← Back to 後漢書

卷五十六 張王種陳列傳

Volume 56: Biographies of Zhang, Wang, Zhong, Chen

Chapter 62 of 後漢書 · Book of Later Han
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 62
Next Chapter →
1
* () * []
Zhang Hao (the patronymic graph is missing in some manuscripts), styled Shuming, came from Wuyang in Qianwei. Six generations back, Zhang Liang had been junior tutor to the crown prince under Gaozu and held the title Marquis of Liu. In his youth Zhang Hao studied in Luoyang; the sentence breaks in the received text. At first, During Yongyuan he took posts in the provinces, entered Grand General Deng Zhi's headquarters, rose through five steps to vice director of the masters of writing, served eight years, and was then sent out as chancellor of Pengcheng. Note [1]: (footnote marker)
2
[]
Commentary [1]: That is, he served Liu Gong, Mingdi's son who was Prince of Pengcheng.
3
[] 退 [] [][]
In 120 CE he was recalled to the capital as minister of justice. Zhang Hao was no narrow legalist, yet he weighed penal cases with care and, debating doubtful suits with the masters of writing, usually carried the day with well-reasoned views. Note [1]: When An deposed the crown prince to the rank of Prince of Jiyin, Zhang Hao joined Huan Yan and Lai Li in protesting at court, without success. The episode is narrated in full in the biography of Lai Li. He then memorialized: 'Long ago Jiang Chong forged charges that drove the Li heir to revolt and brought catastrophe in train. Note [2]: One honest plea from the Huguan elder opened Wu's eyes—too late for vain regret. Note [3]: The crown prince is a boy of ten who has not yet been taught the Nine Virtues. Note [4]: Select good men to mold his character.'" The throne ignored the memorial.
4
[]
Commentary [1]: Xiang dang means his opinions were careful and sound.
5
[] 使
Commentary [2]: Jiang Chong of Zhao, style Ciqian. As an imperial inspector under Wu he denounced the heir's staff for using the imperial carriage road, then, fearing the heir's revenge and playing on the aging emperor's suspicions, spread tales of witchcraft throughout the court. Wudi ordered him to hunt for gu evidence. Reading the emperor's intent, he claimed a witchcraft miasma in the palace, excavated the heir's residence, and 'found' a wooden doll. Trapped at Ganquan, the heir killed Chong, fought Chancellor Liu Quli, lost, fled to Hu, and took his own life. Xuan, his grandson, later honored him posthumously as 'Li' and founded the Li Garden cult at Hu.
6
[]
Commentary [3]: Dai here means 'in time to be of use.' When Linghu Mao of Huguan pleaded the dead heir's cause, Wu destroyed Jiang Chong's line, raised monuments of remorse at Hu, and the empire wept. See the Han shu for the full story.
7
[]
Commentary [4]: The 'Nine Virtues' passage comes from the Shang shu's 'Counsels of Gao Yao.'
8
[] []
Under Shun he became grand commandant and made a name recommending talent across the realm. Zhao Teng of Qinghe criticized the government; the case snared over eighty men on capital charges of defamation. Zhang answered: 'Yao and Shun welcomed outspoken advice; the sage kings did not punish plain speech; the Chunqiu honors truth. Note [1]: Teng's band broke the law by lecturing the throne, yet they meant only to speak truth to power. Executing them would silence every critic and choke off honest counsel—hardly a lesson for later ages.' The emperor relented: Teng's death sentence was commuted one grade, the rest sentenced to two years as border guards. Note [2]: In the fourth year he was cashiered, nominally for cosmic disharmony.
9
[]
Commentary [1]: "A line from the Zuo zhuan preface on the Chunqiu's moral diction."
10
[]
Commentary [2]: "The Han shu commentary defines sikou labor as two years." The convicts were called foresters after their corvée duty.
11
使
In 132 CE he was again named minister of justice. He died in post the same year, aged eighty-three. The court sent envoys to mourn and granted him a grave site in Henan county.
12
His son was Zhang Gang.
13
*[]* 滿 退 [] 滿 []
Zhang Gang, styled Wenji. He mastered the classics while young. Though born to privilege, he lived like a poor scholar. He declined nomination as filial and incorrupt; the minister of education then called him up with high standing as imperial clerk. Shun lavished favor on the palace attendants, and men of sense were alarmed. Zhang Gang cried out inwardly: 'While the court reeks with filth, I would rather die than stand idle.' He then wrote: 'The Odes say, Hold fast to the old pattern and do not stray. Note [1]: At the founding and again at the Guangwu restoration, Wen and Ming ruled chiefly through moral example. Their government was transparent: modesty, self-restraint, and deference to virtue were enough. A pair of eunuchs sufficed at court; gifts to favorites were trifling; frugality and respect for labor kept the realm prosperous. Barbarians saw China's ease and good faith, and intrigue melted away before her moral sway. Lately the law of sparing honors has collapsed: upstarts win titles, grow arrogant, and ruin themselves—no way to steward the mandate or the symbols of rule. Note [2]: I beg you to trim the favorites at court and heed Heaven.'" Again the memorial went unanswered.
14
[]
Commentary [1]: The quotation is from the Greater Odes. Qian: 'fault.' Shuai: 'to follow.' King Cheng's perfection lay in cleaving to ancient precedent.
15
[]
Commentary [2]: 'Regalia' means chariots and robes of rank. Worthless men must not be given such emblems lightly. The Zuo zhuan: "regalia and titles are not to be trifled away."
16
使[]
In 142 CE eight famous inspectors were sent on circuit; Zhang Gang alone was young and junior in rank. The others received their orders and went to their circuits, but Gang alone buried his cart wheels at the metropolitan lodge of Luoyang, saying: 'When wolves block the road, why ask about foxes!'
