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卷二十七 魏書二十七 徐胡二王傳

Volume 27: Book of Wei 27: Biographies of Xu, Hu, and the Two Wangs

Chapter 27 of 三國志 · Records of the Three Kingdoms
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1
Xu Miao, Hu Zhi, Wang Chang, and Wang Ji.
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西 宿
Xu Miao, courtesy Jingshan, hailed from Ji in the Yan princedom. After Cao Cao subdued Hebei he enlisted Xu Miao as army strategist, tried him as acting magistrate of Fenggao, then appointed eastern bureau clerk. When Wei was founded Xu Miao joined the masters of writing. Although alcohol was banned at the time, Xu Miao drank secretly until he was dead drunk. When the investigator Zhao Da asked him about office business, Xu Miao answered, 'I have hit the sage.' Zhao Da reported this to Cao Cao, who was furious. Xianyu Fu, General Who Measures the Liao, came forward and said, 'Among habitual drinkers, clear liquor is called "sage" and cloudy liquor "worthy." Xu Miao is by nature disciplined and cautious; this was only a drunken remark.' In the end he was spared punishment. Later he served as administrator of Longxi and was transferred to Nan'an. After Emperor Wen took the throne, Xu Miao served successively as chancellor of Qiao, administrator of Pingyang and Anping, and Household General Who Directs Agriculture in Yingchuan. Wherever he served he gained renown, and he was granted the rank of marquis within the passes. When the imperial carriage visited Xuchang [the emperor] asked Miao 'Have you hit middle sage again?' Miao replied 'Formerly Zifan died at Guyang Yushu was punished for drinking—I crave drink like those two and cannot restrain myself—I sometimes hit again. Ugly Suiliu became legend yet Xu Miao claimed fame only as a drunk." The emperor laughed greatly looked at left and right saying 'The name was not vainly established.' He rose to strategist under the Pacifies-the-Army general.
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使 西 使
Emperor Cao Rui made Xu Miao Liangzhou inspector—remote frontier facing Shu—with staff and Qiang-colonel rank. He arrived as Zhuge Liang marched from Qishan and Longyou rose; Xu Miao threw aides and the Jincheng governor against Nan'an rebels and broke them. Longzhou was dry so Xu Miao rebuilt Wuwei and Jiuquan salt works to trade grain for nomad barley opened paddies for poor tenants until bins overflowed. He gauged surplus grain bought silk horses and gold for the capital. He slowly confiscated illegal weapons for the armory. Then he taught ritual ran schools banned wasteful funerals and cults rewarded virtue—the customs turned and the people rallied. Trade flowed west tribute arrived—all Xu Miao's doing. He crushed rebel Qiang Kewu earned village marquis of the capital district three hundred households and rank Establishes Might general. With tribes he overlooked petty slips; major crimes went first to tribal heads—executions came only after public notice so tribes feared and obeyed. He gave every bonus to the troops—his family went short; The emperor heard and funded his household. He purged corruption until Liangzhou ran clean.
4
祿
Zhengshi 1 brought him back as minister of agriculture. As metropolitan commander he cowed the bureaucracy. Official protocol forced him out. Later he became Grandee of Brilliant Blessing, and after several years he was appointed Minister of Works. Xu Miao sighed, 'The Three Dukes are offices for discussing the Way. If there is no worthy man, the post should remain vacant. How could I disgrace it with old age and illness?' He declined firmly. In Jiaping 1, at the age of seventy-eight, he died at home while serving as grandee. He was buried with ducal rites and given the posthumous title Marquis Mu. Son Xu Wu inherited. In the sixth year the court recalled gentlemen of pure integrity edict stating 'Displaying the worthy manifesting virtue weighty matters of sage kings; lifting good men for instruction Confucius admired. The former minister of works Xu Miao, east-conquering general Hu Zhi, and chamberlain Tian Yu all served the prior court through four reigns; whether commanding armies abroad or aiding civil rule at home they were loyal, incorrupt, and selfless, leaving no fortune behind—I deeply commend them. Grant each family two thousand hu grain thirty thousand cash and publish this empire-wide."
