a person of strong and rough character, who was entrusted with the defense against external enemies in critical situations to protect the national borders. However, his unsociable nature and disregard for appropriate discourse often led to trouble, and he passed away at a young age, which is indeed unfortunate!

Yang Weigong, a person characterized by arrogance and narrow-mindedness, different from others; capable of reasoning in leisure, yet prone to harming others under pressure, transitioning from compliance to danger, just as described in the Book of Changes.

The individuals Ma Jichang, Wei Wenjing, Han Shiyuan, Zhang Churen, Yin Kongxiu, and Xi Wenxiang are characterized as follows: Ma Jichang is honest and reliable, Wenjing is diligent and studious, Shiyuan speaks logically, Churen is kind and good at planning, and Kongxiu and Wenxiang each have their own talents and shortcomings. They all tried their best to fulfill their aspirations, much like the fragrant orchids of Chu.

The details of their lives and the counties they served are not well-documented. Zhang Churen, originally named Zhang Cun, was from Nanyang. He followed Liu Bei to Shu as a Jingzhou official and was appointed as the Prefect of Guanghan. Zhang Cun held Pang Tong in low regard, and after Pang Tong's death, Liu Bei was moved by Pang Tong's loyalty. However, Zhang Cun criticized him for going against righteousness. Liu Bei, angered, dismissed Zhang Cun from his position. Not long after, Zhang Cun fell ill and passed away. His life story is incomplete, so no biography was written for him.

Kong Xiu, whose full name was Kong Xiu Ming, served as a registrar and an official in Jingzhou, and met Liu Bei. He lost his official position later on, with details remaining unclear. There was also a person named Wen Xiang, whose name was Wen Zhen, from Xiangyang. He followed Liu Bei to Shu and held positions as the Magistrate of Lu County, Pi County, and Prefect of Guanghan, but his specific contributions are not recorded in historical records. His son Wen Zhong became an official in the Imperial Library.

Guo Shanzhi Feng, Yongnan Dansi; Sheng Heng, Chengbo, words concealed by time; Sun Deguo is sharp, Wei Nan is always sincere; Dexu, Yi Qiang, strong-willed and courageous. With their determined aspirations, they embodied the fragrance of Shu. - This poem praises Wang Guoshan, Li Yongnan, Ma Shengheng, Ma Chengbo, Li Sunde, Li Weinan, Gong Dexu, and Wang Yiqiang, the talents of Shu Han.

Wang Guoshan, whose name was Fu, was a native of Qi County in Guanghan Commandery. He was a good person, but there were always people speaking ill of him. During Liu Zhang's rule, he served as a secretary in the state. After Liu Bei took over Shu, he first served as the magistrate of Mianzhu County and later as an official in Jingzhou. He followed Liu Bei to campaign against Eastern Wu, was defeated at Zigui, and tragically lost his life. His son, Wang Guoyou, inherited his father's excellent qualities and rose to the position of Right Assistant in the Ministry of Personnel.

Li Yongnan, whose name was Shao, was also a native of Qi County in Guanghan Commandery. After Liu Bei pacified Shu, he served as a secretary in the state. In the first year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang recruited him as an official in the Western Bureau. When Zhuge Liang went on a southern campaign, he appointed Li Shao as a staff officer, but sadly, Li Shao passed away later that year.

Ma Shengheng, named Xun; Ma Chengbo, named Qi, both were from Langzhong, Baxi County. Ma Xun, when Liu Zhang was in power, was the secretary of the state. After Liu Bei pacified Shu, he was recruited by Zhuge Liang as a subordinate left general, later promoted to Deputy Governor, and then passed away. Ma Qi served as a clerk for the governor Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei recommended him to Liu Bei, and he later became an official. During the Jianxing period, he served as the prime minister's secretary, later promoted to Guanghan governor, and then served as a military officer. After Zhuge Liang's death, he became an official. Ma Xun and Ma Qi were both renowned for their talents and efficiency, but their reputation in the local area was not as good as Yao Yu. Yao Yu, styled Zixu, was also from Langzhong. After Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, he served as a clerk and bookkeeper. In the first year of Jianxing, he became the Guanghan governor. When the prime minister Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, he recruited him as a secretary. Yao Yu recommended many talents, and Zhuge Liang said: "Nothing is more important for the cause of Yizhou than recommending talents. The recommendation of talents should be based on their abilities and specialties. The talents recommended by Secretary Yao possess both strength and gentleness, and can be widely used in civil and military affairs. They are truly learned and capable! I hope all secretaries can emulate him to meet your expectations." Later, Yao Yu was promoted to military officer. After Zhuge Liang's death, he was promoted to the position of official. At that time, people respected his integrity and generosity. He passed away in the fifth year of Yanxi, later than the time of writing this article. Sun Deming, named Fu, was from Zitong, Fuling. After Liu Bei took over Yizhou, he served as a bookkeeper, Xichongguo county magistrate, and Chengdu county magistrate. In the first year of Jianxing, he was transferred to the position of Baixi governor, later became the governor of Jiangzhou, Yang Wei general, and then returned to the court as an official, and was granted the title of Marquis of Pingyang Pavilion. In the early years of Yanxi, the grand general Jiang Wan led troops to Hanzhong, and Fu served as the military supervisor and marshal, and ultimately passed away there.

Sun Chao, style name Weinan, was the elder brother of Sun Fu. He served as a county magistrate, was recognized as a filial and incorruptible official, served as the magistrate of Linqiong County, and later went to the central government office as an assistant official. He died in Yong'an in the second year of the Zhangwu era during Liu Bei's expedition to the east to attack Sun Quan.

Sun Lu, style name Dexu, was a Han from Baxian in the Ba region. After Liu Bei took over Yizhou, he served as a county official and commander of the gate guards. In the third year of Jianxing, he became the governor of Yuegui but was killed by barbarians while accompanying Prime Minister Zhuge Liang on his southern campaign. He was just thirty-one at the time. His younger brother, Sun Heng, became a military leader during the Jingyao era.

Yi Qiang, style name Shi, was from Qixian in Guanghan and was the cousin of Guo Shan. After following Liu Bei into Shu, he was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official, served as a standard bearer, was later promoted to commander of the gate guards, and then was sent to serve as the governor of Dangqu before being transferred to Jianwei. When Zhuge Liang led a southern expedition, he was appointed as the governor of Yizhou but was killed by barbarians while about to head south.

"Feng Xiuyuan disregards bandits, damages the time with harm, Wen Jin exerts his body, sharing the same hardships, one person in distress, to the great extent." - This is the evaluation of Feng Xiuyuan and Zhang Wenjin.

Feng Xiuyuan, style name Xi, was from Nanjun. He followed Liu Bei into Shu. During Liu Bei's expedition to the east to attack Sun Quan, Feng Xiuyuan led the troops and suffered a significant defeat at Xiaoting.

Zhang Wenjin, style name Nan, also followed Liu Bei into Shu from Jingzhou. He led troops with Liu Bei to attack Wu and died in battle alongside Feng Xiuyuan. At that time, Fu Rong from Yiyang was also present. When Liu Bei retreated, he stayed behind to resist, and all his soldiers died in battle. The Wu generals advised him to surrender, but Fu Rong shouted, "Wu dogs! Han generals never surrender!" and then died in battle. His son, Fu Qian, was later appointed as Left Central General and then as the Commander of Guanzhong. In the sixth year of Jingyao, he once again accepted a critical mission. People praised the loyalty and righteousness of both father and son.

"Jiangyang was resolute and upright, upholding clear principles for a wise ruler, encountering enemies in battle without yielding, as a lone individual serving in the army, met his demise." - This is the evaluation of Cheng Jiran.

Jiran, also known as Jiji, is from Langzhong, Sichuan Province. During the reign of Liu Zhang, he served as the magistrate of Hanchang County. Hanchang County was home to the Qiang people, known for their strength. Gaozu relied on their support to pacify Guanzhong. The governor of the province, Pang Xi, felt that the county needed a military force for self-protection due to the turmoil in the realm, so he recruited some of his subordinates. Someone falsely accused Pang Xi of planning a rebellion in front of Liu Zhang, which aroused Liu Zhang's suspicions. Upon hearing this, Pang Xi was filled with fear and decided to take precautions for his own safety. He sent Jiji's son Yu to Liu Zhang to deliver orders and request reinforcements for self-protection. Jiji replied, "The recruits in the county were never intended for rebellion. Even if there are some conflicts, the primary concern should be loyalty and duty. If fear breeds thoughts of rebellion, that's not something I've ever heard of." He specifically instructed his son Yu, "Having received the state's favor, I must remain loyal to the governor. As an official in the county, you should serve the governor without any doubts because of me."

Pang Xi sent someone to tell Ji Ji: "Your son is in the county. If you don't listen to the governor, your whole family will suffer!" Ji Ji said: "When General Le Yang once drank my son's soup, it's not that there isn't any affection between father and son; rather, it's a matter of principle. Even if you offered me my son's soup again now, I would still refuse it." Pang Xi knew that Ji Ji would not help him, so he explained to Liu Zhang vigorously, ultimately avoiding disaster. After hearing about it, Liu Zhang promoted Ji Ji to be the governor of Jiangyang. Later, Liu Bei became the Governor of Yizhou and appointed him as a ceremonial officer. He followed Liu Bei to attack Sun Wu, suffered a defeat, retreated by river, and someone advised him, "The pursuers have arrived, quickly abandon the ship and escape lightly loaded; you can still save your life." Ji Ji said: "I have never fled from the enemy in battle, especially not now that I am following the emperor; I cannot run away when in danger!" The pursuers caught up with Ji Ji's ship, and Ji Ji personally fought with a halberd, sinking several enemy vessels. The enemy forces swarmed in and attacked him simultaneously, and he eventually died in battle.

Gong Hong, born later, was outstanding and talented, dying young at the age of twenty, mourned with unfulfilled potential. - Praise for Gong Hong by Zan Cheng

Gong Hong, whose name was Cheng Qi, was Ji Ji's son.

In ancient times, fleeing officials, despite the courtesy of being pursued, harbored grievances against the court officials, disregarding great virtues. There was no one to rescue them; they turned to flee to the north, isolating themselves from others, becoming a laughingstock to both nations. - Praise for Mi Fang, Shi Ren, Hao Pu, Pan Jun

Mi Fang, style name Zifang, was from Donghai and held the position of Governor of Nanjun. Shi Ren, style name Junyi, was from Guangyang and served as a general stationed in Gong'an under Guan Yu; he did not get along well with Guan Yu and later betrayed him to surrender to Sun Quan. Hao Pu, style name Zitai, was from Yiyang. When Liu Bei entered Shu from Jingzhou, he appointed him as the Prefect of Lingling. Later, he was deceived by Wu general Lu Meng into opening the city gates and subsequently surrendered. Pan Jun, style name Chengming, was from Wuling. After Liu Bei entered Shu, he appointed him as the magistrate of Jingzhou, responsible for overseeing the affairs of Jingzhou. He also had a strained relationship with Guan Yu. When Sun Quan launched an attack on Guan Yu, Pan Jun surrendered to him as well. Hao Pu later attained the rank of Minister of Justice, while Pan Jun was appointed as Minister of Ceremonies, both being granted marquis titles.

In conclusion, Deng Zhi was upright and honest, devoted to the public good, Zhang Yi was able to suppress Jiang Wei's sharpness, and Zong Yu was able to withstand Sun Quan's power; all of these individuals are deserving of praise. Yang Xi's strategies were very unique and different from others, but his wisdom and judgment had their shortcomings, which ultimately led to his misfortune.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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Jiang Wan, styled Gongyan, was from Xiangxiang in Lingling, Hunan. When he was young, he and his nephew, Liu Min from Quanling, were both well-known.

Jiang Wan joined Liu Bei in Shu and became a clerk, later appointed as the magistrate of Guangdu County. Once, Liu Bei visited Guangdu in disguise and found Jiang Wan doing nothing and drunk. Liu Bei was furious and wanted to punish him and even considered executing him. At that moment, Zhuge Liang stepped forward and pleaded, stating, "Jiang Wan is a pillar of the country, not merely a petty local official. His governing philosophy is to pacify the people, not to engage in superficial actions. I hope you can reconsider, my lord." Liu Bei always respected Zhuge Liang, so he spared Jiang Wan but hastily removed him from his position.

After his dismissal, Jiang Wan had a nightmare in which he saw a bleeding cow's head in front of his house, which left him feeling very unsettled. He quickly visited a fortune-teller, Zhao Zhi, about the dream. Zhao Zhi said, "Seeing blood in a dream indicates clarity. The horns and nose of the cow resemble the character 'Gong,' indicating that you will rise to a high position. This is a sign of great fortune!" Before long, Jiang Wan was appointed magistrate of Shifang County. Later, when Liu Bei became King of Hanzhong, Jiang Wan was promoted to Official of the Ministry of Personnel. In the first year of the Jianxing era, Zhuge Liang established his office and summoned Jiang Wan to serve as an aide in the Eastern Bureau.

Later, Jiang Wan was recommended as a person of great talent, but he declined the recommendation and instead put forward Liu Yong, Yin Hua, Pang Yan, Liao Chun, and others. Zhuge Liang responded, saying, "Consider this: those who harm the people for personal gain, everyone is well aware of this, and people near and far do not understand their actions. Therefore, you should clearly outline your contributions and the individuals you recommended, in order to demonstrate your fairness and rigor in selecting talents." Jiang Wan was later promoted to serve as a military officer. In the fifth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, while Chief Clerk Zhang Yi remained in Chengdu to manage the affairs of the prefecture. In the eighth year of Jianxing, Jiang Wan succeeded Zhang Yi as the Chief Clerk and was also appointed as the General Who Pacifies the Army. Zhuge Liang frequently went on military campaigns, and Jiang Wan always ensured that the army had sufficient provisions and troops. Zhuge Liang often said, "Gong Yan is loyal, upright, and of noble character, and will definitely assist me in achieving great accomplishments with the future emperor." He also secretly recommended Jiang Wan to the future emperor Liu Chan, saying, "If I unfortunately pass away, the future matters should be entrusted to Jiang Wan."

After Liang's death, Wan was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, and soon after was promoted to the Protector of the Capital, granted the title of Commander-in-Chief, appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou, and later promoted to Grand General, overseeing the affairs of the Masters of Writing, and given the title of Marquis of Anyang. At that time, having just lost their Grand Marshal, everyone was very fearful and uneasy. However, Wan excelled, outperforming the other officials. He exhibited neither sorrow nor arrogance, carrying himself as he always did. As a result, he gradually earned the admiration of everyone.

In the first year of the Yanxi era, the emperor issued a decree to Wan, saying, "The enemy has not yet been defeated, Cao Rui is arrogant and ruthless, and the three counties in Liaodong are suffering from his oppression, which has severed our ties. Cao Rui is also mobilizing troops on a large scale and waging war against each other. In the past, the Qin Dynasty perished because Sheng and Guang rebelled first. Now such changes have occurred again; this is all a matter of fate! You must enforce strict governance, command all armies to station in Hanzhong, closely monitor the movements of the Wu Kingdom, restrain each other from both sides, and seize the opportunity to attack." The emperor also ordered Wan to establish a government office, and the following year promoted him to Grand Marshal.

