Confucius said, "If you govern people with laws and punishments, they might stop committing crimes, but they won't feel any shame. But if you teach them morality and proper behavior, they'll feel shame and learn self-control." Laozi also said, "True morality isn't something you show off; that's what makes it real morality. Fake morality is all about pretending to be moral, so it's not really morality at all. The more laws and regulations there are, the more thieves there will be." Those guys were spot on! Laws are just tools, not the key to a good government! Even in peaceful times, there was always some dishonesty going on. When it got really bad, everyone was lying to everyone else, and the country went downhill. So, officials were like firefighters – they had to take strong action to get things under control. People who just talk about morality are out of touch. Therefore, Confucius said, "I handle lawsuits like anyone else, but I aim to keep them to a minimum." "The common folk hear about morality and just laugh," and that's not surprising.
Early in the Han Dynasty, they simplified the government and got rid of all the fancy rituals. It was like smoothing out rough edges, getting rid of the excess, and creating something strong and efficient. Officials worked hard, there was no corruption, and the people were happy. So, good government isn't about the methods, it's about the people's character. Later on, cruel officials got rewarded; they bullied the royal family and the heroes. When the Lu family fell, these officials and their families were wiped out. Under Emperor Jing, Chao Cuo used harsh tactics to get ahead, which caused the Rebellion of the Seven States, and he got killed for it. Then you had guys like Zhi Du and Ning Cheng.
Zhi was a man from Dayang in Hedong, who served as a junior officer during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han. During the reign of Emperor Jing of Han, he was appointed as a high-ranking military officer, daring to speak out and criticize the court ministers face to face. Once, he followed Emperor Jing to Shanglin Park, and while Jia Ji was in the toilet, a wild boar suddenly rushed in. Emperor Jing wanted to personally lead the troops to rescue Jia Ji, but Zhi quickly knelt down and said, "Losing Jia Ji is unfortunate, but there are other women. Your Majesty's rash action would jeopardize the ancestral temple and the Empress Dowager." Emperor Jing then dispelled the idea, and the wild boar did not harm Jia Ji. After hearing about this, the Empress Dowager rewarded Zhi with a substantial amount of gold, and Emperor Jing also rewarded him with a substantial amount of gold, showing even more respect for him from then on.
The Jianshi family in Jinan had more than three hundred households, with great power and arrogance, and even high-ranking officials could not control them. Therefore, Emperor Jing appointed Zhi as Jinan's governor. After taking office, Zhi executed the ringleaders of the Jianshi family, and the rest were so scared that they dared not move. Over a year later, Jinan became so safe that not a single item was lost on the roads, and the governors of more than a dozen surrounding prefectures all feared Zhi with the same awe they reserved for the emperor.
Zhi was a particularly brave and responsible person, upright and honest, never writing letters or conducting business in private, never accepting bribes, and never listening to others' requests. He often said, "I've left my family to serve the state, so I should be loyal to my duties, dedicate myself to the country, and consider my family only after death. I will never consider my own wife and children." Later, Zhi was promoted to Zhongwei. The Prime Minister Tiao Hou was powerful and lived in a luxurious mansion, but Zhi still greeted him with a bow. At that time, the common people were simple and feared breaking the law, restraining themselves, but Zhi was unique, very strict, and did not hesitate to enforce the law against the powerful. Even nobles and princes wouldn't dare meet Zhi's gaze, and people called him "Cangying" (a fierce eagle), a metaphor for his sharp, unwavering resolve.
Once, King Linjiang was summoned to the office of the Commandant for trial. King Linjiang wanted to find pen and ink to write a letter to the Emperor to apologize, but the officials of Zhi Du refused to give them to him. Marquis Wei sent someone to secretly provide King Linjiang with writing materials. After writing the letter of apology, King Linjiang killed himself. Empress Dowager Dou was very angry when she heard about this and had Zhi Du punished under the harshest laws, resulting in his dismissal. Emperor Jing immediately sent messengers to his house, appointed him as the Commandant of Yanmen, and granted him full authority to act as he pleased. When the Xiongnu heard that Zhi Du had arrived, they were so terrified that they retreated completely and did not dare to approach Yanmen Pass. The Xiongnu even made a wooden effigy of Zhi Du for their archers to practice on, but they couldn't even hit it – a testament to their fear. The Xiongnu were left in a panic by Zhi Du. Later, Zhi Du was arrested for violating Han laws. Emperor Jing said, "Zhi Du is a loyal minister!" and wanted to release him. However, Empress Dowager Dou said, "Wasn't King Linjiang loyal, too?" In the end, Zhi Du was still killed.
Ning Cheng, from Rang County in Nanyang, served as a Langzhong and an attendant, serving Emperor Jing. He had a fiery temper, and even as a low-ranking official, he'd lord it over his superiors; in his dealings with others, he was decisive and swift, like a whirlwind. Even the cunning bandits were scared stiff of him. He gradually rose in rank to become the Commandant of Jinan, while Zhi Du was the Commandant of Yanmen at the time. In the past, when other Commandants entered the office, they'd practically kowtow to the guards, showing how afraid they were of Zhi Du. However, when Ning Cheng walked right past Zhi Du and into his office, Zhi Du had heard of Ning Cheng's reputation beforehand, so he treated him well, and the two became friends. Much later, after Zhi Du's death, many members of the imperial family near Chang'an committed crimes, and the Emperor appointed Ning Cheng as the Commandant. Ning Cheng's governance was modeled after Zhi Du's, but he wasn't as incorruptible as Zhi Du. Nevertheless, the imperial family and the city's elite were terrified of him.