5
Han Guan, styled Manyou, from Xu Miao's commandery, had discernment and administrative capacity. His reputation equaled Xu Miao's, and he ranked ahead of Sun Li and Lu Yu. As inspector of Yu Province he achieved notable order and died in office. 〈Memorials of Famous Wei Ministers preserves a memorial by Du Shu, Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, which says, 'Han Guan and Wang Chang truly possess comprehensive talent. High office and weighty responsibility should be theirs, not merely three provinces.'〉 Lu Qin wrote of Xu Miao, 'Lord Xu had lofty aims, pure conduct, broad talent, and fierce energy. In practice he was lofty without being narrow, pure without being brittle, learned yet disciplined, fierce yet capable of lenience. The sages regard purity as difficult, yet Lord Xu found it easy." Someone asked Lu Qin, 'In Emperor Wu's time people considered Lord Xu accommodating, but after he was in Liangzhou and returned to the capital, people considered him rigid. Why?' Lu Qin answered: "Formerly, when Mao Jie and Cui Yan held office, they prized pure and plain gentlemen. At that time everyone changed carriages and clothing to seek a lofty reputation, but Lord Xu did not alter his usual ways, so people thought him accommodating. Recently the world has grown extravagant and people imitate one another, while Lord Xu's refined principles remain unchanged and he does not follow common fashion. Thus yesterday's accommodation has become today's rigidity. The world changed Xu Miao did not."
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使
Hu Zhi courtesy Wende came from Shouchun in Chu. Young he ranked with Jiang Ji and Zhu Ji between Yangzi and Huai and served local office. Jiang Ji his superior sent him to Cao Cao. The Founding Emperor asked 'Hu Tongda is a venerable elder—does he have descendants?' Jiang Ji replied, 'He has a son named Hu Zhi. In scale and grand strategy he does not equal his father, but in precise and capable management of affairs he surpasses him.' 〈Pei Songzhi opens a note with 〈the heading Genealogy of the Hu lineage.〉 Hu Min style Tongda won recommendation for upright conduct.〉 Cao Cao named Hu Zhi magistrate of Dunqiu. Guo Zheng slept with a cousin and murdered her husband Cheng Ta; clerk Feng Liang jailed waited witness. Guo and the woman endured the lash in silence until Feng broke and confessed falsely threatening reversal. Hu Zhi read faces reopened the case and extracted true confessions.
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祿 使 祿 291駿 駿駿
He became a clerk in the chancellor’s eastern bureau, and the province wanted him as aide-de-camp. General Zhang Liao feuded with his protector-general Wu Zhou. Liao asked Inspector Wen Hui to lend him Hu Zhi; Hu Zhi pleaded illness. Liao confronted Hu Zhi: "I trusted you—why treat me like this?" Hu Zhi answered, "Ancient friendship endured because generosity proved no greed, retreat proved no cowardice, and slander was not believed. Wu Bonan is a man of refinement whom you once praised endlessly; now a petty grudge has opened a breach. Ya (fanqie: wu + mai). Zi (fanqie: shi + mai). My own talents are slight—how could I keep the peace? That is why I refused." Zhang Liao took the point and reconciled with Wu Zhou. Yu Yu’s Jin shu says Wu Zhou, styled Bonan, came from Zhuyi in Pei. He rose to grand master for the imperial household. His son Wu Gai, styled Yuanxia. Gai and his brothers Shao and Mao were praised from childhood; even elders in the village could not fully measure them. Liu Gongrong of the same commandery, famed as a judge of men, once called on Zhou. Zhou asked, "You read men well. May my three sons meet you and be ranked as Guo and Xu once did?" Gongrong visited the brothers, talked with them, and watched their bearing. Afterward he told Zhou, "All three sons are state-caliber men. Yuanxia has the greatest breadth and the air of a chief minister’s deputy. Shuxia and Jixia are the equal of high counselors." Wu Gai entered service young, rose through court and field posts, became personnel minister at the start of Taishi, then vice director, right grand master, and grand marshal with ceremonial parity to the Three Excellencies, and died in office. Having already been a Wei minister, Gai was not among the founders of Jin; he accepted office reluctantly and took on no real burden, striving only to be reverent. He preserved his integrity throughout, and his contemporaries praised it. Shao served twice as a personnel gentleman. Shan Tao praised Shao’s integrity; he ended as regular attendant of the cavalry. Mao rose to palace attendant and secretary. Xun Kai of Yingchuan, imperial kin by marriage, pressed Mao for friendship on the strength of his rank. Mao refused, and Xun Kai took offense. Yuankang 1 (291): Yang Jun was executed. Kai, then vice director of the secretariat, framed Mao as Yang Jun’s kinsman by marriage; Mao was wrongly executed, and the public mourned the injustice.
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便
Cao Cao took him as chancellor's aide. Huangchu brought personnel gentleman Changshan governor then Dongguan. Gentleman Lu Xian was murdered. Zhi said, "This man had no enemies, but he had a young wife; was that why he died?" He questioned young neighbors—clerk Li Ruo flinched under inquiry. Li Ruo confessed and the killer was caught. Battle bonuses went to the troops never his purse. Nine years in office brought peace willing clerks and obedient soldiers.