17
[][] [] []滿 []使 便 使
Note [2]: He then memorialized: "Grand General Liang Ji and Henan Intendant Buyi, relying on support as imperial relatives and bearing the state's generous favor, with the ability of woodcutters and herdsmen occupy the office of an Aheng. They cannot spread and proclaim the five teachings or assist the sun and moon, but instead act solely as sealed boars and long serpents, giving free rein to their greed, [3] setting their hearts on wealth, indulging themselves without limit, planting many flatterers, and harming the loyal and good. They deserve neither Heaven's mercy nor the law's indulgence. He listed fifteen counts of disloyal conduct that every loyal subject detested.' Note [4]: The capital shook when his words reached the emperor. Note [5]: Liang Ji's sister was empress; though the emperor knew Zhang Gang spoke truth, he could not act against the Liang clan. Commentary [1]: Zhou Ju's biography lists the famous 'Eight Exemplars' mission. Corrupt governors were to be rushed to the capital by courier; lower officials could be seized on the spot; the honest and diligent were to be reported for reward.' Their names are in Shun's basic annals.
18
[]
Commentary [2]: The wolf-and-fox line echoes the Han shu biography of the capital's investigator.
19
[]
Commentary [3]: The 'boar and serpent' image comes from Shen Baoxu in the Zuo zhuan.
20
[]
Commentary [4]: "From the Zuo zhuan on disloyal intent." The Former Book: Zou Yang said to Marquis of Gai Wang Changjun, 'The empress dowager is choked with grief and gnashes her teeth and casts sidelong glances at your noble ministers.'
21
[]
Commentary [5]: Yu means the memorial was presented.
22
觿
Zhang Ying's tens of thousands of rebels had plagued Yang and Xu for a decade, killing senior officials. Liang Ji maneuvered to send Zhang Gang as governor of Guangling, hoping the rebellion would destroy him. Earlier governors had demanded troops; Zhang Gang asked only for a cart and himself. He rode straight to the bandit camp with a handful of men, sought the headmen, and explained the emperor's goodwill. Zhang Ying was stunned, then moved by Zhang Gang's sincerity and came out to submit. Zhang Gang gave him the place of honor and asked what wrongs drove them to arms.
23
[] 祿 [] * () **[]*
Note [1]: He said, 'Your anger rose because past governors were cruel and corrupt. They deserved blame, but rebellion was still wrong. The throne means to win you by grace and titles, not by the headsman's axe—this is your chance to choose life. Defy him, and armies from four provinces will crush you—do you weigh the odds? To ignore strength and weakness is folly; To cast aside good and embrace evil is not wisdom; to abandon loyalty for treason is disloyal; to leave no posterity is unfilial; Note [2]: to choose crooked over straight is not integrity; to shrink from duty is not courage—these six points decide your fate; weigh them well.' Zhang Ying wept: "We are outlaws who could not bear local tyrants—we swim in a boiling pot, with only a breath of time left. Hearing your words is our new dawn— (the graph for 'morning') The graphs complete the word meaning daybreak (another dawn). We fear that even if we surrender, our families will still be slaughtered.' Zhang Gang swore great oaths; Zhang Ying, deeply moved, returned to his camp.
24
觿 []
The next day he brought ten thousand followers and their families, hands tied behind backs, to surrender. Zhang Gang entered the camp alone, feasted the bandits, disbanded their host, and let every man go his way. He chose homesteads for them and surveyed their fields. Note [3]: Young men who wanted office he enrolled as clerks. The people were won over and the south grew calm. The court would have rewarded him, but Liang Ji quashed it. The emperor wanted to recall Zhang Gang to the capital, but Zhang Ying's petition to keep him was granted.
25
[]
Commentary [1]: The two-thousand-bushel officials are governors.
26
[]
Commentary [2]: The phrase alludes to ancestral sacrifice with livestock.
27
[]
Commentary [3]: Xiang means to survey. Chou are contiguous fields.
28
Zhang Gang governed Guangling one year and died at forty-six. Countless mourners, young and old, flocked to his yamen. From the time Gang fell ill, clerks and people all made offerings and prayed for blessing, all saying, 'For a thousand autumns and myriad years, when shall we again see such a lord?' Zhang Ying and five hundred followers wore full mourning, escorted the body to Qianwei, and piled the grave mound with their own hands. An edict stated: 'The late governor of Guangling, Zhang Gang, was scion of great ministers, held the tally and directed affairs, corrected himself to guide subordinates, spread abroad virtuous trust, gathered in the fierce bandit Zhang Ying and his myriad men, stilled the labor of shields and spears, relieved the distress of the steaming multitude, had not yet been raised to eminent rank, and unluckily died early. Zhang Ying mourned him like a parent; the emperor said he was deeply moved." He named Zhang Xu a palace gentleman and gave the family a million cash.
29
In 126 CE Wang Gong became grand coachman, then grand master of ceremonies. In 129 CE he rose to grand commandant but was cashiered after an earthquake.
30
使 [] []觿觿
In 136 CE he became grand commandant. He kept a clean line: no private letters from local officials. Everyone he appointed was a respected elder of the realm. Wang Gong despised eunuch power and demanded their expulsion in blunt memorials. The eunuchs struck back with false charges; Shun ordered Wang Gong to answer under oath at once. [One] Former clerk Li Gu at that time was staff supervisor to Grand General Liang Shang, and thereupon submitted a note to Shang saying: 'This morning I heard that the Grand Commandant Lord Wang [lacuna] was ordered to verify himself; I have not yet examined how deep or shallow the affair is. Li Gu praised Wang Gong's austerity and learning, said his uprightness had made him enemies, and warned that honest men everywhere were horrified. The three dukes mirror the Three Stars; they should not be dragged into court like common suspects.