After Emperor Wu ascended to the throne, Ning Cheng was transferred to the position of Neishi. However, many in-laws were jealous of him and deliberately spoke ill of him, leading to his sentencing; he was shaved bald and shackled. At that time, even officials of the Nine Ministers rarely received corporal punishment for committing capital crimes, but Ning Cheng received the harshest punishment. He felt hopeless, but unexpectedly was eventually released. After being released from prison, he pretended to have carved a sign saying he was returning home after his exile. He proudly declared, "If you can't achieve a salary of two thousand shi as an official or earn a fortune in business, how can you compare yourself to others!" He then bought thousands of acres of land and hired thousands of impoverished peasants to work for him. Several years later, during an amnesty, his wealth had accumulated to millions upon millions. He became a bully, interfering in officials' promotions, and paraded around with a retinue of dozens of cavalrymen, more powerful than the local county magistrate.
Zhou Yangyou, whose father was the uncle of the King of Huainan, took the surname Zhou because of this. He relied on his family's influence to become a low-ranking official, serving Emperor Wen of Han. During the reign of Emperor Jing of Han, he became a county magistrate. After Emperor Wu of Han ascended to the throne, the court advocated for officials to be honest and cautious, but Zhou Yangyou was known for his tyranny and arrogance among officials of the two thousand shi level. He showed favoritism, protecting his cronies even when they broke the law, and ruthlessly persecuting his enemies, twisting the law to suit his whims. The powerful in the counties under his jurisdiction were always suppressed by him. When he was a county magistrate, he treated the commanders as his subordinates; when he was a commander, he oppressed the prefects and seized their power. Jia An, due to his violent temperament, and Sima An, due to his harsh personality, both in the rank of two thousand shi, did not dare to sit on the same level as him when they rode in the same carriage. Later, Zhou Yangyou became the Commandant of Hedong, and he fought with the local prefect Sheng Tugong for power and profit, accusing each other. As a result, Sheng Tugong was convicted and, refusing to yield, committed suicide, while Zhou Yangyou was sentenced to death and executed.
After Ning Cheng and Zhou Yangyou, similar incidents became increasingly common, and the common people learned to exploit legal loopholes. The actions of most officials resembled those of Ning Cheng and Zhou Yangyou.
Zhao Yu was from Lei County. He initially served as a junior scribe and later held the position of a middle-ranking official. Due to his integrity, he was promoted to historian under the Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu. After Zhou Yafu became Prime Minister, Zhao Yu became the Prime Minister's historian, and his colleagues admired his honesty and impartiality. However, Zhou Yafu did not employ him, stating, "I know Zhao Yu is not malicious, but his writing style is too obscure, so I cannot let him work in the Prime Minister's office." During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Zhao Yu was promoted to inspector general due to his diligent work in the office of the scribes. The Emperor recognized his capabilities and later promoted him to a middle-ranking official. He and Zhang Tang collaborated to formulate laws and regulations, and his insights were valued. It was from that time that officials began to supervise one another in the enforcement of laws.
Zhao Yu was a man of integrity. Since taking office, his family had never entertained guests. When high-ranking officials came to visit, Zhao Yu never returned the visits, focusing solely on eliminating all requests from relatives and friends and single-mindedly carrying out his duties. He swiftly addressed illegal activities he encountered, never pursuing hidden crimes of officials. He was once dismissed from office and served as the Minister of Justice. Initially, some people claimed that Zhao Yu's offenses were serious, and when he became a junior minister, he became even stricter. In his later years, incidents increased, and officials became stricter, while Zhao Yu's governance became more lenient, officially deemed stable. Later on, Wang Wenshu and others rose to power and governed more strictly than Zhao Yu. As Zhao Yu grew older, he was transferred to Yan Country as a minister. Several years later, due to a rebellion, he was deemed guilty, dismissed, and returned home. He died peacefully after more than ten years.
Yi Zong, from Hedong, was a bandit in his youth, terrorizing the countryside alongside Zhang Cigong. Yi Zong had a sister who won the Empress Dowager Wang's favor with her medical skills. The Empress Dowager asked, "Do you have any brothers or nephews in official positions?" His sister replied, "My brother's no good; he's not fit for office." The Empress Dowager then informed the Emperor, who appointed Yi Zong's brother as a low-ranking official and promoted him to magistrate of Shangdang County. He was so efficient and responsible that he cleared the county's backlog of cases, earning top marks. He was later promoted to magistrate of Changling and Chang'an, enforcing the law fairly without fear of the powerful. After arresting a servant of the Empress Dowager's grandson, the Emperor, impressed by his efficiency, appointed him as the Commander of Henei. In Henei, he wiped out the powerful Rang clan, restoring order to the region. Zhang Cigong also became an official, known for his bravery in battle, and was made a Marquis.
Ning Cheng was idle at home, and the Emperor wanted him to be a county magistrate. Grand Secretary Hong remarked, "When I was a young official in Shandong, Ning Cheng was the Commandant of Jinan. He ruled like a wolf guarding sheep; he cannot be allowed to govern the people." The Emperor then appointed Ning Cheng as the Commandant of Guan. Within a year, the Guan officials exploited the people entering and leaving the pass, and it was said, "Better to encounter a tigress than to face Ning Cheng's wrath." He was cruel to such an extent. Yi Zong was transferred from Henei to be the Prefect of Nanyang, and upon hearing that Ning Cheng lived there, he met him at the pass. Ning Cheng bowed, but Yi Zong snubbed him. Upon arriving in Nanyang, he investigated Ning Cheng and seized his property. Ning Cheng was thus punished, and Kong, Bao, and others fled, leaving the officials and people in Nanyang trembling in fear. Zhu Qiang, Du Yan, and Du Zhou from Pingshi were Yi Zong's confidants, promoted and later appointed as judicial officials.
