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卷七十 鄭孔荀列傳

Volume 70: Biographies of Zheng, Kong, Xun

Chapter 77 of 後漢書 · Book of Later Han
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Chapter 77
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1
Zheng Tai. The text identifies him as Zheng Tai; the commentary closes.〉 Kong Rong; Xun Yu.
2
Zheng Tai, styled Gongye, came from Kaifeng in Henan; he was a fourth-generation descendant of Zheng Zhong, the minister of agriculture. Note: Kaifeng was a county; its old city lay south of what is now Kaifeng in Henan.〉 From his youth he showed ability and strategic sense. Late in Emperor Ling's reign, foreseeing turmoil, he secretly befriended bold men of action. His clan was wealthy and held four hundred qing of land, yet he spent so freely that he often ran short; his generosity made his name known throughout the northeast.
3
He was nominated as filial and incorrupt, received summons from the three high offices and from the imperial coach, and declined every offer. When Grand General He Jin took charge of the government and recruited eminent men, he named Zheng Gongye secretary attendant of the secretariat, 〈The Continued Han Treatise states: "the secretariat had six bureaus, thirty-six attendant posts at four hundred bushels salary, six men to each bureau, charged with drafting documents and memorials."〉 He was promoted to attendant censor. When He Jin prepared to purge the eunuchs, he meant to summon Dong Zhuo, governor of Bingzhou, as an ally. Zheng Gongye warned He Jin: "Dong Zhuo is ruthless, treacherous, and insatiable; if you give him a hand in governing, 〈Comment: the character glossed as borrow is read with the ziye fan spelling (zye plus ye).〉 Hand him great power, and he will indulge his violent appetites and endanger the throne. You stand near the throne with the authority of a Yi Yin; you need only act decisively and execute the guilty—you should not make Dong Zhuo your prop. Delay invites treachery, and the lesson of Yin is still before our eyes." He went on to list several pressing points of policy. He Jin ignored him; Zheng Tai resigned his post and left. He told Xun You of Yingchuan, "Lord He will not be easy to serve."
4
He Jin was killed soon after, and Dong Zhuo did exactly as Zheng Tai had feared. Zheng Tai, with Palace Attendant Wu Qiong and Dong Zhuo's chief clerk He Yong, persuaded Dong Zhuo to name Yuan Shao governor of Bohai and so trigger the coalition east of the mountains. When the coalition rose, Dong Zhuo called the high ministers together, levied a great host to crush it, and no one dared gainsay him. Gongye feared that if their numbers grew they would become more overbearing, fierce and strong and hard to control; alone he said: "Government lies in virtue, not in numbers." "Zhuo was not pleased and said, If according to your words this is so, are troops useless?" Zheng Tai grew alarmed and answered evasively, 〈Comment: here the word rendered deceitful means fraudulent.〉
5
Not that arms are useless—I mean the east does not warrant a major campaign. If you doubt me, let me sketch the main reasons for my lord.
6
The coalition east of the mountains has linked commandery with commandery and roused the common people—they are not weak. Yet since Emperor Guangwu the heartland has known no war; the people have lived at ease and forgotten how to fight. Confucius said, "To send untrained men into battle is to throw them away." Their numbers therefore cannot truly harm you. That is the first point.
7
西
You hail from the northwest, have been a general since youth, know war from experience, and your name alone overawes the age—that is the second point. Second point.
8
使使
Yuan Shao is a son of the great families of Luoyang— Zhang Miao of Dongping is a respectable elder— Note: Mengzhuo is Zhang Miao.〉 He is the sort of man proverbially said never to glance beyond his own hall. 〈The phrase means he does not look rashly about.〉 Kong Zhou Note: his given name was Zhou.〉 He is a man of lofty talk who can make the dead seem alive and the living seem dead. 〈The commentary glosses: he breathes life into the withered and blows vitality from the living— that is, his conversation exaggerates and deprecates at will.〉 None of them has military talent or the edge to meet you blade to blade—they are not in your class. That is the third point. Third point.
9
滿
The gentry of the northeast have never been known for toughness— 〈Comment: here the word rendered keen means brave.〉 They have neither the raw strength of Meng Ben nor the speed of Qing Ji. 〈The Garden of Persuasions says: Meng Ben in water travel did not avoid sharks and dragons; on land travel did not avoid tigers and wolves; when angry he spat breath and sound shook heaven." Xu Shen's commentary on the Huainanzi says: Meng Ben was a man of Wei." The Lüshi Chunqiu says: "Meng Ben crossed a river ahead of his squad; the boatman in anger used an oar to strike his head, not knowing he was Meng Ben for that reason. midstream Meng Ben glared until his hair bristled and his eyes seemed to tear; the whole boatload tumbled into the water—" Qing Ji was a son of King Liao of Wu— arrows filled his grip yet could not strike him, and four-horse teams could not overtake him.〉 They cannot match the stubborn defense of Liaocheng. 〈The Records tells how a Yan general took Liaocheng and held it— while Tian Dan of Qi besieged it for over a year without success.〉 They are no Zhang Liang or Chen Ping: you could send a single column and expect victory. That is the fourth point. Fourth point.
10
退
Even if such men existed, the coalition has no clear chain of command and no royal commission; if they lean on numbers and brute strength— 〈Comment: the word rendered trust also means rely on.〉 Each general will dig in on his own ground. 〈Comment: the word rendered stand apart means halt or stand firm.〉 They would watch how the fight goes and refuse to risk life and fortune together. That is the fifth point. Fifth point.
11
西
The northwestern commanderies are war-hardened; for years they have fought the Qiang—even women carry halberds, spears, bows, and quivers— 〈Comment: the word rendered hold means grasp.〉 Think how much more their fighting men will prevail against these untrained levies! Victory is assured. Sixth point.
12
西 西
Moreover the fiercest fighters in the empire—the very names that terrify the people—are the men of Bing and Liang, the Xiongnu, the Tuge, the Huangzhong volunteers, and the eight Qiang tribes, 〈See the treatises on volunteer followers and the eight tribes in 〈the Treatise on the Western Qiang〉 You hold them as your claws and fangs—it would be like setting tigers on sheep. Seventh point.
13
Your commanders are kinsmen and trusted followers long tested together; their loyalty and counsel are beyond question— with an army bound fast by mutual trust— 〈Comment: the word rendered glued here means firmly joined.〉 Pitted against a loose alliance, your host would be like a gale stripping dead leaves. That is the eighth point. Eighth point.
14
There are three doomed ways to fight: disorder against order, wickedness against right, rebellion against legitimacy— you hold the government straight, you have destroyed the eunuchs, and you stand on loyalty and justice— three virtues against their three faults; who could withstand a punitive expedition bearing the right words? Ninth point.
15
西
In the east Zheng Xuan's learning spans antiquity and the present— Note: he was from Beihai, hence "eastern province".〉 Bing Yuan of Beihai is noted for integrity and candor— 〈The Wei Records gives his style as Genju and his home as Zhuxu in Beihai— and says he was ranked with Guan Ning for high character.〉 Both are beacons for scholars and models for the gentry— if your opponents consulted such men, they would know their own weakness. Yan, Zhao, Qi, and Liang were mighty states, yet Qin swallowed them all— The Wu-Chu coalition raised vast armies yet was crushed at Xingyang. 〈The Former Han History names the seven rebel kings and records how Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu broke them at Xingyang in 154 BCE.〉 Your virtue shines today and your ministers are able; would those eastern leaders really abet rebellion and breed banditry? They would not. That is the tenth point.
16
使
If any part of my argument holds, you need not mobilize the empire, drive corvée-weary peasants into revolt, or forfeit moral authority by trusting numbers alone.
17
使
Dong Zhuo was mollified; he named Zheng Tai a general and put him in command of the campaign against the eastern coalition. Someone persuaded Zhuo, saying: Lord Zheng Ye's plans surpass other men, yet he plots with outside bandits; now if you supply him soldiers and horses, to join his faction—privately for my lord I fear this." Dong Zhuo stripped him of command but kept him at court as a gentleman consultant.
18
After the removal to Chang'an, famine and anarchy spread and many scholar-officials perished. Zheng Tai still had means; he feasted guests nightly with music and rescued a great many people. He joined He Yong and Xun You in a plot to assassinate Dong Zhuo. When the plot failed, He Yong was arrested; Zheng Tai escaped through Wu Pass and fled east to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu named him inspector of Yang province. He died en route before taking up the post, aged forty-one.
19
Kong Rong, styled Wenju, came from the state of Lu and was the twentieth-generation descendant of Confucius. Seven generations back, Kong Ba had been tutor to Emperor Yuan of Former Han and rose to palace attendant. 〈The Former Han History identifies Kong Ba, styled Ciru, as Emperor Yuan's tutor. See 〈the biography of Kong Yu〉 His father Kong Zhou had been a colonel in Taishan commandery.
20
As a boy Kong Rong showed remarkable gifts. 〈The Kong Rong family tradition says: "Seven brothers; Rong was sixth; in youth he had natural character. At four, when sharing pears with his brothers, he always chose the smallest. When asked why, he said he was the youngest and by custom should take the smallest. The whole clan marveled at the child."〉 At ten he accompanied his father to Luoyang. The governor of Henan at the time was Li Ying 〈Comment: Li Ying came from Xiangcheng in Yingchuan. The Kong family tradition says: "He heard that Lord Li of Hanzhong was pure in integrity and upright, admired him in intent, then went to the lord's gate." The comment notes Li Gu of Hanzhong served as grand tutor, which disagrees with the main text here.〉 Li Ying cultivated aloof dignity and admitted callers only if they were celebrated or had hereditary ties to his house. Kong Rong wished to meet him and presented himself at Li Ying's door. He told the gatekeeper: I am a younger of Lord Li's tied family." The porter carried the message inward. Ying invited Rong and asked: Did your eminent grandfather once have old kindness with your servant?" Rong said: "Yes. Confucius and Laozi, he said, had stood in a relation of mutual respect as teachers in the Way, 〈The Family Sayings quotes Confucius telling Nangong Jingshu that Laozi mastered antiquity, ritual, music, and the Way so fully that he would seek him as a teacher. He was leaving to consult him. He traveled to Zhou and questioned Laozi on ritual.〉 Therefore, he concluded, their houses had been allied for generations." Every guest in the room drew a long breath in admiration. The grand counselor Chen Wei arrived late. 〈Comment: the name Wei is glossed with a fanqie spelling.〉 Those present related the exchange to him. Wei said: When a person is small, clever and clear; great, not necessarily unusual." Rong answered on the sound: Looking at your words, were you not precocious in youth?" Ying greatly laughed and said: "The eminent will surely become a great vessel."