31
[] [] [][]
Note [3]: Minor slights once forced grandees to verify themselves; ancient law reserved heavy inquiry for grave crimes only. Note [4]: Wang Gong is too principled to face such indignity. If harm came to him, the throne would be shamed as killer of worthies and courtiers would have failed their duty to shield him. Note [5]: Yuan Ang saved Zhou Bo; Note [6]: Feng Tang pleaded for Wei Shang—both praised in the histories. Li Gu urged Liang Shang to use his immense influence to save Wang Gong.
32
The proverb says a good man in crisis cannot pause for food. That hour is now. Liang Shang spoke to the emperor and the case was dropped.
33
[]
Commentary [1]: Ji means urgently; read ji-li.
34
[]
Commentary [2]: "Yang Xiong's praise of Yan Zun from the Han shu."
35
[] 簿
Commentary [3]: The three high ministers correspond to the three stars of Taisui. Under Ai, Chancellor Wang Jia was called to the minister of justice's prison. The chief clerk said, 'Generals and ministers do not face judgment to state grievance; following one another they took it as precedent—my lord ought to draw the lot and decide.'
36
[] 使
Commentary [4]: Heavy interrogation means grave criminal inquiry of senior officials. Chengdi used five senior officials to try Xue Yan and Zhai Fangjin. The Sounds and Meanings state: 'Great cases being weighty, therefore five two-thousand-bushel men jointly questioned them.'
37
[]
Commentary [5]: Yuan Ang cleared Zhou Bo when he was accused of treason under Wen. Yuan Ang secured Zhou Bo's release.
38
[]
Commentary [6]: Feng Tang of Anling served Wendi. The emperor discoursed with him on generals and commanders; Tang said: 'I have heard that Wei Shang as governor of Yunzhong sat guilty because his merit tally of heads taken was short six grades; Your Majesty handed him to the clerks, stripped his rank, and sentenced him to labor. He told Wendi the law was too harsh." Wendi restored Wei Shang.
39
After five years Wang Gong retired ill and died at home. His son was Wang Chang.
40
* () **[]* [] [][] [] [] []
The historian praises Zhang Hao and Wang Gong as the compound begins with the graph ya (refinement); tui completes the epithet for men who drew up talent from obscurity—if such open-handed recommendation is the mark of the humane man. When scholars rise, the state gains their tools; when worthies serve, men offer their skills. Recognized talent repays with deeds; employed worthies bring order to the realm. Note [1]: The gain is vast, yet who takes the lead—as easy as breaking a twig for an elder, yet men pretend it is hard. Note [2]: Liuxiahui was blocked by Zang Wenzhong; Note [3]: Chunyu Chang was praised by Zhai Fangjin. Note [4]: The obscure virtuous are forgotten; the powerful attract clients. Note [5]: So a gatekeeper may hide a sage, while the court sees no carriages of humble worthies. Note [6]: Footnote marker in the received text.
41
[]
Commentary [1]: Employed worthies draw forth every talent. Each deed wins its reward—that is enriching merit. Using talent brings order to the world.
42
[]
Commentary [2]: The phrase ironically says men pretend inaction is hard. Promoting talent is as easy as snapping a twig—yet rulers neglect it. Mencius said to King Xuan of Qi: 'Now your kindness suffices to reach birds and beasts, yet it cannot reach the common people—why? The answer: not inability but unwillingness."
43
The king said: 'Not willing and not able—what of these two?' Mencius: "Can you leap the sea hugging Mount Tai?"
44
*[]*
The king said: 'I cannot.' "To break a twig for an elder—can Your Majesty do it?" He said: 'I cannot.' Mencius: "Hugging Tai to jump the sea is truly impossible. Breaking a twig is trivial; refusing is choice, not incapacity. Care for others' kin as your own and the empire fits your hand—so why not extend kindness to the people?" Liu Xi commenting on Mencius states: 'Breaking a twig is like today's massage at the table.'
45
[] 使
Commentary [3]: Liuxiahui was Zhan Qin, enfeoffed at Liuxia, posthumously Hui. Zang Wenzhong was Zangsun Chen of Lu. The Zuo Zhuan: Confucius said: 'Zang Wenzhong had three unkindnesses: he kept Liuxiahui in low place, abolished the six passes, had concubines weave rush mats.' He knew Liuxiahui's worth yet left him low—that is suppression.
46
[]
Commentary [4]: Chunyu Chang, imperial in-law under Cheng, rose to nine ministers. Chancellor Zhai Fangjin alone befriended and praised Chunyu Chang.
47
[]宿
Commentary [5]: From the Analects: "Zilu at Stone Gate. The gatekeeper asked where he came from." Commentary: "Stone Gate was Lu's outer gate.
48
Chen gatekeepers opened and closed at dawn and dusk. Sima Qian: Hou Ying held the bolt at Yimen. Gate duty meant holding the bar—hence the paired phrase.
49
[]
Commentary [6]: "The Shenxian zhuan puts Laozi as archivist under the Zhou pillar." Zhu wen: vermilion patterns on a carriage. Zhen is the rear crossbar of a chariot. The humble hide talent at the gate; the court never sends its painted carriages for them.
50
[] [][]
Wang Chang, styled Shumao. He was known in youth for integrity and kept aloof from cliques. He declined his first nomination as filial and incorrupt, pleading illness. Liang Shang singled him out as maocai; he rose to director of the masters of writing, then chancellor of Qi. Note [1]: He became colonel director of retainers, then governor of Yuyang. Every post won him a reputation for firm, clear rule. He was later removed for an offense. Power had shifted to the masters of writing; Huan ordered the three dukes to pick only the ablest men. Note [2]: Chen Fan praised Wang Chang's integrity; Note [3]: he was reappointed to the masters of writing.