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He became Jingzhou inspector Inspires Might general secondary marquis. Zhu Ran besieged Fan; Hu Zhi raced there with a light column. The debaters all thought the enemy too strong to press. Hu Zhi said, "Fan is low-lying and thinly held, so we should advance as its outside support; otherwise it is in danger." He then brought his troops up to the siege, and the city steadied. He rose east-conquering general with staff over Qing and Xu. He opened farms stockpiled multiyear grain built the eastern expedition terrace farming while guarding. He dredged harbors for shipping and readied defenses. The coast stayed quiet.
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250 祿
Deep, steady, and inwardly perceptive, he never judged others by his own standards and was missed wherever he served. He died in Jiaping 2 (250) leaving only court robes and a book chest. The army supervisor reported his death; he was posthumously made Marquis of Yangling village, fief of one hundred households, styled Marquis Zhen. His son Hu Wei succeeded. In the sixth year an edict praised Hu Zhi’s integrity and granted his household money and grain. The account appears in the biography of Xu Miao.〉 In Xianxi, Hu Wei rose to inspector of Xu Province. The Jin Yang Autumn says he was styled Bohu. From youth he aimed high and cultivated spotless conduct. While Hu Zhi governed Jingzhou, Hu Wei traveled from the capital to visit him. Poor and without carriage or servants, Wei drove a donkey alone to see his father. He stayed in the stable over ten days, then asked leave to return home. On parting Hu Zhi gave him one bolt of silk for the road. Wei knelt and asked, "You live so plainly—where did this silk come from?" Hu Zhi answered, "It is what remains of my salary, set aside for your journey." Wei accepted it and went home. At every inn he unsaddled the donkey, gathered firewood, cooked, ate, and rejoined the road—so he traveled both ways. A commandant in Hu Zhi’s staff, unknown to Wei, took leave, traveled ahead over a hundred li, met him on the road, and for hundreds of li helped with supplies and food. Wei grew suspicious, questioned him quietly, learned he was the commandant, returned the silk in thanks, and sent him away. Later he reported the whole affair to Hu Zhi in another letter. Hu Zhi had the commandant beaten one hundred strokes and removed him from the rolls. Father and son were scrupulous to this degree. His reputation spread, and he served in successive governorships. Emperor Wu of Jin received him, discussed frontier affairs, and spoke of their lives. The emperor praised Hu Zhi’s integrity and asked Wei, "Who is purer—you or your father?" Wei answered, "I am not his equal." The emperor asked, "How are you not his equal?" He said, "My father feared people would learn of his integrity; I fear they will not—that is how far I fall short." He rose to general of the van and inspector of Qing Province. He died in Taikang 1 and was posthumously made general who Stabilizes the East. Wei’s brother Hu Pi, styled Jixiang, was a south-campaigning general; Wei’s son Hu Yi, styled Cisun, was general who Pacifies the East; all were famed for spotless conduct. He achieved distinction as grand administrator of three commanderies and was renowned wherever he served. He died in Anding. Wang Chang, courtesy Wenshu, came from Jinyang in Taiyuan. Pei Songzhi notes 〈the Genealogy of the Wang clan〉 : Wang Chang’s uncle Rou, styled Shuyou; and his father Ze, styled Jidao. 〈the Biography of Guo Linzong〉 says that in youth Shuyou and Jidao heard Linzong was famed for judging men, visited him together, and asked what paths suited their talents. Linzong laughed: "Both of you are two-thousand-shi material; Shuyou should rise through office, Jidao through scholarship—swap paths and you will not succeed." They took his advice. Shuyou became north central commandant; Jidao became grand administrator of Dai. In youth he and Wang Ling of the same commandery were both famed. Ling was older, and Wang Chang treated him as an elder brother. When Wendi was crown prince, Wang Chang served as his literary aide and rose to palace mentor. When Wendi took the throne, Wang Chang became attendant cavalry and agricultural intendant of Luoyang. He cleared wooded wastes around the capital, urged the people to farm, and opened unusually much land. He was transferred to inspector of Yan Province. When Mingdi took the throne, he was made General Who Displays Fierce Valor and secondary marquis. Though serving in the provinces, Wang Chang kept the court in mind and believed Wei inherited Qin and Han abuses; without broad reform to ancient standards, revival was impossible. He wrote the Treatise on Governance in more than twenty chapters adapting ancient models to current needs, and more than ten chapters on warfare on orthodox and unorthodox tactics, citing Sunzi: "Join battle in the orthodox way; win by the unorthodox." "Orthodox and unorthodox generate each other in endless cycle." He submitted both works in the Qinglong era.