Yang Xi, an official in the Eastern Bureau, was rather brief in his remarks. Wan sometimes did not respond to him. Someone wanted to report Yang Xi's behavior in front of Wan, saying, "You talk to Yang Xi and he doesn't respond; isn't that a bit disrespectful to a superior?" Wan said, "Everyone's hearts are different, just like everyone's faces are different; judging people by their appearance alone has been warned against by the ancients. Is Yang Xi praising me, or opposing me? Those aren’t his genuine feelings. If he wants to oppose me, it will only show that I am right, so I don't speak; this is the best result for Yang Xi."

There was also a farm inspector named Yang Min, who once criticized Wan, saying, "You are procrastinating; you truly are not as capable as my predecessors." Someone told Wan about this, and the supervisor wanted to punish Yang Min. Wan said, "I truly am not as capable as my predecessors; I cannot punish him." The supervisor insisted on punishing him, so he asked Wan in what way Yang Min was procrastinating. Wan said, "If he does things improperly, it is definitely against the rules; actions that go against the rules are bound to be delayed. What else is there to ask?" Later, Yang Min was imprisoned for committing a crime, and everyone feared for his life, but Wan remained completely unfazed and ultimately helped him avoid a severe punishment. Wan's conduct and behavior were like this.

Wan felt that Zhuge Liang had tried several times to scout Qin Chuan, but the journey was perilous and logistics were challenging. In the end, he ultimately failed to conquer it, so it would be wiser to take boats downstream. Therefore, he built many boats and planned to attack Wei Xing and Shangyong from the Han River and Mian River. However, his old illness flared up again, preventing him from setting out. It was generally believed that if a swift victory was not achieved, the journey back would be extremely challenging, and this was not a long-term plan. Therefore, they dispatched Fei Yi, the Minister of Personnel, and Jiang Wei, the Central Supervisory Officer, to persuade him.

After accepting the order, Wan wrote a memorial saying, "It is my duty to eradicate evil and restore order. Since I was ordered to guard Hanzhong, it has been six years. I lack the necessary abilities, and with illness plaguing me, I have not achieved anything, burdened with worry day and night. Now that Wei has a firm hold over the Nine Provinces, with deep roots and immense power, it is not easy to completely eliminate it. If we launch attacks from both the east and west, keeping each other in check, even if we cannot achieve our goal quickly, we can gradually weaken its power. However, after several battles with Wu, we have yet to secure a decisive victory, and I am restless day and night. After discussing with Fei Yi, I believe the Hu region in Liangzhou is crucial, strategically advantageous for both offense and defense, and highly valued by the enemy. Moreover, the Qiang and Hu tribes are keen to align themselves with the Han dynasty. Our army previously sent a detachment to the Qiang region, defeating Guo Huai. After weighing the pros and cons, I believe we should start from here, so I suggest appointing Jiang Wei as the Governor of Liangzhou. If Jiang Wei leads an expedition and secures the Hexi region, I can lead the army as his backup. Now that the transportation in Fuling is convenient, we need to react quickly. If there is an urgent situation in the northeast, providing support will be manageable." Therefore, Wan finally returned to Fuling. His condition deteriorated, and he passed away in the ninth year and was posthumously honored with the title Gong.

Zi Bin, the official title is General of Suiwu and Defender of Hancheng. Zhong Hui, the Grand General of Wei, arrived in Hancheng and wrote to him: "The Ba Shu region has many talented and intelligent individuals who are well-versed in both literature and military affairs. People like you and Zhuge Siyuan are truly like my peers, my good friends. This 'respect for one's hometown' has been revered throughout history. I have traveled west to pay my respects to the noble kings and the tombs of the lords, personally cleaning the graves and making offerings. Could you please tell me where their tombs are?" Zi Bin replied: "I am aware of your kindness and care for me; I cannot refuse your generous invitation. My father fell ill before and passed away in Fu County; we chose a suitable location to lay him to rest. I know you are heading west and still want to come and pay respects at my father's tomb. You regard my father as your own, which is truly as benevolent as Yan Hui! Hearing your message fills me with both gratitude and sorrow, deepening my longing for my father." Zhong Hui received Zi Bin's reply and deeply appreciated his sentiments, and when he arrived in Fu County, he did as the letter instructed. Later, after the surrender of the Emperor, Zi Bin went to Fu County to see Zhong Hui, who treated him like a friend. They went to Chengdu together, but were tragically killed by marauders. Zi Bin's younger brother, Zi Xian, served as an attendant to the Crown Prince, and Zhong Hui also recognized his talent, but he too met the same fate as Zi Bin.

Liu Min served as the Left Guard and General Yangwei, together with General Wang Ping, guarding Hanzhong. When Wei sent General Cao Shuang to attack Shu Han, some people thought they should only defend the city and not go out to resist the enemy, believing that the enemy would retreat on their own. However, Liu Min believed that the common people were working in the fields, and the food was in the fields. If the enemy entered, it would spell disaster. So, he led his troops with Wang Ping to occupy the high ground and set up numerous flags that stretched over a hundred miles. When General Fei Yi arrived from Chengdu, the Wei army retreated, and Liu Min was rewarded for his achievements and titled the Marquis of Yunting.

Fei Yi, styled Wenwei, was from Meixian, Jiangxia (Meixian pronounced as Mang). He became orphaned at a young age and lived with his father's brother Ren. Ren's aunt was the mother of Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yizhou. Liu Zhang sent someone to invite Ren, and Fei Yi went to study in Shu with Ren. When Liu Bei conquered Shu, Fei Yi stayed in Shu and became famous alongside Xu Shulong from Runan and Dong Yun from Nanchun.

Once, when the son of Xu Jing passed away, Dong Yun and Fei Yi wanted to attend the funeral together. Dong Yun asked his father Dong He for a carriage, and Dong He sent him a broken-down ox cart. Dong Yun looked embarrassed, and Fei Yi took the initiative to help and got on the cart first. At the funeral, Zhuge Liang and many other dignitaries were present, with only a few carriages available. Dong Yun still appeared discontented, while Fei Yi was relaxed and at ease. When the cart driver returned and reported to Dong He, he understood the situation and said to Dong Yun, "I’ve always been uncertain about who is more capable, you or Fei Yi, but now I see it clearly."

Liu Bei established his crown prince, and Fei Yi and Dong Yun served as retainers together, later being promoted to sons of the state. After Liu Shan succeeded to the throne, Fei Yi became the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. When Prime Minister Zhuge Liang returned from his southern campaign, many officials went to greet him from dozens of miles away. Many officials held higher positions than Fei Yi, but Zhuge Liang intentionally had Fei Yi ride in the same carriage with him, leading everyone to regard Fei Yi in a new light. When Zhuge Liang returned from the south for the first time, he sent Fei Yi as the Colonel of the Zhaoxin to visit the state of Wu. Sun Quan was a humorous person, speaking in a humorous and indirect way. Zhuge Ke, Yang Mao, and others were talented and sharp in debate, while Fei Yi spoke gently and respectfully, giving logical and well-founded answers, and ultimately managed to hold his ground against Sun Quan. Sun Quan highly valued him, saying to Fei Yi, "A person of your virtue will surely become a pillar of the Shu Han court. I fear I may not see you often in the future." Upon returning to Shu, Fei Yi was promoted to Palace Attendant. Zhuge Liang, stationed in Hanzhong, appointed Fei Yi as his aide due to his multiple missions to Wu and his competence in his duties. In the eighth year of Jianxing, Fei Yi was promoted to Central Protector-General, and later became the Marshal. At that time, the military advisor Wei Yan and the chief clerk Yang Yi harbored mutual hatred, arguing whenever they were together. Wei Yan even drew his sword to threaten Yang Yi, who was left in tears. Fei Yi often intervened between them, persuading them to separate. While Zhuge Liang was alive, Wei Yan and Yang Yi could each fulfill their roles, thanks to Fei Yi's mediation. After Zhuge Liang's death, Fei Yi was appointed Rear Military Advisor. Shortly after, he succeeded Jiang Wan as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing. When Jiang Wan returned from Hanzhong to Fuling, Fei Yi was promoted to Grand General and oversaw the affairs of the Masters of Writing.

In the year 244 AD, the Wei forces stationed at Xingshi, (Zhuge) Dan received orders to lead a large army to defend. The Grand Commandant Lai Min went to see Dan, wanting to play a game of Go with him. At that time, war reports were coming in rapidly, soldiers were wearing armor, preparing for battle, and everything was ready, but Dan and Lai Min were focused on playing Go, without a hint of urgency. Lai Min said, "I just wanted to test your character! You are indeed a reliable person; you will surely defeat the enemy!" Dan arrived at the front line, and the enemy indeed retreated; he was granted the title of Marquis of Chengxiang. Dan resolutely declined the post of Governor of Yizhou, but eventually took on the role. His achievements and status in the court were nearly on par with those of (Zhuge) Dan.

In the year 248 AD, Dan was stationed at Hanzhong. From Zhuge Liang to Dan, although they were both away, major matters such as rewards, punishments, and laws had to be consulted with the court and approved before execution, demonstrating the court's trust and reliance on them. Fourteen years later in the summer, Dan returned to Chengdu. Some fortune tellers in Chengdu said that there was no position for a chancellor in the capital, so he was transferred to garrison Hanshou in the winter. In the year 252 AD, the court ordered Dan to establish a government residence and office. In early 253 AD, a grand banquet was held, and Guo Xiu, who surrendered to the Wei kingdom, was also in attendance. Dan got drunk and was killed by Guo Xiu, and was posthumously honored with the title of Jing Marquis. His son inherited the title and became a Court Attendant; his brother married a princess; his eldest daughter married Crown Prince Sima Xuan and became the Crown Princess.

Jiang Wei, known as Boyue, was from Tian Shui Ji County. He lost his father at a young age and lived with his mother. He was very fond of studying the teachings of Zheng Xuan. Later, he became the Senior Clerk of the county and was later called up to serve as an Attendant. Because his father Jiang Ji previously served as a county magistrate and was killed in battle while defending the county governor during rebellions by the Qiang and Rong tribes, the court appointed Jiang Wei as a Junior Officer and allowed him to participate in military affairs in his home county.

In the sixth year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang led an attack on Qishan. At that time, the Prefect of Tian Shui was away on an inspection, and Jiang Wei, along with Clerk Liang Xu, Registrar Yin Shang, and Recorder Liang Qian, accompanied him. When the Prefect heard that the Shu army was approaching and that all counties were supporting them, he suspected Jiang Wei and the others of being disloyal, so he fled in the middle of the night and hid in Shanggui County. Jiang Wei and the others discovered the Prefect had fled and quickly pursued him, but when they arrived at the city gates, they were closed and were denied entry. They had no choice but to return to Ji County, where they were turned away as well. They decided to look for Zhuge Liang. They ran into him as he was retreating after Ma Su's defeat at Jieting. Zhuge Liang withdrew his troops, took over a thousand households from Xixian, and brought Jiang Wei and his group back to Chengdu, which led to Jiang Wei being separated from his mother.

Zhuge Liang appointed Jiang Wei as the Cangcao Clerk, promoted him to the rank of General of Righteousness, and granted him the title of Marquis of Dangyang. At that time, Jiang Wei was only twenty-seven years old. Zhuge Liang wrote a letter to his Chief Clerk Zhang Yi and his Military Advisor Jiang Wan, saying, "Jiang Boyue is loyal to his duties, works diligently and considers issues thoroughly. He is more capable than Yongnan and Jichang. He is a rare talent in Liangzhou!" Zhuge Liang also wrote in the letter, "Train the Zhonghu Infantry of five to six thousand soldiers first. Jiang Boyue is very sharp in military matters, has courage and a sense of justice, and understands military tactics. He has the Han Dynasty's legacy in his heart, surpassing others. He should be well taught in military matters, and then sent to the palace to meet the emperor." Later, Jiang Wei was promoted to Central Military Supervisor and General Who Conquers the West.

Twelve years later, Zhuge Liang passed away, and Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu, where he was appointed as Right Supervisor of the Army and Assistant General Supporting the Han, commanding various armies and titled Marquis of Pingxiang. In the first year of Yanxi, he followed the Grand General Jiang Wan to guard Hanzhong. After Jiang Wan was promoted to Grand Marshal, he appointed Jiang Wei as his Marshal, leading some troops to the west for battle. In the sixth year, Jiang Wei was promoted to Grand General of the Western Defense and Governor of Liangzhou. Ten years later, he was promoted to Guard General and collaborated with Grand General Fei Yi on administrative matters. That year, the Yi tribes in Wenshan and Pingkang revolted, and Jiang Wei led the army to quell the rebellion. He also led troops to Longxi, Nan'an, and Jincheng, where he fought against the Wei generals Guo Huai and Xiahou Ba in Taosi. The tribal leaders, including Hu Wangzhi, surrendered, and Jiang Wei resettled them. In the twelfth year, the court granted Jiang Wei command authority, and he led troops to the west, but returned empty-handed. Jiang Wei believed that he was familiar with the customs of the west, had talent and military strength, and wanted to unite with the Qiang and Hu people as his allies, believing that he could seize and control the territory stretching west from Longxi. He consistently sought to launch a large-scale offensive, but Fei Yi consistently imposed restrictions and disagreed, resulting in his forces never exceeding ten thousand troops.

In the spring of the sixteenth year of the reign, Fei Yi passed away. In the summer, Jiang Wei led tens of thousands of troops from Shiyin, passed through Dongting, surrounded Nan'an, and Wei's Governor of Yongzhou, Chen Tai, led troops to relieve the siege, advancing towards Luomen. Due to a shortage of supplies, Jiang Wei had to retreat. The following year, Jiang Wei was appointed as the Supervisor of Military Operations. He led troops to Longxi, where the defender of Dida, Li Jian, surrendered. Jiang Wei then besieged Xiangwu, fought against Wei general Xu Zhi, achieved a great victory, causing the Wei army to be defeated. Jiang Wei pursued the enemy and recovered many territories, reclaiming the territories and their people of Heguan, Dida, and Lintao. Eighteen years later, Jiang Wei, alongside General Xiahou Ba, led troops from Dida, defeating Wei's Governor of Yongzhou, Wang Jing, in Taosi, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. Wang Jing retreated to Dida, and Jiang Wei besieged the city. Wei's General of Conquest in the West, Chen Tai, led troops to relieve the siege, forcing Jiang Wei to retreat to Zhongti.