51
[]
Commentary [1]: Wang Chang had been chancellor to the Prince of Qi.
52
[]
Commentary [2]: Yong here means 'merit' or 'capability.'
53
[]
Commentary [3]: "From the Liji on the demeanor of armored soldiers."
54
使
He was soon named governor of Nanyang. Past governors had kowtowed to Luoyang grandees and failed in their duty. Wang Chang arrived fierce: every powerful clan with dirty secrets he dragged into the light. A general amnesty then scattered the cases. He then ruled that embezzlers over twenty million who did not confess must forfeit everything; if they hid assets, his men tore up houses, felled trees, filled wells, and smashed hidden stores—terrifying the magnates. His aide Zhang Shang urged: "leniency is the root of the Five Teachings. King Tang opened three sides of the hunting net and won the realm's hearts.
55
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [][] [] [] []
Note [1]: King Wu abolished the burning-pillar torture of Zhou. Note [2]: Gaozu simplified Qin's laws to three chapters. Wendi abolished mutilation for Tiying's plea. Note [3]: Zhuo Mao, Wen Weng, and Shaofu ruled gently, not harshly. Note [4]: Their mild rule was remembered for ages. Note [5]: A wise ruler's net is loose enough for great fish—then sun, moon, and stars shine clear above and the people thrive below. The policy sounds lofty but works at once. Note [6]: House-breaking terror wins no lasting reputation. Note [7]: With your gifts, kindness would change the empire as easily as snapping a twig. Note [8–9]: Nanyang was the imperial heartland—tombs at Zhangling, empresses from Xinye—so harsh rule ill fits this soil. Earnest severity cannot match grace; zealous witch-hunts cannot match honoring worthies. When Shun raised Gao Yao, the cruel fled the court. Note [10]: Under Sui Hui, Jin's thieves ran to Qin. Note [11]: Yu and Rui were shamed into peace by Zhou's manners. Note [12]: Moral example, not the rod, changes men. Wang Chang took the advice, softened his rule, and Nanyang flourished.
56
[]
Commentary [1]: Shiji: Tang as regional lord could wage war. Going out he saw in the wild a net spread on four sides; the prayer said: 'From all under Heaven and the four directions, all enter my net.' Tang cried, 'You would take all! He ordered three sides torn away.' Birds might flee left or right; only the willful were caught.' The lords marveled that Tang's virtue touched beasts.' They all submitted to Tang.' Xi is read like xi.
57
[]使 西西
Commentary [2]: The Biographies of Exemplary Women says: "Zhou made bronze pillars, smeared them with fat, set them over coals, and made the guilty climb them; their feet slipped and they fell, while Zhou and Daji laughed for amusement. This was called the burning-pillar torture." Li Xian: The Records of the Grand Historian and imperial records credit King Wen, not Wu, with ending the burning-pillar torture. The text here says Wu, which disagrees.
58
[]
Commentary [3]: Chunyu Yi faced mutilation under Wendi. Director Chunyu had no sons but five daughters; he reviled his daughters saying: 'To bear daughters and not sons—at urgent moments they are of no use.' Tiying followed him to the capital and offered herself as a slave to ransom him. Wendi moved by her plea ended mutilation.
59
[]
Commentary [4]: Wen Weng's humane rule in Shu under Jing. Under Xuandi, Shaofu fathered the people of Nanyang like children.
60
[]
Commentary [5]: "Han shi waizhuan on great fish." Han shu: "Gaozu's loose net metaphor."
61
[]
Commentary [6]: Yu means 'distant' or 'circuitous.'
62
[]
Commentary [7]: "Zhuangzi on ostentatious virtue—lacuna in text."
63
[]
Commentary [8]: The Yugong system of hou and dian zones. Nanyang lay a thousand li from Luoyang, hence 'hou-dian' heartland. The ancestral shrines from Nandun upward stood there.
64
[]
Commentary [9]: Guangwu's empress and later empresses came from Xinye.
65
[]
Commentary [10]: A line from the Analects, Zi Xia.
66
[]
Commentary [11]: Zuo zhuan on Sui Hui and fleeing thieves.
67
[]西 西
Commentary [12]: Shiji on King Wen's hidden virtue. Yu and Rai brought a lawsuit to Zhou. They saw farmers yield boundary strips and youths defer to elders. Ashamed to air petty quarrels before such manners, they said: " They went home and dropped the suit.
68
[] [] [] [] [] []
Wang Chang wore plain cloth and drove a ragged cart to shame the rich. Liu Biao, seventeen, studied under him. Note [1]: Liu Biao urged balance: "neither flaunting wealth nor flaunting poverty. Qu Boyu was ashamed to be the only gentleman. Note [2]: You imitate Bo Yi rather than Confucius' middle way—are you not posing as holier than the world?' Chang said: 'In former times Gongyi Xiu in Lu pulled up the garden mallows and dismissed the weaving women; Note [3]: Sunshu Ao's son dressed poor. Note [4]: Few err by being too spare. Note [5]: Mencius on Bo Yi's transforming power. Note [6]: I am unworthy, yet I follow their trace.'
69
[]
Commentary [1]: "Liji on proper gradation."
70
[]
Commentary [2]: "Confucius on luxury and austerity." Confucius held the mean; Bo Yi died for a 'minor' scruple.
71
[]祿
Commentary [3]: "Shiji on Gongyi Xiu's integrity."
72
[]
Commentary [4]: "Sunshu Ao's deathbed advice." Years later the son, poor, met Actor Meng while hauling fuel. Meng won him a fief at Qinqiu.
73
[]
Commentary [5]: From the Analects. Austerity rarely errs.
