Xiao Wangzhi (courtesy name Changqian) was from Lanling in Shandong Province and later moved to Duling near Chang'an. His family had been farmers for generations, but in Xiao Wangzhi's generation, he was particularly studious, really into the *Qi Feng* section of the *Classic of Poetry*. He clerked in Houcang for ten years. He passed the imperial exams and studied at the Taichang Academy, then was a student of Doctor Bai Qi, and studied the *Analects* and *Book of Rites* with Xiahou Sheng. He won high praise from many scholars in the capital.
At that time, General Huo Guang was in power, and his chief aide, Shi Bingji, recommended several people including Wang Zhongweng and Xiao Wangzhi. Huo Guang summoned them. Previously, General Zuo Guanjie and his niece and ward conspired to kill Huo Guang. After Huo Guang killed Zuo Guanjie and his group, he strengthened his guards every time he went out. Everyone who saw him had to hand over their weapons and be escorted by two guards. Only Xiao Wangzhi refused and walked out from the attic, saying, "I don't want to see him!" The guards had a heck of a time dragging him along. When Huo Guang heard about it, he told the officials not to force him. Xiao Wangzhi approached Huo Guang and said, "General, you've earned the trust of the young Emperor, and you aim to bring peace and prosperity. The whole nation's looking to you for leadership. But making everyone hand over their weapons before they even see you? That doesn't exactly scream 'benevolent ruler,' does it?" So Huo Guang made an exception and did not make things difficult for Xiao Wangzhi. Wang Zhongweng and the others got jobs as record keepers in the General's office. Within three years, Wang Zhongweng rose to the high position of Guanglu Daifu and Gesi Zhong, while Xiao Wangzhi, due to his excellent exam results, became a Langguan and was responsible for guarding the east gate of the Xiaoyuan. Wang Zhongweng was living the high life – servants at his beck and call, doors opening before he even touched the handle, and everyone bowing and scraping. When he saw Xiao Wangzhi, he said, "Hey, you wouldn't kiss up back then, and now look at you – stuck guarding the gate?" Xiao Wangzhi replied, "Everyone has their own aspirations."
Several years later, when Xiao Wangzhi's brother got into trouble, it cost Xiao Wangzhi his job. They let him go, and he had to go back home. Later, Wei Xiang, the Grand Minister of Justice, promoted Xiao Wangzhi to be his subordinate because of Xiao Wangzhi's upright conduct, and eventually, he got promoted to Daxing Zhi Li Cheng.
So, General Huo Guang croaks, and his son Huo Yu steps up as Grand Marshal, while his nephew Huo Shan lands the gig as Secretary General. The Huo family's relatives were all calling the shots in the palace, wielding immense power. In the summer of the third year of Di Jie's reign, a freak hailstorm hit the capital. Huo Wangzhi seized this chance to submit a memorial to the emperor, hoping to discuss the matter and explain his views on the disaster.
Emperor Xuan had already heard of Huo Wangzhi's reputation in the streets and asked, "Is this the same Xiao Wangzhi from the East Sea?" He then instructed the Minister of the Imperial Household, Song Ji, to check for any ulterior motives in Huo Wangzhi's situation and to see what he had written in his memorial. In his memorial, Huo Wangzhi stated, "The Spring and Autumn Annals record a similar hailstorm in the third year of Duke Zhao's reign, a time when the Ji clan's power led to Duke Zhao's overthrow. Had the ruler learned from the celestial signs, this disaster could have been avoided. Your Majesty, with your virtuous rule and diligence in governing, and your wide search for talents, you are truly like the good emperors Yao and Shun who cared for the people! However, auspicious events have not yet occurred, and everything's off-kilter, all because the ministers hold too much power and a single family's influence is too great! Like a weed choking the garden, unchecked power will destroy the court. Only a wise ruler who personally handles state affairs, selects close relatives and capable individuals of the same surname as trusted aides to participate in governance, and ensures that court officials can regularly meet with the emperor to report their work, clarify their responsibilities, and assess their abilities. This way, all matters can be properly handled, fairness and justice can be established, corrupt individuals can be suppressed, and private power can be abolished."
