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卷五十二 列傳第二十二 郤詵 阮种 華譚

Volume 52 Biographies 22: Xi Shen; Ruan Zhong; Hua Tan; Yuan Fu

Chapter 52 of 晉書 · Book of Jin
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Chapter 52
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1
Xi Shen.
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Xi Shen, courtesy name Guangji, came from Shanfu in Jiyin commandery. His father, Xi, served as Assistant Director of the Left of the Secretariat. Shen was learned and gifted, striking in bearing and heedless of minor proprieties; he turned down every formal appointment offered by local authorities. During the Taishi reign, an edict called on the empire to recommend worthy men who would speak candidly; Prefect Wen Li nominated Shen to take part.
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The edict ran: "In remotest antiquity the sage ruler steadied the age through virtue; governance stayed plain and unadorned. By the Three Dynasties, ritual and music had been brought to full elaboration and regulation grew ever denser. What principle governs the swing between outward refinement and inward simplicity? From Yu to Xia, sagely rulers succeeded one another in close succession, yet each borrowed from his predecessor in a different measure. Even after the Zhou order decayed, Confucius insisted he would follow the Zhou model. When to preserve and when to reform—why should the right measure ever be wholly different? After the sage kings were gone, their institutions lingered; hegemons rose one after another and propped them up—did that never repair what the royal way lacked? Why, then, did decline never turn back? Was hegemonic virtue simply too shallow? Or because the times could not be forced? Guan Zhong was formidably capable—why did his accomplishment never rise beyond hegemony? The ancients took power amid ruin, forged an enduring order, reshaped customs until punishments were laid aside—was that not transformation at its fullest? What must a ruler cultivate to reach that? I have received my forebears' glorious legacy; seven years have passed, yet the people still resist moral instruction and I have failed to set forth how government ought to run. Measured against antiquity, why do we fall so terribly short? Though I am less discerning than the ancients, I still wish to think this through with you—how am I to clear what puzzles me and hear sound doctrine from honest counsel? Moreover, barbarians have lately crossed the frontier, disasters keep coming, border people are scattered, and soldiers buckle under the levy—is that bad policy and harsh law, or men unfit for office? Each of you search your conscience and lay out your reasoning fully. Explain the classical models above and speak squarely to conditions today below. Where I have fallen short in virtue is precisely what must be set right. Speak plainly and withhold nothing of your honest judgment—I shall receive it with respect."
4
Xi Shen replied:
5
I reflect that Your Majesty, enthroned in sage virtue, still troubles to cast the net wide for counsel and summons worthy men to speak plainly—yet we who stand before you are men of slight talent, unequal to so weighty a theme. So I doubt my own fitness; though I have come to the palace gate, I remain ill at ease and abashed before you. Once I had reverently read Your examination theme, I understood how deeply earnest Your question was. I have heard that in earliest times worthies abdicated in favor of merit and teaching aimed at a single shared virtue—so governance stayed plain and the people were shaped without fuss. Under the Three Dynasties the throne passed by inheritance, each late age handing on to the next—so outward forms multiplied and only afterward could they be disciplined. Yu and Xia built on what came before, yet each adjusted the pattern differently—not because the royal way itself changed, but because each age took its own path out of decay. Zhou followed two earlier houses at a time of extreme decay and fraud; it carried ritual and music to their fullest expression and worked out institutions to their logical limit—its forms were complete in every detail. Confucius, judging what the age needed, said he would follow Zhou; that was no inconsistent doctrine. Sage kings began transformation with ritual and music; the Five Hegemons rose by driving government and punishments hard. Ritual and music work deep in the character; law and punishment operate on the surface. Push the latter course hard and you may win a little calm; let it slip and decline sets in without fail. The two approaches start from nearly the same ground, yet the good they can accomplish is not comparable. Duke Huan failed at the Kuiqiu covenant; Guan Zhong proved a limited instrument—his achievement stopped at hegemony. Small wonder!