74
[]
Commentary [6]: From Mencius.
75
He was later recalled as a captain at Changle—lacuna in the office name. In 168 CE he became grand commandant but lost the post months later after floods. He died at home the next year.
76
[]
His son Wang Qian served He Jin as chief clerk. Wang Can, Qian's son, was famed for letters. Note [1]: (marker)
77
[] 使
Commentary [1]: Wang Can, style Zhongxuan. Cai Yong was astonished at the boy. Cai Yong was then the capital's literary lion, his house mobbed. Hearing Wang Can had come, Cai Yong ran out with his slippers on backward. The company was shocked—he was a mere child. Yong said: 'He is a grandson of the Wang house with extraordinary talent—I am not his match.' Cao Cao made him chancellor's clerk, then palace attendant. He answered every question put to him. Once while walking with others he read a stele by the road; someone asked, 'Can you memorize it in the dark?' He turned away and recited it without a single error.
78
After watching a game of weiqi, he reproduced it under a cloth on a fresh board without a mistake. He died at forty. His life is recorded in the Sanguo zhi, Wei section.
79
Zhong Hao of Luoyang traced his line to Zhong Shanfu. His father died rich as magistrate of Dingtao with thirty million in cash. Zhong Hao gave the entire fortune to his clan and the local poor. He shunned careerists chasing office and money. He started as a gate clerk in the county yamen.
80
[]
Henan governor Tian Xin's nephew Wang Chen had a reputation for spotting talent. Note [1]: "Tian Xin needed six nominees but noble pressure filled five slots; he begged Wang Chen to find one true scholar." Next day Wang Chen spotted Zhong Hao outside Dayang and was struck by him. He reported: "your sixth man is the Luoyang gate clerk." Tian Xin laughed and said,
81
* () **[]* 簿
'I ought to obtain someone hidden and stuck in mountains and marshes, (near) not some clerk from the capital?' Chen said: 'Mountains and marshes need not hold unusual men; unusual men need not be in mountains and marshes.' Tian Xin called Zhong Hao in and questioned him on administration. Zhong Hao passed every test; Tian Xin made him chief clerk, nominated him filial and incorrupt, and sent him to high office.
82
[]
Commentary [1]: Wang Chen was known as a judge of character.
83
使祿 使
Late in Shun's reign he became attending secretary. The Eight Exemplars' impeachments were buried when Liang Ji and the eunuchs traded favors. Zhong Hao re-opened cases against men like Liu Xuan of Shu whom the envoys had exposed, demanding capital punishment. He asked the four highest offices to purge corrupt governors related to the inner court. The emperor agreed. Zhong Hao was made tutor to the crown prince in Chengguang Palace. When Gao Fan came with a lone carriage to fetch the prince, Du Qiao and the tutors hesitated. Zhong Hao physically blocked the chariot: "the crown prince carried the dynasty's fate. No sealed edict accompanied the eunuch—how could they know it was not a trap? He would die before letting the prince go.' Gao Fan, speechless, raced back to report. An edict arrived; then the prince could depart.
84
退
Du Qiao withdrew, ashamed that Zhong Hao alone had kept his head. The emperor too praised his composure.
85
[] [] []
He became governor of Yi province. Zhong Hao was bold and ambitious. In three years he won the tribes of Minshan to Han rule. Note [1]: Tribes such as Bailang had cut tribute since Zhu Fu died; when Zhong Hao came, they renewed submission. He arrested Yongchang's governor for bribing Liang Ji with a golden snake; the high ministers quailed, and Liang Ji hated him for it. Note [2]: A cult leader Fu Zhi in Ba rose as 'Heaven's King'; Zhong Hao and Ying Cheng failed to suppress him and took casualties. Liang Ji used the failure to impeach Zhong Hao and Ying Cheng. Grand Commandant Li Gu submitted a memorial of rescue saying: 'Your servant has heard that the harm in the attack and seizure was originally not the intent of Hao and Cheng; truly it was because county clerks feared the law and dreaded crime, pressed pursuit in bitter depth, and brought about this ill-omened outcome. Rebels were rising everywhere. Punishing men who first exposed major crime would make officials cover up wrongdoing." Note [3]: Empress Dowager Liang read Li Gu's plea and pardoned them, stripping only their posts.
86
[]
Commentary [1]: The graph zou is read ce-liu.
87
[]
Commentary [2]: "Manuscript variant Yi for Zhi in the rebel's name."
88
[]
Commentary [3]: They would invent excuses and conceal facts.
89
When Liangzhou's Qiang rebelled, Zhong Hao as governor won the people's love. When he was summoned for promotion, clerks and people went to the palace gate begging to retain him; the empress dowager sighed: 'I have never heard of a governor winning hearts like this.' She granted an extension. After another year he moved to Hanyang; tribes escorted him on foot a thousand li as he walked beside them. In Hanyang he stopped raiding between Qiang and Hu.
90
使
He became envoy to the Xiongnu. When Liaodong's Wuhuan rose, he was sent as governor; they surrendered at his approach and met him at the border. He was later cashiered and sent home.
91
[]
He declined nomination as worthy and upright. He was recalled as gentleman consultant, governor of Nan commandery, then master of writing. When the Xiongnu struck Bing and Liang, Huandi named him general of the Trans-Liao army. He offered amnesty first, then struck only the holdouts. He freed all Qiang held hostage in border counties. Clear rewards and honest dealing brought Qiuci, Shache, Wusun, and others to allegiance. Note [1]: He dismantled beacons—the frontier lay quiet.
92
[]
Commentary [1]: Day beacons, night bonfires on the wall. See Guangwu's annals for detail.