After the emperor listened to Huo Wangzhi's memorial, he greatly appreciated his talent and immediately appointed him as a Palace Attendant. At that time, Emperor Xuan had just ascended the throne and was looking to promote virtuous individuals. Many people submitted their suggestions in writing, and the emperor often had Huo Wangzhi investigate and understand the situations. For those suggestions that were good, he recommended them to the prime minister and the imperial censor; for those of average quality, he had them first serve in a high-ranking official position for a year, and then made decisions based on their performance; for those suggestions that were not good, he had them go back to farming. In short, the emperor accepted Huo Wangzhi's opinions on how to handle the memorials. Huo Wangzhi's official position rose steadily, successively becoming a censor, an Assistant to the Grand Minister, and within a year, advancing three ranks, finally reaching the position of a high-ranking official. Later, the Huo family plotted a rebellion and was exterminated, but Huo Wangzhi, due to his abilities and integrity, was even more highly valued.
At that time, the court selected scholars and censors who were familiar with government affairs to serve as prefects and ministers of states. Therefore, Xue Wangzhi was appointed as the Prefect of Pingyuan. In fact, Xue Wangzhi preferred to stay in the court, but now he was sent to the prefecture as a prefect, feeling very uncomfortable. He wrote to the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, in order to show concern for the people and worry that your virtuous governance may not be deeply rooted, you have sent all the censors to local positions. Isn’t this putting the cart before the horse? Without ministers in the court daring to speak out and offer advice, they will not recognize their mistakes; without knowledgeable individuals in the country, they will not hear good suggestions. I hope Your Majesty can select those who are well-versed in history, capable of learning from the past, insightful, and far-sighted to be your close advisors and involve them in political affairs. When the regional rulers understand this, they will know that the country values admonitions and cares about political affairs without any oversights. If Your Majesty can persist in this way, you can achieve a prosperous era like that of Cheng and Kang! As for any concerns about local governance, they are secondary."
After the emperor read the memorial, he summoned him back to the court and appointed him as the official in charge of the imperial household. Emperor Xuan felt that Xue Wangzhi was knowledgeable, steady, had insightful discussions, and possessed the abilities of a prime minister. He wanted to carefully assess his administrative capabilities, so he also appointed him as the prefect of the Left Fengyi commandery. Xue Wangzhi felt a bit unhappy about being transferred from the official in charge of the imperial household to the prefect of Left Fengyi, so he claimed illness and did not report for duty. When the emperor heard about this, he sent a high-ranking official, the Grand Tutor Jin An, to convey the decree, saying, "I appoint officials to assess their abilities and ensure good governance. You served as the Prefect of Pingyuan for a short time; that's why I want you to try again in the region of the Three Commanderies. There is no other meaning." Only then did Xue Wangzhi take up his new position.
That year, the Western Qiang rebelled, and the court sent the General to suppress them. Zhang Chang, the Intendant of Jingzhao, submitted a memorial saying, "Currently, the country's army is engaged in battles outside. The army set out in the summer, and in the area north of Longxi and west of Anding, officials and commoners are all involved in military supply transportation. Most of the farmland has been abandoned, and there was originally not much surplus grain. Even if the Qiang people are defeated, the people will definitely not have enough food to eat next spring. In remote and impoverished areas, even if money is spent to purchase grain, the county's official granaries will not have enough to aid disaster victims. I hope to allow those who have committed crimes, but not robbery, bribery, murder, and other unforgivable crimes, to redeem themselves by supplying grain to the granaries of these eight counties. We must aggressively collect more grain to meet the urgent needs of the people."
After submitting the memorial to the relevant department, they discussed with the treasury official, Li Qiang. Li Qiang believed, "People naturally want what's good and what's profitable, which requires education to guide. During the reign of Emperor Yao, he could not completely eliminate the people's desire for profit, but he could ensure that their desire for profit did not surpass their goodness. Even with Jie, he could not completely eliminate the people's desire for goodness, but he could ensure that their goodness did not surpass their desire for profit. Therefore, the difference between Yao and Jie lies in the distinction between righteousness and profit. This highlights the importance of careful, considered education. Now, wanting to have the common people redeem their sins with grain—it's unfair—the rich live, the poor die. The common people are impoverished, their fathers, mothers, and siblings are arrested. Hearing that they can redeem their sins with money to survive, children will risk their necks to get money and help their family. You save one, but ten more die because of it. In this way, it'll ruin the good name of guys like Boyi and Gong Chuo. If you mess up the education, even Zhou Gong and Shao Gong couldn't fix it. In ancient times, when the country's grain reserves were insufficient, they would collect from the people, and when there was surplus, they would give to the people. The old poems talk about heaven's compassion for the poor and the people's loyalty to the state. Now, with war in the west, the people have lost the opportunity to farm. Even if the court levies taxes to help them, according to the common principles of ancient times, the people would not find it wrong. Trading lives isn't the answer! Your Majesty, you've done a great job—even Yao and Shun couldn't have done better. But this new money-making scheme will wreck all the good work we've done. It breaks my heart."