In the spring of the nineteenth year, Jiang Wei was promoted to the rank of Grand General. He reorganized the army and planned to meet with West General Hu Ji in Kuaiji. However, Hu Ji broke the agreement and did not show up, leading to Jiang Wei's defeat by Wei general Deng Ai in Duangu, resulting in heavy casualties and the army scattered. The people were resentful, and the region west of Longxi fell into turmoil. Jiang Wei apologized to the court and requested to be demoted. He was eventually appointed as Rear General but retained the powers of a Grand General.

Twenty years prior, General Zhuge Dan of the Wei Kingdom rebelled in Huainan, which led the Wei Kingdom to mobilize troops from Guanzhong to quell the uprising. At this time, Jiang Wei saw an opportunity to attack Guanzhong, so he led tens of thousands of troops from Luogu and headed straight for the Great Wall. At that time, the Great Wall was stocked with a substantial amount of provisions, but there were few defenders, and the news of Jiang Wei's approach terrified them. The Wei Kingdom's generals Sima Wang and Deng Ai rushed from Longyou to set up defenses along the Great Wall. Jiang Wei arrived at Mangshui and set up camp in the mountains. Sima Wang and Deng Ai encircled Jiang Wei near the Wei River, but despite Jiang Wei's repeated challenges, they refused to engage in battle. In the first year of the Jingyao era, Jiang Wei learned that Zhuge Dan had been defeated, so he withdrew his troops to Chengdu and was subsequently reappointed as a general.

Initially, Liu Bei ordered Wei Yan to guard Hanzhong, deploying strong contingents at various strongholds to defend against external enemies and prevent them from entering. During the Battle of Xingshi, Wang Ping resisted Cao Shuang employing a similar strategy. Jiang Wei proposed a new plan, believing that the strategy of dispersing troops to defending multiple strongholds, although in line with the concept of "fortifying the gates" in the Book of Changes, merely defended against enemies without yielding any advantages. Instead, he suggested that in the event of enemy invasion, all strongholds should consolidate troops and food supplies, retreat to the fortified cities of Hancheng and Lecheng, prevent the enemy from entering, and then heavily guard the passes to resist the enemy. If conflict arose, the mobile units would exploit opportunities to strike. With the enemy unable to breach the passes and with no scattered provisions available in the wilderness, they would naturally become exhausted from transporting supplies over long distances. When the enemy retreated, troops from various cities would unite with the mobile units to thoroughly defeat them. Therefore, Jiang Wei ordered Hu Ji, who was in charge of military affairs in Hanzhong, to guard Hanshou, Wang Han to defend Lecheng, Jiang Bin to defend Hancheng, and established strongholds for defense in Xi'an, Jianwei, Wuwei, Shimen, Wucheng, Jianchang, Linyuan, and other strategic areas.

After five years, Zhuge Liang set out from Hanzhong and Houhe with his troops, but was defeated by Deng Ai, forcing him to retreat to Tazhong. Zhuge Liang, who was originally from another region, had relied on the state for many years of military campaigns but achieved little recognition. Eunuchs in the palace, particularly Huang Hao, wielded significant power, and the Right Grand General Yan Yu were in collusion with Huang Hao. Huang Hao secretly aimed to oust Zhuge Liang and elevate Yan Yu in his stead. Zhuge Liang had his suspicions about this. As a result, he felt quite apprehensive and chose not to return to Chengdu.

After six years, Zhuge Liang advised the Emperor, "I heard that Zhong Hui is leading troops in Guanzhong and is planning to attack. We should send Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to respectively guard Yang'an Pass and Yinping Bridge to guard against any eventualities." However, Huang Hao believed the words of those charlatans and said that the enemy would not attack proactively, so he advised the Emperor to ignore the matter, keeping the other ministers in the dark. When Zhong Hui was about to attack Luogu, and Deng Ai was about to attack Dazhong, they sent General Liao Hua to support Zhuge Liang at Dazhong, and General Zhang Yi, along with General Dong Jue and others, to support Yang'an Pass. When they arrived at Yinping, they heard that Wei General Zhuge Xu was about to attack Jianwei, so they halted and awaited further orders. One month later, Zhuge Liang was defeated by Deng Ai and retreated to Yinping. Zhong Hui laid siege to Hanshou and Lecheng, and sent other generals to attack the pass. Jiang Shu opened the city gates and surrendered, while Fu Qian resisted to death. Zhong Hui attacked Lecheng but was unable to capture it. Upon hearing that the pass was lost, he pressed forward. Zhang Yi and Dong Jue had just arrived at Hanshou when Zhuge Liang and Liao Hua also abandoned Yinping and retreated, encountering Zhang Yi and Dong Jue to defend the strategic position at Jiange against Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui wrote a letter to Zhuge Liang, saying, "You hold the title of Marquis, excelling in both civil and military affairs, possessing a strategic vision that transcends the times. Your achievements are renowned throughout Ba and Shu, your name is respected far and wide. Thinking back to our past collaboration, it was like that of Wu Qi and Zheng Qiao, where we could understand each other." Zhuge Liang did not reply, instead setting up defenses to hold the strategic position. Unable to break through, and with supply lines stretched thin, Zhong Hui resolved to withdraw his forces.

Deng Ai launched a surprise attack from Yingping through the Jinggu path and defeated Zhuge Zhan in Mianzhu. Liu Shan surrendered to Deng Ai, who swiftly took control of Chengdu. When Zhuge Liang and his men heard of Zhuge Zhan's defeat, some said Liu Shan wanted to hold out in Chengdu, some said he wanted to escape to Eastern Wu, and some said he wanted to flee to Jianning in the south. Therefore, Zhuge Liang and his men led troops from Guanghan and Qidao to gather intelligence. Later, upon receiving the Emperor's orders, they surrendered to Zhong Hui at Fucheng after laying down their weapons. The soldiers were angry and started striking stones with their blades.

After Zhuge Liang's death, Liu Shan, the Emperor of Shu Han, was generous to Jiang Wei and the others, returning the seals and official insignia that Zhuge Liang had entrusted to them. Liu Shan and Jiang Wei were inseparable, always side by side. Liu Shan even told his Chief Clerk Du Yu: "When it comes to Jiang Boyue's reputation in the Central Plains, those so-called Gongxiu and Taichu are no match for him!" Later, Liu Shan was manipulated by Deng Ai, who arrived in a prison cart to summon Liu Shan to Chengdu. Liu Shan took the opportunity to bring Jiang Wei and others to Chengdu, proclaiming himself the rebel governor of Yizhou. He even wanted to give Jiang Wei 50,000 troops to lead as vanguard! This infuriated the Wei soldiers, who swiftly executed Liu Shan and Jiang Wei, along with Jiang Wei's family.

Xia Zheng wrote an article evaluating Jiang Wei, saying: "Jiang Wei, known as Jiang Boyue, served as a general, with a high position and great power, but he lived in a dilapidated house and had very little wealth, with no concubines, and no entertainment like singing or dancing in the backyard. He wore only what was necessary, had just enough horses for riding, and his meals were very modest, neither extravagant nor stingy. He spent the court's funds responsibly; upon reflection, one might wonder why he lived this way, not out of a desire to show off or to deliberately restrain himself, but because he felt that this was enough, and he didn't care about having more. Many people assess historical figures, often praising the successful while belittling the failures, believing that Jiang Wei ultimately failed and perished, they dismiss him, which contrasts with the principles of commendation and condemnation found in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals.' A person like Jiang Wei, who was eager to learn, honest, and thrifty, truly exemplified the ideals of that era!"

When Jiang Wei accompanied Zhuge Liang to Shu, Liang Xu became the Grand Herald, Yin Shang became the Golden Guard, and Liang Qian became the Grand Chancellor. All of these individuals died before the fall of Shu-Han.

In conclusion: Jiang Wan was known for his steadiness and prestige, and Fei Yi was kind and loving. They both inherited Zhuge Liang's strategies and proceeded methodically without significant changes, so the borders were peaceful and the country was unified, yet they still did not effectively manage the finer details of governance necessary for maintaining national stability. Although Jiang Wei was skilled in both civil and military affairs, driven by an unwavering desire for success, he relied excessively on military strength, and his decision-making lacked thoroughness, which ultimately led to his demise and the fall of the state. As Laozi said, "Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish; it requires gentleness and meticulous care." Moreover, how could the small state of Shu-Han be so easily unsettled?

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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Huang Quan, with the courtesy name Gongheng, was from Langzhong, Sichuan. When he was young, he held a minor official position in the district, and later, the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Zhang, appointed him as the chief clerk. At that time, the Deputy of Yizhou, Zhang Song, suggested welcoming Liu Bei to join forces in attacking Zhang Lu. Huang Quan advised Liu Zhang, saying: "Liu Bei has a great reputation and is very powerful. If we treat him as an ordinary soldier, he will definitely be dissatisfied. If we treat him with the courtesy of a guest, then Yizhou cannot support two masters. If Liu Bei remains calm like Mount Tai, you, Liu Zhang, will be in danger, like a tower of eggs that could topple at any moment. It is best to remain closed off and wait for the right time." Liu Zhang did not listen to him, sent people to welcome Liu Bei, and assigned Huang Quan as the magistrate of Guanghan County. Later, when Liu Bei conquered Yizhou, his generals began to divide the counties, and each county surrendered to Liu Bei one after another. Only Huang Quan held out in the city, waiting for Liu Zhang to surrender before he himself surrendered to Liu Bei. Liu Bei appointed Huang Quan as a military commander. When Cao Cao defeated Zhang Lu and Zhang Lu fled to Bazhong, Huang Quan said: "If we lose Hanzhong, the entire Bashu region will be in chaos. Hanzhong is the lifeline of the Shu region!" Therefore, Liu Bei appointed Huang Quan as the military commander, leading the troops to fight against Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu later surrendered to Cao Cao after escaping to Nanzheng, but ultimately, it was Huang Quan's strategy that defeated Du Huo and Pu Hu, killed Xiahou Yuan, and secured Hanzhong.

Liu Bei became the King of Hanzhong and also served as Prefect of Yizhou. He appointed Huang Quan as his Chief of Staff. After Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor and prepared to conquer Eastern Wu, Huang Quan advised him, "The people of Wu are fierce in battle, and their navy can easily attack downstream but find it difficult to retreat. I request permission to go first to scout the enemy; Your Majesty, you stay back and maintain our position." Liu Bei did not listen to him and appointed Huang Quan as General of the Northern Expedition, leading the army in the north to defend against the Wei army, while Liu Bei himself stayed in the south. Later, the Wu general Lu Yi broke through the encirclement using the current; Liu Bei's army was defeated, and Liu Bei retreated. With the road cut off, Huang Quan had no choice but to surrender to Wei. The court officials sought to punish Huang Quan's wife and children in accordance with the law. Liu Bei said, "It's my fault for Huang Quan; Huang Quan did not wrong me!" and treated Huang Quan's family as before. Cao Cao's son Cao Pi asked Zhuge Liang, "You rebelled once, and now you come to surrender; are you trying to emulate figures like Chen Sheng and Han Xin?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I was given exceptional treatment by Liu Bei in the past; surrendering to Eastern Wu is out of the question, and there is no way back to Shu, so I came to surrender to you. Besides, it's a victory just to save my life; who cares about those ancient celebrities?" Cao Pi thought his answer was good, so he appointed him as General Who Guards the South, Marquis of Yuyang, and appointed him as his attendant, allowing him to ride in the carriage.

Later, some defectors from the Shu Kingdom claimed they wanted to kill Zhuge Liang's family. Zhuge Liang knew this was false, but he refrained from rushing to publicly declare it. Eventually, when the truth came to light, it turned out to be just a rumor. When the news of Liu Bei's death arrived, officials from the Wei Kingdom all congratulated, but Zhuge Liang did not show any reaction. Cao Pi recognized that Zhuge Liang was a shrewd individual and wanted to test him, so he sent for him. Before Zhuge Liang even arrived, he was urged repeatedly, and messengers rushed back and forth without pause, with people and horses crossing paths. The officials and their attendants were all terrified, but Zhuge Liang remained calm. Later, Zhuge Liang was appointed as the governor-general of Yizhou and then transferred to Henan.

The Grand General Sima Yi valued him greatly and asked Zhuge Liang, "How many talents like you does the Shu Kingdom have?" Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "I didn't expect you to value me so much!" Sima Yi even wrote a letter to Zhuge Liang saying, "Huang Gongheng (Zhuge Liang's courtesy name) is an extraordinary person. Every time I meet him, he praises you endlessly." In the third year of the Jingchu era, which was the second year of the Yanxi era of Shu Han, Zhuge Liang was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and appointed Colonel Director of Retainers. The following year, he passed away and was posthumously named the Marquis of Jing. His son, Zhuge Yong, inherited his title. Zhuge Yong had no sons, so his lineage came to an end.

Zhuge Liang's son, Zhuge Chong, who stayed in Shu, became the Gentleman of the Imperial Library and served under General Wei Zhuan in the fight against Deng Ai. Upon reaching Fu County, Wei Zhuan hesitated to advance, and Zhuge Chong urged him repeatedly to advance quickly and occupy strategic positions to prevent the enemy from entering the plains. Wei Zhuan still didn't listen, and Zhuge Chong was so anxious that he cried. Consequently, Deng Ai's forces launched a fierce attack, and Wei Zhuan only began to fight back when they retreated to Mianzhu. Zhuge Chong led the soldiers bravely, determined to resist to the death, and ultimately died in battle. The saying "With no great generals in Shu, Liao Hua takes the lead" does not fit the situation here.

Li Hui, whose courtesy name was De'ang, was from Yuan County in Jianning County. He initially served as a postal courier in the county, and his uncle, Cuan Xi, was the county magistrate of Jianning. Due to his relationship with his uncle, Li Hui was also implicated and dismissed from his post. At that time, the governor Dong He felt that Cuan Xi was a prominent figure in the local area and did not take the matter seriously. Later, Li Hui was recommended to a prefecture, but before he arrived, he heard that Liu Bei had returned from Jiameng to attack Liu Zhang. Li Hui believed that Liu Zhang was bound to lose and Liu Bei was bound to win, so he left the county under the guise of a reason and went to join Liu Bei, meeting him in Mianzhu.

Liu Bei admired him greatly and took him to Luocheng. Later, Liu Bei sent Li Hui to build a good relationship with Ma Chao in Hanzhong, and Ma Chao complied. After the fall of Chengdu, Liu Bei became the governor of Yizhou and appointed Li Hui as the assistant clerk. Later, Li Hui was falsely accused by malicious people of plotting rebellion, and he was arrested by the authorities. After investigating and clearing his name, Liu Bei promoted him to the position of a higher-ranking official.

In the first year of the Zhangwu era, the commander Deng Fang of La had passed away, and Liu Bei asked Li Hui, "Who could take his place?" Li Hui replied, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, just as Confucius said, 'Use each according to his abilities.' Furthermore, with a wise ruler in power, his subjects can give their utmost effort, as Zhao Chongguo said during the battle of Xianling, 'There is no one better than the old ministers.' I wouldn’t presume to make such a decision and instead rely on Your Majesty's wise judgment." Liu Bei smiled and said, "I had already intended to use you." He then appointed Li Hui as the commander of La, with the authority to bear a staff, and appointed him as the Inspector of Jiaozhou, residing in Pingyi County.