93
He became grand minister of agriculture. In 161 CE he became minister of education. He lifted men like Qiao Xuan and Huangfu Gui to office worthy of them. He died in office at sixty-one. Bing and Liang frontier folk mourned him. The Xiongnu mourned him nationally. Each chanyu who visited wept at his grave. His sons were Zhong Dai and Zhong Fu.
94
Zhong Dai, styled Gongzu. He loved books and cultivated his mind. He declined every high summons. He died while awaiting a special summons to the capital.
95
Li Xie, son of Li Gu, petitioned for posthumous honors for Zhong Dai. It stated: 'Your servant has heard that when benevolence and righteousness rise, then power and virtue flourish; when power and virtue flourish, then government and transformation are clear; when government and transformation are clear, then the myriad surnames are tranquil. He praised Dai's purity and love of the classics, unmoved by wealth or distraction. Dai died young.
96
[][][]
Had he sought office, his equals would be chief ministers. Note [1–3]: Ancient worthies received posthumous honors and inscriptions; Dai had neither rank nor posthumous title in life or death. Li Xie asked for special recognition though Dai had held no office. The court refused.
97
[]
Commentary [1]: "From the Yijing, Tun hexagram on hesitation."
98
[]
Commentary [2]: Duke Yin buried Zang Xibo with extra ritual rank. Du Yu: "one step up in funeral regalia."
99
[]
Commentary [3]: "Zhou li on inscribing merit on the king's banner." It also states: 'For the funeral of ministers and grandees, grant posthumous title and dirge.'
100
Zhong Dai's younger brother Zhong Fu.
101
祿
Zhong Fu, styled Yingbo. He began as a clerk under the colonel director of retainers, then magistrate of Wan. Nanyang yamen clerks abused their days off to terrorize the market. Zhong Fu publicly bowed to them to shame them into staying home. His rule was famed; he rose to grandee of brilliant achievement. In 190 CE he succeeded Xun Shuang as grand commandant. Earthquakes cost him the grand commandantship; he became grand master of ceremonies again.
102
使
When Li Jue and Guo Si stormed Chang'an, many officials fled. Fu waved [lacuna] and went out saying: 'As great ministers of the state, unable to stop spears and remove violence, we have caused villainous rebels to turn blades toward the palace—where do you think you are going!' He stayed and died fighting. His son was Zhong Shao.
103
Zhong Fu's son Zhong Shao
104
Zhong Shao, styled Shenfu. He was famous while young. Late in Zhongping (189 CE) he became remonstrance counselor.
105
He Jin wavered and sent Zhong Shao with an edict to halt Dong Zhuo at Mianchi.
106
使
Dong Zhuo ignored the order and marched to Henan. Zhong Shao met him and urged him to withdraw. Dong Zhuo had troops menace him.
107
[] []
Note [1]: Zhong Shao roared out the imperial order; the soldiers broke; he rebuked Zhuo to his face. Dong Zhuo yielded and camped at Xiyang Pavilion. Note [2]: (marker)
108
[]
Commentary [1]: Pi is read fang-mi (scatter).
109
[]西
Commentary [2]: Xiyang ting lay west of Luoyang.
110
After He Jin fell and Emperor Xian took the throne, Zhong Shao became palace attendant. Dong Zhuo resented his nerve and demoted him to consultant, nominally governor of two provinces. His father Zhong Fu died fighting Li Jue; he never took up the post. After mourning he refused summons as privy treasurer and grand herald.
111
[]
He stated: 'In former times my late father gave his body for the state; I as son and minister could not remove the remnant and avenge the wrong—what face have I to attend audience on an enlightened lord!' He joined Ma Teng, Han Sui, Liu Fan, and Ma Yu against Li Jue and Guo Si. Note [1]: They lost the battle below Changping; Zhong Shao died. Han Sui withdrew to Liangzhou.
112
[] 西
Commentary [1]: Changping was a hill slope. A watchtower stood fifteen li west of Chang'an.
113
[] [] [] []
Chen Qiu of Huai'pu, Xiapi, styled Bozhen. His family had been eminent for generations. Note [1]: His father Chen Wei governed Guanghan. Note [2]: Chen Qiu studied the classics and law. During Yangjia he rose to magistrate of Fanyang in Wei commandery. Note [3]: The Wei governor demanded bribes; Chen Qiu refused; the governor beat the director of retainers to force Chen Qiu out. Note [4]: The director of retainers refused: "only Fanyang was well ruled; expelling Chen Qiu would shame the governor empire-wide." The governor relented.
114
[]
Commentary [1]: "Xie Cheng notes Chen Tun's good name."
115
[]
Commentary [2]: Wei is read wei.
116
[]
Commentary [3]: Fanyang lay in Wei commandery.
117
[]
Commentary [4]: Zhua means 'to beat.'
118
[]
He was recalled to high rank as attending secretary. When Guiyang bandits overran Jing, Yang Bing named Chen Qiu governor of Lingling. Chen Qiu broke the gangs within a month. Then Zhu Gai's mutinous troops joined Hu Lan's tens of thousands against Lingling. Lingling's soggy soil and wicker palisade could not hold. Note [1]: "When aides urged evacuating families, Chen Qiu swore he held the tiger tally and would not flee with kin. He threatened death for anyone who repeated the counsel.' He rallied everyone, built giant crossbows from timbers and spear-shafts as bolts, and slaughtered the enemy at long range. When rebels tried to flood the city, he counter-flooded them. The siege failed for ten days. Du Shang arrived with relief; Chen Qiu joined him to kill Zhu Gai. The court gave half a million cash and a son a gentleman post. He became governor of Wei commandery.
119
[]
Commentary [1]: Wendi split tiger tallies with governors.
120
As master of works he built Huandi's tomb and saved immense sums. In Nanyang he attacked magnates; they framed him and he faced the minister of justice. An amnesty sent him home.