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Names for nephews and sons reflected humility Mo Stillness Shen Way sons Hun Dark-Depth Shen Way-Rush. He wrote this warning:
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退 祿 使使 退
Sons must preserve life and perfect conduct to honor parents. Everyone praises those aims yet many ruin selves and kin—why they imitate the wrong path. Filial respect benevolence duty head every virtue foundations of character. Filial sons steady the lineage humane men earn village respect inner virtue shows abroad. Without deepest commitment men chase fashion and faction; flash invites deceit cliques breed strife. The warning is plain yet crowds repeat the wreck chasing trends blind to gain. Men love riches rank reputation yet the noble sometimes refuses them—why because wrong roads disgust him. Men advance never retreat crave never enough—so shame regret and ruin follow. The saying goes, "If you do not know when enough is enough, you lose what you want." So knowing enough is forever enough. History shows no grasping courtier who stayed rich and safe. He named sons for Daoist quiet hoping names would remind them to stay humble. Ancient vessels bore mottos to curb excess; how much more your given names demand discipline. What ripens fast rots quick slow growth endures. Morning blooms drop by dusk; pines stay green through bitter winter. Men of high culture despise shortcut fame and shun cliquish striving. Fan Wenzi's son answered the envoy's riddles in court so Fan Wuzi caned him and snapped his hairpin—for showing up his peers. 〈《Guoyu》 states Fan Wenzi withdrew late from court; Wuzi said 'Why so late?' He replied 'A Qin guest posed riddles at court—great officers could answer none—I knew three.' Wuzi angrily said 'The great officers were not unable—they deferred to fathers and elder brothers. A boy upstaging three ministers—had I been gone the state would fall." He beat him with a rod and broke his hairpin. Pei Songzhi notes the respondent was Fan Xie. Calling him Fan Gai here is likely mistaken.〉 Few excel without crowing few gifted restrain vanity; Self-praise hides rivals arrogance tramples them. Who cheapens others gets cheapened who lords over men is lords over. Thus the three Xi clans fell in Jin Wang Shu stumbled in Zhou—vanity and quarrel surely. Noble men skip self-flattery less from modesty than from stealing others' credit. Yield to advance concede to win feign weakness for strength—success follows. Praise and blame stir affection and disaster—sages weigh every word. Confucius said 'Toward people whom did I blame whom praise? Any praise rested on proof." He also said 'Zigong judges others. Am I worthy—I lack time for ratings." If Confucius stayed so cautious how dare lesser men gossip freely?
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使 退 忿
Former general who Calms the Waves Ma Yuan warned his elder brother's sons saying 'Hearing evil of others treat as hearing parents' names; ears may hear lips stay sealed." That lesson suffices. 〈Pei Songzhi: Ma Yuan's advice cuts deep and ages well. Discussing private slips unknown to the world means exposing them yourself. Public deeds already judged—warning through example surpasses tale-bearing. Yet praising Long Bogao and attacking Du Liang reached the throne and ruined Liang. What spoken wound proved worse? It violated his own counsel.〉 When slandered examine yourself. If you earned blame they speak truth; if blameless they babble. Truth frees resentment lies cannot wound—why strike back? Rage at rumor spreads worse gossip—stay mute and reform. Proverb states 'Against cold nothing like heavy fur against slander nothing like self cultivation.' Sound counsel. Shun quarrelsome villains—never fence with them. The damage runs deep. Hypocrisy shows thin easy to read; yet crowds trust without matching deeds to words. Wei Feng and Cao Wei misled the age with vice seduced youth. Execution warned yet many were stained. Beware. 〈The Shiyu notes Sun Quan sent memorials in Huangchu. Cao Wei crossed the river as a commoner traded letters with Sun Quan for bribes to court Luoyang—hence execution.〉
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洿 宿 退
Hermits starving at Shouyang dying at Mianshan shame greed—I honor them yet neither sage nor I choose that path. Your house bears caps through merit famed for duty care filial piety and scholarship. I walk among peers serve or withdraw differently—each teaches. Guo Boyi of Yingchuan prizes breadth clever wise. He seems magnanimous yet lacks breadth and treats rank lightly; Those he favors he lifts like mountains those he spurns he treats like weeds. I befriend him forbid my sons. 〈Boyi is Guo Yi son of Guo Jia.〉 Xu Weichang of Beihai shuns fame easy profit quietly follows the Way. He masks judgment in ancient examples sparing contemporaries. I venerate him—sons model him. Liu Gonggan learned gifted uneven rash merits offset faults. I cherish him forbid imitation. 〈Pei Songzhi: Hu Zhi like Ma Yuan names contemporaries' faults aloud. Wei Feng and Cao Wei deserved exposure—fair warning. Guo and Liu are dead verdict sealed; yet ink brands friends breaks old ties stains heirs with elders' sins. Petty minds reject it. Dongfang Shuo praised Liu Xia wisely sparing living names. Alongside Ma Yuan's blunt warnings Dongfang's tact stands altogether finer.〉 Ren Zhao of Lean lived purity inward grace outward humility humble brave selfless at court. I love him—sons obey. 〈His given name Gu. 〈Separate biography heading.〉 