6
使 使 使 使 使
Your examination asked: "To found an enduring order, to shift customs and change habits until the realm is at peace—what must be cultivated to attain that?" I answer that nothing matters more than choosing the right men and putting them in office. Our laws are not without a single framework, yet among those who rule counties and commanderies, talent varies and results differ—some flourish under the system, some founder—because men give force to policy, not policy to men. Neglect the men and chase empty policy—what good will mere diligence do? Comparing past and present, I find this contrast: antiquity joined hands to find worthy men; today men join hands to chase titles. When the ancients filled offices, the ruler held officials accountable from above while ministers nominated from below—reward for a good pick, punishment for a bad one—how could they fail to seek real talent? Today office-seekers have fathers and brothers pull strings and kin lend leverage—pull opens doors, isolation leaves you shut out—how could men not scramble after titles? The worthy man who seeks recognition finds it by cultivating the Way; he falls obscure only by betraying right principle—so he waits in quiet self-command. Rank, when it can be chased, goes to whoever pushes first and slips from whoever arrives late—so men scramble and grasp. Scrambling breeds rivalry, rivalry breeds factions, factions breed slander—praise and blame lose touch with reality, truth and falsehood blur together, the ruler's judgment clouds in appointments, and treachery finds its opening. Quiet brings steadfastness, steadfastness brings integrity, integrity brings trust and deference, trust yields room for worthier men—recommend without boasting, defer without resentment, and the ruler hears clearly when he appoints; there virtue gathers. Hold men to that stillness and you may prop your pillow all day—the people will set themselves right. Fail to stop the scrambling and you may toil from dawn to dusk—customs will never unify. Wise or foolish, all chase reputation and office—everyone polishes virtue on the surface while hiding deviance within—so you cannot easily tell straight men from crooked. Employ one upright man and more upright men will come. Pick a crooked man and crooked men flock to him. Like calls to like—who can halt it? States that fell and ages that ended always piled error upon error until wrong consumed them. Evil begins small; leave the small unchecked and the end is plain for all to see. Heaven and earth do not flip from winter to summer in an instant; neither does a ruler vault from glory to ruin overnight. Cold and warmth creep in through spring and autumn; rise and fall grow out of getting policy right or wrong. Today aspirants to office meet no checkpoint—the crooked road lies wide open. The court never holds anyone accountable for recommending talent—the straight path is shut. At the root of success and failure, what could exceed this! What I mean by accountability for worthies is mutual recommendation. What I mean by barrier posts is mutual surety. Fail to raise a worthy man and you answer for it; give a false guarantee and you pay the penalty. So in old times every feudal lord owed the throne a quota of scholars—miss the quota and your fief was cut; send an unsuitable man and it was cut again. Talent is hard to judge. Missing the mark is a light offense. Yet you must demand results—so you force men to vouch for those they cannot truly know. Punish that miss harshly and you punish a venial fault severely—that is not magnanimous rule. Moreover, Son of Heaven and feudal lords do not stand in the plain relation of sovereign to subject—yet even so such demands were laid on them. In practice the rule was leniency before severity—better too loose than too harsh. Today everything runs the opposite way—why? Worthy men are Heaven and Earth's measure and the root of every calling; need them desperately—better cast the net wide and catch them than indulge slackness and lose them. Today it is otherwise—everyone who drifts with the fashion grabs whatever argument suits him. So neither talent nor conduct can be trusted—in public life policy dissolves into chaos. In private life they leave filth and scandal strewn behind them. Lately district magistrates especially pile up such stains—some are wanted men with price on their heads, some end bound on the scaffold. Venal men steal office—who handed them their seals? When beasts break from their cages—whom do we hold accountable? The net gapes wide enough to swallow a boat—what crime could be worse! Men rush toward profit as if into fire or deep water. One crop of climbers falls and another rises—if that cycle never stops, who can arrest it? The scramble worsens by the day—who even mourns it? Though Your Majesty racks mind and body night and day, the men you send to govern are always of this stamp—to hope for a sage reign of polished customs is to wait till the Yellow River runs clear. If you mean to mend this, establish clear rules for recommending worthies and tighten the gates at the passes. Once those rules are fixed, men will recommend with care and avoid careless picks—then worthies show themselves. Identify worthies and try them in office—then each post receives the right man. Right men in office bring affairs into proper order. Orderly government lets each thing find its proper place. When everything sits right, life flourishes, people have enough to live on, and harmony spreads. Faults dwindle and punishments fade; shame draws men toward ritual—this is how an enduring order is built, customs reshaped, and the rack left to gather dust.