21
At thirteen he lost his father; he mourned so bitterly he had to be helped to his feet, and the neighborhood praised his filial piety. He loved learning and read widely with true comprehension.
22
Hou Lan, a powerful eunuch, hounded Zhang Jian of Shanyang with a warrant that stripped the informer's name before it reached the commanderies. 〈Comment: to print here means to cut away. That is, the accuser's name was excised from the document.〉 The order commanded Zhang Jian seized by name. Zhang Jian, an old friend of Kong Rong's elder brother Kong Bao, fled to his door but missed him. 〈Comment: arrive here means to seek refuge. The Kong family tradition: "Bao courtesy name Wenli.〉" Kong Rong was sixteen; Zhang Jian, dismissing him as a boy, kept silent about his errand. Kong Rong read the fugitive's distress in his face. 〈Comment: harried means hard-pressed.〉 Said to him: Though my elder brother is outside, can I alone not be host for my lord?" He took Zhang Jian in. 〈Comment: lodge means to shelter.〉 When the secret leaked, officials moved to arrest; Zhang Jian escaped, but Kong Bao and Kong Rong were thrown into jail. Neither brother knew which charge applied. Rong said: I who protected, received, lodged, and hid him am Rong; I ought to sit for it." Bao said: He came seeking me; it is not my younger brother's fault; I request willingly to bear the crime." The clerk asked their mother; she said: Household affairs are the eldest's charge; your handmaid bears the guilt." The whole household vied to die in one another's place, and the local court referred the case upward for review. 〈The Former Documents pronunciation says: "Yan means petition; read yi jie fan.〉" The imperial rescript convicted Kong Bao alone. Kong Rong's fame spread; he was ranked with Taoqiu Hong of Pingyuan and Bian Rang of Chenliu. He turned down every nomination from the regions.
23
He was recruited into the bureau of Minister over the Masses Yang Ci. An inquiry targeted venal officials for demotion; Kong Rong submitted names that were mostly eunuchs' relatives. The secretariat, fearing eunuch pressure, summoned the staff to rebuke them. Kong Rong laid out the offenses without flinching. 〈Comment: bending means twisting; a fanqie note follows.〉 When He Jin was slated for grand general, Yang Ci sent Kong Rong with congratulations; left waiting, Kong flung down his card and resigned in protest. He Jin's staff were humiliated and hired assassins to kill him. A guest spoke to Jin saying: "Kong Wenju has heavy reputation, 〈A family tradition quotes the guest comparing Kong Rong to the polestar among stars—too celebrated to alienate.〉 To make an enemy of him would drive talented men from your banner. Honoring him instead would broadcast your magnanimity." He Jin agreed, and after his promotion summoned Kong Rong, graded him top of the class, and named him attendant censor. He could not work with Vice Censor Zhao She; he pleaded illness and went home.
24
He was later clerk in the minister of works' office and then central army warden. Three days later he rose to leader of the tiger guard. Whenever Kong Rong spoke in Dong Zhuo's presence after the deposition of the emperor, he offered blunt correction. Dong Zhuo sidelined him as a gentleman consultant. As the Turbans ravaged the coast, Dong Zhuo maneuvered the three high offices into naming Kong Rong governor of Beihai—the most exposed commandery.
25
He rallied the people, drilled troops, exchanged letters with neighboring governors, and planned a defense. Zhang Rao led two hundred thousand men back from Ji; Kong Rong attacked them but lost, then regrouped and held Zhuxu. He slowly gathered forty thousand souls misled by the rebels, rebuilt towns, opened schools, promoted Confucian scholarship, and recommended men such as Zheng Xuan, Peng Qiu, and Bing Yuan. 〈Comment: the name Qiu is glossed with alternate fanqie readings.〉 He honored two local worthies who had died young by granting them posthumous sacrifice at the county altars. The smallest kindness never went unrewarded. He buried childless locals and stranded scholars at his own expense. When the Yellow Turbans raided again, Kong Rong marched out and encamped at Duchang, 〈Duchang county lay in Beihai commandery; its old site was northeast of present Linqu in Shandong.〉 The rebel Guan Hai besieged him. Hard pressed, Kong Rong sent Taishi Ci of Donglai to beg help from Liu Bei, governor of Pingyuan. 〈The Wu chronicle identifies Taishi Ci, styled Ziyi, as a man of Donglai. He had fled trouble to Liaodong; Kong Rong, hearing of him, admired him and repeatedly sent gifts and inquiries to his mother. At the time Rong was surrounded by Guan Hai; Ci returned from Liaodong; his mother said to him: "You and Kong of the North Sea have never met; since you left, his aid and care have been diligent, more than for old friends. and now that he was trapped he must go to his aid." Taishi Ci went alone to Kong Rong, then won troops from Liu Bei and broke the siege.〉 Bei said in alarm: Kong of the North Sea then again knows there is Liu Bei under heaven?" He sent three thousand men at once; the rebels fled.
26
Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were rising to power, but Kong Rong sided with neither. A man named Zuo Chengzu, reputed for counsel, urged Kong Rong to build alliances. Kong Rong knew Yuan Shao and Cao Cao meant to supplant the Han; refusing to join them, he slew Zuo Chengzu in anger.
27
Proud and high-minded, he meant to save the dynasty, but his talents did not match his ambitions and he achieved little. 〈Comment: the word means in the end.〉 After six years as governor, Liu Bei had him named acting inspector of Qing province. In 196 CE Yuan Tan attacked him; from spring into summer only a few hundred defenders remained under a storm of arrows and close combat. Kong Rong leaned on his lectern and read, 〈Comment: lean here means to rest upon. The Zhuangzi says: "Nanguo Ziqi leaned on the armrest and sat.〉" He talked and laughed as if at ease. The city fell by night; he fled to the eastern hills while Yuan Tan seized his family.
28
When the emperor moved to Xu, Kong Rong was recalled as minister of imperial construction and then promoted to lesser treasury. At court conferences he set the terms of debate while high officials merely signed their names to his conclusions. 〈The Shuowen says: "Li means attach.〉"
29
使 使 使 使 使 使西 使 使西 使
Grand Tutor Ma Midi had been sent east; reaching Huainan he showed repeated favor to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu humiliated him, seized his baton of office, refused his resignation, and tried to force him to command troops. Ma Midi died of shame and a hemorrhage. 〈The Sanfu Judgment Record says: "Midi courtesy name Wengshu; a clan nephew of Ma Rong. trained under Kong Rong in youth and rose by scholarship, collated the archives with Yang Biao, Lu Zhi, and Cai Yong, rose through the nine ministers, and reached the highest councils," The Annals of Emperor Xian says: "Shu from Midi borrowed credentials to view them, then seized and did not return; listed more than ten men in the army to urge summoning him. Ma Midi asked how the great houses of Yuan Shu's line had ever summoned men by coercion, and whether high bureau clerks could be dragooned, then begged to leave but was held until shame and rage killed him."〉 When his body came home, the court debated granting him special funeral honors. Kong Rong alone objected: "as a grandee bearing the imperial baton on a direct commission, 〈Comment: direct commission means without deviation, as in the Former Han embroidered-guard commissioners,〉 he should have pacified the east, 〈Comment: gather here means to harmonize,〉 yet he curried favor with a traitor, let himself be led, and lent his name first on every memorial and appointment, 〈meaning Ma Midi's signature headed every document,〉 cleaving to inferiors while deceiving the throne— 〈Former Han law punished those who flattered subordinates while deceiving superiors,〉 and treason in serving the ruler, 〈as Shu Xiang says in the Zuo Tradition,〉 Guo Zhuo once faced the Jin host unbowed, 〈the Gongyang chronicle on the battle of An: the marquis of Qi sent Guo Zhuo to the enemy camp, Xi Ke demanded the tripod of Ji, border lands from Lu and Wei, reoriented fields, and the marquis's mother as hostage, Guo Zhuo conceded the tripod, promised to return Lu's and Wei's lands, but called east-west furrows an attempt to reduce Qi to a subject soil, and refused to hand over the marquis's mother, likening her to the Jin ruler's own mother, then offered three battles to decide the fate of Qi rather than yield the hostage, and withdrew with a bow.〉 Yuan Liao kept his composure under naked blades, 〈when Bai Gong of Chu plotted revolt and told Shi Qi that five hundred men could hold each minister, Shi Qi said it could not be done, and named the warrior Yuan Liao south of the market as worth five hundred, Bai Gong went to see him, spoke with him and was pleased, explained the plot; Yuan Liao refused, and even a sword at his breast did not move him— as the Zuo Tradition records.〉 A minister of the royal house cannot plead coercion as excuse. Yuan Shu's treason was no overnight affair; Ma Midi had attended him for years. Han law held anyone who consorted with criminals three days or more complicit, the Spring and Autumn omits the day of Shusun Dechen's death because he hid Prince Sui's crime, 〈the Gongyang says Shusun Dechen died, and He Xiu explains the omission of the day: he knew Prince Sui would murder the duke yet stayed silent, Prince Sui being Duke Xiangzhong of Lu.〉 Zheng hacked open Zijia's coffin over Duke You's murder, 〈the Zuo Tradition records Zheng punishing Zijia's clan after Duke You's death, Du Yu notes they thinned his coffin so he could not receive ministerial burial, for his part in regicide.〉 The emperor pities old servants and will not reopen the case; he should not be honored beyond the usual." The court accepted Kong Rong's view.