After Liu Bei's death, Gao Ding was running rampant in the Yuesui region, Yongkai was causing trouble in Jianning, and Zhu Bao led a rebellion in Zangke. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang led his troops south, first starting from Yuesui, then repairing the roads and marching towards Jianning. As a result, the rebel forces from different counties banded together and besieged Zhuge Liang's army in Kunming. At that time, Zhuge Liang's army was outnumbered and had yet to hear from him. Zhuge Liang tricked the southern people by saying, "The official troops have run out of food and want to retreat. We have been fighting in foreign lands for a long time, and now we can finally go back. It is impossible to go further north. We want to discuss countermeasures with you, so we are telling you honestly." The people in the south bought it, causing both the siege and defense to slacken. Zhuge Liang then attacked, scored a major victory, pursued the fleeing enemy, and chased them all the way to Panjiang, connecting with Prime Minister Zhuge's army to the east in Zangke. After bringing peace to the south, Zhuge Liang made significant contributions and was made the Marquis of Hanxing and promoted to General of Anhan. Later, when the army withdrew, the southern tribes revolted again and killed the stationed generals. Zhuge Liang personally led troops to suppress them, completely wiping out the troublemakers, relocating their leaders to Chengdu, and gathering resources like cattle, horses, gold, silver, and rhinoceros leather from the elderly and the Pu people to replenish military supplies, ensuring the army's expenses were fully covered. In the seventh year of Jianxing, Jiaozhou was handed over to Sun Wu, and Zhuge Liang was relieved of his duties as governor of Jiaozhou. He was appointed Prefect of Jianning and returned to his home county. Later, he relocated to Hanzhong and died in the ninth year of Jianxing. His son inherited his title. Zhuge Liang's grandson, Zhuge Qiu, served as the Right Division Supervisor of the Imperial Guards, followed Zhuge Zhan to fight against Deng Ai, received orders on the battlefield, and was killed in Mianzhu.

Lü Kai, style name Jiping, was a native of Buwei County in Yongchang Commandery. He served as the Five Officials' Clerk and the Chief Clerk in the commandery. At that time, Yong Kai and others heard that the late Lord Liu Bei had died in Yong'an, so they became even more arrogant and brazen. General Li Yan wrote a six-page letter to Yong Kai, reasoning with him and appealing to his sentiments, advising him not to rebel. But Yong Kai only replied with a one-page letter, on which was written: "I have heard that there are no two suns in the sky, no two kings on the earth. Now that the empire is divided into three, there are three rightful sovereigns. Therefore, the people in distant regions are anxious and bewildered, not knowing whom to submit to." His attitude was truly arrogant and overbearing to the extreme. Later, Yong Kai surrendered to Eastern Wu, and Eastern Wu appointed him as the Administrator of Yongchang from afar.

Yongchang Commandery was located to the west of Yizhou Commandery, with rugged and difficult roads, isolated from Shu Han. The commandery's Administrator was changed, and Lü Kai, along with Magistrate Wang Kang, led officials and people to close the borders and resolutely resist Yong Kai. Yong Kai sent messengers to Yongchang Commandery several times with proclamations, proclaiming his "justice." Lü Kai replied with a letter, saying: "Calamities have befallen from the heavens, and wicked individuals seize the opportunity to incite chaos. The people of the world are gritting their teeth in fury, with all officials and people, big and small, willing to give their all, even if it means risking their lives, to pacify this national crisis. General, your family has enjoyed the favor of the Han dynasty for generations; you should gather your troops personally, be the first to answer the call, serve the country, not betray your ancestors, inscribe your achievements on bamboo slips, and leave a lasting legacy for generations. How can you forsake your roots and ally with foreign enemies?"

In the past, Emperor Shun was diligent in political affairs and passed away in Cangwu. Later generations all praised him, and his reputation has been passed down to this day. He died by the river, so what is there to be sad about? King Wen and King Wu were appointed by the heavens, and King Cheng only pacified the realm. Emperor Liu Bei raised troops to fight against bandits, and people from all over the world submitted to him. The court ministers were all wise and intelligent, and the realm enjoyed peace. Yet, General, you seem unable to recognize the patterns of rise and fall, the signs of success and failure, like a wildfire sweeping through the grasslands or walking on thin ice, where fire dies and ice melts. What will you depend on? Your ancestor, Marquis Yong, caused some resentment but was eventually ennobled. Dou Rong understood the situation and submitted to Emperor Guangwu, and left behind a good reputation. Now, Prime Minister Zhuge is exceptionally talented and wise, serving the young master Liu Shan. If you can repent and change your ways, it's not too hard to follow in the footsteps of the ancients. What is there in this small Yongchang County that makes you so stubborn?

I heard that the State of Chu disrespected the Zhou royal family, and Duke Huan of Qi rebuked it. When King Fu of Wu declared himself emperor, the people of Jin no longer supported him. Moreover, what you've allied with isn't the legitimate line, so who will submit to you? I adhere to ancient customs and have no dealings with you, which is why I did not reply to your previous letters. After receiving your message again, I've been restless and rushed to express my thoughts, hoping you can take a moment to consider them, General. Lv Kai is highly respected and known for his virtue in the county, which is why he can uphold his integrity.

Chancellor Zhuge went south to attack Yong Kai, but as soon as the army set out, Yong Kai was killed by Gao Ding's soldiers. Upon arriving in the south, Zhuge Liang reported to the court, saying, "The officials Lv Kai and Wang Kang from Yongchang County have been loyal to the court in the remote areas for more than ten years. Yong Kai and Gao Ding oppressed them and caused chaos in the northeast, but Lv Kai and the others have consistently upheld justice and did not collude with the rebels. I did not expect the people of Yongchang to be so simple and upright!" Zhuge Liang then appointed Lv Kai as the governor of Yunnan, granting him the title of Marquis of Yangqianting. Unfortunately, Lv Kai was later killed by the rebel Yi tribes, and his son Lv Xiang inherited his title. Wang Kang was also honored for his loyalty and appointed as the governor of Yongchang. Thus, the matter came to a close. Zhuge Liang's southern campaign to suppress the rebellion, with the original target Yong Kai dead, unexpectedly discovered officials like Lv Kai and Wang Kang who were loyal and unwavering, which was an unexpected gain. The court also honored them, affirming their loyalty and steadfastness. However, his untimely death was regrettable, but fortunately, his son inherited his title, thus continuing his legacy of loyalty. Ma Zhong, whose courtesy name was Dexin, was from Langzhong, Bashu. As a child, he carried his maternal family name, Hu, before later returning to his original surname and changing his name to Zhong. He served as a county official and was recommended as a filial and incorruptible official at the end of Jian'an, serving as the magistrate of Hanchang County. When Liu Bei suffered defeat at the Battle of Xiaoting during his eastern campaign, Baixi Prefect Yan Zhi mobilized five thousand troops from various counties to replenish the losses, sending Ma Zhong to escort the troops. After returning to Yong'an, Liu Bei met with Ma Zhong and spoke with him. Liu Bei told the Minister of the Interior Liu Ba, "Although we have lost Huang Quan, we have gained Hu Du (Ma Zhong), which proves that there's no shortage of talent in the world!"

In the first year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang opened his office and appointed Ma Zhong as Chief of Staff. Three years later, Zhuge Liang launched a southern campaign and appointed Ma Zhong as the Prefect of Zangke. County magistrate Zhu Bao staged a rebellion, but after the rebellion was suppressed, Ma Zhong calmed the populace, governed effectively, earned their trust, and gained considerable prestige. In the eighth year of Jianxing, Ma Zhong was summoned back to court to serve as an aide to the Prime Minister, assisting Chief Clerk Jiang Wan in managing the government office, and also serving as an official responsible for state affairs. The following year, when Zhuge Liang launched a northern expedition to Qishan, Ma Zhong joined Zhuge Liang's army to assist with military operations. After the northern expedition ended, Ma Zhong led generals, including Zhang Yi, in quelling the Qiang rebellion in Wenshan County.

In the eleventh year of Jianxing, the powerful chieftain Liu Zhou from Nanyi staged a rebellion, causing disturbances in several counties. The court recalled Zhang Yi, the Governor of Lijiang, and Ma Zhong replaced him. Ma Zhong eventually killed Liu Zhou and suppressed the rebellion in the south. Ma Zhong was appointed as the General overseeing the Fierce and Mighty Army and was bestowed the title of Marquis of Boyang. Initially, in Jianning County, Magistrate Zheng Ang was murdered, and Magistrate Zhang Yi was captured and sent to the Kingdom of Wu, so the governor had been stationed in Pingyi County. After Ma Zhong took office, he relocated the administrative center to Weixian, situated between the Han and Yi peoples for more effective governance. In addition, Yuegui County had long been deprived of some territory, and Ma Zhong, together with Governor Zhang Yi, reclaimed the lost territory. Therefore, Ma Zhong was appointed as the General of Annan and was further elevated to the title of Marquis of Pengxiang.

In the fifth year of the Yanxi period, Ma Zhong returned to the court. As he passed through Hanzhong, he visited Grand Marshal Jiang Wan and announced an imperial decree that appointed him as the Grand General of Zhen Nan. In the spring of the seventh year of Yanxi, Grand General Fei Yi went north to defend against the Wei country's army, leaving Ma Zhong to handle the affairs of the Shangshu in Chengdu. After Fei Yi returned to the capital, Ma Zhong went back south. In the twelfth year of Yanxi, Ma Zhong passed away, and his son Ma Xiu inherited his title. Ma Zhong was known for his kindness and generosity, and he had a great sense of humor. While he enjoyed joking and laughing, he never displayed his anger. However, he was decisive and resolute in handling political affairs, earning both respect and affection from the local tribes. After Ma Zhong's death, many people came to his memorial hall to mourn for him. A temple was built in his honor, which still stands to this day. Zhang Biao was a well-known figure at that time, with a reputation and loyalty that surpassed others. Yan Yu, who had previously earned many merits, was very diligent in his work. However, when they took over Zhang Biao's position, neither could match his prestige or achievements.

Wang Ping, courtesy name Zijun, was from Dangqu, a place in Brazil. He was raised by his grandmother, from the He family, and later changed his surname to Wang. He followed Du Huo and Pu Hu to Luoyang and was appointed as an acting Colonel. Later, he followed Cao Cao to attack Hanzhong, but surrendered to Liu Bei and was appointed as the General of the Yamen and Deputy General. In the sixth year of Jianxing, he followed the military officer Ma Su as the vanguard. Ma Su camped the army on the mountain instead of by the water, which caused disorder. Wang Ping cautioned Ma Su repeatedly, but Ma Su did not listen and was defeated at Jieting. Everyone scattered to escape, but only Wang Ping led a thousand men, sounded the drums to create the illusion of an ambush, and Wei general Zhang He believed there was an ambush and hesitated to attack. Wang Ping slowly reassembled the scattered soldiers and led them to safety. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang executed Ma Su along with generals Zhang Xiu and Li Sheng, and stripped generals like Huang Xi of their military authority. Due to his exceptional performance, Wang Ping was promoted to military officer, commanded five troops, managed the camp, and was promoted to the General of the Conquering Bandits and appointed as the Viscount of Ting. In the ninth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang besieged Qishan, and Wang Ping was solely responsible for guarding the camp in the south. Wei's Grand General Sima Yi attacked Zhuge Liang, and Zhang He attacked Wang Ping, but Wang Ping defended firmly and Zhang He could not do anything about it. In the twelfth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang died in Wugong, the army retreated, Wei Yan rebelled, but was defeated by Wang Ping, which was Wang Ping's credit! Later, Wang Ping was promoted to the Rear Guardian General, the General of Anhan, acting as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wu Yi, in Hanzhong, and also served as the Prefect of Hanzhong. In the fifteenth year of Jianxing, Wang Ping was appointed as the Marquis of Anhan, replacing Wu Yi to lead Hanzhong. In the first year of Yanxi, Grand General Jiang Wan stationed in Mianyang, and Wang Ping was appointed as the Front Guard, acting as Jiang Wan's steward. In the sixth year of Yanxi, Jiang Wan returned to Fucheng, and Wang Ping was appointed as the Front Supervisor and Grand General of Zhenbei, commanding Hanzhong.

In the spring of 234 AD, General Cao Shuang of the Wei Kingdom marched with over one hundred thousand infantry and cavalry towards Hanchuan in a grand display, with the vanguard having already reached Luogu. At that time, the soldiers stationed in Hanzhong were fewer than thirty thousand, which sent the generals into a panic. Some suggested, "We don't have enough forces to take on the enemy, so we should just defend Hanzhong and Lecheng. When the enemy breaks in, the reinforcements from Fucheng can arrive in time to rescue the mountain passes." However, Jiang Wei said, "No! Hanzhong is over a thousand miles from Fucheng. If the enemy takes the mountain passes, it will be a big problem. We should send Liu as the guard and Du as the attendant to occupy Xingshi first, while I will hold the rear to intercept. If the enemy strikes at Huangjin, I will lead a thousand men to meet them in battle. When the reinforcements from Fucheng arrive, that would be our best strategy." Only Liu Min shared Jiang Wei's view and promptly set the plan in motion. As a result, the reinforcements from Fucheng and General Fei Yi began to arrive from Chengdu. Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, the Wei army withdrew, adhering to Jiang Wei's strategy. At that time, Deng Zhi was in the east, Ma Zhong was in the south, and Jiang Wei was in the north, all of whom achieved significant military successes. Jiang Wei grew up in the military camp and barely recognized a handful of characters, knowing fewer than ten. However, when others transcribed his dictation, his writings were well-organized. He had people read him the biographies from "Records of the Grand Historian" and "Book of Han," grasping the main ideas and articulating them confidently. He was strict about following the rules, never joking around in speech, always maintaining an upright posture from morning until night, meticulous and without the roughness often associated with generals. However, his character was narrow-minded, suspicious, and arrogant—flaws that plagued him. In 242 AD, Jiang Wei passed away, and his son, Jiang Xun, succeeded him in his title.

At the beginning, there was a man named Jufu from Jufu Township in Hanchang County, who served under Jiang Wei and was known for his loyalty, bravery, and generosity. He had made great military achievements multiple times, with achievements second only to Jiang Wei. He was promoted to the rank of Left General and was granted the title of Dangqu Marquis.

Zhang Yi, styled Boqi, was a native of Nanchong in Bajun. When he was young, he became the county magistrate. When Liu Bei unified the Shu region, bandits attacked the county town. The county magistrate abandoned his possessions and fled, but Zhang Yi risked his life amid the chaos to escape with the magistrate's wife, saving her life. This act earned him widespread acclaim, and he was summoned by the state to serve as an official. At that time, the esteemed officials Gong Lu and Yao Zhu, both of whom held high ranks in the prefecture, were well acquainted with Zhang Yi.