The Emperor sent it back to the two ministries (the Shangshu and Menxia Provinces) for another round of discussion, and the Chancellor and the Censors grilled Zhang Chang. Zhang Chang said, "What the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Left Fengyi said is just bean-counter stuff. In the past, the late emperor fought against the minority ethnic groups in all directions for more than thirty years; the common people were not taxed, and the army could ensure supplies. These Qiang bandits are just hillbillies causing a ruckus. If we just make these criminals pay up, it'll look a whole lot better than raising taxes. And those who've been shielding criminals, or turning a blind eye – some say we should just scrap those laws altogether. But letting them buy their way out? That's a win-win, right? How's that going to break the law? The *Fu Xing* says we can let small stuff slide, and minor crimes can be bought off. It's been the law for ages. So why would that cause a bandit problem? I've been wearing this black robe for over twenty years, and I've heard of criminals paying their way out plenty of times. Never heard of it causing a crime wave, though. I feel for the folks in Liangzhou. It's harvest time, and they're starving! People are dying on the roads, and things are only going to get worse by next spring. If we don't do something to help them *now*, sticking to the old rules is going to come back and bite us. Ordinary folks can follow the rules, but they can't make these calls. Luckily, I'm in a position to advise, so I figured I'd speak my mind."
The emperor handed this matter over to the government departments for discussion again, putting the prime minister and imperial censor in a difficult position. Zhang Chang said, "What the Minister of Finance and the Left Fengyi said are just the thoughts of the common people, just going by the book. During the late Emperor's thirty-year war, the common people were not taxed, yet military supplies were guaranteed. Now, those bandits in the mountains are causing trouble; if the court lets criminals pay their way out, it's better PR than raising taxes and upsetting everyone. And people hate robbers and murderers, but they can't buy their way out now. Those who protect criminals, or who know about crimes and say nothing, or who commit crimes themselves... some say we should scrap the relevant laws. But letting them pay for their crimes – the benefits are obvious! How could that hurt the rule of law? The *Fu Xing* says minor offenses can be pardoned, and lesser crimes can be bought off – it's ancient law. How could that cause more thievery? I've been an official for twenty years, and I've heard of criminals paying their way out plenty of times. Never heard it cause a crime wave. Look at Liangzhou! People are starving after the harvest, dying on the roads. Next spring will be even worse! If we don't help them, and just stick to the old rules, we'll be to blame. Regular folks can follow the rules, but they shouldn't be making the calls. Lucky me, I'm a minister, so I can't keep quiet."
Wang Zhi said: "The late emperor was brilliant and powerful, with top ministers and generals in the court, and the laws and rules he established were meant to last. However, he was always concerned that the border regions were running low on resources, so the 'Golden Cloth Decree' stated: 'Border counties often suffer from wars, and the people face hunger and cold. Many die young, and there are numerous cases of fathers and sons being separated. Therefore, the entire nation should share the costs of the border areas.' This was originally intended to address the urgent needs of the military and the people. I heard that in the fourth year of Tianhan, it was stipulated that a huge sum of money could redeem a capital offense and reduce the level of the crime. As a result, rich and powerful officials and others exploited this loophole, even resorting to robbery and theft to gather money for redemption. Later, evildoers and bandits ran rampant, attacking cities and territories, killing county officials, and bandits were everywhere in the mountains and valleys, with the government unable to control them. The court had to order special investigators to lead troops to suppress the bandits, and only after killing more than half of them was the rebellion quelled. This proves that allowing people to buy their way out of trouble is a bad idea." At that time, Prime Minister Wei Xiang and Grand Minister of Justice Bing Ji also believed that the Qiang and Xiongnu tribes (historical nomadic groups known for their raids) were about to attack, and the allocation of resources was barely sufficient, so they did not adopt Wang Zhi's suggestion. During his three-year tenure as Left Fengyi (a high-ranking official responsible for military affairs), the people of the capital praised him, and he was later promoted to Grand Herald (an official responsible for ceremonial duties and communication).