30
使 使 欿 使 使 使 使 使 使 使 使西 西 輿 祿 貿 使 歿
At the time many officials wanted to restore corporal mutilation. Kong Rong argued: "In antiquity life was plain and simple; good and evil were not sharply divided. Shen Shushi of Chu said in the Zuo Commentary: 'Human life is simple and vast.' Du Yu glosses kuang as thick and great. Officials were upright and punishments were clear—duan means upright. Government ran without fault. When commoners sinned, they brought it on themselves. Later ages decay: morale frays, institutions warp until policy twists customs and statutes harm the people. Hence the saying that once rulers abandon the Way, their subjects drift beyond recall. Yet you would bind them to ancient mutilations, maim their limbs, and cast them aside as ruined bodies. That is not what it means to breathe with the times. The Changes says: "Heaven and earth wax and wane with the seasons." King Zhou cut the shins of a man wading at dawn, and the realm judged him devoid of the Way. The Documents says: "Zhou cut the shin of a man wading at dawn." Kong Anguo glosses: "In winter he saw a man wading at dawn, thought his shins must resist cold, cut them, and looked." Across the Nine Pastures were eighteen hundred lords. Jia Shan said in the Former Documents: "Zhou once had some eighteen hundred states; the people of the Nine Provinces fed eighteen hundred rulers." If each lord amputated one man, the land would forever harbor eighteen hundred tyrants like Zhou. Peace and harmony could never be achieved. The branded stop investing in survival; hope dies, recidivism rises, and rehabilitation falters. Su Sha threw Qi into chaos. The Zuo Commentary says Duke Ling deposed Crown Prince Guang, enthroned Prince Ya, made Gao Hou tutor to Ya, and Su Sha Wei junior tutor. Cui Shu restored Guang and enthroned him as Duke Zhuang. Duke Zhuang resented Su Sha Wei for having replaced him; Wei fled to Gaotang and rebelled. Yi Li brought disaster on Song. A Chu envoy bound for Jin passed through Song; Crown Prince Zuo learned of it and asked for an outdoor feast. The duke sent the prince; Yi Li asked to go along and was sent. On arrival he improperly sacrificed, added a written summons, and galloped back to report: "The crown prince is plotting rebellion and has already allied with the Chu envoy." The duke sent men to investigate and found apparent proof. The duke imprisoned the crown prince, who hanged himself. The duke slowly learned the prince was innocent and boiled Yi Li alive. Zhao Gao and Ying Bu became great scourges of their age. The Records says Hu Hai told Li Si: "Gao is a former palace eunuch." Hu Hai then trusted him exclusively. He later killed Li Si, forced Hu Hai's death, and in the end destroyed Qin. The Former Documents says Ying Bu was tattooed by law, sent to Mount Li, fled to the rivers, and became a bandit chief. Under Xiang Yu he often led the vanguard in breaking enemy lines. He later joined Han and became king of Jiujiang. He rebelled and was executed. Corporal shame does not deter crime; it simply bars redemption. Men as loyal as Yu Quan—the Zuo Commentary: "At first Yu Quan strongly remonstrated; the Chu ruler would not listen. He confronted the ruler with troops; in fear the ruler yielded. Quan said: "I frightened my ruler with troops—no crime is greater." He then cut off his own foot. The people of Chu made him grand gatekeeper. The gentleman said: "Yu Quan truly loved his ruler. He remonstrated and submitted himself to punishment; even under punishment he sought to bring his ruler to good."" Trustworthy like Bian He—the Han Feizi says: "Bian He of Chu found raw jade in the Chu mountains and presented it to King Wu. King Wu had a jade appraiser examine it; the man said: "It is stone." The king thought He had deceived him and cut off his left foot. When King Wen took the throne, He again presented the jade; the appraiser again said: "It is stone." They again cut off his right foot. When King Wen died and King Cheng took the throne, He embraced the jade and wept at the Chu mountains for three days and three nights until tears gave way to blood. The king had the jade worked and obtained a treasure." The Qincao says: "The king of Jing enfeoffed He as Marquis of Lingyang; He declined and left. He composed a lament: "Presenting treasure yet punished—feet torn apart! Declining rank yet keeping faith—guarding honor amid fields! What is severed cannot be joined—is this not injustice!" Wise like Sun Bin—the Records: Sun Bin and Pang Juan studied military arts; Juan served Wei as general, envied Bin, had him summoned, cut off both feet, and tattooed him. Bin later entered Qi; King Wei questioned him on strategy and made him his teacher. When Wei and Zhao attacked Han, Qi sent Tian Ji to command the army. Pang Juan heard and hurried back from Han. Bin told Tian Ji: "The Three Jin armies are fierce and despise Qi. Half the army will arrive. Have the Qi army enter Wei and make one hundred thousand cooking pits; the next day fifty thousand; the day after twenty thousand. Pang Juan marched three days and exulted: "I knew Qi soldiers were cowards—three days in our land and more than half have fled." He abandoned his infantry and with light elite troops pursued at double speed. Sun Bin calculated their march and knew they would reach Maling at dusk. The Maling road was narrow and treacherous—ideal for ambush. He stripped a tree and wrote: "Pang Juan dies beneath this tree." He ordered: "Ten thousand crossbowmen lie in ambush along the road; at dusk when fire is raised, release together." Juan reached the tree at night, lit a torch to read, and before he finished ten thousand crossbows fired; the Wei army collapsed in chaos. Pang Juan knew he was beaten and cut his own throat. He said: "Thus the stripling wins fame." Wronged like the Lane Uncle—Mao Chang glosses the Odes: "The Lane Uncle was an inner palace official. He carried the queen's commands within the palace, hence the name Lane Uncle." Slandered and facing execution, the eunuch Mengzi grieved and composed an ode satirizing King You. Talented like Sima Qian—when Li Ling was defeated by the Xiongnu, Sima Qian knew he would repay Han with merit, yet Sima Qian was cast into the silkworm chamber and mutilated; afterward he wrote the Records. Penetrating like Liu Xiang, courtesy name Zizheng. Under Emperor Xuan he claimed gold could be transmuted. The emperor ordered the imperial workshop to test it; costs mounted, the method failed, and he was sentenced to death. The emperor admired his talent and reduced the sentence after winter. Ban Gu said: "Xiang was broadly learned and penetrating in past and present." Once mutilated by blade and saw, they are spurned forever. The Discourses of the States says intermediate punishments use knife and saw. Men like Taijia who reflected on the common Way—the Documents: "Taijia was enthroned but unenlightened; Yi Yin banished him to Tong. After three years he returned to Bo. He reflected on the common Way." Kong's gloss: "Thinking on the constant Way." Duke Mu's hegemony of Qin—Duke Mu sent Meng Ming and Bai Yi against Zheng; Jian Shu remonstrated in vain. Duke Xiang of Jin defeated them at Xiao, imprisoned them, and later released them. Duke Mu said: "The fault is mine—what fault is yours!" He restored them to office and hegemonized the Western Rong. The affair appears in the Zuo Commentary. Nan Sui wasted to bone, Duke Wu of Wei repented at the first feast—the Han Odes says: "At the guests' first seating, Duke Wu of Wei drank and repented." When guests first sat, host and guest were orderly and reverent. Once drunk they shouted and clamored, not knowing it was wrong." Chen Tang at Du Lai—the Former Documents: Tang, courtesy name Zigong. As deputy colonel of the Western Regions he forged an edict, mobilized allied troops, and beheaded Zhizhi Chanyu on the Du Lai River. Wei Shang guarding the frontier—as Yunzhong administrator he fell six enemy heads short and was stripped of rank. Feng Tang of Zhao pleaded to Emperor Wen, and Shang was pardoned and restored. None could again apply their talents. Han deliberately created alternatives to mutilation for exactly these humane reasons. Wise sovereigns weigh distant consequences and refuse cosmetic cruelty."" The court approved Kong Rong's view and dropped the proposal. At this time Jingzhou governor Liu Biao withheld tribute, practiced usurpation, performed suburban sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and imitated imperial rites. Chi means to point or designate. An edict was issued announcing the matter. Kong Rong memorialized: "I hear that Jingzhou governor Liu Biao is arrogant and rebellious, his conduct irregular—even performing suburban sacrifices and imitating the rites of the altars of soil and grain. Though his folly and usurpation deserve execution, for the sake of the state it is fitting to conceal it for now. Ti means the great body of the state. Why? The imperial throne is weight beyond measure; the Son of Heaven is supreme; the person is the sacred body and the state the sacred vessel. The Laozi says: "The sacred vessel of all under Heaven must not be grasped." The throne steps are distant; rank and emolument are bounded. Jia Yi said: "The ruler's dignity is like a hall; ministers like steps; the people like the ground. When the steps are nine tiers high and the ground far below, the hall stands high." It is like Heaven that cannot be climbed or sun and moon that cannot be crossed. The Analects says: "The Master cannot be reached—it is like Heaven that cannot be climbed by steps." It also says: "Confucius is like sun and moon—none can cross over him." Whenever some petty minister appears, men immediately say they will plot against him—as if the plot were visible on four sides—xing means visible. That is not how to choke off evil at its root. I hold that though the offense is grave, forbearance is necessary. What Jia Yi called "throwing at a rat yet fearing the vessel" applies here. Jia Yi said in the Former Documents: "A village saying runs, 'Wishing to strike a rat yet fearing the vessel'—this is a fine analogy. When the rat is near the vessel one still fears to strike lest the vessel be harmed—how much more when a great minister is near the ruler?" Therefore when Qi's troops halted at Chu they only demanded bundled thatch; The Zuo Commentary: Duke Huan of Qi attacked Chu and charged: "Bundled thatch was not sent; the king's sacrifices lacked wine-filtration rites." Du Yu glosses: "Bao means wrapped and bound. Mao is fine thatch. Binding thatch and pouring wine through it filters the wine." The royal army suffered defeat, yet the Jin people were not named. The Gongyang Commentary: "In autumn of Duke Cheng's first year, the royal army suffered defeat at Mao Rong. Who defeated it? Jin defeated it. Why does it not say Jin defeated it? The king has no enemy—none dare withstand him." Earlier Yuan Shu's crimes were exposed; now Liu Biao's affair is promulgated again—this is like letting a lame ewe peer over a high bank as if Heaven's barrier could be climbed. Li Si said in the Records: "Though a wall is five ren high, Lou Ji does not lightly scale it; Mount Tai is a hundred ren high, yet a lame ewe grazes on it. If Lou Ji finds five ren difficult, how can a lame ewe find a hundred ren easy? The steepness of the slope differs." The Erya says: "A female sheep is called zang." The Changes says: "Heaven's barrier cannot be ascended; earth's barrier is mountains, rivers, hills, and mounds." Examining Biao: he is overbearing, executes marquises on his own authority, blocks edicts, and steals tribute baskets—Zheng Xuan glosses the Ceremonial: "Fei is a bamboo vessel like a basket. The Documents says: "Their baskets hold black and crimson silk with embroidered clasps." He summons chief villains as guards, devotes himself to rebels, and hosts outlaws in deep pools and marshes."" Kong's gloss: "Fugitives of all under Heaven—and Zhou as their chief, gathering in caves, treasuries, marshes, and lakes." The great cauldron of Gao in the ancestral temple—what display could be more glaring! The Zuo Commentary: "They took the great cauldron of Gao from Song and on wushen placed it in the Grand Temple. Zang Aibo remonstrated: "A ruler should display virtue and block transgression to oversee officials—then officials will be on guard and in fear. The cauldron of Gao in the temple—what display could be more glaring!'" The cauldron of Gao was made by the state of Gao. Mulberry leaves fall and structures collapse—the trend is plain. The Odes says: "The mulberry is falling, yellow and dropping." I hold the suburban sacrifice affair should be concealed to uphold the state's defenses. In the fifth year Prince Feng of Nanyang and Prince Zhi of Donghai died—both sons of Emperor Xian. The emperor grieved their early deaths and wished to establish seasonal sacrifices; he consulted Kong Rong. Kong Rong replied: "Your sacred grace is warm in kinship; mourning the two princes you issue a decree of compassion and examine former canons to set ritual right. Precedents show Princes Huai of Liang, Min of Linjiang, Ai of Qi, and Huai of Linhuai all died without heirs—they were full brothers of Emperors Jing, Wu, Zhao, and Ming. Prince Huai of Liang, Yi, was Emperor Jing's brother and died after ten years. Prince Min of Linjiang, Rong, was Emperor Wu's elder brother, crown prince for four years before deposition; he killed himself for encroaching on temple land. Prince Huai of Qi, Hong, was Emperor Wu's son and Emperor Zhao's elder half-brother; he died after eight years. Commentator Xian notes: Prince Ai of Qi was Prince Daohui's son and the High Emperor's grandson—not Emperor Zhao's brother; "Huai" is correct and "Ai" is an error. Duke Heng of Linhuai was Emperor Ming's brother, established in Jianwu 15, and died before advancing to princely rank. Kong Rong's family biography and this biography both read "duke"; "prince" here is also an error. I have not heard that former dynasties established sacrifices for such cases. Temporary measures are not entered in the annals. For those still in infancy, though imperial compassion mourns them and ritual equals an adult with posthumous title, it should be called an expression of imperial grace—cheng is read chi-zheng. Once sacrificial rites are complete, then cease them. A limit of one year does not accord with ritual and violates methods already established by the former emperor—I dare not approve it." Chu means to settle or approve.