So, the story goes that the army set out from Dingxiang, and the officials and people of Dingxiang were in chaos, so the court sent Zong to be Dingxiang's top dog. As soon as Zong took office, he arrested more than two hundred hard-core criminals in the Dingxiang prison, as well as over two hundred relatives and friends who came to visit them. Zong ordered, "Anyone facing the death penalty—off with their heads!" On that day, more than four hundred people were reported killed. The whole county was terrified; even the shiftiest officials and citizens straightened up.
At that time, Zhao Yu and Zhang Tang had already reached the high-ranking position of the top brass, but their governance methods were relatively lenient, following the law, similar to Zong's heavy-handed approach to governance. Later, because they wanted to switch to using five-zhu coins and white gold, the common people began to commit crimes, especially in the capital. So the court appointed Zong as the top advisor and Wang Wenshu as the chief enforcer. Wenshu was a real hard-ass, never bothering to check with Zong first. Zong, naturally, used his authority to squash Wenshu's plans, ruining many of his affairs. Wenshu killed many people in his governance, but the court considered this a drop in the bucket, as the corrupt atmosphere could not be suppressed, pointing directly to the root of the problem. Officials in charge of governance treated arresting and killing people as their main task, and Yan Feng was a fierce character. Zong was upright, and his political achievements were similar to Zhi Du's.
The Emperor took a trip to Dinghu for an inspection, had been ill for a long time, and then suddenly got up to go to Ganquan without any preparation on the way. The Emperor angrily said, "Does Zong think I won't take this road?" and had it in for him. In winter, when Yang Ke got busted for taking bribes, Zong figured he was stirring up trouble and had his guys round up Yang Ke's crew. When the Emperor heard about this, he sent Du Shi to handle the matter, believing that Zong's actions were breaking the law and screwing things up, so he dismissed Zong. A year later, Zhang Tang kicked the bucket.
Wang Wenshu is from Yangling. When he was young, he committed crimes, burying people and taking their belongings. Later, he became the local magistrate of the county and was dismissed several times. He held several official positions because he was skilled at handling cases, eventually becoming a low-level official at the imperial court. He worked with Zhang Tang, was promoted to Imperial Censor, responsible for supervising thieves, and killed many people. Gradually promoted to Guangping Commandant, he selected more than ten ruthless and unscrupulous officials in the county as his henchmen, all of whom were aware of their serious crimes, and then let them supervise the thieves, allowing them to act as they pleased. Even if these individuals committed a hundred crimes, he would not investigate; if anyone tried to escape, he would exterminate their entire clan. Therefore, the thieves on the border of Qi and Zhao dared not approach Guangping, and public order in Guangping was so good that the streets were so safe, you could leave things lying around and they wouldn't be stolen. When the emperor heard about this, he promoted him to the Prefect of Henei.
When Wenshu was in charge in Guangping, everyone knew that there were many wealthy and influential bullies in the Henei area. When Wenshu arrived in Henei in September, he ordered the county to prepare fifty good horses for the journey from Henei to Chang'an. He commanded the county officials to arrest the local strongmen, resulting in collateral damage that implicated more than a thousand families. He submitted a memorial to the court, requesting that those who committed heinous crimes be exterminated, those with lighter offenses be executed, and all their property be confiscated. The memorial was approved in less than two days, and after the matter was resolved and reported, the area rippled with blood for over ten miles. The people of Henei felt that he handled things at an astonishing speed, almost miraculously fast. By December, a profound silence settled over the county, and there were no more thieves committing crimes.
Those who escaped capture fled to other counties, and Wenshu pursued them until spring. Wenshu stomped his foot heavily and sighed, "Man, if winter lasted just one more month, I'd have finished the job!" It is evident how much he loved killing and displaying his power, showing no regard for others at all.
The emperor heard about this matter and thought he was very capable, so he promoted him to be a Chief Inspector. His method involved routinely targeting officials and subordinates he suspected of wrongdoing, such as Yang Jie and Ma Wu in Hedong Commandery, and Yang Gan and Cheng Xin in Guanzhong. At that time, Yi Zong (內史, a high-ranking official) was the Neishi, very afraid of Wen Shu, and did not dare to govern the affairs of state recklessly. When Yi Zong died and Zhang Tang fell out of favor, Wen Shu was transferred to be the Tingwei. Later, Yin Qi was punished for committing a crime, and Wen Shu became the Chief Inspector again.
Wen Shu was not highly educated, usually speaking haltingly and not good at expressing himself. But as soon as he became Chief Inspector, he became shrewd and capable. He knew the Guanzhong region intimately, identifying local tyrants, bullies, and corrupt officials. He then skillfully used them to his advantage. He ordered officials to harshly crack down on young troublemakers, encouraged informants, and established special institutions to deal with the wicked.
Wen Shu was a master flatterer, showering favors on the powerful while treating the powerless with contempt. The powerful, however heinous their crimes, were safe from him. But the powerless, even imperial relatives, were at his mercy. A master of manipulation, he targeted minor local tyrants to bring down the powerful. This was how he governed as Chief Inspector. His victims, the cunning and corrupt, languished in his jails, few escaping his brutal justice. His underlings were a pack of ruthless thugs. As a result, all the wicked individuals in the Chief Inspector's office, from top to bottom, became honest, and those in power all praised his achievements. Years later, many of his henchmen were fabulously wealthy, thanks to their positions.
