Ji Bu, a Chu guy, was known for being righteous and generous. Xiang Yu sent him to lead troops in battle, and a few times, he really gave Liu Bang a run for his money. After Xiang Yu's death, Liu Bang offered a reward of one thousand gold to capture Ji Bu, threatening to exterminate anyone who dared to hide him. Ji Bu hid in the home of the Zhou family in Puyang. Zhou said, "The Han's hot on his trail, and they'll be here any minute. Listen to me, I've got a plan; if you don't like it, I'll just off myself." Ji Bu agreed. So, Zhou had Ji Bu's head shaved, put shackles on him, dressed him in coarse clothes, put him on an old ox cart, and sent him with dozens of servants from the Zhou family to the Zhu family in Lu to be sold. The Zhus knew who he was right away, bought him up, and even set him up with a place and some land. Later, Ji Bu went to Luoyang to meet Teng Gong, the Marquis of Ruyin, and said to him, "What did I ever do? We were just soldiers following orders. Are they going to kill every single one of Xiang Yu's men? Now that he's king of the whole country, is it really worth it to go after one guy because of some old grudge? Besides, Ji Bu's a smart guy. Why are they so desperate to get him? If they let him run off to the Xiongnu or Yue, it'll be like Wu Zixu getting revenge on Jing Ping's grave – a big mistake! Why don't you find an opportunity to plead with the emperor?" Teng Gong knew the Zhus were a bunch of good guys, so he figured Ji Bu was with them, and agreed to help. Some time later, Teng Gong did indeed plead with the emperor as the Zhu family had suggested. The Emperor let Ji Bu off the hook. Everyone said Ji Bu was a real survivor, and the Zhus became famous too. After the Emperor called him in, Ji Bu said thanks and got a job as a Langzhong.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaohui, Jibu was appointed as a junior general. The Xiongnu Chanyu once wrote Empress Dowager Lü a deeply insulting letter, causing her great anger. She summoned the generals to discuss countermeasures. The General-in-Chief Fan Kuai said, "I am willing to lead a hundred thousand troops to crush the Xiongnu!" The other generals agreed with what the Empress Dowager wanted, thinking that Fan Kuai was right. However, Jibu said, "Fan Kuai should be executed! When Emperor Gaozu led over three hundred thousand troops, they were all trapped in Pingcheng, and Fan Kuai was among them. Now Fan Kuai actually claims he can lead a hundred thousand troops to wipe out the Xiongnu, which is utter rubbish! Furthermore, it was the Qin Dynasty's war with the Xiongnu that led to the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang. The country has just recovered, and Fan Kuai is flattering to provoke war, which is stirring things up!" At that time, the whole court was terrified, and Empress Dowager Lü called off the court session, and that was the end of any talk about attacking the Xiongnu.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, someone praised Jibu for his talent, so the emperor summoned him, wanting him to serve as the Minister of Justice. However, others said he was a bit of a hothead when he'd had a few drinks. After Jibu arrived, he stayed in the guesthouse for a month and was sent back. Jibu then went to the palace and said to the emperor, "I was an official in Hedong; Your Majesty had no reason to summon me. There must be someone badmouthing me in front of Your Majesty. Now that I'm here, and nothing happened, and I'm asked to leave, that person must be spreading rumors about me behind my back. Your Majesty summoned me because one person praised me, and let me go because another person slandered me. I'm afraid that people will think you're easily swayed because of this." The emperor fell silent for a while, feeling ashamed, and said, "Hedong's a key province for me, that's why I specially summoned you." Only then was Jibu arranged to stay.
Cao Qiusheng, a master of rhetoric, often uses his power to cultivate relationships with the wealthy and influential, like Zhao Tan, and has a very good rapport with Dou Changjun. Hearing this, Jibu wrote to Dou Changjun, warning him, "Cao Qiusheng's no good; steer clear of him." When Cao Qiusheng returned, he was determined to deliver the letter in person. Dou Changjun said, "General Ji doesn't like you, so don't go." However, Cao Qiusheng insisted and went anyway. He first sent someone to deliver the letter, and Jibu, enraged, awaited Cao Qiusheng's arrival. When Cao Qiusheng arrived, he bowed to Jibu and said, "'A hundred taels of gold ain't worth a promise from Jibu,' they say in Chu. Why do you have such a good reputation between Liang and Chu? Besides, we're both Chu men. Let me spread your good name around Yangzhou – what do you say? Why the cold shoulder?" Delighted, Jibu invited him in, keeping him for months as an honored guest and showering him with gifts. Cao Qiusheng's tireless promotion skyrocketed Jibu's reputation.