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When Cao Cao sacked Ye, Yuan women were abused, and Cao Pi took Yuan Xi's wife Lady Zhen for himself, 〈See the biography of Yuan Shao〉 Yuan Xi was Yuan Shao's second son. Lady Zhen came from Wuji in Zhongshan, a line descended from the Han grand guardian Zhen Han, her father Zhen Yi having been magistrate of Shangcai. The Wei Summary says: "Xi was out in Youzhou; Lady Zhen served her mother-in-law; when Ye city fell, Emperor Wen entered Shao's residence; the empress was frightened, crouched on her mother-in-law's knees. Cao Pi bade her look up and was struck by her beauty, and Cao Cao approved the match."〉 "Rong then wrote Cao a letter, citing King Wu attacked Zhou and gave Daji to the Duke of Zhou." 〈Comment on pronunciation of the name Daji, she was King Zhou's consort, daughter of the You Su clan, whose counsel made him cruel to the people, while King Wu beheaded her and spiked her head on a white banner as the cause of Shang's fall, according to the Biographies of Exemplary Women.〉 Cao Cao missed the irony and later asked which classic said so, He answered: "By measuring with the present, I suppose it is so." Later, when Cao Cao marched against the Wuhuan, 〈in 207 CE,〉 Kong Rong mocked him again: "The grand general campaigns to the ends of the earth, When the Sushen withheld their tribute of maple-shafted arrows, 〈The Discourses of the States records that after King Wu conquered Shang the Sushen sent maple arrows and stone heads a cubit long, while the Record of Sushen places them north of Buyeo facing the sea, and the Wei Summary identifies them with the Yilou people, the Shuowen glossing ku wood, still found in southern Manchuria like hawthorn and elm.〉 The Dingling theft of Su Wu's herds belongs in the same indictment." 〈The Classic of Mountains and Seas says: "Within the North Sea there is the state of Dingling." and the Former Han History tells how they plundered Su Wu when he was exiled to the lake,〉
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Famine and warfare were raging; Cao Cao memorialized for a wine ban, and Kong Rong repeatedly wrote against it in insulting terms. Kong Rong wrote to Cao Cao: "The virtue of wine is ancient. Ancient sage-kings performed the border sacrifices, harmonized spirits, and settled the people to aid the myriad states—without wine it could not be done. Heaven displays the Wine Star; earth lists Wine Springs commandery; men celebrate the virtue of fine wine. Yao without a thousand pitchers could not establish Great Peace. Confucius without a hundred gourds could not sustain supreme sageness. Fan Kuai broke the crisis at Hong Gate—not without pork shoulder and wine could he rouse his wrath. A groom of Zhao, going east to welcome his king—not without raising a cup of wine could he stir his spirit. The High Ancestor, not drunk when he cut the white serpent, could not release his numinous force. Emperor Jing, not drunk when he favored Lady Tang, could not open the mid-restoration. Yuan Ang, not by the power of strong wine, could not escape with his life. Ding Guo, not drinking a hu in deep intoxication, could not decide his law. Therefore Li Yishi, as a wine-soaked wanderer of Gaoyang, established merit for Han; Qu Yuan, eating lees and drinking dregs, fell into distress in Chu. Viewed thus, what has wine to answer for in government?" He wrote again: "Yesterday I received your instructive reply on the calamities of two dynasties and men who perished through wine—it is as you admonished. Even so, King Yan of Xu practiced benevolence and righteousness yet perished—today's edict does not abolish benevolence; Yan Kuai through yielding lost the state—today's edict does not forbid modest yielding; Lu was harmed because of Confucian learning—today's edict does not abandon literary study; Xia and Shang also lost the realm through women—today's edict does not sever marriage. Yet wine alone is urgently banned—I suspect you merely regret the grain and do not take ruined kings as your warning." Once he saw Cao Cao's bold deceit grow plain, he repeatedly could not bear it; his words grew skewed and unrestrained, not bound to proper reason. He often caused offense and conflict. He also memorialized that within the thousand-li royal domain no feudal lords should be enfeoffed. The Rites of Zhou: "A square of a thousand li is the royal domain; beyond it five hundred li is the marquis domain." Zheng Xuan glosses: "Ji means boundary." Cao Cao suspected his proposals were gradually expanding and feared him all the more. Yet because Kong Rong's fame weighed heavily throughout the realm, Cao Cao outwardly tolerated him while secretly resenting his upright counsel. Xi Lü of Shanyang, catching the drift of intent—the Continuation of the Han History: "Lü, courtesy name Hongyu, came from Gaoping in Shanyang and studied under Zheng Xuan." Yu Pu's Jiangbiao zhuan says: "Emperor Xian once received Xi Lü and Privy Treasurer Kong Rong. He asked Kong Rong: "In what is Hongyu especially accomplished?" Kong Rong said: "He may be joined on the Way, but not entrusted with expedient power." Xi Lü raised his tablet and said: "When Rong formerly governed Beihai, government was lax and people scattered—where was his power then?" They exchanged barbs until they were openly at odds. Cao Cao sent a letter to reconcile them." Xi Lü moved from superintendent of the household to grand censor. On a minor legal pretext he memorialized to dismiss Kong Rong from office. Because the feud was now open, Cao Cao wrote to stir Kong Rong: "I have heard that in the court of Tang and Yu there were ministers who could yield—the Documents says Shun made Bo Yu Minister of Works; Yu yielded to Ji, Qi, and Gao Yao. He made Yi director of forestry; Yi yielded to Zhu Hu and Xiong Pi. He made Bo Yi minister of ritual; Bo Yi yielded to Kui and Long. Therefore the unicorn and phoenix came and eulogies arose. The Records says: "Thereupon Yu raised the music of the Nine Shao, brought forth strange creatures, and the phoenix came in proper form." Later ages were thin in virtue, yet men still gave their bodies for their rulers—like Qi's Meng Yang who replaced his ruler on the bed to await bandits, or Ji Xin of Western Han who rode the yellow canopy to deceive Chu. They destroyed their families for the state. Like Yao Li who burned wife and children to serve Wu, or Li Tong who executed his clan to follow Han. When virtue declines, the smallest grudge must be avenged and the smallest favor repaid. The Records: Fan Ju—a meal's kindness must be repaid; the smallest resentment must be avenged. Therefore Chao Cuo, thinking of the state, met calamity from Yuan Ang; Under Emperor Jing, Cuo was grand censor; because the feudal states were large he requested cutting their territory. The seven states of Wu and Chu rebelled, taking execution of Cuo as their banner. Yuan Ang had never been on good terms with Cuo; he urged beheading Cuo to appease the seven states, and Emperor Jing did so. Qu Ping grieved for Chu and received slander from Jiao and Lan; Qu Ping under King Huai of Chu was chief of the three clans. King Zhao of Qin sent Zhang Yi to deceive King Huai into breaking with Qi and luring him to Wu Pass; Ping remonstrated in vain and the king died abroad in Qin. King Huai's sons Jiao and Lan slandered him to King Xiang and he was exiled. See the Records. Peng Chong's overturning chaos arose from Zhu Fu; Zhu Fu and Chong could not get along; he repeatedly slandered Chong to Emperor Guangwu, and Chong rebelled. Deng Yu's prestige was diminished through Zong and Feng. Deng Yu campaigned against the Red Eyebrows and ordered Zong Qin and Feng Yin to hold Xunyi. The two contended for power; one killed Qin and turned to strike Yu. In current popular texts "Zong" is wrongly written "Song." From this, joy, anger, resentment, and affection are what fortune and calamity depend on—can one not be cautious! Yu is the reading. Formerly Lian Po and Lin Xiangru, ministers of a small state, could still defer to each other; King Huiwen of Zhao met King Zhaowang of Qin at Mianchi; on return he appointed Lin Xiangru senior minister above Lian Po. Po said: "I cannot bear to be beneath him—I will surely humiliate him." Xiangru at each court session constantly avoided him. Po heard of it, bared his torso and carried thorns to apologize; they became friends willing to die for each other. The affair appears in the Records. Kou and Jia, rough warriors in haste, bent their conduct and honored friendship; Guangwu did not inquire into Bo Sheng's grievance; The ruler of Qi did not doubt the captive who had shot his hook. Prince Jiu and Duke Huan contended for enthronement; Guan Zhong shot Duke Huan and hit his hook. Later when Duke Huan took the throne he made Guan Zhong his minister. One who establishes great conduct—how could he be bound by petty matters! Formerly I heard that you two lords had fairness in enforcing law and thought it a small impediment—jie is like a stem and mustard seed. Public law may be fair, yet private feeling becomes stem and mustard seed. You should restore old friendship; yet resentment accumulates and your wills mutually harm—hearing this I am disheartened—wu is read wu. Wu denotes loss of intent. I rise in the middle of the night. Formerly when the state moved east, Wenju greatly praised Hongyu—name and reality matched; comprehensively penetrating in classical learning, stemming from Zheng Xuan; also versed in the Sima Methods—the Records: King Wei of Qi had grandees trace the ancient Sima Methods. Those methods discuss field and military law. Hongyu also praised Wenju as singular, outstanding, and broadly informed—I marvel that the present differs from the beginning. I and Wenju are not old friends, nor do I and Hongyu have bonds of grace, yet I wish people to praise one another and do not delight in people harming one another—therefore I seek to harmonize friendly relations. Also knowing petty men set you at odds—I am a minister; advancing I cannot transform the realm, retreating I cannot establish virtue and harmonize men, yet in nurturing warriors, giving body for state, and breaking flashy factions, my plans are more than sufficient." Kong Rong wrote back: "I am grateful for your letter of instruction—wei means self-deprecating courtesy. and for pointing out my shortcomings. Xi Lü and I are from neighboring commanderies, 〈Shanyang and Lu border one another,〉 so I have known him longest. I praised his merits to win your trust for the state, not to shield his faults or spare him punishment, and I accepted his dismissal with good grace. Zhao Dun promoted Han Jue in the morning and suffered his discipline by evening yet rejoiced— 〈Xuanzi being the posthumous name of Zhao Dun, the Discourses records how he named Han Jue marshal to Duke Ling, and at the battle of the river bend Han Jue executed a lawbreaking charioteer from Zhao's own train, so that onlookers thought Han Jue ruined, his patron having raised him that same day, yet Zhao Dun honored him and bade the ministers congratulate him, saying his choice of Han Jue had saved him from blame.〉 