7
使
Your examination asked: "Barbarians have lately crossed inward and disasters keep striking—is that because we put the wrong men in charge? What chain of causes brought us here?" I have heard that when outer tribes troubled the heartland, Gaoyao was made Minister of Crime—to mend the branches you must heal the root first. Employ worthies and policy grows humane; use the capable and punishments stay mild. Humane government wins gratitude below; lenient law lets men trust in its firmness. Bounty fills their granaries; steadfast justice binds their loyalty. So at home they have enough to live on and know their duty; when mobilized they cling to their rulers and fight with courage. Lead them by what preserves life—ease their harms and advance their good—and they will not waver even unto death; make them work through measures that feel humane, and they will not resent even heavy duty. Then men will stake their lives and spend their last strength; fight and they win, strike and cities fall. The good embrace virtue and rest content; the wicked shrink back and vanish from sight. True martial virtue lays arms aside; its moral core lies in civil order—only when worthies hold office is the realm free of peril. Floods and droughts belong to nature's own pattern. Antiquity held ten years of grain for every thirty under the plough; Yao and Tang met drought and flood without famine because they were prepared. Lately the seasons have been somewhat awry, yet look across the commanderies: neighbors sharing a border may differ in feast or famine; adjoining fields may thrive or fail side by side—Heaven does not single people out for harm; rulers and folk simply fail to spread hardship and ease evenly. Blame Heaven while neglecting human causes and officials grow idle, commoners abandon their trades and curse the season—nothing there steadies the people's mind or fills the granaries. Work diligently at what lies within human power—that is enough.
8
使
I am too dull to answer a sovereign court worthily—yet having been summoned into this hall, am I expected to lay bare whatever lies in my breast? I fear I shall fall short. If rough counsel may nonetheless yield insight, I may serve—so I hide none of my humble words.
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He ranked first on the policy examination and was appointed Gentleman Consultant. He resigned to observe mourning for his mother.
10
輿
While his mother lived she had no cart for travel; after her death he refused to haul her coffin by wagon—too poor to buy horses he laid her in temporary burial outside the north wall of his hall, cut a doorway through, and mourned morning and night. He raised chickens and garlic by every scheme he could devise. When three years of mourning had passed he owned eight horses; he bore the coffin to the grave on a litter and heaped earth into a mound. Before the burial was complete he was summoned as army adjutant on the eastern campaign. He rose to Gentleman of the Secretariat, then became adjutant to the household attendant for chariots and cavalry.
11
Cui Hong, Minister of Personnel, recommended Shen for the post of Assistant Director of the Left. Once in office he impeached Hong on a matter; Hong resented him, but Shen answered only with impartial rectitude—the story is told in Hong's biography. When Hong learned of it he was mortified and yielded.
12
He advanced through several posts to Inspector of Yong Province. Emperor Wu hosted his farewell at the Eastern Hall and asked, "How do you rate yourself among men? Xi Shen answered: "When I was examined as worthy and upright I placed first in the realm—no more than one twig on the cassia tree, one flake of jade from Mount Kun. The emperor laughed. The palace attendant memorialized to dismiss Shen; the emperor said, "We were only jesting—there is no offense. In office he was austere, decisive, and clear-minded, and earned wide renown in every quarter. He died in post. His son Yan Deng became provincial aide-de-camp.
13
Ruan Zhong.
14
西
Ruan Zhong, courtesy name Deyou, came from Weishi in Chenliu—the eighth-generation descendant of Xu Qing, who served Han as palace attendant. Even as a young man he behaved unlike others; Xi Kang esteemed him. Xi Kang's "On Nourishing Life" praises "Master Ruan"—that man was Zhong. Recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, he served as a clerk in the metropolitan offices. Western tribes had crossed inward, omens kept appearing, and the people starved; an edict told the Three Dukes, senior ministers, imperial advisers, and governors each to nominate worthy men of integrity willing to speak plainly. Grand Guardian He Zeng thereupon nominated Zhong as worthy candidate.
15
' '
The examination topic ran: "Ancient sage kings received Heaven's mandate, illumined all within the cosmos, aligned Heaven and Earth by measure, brought peace to every kind of creature, and left transforming virtue echoing down a thousand years. I have mounted the throne in answer to great fortune—seven years have now passed. Yet my virtue does not match my inheritance; I lack clarity in governing; I rise before dawn anxious and afraid—I have not yet discerned the right course. You bear the Way and its arts close within you and advance with dignity—I admire this deeply. Speak from the heart; unfold what I intend to ask; lay bare the foundations of the royal way; hide nothing—I listen with an open mind. Ruan Zhong replied: "Heaven and Earth fixed their stations and sages fulfilled their offices; the royal way runs deepest—therefore its transforming power reaches farthest. Thus they opened channels for human affairs and never exhausted true achievement; neighbors obeyed and distant peoples submitted; virtue touched every life, blessing soaked the realm, renown rolled on without end, and their pattern lasted for ages. The canon says, "Hold fast long enough to the sage's path and the realm completes its transformation." Follow the footprints of earlier dynasties; walk in the wake of the sage rulers of highest antiquity; straighten the age and renew customs until they answer the people's hopes. Lead everyone under Heaven toward duty so common folk know their direction; spread untainted transformation and shut crooked byways—this is what the people long for when they dream of great virtue and pray for wholesome influence."