121
[] 輿 便 [] 退宿 *[]* [] []
Note [3]: The emperor convened the high ministers under eunuch Zhao Zhong's eye to debate burial rites. Grand Commandant Li Xian at that time was ill; thereupon he supported himself in a litter and rose, pounded pepper to bring with him, and said to wife and children: 'If the empress dowager may not share sacrifice with Emperor Huan, I will not return alive.' Hundreds of officials sat silent, watching the eunuchs. Zhao Zhong said: 'The deliberation ought to be settled at once.' He sneered at their mutual glances. Qiu said: 'The empress dowager, with abundant virtue from a good family, was mother to All under Heaven; she ought to share sacrifice with the former emperor—there is no doubt in this.' Zhong laughed and spoke saying: 'Minister of Justice Chen ought at once to take up the brush.' Qiu thereupon descended with the deliberation saying: 'The empress dowager from the time she was in the Pepper Chamber had the virtue of a wise and motherly model. She had enthroned the emperor and preserved the line. He recounted her wrongful imprisonment and early death apart from her family's guilt. Separate burial would disappoint the realm. Note [4]: Lady Feng's tomb had been robbed; she could not rank above Dou.' Zhong examined Qiu's deliberation, changed color looking up and down, and sneered at Qiu saying: 'Minister of Justice Chen's establishing this deliberation is very bold!' Qiu said: 'Chen and Dou were already wronged; the empress dowager without cause was shut in seclusion—your servant always grieved in heart and All under Heaven sighed in anger. He welcomed punishment for speaking truth." The assembly backed Chen Qiu. Li Xian at first did not dare speak first; seeing Qiu's words correct, then[after] he spoke loudly: 'Your servant originally thought it ought to be so; truly it matches your servant's intent.' The court sneered at Li Xian's cowardice. The eunuchs cited Liang empress's separate burial and Wudi's demotion of Wei zi [sic] in favor of Lady Li. Note [5]: They asked how Dou could share Huandi's tomb given the clan's guilt.' Li Xian thereupon went to the palace gate and submitted a memorial saying: 'Your servant humbly considers that Empress Zhangde Dou cruelly harmed Gonghuai, that Empress An's Yan family committed foul treason—yet He had no discussion of different burial, and Shun's court had no text of demotion. Wudi's deposed empress was not parallel to Dou. Note [6]: Dou had ruled as regent and enthroned the emperor. She was his mother by rite. He urged joint burial at Xuanling per precedent." Emperor Xian sided with Chen Qiu: "Dou had been kind to him." The eunuchs fell silent; the decision was fixed. Li Xian of Runan, styled Zhenzhen. He had served in many posts as an honest, capable official; at court his integrity intimidated favorites.
122
[]
Commentary [1]: On Dou Wu, Chen Fan, and Cao Jie's coup.
123
[]
Commentary [2]: From the Greater Odes, 'Yi.'
124
[]
Commentary [3]: Zhou li ritual of fu—ancestral pairing—lacuna in text.
125
[]
Commentary [4]: Duan Jiong was demoted over the Feng tomb robbery.
126
[]
Commentary [5]: Crown Prince Li and Wei zi [context: Wudi's heir]—lacuna in manuscript. Huo Guang paired Lady Li with Wudi per the emperor's wish.
127
[]
Commentary [6]: Yijing: "Kun represents the mother."
128
祿 祿 []
In 179 CE Chen Qiu became grand commandant but lost the post to an earthquake omen. He returned as grandee of brilliant achievement, minister of justice, and grand master of ceremonies. In 178 CE he was grand commandant briefly, then cashiered after an eclipse. He was again named grandee of brilliant achievement. Note [1]: He became privy treasurer to Empress Dowager Yongle and conspired with Liu He against the eunuchs.
129
[]
Commentary [1]: Yongle was Huandi's mother's palace establishment.
130
[]
Liu He's brother had died with Dou Wu, so Liu He and Chen Qiu allied. Before the affair had issued, Qiu again with a letter urged He saying: 'You come from the imperial clan; your position mounts the tripods—All under Heaven looks up; the altars of soil and grain depend on you [lacuna]—how can you echo others in easy tolerance and nothing beyond compliance? He reminded Liu He that Cao Jie had killed his brother and was known to the empress dowager. He proposed promoting Yang Qiu to colonel director of retainers to arrest Cao Jie—lacuna in one graph. Chen Qiu's letter promised that once the plot succeeded, good government would return and peace would follow quickly." Liu Na, demoted for crossing the eunuchs, also pressed Liu He to act. He said: 'The vicious eunuchs have many eyes and ears; I fear before the affair convenes we will first receive their disaster.' Liu Na quoted the Analects: "a minister must shore up a tottering state." Note [1]: Liu He agreed and brought in Yang Qiu.
131
[]
Commentary [1]: The 'pillar' line comes from the Analects.
132
Yang Qiu's junior wife was eunuch Cheng Huang's daughter; Cheng Huang was influential at court. Cao Jie's faction bribed and threatened Cheng Huang. Huang, pressed and afraid, reported Qiu's plot to Jie; Jie therefore together memorialized to the emperor saying: 'He and others constantly communicate with princely kingdoms and harbor evil intent.
133
They accused the Yongle circle of corruption and swagger. Colonel of Infantry Liu Na, Yongle Lesser Treasurer Chen Qiu, and Commandant Yang Qiu exchanged letters and memorials, plotting and discussing unlawful acts." The emperor arrested Liu He, Chen Qiu, Liu Na, and Yang Qiu; all died in prison. Chen Qiu was sixty-two.