Wen Shu returned from his expedition to the Eastern Yue and was let go because of a few disagreements. At that time, the court was planning to build the Tongtian Terrace but could not find a suitable candidate. Wen Shu volunteered and used his old team from his time as a captain to gather a massive workforce to build it. The emperor was pleased and appointed him as the Minister of the Imperial Household. Later, he was reassigned as the Right Minister and continued to run things the same way, and nobody dared cross him. He was later dismissed for committing crimes, then became the Right Assistant, and once again served as the captain, still using the same old methods of governance.
Over a year later, the Wancheng army mobilized, and the court ordered the summoning of high-ranking officials. Wen Shu hid his subordinate Hua Cheng, but someone reported that Wen Shu took bribes from the cavalry and was generally corrupt. The charges were enough to get his whole family wiped out, so Wen Shu committed suicide. At that time, his two brothers and two in-laws were also exterminated due to other charges. Xu Ziwei, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, sighed, "Man, that's rough! They used to only wipe out three generations, but Wen Shu's crimes got five wiped out!" When Wen Shu died, his family had accumulated a fortune in gold.
Yin Qi, from Chiping in Dongjun, started as an ordinary scribe and gradually rose to the position of Censor. He once worked under Zhang Tang, who praised him for his integrity. Emperor Wu sent him to handle theft cases, and he killed thieves without fear of powerful people. He was later promoted to Commander, with a reputation even greater than Ning Cheng. The emperor recognized his abilities and promoted him to captain. However, during his tenure, life became harder for the common people, and people thought Yin Qi was too tough and didn't know how to govern. Crooked officials went underground, and honest officials couldn't get anything done because they were stuck with outdated rules, so lots of people got in trouble. He was later appointed as the commandant of Huaiyang. Several years after Wang Wenshu's downfall, Yin Qi passed away due to illness, leaving behind less than fifty gold coins. His time in Huaiyang involved many executions, and after his death, his enemies tried to burn his body. His wife fled, only returning later to bury him.
Yang Pu, from Yiyang in Henan, initially held a small official position responsible for a thousand soldiers. Later, the governor of Henan recommended him to be a Censor and sent him to the eastern region to capture thieves and deal with the lawless Yin Qi, because he got things done. He gradually rose through the ranks to become the Commander, and the emperor thought he was really capable.
During the rebellion of Nanyue, the emperor appointed him as Admiral, and he earned distinction and was ennobled as the Marquis of Liang. Later, when Dongyue also rebelled, the emperor wanted to send him to suppress it again. However, the emperor suspected his previous claims of merit were inflated, so he wrote a harsh criticism in a letter to him: "General, your merits are nothing more than capturing Shimen and Xunxiang, without truly killing enemy generals and capturing their flags. Why are you so proud and complacent? Previously, when you captured Panyu, you counted captured soldiers as part of your spoils of war, exhumed corpses to inflate your body count, which was the first mistake. Jiande and Lv Jia's treason was a disgrace, yet instead of pursuing them, you diverted your elite troops to support Dongyue, which was the second mistake. Your soldiers have been working hard in battle for several years, but you didn't even provide your troops with celebratory drinks at court banquets, nor did you care about their hardships. Instead, you brought some extravagant items, demanded preferential travel arrangements to rush home, brought gold and silver treasures, wore luxurious clothes, and showed off in your hometown, which was the third mistake. You did not return on time, made various excuses, and broke protocol, which was the fourth mistake. You claimed ignorance of the price of Shu swords when asked, even though you knew they were readily available, thus deceiving the emperor, which was the fifth mistake. When the emperor summoned you, you did not go to the Orchid Pavilion, nor did you come to explain the next day. If your subordinates disobeyed orders, how would you deal with it? Use the same standard to evaluate yourself. Can we still trust you to command our armies? Dongyue's attacking. Can you lead the troops and fix this mess?"
Yang Pu was so scared that his face turned pale and he hurriedly said, "I am willing to pay for it with my life!" Later, he and Wang Wenshu defeated Dongyue together. After that, he joined General Xunzhi in attacking Korea, and was eventually captured by him, as recorded in the "Korean Chronicles." Upon returning to the court, he was stripped of his official position and became a commoner, soon dying of illness.
Xian Xuan, from Yang County, started as a minor official in Hedong Commandery, assisting the governor in handling government affairs. Later, General Wei Qing went to Hedong to buy horses and found Xian Xuan to be a good person, so he recommended him to the emperor, and Xian Xuan was then summoned to the palace to become an official in charge of raising horses.
He did well in his job, and Xian Xuan gradually rose through the ranks, becoming an inspector and then chief inspector. He once investigated the case of Zhu Fu Yan and the rebellion of the Prince of Huainan, using subtle wording to expose the crimes, leading to the execution of many people. He was praised for his courage in making judgments and handling difficult issues. He experienced ups and downs, serving as an inspector and chief inspector for nearly twenty years.
Later, Wang Wenshu became a captain, while Xian Xuan became the Minister of the Left. He was in charge of overseeing the rice and salt trade, with all matters needing to go through him. From arranging officials in various counties, managing the finances of the warehouses, to issuing orders, no official could act on their own, as he used strict laws to restrain them.
Xian Xuan spent several years in his official position, and while others thought he was only dealing with minor matters and not achieving much, he saw the big picture in these seemingly small tasks and solved them effectively. However, his methods were difficult to imitate by others and could not become a universally applicable experience.