In the fifth year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong. Bandits from Guanghan and Mianzhu, including Zhang Mu, were robbing military provisions and plundering the people. Zhang Yi was appointed as a military commander and led troops to suppress them. Zhang Yi estimated that these bandits were scattered and difficult to defeat, so he pretended to negotiate with them and agreed to have a drink together. During the banquet, Zhang Yi personally led his soldiers and took the opportunity to kill more than fifty people, including Zhang Mu, the leader of the bandits. The remaining bandits were then pursued and suppressed within ten days, quelling the bandit uprising. Later, Zhang Yi fell seriously ill, and his condition became critical. His family was very poor. He Qi, the Prefect of Guanghan and a reputable and kind-hearted man from Shu County, despite not being very close to Zhang Yi, still came to his aid. He Qi provided substantial financial support for his treatment, and a few years later, Zhang Yi recovered from his illness. He was known for his integrity, honesty, and loyalty—truly a remarkable individual.

Later, Zhang Yi was appointed as the commander of the Yamen, under the command of General Ma Zhong. He went north to suppress the Qiang people's rebellion in Wenshan and south to pacify the rebellions of local tribes in four counties. He consistently employed excellent strategies and secured victories in every battle. In the fourteenth year of Jianxing, Fu Jian, the king of the Di people in Wudu, requested to surrender. The court sent General Zhang Wei to meet him, but he did not return after the time we agreed upon, which worried General Jiang Wan greatly. Zhang Yi analyzed and said, "Since Fu Jian has requested to surrender, there shouldn’t be any surprises. I heard that Fu Jian's brother is very cunning, and the local tribes are not united in their actions, so there must be disagreements, which is why the delay." After a few days, news came that Fu Jian's brother had indeed taken four hundred households to surrender to the Wei kingdom, leaving only Fu Jian to surrender.

Initially, after Prime Minister Zhuge Liang pacified Gaoding in Yuezhi, local ethnic groups frequently rebelled, even killing the Governor Gong Lu and Jiao Huang. After that, the governors dared not go to the county office, instead staying in Anshang County, which was more than eight hundred li away from the county office, which left Yuezhi County essentially a shell. At that time, everyone was trying to restore the normal operation of the county office, so Li Yi was appointed as the Governor of Yuezhi. Li Yi took his subordinates to the county office and adopted a conciliatory approach, by using kindness and trust to win over the local tribes, and many people submitted to him.

The Ma tribe in the north was quite powerful and refused to recognize the court's authority. Li Yi personally led troops to suppress them, capturing their leader Wei Lang alive. Li Yi did not kill him but encouraged him to persuade others to submit to the court. Li Yi also requested the court to grant Wei Lang the title of marquis. Now, the over three thousand households of the Ma tribe settled down and flourished, serving the court well. Hearing this, other tribes followed suit. Li Yi was honored by the court for resolving the border issues and was appointed as a marquis within the pass.

The ruler of Suqi Prefecture, Dong Feng, and his younger brother, Kui Qu, initially surrendered to the court but later rebelled. Li Yi killed Dong Feng. Dong Feng's wife was the daughter of the King of Maoniu, and Li Yi cleverly pardoned her. Kui Qu fled to the western border. Kui Qu was very brave and fierce, greatly feared and respected by other tribes. He sent two trusted aides to pretend to surrender to Li Yi, but in reality, they were trying to gather information. Li Yi saw through their plot, promised them great rewards, and turned them into informants. These two then conspired to kill Kui Qu. With Kui Qu's death, the other tribes fell into line. In addition, the leader of the Stuqi tribe, Li Qiucheng, who had previously killed the magistrate Gong Lu, was captured on Li Yi's orders, his crimes were listed, and he was executed.

Li Yi found that the county government's walls and buildings were in disrepair, so he rebuilt small defensive fortifications. After three years in office, he was transferred back to his original county, repaired the city fortifications, and the local people of all ages actively participated in this project.

Ding Ya, Tai Deng, and Bei Shui counties were more than 300 miles away from the county seat and once produced salt, iron, and lacquer, but these resources were consumed by the minority groups who controlled them for a long time. Li Yi led his men to reclaim these three counties and appointed officials. When Li Yi arrived in Ding Ya County, the local strongman, Lang Cen, who was the uncle of Panmu King, held significant influence among the tribes. He refused to come and meet Li Yi because he was unhappy with Li Yi seizing their resources. Li Yi then sent dozens of strong men to directly capture him, kill him, and bring his body back to the tribe. He lavishly rewarded the soldiers who captured him and laid out Lang Cen's wrongdoings for everyone, warning, "Do not act recklessly, or your clan will be exterminated!" All the tribes were intimidated and quickly submitted. Li Yi hosted a grand banquet with cattle feasts to entertain them, emphasizing the court's benevolence, and ultimately regained resources such as salt and iron, making the county government's supplies more abundant.

Over four thousand households of the Maoniu Yi people lived near Hanjia County. Their leader, Langlu, wanted to take revenge on his uncle (referring to someone who had a conflict with them before). So, Langlu sent his uncle to go and investigate the situation and see how things were.

County magistrate Li Yi immediately sent a trusted person to send cattle and wine to reward them, and also let them meet his wife, have a good conversation, and express goodwill. Lang accepted the gifts and even saw his sister. The siblings were overjoyed and decided to join Li Yi along with their followers. Li Yi treated them exceptionally well, rewarded them with many things, and then sent them back. From then on, the Maoniu Yi people no longer dared to cause trouble again.

There used to be an old road in the county that passed through the Maoniu Yi territory, leading directly to Chengdu, flat and close. But since the Maoniu Yi rebelled, this road had been abandoned for over a hundred years, and everyone had to take a long and treacherous detour. Li Yi sent envoys with money and gifts to Lu (referring to the leader of the Maoniu Yi's road) and asked him to communicate well with Lu. After hearing this, Lu and his wife and children decided to join Li Yi. Li Yi and Lu made an oath, and the old road was restored. The road was cleared over a distance of more than a thousand miles, and the pavilions and post stations were restored. Li Yi also reported to the court, and the road was bestowed the title "Maoniu Tianjupi Wang," and envoys were sent to pay tribute. Later, the emperor conferred upon Li Yi the title of General of the Hu Rong and allowed him to continue managing Hanjia County.

When Li Yi first saw Fei Yi becoming the Grand General, he perceived him as quite easy-going and overly kind to the newly allied people. Li Yi wrote him a letter of advice, saying, "In the past, Cen Peng led the troops and was ordered to act in She, but he was killed by assassins because he trusted the newly attached people too much. Now that you are a high-ranking general, you should take heed of the past and exercise more caution!" Eventually, Fei Yi was indeed killed by Guo Xiu, a general who had surrendered to Wei.

Zhuge Ke had just defeated the Wei army and was preparing to attack with a grand display of force. His younger brother, Zhuge Zhan, who was the son of Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister, was serving as an attendant at the time and wrote a letter to advise him: "The ruler of Eastern Wu has just passed away, the new emperor is young, and as the Grand Tutor, you have a great responsibility. This is not an easy task! Even talented individuals like the Duke of Zhou have experienced rebellions by Guan Shu and Cai Shu. During the regency of Huo Guang, there were rebellions by the King of Yan, the King of Gai, and Shangguan Jie. If it weren't for the wise decisions of Emperor Cheng and Emperor Zhao of Han, the consequences could have been dire. I have heard that the late emperor was decisive in his actions, clear in rewards and punishments, and wasn't particularly considerate of others' feelings. Before his passing, he specifically summoned you to entrust you with matters, which is indeed concerning. Moreover, the people in the Wu and Chu regions are known for their fierce disposition, as we have known before. By leaving the young monarch and going deep into enemy territory, this may not be a sustainable strategy. Although the political situation in Eastern Wu is stable and unified, wise leaders should be wary of unforeseen events. Taking lessons from history, you should think carefully. If not you, who else can advise the Grand Tutor? It would be wiser to gather your troops, cultivate the land, and win the people's goodwill for a few years before planning any military campaigns. It is not too late. I hope you will seriously consider my advice." Zhuge Ke was eventually wiped out along with his family for this reason. Zhuge Zhan's insights were largely sound.

After serving as the county magistrate for fifteen years, the people in the region lived in peace and prosperity, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Zhuge Zhan repeatedly requested to return to the capital, and the court finally summoned him back to Chengdu. The local people and minority ethnic groups were very reluctant to see him go, supporting his carriage and weeping as they bid him farewell. When he passed through Maoniuyi, the city mayor and all the townspeople came out to welcome him; they followed him all the way to the border of Shu County, with over a hundred local officials and townspeople accompanying him to the capital to pay their respects. Upon returning to Chengdu, Zhuge Zhan was appointed as the General for Pacifying Bandits. He was generous, passionate, and had a heroic spirit, earning the respect of scholars. However, he was also somewhat unrestrained in his behavior, not adhering closely to etiquette, which drew some criticism. This was in the seventeenth year of the Yanxi era. The Prefect of Didi in Wei, Li Jian, secretly wrote a letter requesting to surrender, and General Wei Jiang Wei led Zhuge Zhan and others to use the supplies provided by Li Jian to march into Longxi. Upon reaching Didi, Li Jian indeed led all the city’s officials and residents out to greet the army. On the battlefield, Zhuge Zhan fought against the Wei general Xu Zhi, died in battle, but he inflicted more casualties on the enemy than his own side suffered. After Zhuge Zhan's death, the court granted his eldest son Ying the title of Marquis of Xixiang, while his second son Huxiong inherited his title. The people and minority ethnic groups in the southern Yuesui region were deeply saddened to hear of Zhuge Zhan's death, and they built temples in his honor, holding sacrificial ceremonies for him in every season and during times of drought or flood.

As the comments say: Huang Quan, a person of culture and thoughtfulness; Li Hui, a straightforward and ambitious individual; Lu Kai, loyal and unwavering in his duties; Ma Zhong, although impulsive, possessed a strong will; Wang Ping, loyal, brave, and disciplined; Zhang Yi, knowledgeable, with strong judgment, and decisive. These people, with their own strengths, made names for themselves, achieving great success and truly seizing their opportunities!

Look, these individuals each possess unique talents and accomplishments. Huang Quan is exceptionally talented, Li Hui has lofty ambitions, Lv Kai is unwaveringly loyal, Ma Zhong is tenacious, Wang Ping is rigorous and diligent, and Zhang Yi is both wise and bold; all of them distinguished themselves in that era. This illustrates that while individual abilities are important, timing is also crucial, as the saying goes, "the times create heroes"! Their success stems not only from their outstanding qualities but also from the context of that era. As articulated in "Mencius," "opportune timing is inferior to advantageous location, and advantageous location is inferior to harmonious relations." Individual abilities, opportunities of the era, and teamwork are all essential.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Records of the Three Kingdoms （三國志）

Published: 01 January 2025

Created: 01 January 2025

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Du Wei, courtesy name Guofu, was a native of Zitong County. When he was young, he studied under Ren An in Guanghan. Later, Liu Zhang summoned him to serve as an official, but he resigned due to illness. After Liu Bei pacified Shu, Du Wei pretended to be deaf and mute, never leaving his home. In the second year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou. When selecting talents, he carefully chose those who were virtuous and respected, such as appointing Qin Mi as an aide, Wu Liang as a chief clerk, and Du Wei as the chief clerk. Du Wei firmly declined, but Zhuge Liang insisted on inviting him.

After Zhuge Liang invited Du Wei, he personally met with him. Du Wei expressed his gratitude to Zhuge Liang. Knowing that Du Wei was indifferent to worldly affairs, Zhuge Liang directly wrote him a letter saying: "I have long admired your virtues. I am longing to discuss national affairs with you, like a thirsty person awaiting rain. The clear and muddy waters will eventually separate, and we should have met earlier. Wang Yuantai, Li Boren, Wang Wenyi, Yang Jixiu, Ding Jungan, the brothers Li Yongnan and Wen Zhongbao, all greatly admire your noble aspirations, but have not been able to meet with you as before. I currently hold a vacant position, leading Yizhou, lacking the virtue and talent to handle heavy responsibilities, and filled with worries. The court is still in its infancy at eighteen years old this year, but he is intelligent, benevolent, and good at accepting advice. People across the realm long for the Han Dynasty. I hope you can hearken to the will of heaven, pacify the people, aid this young monarch in achieving greatness and securing your legacy in history. You hold that wise and foolish cannot collaborate on great matters, so you have isolated yourself from the world, prioritizing your own leisure; this is truly misguided!"

Du Wei then requested to retire and return home, but Zhuge Liang replied to him in a letter, saying, "Cao Pi seized the throne and declared himself emperor, which is like a mud dragon and a grass dog, both failing to live up to their names. We should unite all the talented people in the world, exploit Cao Pi's hypocrisy and malice to eliminate him the right way. I'm surprised you're eager to retreat to the mountains without hearing my advice. Cao Pi is busy with construction, squandering the people's resources while preparing to attack Wu and Chu. We should take advantage of Cao Pi's mobilization of troops, focus on developing agriculture, nurturing the people, and reorganizing the army, waiting for his failure. Then we can send troops to attack him, achieving peace without bloodshed, letting the people live happily, and restoring order to the world. You only need to assist the court with your virtues; I will not force you to participate in military affairs. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Zhuge Liang respected Du Wei so much. In the end, Zhuge Liang appointed Du Wei as the Chief Adviser, fulfilling his wish.

Wu Liang, styled Deshan, was a man from Nan'an in Jianwei, known for his Confucianism and noble character. He rose from a Yilang to a Chief Adviser, and later was promoted to General of the Five Offices.

Zhou Qun, styled Zhongzhi, was from Langzhong in Sichuan. His father was named Zhou Shu, styled Shubu, and when he was young, he studied under Yang Hou in Guanghan. Yang Hou's reputation was similar to that of Dong Zhongshu and Ren An. The court summoned Zhou Shu several times, but he resolutely refused to go. Once, someone asked him, "The 'Chunqiu Chen' says that the one who will replace the Han Dynasty is the 'Dangtu Gao,' what does this mean?" Zhou Shu replied, "The 'Dangtu Gao' refers to Wei." Scholars in his hometown were secretly spreading this saying about him.

Zhou Qun has been studying astronomy and calendars since childhood, learning from his father. He constructed a small tower in the center of his courtyard, coming from a wealthy family with many servants. He had the servants take turns observing celestial phenomena from the top floor. Whenever they spotted any unusual atmospheric changes, they would report to him immediately. Zhou Qun would then go upstairs to observe, regardless of whether it was day or night. As a result, he was able to notice any weather changes, making his predictions remarkably accurate. Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yizhou, invited him to serve as an advisor. After Liu Bei took control of Shu, he appointed Zhou Qun as the Prefect of Scholars.