Jibu's brother, Ji Xin, was a legend throughout Guanzhong. Respectful and cautious though he was, he was a true knight errant, with influence reaching thousands of miles. Men would walk through fire for him. He once killed someone and fled to Wu territory, hiding at Yuan Si's house, where he worked for a long time and had followers like Guanfu and Jifu. He'd been a Middle Sima, and even the dreaded Zhifu wouldn't touch him. At that time, Ji Xin was known for his courage, Jibu for his honor – their names echoed throughout Guanzhong.
Ji Bu's sworn brother Ding Gong, a general under Xiang Yu, once trapped Liu Bang in Pengcheng. In a desperate situation, Liu Bang turned to Ding Gong and said, "Hey, why are two smart guys fighting each other?" Ding Gong then called a retreat. After Xiang Yu was defeated, Ding Gong went to see Liu Bang, who publicly announced in the army, "Ding Gong, as one of Xiang Yu's men, was disloyal and brought about Xiang Yu's downfall!" He then had Ding Gong killed, saying, "Let this be a lesson to any future underlings!"
Luan Bu, a native of Liang State, once hung out with Peng Yue when they were both poor, working together in Qi State as bouncers at a bar. Years later, they separated, and Luan Bu was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Yan State. Later, Luan Bu avenged his former master, and Zang Tu, a Yan general, took notice of his abilities and made him a captain. When Zang Tu rebelled and Han attacked Yan, Luan Bu was captured. Hearing of this, Liang Prince Peng Yue begged Han Emperor Liu Bang to ransom Luan Bu back, appointing him as an official of Liang State. Before he could return from his mission to Qi State, Liu Bang accused him of treason and wiped out his whole family, putting his head on display in Luoyang, and anyone who even looked at it was arrested. Upon his return, Luan Bu cried at Peng Yue's grave. This incident was reported to the emperor by officials.
The emperor summoned Luan Bu and scolded him: "Were you in cahoots with Peng Yue? I ordered no one to go see Peng Yue's head, but you went to worship and cry; isn't that a clear sign you're in on it? Kill him quickly!" Just as they were about to drag him to be executed, Luan Bu said, "Just let me say one thing before I croak!" The emperor said, "Speak!" Luan Bu said, "When you were trapped in Pengcheng and losing battles around Xingyang and Chenggao, Xiang Yu couldn't advance smoothly because Peng Yue was holding the line in Liangdi, teaming up with us to take on Chu. If Peng Yue had sided with Chu, we'd have been toast; if he'd sided with us, Chu would have been finished. And at Gaixia, without Peng Yue, Xiang Yu would've been a goner. After the war, Peng Yue got a title and wanted to pass it down the line. Now you're raising troops in Liang, and Peng Yue didn't show because he was sick, so you think he's a traitor. You're gonna kill a guy without proof, over something this small? That'll scare the crap out of all the other guys who helped us win! Now that Peng Yue is dead, I have no reason to live; please kill me!" After hearing this, the emperor pardoned Luan Bu and appointed him as a commandant.
During the reign of Emperor Xiao Wen, Luan Bu became the prime minister of Yan State and was later promoted to general. Luan Bu once said, "A person who can't stay true to themselves when they're broke, or who can't control their greed when they're rich, ain't virtuous." Therefore, he would generously reward those who were kind to him and strictly punish those who offended him. When the seven states of Wu and Chu rebelled, Luan Bu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Shu because of his military achievements and later became the prime minister of Yan State. Both Yan and Qi built shrines to him, the 'Luan Gong She'.
After Luan Bu's death, his son Luan Ben inherited the marquis title. Under Emperor Wu, Luan Ben lost his title for messing up a ritual at the Ministry of Rites.
Tian Shu, a native of Xingcheng in the State of Zhao, comes from the Tian family of the State of Qi. Tian Shu is quite fond of making friends and studied Huang-Lao Daoism under Le Ju. He is upright, loves to uphold justice, and often associates with bigwigs and important people. The people of Zhao recommended him to Prime Minister Zhao Wu, who in turn recommended him to King Zhao Zhang Ao and made him a Langzhong. After a few years, King Zhao valued him greatly but hadn't promoted him yet.
Eventually, Zhao Wu, Guan Gao, and others conspired to assassinate the emperor. The conspiracy was discovered, and the Han Dynasty issued a decree to arrest King Zhao and all the ministers involved in the rebellion. The decree stated that anyone who followed King Zhao would be punished, along with their whole family. Only Tian Shu, Meng Shu, and a dozen others boldly shaved their heads and accepted shackles, following King Zhao to Chang'an. Following the investigation of King Zhao Zhang Ao, he was deposed from the throne and made the Marquis of Xuanping. He then recommended Tian Shu and the other nine people to the emperor. The emperor summoned them, spoke with them, and found that no Han official could hold a candle to them. The emperor was delighted and appointed them all as county governors or ministers of vassal states. Tian Shu was governor of Hanzhong for over a decade.