Later, Xian Xuan was dismissed from office and demoted to serve as an official in the Fufeng region. Angered by the actions of an official named Cheng Xin, who fled and hid in the imperial sericulture buildings of Shanglin Park, Xian Xuan sent officials and soldiers from Meixian to forcibly enter the facility, break through the pavilion, and kill Cheng Xin. As a result, an arrow struck the park gate, and Xian Xuan was punished for committing high treason; the law mandated execution of his entire family, and he ultimately committed suicide. Meanwhile, Du Zhou was being promoted.
At that time, county officials, feudal lords, and the two thousand stone officials (high-ranking officials) in various places mostly followed the example of Wang Wenshu, causing the common people and officials to increasingly disregard the law, leading to a rise in banditry. In Nanyang, Mei Mian and Baizheng led rebellions; in Chu, there were Duan Zhong and Du Shao; in Qi, there was Xu Bo; and in Yan and Zhao, Jian Lu and Fan Zhu, among others, led large groups of rebels numbering in the thousands, giving themselves titles, attacking cities, seizing weapons, releasing prisoners, humiliating and killing officials, and sending out proclamations to prepare food in each county! Smaller bands, often numbering over a hundred, also ravaged the countryside, making the total number of bandits incalculable.
The emperor had no choice but to first send the top censor and the chief of staff to supervise, but they could not contain the situation. Ultimately, he had to send Fan Kun, the Grand Master of Splendor (a high-ranking official), the various department captains, and Zhang De, a former member of the Nine Ministers (a group of high-ranking officials), to wear embroidered clothes, carry symbols and tiger tallys, and lead troops to suppress the rebellion. In this campaign, thousands of bandits were killed. Later, in accordance with the law, those who provided food and drink for the bandits were severely punished, implicating several counties, with some cases resulting in the arrest of thousands of people at once. It took several years to finally capture some of the main bandit leaders. These scattered bandits, constantly regrouping and eluding capture in the mountains, remained a persistent threat.
So the emperor's court cooked up a new, brutal law, the "Shen Ming Law." The law said: if bandits revolted and weren't caught quick enough, or if not enough were caught, every official from the top dogs to the lowliest flunky who was even remotely responsible got the chop! So the little guys were terrified of getting their heads lopped off, and even if they *did* spot some bandits, they wouldn't dare report it. Couldn't catch enough, see? They'd get blamed. Heck, even the big shots were too chicken to say anything. So bandits ran wild, everyone covering for each other to avoid the law.
Tian Guangming, or Zigong as he was known, hailed from Zheng. He started as some low-level official, a Tianshui Sima, before getting promoted to Commandant of Henan. His style? Kill, kill, kill. Brutal. Bandits were running amok all over, so they shipped him off to be the Huaiyang Prefect.
Over a year later, there was a guy named Gong Sunyong, who used to be the magistrate of Chengfu County. He got together with a guy named Hu Qian to start a rebellion. Hu Qian disguised himself as a big shot and brought a bunch of carriages and horses, claiming to have been ordered to oversee the bandit-busting. They stopped at the roadside inn in Chenliu. Tian Guangming went to see them, to collar them. Tian Guangming had already smelled a rat, so he directly led his troops to nab them all, and then whacked 'em. At the same time, Gong Sunyong, dressed in fancy duds, arrived in Yuxian in a carriage pulled by four horses. A low-level clerk in Yuxian served as his attendant and also smelled a rat. He, along with the Chief Wei Buha, the stable keeper Jiang De, and the officer Su Chang, arrested Gong Sunyong. The Emperor appointed Wei Buha as the Marquis of Dangtu, Jiang De as the Marquis of Liaoyang, and Su Chang as the Marquis of Pu. Initially, these four guys all got their rewards in front of the Emperor. The low-level clerk slipped in a question. Emperor Wu asked, "What did he ask?" The clerk replied, "Can these new marquises return to their hometowns?" The Emperor said, "Do you want to go back? You are already very noble. What is the name of your hometown?" The clerk said, "It's called Yixiang." The Emperor said, "Then I will send you back to Yixiang!" So the Emperor granted the clerk the title of Marquis of Guannei and allowed him to enjoy land providing for 600 households in Yixiang.
The emperor thought that Tian Guangming had caught several bad guys in a row, so he summoned him to the palace and appointed him as the Master of Ceremonies. He then promoted his brother Tian Yunzhong to replace Tian Guangming as the governor of Huaiyang. When Emperor Zhao became emperor, Tian Guangming led troops to attack Yizhou, and upon his return, he was appointed as the Marquis of the Inner Passes and also transferred to the position of Head of the Guard. Later, he was sent to serve as an official in the Left Fengyi, where he did a great job and had a good reputation. When Emperor Xuan just ascended the throne, Tian Guangming replaced Cai Yi as the Chief Censor, and due to his previous achievements in Fengyi, he was titled as the Marquis of Changshui. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Qilian General and led troops to fight against the Xiongnu, reaching the city of Shouxiang. The Shouxiang commander had just died, his coffin still in the house, when Tian Guangming started sleeping with the widow. When the truth was revealed, he had no way to explain himself and had to slink back with his troops in disgrace. The emperor punished Du Yannian, his Grand Steward, and Tian Guangming, feeling ashamed, killed himself at the palace gate, and his title was revoked. His brother Tian Yunzhong, while serving as the governor of Huaiyang, was also brutal and trigger-happy, causing the people to complain at the palace gate, leading to his eventual execution.