16
The examination further asked why government and punishments lacked clear expression and ritual and music stood unestablished. He answered: "Clear government and punishments depend on putting ritual and music to use. Enlightened kings of old made this their chief business—to curb violence and arrogance, stir heart and mind, give measure to the living, and shape the myriad clans. Ritual bodies forth virtue; music celebrates achievement; music springs from harmony; ritual models itself on reverence."
17
'''' 西
The examination further asked about frontier tribes troubling the heartland. He answered: "When northern and southern tribes harass the Central Plains and wreck the royal strategy—even golden ages knew this fear. The Odes tells how the Xianyun blazed with violence; the Documents marvels when barbarian chiefs submit. Since the Wei settled surrendered tribes inside the frontier, we have rarely seen bold raiding or plunder. That bred slackness along the border—forts and barriers went unmanned. Now those tribes live mixed among the people; frontier officials grow used to turmoil and everyone forgets how to fight. The men charged with frontier posts often lack the right gifts—some bully border peoples with treachery; others chase bounties and profit and strike or kill without cause. Driving a restive mount on thin reins while flailing it with a cruel crop—you cannot expect control; the outcome follows of itself. So every malcontent thrashes in panic and rises whenever a crack opens. Three provinces collapsed and governors never returned—not because the Hu were invincible but because our own policies went wrong. I have heard that a true king's punishment means correction without endless war—he wins the far tribes by virtue, not by arms alone. Weapons are ill-starred tools; war is a deadly hazard. Mobilize troops and the farms suffer; mass armies burn through the granaries; hurt farming and the people go hungry; burn stores and the treasury empties. Under Han Wudi, building on Wendi's peace and the empire's wealth, he drove his able ministers to humble the Xiongnu—chasing glory in battle and profit in conquest—yet crack troops died in the sands; gains and losses balanced until triumph scarcely paid for itself while common lives fed desert wolves. When mass finally mastered scattered bands and drove the Xiongnu beyond reach—winning fame at Qilian and watering horses at the Han Sea—the realm had already spent more than half its strength. Draining the heartland to chase steppe tribes is no sound strategy. Robbers swarmed and the eastern hills never recovered. Under Xuandi and Yuandi, Zhao Chongguo subdued the western Qiang and Feng Fengshi the southern Qiang—both without drawing blood, crushing bullies and seizing ringleaders: real containment of disaster with costs and gains plain—the middle Han at its clearest."
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'' 退
The examination further asked about ominous portents and their signs. He answered: "When yin and yang fall out of balance and the six calamities strike, the sovereign must mend policy to meet them, foresee danger and guard against it, set up the royal norm as guide, and weigh each portent as the Hongfan teaches. The Odes warns, "Revere, revere—Heaven's light is watching"; Heaven hears through the people's hearing—so the Son of Heaven receives the mandate and grows more careful day by day. Thus he earns blessing and keeps the throne for generations—that is how earlier kings turned back calamity and cleared ill omens."
19
祿
The examination further asked about ordering society through moral teaching. He answered: "The royal way and the business of governing begin with ritual and right principle and lead people toward integrity and a sense of shame. Establish ritual and principle and gentlemen keep to the Way and defer to the good; instill integrity and shame and even common folk tread carefully and respect the law. Rewards spur talent; authority punishes neglect. So the ancient kings preserved order, settled achievement, brought the people into harmony, and left a legacy for ages. When the court breathes deference, the countryside loses its quarrels; when the capital keeps scrupulous ministers, the fields hold no grasping men. Integrity and shame in government are rich soil for planting or spring rain in a good year—whatever sprouts there grows lush. Without integrity and shame, rely on law alone and customs rot, nature warps, men quarrel over the slimmest gain—no severity of statute can contain them. That is governance like sowing barren ground or expecting a bumper crop in drought—it cannot succeed. This is why Xia, Shang, and Zhou kept virtue fresh and customs gentle for centuries—holding Heaven's mandate. Qin fell in two reigns because it walked another road altogether."