Before, Wusun King Weng Guimi, through the Changluo Marquis Chang Hui's missive, hoped to establish the Han's grandson, Yuan Guimi, as the heir and send another princess to strengthen the connection, become a vassal of the Han, and break away from the Xiongnu. The court officials allowed the ministers to discuss this matter. Wang Zhi thought, "Wusun is located in a remote area; we can't easily trust their words—long-distance alliances are unreliable." But the emperor did not listen to him. In the second year of Shenjue, the emperor sent Marquis Chang Hui to marry off the princess to Yuan Guimi. Before the princess left the border, Weng Guimi died, and his rebellious nephew styled himself king, breaking the agreement. Chang Hui wrote from the border, requesting to leave the princess in Dunhuang County. When Chang Hui arrived in Wusun, he blamed them for breaking the agreement, so he installed Yuan Guimi as king and then went back to welcome the princess. The court officials discussed this matter again, and Wang Zhi opposed once more: "That's a bad idea! Wusun is indecisive on both sides; without a firm alliance, the consequences can be imagined. The previous princess lived in Wusun for forty years, and the relationship was not great; the border was not stable as a result. This is a lesson from the past! Now the princess is returning home because Yuan Guimi cannot succeed. This will make the barbarians believe that our Han has not betrayed them, which is a great thing for us. If the princess doesn't come back, then taxes and levies will increase again—all because of this." The emperor accepted his advice and summoned the princess back. Later, although Wusun split into two countries, Yuan Guimi still became the Great Kunmi, and the Han never allied with Wusun through marriage again.
So, Dai Bingji was Imperial Censor for three years. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of Han, the Xiongnu were in total chaos. Lots of folks were saying, "The Xiongnu have been a pain for ages. Let's hit 'em while they're down!" The Emperor then sent General Han Zeng, along with Zhang Yanshou, the Marquis of Fuping, Yang Yun, the Palace Attendant, and Dai Changle, to discuss and come up with a solution. Dai Changle said, "In the *Spring and Autumn*, it is recorded that during the Spring and Autumn period, there was a man named Shi Gai who led troops to attack the state of Qi. Upon hearing that the Duke of Qi had died, he withdrew his troops. Everyone praised him for not kicking 'em while they were down. That kind of fairness could win over anyone, even the most stubborn nobles. Previously, Huhanye, their leader, admired the culture of the Han Dynasty, showed great friendliness, and even sent envoys to marry into the Han. The whole country was delighted, and even the minority ethnic groups on the border heard about it. However, before he could fully fulfill the alliance, he was tragically murdered by treacherous officials. If we were to attack them now, wouldn't that be a bit low-down? They would surely flee far away. We can't just go in guns blazing; it'll only waste money and do more harm than good. We should send our best to offer our sympathies, help them recover, and rescue them from their disasters. In doing so, all the other tribes will admire the benevolence of the Han Dynasty. If they are grateful and back on their feet, they will surely submit to us. That's the power of being decent!" The Emperor accepted his suggestion and later sent troops to protect Huhanye, helping him stabilize his country.
During this period, Grand Minister of Agriculture Geng Shouchang submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of an ever-normal granary. The Emperor thought this was a good idea, but Dai Changle opposed Geng Shouchang's suggestion. The aging Prime Minister Bing Ji enjoyed the Emperor's high regard. Dai Changle also submitted a memorial saying, "Currently, many common people are in poverty, thieves were running wild, and many local officials are incompetent and unable to perform their duties well. If the Three Excellencies (Prime Minister, Grand Commandant, Minister of Works) are not suitable candidates, then it will be like a world without sunshine. It's right after the New Year, and things are kinda dim—we officials are to blame!" The Emperor felt that Dai Changle was disrespecting Prime Minister Bing Jin, so he ordered Jin An (侍中), Yang Yun (光禄勋), and Wang Zhong (御史中丞) to summon Dai Changle for questioning. Dai Changle took off his hat, honestly answered the questions, but the Emperor still wasn't happy.
Old Yanshou reported: "When the official went to see the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister barely acknowledged him and didn't even bother to stand up while talking. He then told the Imperial Censor that the official had bad manners. According to the rules, when the Prime Minister is ill, the Imperial Censor must visit the next day. During court, the Censor stands behind the Prime Minister, only moving forward slightly to bow when the Prime Minister acknowledges him. But now, the Prime Minister has been sick several times, and you have not visited him; during court meetings, you treat the Prime Minister as your equal. Sometimes, when discussions don't go his way, he says, 'You whippersnapper, think you can lecture me?!' He knows that the Imperial Censor is not allowed to send people to do things casually, but he often sends officials to run errands for him and even to take care of household chores. He even has officials wear their official hats, act as a vanguard for his wife, and engage in buying and selling goods, raking in over 103,000 in illicit gains. The Prime Minister is a high-ranking official, knowledgeable in history and classics, ranking above the Nine Ministers, a pillar of the court, yet he ignores the law, is arrogant, and corrupt, accepting bribes of over 250 stones of grain. I request Your Majesty to order his arrest and severe punishment!"