How much less may I twist justice for a man who has done nothing comparable! I am no Qu Yuan of the Three Lu offices, 〈meaning Qu Yuan, who oversaw the three royal clans Zhao, Qu, and Jing,〉 nor am I Chao Cuo; holding office unworthily is my fault, and acquittal would be luck enough. Having my words spread abroad fills me with shame and fear. Zhu Fu and Peng Chong, Kou Xun and Jia Fu were titans whose loves and hates shook the state, but petty men who nip like insects only wound themselves, 〈The Xia calendar glosses kun as multitude, and Xunzi says even insects possess awareness,〉 so they achieve nothing. Duke Ping of Jin praised his ministers for disputing weighty matters, but Music Master Kuang preferred rivalry in loyalty over rivalry in force, 〈The Zuo Tradition: when the Qin lord's brother Zhen came to Jin to make peace, Shu Xiang ordered the herald Zi Yuan summoned, but herald Zi Zhu said he should lead the escort, three times over, and Shu Xiang did not answer, until Zi Zhu drew his sword, demanding why an equal was passed over, and pressed Shu Xiang with blade in hand, Shu Xiang replied that Qin and Jin had long been enemies, that this day's parley, if it succeeded, would save Jin, and if it failed would doom the host, that Zi Yuan spoke for both courts without private bias while Zi Zhu twisted the message, and that treacherous servants of the ruler he could restrain, then brushed his sleeve and went to face him down, until bystanders intervened, whereupon Duke Ping cried that Jin might yet thrive, for his ministers disputed great matters of state, while Music Master Kuang answered that rivalry in force without loyalty in the heart spelled doom for the ruling house.〉 I am slow-tempered and harmless; though I suffer the humiliation of crawling between another's legs, 〈as Han Xin once did at Huaiyin,〉 or the cold stare Jing Ke bore at Yuci, 〈The Records says that Jing Ke once visited Yuci, debated swordsmanship with Gai Nie, and left when Gai Nie angrily glared at him.〉 I count slander no more lasting than a gnat's bite, 〈Comment on pronunciation of mosquito, and of gadfly, meaning a fleeting annoyance, not real injury.〉 Zi Chan said faces and hearts differ, 〈as the Zuo Tradition records to Zi Pi,〉 yet some braggarts seek victory as glory, forgetting the Song wine-seller whose fierce dog soured his trade, 〈Comment: a wine-stall platform of rammed earth, sometimes written with the alternate character, Han Feizi's tale of the honest Song vintner whose dog drove buyers away, until a neighbor named Yang Qian explained the dog, asking if the dog was fierce, and learning it was, why the wine would not sell, because buyers feared the cur, even biting a boy sent with cash—so the stock turned sour.〉 As for Qu Gu's useless gourd, hard and hollowless, blame lies in its uselessness alone, 〈Han Feizi tells how Qu Gu offered Tian Zhong a gourd, stone-hard and without spout, which Tian Zhong refused because it could hold nothing, since gourds exist to hold liquid, and could not be cut to pour—useless as Tian Zhong himself, so Qu Gu abandoned it, likening a recluse who benefits no state to that gourd.〉 In all else I obey your strict commands and dare not falter. Xi Lü is my former protégé, as Zhao Cui raised Xi Hu, 〈the Zuo Tradition records when Duke Wen of Jin chose a commander, and Zhao Cui recommended Xi Hu for the central army,〉 no less weighty than Duke Gongshu's promotion of his retainer to minister, 〈when Duke Gongshu of Wei raised his steward Zhuan to share rank as minister, as told in the Analects with a pronunciation note,〉 knowing you share my regard for him and speak from the heart, 〈the comment notes Cao Cao and Kong Rong both valued Xi Lü,〉 even the taboo day for Yi Bo in the Rites could not block public duty, 〈The Record of Rites, Tan Gong chapter, says: "At Duke Cheng of Teng's funeral, Zishu Jingshu was sent to offer condolences, with Zifu Huibo as aide. When they reached the suburbs, because it was Yi Bo's death anniversary they did not enter. Huibo said, 'This is public business; one cannot fail to carry out public affairs because of an uncle's private matter.' Then they entered," Zheng Xuan's commentary says: "Yi Bo was Huibo's uncle. Ji means resentment."〉 how much less may I stand aloof from a worthy officer on the strength of old ties! 〈The worthy clerk named in the note is Xi Lü.〉 I now lay bare my whole heart and restore our friendship as before; your harsh words and deepest intent I will recite all my life."
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A year later he was again named grand counselor, tolerant, slow to take offense, fond of talent, eager to mentor the young, and when that post left him with leisure, 〈the grand counselor being chiefly an advisory role,〉 his gate was thronged daily with guests. He often sighed, saying: "Guests on my mats are always full, in the goblet wine is never empty—I have no worries." After Cai Yong died, a palace guard resembled him in face, 〈The Han Offices Canon says: "The tiger guard leader commands fifteen hundred tiger guards.〉" Whenever Rong was drunk with wine, he led him to sit together, saying: "Though there is no elder, still there is the model and punishment." 〈The Greater Odes of the Poetry says: "Though there is no elder, still there is the model and punishment.〉" He rejoiced in others' virtues as his own, polished their good ideas, told them their faults in private while praising their gifts abroad, promoted the worthy, and blamed himself for any talent he failed to mention—so men of ambition across the empire trusted him.
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Cao Cao's grudge deepened; Xi Lu forged charges, and Cao ordered Lu Cui, 〈The Compendium says: "Cui courtesy name Wenwei, a man of Chenliu, in youth studied under Cai Yong. who rose to the secretariat and then joined Chen Lin and Ruan Yu in the chancellery, and after Kong Rong's death readers admired Lu Cui's talent but dreaded his pen."〉 With false memorial he accused Rong, saying: Minister of the lesser treasury Kong Rong, formerly at Beihai, seeing the royal house unquiet, gathered followers and masses, wishing to plot rebellion, saying: "I am a great sage's descendant, yet was destroyed by Song, 〈the Records citing Meng Yizi on Confucius as a sage's descendant destroyed by Song, Fu Qian's commentary adds, that the sage meant Shang Tang, and that Confucius's ancestor Kong Fu Jia was killed in Song and his line fled to Lu,〉 adding that whoever holds the empire need not bear the surname Liu, and had slandered the court to Sun Quan's envoy, 〈Comment on pronunciation, shan meaning to revile, per the Cangjie Primer,〉 As one of the nine ministers he ignored court dress, walked abroad bareheaded in disguise, 〈meaning without the formal cap,〉 and intruded rudely on the inner palace, and earlier bandied reckless words with the commoner Mi Heng, 〈reckless meaning without restraint, and loose meaning unbridled,〉 saying fathers and sons owed each other no natural bond, that conception was mere appetite, and sons and mothers likewise nothing, like something stored in a jar, 〈the Shuowen defining the vessel as a jar, taller than an ordinary jar,〉 to be parted when it comes forth, then he and Mi Heng flattered each other, Mi Heng telling Kong Rong that Confucius lived again, Kong Rong answering that Yan Hui had returned to life, charges branded as capital treason," The memorial was accepted; Kong Rong was jailed and executed in the marketplace, aged fifty-six, his wife and children condemned with him.
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A daughter of seven and a son of nine were spared as infants and hidden in another house, They were playing weiqi when their father was seized and did not stir, Those beside them said: "Your father is seized yet you do not rise—why?" They answered: "How can there be a nest destroyed yet eggs unbroken!" The host offered broth; the boy drank, The girl said: "Today's calamity—how can we long survive; why rely on knowing the taste of meat?" until her brother wept and obeyed, but Cao Cao heard and had both children killed, When the officers came she told her brother, "If the dead have awareness, to see father and mother—is that not the utmost wish!" then stretched her neck to the blade without flinching, and all who heard mourned her.