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使 ' ' 退
The examination asked further: "To fulfill the seven martial virtues and the nine civil accomplishments—what path reaches that goal? Among every duty of state, what comes first and what after? He answered: "To weave civil and military virtue into lasting achievement and bright government, nothing precedes choosing wise men, defining their posts, and empowering the capable. Match talent to office and deeds to responsibility—then every branch of government runs and no seat stays empty. The Documents says, "Heaven's work—men stand in for it." Continue Heaven's pattern, order the realm, steady the house—without worthies nothing is finished. Stocking the state with talent is like a master carpenter needing sharp iron or a joiner waiting on his square. Sharp tools make shaping easy and spare the timber; true lines snap square and every joint fits. So the ruler must labor to find worthies, then may rule at ease once they serve. A worthy minister serves his sovereign by advancing with loyalty to the realm and love for the people, withdrawing by burnishing integrity and clarifying purpose—duty never bows to private claims, counsel always follows the public road, measures display competence, and statutes prove results. Ancient sage kings could sit facing south and shape the realm like clay on a wheel because they chose worthy men and trusted those they honored. Scholars across the realm turn toward enlightened rule and fix their hopes on the throne—they watch only whom you advance or set aside. Open all four avenues of counsel, cast wide for advice, lift heroes from the ranks and welcome excellence—match craft to office and talent to title until no idler feeds at court—then transforming influence knows no bound and achievement never fades."
21
使
Zhong, Xi Shen, and Wang Kang of Dongping all placed at the top of the list and were immediately appointed Gentlemen of the Secretariat. Detractors claimed some answers rested on pull rather than merit, so the emperor convened another round of scholars for questioning in court. The edict ran: "Your first papers answered each question without saying all you hold back—so We summon you again; lay out everything on your mind. Year after year flood and drought pile up; though I tremble with care, I still cannot read Heaven's intentions—what must I cultivate to answer these omens? When flood or drought brings famine—how should we rescue the people? Midway through endless crises we still lack calm—I wish to ease burdensome duties so the people keep their livelihoods. Where hardship could be eased by reform that helps both state and household—explain every turn of it. Government turns on having the right men, yet knowing minds is hardest—I must lean on what others see and hear. Whether civil or martial, in office or in hiding—each of you name whom you know; even the obscure, humble, or locally despised face no barrier. I empty my mind to hear truth—spurn ornament and withhold nothing."
22
' '' '
Zhong answered: "Your Majesty in sage insight shelters the people, would lift the common folk to the level of the Three Ages, and casts wide for talent to perfect transformation—this is the heart of Yao and Shun. I am coarse stuff answering a luminous summons; my first paper could not exhaust Your command—I spoke incompletely through sheer dullness; that is my fault. Heaven bred the multitude and set a ruler to shepherd them—when his course runs true, moral order settles and the five blessings gather. When policy falters and justice skews, the portents refuse to align—drought or flood follows as scourge. Such is the bond between Heaven and humanity—the hinge of rise and ruin. Ancient kings finished policy before crisis came—tasks guided men back to fundamentals—so drought or flood never slid into famine. Lately yin and yang clash—flood and drought follow—the times themselves bring such rounds. Or else officials fail to lead—unable to voice Your virtue and lift great transformation—so benign qi withholds itself and human affairs stay tangled. People are exhausted and neither granaries nor households hold surplus—the cure is lighter levies, calmer lives, thrift, and fair shares. Their grief springs from endless labor, tangled law, and rulers who never earn trust. Heavy corvée steals livelihoods; harsh surveillance breeds deceit; absent trust leaves no loyal heart. Here is the chief lever of reform—the hinge of survival itself. Tradition says, "Start with good—when goodness advances, evil finds no door." Confucius said, "Watch what he does and how he does it—how then can a man hide?" As for hidden civil and martial talents, obscure men scorned by local gossip—they lie beyond my dull wit. I answer to the limit of my ignorance."
23
When his paper reached the throne, the emperor read it himself and again ranked him first. He was transferred to Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat. Measured in advance and retreat, he set the standard below him—the court stood in awe of his bearing. His dissenting memorials were always adopted and became precedents.
24
He was promoted to chancellor of Pingyuan. Wei Jing of Xiangyi moved from Nanyang to Hanoi on the same day Zhong received office; the emperor watched them and sighed, "If every governor looked like this, what should I fear? Zhong ruled with restraint and kindness; the people praised him and he died in office.
25
Hua Tan.
26
便
Hua Tan, courtesy name Ling Si, came from Guangling. His grandfather Rong had been General of the Left in Wu and Recorder of Secretariat affairs. His father Xu served Wu as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Tan lost his father at one year; his eighteen-year-old mother kept her widowhood and raised him through every hardship. Grown to manhood he studied tirelessly—bright, articulate, respected by neighbors. Zhou Jun, Inspector of Yang Province, took him on as clerk—valuing his talent, he treated him as guest and friend.