Emperor Xiao Wen took the throne and asked Tian Shu, "Do you know who can be considered an elder in the world?" Tian Shu replied, "How would I know?" The emperor said, "You are also an elder; you should know." Tian Shu immediately said, "Former Yunzhong County Governor Meng Shu was an elder." At that time, Meng Shu was dismissed from his position because the Xiongnu launched a massive attack on Yunzhong. The emperor said, "The late emperor let Meng Shu serve as the governor of Yunzhong County for more than ten years. The Xiongnu frequently invaded, but Meng Shu could not defend it, killing hundreds of soldiers. Does being an elder mean you can just kill people willy-nilly?" Tian Shu bowed and said, "Guan Gao and others conspired, and the emperor issued a clear edict: 'Any Zhao state official who follows Zhang Wang will be punished along with three generations of their family!' But Meng Shu, however, shaved his head and put on shackles. He followed Zhang Wang, risking his life. He didn't even care that he was the governor of Yunzhong! The long war between Han and Chu had left the soldiers exhausted, but Modun's Xiongnu had just conquered the Northern Yi and came to attack the border. Meng Shu knew that the soldiers were exhausted and could not bear to let them fight again. However, the soldiers rushed to the city to fight the enemy desperately, like sons for their fathers. That's why hundreds died – how could Meng Shu have stopped them? This is the reason why Meng Shu is called an elder!" So the emperor said, "Meng Shu was a truly wise man!" That summer, he made Meng Shu governor of Yunzhong again.
Several years later, Tian Shu lost his position due to his involvement in a case. King Xiaowang of Liang sent someone to kill Yuan Ang, a Han Dynasty yilang (a low-ranking official), and Emperor Jing summoned Tian Shu to investigate the matter. Tian Shu reported everything that happened. After the report, Emperor Jing asked him, "Did King Xiaowang really do this?" Tian Shu replied, "That's right, Your Majesty." Emperor Jing then asked, "What exactly happened?" Tian Shu said, "Your Majesty, you weren't planning on going after King Xiaowang, were you? However, if King Xiaowang is not punished, it would mean abandoning the laws of the Han Dynasty; if he is punished, the Empress Dowager will lose her appetite and sleep, and it would cause you, Your Majesty, a great deal of concern." Emperor Jing greatly appreciated Tian Shu's loyalty and wisdom and appointed him as the Lu Xiang.
Shortly after Tian Shu took office in Lu, hundreds of commoners came to complain that King Lu was withholding their money. Tian Shu really let them have it, angrily saying, "How dare you come directly to me with this?! Isn't King Lu your sovereign?" When King Lu heard about this, he was very ashamed and paid the people back from the royal treasury. Tian Shu said, "King Lu should be the one to pay them back. If I do it, it'll look like he's in the wrong and I'm the good guy."
King Lu loved hunting, and Tian Shu often accompanied him to hunt in the park. King Lu always asked Tian Shu to rest and return to the inn. However, Tian Shu often sat outside the park and never rested, saying, "The King's out there slaving away, I can't just sit here and relax!" Because of Tian Shu's actions, King Lu later stopped hunting as much.
After serving as Lu Xiang for several years, Tian Shu passed away. Lu used about 130 pounds (one hundred catties) of gold to build a shrine for him, but his son, Tian Ren, refused to accept the sacrifices, saying, "That'll bring shame on the family name."
Tian Ren became a low-level officer in the Wei General's household due to his bravery and skill in battle, accompanying the General on multiple expeditions against the Xiongnu. The General recommended Tian Ren to the court, leading to his appointment as a Langzhong. He later rose through the ranks to a high-ranking position (equivalent to a 2,000-stone official) and then became the Prime Minister's chief of staff. However, due to a mistake, he lost his position. He was then sent to assassinate rebels in Sanhe County, and after completing the mission and reporting back to the court, the Emperor was pleased and appointed him as the Capital Assistant Commandant. A month later, he was promoted to Sizhi. Several years later, when the Crown Prince launched a rebellion, Tian Ren led his troops to close the city gates, allowing the Crown Prince to escape. However, he was later executed for being seen as complicit in the rebellion.
Praise: Xiang Yu was a man of heroic spirit, and Ji Bu was celebrated for his bravery in Chu. He repeatedly charged into battle, capturing enemy flags—a true valiant warrior. Yet, when he fell into poverty and became a slave, he gritted his teeth and held fast to his dreams. Why is that? Because he was confident in his abilities, and even when humiliated, he felt no shame. He always wanted to achieve something, but the timing was not right, which ultimately led him to become a famous general of the Han Dynasty. Real men know the value of life and death. Those servants and lowly people who commit suicide in a moment of impulse are not truly brave; their actions are incredibly foolish. Luan Bu wept for Peng Yue, Tian Shu followed Zhang Ao, facing dangers without fear, viewing death as returning home. They truly knew what they should do. Even the ancient martyrs couldn't hold a candle to them!