The Emperor then rebuked the Prime Minister, saying: "The reports say you've been showing disrespect to envoys and the Prime Minister, and your reputation for integrity is in tatters. You're arrogant, you've failed to assist in governance, and you've set a terrible example for the other officials. Instead of reflecting on your behavior, you’ve sunk even lower. I hesitate to punish you severely, so I'm demoting you to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and giving you a seal. As for your original Imperial Censor seal, let the envoy take it back. Reflect on your actions, live a virtuous life, honor your parents, and never repeat these mistakes."
After the Prime Minister was demoted, Huang Ba took over as Chief Inspector. Several months later, Bing Ji died, and Huang Ba became the Prime Minister. After Huang Ba's death, Yu Dingguo succeeded him. The former Prime Minister was permanently out of favor and never held the position again. He became the tutor to the Crown Prince, teaching him the Analects and the Book of Rites.
At first, when the Xiongnu Chanyu came to the Han Emperor, the court officials began discussing how to receive him. Prime Minister Ba and Chief Inspector Dingguo believed that the wise king should first treat the capital, then the vassal states, and finally the barbarians. Just like in the Book of Songs: "Following proper rites, not exceeding them, observing the auspicious time; the virtuous man's influence extends even to distant lands." Now that the Emperor's reputation for virtue had spread far and wide, and the Xiongnu Chanyu had come to pay respects, this was unprecedented! Therefore, the reception of the Chanyu should be similar to that of the vassal kings, but with a lower seating arrangement.
However, Chief Inspector Wang Zhi had a different opinion. He believed that since the Chanyu was not officially recognized by the Han Dynasty, he should be treated as an enemy state and received with the rites due to a non-vassal, with a higher seating arrangement than the vassal kings. When the barbarians come to pay homage, although we do not call them subjects, this is a strategy of indirect rule, bringing blessings through humility. The Book of Documents says, "The barbarian tribes, though nominally submissive, are unpredictable." If the descendants of the Xiongnu do not come to pay tribute in the future, they should not be considered rebels. A tolerant policy towards the barbarians will bring lasting benefits—a strategy for generations to come!
The Emperor accepted Wang Zhi's suggestion and decreed: "I have heard that even the Five Emperors and Three Kings could not spread their teachings everywhere, and their governance was lacking. Now that the Xiongnu Chanyu has come to pay homage, it shows that my virtue is not yet great enough. So, we'll treat him as an honored guest, seat him above the vassal kings, let him call himself a subject, but we won't use his name."
Later, Emperor Xuan of Han fell seriously ill and began selecting ministers who could be entrusted with the affairs of the country. He summoned the court officials Shi Gao, Marquis of Leiling, Wang Zhi, and Zhou Kan to the palace, appointing Shi Gao as Grand Marshal of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Zhi as General of the Front, and Zhou Kan as Grand Master of the Palace. He instructed them to assist the Crown Prince in handling the affairs of the Secretariat. After Emperor Xuan died, the Crown Prince succeeded to the throne, becoming Emperor Xiao Yuan of Han.
Wang Zhi and Zhou Kan were originally respected for being the tutors of the Crown Prince. After Emperor Xiao Yuan ascended the throne, he frequently entertained them, discussing important state affairs and seeking their opinions. Wang Zhi also recommended the scholar and imperial kinsman Liu Gengsheng to serve as an Imperial Attendant along with Jin Chang, assisting the Emperor in rectifying errors. These four individuals collaborated, deliberating on state affairs and advising the Emperor to govern the country according to ancient systems, hoping to correct many abuses. The Emperor heeded their advice.
Initially, Emperor Xuan did not pay much attention to Confucian teachings, relying mainly on legal governance, with the eunuchs of the Secretariat wielding significant power. The Director of the Chancery, Hong Gong, and Shi Xian held power for a long time, being proficient in literature. They worked with Grand Marshal Gao and always stuck to tradition, disregarding the opinions of individuals like Wang Zhi. Hong Gong and Shi Xian also frequently suppressed those who were upright and outspoken. Wang Zhi believed that the affairs of the Secretariat should be handled by wise individuals. Since the time of Emperor Wu, who indulged in the pleasures of the palace, eunuchs had been appointed to positions of power, which violated tradition and went against the ancient principle of avoiding unjust killings. He advocated for the appointment of scholars to manage affairs, leading to conflicts with Gao, Hong Gong, and Shi Xian. Emperor Xuan, who was humble upon ascending the throne, repeatedly revised his decrees, causing prolonged disagreements. He eventually appointed Liu Gengsheng as the Head of the Imperial Clan.