Gu came from Bochang in Lean. His family had long been a famous surname, and his early wisdom was formed by nature, so the people of his village made a saying about him: "The Jiang family's elder, the Ren family's boy." Father Ren Zhao style Ziyu famed for virtue. Late Han Yellow Turbans rose famine drove men to cannibalism. When the bandits reached Bochang and heard Zhao's surname and style name, they said to one another, "We have long heard that Ren Ziyu is a worthy man under heaven. Even as robbers how raid his town?" They withdrew. Fame spread summons as filial magistrate at Suanzao Zhu'a. Gu mourned his mother at eight with an adult's grief famed for filial depth. At fourteen he mastered the classics earning prodigy fame. In famine he sold fish taxes spiked prices Gu charged the usual fee. He co-bought slaves eight bolts each. Owners ransomed at sixty bolts market rate. Partners wanted full price Gu took eight bolts only. Shamed partners refunded surplus. A neighbor arbitrarily plowed and planted several dozen mu of Gu's land. When someone told Gu, Gu said, "I myself had lent it to him." The farmer returned the plots ashamed. Litigants brought disputes to Gu. When sons and younger kinsmen behaved badly, their fathers and elder brothers privately rebuked them, saying, "Could what you are doing be allowed to become known to Lord Ren?" Such was his moral sway. Cao Cao summoned virtue Gu served Linzi heir aide minister gentleman. Under Wen yellow gate attendant. He copied loyal memorials carried drafts unsigned from palace. Emperor praised caution promoted him Dong Zhao Hedong governors lasting influence. Gu was humble deferential. Quiet virtue drew little praise. Thirty-eight chapters forty thousand characters. After death clerks memorialized life and works. Edict filed with palace library.〉 Extend by analogy—one corner hints at the whole. Spend money on kin first give alms to those in crisis honor old friends speak without malicious gossip promote loyalty hire substance beware arrogance in office endure poverty without self-pity advance or retreat with judgment apply careful thought that is all. With that I have no more fear for you.
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In Qinglong 4 an edict said, 'We wish to find men of talent, wisdom, and literary ability, whose plans and deliberations are deep, who can judge the distant as if it were near, see clearly into obscurity, deploy no calculation in vain, issue no plan without purpose, remain upright, unified, cautious, pure, cultivated, discreet, and quiet, laboring tirelessly with their ambitions fixed on public service. Do not limit them by age or teeth, and do not bind selection to noble or humble status. Each minister and commandant and above shall recommend one man.' Sima Yi recommended Wang Chang. Zhengshi saw Wang Chang move to Xu as marquis of Wuguan south-conquering general over Jing and Yu. States keep standing armies yet battles stay unpredictable; terrain offers fixed strongpoints defense needs shifting tactics. His Wan camp lay far from Xiangyang with scattered posts and boats at Xuanchi—too slow to reinforce—so he moved headquarters to Xinyue trained river fleets farmed both provinces and filled granaries.
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使 祿使 使
At the beginning of Jiaping, after Grand Tutor Sima Yi had executed Cao Shuang, he memorialized broadly asking the great ministers about successes and failures. Chang stated governing strategy five items 'First desire elevate Way earnest learning suppress cut vain glitter cause imperial sons enter academy and cultivate schools; second institute exams like using a plumb line—no justice without measures; third keep officials long enough to prove merit before promoting; fourth pay civil servants enough that they need not prey on commoners; fifth outlaw luxury enforce sumptuary rules stockpile grain and silk restore plain living." Imperial praise followed. Court ordered an evaluation code Wang Chang noted Tang-Yu promoted and demoted yet left no exam statute. Zhou's minister tallied performance without standardized comparisons. Wise rulers judge ministers through their superiors' networks—merit surfaces. That was his gist.
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使 使 使 西
Second year Chang memorialized 'Sun Quan banished good ministers legitimate and bastard branches contend—can exploit rift control Wu Shu; The belt from Baidi to Yiling lay north of the river touching Xincheng—ripe for seizure." He sent Zhou Tai against Wu Zigui and Fangling Wang Ji to Yiling himself to Jiangling bridging both banks to strike. Wu fled south cutting seven approaches for assault. Repeating crossbows volleyed Shi Ji fled into Jiangling hundreds died in pursuit. He baited Wu onto dry ground feigned withdrawal flaunted trophies round the walls and hid ambushers. Shi Ji chased and lost. Shi Ji ran Wang Chang slew Zhong Limao and Xu Min seized gear and withdrew. Wang Ji and Zhou Tai earned credit. Wang Chang became great south-conquering general with three-ducal honors marquis of Jingling. He blocked Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin's revolt won titles for two sons and became mounted escort general. During Zhuge Dan's revolt Wang Chang pinned Jiangling keeping Shi Ji and Quan Xi west. Dan already executed edict said 'Formerly Sun Bin aided Zhao straight struck Daliang. The western thrust shaped the eastern campaign." His fief grew one thousand households to four thousand seven hundred plus minister of works with unchanged command. He died Ganlu 4 as marquis Mu.