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Zhi Xi of Jingzhao, styled Yuansheng, had been Kong Rong's friend and often urged him to soften his bluntness, 〈The Wei Summary says: "When Cao Cao was minister of works, awe and virtue daily grew; Rong therefore in old habit wrote letters arrogant; Xi constantly rebuked Rong to change his conduct; Rong did not follow.〉" When he was killed, none under Xu dared collect the body; Xi went and stroked the corpse, saying: "Wenju left me to die—what use have I for life?" Cao Cao meant to execute Zhi Xi for it but later pardoned him,
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Wei Wendi deeply loved Rong's literary phrasing, often sighed, saying: "A match for Yang and Ban." offering gold and silk for any recovered piece, His collected poems, eulogies, inscriptions, essays, memorials, and letters came to twenty-five chapters, and Wendi named Zhi Xi grand counselor at large for loyalty like Luan Bu's, 〈The Former Documents says: "Luan Bu was a man of Liang, was King of Liang Peng Yue's minister, sent to Qi, not yet returned. returned to mourn beneath his lord's displayed head,"〉
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The historian cites Zheng Chang: "where fierce beasts roam, even poor gleaners stay away," 〈when Zheng Chang defended the blunt Gai Kuanyao before Emperor Xuan,〉 as Kong Fu's stern presence blocked regicide, 〈The Gongyang Tradition says: "Kong Fu with correct countenance stood in court, then none dared pass and bring difficulty on his lord—Kong Fu may be called having righteousness show in his color.〉" and Yan Ying at court gave hope of checking the Chen clan's theft of Qi, 〈Comment: shu means to ease, the theft of Qi referring to Tian Chengzi, The Zhuangzi says: "Tian Chengzi in one morning murdered the Qi lord and stole his state." the Zuo Tradition where Duke Jing of Qi sat in his chamber, The duke sighed: "How beautiful this chamber! and asking who would possess it," Yanzi replied: "According to my lord's words—is it not the Chen clan?" The duke said: "If it is so, what can be done?" He replied: "Only ritual can stop it.〉" Kong Rong's high purpose and blunt honesty stirred the sense of right and defied a ruthless will, 〈wu meaning to oppose,〉 so the omen of shifting the dynastic cauldron waited while Cao Cao lived, 〈moving the cauldron meaning usurpation of Han, blocked because Cao Cao himself could not yet seize the throne, The Zuo Tradition says: "Jie had dark virtue; the cauldron shifted to Shang; when Zhou of Shang was cruel and violent, the tripods moved to Zhou."〉 while the plan to supplant Han waited until after his death for Cao Pi's accession, 〈replacing the end meaning inheriting Han's mandate, after his death referring to Cao Pi's acceptance of the abdication,〉 Such stern integrity ends in ruin, and cannot be bent in circles to cling to life, "〈Yuan is the character wan, read wu wan fan." The Former Documents pronunciation says: "Wan means rounded smooth without corners." mei meaning greedy, preferring ruin in integrity to survival by compromise, Jia Yi said: "The common sort greedily clings to life.〉" he may be set beside jade in a cliff and frost in autumn for purity and chill. <Commentary: linlin describes a stern chill like autumn frost, and haohao describes firm purity like white jade, with a pronunciation note on hao.〉
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Xun Yu, styled Wenruo, 〈Yuan Hong's Han Annals writes "Yu" as "Yu."〉 He came from Yingyin in Yingchuan and was a grandson of Xun Shu, magistrate of Langling. 〈Langling county lay in Runan; its old site was southwest of present Langshan in Henan,〉 his father Xun Gun having served as minister of Jinan, 〈with a pronunciation note on the name Gun,〉 Xun Gun, fearing the eunuchs, arranged a marriage for his son to the daughter of the eunuch Tang Heng, 〈The Compendium says: "Heng wished to give his daughter in marriage to Fu Gongming of Runan; Gongming would not take her; then turned to give her in marriage to Yu.〉" whose early reputation for talent spared him mockery for the match, He Yong of Nanyang was famed for knowing men; when he saw Yu he marveled at him, saying: "A king-helper's talent."
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In 189 CE he was nominated filial and incorrupt and rose to magistrate of Kangfu, 〈Kangfu lay in Liang commandery south of present Jining, with pronunciation notes,〉 he resigned and went home when Dong Zhuo seized power, while Han Rong of his commandery led over a thousand kinsmen into the hills west of Mi county, 〈meaning the western hills of Mi,〉 Yu said to the elders: "Yingchuan is a land of four battles, 〈open to attack from every direction,〉 and whenever the empire rose in arms it became the main thoroughfare of armies, while Mi's hills were too weak to hold off disaster and they should flee at once," 〈with a pronunciation note on urgently,〉 most villagers clung to their homes and would not go, until Han Fu of Ji province sent escort; Xun Yu alone moved his clan with Han Fu while those who stayed were later massacred or plundered by Li Jue,
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By the time he reached Ji province Yuan Shao had displaced Han Fu and received Xun Yu as an honored guest, Xun Yu saw the situation clearly and calculated the odds, 〈shu meaning strategic reckoning,〉 and nursed a constant wish to rescue the Han, Learning that Cao Cao in Dong commandery had grand designs while Yuan Shao could never settle the realm, in 191 CE he left Yuan Shao for Cao Cao, Cao spoke with him and was greatly pleased, saying: "You are my Zifang." 〈that is, his Zhang Liang,〉 and named him marshal of fierce martial at twenty-nine, the next year marshal pacifying the east,
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使 使 使 使 使 使
In Xingping 1 (194 CE) Cao Cao marched east against Tao Qian and left Xun Yu to hold Juancheng, a county seat in Jiyin commandery, in present-day Puzhou. "Zhen" is now written Juan, pronounced juan. Cao Cao entrusted him with affairs at home. At that moment Zhang Miao and Chen Gong turned Yan Province against Cao Cao. The Dianlüe says: "Chen Gong, courtesy name Gongtai, came from Dong commandery. He was upright and bold, and from youth had ties with famous men throughout the realm." They secretly welcomed Lü Bu. Once Lü Bu arrived, cities throughout the province declared for him. Miao then sent a man to trick Xun Yu—jie means to deceive: "General Lü has come to help Lord Cao attack Tao Qian. You should urgently supply military provisions." Xun Yu knew Miao had turned traitor, mustered troops, and made preparations, so the plot failed. Inspector of Yuzhou Guo Gong marched tens of thousands of men to the city and asked to meet Xun Yu. Xun Yu was about to go when Dong commandery Administrator Xiahou Dun and others stopped him. The Wei Records says: "Dun, courtesy name Yuanrang, came from Pei." They said: "How do you know Guo Gong is not in league with Lü Bu, yet you would go to meet him so lightly? You are the linchpin of the province—if you go, you will be in mortal danger." Xun Yu replied: "Guo Gong is no longtime ally of Miao and the rest. He arrived in haste, so his plans cannot be firm yet. If I speak to him before he decides, I may not win him over—but I can at least keep him neutral. We must not let him commit to either side. If we show suspicion first, he will take offense and commit to their side—it is better to go." When Guo Gong saw that Xun Yu showed no fear, he decided the city would not fall easily and withdrew. Xun Yu then sent Cheng Yu to rally Fan and Dong'e. The Wei Records says: "Yu, courtesy name Zhongde, came from Dong'e in Dong commandery." Fan was a county in Dong commandery, in present-day Puyang. Dong'e was a county in Dong commandery, in present-day Jizhou. He secured their defenses and in the end preserved all three cities until Cao Cao returned. The three cities were Juancheng, Fan, and Dong'e.
43
退 使西 便
In 194 CE, when Tao Qian died, Cao Cao meant to seize Xu province first and then deal with Lü Bu, Yu remonstrated, saying: "In old days the High Ancestor protected Guanzhong, 〈leaving Xiao He to guard the interior while facing Xiang Yu,〉 and how Guangwu held Henai to anchor his power before conquering the empire, both advancing to victory and retreating to a secure base, so that even reverses could not stop the great work, The general had raised his army from Yanzhou and pacified the east from that base, 〈At first Cao Cao, with the support of Dong Commandery Governor Bao Xin and others, was welcomed to take charge as Inspector of Yanzhou. He then advanced his troops and defeated the Yellow Turbans and others, and therefore was able to pacify the lands east of the mountains.〉 making Yanzhou his strategic heartland like Guanzhong or Henai, If it were not secured first, where would his foundation lie? He should strike Chen Gong at once, keep Lü Bu looking east, reap the ripe wheat, hoard grain, and break Lü Bu in one blow, Abandoning Yanzhou for the east offered no clear gain, for many troops in the east would weaken the front against Lü Bu while a small garrison could not hold Yanzhou, Lü Bu would raid the empty province, shake morale, and even if a few towns held, the rest would be lost—where then could Cao Cao withdraw? Moreover his last Xu campaign had been brutal; every household would fight to avenge fathers and brothers, and even victory would not guarantee holding the land, If the Xu men united, cleared the countryside, and held their walls, his army would find nothing to plunder and a hundred thousand men would starve within ten days without a battle, The art of war sometimes means forsaking one gain for another; he begged Cao Cao to weigh it," Cao Cao gathered the wheat, renewed the war with Lü Bu, defeated him, secured the counties, and pacified Yanzhou,
44
使 輿 使
In Jian'an 1 (196 CE) the emperor returned from Hedong to Luoyang, and Cao Cao proposed welcoming the imperial carriage and transferring the capital to Xu. Many argued that the east was still unsettled and that Han Xian and Yang Feng, arrogant with past service, could not be subdued in haste—zisui denotes wanton, raging insolence. The character is read huo-ji or huo-jia. The Records says: "Robber Zhi daily killed the innocent, cruel and overbearing." They could not be subdued in haste. Xun Yu urged Cao Cao: "When Duke Wen of Jin received King Xiang of Zhou, the feudal lords flocked to him; The Zuo Commentary records Boyan telling the Jin ruler: 'To win the feudal lords, nothing surpasses serving the king— they will trust you, and it is the great righteous cause.' Jin's ruler met the king with the left army; the king entered Wangcheng, seized the Grand Uncle at Wen, executed him at Yicheng, and secured the hegemony until all under Heaven submitted. The High Ancestor wore mourning for Emperor Yi and won the hearts of the realm. When Xiang Yu killed Emperor Yi at Chen, the High Ancestor held mourning for him. The High Ancestor wept and sent envoys to the feudal lords: "All under Heaven jointly enthroned Emperor Yi, and we served him as sovereign. Now Xiang Yu cast aside and murdered Emperor Yi—great treason. I personally hold mourning, and the troops all wear white." Since the emperor fell into exile—meng means to suffer hardship. Zang Wenzhong said in the Zuo Commentary: "When the Son of Heaven suffers exile abroad, who would not rush to serve?" You were first to raise the righteous banner, but turmoil in the east kept you from going to his aid; though you fought enemies abroad, your heart never left the royal house. The Documents says: "Though your body is abroad, your heart never leaves the royal house." Nai means "you." Now the imperial carriage is turning homeward—Zheng Xuan glosses zhen as the rear crossbeam of the carriage. Luoyang lies in ruins, loyal men yearn to restore the dynasty, and the people mourn the capital they have lost. If you seize this moment to receive the emperor and satisfy the people's hopes, you will align with the greatest mandate; hold yourself to utmost fairness and win the realm—that is the grand strategy; and uphold righteous purpose to gather the talented—that is supreme virtue. Rebels may stir in the provinces, but what can they achieve? Han Xian and Yang Feng are hardly worth your concern! If you delay, ambitious rivals will take heart; even if you reconsider later, it will be too late." Cao Cao accepted his counsel.