Tian Yannian, styled Zibin, was a descendant of the Tian family of the State of Qi, who later moved to Yangling. Due to his outstanding abilities, when he served as a staff member to the Grand General Huo Guang, Huo Guang valued him highly and promoted him to chief administrator. He was later sent as the Prefect of Hedong, where he selected Yin Wengui and others as his capable assistants, cracking down on local thugs, and they learned to behave. With his excellent achievements, he was recalled to the court to serve as the Minister of Agriculture.
Just as Emperor Han Zhao died, Prince Changyi succeeded to the throne. This Prince Changyi was a real wild man, causing Huo Guang to worry. He then discussed with the court ministers about deposing him. However, no one dared to speak up, and things got really awkward. At this moment, Tian Yannian drew his sword, loudly rebuked the court officials, and immediately decided to depose Prince Changyi on the spot. This incident is recorded in "The Biography of Huo Guang."
Later, Emperor Han Xuan succeeded to the throne. Because Tian Yannian made a decisive resolution at a critical moment, he was made Marquis of Yangcheng.
So, at the time, the wealthy people in Maoling, the Jiao and Jia families, had hidden a fortune, with piles of charcoal and reeds and other materials, totaling millions upon millions of coins. When Emperor Zhao died, the court suddenly needed funds for the funeral, but there wasn't enough money. Yannian then reported: "Those merchants have hoarded some funeral supplies early on, thinking of profiting when the Emperor dies. That ain't right for a court official! These items should be confiscated!" The Emperor approved. The rich guys got their stuff taken, and they were pissed, trying to pay people off to get rid of Yannian.
Earlier, the Grand Minister of Agriculture had requisitioned over 30,000 carts from the common people to transport sand under the bridges for the Emperor's funeral services. Each cart cost 1,000 coins, but Yannian bumped it up to 2,000 in the books, totaling an extra sixty million coins, of which he secretly embezzled half. The Jiao and Jia families reported this matter, and the case reached the Prime Minister's office. After investigation, the Prime Minister reported that Yannian "managed the warehouse and was a real crook, embezzling thirty million coins." General Huo Guang summoned Yannian, wanting to give him a way out, but Yannian said: "I came from your ranks, General. I didn’t do this!" Huo Guang said, "Even if you didn't do it, we gotta find out what happened!"
The Imperial Censor, Tian Guangming, said to the Grand Steward Du Yannian, "According to the principles of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' merits can offset faults. When we deposed the King of Changyi in the past, if it weren't for Tian Zibin's key words, the matter would not have been accomplished. Now, the county official embezzled thirty million cash; how should this be dealt with? I want to take the liberty to say a few words to the Grand Marshal." Yannian told Huo Guang about this matter, and Huo Guang said, "Yes, you are truly courageous! Back then, you dared to speak out about this matter in public, shaking the entire court!" Huo Guang also patted his chest and said, "This matter still gives me cause for concern! Thank you, Master Tian; go quickly and inform the Minister of Revenue to turn himself in, so that a fair judgment can be made for everyone." Master Tian sent someone to inform Yannian, who said, "Luckily, the magistrate is being merciful. I have no face to go to jail, to be the subject of public scorn and ridicule."
So Yannian locked himself in, pacing back and forth in the room alone, armed with a knife. After a few days, officials sent for Yannian to go to the Imperial Court of Justice. Upon hearing the drumbeat, he committed suicide, and his post was revoked.
Yan Yannian, styled Ziqing, was a native of Xiapi, Shandong. His father was a staff member in the Prime Minister's Office, and Yannian studied law in the Prime Minister's Office when he was young. Later, he returned home and became a clerk in the county. Through selection, he became a clerk in the Imperial Censor's office, and then was promoted to an attendant censor. At that time, General Huo Guang deposed the King of Changyi and installed Emperor Xuan. As soon as Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Yan Yannian accused Huo Guang of "arbitrarily deposing and installing emperors, lacking the etiquette of a subject, and behaving improperly." Although the memorial was suppressed, the people in the court all respected him and dared not act rashly.
Then Yan Yannian ratted out Grand Minister of Agriculture Tian Yannian for sneaking troops into and out of the palace, but Tian Yannian admitted he hadn't. The case went to the top Imperial Censor. The Censor grilled Yan Yannian: "Why didn't you just tell the palace to keep Tian Yannian out instead of letting him run around?" So Yan Yannian got nailed for protecting a criminal and was sentenced to death. Yan Yannian hightailed it out of there. Later, a general pardon set him free. That same day, both the PM's office and the Censor's office wanted him back. The Censor's office got to him first, so that's where he went back to work. Emperor Xuan heard about it and made him magistrate of Pingling County, but he got canned for killing innocents. He went back to clerking for the PM, then got promoted to magistrate of Haozhi County. During the Shenjue era, the Western Qiang revolted. General Xu Yanshou asked Yan Yannian to be his chief of staff. They went to war, beat the Qiang, and Yan Yannian came home a hero, appointed Prefect of Zhuo County.