18
Son Wang Hun inherited later colonel of agile cavalry. 〈The Jin history traces Wang Hun from cavalry to minister who conquered Wu. His son Wang Ji Wuzi was famed governor of Henan and grand coachman. He died young honored posthumously as mounted escort general. Brother Wang Shen governed Ji Province. Wang Zhan Chuchong ran Runan. Wang Cheng Anqi served eastern sea. Wang Shu Huai zu became secretary general and guards general. Wang Tanzhi Wendu commanded north center and Yan-Xu. Of Wang Chang's line Wang Zhan was most praised Wang Cheng a celebrated scholar Wang Shu and Wang Tanzhi famed—the clan ruled society. Details from Wang Zhan onward appear in the Jin Yangqiu.〉
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輿 宿
Wang Ji Boyu came from Qucheng in Donglai. Orphaned young he lived with his uncle Weng. Weng raised him devotedly and Ji earned praise for filial care. At seventeen clerical duty bored him so he studied abroad in Langye. Huangchu brought recommendation as filial and incorrupt and gentleman status. Inspector Wang Ling prized him as aide later palace secretary Ling reclaimed him. Wang Lang tried to hire him Wang Ling refused to release. Lang submitted a memorial impeaching the province, saying, "In general, worthy household ministers rose to become ducal aides, and worthy public ministers entered royal service; thus in antiquity marquises and earls had a ritual for presenting scholars. Keeping a bodyguard clerk and archive secretary is unheard of." Ling still refused. Ling's glowing reports on Qingzhou owed much to Wang Ji. Sima Yi summoned him before arrival promoted him palace secretary.
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使
Emperor Ming's palace works exhausted the people. Ji submitted memorial saying 'Your servant hears ancients used water liken people saying water therefore floats boat also therefore overturns boat. Rulers must fear the flood they ride. Ease breeds complacency hardship breeds caution—sage kings lived plainly to avoid disaster. Yan Yuan warned that driving horses until spent invites ruin. Endless corvées part couples—please heed Yan Yuan's lesson spare the horses before they drop. Jia Yi compared imperial kin to sleeping on Kindling. With warlords armed slack rein invites rebellion tight grip sparks revolt—danger waits heirs. Were Jia Yi alive his warning would bite harder today."
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使
Wang Su rewrote ritual glosses Wang Ji defended Zheng Xuan. He governed Anping then left per regulation. Cao Shuang made him aide then Anfeng governor. Anfeng faced Wu—his stern humane rule and defenses kept foes out. He gained rank general who Campaigns Bandits. When Wu massed at Jianye Zhuge Dan asked Wang Ji's reading. Ji said 'Formerly Sun Quan twice arrived Hefei once arrived Jiangxia afterward Quan Zong issued Luju Zhu Ran invaded Xiangyang all without merit returned. Lu Xun was dead Sun Quan aged with no worthy heir or chief planner. If Sun Quan marched himself court intrigue might boil over. Sending generals meant no veterans and raw recruits. The parade aimed to steady factions not conquer Wei." Sun Quan never marched. With Cao Shuang misruling Wang Ji wrote the Treatise on Timely Essentials. Recalled ill for Henan governor before investiture Shuang fell so Wang Ji like other clients lost office.
22
Same year he joined the masters of writing then Jingzhou with Displays Fury general under Wang Chang against Wu. He struck Bu Xie at Yiling who shut the gates. He feigned assault seized Xiongfufu granaries thirty thousand hu captured Tan Zheng and thousands of prisoners. He settled captives as Yiling county. He earned secondary marquis. He walled Shangchang moved Jiangxia seat to threaten Xiakuo halting Wu crossings. Clear laws farms and schools won southern praise. Court debated invading Wu and asked Wang Ji's plan. Ji replied 'Soldiers move yet without merit then awesome name breaks outside wealth exhausts inside therefore must complete then use. Without riverside grain and fleets stacking troops proves nothing. Jiangling's Ju and Zhang rivers feed thousands of fertile acres. Anlu's ponds spread rich soil. Farm both zones stockpile grain then thrust from Jiangling and Yiling hold Xiakuo float supplies downriver. Wu seeing long sieges loses heart while converts stiffen loyalty. Tribes strike interior elites strike exterior—above Xiakuo falls and south-bank counties collapse. Sever Wu from Shu and Wu falls. Otherwise invasion gains nothing." Court dropped the plan.