Wang Zhi and Kan have recommended talented scholars to serve as advisers multiple times. Zheng Peng from Kuaiji (会稽) secretly tried to flatter Wang Zhi and accused General Gao of sending people to various places to do bad things for personal gain, as well as exposing the crimes of the descendants of Xu and Shi. This matter was reported to Zhou Kan by a court official. Zhou Kan then had Zheng Peng wait for an audience at Jinmamen. Zheng Peng wrote a letter to Wang Zhi, saying, "General, you have inherited the virtues of Duke Zhou and Duke Shao, upholding a fair and selfless character, with the bearing of a Bian Zhuangzi. You are well into your years, holding an important position as a general, which is truly the highest achievement for a scholar! The people are very happy and say that you are a good official to them. Now, do you want to retire in glory, like Guan Zhong and Yan Ying? If you really want to retire, then I will go back to my hometown to farm, raise chickens, and grow millet until I die. But if you continue to govern the country like Guan Zhong and Yan Ying, eliminate evil, promote the middle way, inherit the legacy of Duke Zhou and Duke Shao, and listen widely to opinions, then I am willing to do my best to serve the country!" Wang Zhi greatly appreciated Zheng Peng's letter and warmly received him. Zheng Peng praised Wang Zhi many times, criticized General Gao, and exposed the faults of Xu and Shi's families. It is said that Wang Zhi does not associate with those who are not upright, giving the impression that he is very principled. He and the Chief Agriculture Officer, Shi Li, were both working in the palace, but only he was selected to be the Yellow Gate Attendant, which made others envious. Wang Zhi, a native of Chu, harbored resentment and tried to flatter Xu Zhang and Shi Dan, going around saying, "All those things about Xu Zhang and Shi Dan were taught to me by Zhou Kan and Liu Gengsheng. I'm just a guy from the east; how would I know about these things?" As a result, Xu Zhang, the attendant, actually believed him and met with him. After meeting Xu Zhang, Wang Zhi went around shouting, "I met with Xu Zhang! I told him that Wang Zhi, the former general, had messed up—five small things and one big one! A high-ranking official was also there, so he knows what I said."
When Hong Gong and Shi Xian heard this, they were afraid that Wang Zhi would report them, so they quickly buried the matter and secretly arrested Wang Zhi and a court official named Hua Long. This Hua Long had served as a court official with Zhang Zijiao during the reign of Emperor Xuan, but due to some shady dealings, he did not obtain a good official position and got mixed up with Wang Zhi and Zhou Kan. Hong Gong and Shi Xian used Hua Long and Wang Zhi to frame Wang Zhi for wanting to dismiss the General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as falsely accusing Xu Zhang and Shi Dan. They waited until Wang Zhi was resting to spring this on him.
When this matter was brought up for questioning by Hong Gong, Wang Zhi said, "The relatives in power are all living the high life and up to no good. I want to rectify the state; isn't that a good thing?" However, Hong Gong and Shi Xian submitted a memorial stating, "Wang Zhi, Zhou Kan, and Liu Gengsheng collude, frequently accusing high officials, stirring up trouble among the family, trying to grab all the power for themselves, being disloyal to the Emperor, spreading rumors and slandering. We want the Yezhe to throw them in jail!" The Emperor, new to the job, didn't realize that meant jail, so he agreed to their memorial.
Later, the emperor called Zhou Kan and Liu Gengsheng and said he wanted to put them in prison. The emperor was greatly surprised: "This isn't as simple as a questioning by the judge, is it?" He questioned Hong Gong and Shi Xian, and the two were so scared that they kowtowed and confessed. The emperor said, "Set them free." Hong Gong and Shi Xian took the opportunity to say, "The emperor has just ascended the throne and hasn't had time to implement good governance to influence the world. He is already questioning the veteran officials and even arresting the Nine Ministers. This is a chance to dismiss them from their positions." So he issued an edict to the prime minister and the imperial censor, saying, "The former general, Wang Zhi, assisted me for eight years without any other crimes. The matter has been a long time ago, many things are also unclear, and it is difficult to find out the truth. Therefore, forgive Wang Zhi's crimes, revoke the former general's official seals, and Zhou Kan and Liu Gengsheng are both reduced to commoners." Ironically, the friend that Wang Zhi had tried to curry favor with became a Yellow Gate Attendant.