At that time, things were out of hand in Zhuojun. Bi Yebai and others in Zhuoxian took the lead in causing trouble, creating widespread misery among the populace. The local prominent families, the Xigao family and the Donggao family, were feared by both the officials and the common people in the county. No one dared to provoke them, and they all said, "It is better to offend the court officials than to offend these local strongmen." Their household retainers turned to banditry, and after committing crimes, they would directly hide in the Gao family, and the officials dared not arrest them. Banditry spiraled out of control. People had to travel armed with bows and arrows, the roads becoming increasingly dangerous. After Yan Yiannian took office, he sent an official named Zhao Xiu to investigate the Gao family and found evidence of their crimes. Zhao Xiu, fearing Yan Yiannian's reaction, planned to report minor offenses first, escalating only if Yan Yiannian seemed lenient. After Zhao Xiu arrived, he indeed first reported the minor offenses. Yan Yiannian took out the serious crimes that Zhao Xiu had previously reported and immediately arrested them and imprisoned them. They were executed in the marketplace the very next morning. Those who had been discovered earlier were also executed, and fear gripped the officials. Yan Yiannian then sent people to thoroughly investigate the Xigao and Donggao families, completely uncovering their crimes and killing dozens of people. Peace returned to the county, and people no longer feared losing their belongings on the road.
At the age of three, he became the governor of Henan, and the emperor even rewarded him with twenty pounds of gold. The powerful local figures were all frightened by him; there were no thieves on the road, and his reputation even intimidated several surrounding counties. His main duty as an official was to suppress the bullies and help the poor. Even if the poor committed crimes, he did everything he could to get them off; for those who oppressed the common people, he used legal means to deal with them. Those others marked for death, he released in no time; those others deemed worthy of acquittal, he cleverly found ways to convict them. The officials and common people below could not figure out his thoughts at all, and they were all scared to violate the laws. His case files were impeccable.
Yan Nian was short and efficient, with particularly high work efficiency. Even Zigong and Ranyou, renowned for their political acumen, couldn't hold a candle to him. He treated those diligent officials like brothers, fostering such loyalty that they worked for him wholeheartedly. Because of this, there were no hidden secrets in the areas he governed. However, his relentless pursuit of justice alienated many, especially those skilled in writing official documents and well-versed in history books. A single stroke of his pen was enough to condemn someone; even the chief scribe and close historians could not figure out his thoughts. In winter, he summoned prisoners from all counties to the government for a joint trial, and blood flowed for several miles, earning him the moniker "Butcher Bo." Despite his brutality, his rule brought peace and order to the county.
At that time, Zhang Chang was the governor of Jingzhao, and he had a good relationship with Yan Nian. Although Zhang Chang was strict in governance, he was still fairly lenient. Hearing that Yan Nian was enforcing the law too harshly, he wrote a letter advising him: "The story of Lu Ao and the rabbits teaches us that the emperor observed the subordinates' harvest without executing many. I hope you can slightly ease the punishment and consider this method." Yan Nian replied: "Henan is the throat of the world, and many people have been executed in the past two weeks. There are too many bad people, and the good people have all been buried. How can we not eradicate them?" He boasted of his abilities and refused to restrain himself.
At that time, Huang Ba governed the local area in Yingchuan with a tolerant approach, and Yingchuan enjoyed peace and prosperity, with abundant harvests; even a phoenix was sighted, a sign of auspiciousness. The emperor admired him and issued an edict praising Huang Ba's achievements, rewarding him with a golden rank. Yan Nian always looked down on Huang Ba. When he became the county magistrate himself, Huang Ba's commendation came before his, which made him very dissatisfied. A locust plague occurred in Henan, and the magistrate Yi went to exterminate the locusts. Upon returning and meeting Yan Nian, Yan Nian sarcastically said, "Could these locusts have been eaten by the phoenix?" Yi also mentioned the Minister of Agriculture Geng Shouchang establishing granaries for the benefit of the people. Yan Nian said, "If even the Prime Minister and the Censor are flummoxed, how can someone like Shouchang possibly succeed?" Later, when the position of Left Fengyi was vacant, the emperor wanted to summon Yan Nian, and the edict was issued, but because of his bad reputation, it was ultimately revoked. Yan Nian suspected that the Superintendent of the Imperial Workshops, Liang Qiuhe, was maligning him behind his back, and he nursed a bitter grudge.
It just so happened that the Prefect of Langye had been sick for three months and was let go. Yan Nian felt that he would also be dismissed, and said to the magistrate, "If he can get out of this job, why can't I?" Later, Yan Nian investigated the jailer Lian and found that Lian had taken bribes without reporting it. Yan Nian was demoted for something fishy about his appointment, and he laughed and said, "Who'd ever recommend anyone again?!" Magistrate Yi was old, grumpy, and had always been afraid of Yan Nian, fearing that he would be framed. In fact, Yan Nian and Yi used to work together as historians in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and their relationship was good. Yan Nian had no intention of harming him and even gave him many gifts. However, Yi became even more afraid, was convinced he was going to die, and was anxious. He then took leave and ratted Yan Nian out to the authorities in Chang'an, listing ten accusations against him. After submitting the letter, Yi killed himself to prove he was telling the truth. The matter was reported to the Imperial Censorate for investigation, and it was found that all these incidents were related to Yan Nian. In the end, Yan Nian was executed for being a vindictive, gossiping, and corrupt official.
Now, Yan Nian's mother, who'd come all the way from the East Sea, wanted to visit him in Luoyang in the twelfth month. However, on the way, she saw a notice saying that Yan Nian had arrested many prisoners. She was terrified and stopped dead in her tracks at the post station. Yan Nian hurried to the post station to see his mother, but she locked the door and refused to see him. Yan Nian had to take off his hat and beg his mother to let him in for ages before she finally opened the door. She then began to scold Yan Nian, saying, "You got lucky and became a county magistrate, running a huge territory, but you've shown no mercy or compassion. Instead of looking after the people, you've been brutal and killed people left and right, thinking you could scare everyone into submission. That's not how you run a county!"