Liu Bei sought to compete with Cao Cao for Hanzhong and consulted Zhou Qun for his opinion. Zhou Qun replied, "You may capture Hanzhong, but you won't win the hearts of the local people. Sending a small force is bound to result in losses; you must proceed with caution!" At that time, Zhang Yu, a native of Shu County and an expert in astronomy and calendars like Zhou Qun, who was even more talented, advised Liu Bei, "We cannot fight for Hanzhong; we will definitely suffer losses in battle!" However, Liu Bei ultimately disregarded Zhang Yu's advice, capturing Hanzhong but failing to win the people's hearts. Liu Bei dispatched generals Wu Lan, Lei Tong, and others to enter Wudu, leading to the complete annihilation of the army, with none returning, just as Zhou Qun had predicted. As a result, Liu Bei recommended Zhou Qun as a man of great talent.

Yu secretly confided to others, "In the year of Gengzi, the world will witness a change of dynasties, and the Liu family's reign will come to an end. After the lord obtains Yizhou, nine years later, during the years of Yin and Mao, he will lose it." This prediction was known to many people in private.

Initially, when Liu Bei and Liu Zhang met in Fucheng, Fa Zheng served as Liu Zhang's counselor and was by his side. Fa Zheng had a thick beard, so Liu Bei joked, "When I lived in Zhuo County, people with the surname Mao were everywhere, in every direction. The magistrate of Zhuo County once joked, 'All the Maos are around Zhuo!'" Fa Zheng quickly shot back, "There was a man who had been the magistrate of Shangdang Lu County before and later transferred to Zhuo County as the county magistrate. After he retired and returned home, when people wrote to him, they often forgot to mention Zhuo County if they signed with Lu County. Ultimately, they signed off as 'Lu Zhuo Jun'." Liu Bei held a grudge against Fa Zheng for his disrespect, and on top of that, Fa Zheng had leaked sensitive information. Liu Bei deliberately claimed that Fa Zheng's advice to seize Hanzhong was pointless, and he had him arrested and sentenced to death. Zhuge Liang submitted a request for clemency, but Liu Bei responded, "An orchid blooms at the door, but it must be pruned." Fa Zheng was ultimately executed. Later, after the Wei Kingdom was established and Liu Bei's death, everything unfolded as Fa Zheng had foretold. Fa Zheng was also skilled in physiognomy. Each time he gazed at his reflection, he knew his fate was death, so he never took it lightly and would smash the mirror to pieces. After Fa Zheng died, his son Fa Miao inherited his expertise in physiognomy. Du Qiong, known by his courtesy name Boyu, hailed from Chengdu, Sichuan. In his youth, he studied under Ren An, thoroughly exploring his teachings. During Liu Zhang's rule, he appointed Du Qiong as an advisor. After Liu Bei took control of Yizhou and became its Governor, he appointed Du Qiong to the deliberation department. After Liu Shan ascended the throne, he named him Grand Adviser and later promoted him to General of the Guards on the Left, Grand Herald, and Minister of Ceremonies. He was a quiet man, spoke little, rarely left home, and stayed out of worldly affairs. Both Jiang Wan and Fei Yi held him in high regard. Despite his extensive knowledge, he initially never studied astronomy and rarely voiced his opinions.

Later, the famous scholar Qiao Zhou often consulted him. Du Qiong replied, "Grasping astronomy is incredibly challenging. You need to see it with your own eyes, understand its shape and color, rather than just listening to others. You have to diligently observe day and night to truly understand, and there's always the worry of it getting leaked. It's better to remain ignorant, so I've decided to stop studying." Qiao Zhou then asked, "What did Zhou Zhengjun mean when he believed the Wei Kingdom would rise to power?" Du Qiong replied, "'Wei' is a name of a place, signifying something that towers into the clouds. It's merely a metaphor employed by sages." Qiao Zhou asked again, "Do you have any other unusual insights?" Du Qiong continued, "In ancient times, official titles didn’t include the character 'Cao'; it was only from the Han Dynasty onwards that all official titles incorporated 'Cao', like 'Shucao' and 'Shicao'. This is likely a reflection of heavenly will." Du Qiong lived to be over eighty years old and passed away in the thirteenth year of the Yanxi era. He authored over a hundred thousand words of "Han Shi Zhangju," but he chose not to teach his own son, and no one in the family followed in his scholarly footsteps.

Qiao Zhou was inspired by Du Qiong's words, and he further said, "The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' recorded that Jin Mu Hou named his eldest son Qiu and his younger son Cheng Shi. Cheng Shi said, 'Oh, you named the eldest son Qiu! A harmonious union is called 'Fei,' while a union born of resentment is called 'Qiu.' Now you named the eldest son Qiu, and the younger son is named Cheng Shi. This is the start of trouble, brother; you need to be careful!' And indeed, that turned out to be the case later. Emperor Ling of Han named his two sons Shi Hou and Dong Hou, who both became emperors but were later demoted to marquis, similar to what Cheng Shi said. Liu Bei's name 'Bei' means 'to prepare,' while Liu Shan's name 'Shan' means 'to bestow.' This implies that Liu Bei was ready to pass on his legacy; this is even more significant than the names chosen by Jin Mu Hou and Emperor Ling of Han!" Later, the eunuch Huang Hao gained power. In the fifth year of Jingyao, the big tree in the palace fell unexpectedly. Qiao Zhou was very worried and unable to share his concerns with anyone, so he wrote on a pillar, "When the masses are great, the time has come, all is ready to be bestowed, what can we do about it?" Meaning: when the masses are strong, the world is about to unite, everything is ready to be bestowed, what else can be done? After the fall of Shu Han, everyone believed that Qiao Zhou's words had come true. Qiao Zhou said, "Although these are my own speculations, there are reasons behind them; they are derived from Du Qiong's words, and there's no mystical foresight involved."

Xu Ci, courtesy name Rendu, hailing from Nanyang, was a student of Liu Xi, specialized in the teachings of Zheng Xuan, and had a deep understanding of the I Ching, the Book of Documents, the Three Rites, the Classic of Poetry, and the Analects. During the Jian'an period, he and Xu Jing made their way to Shu from Jiaozhou. At that time, a man named Hu Qian, courtesy name Gongxing, hailed from Wei commandery in Yizhou; his arrival in Yizhou remains unclear. While Hu Qian's scholarship was not particularly deep, he had a wide range of knowledge and a strong memory. He could effortlessly articulate the systems of ancestral rites, funeral ceremonies, and sacrificial rituals with great clarity. After Liu Bei pacified Shu, due to the previous unrest, scholarly pursuits were neglected. Therefore, he collected and organized classics, restructured the academic framework, appointed Xu Ci and Hu Qian as scholars, and tasked Meng Guang, Lai Min, and others with the stewardship of ancient classics. At that time, the Shu Han regime had just been established, and many matters were still in their infancy, so there were often disputes and questions. Xu Ci and Hu Qian engaged in fierce arguments, even refusing to share books, often accusing and attacking each other as a means to assert their superiority. Their self-righteousness and jealousy had escalated to an alarming degree! Liu Bei felt sympathy for their situation, so during a gathering of officials, he had a theater troupe reenact their quarrel, performing their argument. After three rounds of wine, the music played, and everyone enjoyed the performance. At first, they attacked each other verbally, but ultimately resorted to swords and sticks as a serious warning. Hu Qian passed away first, while Xu Ci gradually rose in the Shu Han court, eventually reaching the position of Dachangqiu before his death. His son, Xu Xun, followed in his footsteps, inheriting his scholarly pursuits and later becoming a doctor himself.

Meng Guang, courtesy name Xiaoyu, was a native of Luoyang, Henan, and a relative of the Han Dynasty's Grand Commandant Meng Yu. When Emperor Ling of Han was about to pass away, he held a minor position at the court as an official in the Department of Lectures. After Emperor Xian relocated the capital to Chang'an, he fled to Shu, where he was treated politely by Liu Yan and his son. He was knowledgeable and well-read, particularly fond of the "Records of the Grand Historian," the "Book of Han," and the "Book of Later Han," and had a deep understanding of the old systems of the Han Dynasty. He had a special fondness for the "Gongyang's Annals" and often criticized the "Zuo Zhuan," engaging in heated debates with Lai Min about their differing viewpoints, always getting excited and shouting loudly.

After Liu Bei established a firm foothold in Yizhou, he appointed Meng Guang as a court gentleman to collaborate with Xu Ci and others on system formulation. When Liu Chan became emperor, Meng Guang successively held the positions of Minister of Appointments, Commandant of the Garrison Cavalry, Prefect of Changle, and finally rose to the position of Minister of Agriculture. In the autumn of the ninth year of the Yanxi era, when the court declared a general amnesty, Meng Guang openly criticized the Grand General Fei Yi, saying, "This general amnesty is like a withered tree branch, completely out of step with what a thriving era should look like! The country has declined to its lowest point, and there is no choice but to temporarily resort to this method. Now that the emperor is benevolent and wise, and all officials are diligent, there is no urgent danger that requires frequent use of such extreme measures to pardon the wrongdoers. Moreover, releasing criminals right after catching them is against both natural and human principles. I am old and lacking understanding of statecraft, but personally, I feel that this method is not sustainable in the long run; how can this reflect the court's wisdom?" Fei Yi at the time could only awkwardly apologize and mumble in response.

There are many instances where Meng Guang speaks bluntly and criticizes the current situation, so the powerful ministers are displeased, and his official position has not advanced, as his bluntness often draws criticism. The qualifications of Tai Chang Guang Han Chan, Guanglu Xun He Dong, and others are inferior to Meng Guang's, which is the reason for their higher official positions.

There is a young civil official named Xi Zheng who often visits the famous minister Li Guang. Li Guang asked Xi Zheng what the prince was learning and what his character was like. Xi Zheng replied, "The prince is very filial to his parents, diligent day and night, and very much embodies the qualities of an ancient prince; he is very kind in his words and actions towards the ministers." Li Guang said, "What you said is something that every household will have! What I want to know is, how are the prince's strategies, wisdom, and abilities?" Xi Zheng said, "The prince's way lies in obeying the will of the emperor and doing his best; he cannot act casually, and his wisdom and abilities are kept close to his chest, with strategies decided temporarily based on the situation. How can one possibly know in advance if these qualities are present?" Li Guang felt that Xi Zheng spoke cautiously and did not speak randomly, so he said, "I like to speak the truth, never evade, and often criticize the successes and failures of current affairs, which is why many people dislike me; it seems the emperor is also not fond of my opinions. However, speaking depends on the occasion. Now that the world is not yet stable, wisdom and strategies are most important. Although wisdom and strategies have their natural development laws, they can also be enhanced through effort. Should the prince study diligently like us and wait for others to seek his knowledge? Or should he strive for official positions like those scholars through examinations? What matters most right now is this!" Xi Zheng felt that Li Guang made a lot of sense. Eventually, Li Guang was dismissed from his post over a certain issue and passed away at the age of over ninety.

Lai Min, courtesy name Jingda, was a native of Yiyang Xinye and a descendant of Lai She. His father, Lai Yan, served as the Minister of Works (Sikong) during the Han Dynasty. During the turmoil at the end of the Han Dynasty, Lai Min fled to Jingzhou with his sister. His sister's husband was Huang Wan, who was a nephew of Liu Zhang's grandmother. Therefore, Liu Zhang sent someone to escort Huang Wan's wife, and Lai Min accompanied his sister to Shu, often visiting Liu Zhang as a guest. He was an avid reader of various texts, particularly proficient in the exegesis of the "Cang" and "Ya" sections of the Book of Songs, and was particularly attentive to textual criticism. After Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, he appointed Lai Min as the Chief of the Imperial Academy, and later as the Chief Minister. After Liu Shan ascended the throne, he became General of the Tiger Guards. When Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, he invited Lai Min to serve as the Military Libationer and Assistant General, but he was later dismissed due to errors. After Zhuge Liang's death, he returned to Chengdu to serve as the Grand Chamberlain, but was soon dismissed once more. He was promoted several times and achieved the rank of Gentleman of the Palace, but was later demoted due to errors. He was demoted several times due to his careless speech and behavior that did not conform to social norms. At the time, Meng Guang was also criticized for his careless handling of affairs, but his circumstances were somewhat better than Lai Min's. Both of them were respected by the world as scholars of high virtue. Lai Min hailed from a distinguished family in Jingchu and was a former minister of the Eastern Palace, so he received special treatment. Although he was dismissed from office, he was able to make a comeback. Later, Liu Shan appointed him as the General of Prudence, hoping that the dignity of his official position would help him exercise self-restraint. He lived to the age of ninety-seven and passed away during the Jinyao period. His son, Lai Zhong, also well-versed in classical texts, inherited his father's scholarly tradition and served as an advisor to Grand General Jiang Wei, alongside Shangshu Xiang Chong and others. Jiang Wei held him in high regard and appointed him as a military advisor.

Yin Mo, courtesy name Siqian, was from Zitong Fu County. In the Yizhou region, most people admire modern classical studies and do not place much emphasis on the study of annotations. Yin Mo realized this approach was limited, so he traveled to Jingzhou to learn ancient classical texts with Sima Decao, Song Zhongzi, and others. They were all knowledgeable in various classical texts, particularly well-versed in the "Zuo Zhuan." He had read Liu Xin's "Seven Strategies" as well as the annotations by Zheng Zhong, Jia Kui, Chen Yuan, and Fu Qian, but had not studied them in detail. After Liu Bei pacified Yizhou, he appointed Yin Mo as an educational advisor; when the crown prince was established, he appointed him as the crown prince's tutor to teach Liu Shan using the "Zuo Zhuan." After Liu Shan ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Grand Councilor. When Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, he invited him to be the Military Sacrificial Officer. After Zhuge Liang's death, he returned to Chengdu and was appointed as the Grand Master of the Palace, and later passed away. His son, Yin Zong, carried on his scholarly legacy and became a Doctor.

Li Zhuan, styled Qin Zhong, was a native of Zitong in Fuling. His father, Li Ren, styled De Xian, went to Jingzhou to study with Yin Mo, who was also from the same county, studying under Sima Hui, Song Zhong, and others. Li Zhuan inherited their studies and also studied with Yin Mo to explore principles of morality, exploring the Five Classics, various philosophical schools, and other disciplines. He also had a wide range of interests in various skills such as arithmetic, divination, medicine, archery, and mechanical production, and he pursued them with great diligence. He initially served as a scribe in the state and later became the historian of the Ministry of Documents. In the first year of Yanxi, the crown prince was established, and Li Zhuan was appointed as the crown prince's adopted son, later promoted to be the crown prince's attendant. He was subsequently promoted to Middle Counselor, Right General, and still served the crown prince. The crown prince highly valued his vast knowledge and talents; however, Li Zhuan was considered frivolous and playful, so people at the time did not regard him highly. He wrote books such as "Ancient Texts of Changes," "Book of Documents," "Classic of Poetry," "Three Rituals," "Zuo Commentary," and "Tai Xuan Zhi Gui," following the teachings of Jia Yi and Ma Rong, which differed from Zheng Xuan's views. Although he had differences with Wang Su's views, he later found that many of their views aligned. During the Jingyao era, Li Zhuan passed away. At that time, there was another scholar from Hanzhong named Chen Shu, styled Shenbo, who was well-versed and authored "Seven Essays on the Explanation of Questions," "Biographies of Eminent Elders," and some other historical records, and eventually served as the governor of three commanderies.