27
During Taikang, Ji Shao nominated Tan as cultivated talent; as Tan prepared to leave, Chen Zong, his aide, hosted a farewell and asked: "Sage rulers hunger for talent; ambitious men chase fame—why did Dong Zhongshu refuse Emperor Wu, and Jia Yi miss his moment under Emperor Wen? Wu and Jin brood over this stale puzzle—answer it clearly and we may part. Tan replied: "When sages sit on high, nothing stays unordered—no post falls to anyone but the worthy. So hills hide no recluse worth hiring and cottage gates shelter no loiterer. Heirs who inherit power may be middling or merely ordinary yet wield the sage's authority over millions—teaching frays and customs rot. Mediocre rulers lean on partial counselors—like calls to like inside their clique—wrong counsel sounds right to them. Give them ministers like Yan Hui and Ran Geng and tools fit for the ancestral hall—officials dream of Eight Yuan merit and rulers dream of Yao and Shun—yet they never see policy rotting beneath them! Court keeps the slogan of seeking talent without the substance of judging it. Truth they call slander; sound policy they dismiss as fantasy. Label counsel slander and self-serving flattery floods in; call it mad and charges of disloyalty follow—not by accident. Shallow judgment cannot grasp depth; petty talent cannot see the whole. Plans shelved and counsel ignored—men barely survive—what hope of fame? Shangguan Jin won favor and Qu Yuan went into exile; Bo Pi rose and Wu Zixu died—what sorrow! Dong Zhongshu slighted under Emperor Wu and Jia Yi stalled under Emperor Wen—among failures those rank as mild. Bai Qi said, "Finding talent is easy—using it is hard. Using talent is easy—trusting it is hard." Talent unused or trusted too late never builds an empire."
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西 西 西' '
When Tan reached Luoyang, Emperor Wu examined him in person: "The realm is one; customs align for ten thousand li—never has the Way shone brighter. Yet northern tribes remain outside the halter and western Di bands still stir—counselors cannot sleep easy nor border folk rest—how may we end these troubles and clear the whole realm? He answered: "Sages who rule the realm anchor transformation in Heaven's pattern, ride the east wind of spring to nurture kindness, wield heaven-earth-man together, and open every avenue of counsel to draw worthies. They toil humbly past noon—talent is everything—shine light into caves and lift men stalled in shadow. Heroes rise like dragons—the royal path gleams; pure virtue rides the wind—kingly transformation takes hold. Gaoyao once lifted—the cruel fled; Lu Jia lent Han weight—distant tribes bowed. Today virtuous edicts leave Your tent and wholesome wind blows boundless—banners wheel south and the Yangzi and Han roll up like mats; arms march west while Qiang and Man yearn for civilization—the hour to open every gate and lift ritual teaching. Fine men race toward Your summons; odd talents flock despite hardship. Leave great halls open for talent, stack noble titles for scholars, thirst for goodness more than food or drink, appoint men swift as echo—shut flattery's door and silence licentious music—purifying the realm begins here. Northwest raiders and desert tribes who skip court cost dear to chase and yield little gain—Ban Gu warned: their soil will not feed us, their men will not obey—strike when they come, guard when they flee. That is how borders stay quiet."
29
使
The examination continued: "Wu and Shu trusted their barriers—both are crushed. Shu accepts civilization—no hint of split loyalty; Wu vacillates and stirs trouble again and again. Are Shu folk simpler—easier to win; Wu quicker and keener—harder to settle? How shall we calm the newly conquered—what comes first? He answered: "Late Han shattered—warlords tripod-balanced—Shu clung to Min and Long, Wu gripped the eastern rivers. Great Jin rose on time—Emperor Wen mapped strategy—peace fell into line; Your Majesty shaped destiny in secret until foes bent to civilization. Shu soaked in influence until custom hardened; Wu submitted late—habits lag—not because Shu is steadier by nature. Frontier peoples differ—Wu hugs the great river—its temper stays quick and bold. Peace them by lifting local gentlemen—bring talent to court with honors; pick firm governors to lend dignity; ease taxes and follow local feeling—they stay pleased subjects forever."