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When Sima Jingwang had newly taken charge of government, Ji wrote to warn him, saying, "The realm is vast and its countless affairs are complex; one must be cautious and diligent, sitting up until dawn. Right intent banishes intrigue calm mind steadies affairs careful policy avoids decree churn loyal appointments win every quarter. Peace abroad begins at home order begins in the ruler's breast. Xu Yun Fu Gu Yuan Kan and Cui Zan were honest blunt men fit for joint counsel." Sima Shi took his advice.
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使
Cao Mao's accession raised Wang Ji to marquis of Changle village. During Guanqiu Jian's revolt Wang Ji supervised Xuchang troops with staff and met Sima Shi there. Jingwang said 'You calculate Jian et al. how?' Ji said 'Huainan rebellion not clerks people wish chaos—Jian et al. deceive threaten force fear—fear execution before eyes—therefore still crowd gather ear. A major thrust would shatter them—Jian and Qin's heads would hang by noon." Jingwang said 'Good.' He put Wang Ji in the vanguard. Advisers feared Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin's wild temper. Court ordered Wang Ji to halt. Ji considered 'Jian et al. raise army sufficient deep enter yet long not advance—this their deceit exposed crowds hearts doubtful disheartened. Hiding behind walls looked timid and betrayed public hope. Raids and trapped garrison families would push men toward the rebels; coerced troops fearing execution would never return—stasis bred crime. Wu could seize Huainan and threaten the Central Plain—a disastrous miscalculation. He urged seizing Nandun's granary—forty days' supply. Hold the fortified depot seize initiative—that crushes rebels." After repeated pleas he was allowed to hold the Yin River line. Already arrived again spoke saying 'Soldiers hear clumsy speed not see skill late long. Foreign foes and traitors within demanded immediate decision. Many urged caution. Caution yes paralysis no. Caution means advancing irresistibly not standing still. Stockpiling behind walls feeds the enemy and strains supply lines." Sima Shi waited for full concentration and hesitated. Ji said 'General in army lord command has not receive. Nandun was the contested prize both sides needed." He seized Nandun first forcing Jian back to Xiang. Deng Ai held Lejia while Wen Qin struck him for Jian. Wang Ji exploited the split pressed Xiang and broke Jian. After victory Wang Ji became Guards South general Yu governor marquis of Anle. He asked two hundred households for uncle Wang Qiao's secondary marquis. The throne approved.
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使 便
Zhuge Dan's revolt put Wang Ji eastward general over Yang and Yu. At the time the main army was at Xiang. Because the rebel troops were elite, the court ordered Wang Ji to draw in the army and strengthen the ramparts. Wang Ji repeatedly petitioned for permission to advance and attack. Wu then sent Zhu Yi to relieve Zhuge Dan, and he camped at Ancheng. Wang Ji then received another edict ordering him to lead the armies over to occupy the northern hills. He told the generals, 'The siege works are now increasingly firm and our troops are gathering. We should simply perfect our defenses and wait for the enemy to break out. If we instead move troops to guard difficult ground and allow the enemy to slip loose, even a wise man could not manage the aftermath well.' He therefore held his ground according to circumstances and memorialized, 'Now that we are facing the rebel force, we should remain unmoving as a mountain. If we shift position to rely on difficult terrain, the men's hearts will waver and our position will suffer greatly. The armies now all hold deep ditches and high ramparts; the men's hearts are settled and must not be shaken. This is the essential point in commanding troops." Court approved. Sima Zhao moved to Qiutou investing Shouchun. Wang Ji supervised the twenty-six armies east and south of the city, and Sima Zhao ordered the army officers to enter and guard the southern sector, allowing nothing to be sent through. Starving defenders assaulted Wang Ji repulsed every bid. After Shouchun was captured, Wenwang wrote to Ji, saying, "At first the debaters had many opinions, and many requested relocation. Before I had personally gone there, I too thought that was proper. Wang Ji defied orders defied consensus and won—no ancient better." Sima Zhao wanted light forces to raid Wu via defectors' kin. Ji remonstrated saying 'Formerly Zhuge Ke riding Dongguan victory exhaust Jiangbiao troops surround Xincheng city already not pull yet crowds dead more than half. And Jiang Wei's deep raid that starved at Shanggui. Great victories breed contempt, and contempt breeds shallow planning. Wu was wounded inside and out—time to regroup not chase. This campaign ran a year yielded one hundred thousand prisoners unmatched since antiquity. Cao Cao stopped chasing Yuan partly to preserve prestige." Sima Zhao desisted. Huainan settled Wang Ji became east-conquering general marquis of Dongwu. He credited aides earning seven marquisates.