134
[]
His son Chen Yu governed Wu; Chen Cong governed Ruyin; his nephew Chen Gui was chancellor of Pei; Chen Gui's son Chen Deng governed Guangling—all were famous. Note [1]: (marker introducing Xu Si anecdote)
135
使
Si said: 'In former times passing through chaos I visited Xiapi; I saw Yuanlong without the intent of host and guest; he would not speak with me; he himself went to sleep on the great couch above in silence, making the guest sleep on the lower couch in silence.' Liu Bei began: 'You enjoy a national reputation. He said in such times Xu Si should think of saving the realm, not comfort. Seeking land deals was why Chen Deng scorned Xu Si. Liu Bei said he would have put Xu Si far below, not merely on a lower bed.' Liu Biao roared with laughter.
136
[]便 [] []
The encomium praises Zhang Gang for guarding the crown prince. Note [1]: Wang Gong attacked sycophants and paid for his honesty. Note [2]: Zhang Gang and Wang Chang went to extremes—buried wheels, filled wells (figurative harshness). Note [3]: Zhong Hao rose from humble clerk to commanding awe. Chen Qiu's lone memorial won Empress Dou joint burial with Huandi.
137
[]
Commentary [1]: Zhang Hao as minister of justice is called qing.
138
[]
Commentary [2]: Sheng means 'fault.'
139
[]* () **[]*
Commentary [3]: Zhang Gang buried his wheels; Wang (Gong) Chang) is said to have filled wells—hyperbolic severity. Mencius: "correcting excess can overshoot the mean."
140
Textual collation notes
141
Page 1815 line 3: Zhang Hao. Collation: The Jijie cites Hui Dong, who says the Shu zhi writes the name as Hao.
142
* () *
Collation note for page 1815, line 4: marginal asterisk in the manuscript. (chu) Kanwu deletes the Yongyuan clause as spurious.
143
*[]*
Page 1816 line 15: "summoned with high rank as [attending] imperial clerk — the Qunshu zhiyao has shi above yu; Imperial Digest 778 and Chuxue ji 12 citing Xu Han shu all read attending imperial clerk; now supplied per that evidence."
144
Page 1817 line 12: 'raised many flatterers' — collation: 'chan' was miswritten 'tao'; emended per received texts.
145
Page 1817 line 15: the empire called them Eight Exemplars — collation: "Hui Dong says Xu Han shu reads Eight Yan instead of Eight Jun."
146
Si should be 'sacrifice' not 'heir' per commentary.
147
* () **[]*
Collation on Zhang Gang's speech to Zhang Ying. (chen) "[chen] also - collation supplement says chen should be chen (the graph the cited text); all editions missed the correction." Emended.
148
Page 1819 line 9: 'Zhang Ying and more than five hundred' — collation supplement cites Liu Congchen: Yuan ji reads 'more than three hundred.'
149
* () **[]*殿
Collation on the compound titled refined promoters. (ya) Tui restored per Ji and Palace editions.
150
*[]*殿
Bei inserted in Tai/bei idiom per editions.
151
殿
Page 1825 line 3: 'secretly practiced good transformation' — collation: hua may be redundant. The Records reads 'secretly practiced good' without hua. "Palace edition writes hua as xing — suspect contamination from preceding xing."
152
* () **[]*
Collation for page 1826, line 12 marks a break in the compound. (jin) Nai emended per Ji edition.
153
Page 1827 line 8: 'galloped off orders and memorialized' — Kanwu says the text has one extra ming. Tongjian reads 'galloped back.'
154
西
Page 1827 line 11: 'former governor Zhu Fu' — collation: Hui Dong says Southwestern Yi biography writes Zhu Pu; Dongguan ji biography still reads Fu.
155
Page 1827 line 12: 'but the two offices were timid' — Imperial Digest 641 citing Xie Cheng's book reads three instead of two.
156
殿
Page 1827 line 13: 'gathered a faction of several hundred' — Ji and Palace editions read 'more than a hundred.'
157
Page 1830 line 12: Palace Gentleman of the Left Liu Fan and Remonstrance Counselor Ma Yu — collation: "Qian Daxin says Dong Zhuo zhuan has Attendant Ma Yu and General of the Right Liu Fan."
158
西
Fifteen vs fifty li distance.
159
殿
The collation note records that the graph for 'beat' was originally written with the wood radical and was corrected to zhua in the Ji and Palace editions; the commentary uses the same form. Commentary emended the same way.
160
Page 1831 line 10: 'but provincial troops Zhu Gai and others rebelled' — collation: Wang Wentai says Yulan 260, 347 and Leiju 60 citing Zhang Fan Han ji read Zhu Yi. Now note: "Song woodblock Yulan 347 reads Zhu Gai."
161
Bang taboo: Zhang Fan uses jun. Zhang Fan's Han ji writes 'commandery' for the graph bang (state/region).
162
* () **[]*
Collation for page 1832, line 6 marks the emendation from fu to summoned. (fu) "[summoned] as minister of justice — Kanwu says Qiu had never been minister of justice before, so fu (again) is wrong; should be zheng (summoned)." Xie Cheng variant: "summoned as zheng (director under minister of justice)." Emended per collation.
163
*[]*殿
Hou inserted per editions.
164
Li Xian's style: Zhenzhen vs Zhuo per stele.
165
殿
Page 1834 line 5: "He's elder brother Palace Attendant You — Palace edition writes You with fish radical."
166
* () **[]*殿
Collation on Chen Qiu's kin. (elder brother) Xiong/di emended: nephew Gui aligns with text.
167
Page 1835 line 5: 'Chen Yuanlong man between Huai and sea' — collation supplement cites Liu Congchen: Wei zhi reads lakes and seas instead of Huai and sea; Yulan 706 agrees. Now note: "Song photoreprint Yulan reads rivers and seas."
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →