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卷二十八 魏書二十八 王毌丘諸葛鄧鍾傳

Volume 28: Book of Wei 28: Biographies of Wang, Guanqiu, Zhuge, Deng and Zhong

Chapter 28 of 三國志 · Records of the Three Kingdoms
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1
Wang Ling, Guanqiu Jian, Zhuge Dan, Deng Ai, and Zhong Hui.
2
簿
Wang Ling, styled Yan Yun, was a native of Qi in Taiyuan commandery. His uncle Wang Yun served the Han as Minister over the Masses and executed Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo's officers Li Jue and Guo Si, among others, avenged their master: they entered Chang'an, put Wang Yun to death, and slaughtered his whole family. Wang Ling and his older brother Wang Chen were still boys; they scaled the wall and escaped, then fled incognito to their home district. Wang Ling was nominated as filial and incorrupt and appointed magistrate of Fagan county, 〈The Brief Account of Wei relates that while he was county magistrate he ran afoul of the law and was sentenced to five years of shaved-head penal labor sweeping the streets. As Cao Cao's carriage passed, he asked who these laborers were, and his attendants explained what had happened. Cao Cao said, "This young man is my mentor's nephew; his offense was committed in the state's interest." The authorities thereupon appointed him secretary of the Swift Cavalry corps.〉 He rose in stages to governor of Zhongshan, earning a reputation for capable administration until Cao Cao recruited him as an aide in the Chancellor's office.
3
退
After Emperor Wen took the throne, Wang Ling was named attendant at irregular cavalry, then posted out as inspector of Yan Province; he joined Zhang Liao and others at Guangling for the expedition against Sun Quan. When they reached the Yangzi, a gale blew up that night and drove the vessels of Wu officers including Lü Fan onto the northern shore. Wang Ling and the Wei commanders counterattacked: they took heads and prisoners, seized enemy craft, and Wang Ling was rewarded with the village marquisate of Yicheng, the title general who establishes martial prowess, and a transfer to Qing Province. The coastal regions had yet to recover their laws and institutions after the chaos of war. Wang Ling governed with clear rewards and punishments and firm standards of conduct; the people praised him ceaselessly. He later accompanied Cao Xiu against Wu; at Jiashi Cao Xiu's army was routed, but Wang Ling fought his way through the encirclement and saved Cao Xiu from disaster. He was then moved to successive postings as inspector of Yang and of Yu, winning the goodwill of soldiers and civilians in each. On first reaching Yu he singled out the heirs of noted men of old, sought obscure talent, and issued well-crafted directives—policy that was as admirable in spirit as in letter. Wang Ling had long been on good terms with Sima Lang and Jia Kui; once he governed Yan and Yu, he was seen as walking in their footsteps. Early in the Zhengshi period he was named general who conquers the east, invested with the jie staff as commander-in-chief of Yang Province. In the second year of the era, Quan Zong of Wu led tens of thousands against the Shaopi reservoir; Wang Ling took the field, contested the dikes day after day, and drove the enemy back. He was raised to marquis of Nanxiang with a fief of 1,350 households, then promoted to chariot-and-cavalry general with honors matching the three senior ministers.
4
249 使 宿 西 使使 使 使 簿 使西 便宿 使 使 使 使西
At this time Wang Ling's nephew Linghu Yu, valued for his talent, served as inspector of Yan Province from a base at Ping'a. Uncle and nephew both held military command and together controlled the Huainan front. Wang Ling was soon transferred to the post of Minister of Works. After Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan, executed Cao Shuang, he promoted Wang Ling to grand commandant and invested him with the jie staff and battle-axe. Wang Ling and Linghu Yu secretly plotted together, arguing that the Prince of Qi was unfit for the throne while Cao Biao, Prince of Chu, was grown and capable; they meant to enthrone Biao and move the capital to Xuchang. In the ninth month of the first year of Jiaping (249), Linghu Yu sent General Zhang Shi to Baima to exchange messages with Cao Biao. Wang Ling also sent his attendant Lao Jing to Luoyang to speak with his son Wang Guang. Wang Guang said, "Deposing and enthroning is a grave matter; do not invite disaster by acting first." The Spring and Autumn of Han and Jin says Wang Ling and Linghu Yu plotted that the emperor was still a boy dominated by powerful ministers and unfit to rule; Cao Biao, Prince of Chu, was grown and talented, and they wished to enthrone him to revive the House of Cao. Wang Ling sent someone to inform Wang Guang, and Guang replied, "Every great undertaking must follow what people will accept. Cao Shuang lost the people through arrogance and extravagance; He Yan was empty talk without real governance; and though Ding, Bi, Huan, and Deng all enjoyed old standing, they competed ruthlessly for power. They also kept changing court institutions and issuing new orders; their ideals were high but never reached the people below, who clung to old ways and would not follow them. So although their power shook the realm and their fame resounded across the world, when they were executed on the same day and half the leading men were killed, the common people were untroubled and no one mourned them—they had lost the people. Sima Yi's intentions may be hard to read and nothing rebellious has yet appeared, but he is promoting able men, surrounding himself with talent, restoring earlier court policies, and giving the people what they want. Whatever wrongs Cao Shuang did, they are changing them; they labor day and night and put the people's welfare first. Father, sons, and brothers together hold military power; they will not be easy to overthrow." Wang Ling would not listen. Pei Songzhi remarks that passages of this kind appear in no earlier history, yet they still come from the Xi clan's compilation. Moreover the phrasing and style do not resemble older works; I suspect Xi Zuochi invented them himself. In the eleventh month Linghu Yu again sent Zhang Shi to Cao Biao; before Shi returned, Yu died of illness. The Book of Wei says Linghu Yu, styled Gongzhi, was originally named Jun; in the Huangchu era he served as