45
使
When the court moved to Xu, Xun Yu became palace attendant and acting director of the secretariat, and every military and civil matter while Cao campaigned was planned with him, He recommended his nephew Xun You, 〈the Wei Records giving his style as Gongda, Taizu long heard You's name; spoke with him and was greatly pleased; said to Yu: "Gongda is no ordinary man—if I obtain to plan affairs with him, what should the realm worry?"〉 along with Zhong Yao, Guo Jia, 〈Guo Jia of Yingchuan, styled Fengxiao, Xi Zhicai, a brilliant planner whom Cao Cao prized, died young, Taizu wrote Yu a letter, saying: "Since Zhicai died, none can plan affairs with me. asking who among the Ruying scholars could replace him," Yu recommended Jia; summoned audience to discuss realm affairs; Taizu said: "He who makes orphan complete the great enterprise must be this man.〉" Chen Qun, Du Xi, 〈Du Xi, styled Zixu, from Yingchuan, recommended by Xun Yu as army planning libationer and later palace attendant of Wei,〉 Sima Yi, 〈styled Zhongda, the future Jin Xuandi,〉 and Xi Zhicai—every nomination won praise, only the appointments of Yan Xiang to Yang province 〈failed: "the Sanfu Judgment Record names Yan Xiang of Jingzhao, clever and bold as governor of Yang, until Li Shu of Lujiang killed him for Sun Ce,"〉 and Wei Kang to Liang province—both ended badly, 〈Wei Kang, styled Yuanjiang, from Jingzhao, succeeded his father Wei Duan as governor of Liang when the latter was summoned as grand coachman, an honor then much remarked, until Ma Chao besieged him, relief never came, and Ma Chao killed him,〉
46
Yuan Shao grew arrogant after swallowing the north of the Yellow River, while Cao Cao had just been beaten by Zhang Xiu at Wancheng, 〈Zhang Xiu having surrendered at Nanyang then rebelled, and wounded Cao Cao with a stray arrow in the defeat,〉 Yuan Shao's letter to him was insultingly arrogant, 〈Chen Lin for Shao made a proclamation saying: "Cao's grandfather Teng was gluttonous and unrestrained; father Song begged and carried to raise him; Cao is a leftover eunuch's ugly remnant." all of it arrogant abuse,〉 Cao Cao raged and wished to strike Yuan Shao first but feared his strength and asked Xun Yu, who judged that Yuan Shao could still be mastered but Lü Bu must be taken first; Cao Cao agreed, and in 198 CE captured Lü Bu and secured Xu province,
47
鹿 姿
In 200 CE Yuan Shao marched on Xu while Cao Cao held the line, Yuan Shao's host was overwhelming and many advisers panicked, Minister of the lesser treasury Kong Rong said to Yu: "Yuan Shao's territory is broad and troops strong; Tian Feng, Xu You—men of wisdom and plan—are his strategists, 〈the Exemplary Conduct calls Tian Feng Yuanhao of Julu, gifted and full of stratagems, Xu You being styled Ziyuan,〉 while Shen Pei and Feng Ji were loyal ministers handling affairs, 〈Shen Pei, styled Zhengnan, from Wei commandery, fiercely loyal and formidable in manner, and Yuan Shao, as governor of Ji, had entrusted Shen Pei with his closest counsels. The Record of Heroes gives Feng Ji courtesy name Yuantu, when Yuan Shao fled Dong Zhuo he went to Ji with Xu You and Feng Ji and trusted Feng Ji for his clever counsel,〉 Yan Liang and Wen Chou were the bravest in the host and led his army—could they be beaten?" Xun Yu said: "Yuan Shao's troops are many but undisciplined; Tian Feng is rigid and offends superiors; Xu You is greedy and corrupt; Shen Pei is domineering and unstrategic; Feng Ji is headstrong and self-willed; Yan Liang and Wen Chou have the courage of common men—they can be captured in one battle." and events proved his forecast, as told in 〈the biography of Yuan Shao〉
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退退 西退 退
Cao Cao held Guandu, 〈Guandu being the ancient Hong Canal, where the Yellow River ran southeast of Xingyang; the site lay north of present Zhongmou at Guandu ford,〉 After successive victories grain ran low; he discussed with Xun Yu a retreat to Xu to lure Yuan Shao, 〈zhi meaning to bring the enemy to you, as the Art of War says: "the skilled fighter makes the enemy come to him,"〉 Yu replied: "Now grain though scant is not like Chu and Han between Xingyang and Chenggao. when neither Liu Bang nor Xiang Yu dared withdraw first for fear of losing the initiative, 〈until Xiang Yu yielded the west of the Hong Canal and was run down at Gaixia,〉 Cao Cao held the line with a tenth of Yuan Shao's numbers, 〈meaning the odds were ten to one against him,〉 yet he drew a line and held it, 〈making a boundary he would not cross, as Zou Yang said of a line none dared cross,〉 choking Yuan Shao's advance, 〈with a pronunciation note on choke, meaning to seize and hold fast,〉 for half a year already, the enemy's strength was spent and a shift was due—the moment for surprise must not be missed," Cao Cao agreed and held his fortified camp, then broke Yuan Shao with a surprise stroke and drove him back, Xun Yu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wansui village with one thousand households,
49
In 201 CE Cao Cao thought Yuan Shao no longer a threat and meant to leave a garrison while he marched south against Liu Biao; he asked Xun Yu, Yu replied: "Shao is newly defeated; the host fears and men are disturbed; now not taking the occasion to settle him, yet wishing to send troops far to the Jiang and Han—if Shao gathers the scattered and ropes the dispersed, 〈jiu meaning to gather,〉 would risk losing everything," so Cao Cao dropped the plan,
50
西
In 204 CE he took Ye and named himself governor of Ji province, Some urged reviving the nine ancient provinces so that a vast Ji jurisdiction would overawe the realm, Cao Cao was inclined to agree, Yu spoke, saying: "Now if following ancient institutions, this means what Ji Province would govern would entirely include Hedong, Fengyi, Fufeng, Xihe, You, and Bing lands. after the sack of Ye every region feared losing its territory and troops, one rumor of annexation would set the empire in panic and spoil any plan of unification, He urged Cao first to secure Hebei, restore Luoyang, then turn south to demand tribute from the Yangzi lords, so that all would know his intent and rest easy, and only after the realm was settled debate reviving antiquity—for the lasting good of the state," Cao Cao replied: "Without your opposing me, how much would have been lost!" and shelved the nine-province plan,
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便 使退 使 使
In the twelfth year, Cao submitted a memorial praising Yu, saying: "In old days Yuan Shao rebelled, linked troops at Guandu; at the time few against many, grain alone, planned to return to Xu. and Director Xun Yu had urged him to stand fast and mapped the grand offensive, 〈hui meaning to enlarge,〉 awakening Cao Cao's mind, stiffening the camp, and cutting enemy supplies, 〈yao meaning intercept, with a pronunciation note,〉 until the great rebel was crushed and danger turned to safety, After Shao was defeated, my grain too was exhausted, and I was about to abandon the Hebei plan and turn instead to a Jingnan strategy. Yu again fully laid out the gains and losses, and so changed my counsel, enabling me to turn my banners back to Ji territory, 〈the Zuo phrase on reversing the banners southward, meaning the great standard at the army gate,〉 and pacify the four provinces. 〈Ji, Qing, You, and Bing,〉 Had I withdrawn my army from Guandu, Shao would surely have beaten the drums and advanced, 〈beating drums meaning an unafraid advance,〉 the enemy would fight at double strength for gain, 〈each man fighting a hundred times harder for spoils,〉 while my troops, timid and checked, would have lost heart, 〈ju meaning halted,〉 sure defeat with no hope of victory, 〈jie meaning victory,〉 Again, if I had marched south against Liu Biao, abandoning Yan and Yu, taking a hungry army deep in, and crossing the Yangzi and Mian, 〈Mian being the Han River, Kong Anguo says: "Above the Han is called Mian."〉 advantage would have been hard to seek, and I would have lost my base. Yet Yu set forth two strategies, taking ruin as survival and calamity as fortune; his plans were exceptional, his achievements extraordinary, and I could not match him. Therefore the Former Emperor valued the merit of directing and releasing, and slighted the reward for striking and capturing; 〈bo meaning to strike, when Liu Bang ranked Xiao He first after Xiang Yu's death, many generals resented it, Gaozu said: "Gentlemen, do you understand hunting? In hunting, those who pursue and kill the beasts are dogs, while the one who releases them and points out the beasts is a man. You gentlemen can only pursue and catch beasts; yours is the merit of dogs. As for Xiao He, releasing and pointing is the merit of men." with a note that zong may be written with the other graph,〉 The ancients honored planning in the command tent and placed below it the force of assault and capture. 〈Zhang Liang never had battle merit; Gaozu said, "Planning within the tent and deciding victory a thousand li away was Zifang's merit." He himself chose thirty thousand households in Qi to enfeoff him.〉 Tracing his achievements and effects, he is fit to enjoy high noble rank. Yet the realm has not understood his situation, and what he has received does not match his merit; 〈mou meaning equal,〉 I truly regret this. I request that the deliberation be weighed again and that his household fief be increased." 〈The Former Documents says: "Restore his posterity, equalize his noble fief." Pronunciation meaning says: "Chou means equal; make his posterity always equal to the former men."〉 Xun Yu firmly declined, Cao paralleled, saying: In old days Jie Zitui had a saying: "To steal another's wealth is still called theft. 〈Jie Zitui being a minister of Duke Wen of Jin in the Zuo Tradition,〉 and asked how Xun Yu could monopolize credit for plans on which survival hung, 〈meaning Cao refused to hoard the glory,〉 Though Xun Yu admired Lu Zhonglian's refusal of reward, 〈the Records tale of Lu Lian refusing a fief from Lord Pingyuan, Lu Lian's laugh that a gentleman untangles strife without pay, and would not act the merchant,〉 urging him to accept the sage's flexible standard," 〈The Zuo Tradition says: "Sages comprehend the season; next guard the season.〉" so his fief rose by a thousand households to two thousand in all. The court again meant to give him a formal appointment to the post, Commentary: Xun Yu had been serving as acting director of the secretariat; the plan was now to confirm him in the full title.〉 Xun Yu sent Xun You to press his repeated refusals—more than ten times—before the matter was dropped. When Cao Cao was preparing to strike Liu Biao, he asked Xun Yu for a plan. Xun Yu said, “The heartland is already settled; the Jing–Han region knows it is finished. Feint a thrust through Wan and Ye, then slip a fast, light force along byways to catch them off guard.” Cao Cao adopted the advice. Liu Biao then fell ill and died. 〈The Wei Records notes that Cao Cao followed Xun Yu’s design and that Liu Biao’s son Liu Cong yielded the province in surrender.〉