Qiao Zhou, courtesy name Yunnan, was from Xichong, in what is now Brazil. His father, Qiao Shanbing, courtesy name Rongshi, was well-versed in the Book of Documents and knowledgeable in various classical texts, astronomy, and calendrical studies. The local government repeatedly attempted to recruit him for official positions, but he consistently declined. Instead, he chose to remain in his hometown, serving as a teacher and advisor to his peers. Qiao Zhou became an orphan at a young age and lived with his mother and brother. As he grew up, he devoted himself to studying ancient texts. Despite the poverty of his household, he was indifferent to wealth and focused solely on reading the classics, often losing sleep as he read with joy. He immersed himself in the Six Classics and excelled in the art of calligraphy. Although he possessed some knowledge of astronomy, he did not dedicate much effort to studying it. Regarding the writings of various philosophical schools, he did not pay much attention to them and did not read them thoroughly. He stood eight feet tall, had a plain appearance, was honest and straightforward, avoided arguments, yet was very intelligent.

During the Jianxing period, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang served as the Governor of Yizhou and appointed Qiao Zhou as an assistant to promote education. Upon hearing the news of Zhuge Liang's death in enemy territory, Qiao Zhou immediately rushed home to mourn. Later, the court issued a ban on mourning, but Qiao Zhou was able to arrive in time due to his quick response. When General Jiang Wan became the Governor of Yizhou, he reassigned Qiao Zhou to oversee the educational institutions throughout the province.

The emperor appointed a crown prince and made Zhou Xingsi his attendant, later promoting him to be the household manager. At that time, the emperor loved to engage in recreational activities and even expanded the music band. Zhou Xingsi submitted a memorial advising: "When Wang Mang failed, heroes from all over rose up in rebellion, occupying states and counties, wanting to contend for the world. Those talented and wise people were all watching, waiting to see who could become their leader. This isn't just about who holds more power; it's about who has good moral character. At that time, Emperor Gengshi, Gongsun Shu, and others with relatively great power were all indulging in pleasure, completely disregarding the plight of the common people, hunting, eating, drinking, and playing all day long. When Emperor Guangwu just arrived in Hebei, Feng Yi and others advised him: 'You must do what others dare not do.' So Emperor Guangwu worked hard to address injustices, lived frugally, and followed the law in all his actions, thus enabling Emperor Guangwu to triumph over the stronger forces. The northern populace praised him, and his reputation spread throughout the land. Later, Deng Yu followed him from Nanyang; Wu Han and Kou Xun had never even seen Emperor Guangwu, but having heard of his good moral character, they used tactics to mobilize cavalry from Yuyang and Shanggu to welcome him in Guang'a. Others who admired his moral character, like Pi Tong, Geng Chun, Liu Zhi, and even those who came to seek refuge with coffins and children on their backs, were numerous, allowing Emperor Guangwu to defeat Wang Lang, eliminate the Bronze Horse Army, vanquish the Red Eyebrow Army, and ultimately achieve his imperial cause. After arriving in Luoyang, Emperor Guangwu once wanted to go out for a walk; the carriage was ready, but Jin Zhaoqi advised, 'The world is not yet stable; I don't want Your Majesty to keep running around.' Emperor Guangwu immediately returned upon hearing this. Later, when suppressing Wei Xiao, a rebellion broke out in Yingchuan. Emperor Guangwu returned to Luoyang and only sent Kou Xun to suppress the rebellion. Kou Xun said, 'The reason why Yingchuan rebelled is because Your Majesty was on a distant expedition, so those bad people dared to rebel. They do not yet know that Your Majesty has returned; they may not surrender easily. If Your Majesty goes in person, the bandits in Yingchuan will surely surrender immediately.' So Emperor Guangwu went to Yingchuan, and the outcome was indeed as Kou Xun had predicted."

So, if it's not anything particularly urgent, Emperor Guangwu wouldn't even dare to step outside, even for a moment. Even when faced with urgent matters, he would still find ways to keep himself safe. This reflects the benevolent nature of an emperor! So, as noted in the 'Records of the Grand Historian,' the key lies in winning people over with virtue first, as "the people won't support you without reason."

The Han Dynasty is currently experiencing misfortune; the realm is divided into three factions, and those with talent and ambition are all watching! Your Majesty, you are inherently filial, mourning for more than three years, weeping uncontrollably at the mention of the late emperor, even more so than Zeng Can and Min Ziqian! Your Majesty, you honor talented individuals, employ them wisely, and allow them to showcase their abilities, even better than Cheng Wang and Kang Wang. Therefore, with national unity and collective effort, there is so much more I could say. Yet, I humbly implore Your Majesty to take actions that others may shy away from. Those tasked with heavy burdens require the support of many, while those tackling difficult challenges need a variety of effective solutions. Moreover, as the emperor, serving the ancestral temple is not solely for seeking blessings, but also to guide the people to respect the heavens. Nowadays, you do not participate in some sacrificial activities and often go to the garden to play. I am but a simple and unworthy servant, feeling genuinely troubled. How can those entrusted with great responsibilities find time for leisure? The late emperor's wishes remain unfulfilled, and it is not a time for enjoyment. I respectfully urge Your Majesty to curtail the expenditures on court musicians and the harem, retaining only what the late emperor bequeathed, to set a standard of frugality for posterity." Later, Zhou Xingsi was transferred to the position of Zhongsan Daifu and continued to serve the crown prince.

At that time, the nation was embroiled in continuous warfare, and the common folk were enduring great hardship. Duke Zhou and Minister of Personnel Chen Zhi deliberated on the pros and cons. Subsequently, Duke Zhou authored a treatise titled "On National Enmity." In this treatise, he articulated:

Because our country is small and the other country is big, trying to compete for dominance with them has turned us into enemies. Our country has a wise minister who asked a very honest person, "The major affairs of the country are still unsettled, and everyone is very worried. What are the strategies from ancient times for the weak to defeat the strong?" The honest person said, "I heard that a country that is strong but lacks awareness of danger tends to be complacent; a country that is weak but has awareness of danger always thinks about doing well. Complacency leads to chaos, thinking about doing well leads to governance; this is the natural law. So King Wen of Zhou cared for the people and won with the few against the many; Goujian cared for the people and won with the weak against the strong; this is their strategy." The minister said, "In the past, Xiang Yu was strong and the Han Dynasty was weak, and they fought continuously without a moment's peace. But Xiang Yu and the Han Dynasty agreed to a truce with the Hong Canal as the boundary, each side rested their troops and cared for their people; Zhang Liang believed that the people's will had stabilized and was hard to sway, so he pursued Xiang Yu and eventually wiped out the Xiang clan. Must we really follow King Wen of Zhou's example? The other country is currently in the midst of internal turmoil; we can take advantage of this situation, attack its borders, worsen its condition, and let it perish." The honest person said, "During the transition from the Shang Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty, the princes inherited their thrones, the relationship between rulers and subjects was stable, and the people were accustomed to this system; those with deep roots are hard to uproot, and those occupying advantageous positions are difficult to displace. At that time, even if it was Emperor Gaozu of Han, could he take the world by sword and horse? After the Qin Dynasty abolished the feudal lords and established counties, the people were exhausted by the Qin Dynasty's corvée labor, the world collapsed; some countries changed owners several times a year, some countries changed rulers several times a month, people and animals were in panic, unsure of what to do, so the powerful fought each other, like tigers and wolves tearing each other apart; those who acted quickly gained benefits, while those who acted slowly were swallowed up. Now, both our country and the other country have experienced changes of dynasty; it's not as chaotic as during the fall of the Qin Dynasty, but there is a situation similar to the Six States standing side by side, so we can follow the example of King Wen of Zhou, but it is difficult to follow the example of Emperor Gaozu of Han. Fatigue among the populace will signal unrest; complacency among the elite and oppression among the commoners will lead to collapse. As the saying goes, 'It's better to aim before you shoot than to shoot blindly.' So wise people will not change their minds for small benefits, nor change their plans for slight changes in circumstances. Act when the time is right and strike when the conditions favor us. Therefore, King Tang and King Wu used troops and won victories in one or two battles, all because they valued the toil of the people and judged the situation. If we resort to war and engage in excessive battles, the world will crumble. In case of difficulties, even the smartest among us won't be able to cope. As for those clever schemes, moving freely, riding the wind and breaking the waves, crossing mountains and rivers without boats, that's something only you clever folks can manage; I, as an honest person, cannot.

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Please provide the text you need translated. I haven't received any content for translation. Please provide the text, and I will do my best to translate it into modern colloquial English, sentence by sentence, and divide it according to your requirements. He was later promoted to the position of Minister of Rites, which is the position just below that of the Nine Ministers. Although Zhou Chu did not participate in political affairs, he earned respect for his Confucian values, and people often came to consult him on important matters, to which he always replied based on the classics. Young scholars often sought his advice when they had doubts.

In the winter of the sixth year of Jingyao, the Wei general Deng Ai captured Jiangyou and advanced with unstoppable momentum. The Shu Han court originally thought that the enemy would have difficulty reaching them, so they did not build fortifications or make defensive preparations. When they heard that Deng Ai had entered Yinping, the people panicked and fled into the mountains and wilds, completely out of control. The emperor summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures, but no effective solutions emerged. Some suggested fleeing to our ally, Eastern Wu, while others proposed fleeing to the seven counties of the south, which had strong defenses. Only Zhou Chu believed, "Throughout history, there has never been a reason for an emperor to seek refuge in another country. If we seek refuge in Eastern Wu, we will surely have to submit to them. Furthermore, with different political systems, strong countries can swallow weaker ones, which is a natural law. From this perspective, Wei can swallow Eastern Wu, but Eastern Wu cannot swallow Wei, which is obvious. It's better to be a strong country that can endure humiliation than to be a weak one facing humiliation. Besides, if we want to flee south, we should plan early to succeed; now that the enemy is closing in, and disaster is upon us, we can't trust the intentions of those schemers! I am afraid that the moment we set off, things could get chaotic, so how can we run to the south?" Some ministers argued against Zhou Chu, saying, "Now that Deng Ai's army is at the gates, they may not accept surrender, what should we do?" Zhou Chu replied, "Eastern Wu has not surrendered to Wei yet; the situation forces us to surrender, and after surrendering, they'll have to treat us with respect. If Your Majesty surrenders to Wei, and Wei does not grant land to Your Majesty, I, Zhou Chu, would be willing to go to the Wei capital myself and argue our case based on ancient principles." No one could find a reason to challenge Zhou Chu.

The emperor was still hesitating whether to escape to the south. Zhou advised him, saying: "Some people are advising Your Majesty to allow the northern army to advance and simply flee to the south. I think this idea is not feasible. Why? The southern territories usually do not pay tribute, and they often rebel. Since Prime Minister Zhuge Liang's southern campaigns and military pressure, they have been forced to comply. Since then, the taxes they submit have been used to supply the army. They must be resentful, which poses a serious threat to the country! Now, if you want to rely on them by fleeing to the south, they will probably rebel again. This is the first point. If the northern army attacks, their aim is not solely to conquer Shu, but if they pursue to the south, they will definitely take advantage of our weakened forces and quickly pursue. This is the second point. After arriving in the south, defending against external enemies while providing for internal needs will be extremely costly. Other places have little income, and the excessive depletion of resources from the southern territories will likely provoke rebellion. This is the third point. Previously, Wang Lang declared himself emperor in Handan, while Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was in Xindu, pressured by Wang Lang and wanting to abandon Xindu and flee back to Guanzhong. So, Pi Tong advised him: 'If you flee west back to Guanzhong, the people of Handan will not abandon their families or betray their lord to support you. They will definitely rebel.' Emperor Guangwu listened to him and eventually captured Handan. Now, if you flee south when the northern army arrives, I am worried that what Pi Tong said will happen again. This is the fourth point. I urge Your Majesty to plan ahead to protect your title and lands. If you really flee to the south and surrender only when the situation becomes critical, the consequences could be dire. The Book of Changes states: 'Kang signifies knowing only how to gain and not how to lose, knowing only how to exist and not how to perish; only the sage understands how to gain, lose, exist, and perish, without losing his principles!' This means that the sage understands the mandate of heaven and will not act blindly. Therefore, even if Yao and Shun's own sons were not virtuous, they knew the mandate of heaven and sought suitable successors. Even if their sons were not capable, and disaster had not yet struck, they voluntarily handed over power to others. What about when disaster has already arrived? Thus, as a relative of the Yin Shang king, the Duke of Wei, even while shackled and carrying a jade bi, submitted to King Wu. Did he want to do that? He had no other choice!" Therefore, the emperor ultimately adopted Zhou's strategy. The Liu dynasty thus avoided the danger of extinction, and the people of Shu were spared the suffering of war; all of this was thanks to Zhou.

After listening to Zhou's analysis, the emperor found it reasonable and decided to give up on the plan to flee south, actively responding to the invasion from the north. Zhou's strategy not only salvaged the fate of the Shu Han regime, but also prevented the people from suffering greater hardships. His wisdom and loyalty left a significant mark on history. "He who knows how to win, knows how to lose, knows how to survive, knows how to perish, and never loses his integrity, is he not a sage?" This famous saying from the I Ching has become a wise maxim for future generations. Zhou's advice reflects deep political insight, as well as a profound sense of responsibility towards the country and its people. His loyalty and courage are deserving of admiration by future generations.

During the reign of Jin's Emperor Wen, Zhou was bestowed the title of Yangcheng Tinghou for his significant contributions. Later, he was summoned to the court by a letter from the emperor. When Zhou reached Hanzhong, he fell ill and was unable to travel. In the summer of the second year of the Xianxi era, a man named Wen Li encountered Zhou while returning to Shu from Luoyang. During their conversation, Zhou took a wooden board and wrote a few characters for Wen Li to read: "The noon sun fades, and the moon of the rooster month disappears." "The noon sun" refers to the Sima family, which was the Jin Emperor Wen; "the moon of the rooster month" refers to the eighth month. And sure enough, Emperor Wen of Jin passed away in the eighth month.

After the new emperor of the Jin Dynasty ascended the throne, he issued several edicts urging Zhou to hurry to Luoyang. Despite his illness, Zhou traveled to Luoyang by carriage, arriving in the third year of Taishi. Due to his serious illness, he remained confined to bed, and the court appointed him to the position of cavalry captain. Zhou explained his situation, stating that he had been granted titles without any merit and requested to return his titles and fief, but the court declined his request.