Yannian admitted his mistake with a good attitude, prostrated himself in apology, and then personally served his mother, sending her back to the mansion. After his mother completed the sacrificial activities, she said to Yannian, "Heaven sees all; one cannot kill at will. I really didn't expect, at my age, to see my son being punished for abusing the law! Alright, go back to the East Sea and clean up the ancestral grave." After saying that, she left, returned to her old home in the East Sea, and told her brothers, sisters, and clan members about the incident. More than a year later, Yannian was indeed dismissed from office because of this incident. The people of Donghai County revered Yannian's mother's wisdom. Yannian's five brothers, all talented in officialdom, became high-ranking officials. The people of Donghai County called her "Lady Yan, the respected matriarch." His younger brother Pengzu later became the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and this incident is also recorded in "The Biography of Confucian Scholars."
Yin Shang, courtesy name Zixin, was a man of the Yang clan in Julu. He started as a minor official in the county and was promoted to be the magistrate of Loufan County for his honesty. Later, he was recommended as the magistrate of Suyi County for his outstanding abilities. The Prefect of Fengyi, Xue Xuan, reported that Yin Shang was capable of handling difficult matters, so he was transferred to be the magistrate of Pinyang County, but was later dismissed for his cruelty. He was then recommended by the censor and became the magistrate of Zheng County.
During the Yongshi and Yuanyannian periods of the Han Dynasty, the emperor began to neglect state affairs, and the nobles became arrogant. The brothers Chang Zhong of Hongyang conspired with some outlaws to hide criminals. Some wealthy landowners in the northern regions, such as the Haoshang family, harbored grudges and even killed six wives of the Yiqu King, flauntingly strutting into Chang'an City. The Prime Minister and the censor sent people to capture their accomplices, and the emperor issued a wanted order; it was a long chase before they were finally apprehended.
Chang'an was overrun with baddies. Neighborhood lads were gangin' up to off officials, taking bribes for hits. They even had this game – red marble meant a military man got it, black meant a civilian, and white meant you got to handle the funeral arrangements. Graves were poppin' up everywhere, dust clouds choked the streets, bandits roamed free, bodies piled up, and funeral drums beat day and night. So the court names this guy, Shang, the new magistrate – gives him free rein to clean up the mess.
First thing Shang does? He revamps the prison, digs these crazy deep dungeons, walls 'em off, tops 'em with boulders, and calls it 'Tiger's Den'. He teamed up with every official, big and small, he could find to register and nab hundreds of punks – young troublemakers who weren’t engaged in legitimate business, dressed in bright clothes, looked fierce, and carried weapons.
Next day, Shang calls a city-wide roundup – hundreds of carts roll out, hauling in anyone even lookin' shifty, all accused of workin' with the thieves. Shang personally made sure one in ten got the rope, the rest went straight to the Tiger's Den – hundred at a time, buried under rocks.
A few days later, upon opening them, all these people were dead. Shang ordered the bodies removed and buried at the east gate of the Un-yang Palace. He had their names carved onto the tombstones, and it was only after a hundred days that their families were allowed to collect the bodies. The families wept bitterly, and passersby sighed along the way. There was a folk song circulating in Chang'an City: "Where'd my son go, they ask? Young lads lie at Huan Dong. Live careless, die nameless, no one mourns your passing." The people captured by Shang were mostly leaders, some of whom were former officials or offspring of officials. They had made mistakes and wanted to turn over a new leaf, likely several hundred people. Shang pardoned their crimes, letting them work off their debt to society. Those who made great contributions were promoted by Shang and used as his muscle. They were very diligent in pursuing thieves, even more so than ordinary officials. Within months of Shang becoming magistrate, the thieves vanished, and the fugitives from various counties all returned home, no longer daring to approach Chang'an.
There were many thieves in the world, such as Chang, who became the governor of Jiangxia. He caught thieves and executed common people, quite a lot of them. In the end, he was dismissed for indiscriminate killing. Later, bandits in the Nanshan area caused trouble again. The emperor rewarded him with the position of Right Assistant Guard, and later he was promoted to Commandant of the Capital City, specifically in charge of those notorious criminals. The people of Sanfu trembled at his name!
After a few years, he passed away. Before his death, he warned his sons, "If you are dismissed from office for indiscriminate killing, just think about what you have done. You may still have a chance to be reinstated! But if you are dismissed for being weak and incompetent, you will have no hope for the rest of your life, no chance to turn things around. This level of disgrace is even worse than being caught for corruption and bribery! You must never be like this!" All four of Chang's sons eventually became governors, with the eldest even becoming the Jingzhao prefect – each a powerful figure known for their effective rule.
The book says: "Starting from Zhi Du, these ruthless officials are all known for their ruthlessness. However, Zhi Du is a man of integrity, daring to point out right from wrong and upholding the overall situation. Zhang Tang is good at understanding the situation, popular with the people, and able to distinguish right from wrong; the country relies on him significantly. Zhao Yu strictly abides by the law and handles matters fairly. Du Zhou likes to flatter and affects an air of authority by saying little. After Zhang Tang's death, corruption flourished, the country declined day by day, and the Nine Ministers were busy with their own tasks, having no time to deal with those violations. From that time until the period of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping, there were many ruthless officials, but few worth mentioning, all of which are historically documented. The honest ones can be used as examples; the corrupt ones, their tactics, even in corruption, offer lessons in suppressing wrongdoing, and they all possess both administrative and military prowess. Ruthless though they were, they were effective administrators. The prominence of Zhang Tang and Du Zhou's descendants accounts for their separate biographies."