30
使
The examination asked: "The sage said benevolent rule needs a generation to ripen. Heaven and earth align—culture spreads beyond borders—though Xiongnu remain free and Qiang or Di grow bold, civil virtue will soothe them and the shield-dance summon them—arms rest and soldiers sleep. May we yet beat swords into ploughshares and idle the armories? He answered: "Even under Yao ages passed before songs of praise rose; Kings Wen and Wu handed power until ritual and music harmonized. They unified the zones, soothed every frontier, aligned ten thousand states—the realm glowed. Even bare-headed barefoot realms donned court caps and bent in silk—everyone aped the Middle Kingdom. Great Shun still campaigned against San Miao; at Zhou's height the Xianyun still raided. Civil virtue still needs martial readiness. Readiness for surprise is ancient wisdom; in peace remember peril—the sages say so still. Do not idle the armories or beat every sword into a ploughshare yet. Lay arms aside wrapped in hide, enfeoff your captains if you will—under loosened music and gentle airs that still counts as peace."
31
The examination continued: "Laws fit their age. Danger demands stern statutes; calm seasons favor lenient nets. Today the realm is still—folk receive virtue—and government nears wuwei ease. Should statutes shrink or grow? He answered: "Five Emperors differed in rite, Three Kings in teaching—some yielded thrones, others conquered. Yet ritual and music calm the people—pure custom ends the same. Culture now unifies; beyond the frontiers all is still—men turn from vice. Even Yao and Shun kept model punishments; glorious Yin and Zhou still ordered the codes through the Marquis of Fu. Keeping the code on the books harms nothing. When the Way runs free and ritual joins music, common conduct rises—laws may hang unused yet stand ready—enough to crown an age of peace and spread kindness beyond the borders."
32
The examination asked: "Shun used eight ministers; Wen built Zhou with many talents. Order rests on men—yet worthies are rare. The empire has just united—seek real ability. Regions recommend candidates—yet none leap ahead of the pack. Are the times empty of genius? Or do we fail to fetch them rightly?" He answered: "Law and transformation need worthies to shine. Peace and peril alike need talent enacted. From high antiquity every throne cast its net wide and sent kindness abroad. Find talent and instruction thrives—miss it and policy rots. The realm is one—regions send nominees—the court selects—with so vast a population how could excellence be absent? The south still hides luminous pearls; Ferghana still breeds swift horses. Rare genius hides far off—the Eight Ministers shone only after Shun; Yi Yin carried his cauldron before Tang used him. Today You honor fallen dynasties' men—some advise within the tent, some govern regions—like kings who meet worthies on tour or in dream. Worthy men will appear—wait on tiptoe."
33
西
None in the nine provinces out-argued Tan. The east already prized Tan's scholarship. Liu Song, chief justice of his county, sighed, "Who knew our town held such a mind? Wang Ji sneered before guests: "High office hunts talent in hovels and caves. You—Wu-Chu remnant—what pearl earns this pick? Tan replied: "Brilliance grows on the margins—not only in the heartland. Pearls and cowries shine by Yangzi bays; night-glow jade rises from Jing and indigo mines. Seek men widely—King Wen rose among eastern tribes; Yu among western Qiang. Have you heard? When Wu conquered Shang he moved Yin loyalists to Luoyi—might you stem from them? Ji pressed: "When the peril goes unmet—throne falls—what good were belted ministers? Tan answered: "Ah! Rise and ruin ride fate—what Heaven ends no hand upholds. Kind Xu lost his realm; Confucius fled Lu; Duan Ganmu won fame from seclusion—fortune turns—what can effort do? Ji treated him with deep respect.
34
Soon made Gentleman of the Palace, then attendant to the heir and provincial evaluator. He resigned for mother's mourning. After mourning he governed Juancheng—crossing the Pu he wrote "In Praise of Zhuangzi" for his clerk. Clerk Zhang Yan answered his essay in splendid prose. Tan admired it and recommended Zhang—who rose in rank. When Tan ruled Lujiang, Zhang Yan already governed Huailing. He nominated Zhou Fang from a humble clan—Fang earned glory—men praised Tan's eye. His father's tomb collapsed—he quit office. Soon named Gentleman of the Secretariat.
35
In Yongning he became magistrate of Jia. After war famine stalked his district—Tan poured himself into relief. Wang Rong heard and sent three hundred hu of grain. His rule excelled—he rose to interior governor of Lujiang with the Pacify-the-Distant generalship. When Lu Gui's band held counties for Shi Bing, Tan sent Chu Dun to crush them. Another column struck Meng Xu—taking his fiercest captain. For merit he became Village Marquis—thousand-house fief and thousand bolts of silk.