When I was five years old, I served as a county official in my hometown. After finishing my work, I wanted to take a break and go home, so I went to visit Zhou. Zhou told me, "In the past, Confucius lived to be seventy-two, Liu Xiang and Yang Xiong both lived to be seventy-one and then passed away. I am now in my seventies, and I hope to leave a good reputation like Confucius, to be remembered in history like Liu Xiang and Yang Xiong. I'm afraid I won't live to see next year, so we won't see each other again in the future." I felt that Zhou somehow knew his own death was approaching and said this deliberately.

In the autumn of the sixth year after my arrival, I became a Cavalier Attendant, and Zhou was very ill and couldn't take office. He passed away that winter. He wrote many books in his lifetime, such as "Fa Xun," "Discussions on the Five Classics," "Examination of Ancient History," and so on, with over a hundred works to his name. Zhou had three sons, Xi, Xian, and Tong. His youngest son, Tong, admired his father's career, was honest and loyal, earning a recommendation for his filial piety, and was appointed as a magistrate and a stable hand in the Eastern Palace, but he never accepted the positions.

Xi Zheng, styled Lingxian, was from Yanshi in Henan. His grandfather, Xi Jian, served as the Inspector of Yizhou when Emperor Ling of Han was dying, but was later killed by bandits. Amid the chaos in the country, Xi Zheng's father, Xi Yi, remained in Shu. His father served as the Commandant of the Camp under General Meng Da and later surrendered to the Wei kingdom with Meng Da, eventually becoming a historian in the Imperial Library. Xi Zheng was originally named Xi Zuan. When he was young, his father passed away and his mother remarried, leaving him alone. However, he was diligent and had a passion for studying, reading extensively. By the age of twenty, he could write articles. He later became a scribe, then a magistrate, and eventually a court official. He was not particularly concerned with fame or fortune, and especially enjoyed delving into literature. From the writings of historians such as Sima Qian, Wang Bao, Yang Xiong, Ban Gu, Fu Yi, Zhang Heng, and Cai Yong, to the popular articles and comments of the time, he made a concerted effort to seek out and read them all.

He worked in the palace and was neighbors with the eunuch Huang Hao, spending thirty years together, day in and day out. Huang Hao rose from obscurity to a position of immense power. Xie Zheng neither earned Huang Hao's favor nor drew his ire, so he remained a low-ranking official with a mere 600 stones, which helped him steer clear of a lot of trouble. He followed the ancient Confucian tradition of expressing his thoughts in writing, referring to himself as "Shi Ji." His writings built upon Cui Yin's "Da Zhi." In his works, he stated:

Some people criticize me, saying: "I have heard that the events recorded in the past evolve alongside the times, and reputation is born alongside achievements. Therefore, reputation and accomplishments are the things most valued by sages of old. Establishing systems and setting norms will not be established unless the timing is right; spreading a good reputation and being recorded in history will not happen without merit. Reputation must be built on achievements in order to be distinguished, and events must wait for the right time to proceed. When a person dies, their reputation also disappears, which is a disgrace for a gentleman. Therefore, talented people delve into principles and explore subtle intricacies, observe the laws of nature, and investigate the rise and fall of human affairs; eloquent people speak at length, clever people adapt as needed; strategists devise strategies, warriors bravely face enemies; gathering like clouds, spreading like mist, stirring like wind and waves, speeding like lightning; weighing and assessing the situation, using the resources of the world; yielding in minor matters while striving for gains in major ones, prioritizing the public over personal gain; even if there is a slight deviation, one must strive for integrity, ultimately becoming famous and brilliant. Now, three forces are in a standoff, the world remains unstable, the entire country is in turmoil, the people are displaced; this is truly an era of moral decay and hardship! This is the perfect opportunity for sages to save the world and for heroes to make their mark. You possess outstanding talent, noble character, and extensive knowledge; there is no limit to what you can achieve and no knowledge beyond your grasp; you step forward to take on this daunting task, speak confidently in court, wield the power of speech, remain steadfast through multiple challenges, enter and remain committed, thoroughly examine the truths of both past and present, weigh the gains and losses of current affairs. Although occasionally offering a strategy and giving advice, fulfilling your duties and meeting basic needs, you have yet to fully exhaust your loyalty and contribute all your strength, directly participating in governing the nation to benefit the people, making my colleagues famous as a result."

Why not take a moment to slow down, consider a change in direction, live a more stable life, take some time to ponder the meaning of life, choose the right moment to act with care, express your aspirations, ensure your name is remembered for generations, and realize our shared dreams? Doesn't that sound wonderful?

After hearing this, I sighed and said, "Ah, that's a bit too absolute! People's hearts are as different as their faces. Even though you're talented, beautiful, and exceptional, your viewpoint is limited. You can't judge the state of the world by that and figure out the nuances of everything!" Someone overheard and disagreed, shouting back, "What are you talking about! What are you even saying!"

I said, "Yu Shun used 'using his own face as a warning' to admonish himself; Confucius believed that 'pleasing oneself' was the greatest fault. What you said is exactly what I have been thinking about. Let me analyze and explain it to you. Long, long ago, in the chaotic and ignorant era when the universe was still in chaos, the Three Emperors governed by heaven's mandate, and the Five Emperors ruled by inheriting heaven's mandate. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, these histories were recorded in the classics. As the Zhou dynasty declined, the rituals and music fell into disarray, the feudal lords fought for hegemony, and Qin Shi Huang was cruel and tyrannical, conquering all directions. Therefore, villains sprang up like stars in the night sky, and an evil atmosphere prevailed, giving rise to cunning schemes; some masqueraded as righteous to attack the just, some relied on evil to seek glory, some used deceitful means to please the upper class, and some flaunted their skills to boast about themselves; they forsook justice in favor of evil, abandoned righteousness and leaned towards flattery, loyalty lacked fixed standards, and justice had no eternal principles. Therefore, Shang Yang's reform ultimately led to the prevalence of evil; those who advocated justice ultimately failed, Lv Buwei's overwhelming power led to the extinction of his family, and Han Feizi, despite his extraordinary eloquence, was ultimately executed. Why is this? Because they were blinded by self-interest, dazzled by wealth and glory, dressed in gorgeous clothes, riding luxurious chariots, secretly pursuing personal gain, behaving improperly, indulging in desires, indulging in pleasure, acting recklessly, and before they could bask in wealth and glory, they fell into disgrace; before they could enjoy peace, their families were destroyed. Heaven withdrew their vitality, the earth withdrew its nourishment from them, people mourned their deaths, and even the spirits and gods were disgusted by them. They were like the rising sun, shining brightly, but ultimately falling into a deep abyss, full of vitality in the morning, yet turning to dry bones by evening. Therefore, those wise men and virtuous gentlemen always think ahead, fearing disasters and punishments, remaining detached from worldly affairs; they would rather trudge through the mud than pursue worldly fame. Do they despise the monarch, neglect the people, and ignore current affairs? No! The Book of Changes contains the principles of conduct, and the Book of Songs contains many poems praising caution and humility, all of which are revelations from heaven guiding people to do so."

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Next is the second paragraph:

"You see, Yu Shun used 'to heed the lessons of one's ancestors' as a warning, and Confucius used 'to please oneself at the expense of others' as a warning; these are all precious experiences left by ancient sages. The phenomena you just mentioned are precisely because people do not follow these principles, which leads to various tragic occurrences. Therefore, we should always be vigilant, not be misled by immediate interests, adhere to justice and uphold morality; only then can we avoid the path of destruction. 'It's better to drag one's tail in the mud than to seek praise in a corrupt world,' this line of poetry reveals the noble sentiments of virtuous gentlemen; they would rather be unknown than sacrifice their principles for fame and fortune. This is true wisdom and foresight!"

Hello everyone, I come from the Han Dynasty, where ordinary people lived in peace and contentment, politics were clean and clear, and there was a flourishing scene, just like the sunshine in spring shining on the earth. "Bow to the classics, admire the writings of the ancients," we follow the teachings of our ancestors, promote excellent cultural traditions, let the emperor's grace extend to all, and the social atmosphere be simple and beautiful. Each official and subject performed their duties conscientiously. The court humbly accepted advice, officials dared to speak frankly, officials did not seek false fame, and the people lived peacefully. The entire society was filled with positivity and hope, which was truly gratifying!

However, everything has its rise and fall; there will be times of prosperity and times of decline. "Just as the sun has its ups and downs in autumn, and the moon wanes in spring, Xihe passes away and Wangshu is bound, luck is hidden and the spirits are revealed," just like the sun has its phases, and the moon has its phases, the rise and fall of a country also follows a pattern. During the reigns of Emperor Chong and Emperor Zhi of the Han Dynasty, the nation was strong, but it declined during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, with many heroes and schemers emerging, plotting against each other, leading to chaos and turmoil in the country.

Now, the national strength of our Han Dynasty has risen again, inheriting the grand blueprint of our ancestors, "to uphold the grand principles of our ancestors, to bestow good titles upon scholars." We value talent, promote those with abilities, establish education, educate the people, worship our ancestors, consolidate imperial power, and maintain social order. Although there are still some people with ulterior motives, we believe that as long as we adhere to the principle of "no greed," we can avoid the disaster of greed. Currently, the officials and subjects in the court live in harmony, the people live in peace and contentment, and the national order is well-maintained, just like a well-structured building.

We have many outstanding talents, like Yuan Kai who is talented, like Yan Hui who is benevolent, like Ran Geng and Ji Lu who are good at governance, like Yi Yin and Wang Shu who are loyal and devoted. We learn from their experiences, use various strategies, work diligently for the people, select talents, and who has time to worry about trivial matters? "How can there be time to trim dead leaves and rotten stems among the brambles and filth!"

Alas, I am not very capable; I have been in the court for many years, all thanks to the grace of heaven that has provided for me. I have always thought so in my heart. I love the vast and profound sea, and I also admire the towering Mount Song; hearing the praises of Confucius and experiencing the benefits of education in my hometown feels like a harmonious broth, allowing for both advance and retreat. Therefore, I occasionally dare to offer some suggestions, like a laborer in the market, or a country child reciting poetry on the field path, hoping to bring more blessings to the country and make suggestions. If my suggestions are adopted, I will quietly support it and respond positively; if my suggestions are not adopted, I will hold on to my own ideas and accept my shortcomings. I listen to fate in both advance and retreat, not forcing it, not being hypocritical, going with the flow, being content with fate—what's there to regret? That's why I've been in the court all this time, yet it feels like I don't even exist.

Those people, some are as clear-headed as Qu Yuan, some are as intoxicated as a fisherman; some are as humble and downtrodden as Liu Xiaohui, some are as arrogant and angry as Yi Shu. If my suggestions are adopted, I won’t be complacent; if my suggestions are not adopted, I won’t be discouraged. I won’t be proud or complacent in success, nor terrified in failure; I won’t pander to the powerful for my future, nor will I be cautious to avoid failure; I won’t seek the favor of the powerful for the sake of reputation, nor will I fear being demoted for mistakes. I’m indifferent to how others evaluate, treat, or exclude me, or even how they criticize me honestly. Nine evaluations haven’t altered my nature; this is my steadfastness.

Nowadays, there are countless scholars and talented individuals, just like fish and shrimp hidden in the ocean, birds and beasts gathering in vast forests, too many to count. Moreover, the yang energy is concealed in the leaves of the Tang Dynasty, while the negative energy is manifested in the Shang Dynasty. As long as you pray sincerely, the flood can recede, and as long as you pray for rain devoutly, the dew can nourish the earth. There is a proper way to do things, and there is a time to solve things. I won’t blame fate for my teacher’s lessons; I will do my best, be content, what more is there to say?

My abilities are limited, and the road is rough. I intend to return to my original ambitions, learn the essence of ancient classics, pursue the teachings of Confucius, write some small articles to express my morals, follow the footsteps of the sages, abide by the law, emulate Shu Xiu's leisurely and carefree attitude, celebrate Shu Shi's transcendence, restrain my body and mind, be content with the present, approach future generations with a peaceful mindset, accept a simple life joyfully, embrace the joys within, and avoid leaving regrets in this world. But my heart is not calm enough; I worry that I will fall into a quagmire in the future, so I’ll strive harder, bolster my resolve, and make my voice heard.

In ancient times, Jiufang Gao was an expert in the art of horse appraisal, Qin Ya was skilled at discerning unusual forms; Xue Zhu gained fame for his ability to identify precious jade, and Huliang was renowned for playing musical instruments; the historian of Qi applauded literary works, while the strategist from Chu covertly protected Jingzhou while in enemy territory; Yongmen Zi roamed while playing the qin, and Han Aizi drove a chariot to fame. I truly cannot hold a candle to these individuals, so I can only calmly hold onto my original intention and live quietly.

In the sixth year of Jingyao, the Emperor of Shu listened to Qiao Zhou's advice, sent envoys to surrender to Deng Ai, and the surrender letter was written by him. In the second year of the first month, Zhong Hui rebelled in Chengdu, and the Emperor moved east to Luoyang. At that moment, the situation was extremely chaotic and frantic, and almost all the officials of Shu were unable to follow, leaving his wife and children behind while he followed the Emperor alone with Zhang Tong. The Emperor depended on his counsel to navigate his actions without error. Later, the Emperor lamented, expressing regret that he had come to know him too late. Everyone at that time praised him and conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Guannei. During the Taishi era, he was appointed magistrate of Anyang, and later promoted to the governor of Baxi. In the eighth year of Taishi, the court issued an edict stating, "When he was in Chengdu, he faced adversity yet remained steadfast in his principles, did not violate loyalty and righteousness. After surrendering, he devoted himself entirely to serving the court and achieved remarkable political success, so let him continue to serve as the governor of Baxi." He passed away in the fourth year of the Xianning era. He composed over a hundred poems, essays, and literary works.

According to the commentary: Du Wei is someone who cultivates his character and lives a very tranquil life, not participating in worldly affairs, likely akin to figures like Boyi and Shuqi. Zhou Qun possesses considerable talent, capable of foreseeing certain events; Du Qiong is calm and prudent, embodying the essence of a true scholar. Xu Yun, Meng Zong, Lai Min, and Li Mi are erudite and widely read; Yin Mo has an in-depth understanding of the "Zuo Zhuan," though they may not be renowned for their moral writings, they were all prominent scholars of that era.

Qiao Zhou's literary talent and reasoning are both exceptionally profound; he was a prominent Confucian scholar of his era, somewhat akin to figures like Dong Zhongshu and Yang Xiong. Xi Zheng's writing is ornate, reminiscent of the styles of Zhang Heng and Cai Yong, and his character is also commendable, making him a gentleman worthy of emulation. These two individuals held relatively low-ranking official positions during the Jin Dynasty but gained prominence during the Shu Han period, which is why they are more frequently mentioned in historical texts. “Zhou Qun occupies a celestial position, Du Qiong remains silent and cautious, embodying purity among scholars.” “Qiao Zhou's expressions and reasoning are profound; he is a distinguished scholar of his time, adhering to the standards set by Dong and Yang. Xi Zheng's prose is splendid, coupled with his conduct, he is a gentleman to be emulated.”