Months later, the emperor issued a decree to the top official, saying, "The country is about to prosper, so we must respect teachers and value education. General Xiao Wangzhi has assisted me for eight years, teaching me history and literature; his contributions are significant! I will appoint him Marquis Guannei, with a fief of six hundred households. He will serve as an official at court meetings and on ceremonial occasions, seated next to the generals." The emperor was considering appointing him as Prime Minister, but Xiao Wangzhi's son, Xiao Ji, an officer, accused Xiao Wangzhi of past wrongdoings in a petition. This matter was investigated by the relevant authorities, and they reported back to the emperor, saying, "The accusations against Xiao Wangzhi were unfounded; there was no slander against him. However, he instigated his son to write the petition, even citing examples of fallen rulers from the Classic of Poetry. That's not the way a high-ranking official should behave—it's disrespectful! We request his arrest." Hong Gong, Shi Xian, and others who knew that Xiao Wangzhi was always upright and uncompromising advised the emperor, saying, "Xiao Wangzhi previously assisted in governing as a general, trying to sideline Xu Zhang and Shi Dan, seeking to consolidate power. Fortunately, he was not punished, but instead granted titles and allowed to participate in government affairs. However, he has not shown remorse and is still bitter about it. He instigated his son to write the petition, shifting blame onto the emperor, thinking of himself as a teacher and believing he would not be punished. Unless we lock him up and teach him a lesson, the court's mercy means nothing."
The emperor said, "Grand Tutor Xiao has always been strong, how could he willingly go to prison?" Shi Xian and others said, "It's a matter of life and death. Xiao Wangzhi's crime is merely a trifling matter of words; he must not have any worries." The emperor went along with their memorial. Shi Xian and others handed the edict to the official, ordering him to summon Xiao Wangzhi. At the same time, the court officials urgently mobilized the palace guards to surround Xiao Wangzhi's mansion. When the messenger arrived, they summoned Xiao Wangzhi. Xiao Wangzhi wanted to commit suicide, but his wife stopped him, believing it was not the emperor's intention. Xiao Wangzhi then went to ask his disciple Zhu Yun. Zhu Yun, an upright man, advised Xiao Wangzhi to commit suicide. So Xiao Wangzhi sighed and said, "I have held high positions in the past; now in my sixties, being old and going to prison, it's humiliating to live like this, isn't it?" He then told Zhu Yun, "Get me the poison, quickly!" In the end, Xiao Wangzhi drank the poison and committed suicide.
The emperor was furious when he heard the news, slamming his fist on the table and saying, "I already suspected he wouldn't go willingly to prison, and indeed he's killed my wise old teacher!" At that time, the court was at lunch. The emperor put down his bowl, cried, and everyone around him started crying. The emperor then summoned Shi Xian and others, chewing them out for not thinking things through. Shi Xian and the others all bowed deeply and apologized, and it took a while to smooth things over.
Xiao Wangzhi was considered guilty for certain reasons, nearly getting executed, and the officials requested to strip him of his title and land. However, the emperor later showed mercy and allowed his eldest son, Xiao Ji, to inherit the title of Marquis of Guannei. The emperor honored Wangzhi's memory with annual memorial services until the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Xiao Wangzhi had eight sons, among them Xiao Yu, Xiao Xian, and Xiao You, who all rose to high office.
Xiao Yu ranked second and was appointed as a junior attendant to the crown prince at a young age due to his father's achievements. After Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, Xiao Yu became a palace attendant, but was later dismissed due to illness. He subsequently became an imperial censor. General Wang Feng valued the reputation and talent of Xiao Yu and his son, promoting him to Chief Clerk, then to Palace Attendant, and later sending him to serve as an Assistant Military Commandant in the Xiongnu area. He was later appointed as the magistrate of Maoling, where he ranked sixth in the assessment. Guo Shun, the magistrate of Qixian County, ranked last in the assessment and was questioned, with Xiao Yu pleading for him. The magistrate of Fufeng angrily said, "You only ranked sixth in the assessment; you can't even protect yourself. How do you have the time to speak for others?" After the assessment, Xiao Yu was summoned to the imperial secretariat for questioning, but he strode from the office, his horse led behind him, drew his sword, and said, "Xiao Yu is from Duling; why should he go to the imperial secretariat?" He then left directly, intending to resign. The next morning, the emperor issued an edict summoning him and appointed him as the Commandant of Justice. When Xiao Yu passed by the gate of the magistrate of Fufeng, hundreds of officials and subordinates dismounted to bow to him. Later, he was dismissed for offending the General, although the specific reason for the offense is not detailed in the text. He was then appointed as a Cavalry Colonel and sent to the Xiongnu. He also served as the Inspector of Jizhou, Inspector of Qingzhou, Colonel of Changshui, Administrator of Taishan, and finally as the Grand Herald, a position overseeing ceremonial matters in the Han Dynasty. Due to the bandit Liang Zizheng in Huxian occupying the mountainous area and causing trouble, which had not been eradicated for a long time, Xiao Yu served as the Governor of Right Fufeng County for several months and completely wiped out Liang Zizheng and his followers. Later, he was dismissed from office due to his close relationship with the Marquis of Dingling, Chunyu Changhou.