36
使 使 調
When Chen Min rebelled many Wu scholars served under duress. Gu Rong took Chen Min's post but secretly schemed against him. Tan missed Rong's plan—sent a harsh proclamation—earning Rong's hate. He governed strictly and clashed with superiors. Liu Tao, who disliked Tan, jailed him at Shouyang. Zhou Fu, eastern commander and Tan's friend, freed him. When Gan Zhuo struck Zhou Fu and folk fled, Fu thought Tan gone—but Tan moved closer. Fu sighed: "I likened Tan to Zang Hong—he proves it now. Gan Zhuo, once hunted by Sima Yue, hid with Tan and lived. In that war Zhuo's men asked, "Where is Marquis Hua? We come from Gan Zhuo's staff. Tan feigned ignorance and gave two bolts of silk. The messenger reported back. Zhuo said, "That was Marquis Hua. They searched again—Tan had fled. Ji Zhan recommended him but Gu Rong blocked—years passed without a post.
37
退 退
In Jianxing Yuan appointed him army libationer-consultant. Idle at headquarters he wrote thirty chapters, Discerning the Way, which the prince read. He became the chancellor's libationer-consultant and acting chief evaluator. He recommended Gan Bao and Fan Yao, then asked to retire: "Rulers listen for talent. Staff must know their limits. Shu Guang retired—Xuandi let him; Duan Ganmu stayed home—Marquis Wen bowed from his cart. I lack ancient virtue yet long to withdraw. Two years in high office—no deeds worth praise; I accepted speech yet failed to lift good men; rebels remain unsubdued—I offered no plans. Near seventy, fading—I eat unearned rice—should retire. I return the Libationer Consultant seal. The court refused.
38
宿 調
Jianwu named him palace librarian—he declined. Taixing made him Forward General—illness moved him back to librarian. Proud of old fame he stayed restless. He recommended aged scholars Zhu Feng and Wu Zhen as assistant editors.
39
Someone asked whether men truly differ like nine ox hairs. Tan said Xu You and Chao Fu scorned the throne while peddlers fight over cash—that gap exceeds nine ox hairs. Listeners approved.
40
婿 祿
Dai Yuan's brother Dai Miao married Tan's daughter. Tan favored Miao over Dai Yuan—Yuan nursed a grudge. Once Yuan held sway he maligned Tan to the throne—Tan rose no higher. Tan told the emperor calmly, "I am old—I shall die a minor clerk in the archives. Ji An's complaint lives again in me. The emperor took offense. Later he gained cadet attendant rank but often pleaded illness. When Wang Dun rebelled Tan was too sick for court—stripped of office. He died at home. They honored him as Brilliant Household Minister with gold seal and purple ribbon, cadet attendant post, and the posthumous name Hu. He left two sons, Hua and Mao.
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=
Hua Changfeng served as conquer-barbarians marshal against Ji Sang and died fighting. Mao inherited the title.
42
Yuan Fu.
43
= 使 西 西滿
Yuan Fu of Huainan, courtesy Gongzhou, rivaled Tan in scholarship and debate. He called on He Xu claiming he could run a difficult county. He Xu asked why he wanted only a county post, not central office. Fu replied that each man has strengths and limits. Brocade tops silk yet cannot sew a hunter's hood; rice crowns grain yet cannot brew vinegar. Sage kings match tools to tasks—no one excels at everything. Huang Ba shone in the provinces yet faded at court. Commandants seldom leap straight to the Three Dukes—always so. He Xu agreed and named him magistrate of Songzi. He moved to granary minister and household superintendent of Huainan. Shi Heng asked why lands west of Shouyang stay dry. Why east of Shouyang stays soaked? East of Shouyang was Wu—fallen state's lament bred dark vapors that condensed into endless rain. West lies the heartland—fresh from Wu's treasures—bellies full and hearts glad. The Gongyang notes Duke Xi's excess joy brought drought on the capital. Balance strong and weak, kin last—then peace holds and omens cease. Listeners marveled at his wit. He died past eighty at home.
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Historians' appraisal.
45
祿
Historians say rule and custom turn on gathering talent. Merit shines when an enlightened ruler appears. Under Emperor Wu the realm rested—court chased talent while ministers chased posts. Xi Shen and peers hid talent locally then answered the throne—among past worthies they deserve mention. Hua Tan lived by duty like Zhou Fu and Gan Zhuo—kind men reach far—so goes the verdict. Though gifted he ended a librarian—the piled-faggots regret is not theirs alone.
46
Encomium: Xi and Ruan mastered learning and embodied policy. Hua Tan bred virtue and answered the call from reclusion. They flew the bird path and swam the dragon ford. Their plain virtue lasts—their fragrance still rises.
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