26
His mother's death was concealed his father reburied at Luoyang posthumous governor rank. Ganlu 4 brought south-conquering command over Jingzhou. Cao Huan's accession added one thousand households. Two sons earned marquis titles.
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使 便 便 西谿 歿
In Jingyuan 2, the Grand Administrator of Xiangyang reported that the Wu men Deng You and others wished to defect. Wang Ji was ordered to use the opening to unsettle the south. Wang Ji suspected a trick and sent an urgent report explaining the situation. He further said, "Since the Jiaping era there have repeatedly been internal troubles. The task now is to secure the state and pacify the people; it is not yet proper to mobilize the masses in pursuit of gains abroad." Prince Wen replied, "In handling affairs, most men bend and go along; few can stand firm and fully examine principle and fact. I am truly moved by your loyal concern, and whenever I receive your corrections and advice, I respectfully follow your guidance." In the end, Deng You and the others did not defect. 〈Sima Biao's Zhanlüe records this affair of Wang Ji in more detail than the main biography. It says, "In the spring, third month, of Jingyuan 2, Xiangyang Grand Administrator Hu Lie memorialized, 'The Wu men Deng You, Li Guang, and others have joined eighteen camps in a plot to defect. They have sent the generals Zhang Wu and Deng Sheng, along with hostages. They have fixed a date for the commandery army to come to the river and bring them across.' Grand General Sima Zhao reported this to the throne. An edict ordered General Who Campaigns South Wang Ji to deploy the armies, sent Hu Lie with ten thousand men straight to the Ju River, and had the southern garrisons of Jing Province and Yiyang camp at Yicheng; when the letter arrived, they set out at dawn. If Deng You and the others arrived as promised, this could be used to shake the south. Wang Ji suspected the enemy was feigning surrender to lure in government troops, and sent an express message asking Prince Wen to stop, explaining why Deng You and the others were suspicious. 'Moreover, we should first clarify the situation; it is not fitting to send a large force deep in response.' He also said, 'East of Yiling the road follows a cart track, and only at Chian can one cross onto level ground; westward, one must come out at Jianxi mouth before reaching open land. Both routes are steep, narrow, and choked with bamboo and trees. If a pass is suddenly blocked, crossbows and cavalry cannot deploy. Now our composite bows are weakened, the rains and floods are arriving, and we would abandon the work of peak farming season to chase an uncertain gain through hardship. This is the danger in the affair. In the former Ziwu campaign, the army marched several hundred li into steady rain; bridges and galleries collapsed, rear grain rotted, and the vanguard was left in want. Jiang Wei pushed deep without waiting for his baggage train; his soldiers went hungry, and his army was ruined at Shanggui. Wen Qin and Tang Zi brought Wu's main forces to Shouchun, were blinded by gain, and died without returning. All these recent affairs are warnings. Since the Jiaping era, internal troubles have come one after another. What is appropriate now is to stabilize the altars of soil and grain, soothe those above and below, strengthen agriculture and attend to the root, and cherish and pacify the people; it is not yet appropriate to move the masses in pursuit of external gain. Success would not amount to much; failure would damage our authority and prestige.' After receiving repeated letters from Wang Ji, Prince Wen grew doubtful. Soon he ordered the armies already on the road to halt in place and await further instructions. Wang Ji again told Prince Wen, 'Formerly the Han Founder accepted Li Yiji's proposal to enfeoff the Six Kingdoms; when Zhang Liang made him see the danger, he hurried to melt down the seals. My plans are shallow and short-sighted and truly do not measure up to the Marquis of Liu, but I too fear that Xiangyang has made Li Yiji's mistake.' Prince Wen then called off the army's readiness, and afterward Deng You and the others indeed did not defect."〉
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Ji died that year and was posthumously made Minister of Works, styled Marquis Jing. His son Hui succeeded but died young. During Xianxi, when the five noble ranks were instituted, Ji’s grandson Yi was enfeoffed for his grandfather’s service, and one son received Dongwu’s remaining fief as a secondary marquis. When the Jin took the throne, an edict declared, "The late Minister of Works Wang Ji won merit and lived plainly, held high office for years without private wealth—conduct that outlived him and could edify the age. Grant his household two servants."
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Section heading Historical appraisal.
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Appraisal Xu Miao incorrupt and magnanimous Hu Zhi plain Wang Chang capable Wang Ji learned upright—all governed frontiers with fame. They were pillars of state and ornaments of the age.
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