During the reign of Emperor Ai, there were many outlaws in the Yangtze River basin in Nanjun. Xiao Yu was appointed as the Prefect of Nan Commandery. The emperor believed that Xiao Yu was a highly respected minister, so he welcomed him into the palace with the honor usually reserved for a Three Dukes to appoint him and said, "The outlaws in Nanjun are causing harm to the people in large numbers, and I am very worried. Your prestige is high, so I appoint you as the Prefect of Nan Commandery. Your task is to eliminate the harm for the people, stabilize the people, and not be confined to trivial matters." The emperor also rewarded him with twenty pounds of gold. After Xiao Yu took office, the outlaws in Nanjun were quickly pacified. Later, due to illness, he resigned from office, but later resumed his duties, serving as the Grand Commandant and concurrently as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and ultimately died peacefully in his sleep.
Xiao Wangzhi was a very strict person who disciplined his children rigorously. He was stern and imposing. He was dismissed from office several times and had few promotions. When he was young, he was friends with Chen Xian and Zhu Bo, who were very famous at the time. There were also Wang Yang and Gong Yu at that time. In Chang'an City, the saying went, "Xiao and Zhu got each other promoted; Wang and Gong rose together," meaning that they recommended and promoted each other. At the beginning, Xiao Wangzhi and Chen Xian were both famous because their fathers were high-ranking officials. Chen Xian was promoted the fastest, becoming an Assistant Minister of the Secretariat at the age of eighteen and an Imperial Censor in his twenties. At that time, Zhu Bo was just a local magistrate in Duling, and it was through the support of Chen Xian and Xiao Wangzhi that he entered the Wang family. Later, the three of them all served as governors, prefects, and high ministers. Zhu Bo was the first to become a general and high minister, with a higher rank than Chen Xian and Xiao Wangzhi, and eventually became the Prime Minister. Xiao Wangzhi and Zhu Bo later fell out, and their relationship did not last until the end, and so it's often said, true friendship is rare.
Chen Xian, styled Zhongjun, worked as a historian in the Prime Minister's office, was recommended for his talent, served as a magistrate, and later became the regional governor of Huaiyang and Sishui, as well as the governor of Zhangye, Hongnong, and Hedong. He achieved political success wherever he went, was promoted several times, and received rewards of gold. After being dismissed from office, he served as the Cavalry Commandant of Yue, the Protector of the Army Commandant, and the Colonel of Palace Attendants, and even went on a mission to the Xiongnu. Ultimately, he retired as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Xiao Yu, styled Zijiao, served as the Prime Minister's Western Cao General Clerk, later promoted to a courtier, and also served as the Deputy Cavalry Commandant on a mission to the Xiongnu. Recommended for his virtuous character, he became the magistrate of Dingtang and was later promoted to the Commandant of Taiyuan and the Administrator of Anding. He was highly respected for his governance in the county, and many people recommended him. During the reign of Emperor Ai, when he was still the King of Dingtang, Xiao Yu, as the magistrate of Dingtang, offended Emperor Ai and was soon dismissed from office, becoming a commoner. After Emperor Ai's death, he was appointed as the Captain of the Futo (a military title), the Left Assistant to the Capital, and later promoted to the Administrator of Jiangxia. He quelled the rebellion of Jiangzei Chengzhong and others, made significant contributions, and was promoted to the Administrator of Chenliu. During the Yuan Shi period, when the Mingtang Biyong was built, he was summoned to serve as the Grand Honglu (a high-ranking official), but fell ill and missed the court meeting, so he returned to his original position and later resigned due to illness. He later became a Senior Palace Attendant and retired at this official position. His family boasted six or seven members who held positions yielding over 2,000 *shi* in salary.
Praise: Xiao Wangzhi served as a general, relying on the favor of his master, which indicates a very close relationship. When the plan was leaked, their relationship shattered, and treacherous individuals intervened, ultimately leading to manipulation by favored eunuchs and villains—a true tragedy! Otherwise, Xiao Wangzhi was upright and strong, a master of Confucianism, with the ability to assist the king, truly a rare loyal minister in recent history!