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使 使 使便 祿 西 退 使
In the seventeenth year of the Jian’an era, Dong Zhao and others Commentary: Dong Zhao, styled Gongren, came from Jiyin.〉 They sought jointly to raise Cao Cao to the rank of duke of a state and to award him the full regalia of the nine bestowals, 〈The ritual text Hanwenjia lists the nine bestowals: "chariots and horses; robes; instruments; vermilion doors; the palace stair; a hundred tiger guards; the axe and halberd; bow and arrows; and the dark-millet ale—the nine gifts so named. Xi means "to grant," and each of the nine honors was meant to match the recipient's virtue." The Zuo Tradition says: "They divided to the duke of Lu the great chariot and great banner, the Xia hou's jade, Fengfu's bow, invocators, lineage masters, diviners, and scribes—complete paraphernalia and canonical documents." Closing note.〉 They sounded Xun Yu out on the plan in private. Xun Yu said, “Lord Cao first took up arms in a righteous cause to set the Han to rights. However great his merit, he has kept faith with the dynasty. A gentleman serves another’s good by moral means; this is not the way to treat him.” The proposal was shelved. Commentary: The Record of Rites says: "The gentleman's love for others is by virtue; the petty man's love for others is by indulgence." Closing note.〉 Cao Cao could not set the slight aside. On the southern expedition against Sun Quan, Cao Cao memorialized that Xun Yu should review the troops at Qiao, then used a second memorial to keep him there: “Ancient custom placed heavy overseers above a field commander and paired seconds below him, 〈The Records tells how Duke Jing of Qi named Tian Rangju general against Yan. Rangju replied, “I am of mean origin, pulled from the ranks above senior officers; the soldiers do not yet follow me, and the people do not trust my light authority. Give me one of your trusted ministers, honored in the state, to supervise the host, and it can be done.” The duke agreed and sent Zhuang Jia. That is the sense of “overseer” intended here. End of gloss.〉 Thus the majesty of the state’s orders is upheld and counsel rarely errs. Commentary: The Zuo Tradition praises counsel that seldom fails and teaching that never tires.〉 I am about to cross the river on a punitive mission; a senior envoy should carry the imperial charge with fitting gravity. Civil and military means have always been paired. The commissioner with insignia, palace attendant, acting director of the secretariat, and Marquis of Wansui Precinct, Xun Yu, is a pillar of the state whose virtue runs through the realm. As he has paused where the army rests, he should march with me to proclaim the court’s will and overawe the foe. Field etiquette prizes speed, so I could not wait for prior approval; I have therefore kept Xun Yu with the army as my mainstay.” The emperor approved the memorial, and Xun Yu was appointed palace attendant, grand master of splendid happiness, credential-bearer, and adviser on the chancellor’s staff. When the host reached Ruxu, Commentary: Ruxu is a river name, southwest of present-day Liyang in Hezhou. The Wu Record says: "When Sun Quan heard Cao was coming, he built stockades along both banks in the shape of a reclining moon to oppose him; after more than a month Cao withdrew. Closing note.〉" Xun Yu fell ill and was left at Shouchun, Commentary: Shouchun county lay in Huainan commandery, in what is now Shouzhou.〉 Cao Cao sent a meal; when the cover was lifted, the vessels were empty. Xun Yu took poison and died. He was fifty years old. 〈The Annals of Emperor Xian relates that after Dong Cheng’s death, Empress Fu wrote her father Fu Wan that the minister of works had executed Dong Cheng while the emperor still nursed a grievance. Fu Wan showed the letter to Xun Yu, who was appalled and kept silent. Fu Wan also showed it to his brother-in-law Fan Pu, who sealed it and sent it to Cao Cao, who quietly laid his plans. Fearing exposure, Xun Yu tried to get ahead of the plot by asking leave to go to Ye and urging Cao Cao to marry a daughter into the palace. Cao Cao replied, “The court already has Empress Fu; how can my daughter enter the harem?” Xun Yu said, “The empress is sonless and vicious; she once wrote her father intemperate letters—grounds enough to set her aside.” Cao Cao asked, “Why did you never mention this before?” Xun Yu pretended astonishment: “I did tell you, my lord.” Cao Cao said, “A matter of this weight—and I would forget?” From that day Cao Cao nursed a grudge against Xun Yu while still treating him with outward respect. When Dong Zhao pressed the motion to ennoble Cao as duke of Wei, Xun Yu disagreed and meant to remonstrate. He carried an edict to feast the army; after the banquet he asked for a private word. Cao Cao guessed his intent, bowed him out, and gave him no chance to speak. He was kept there and died at Shouchun. End of gloss.〉 The emperor grieved for him and canceled banquet music on the ancestral day observed in his honor. Commentary: “Ancestral day” was the feast honoring the patron spirit of travel, Commentary: The Comprehensive Meaning of Customs says: "Gonggong's son was named Xiu; he loved to travel far and was sacrificed to as the ancestral spirit. The Han marked that rite on the wu day of the cycle." End of gloss.〉 He was given the posthumous title Reverent Marquis. The following year Cao Cao took the title duke of Wei.
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西 使
The historian’s judgment: After the emperor was removed to the western capital, the lands east of the mountains seethed, Commentary: The Odes speaks of “the hundred streams boiling over.”〉 the fate of the empire hung upside down. Commentary: Zhao Qi glosses “inverted” as utter distress.〉 Lord Xun Yu crossed the Yellow River and the Ji region, making a hard road of it to join the Caos. Commentary: “Jianguan” here means a winding, difficult journey.〉 Watching how he set policy, Commentary: Cuo means “to set” or “to arrange.”〉 framing counsel and exalting the royal design to ease the dynasty’s peril—can that be dismissed as seizing a moral pretext in turmoil to serve a crooked end? Commentary: The point is that Xun Yu’s heart never turned against the Han.〉 He truly took humanity as his charge and hoped to spare the people in the crisis of the moment. Commentary: Shu means “to ease,” read like the character for “relax.”〉 When he blocked Dong Zhao’s scheme and paid with his life, was that mere chance? Popular talk about Lord Xun Yu—whether he flourished or was blocked—often misses the mark. Below the middling sage one cannot demand perfection: wit may excel in one place and falter in another, and a noble start need not guarantee the same end. That is a truth no moral audit can exhaust. Even Wei Ci’s genius—one round of diplomacy undid two kingdoms. Commentary: The two states are Qi and Wu. Duanmu Ci, styled Zigong, was a native of Wei. When Tian Chang planned to attack Lu, Confucius sent Zigong to persuade him to strike Wu instead, and Tian Chang agreed. Zigong then went to Wu and urged King Fuchai to march against Qi. He next visited Yue and talked Gou Jian into sending troops to help Wu. He then went to Jin and urged it to hold its army ready for the weariness that would follow Wu’s campaign in Qi. Wu beat Qi, then clashed with Jin for dominance; Jin broke Wu’s power, Yue struck from the rear, and Fuchai died. Thus a single mission preserved Lu, ruined Qi, shattered Wu, bolstered Jin, and crowned Yue. End of gloss.〉 That was not because he scanted humanity for gain: every gain costs something else—no single deed can compass every good. Commentary: Zigong did not mean to betray moral duty to elevate Jin, yet one stroke could not save every state. The text asks whether Xun Yu truly wanted to build the Caos into usurpers of the Han. He was caught in what could not be helped. End of gloss.〉 In an age stumbling through hardship, Commentary: The Changes reads, “Blocked and stumbling,” with zhan read in the zhu-lian cut. End of gloss.〉 Only a heroic talent could pull the realm from the flood; once power towers, the throne slips away on its own. Commentary: Cao Cao’s deeds grew so great that the mandate gravitated to him.〉 That, too, is what the age will not allow to be reconciled. He chose to stand by the right even at the cost of his life—the sense of Confucius’s “die to perfect benevolence.”
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Section heading: encomium.
55
駿
The encomium runs: Gongye was hailed a hero, and his fair fame climbed high. When crisis pressed, he answered with wiles, Commentary: He dissembled before Dong Zhuo.〉 He scattered gold among friends and allies. Commentary: “Scatter” is the sense of hui here.〉 The lord of Beihai moved with heaven’s ease, his voice and passion breaking in waves. Commentary: Here yi means “unrestrained ease.” Commentary: Duncuo means cadence, rise and fall. End of gloss.〉 The south startles easily; a solitary voice rarely finds a chorus. The straight road offers no homecoming; whose hand steadies so high a design? Commentary: “Straight reins” stands for the upright way. It means he had no safe road back, and no ally for his grand counsel. End of gloss.〉 That Xun Yu had a counterpart shows how keenly he felt the dynasty’s ailment. Times shifted and deeds ran on; the record looks tangled, but the purpose never wavered. Commentary: Outward signs may puzzle, inward resolve did not. End of gloss.〉
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