protector of the army who harmonizes with the Rong. Wuhuan colonel Tian Yu had merit fighting the Hu but slightly exceeded his orders; Linghu Yu punished him according to law. The emperor was furious, had Yu shackled and imprisoned, stripped him of office, and punished him, issuing an edict that said, 'How foolish Jun is!' He was therefore given that as his name. During Zhengshi he served as chief clerk to Cao Shuang, and later went out as inspector of Yan Province. The Brief Account of Wei says Linghu Yu heard that Cao Biao, Prince of Chu, was wise and brave. Earlier in Dong commandery a rumor spread: "A demon horse appeared on the White Horse River; at night it passed the government pasture and neighed, and all the horses answered; the next day tracks as large as a hu measure were seen for several li before they returned into the river." There was also a ballad: "A white horse with plain bridle gallops southwest—who rides it? Zhu Hu rides." The Prince of Chu's childhood name was Zhu Hu, so Linghu Yu and Wang Ling secretly plotted to enthrone him. They first sent someone to sound out the prince, saying, 'The envoy thanks Your Highness; affairs under heaven are uncertain—may Your Highness take care of yourself!' Cao Biao also understood their meaning in secret and answered, 'Thank the envoy; I understand the generous intent.' In the second year Mars lingered in the Southern Dipper; Wang Ling said, "There is a star in the Dipper—someone will rise suddenly to great honor." The Brief Account of Wei says Wang Ling heard that Hao Xiang of Dongping understood astronomy and summoned him for questioning. Hao Xiang suspected Wang Ling had an ulterior motive and wanted to please him; he said nothing about mourning deaths in Wu, but said Huainan lay in the Chu asterism and that Wu and Chu now shared the same station—a king would rise. Wang Ling's plan was thus settled. In the spring of the third year Wu forces blocked the Tushui. Wang Ling wished to use this as his opening, mustered his forces on a grand scale, and memorialized requesting permission to attack the enemy; The court replied and refused permission. Wang Ling's secret plot deepened further; he sent General Yang Hong to reveal the deposition plot to Huang Hua, inspector of Yan Province, and Hua and Hong jointly reported it to Grand Tutor Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan. Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan, led the central army by water against Wang Ling; he first issued a pardon absolving Ling's crimes, also brought Minister of the Masters of Writing Wang Guang east to write instructing him, and the main force suddenly reached Baichi and pressed Ling. Knowing himself beaten, Wang Ling took a boat out alone to meet Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan; he sent clerk Wang Yu to apologize and surrendered his seal, ribbon, jie staff, and battle-axe. When the army reached Qiutou, Wang Ling bound himself and waited at the water's edge. Acting on imperial command, Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan, sent his chief clerk to unbind him and restore his dress, received Wang Ling and comforted him, returned his seal, ribbon, jie staff, and battle-axe, and sent six hundred infantry and cavalry to escort him back to the capital. Wang Ling reached Xiang and took poison to die. The Brief Account of Wei records Wang Ling's letter to the Grand Tutor: "Suddenly I heard your divine army had secretly set out and was already at Baichi. Though I knew my fate was spent and our meeting delayed, with body and head separated, I took no offense. Envoys I sent before and after carried letters that received no reply; I stood on tiptoe looking west, with nothing to compare it to. After I sent my letter yesterday, I took a boat to meet you and lodged at Qiutou; at dawn I set out from Pukou, received the posted pardon edict, and also received your update of the twenty-third day, successive papers instructing me; hearing your command I was stunned, my inner self lost all bearing—I did not know where I could stand? I have long enjoyed court favor undeservedly and failed in repeated trials of office; I commanded troops and governed the eastern realm, affairs were neglected, my heart transgressed righteousness, and my crimes number in the three hundred statutes; wife and children share my fate, and there is nothing left to pray for. I never imagined such imperial favor, vast as heaven and earth; I unexpectedly received the gift of life and again beheld sun and moon. My late nephew Linghu Yu was swayed by the talk of petty men; I immediately rebuked and restrained him and would not let him finish. Since men already knew and the spirits witnessed it, no affair lacks concealment; when it was suddenly exposed, I knew this was the crime deserving execution and extermination of kin. Those who gave me birth were my parents; he who gives me life is you." He also added: "Caught in criminal punishment, I wrongly received pardon. Now I send a clerk with my seal and ribbon; when he shortly arrives, I shall as the edict commands bind myself and surrender. Though you may favor me privately, the law has its proper divisions." When he arrived, he did as the letter said. The Grand Tutor sent someone to unbind him. Having received pardon, Wang Ling trusted additionally in their old friendship, no longer doubted himself, and took a small boat straight toward the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor sent someone to meet and stop him; his boat remained in midstream on the Huai, more than ten zhang apart. Knowing he was treated as an outsider, Wang Ling called out from afar to the Grand Tutor: "You could simply have summoned me with a folded letter—how would I have dared not come? Yet you brought an army!" The Grand Tutor said, "Because you were not one who would heed a folded letter." Wang Ling said, "You have wronged me!" The Grand Tutor said, "I would rather wrong you than wrong the state." Thereupon he sent men to escort him west. Knowing his guilt was grave, Wang Ling tried asking for coffin nails to test the Grand Tutor's intention; the Grand Tutor gave them to him. When Wang Ling reached Xiang, he summoned his clerks at night to take leave, saying, "Eighty years of age—body and name both destroyed!" Thereupon he killed himself. Gan Bao's Annals of Jin says that when Wang Ling reached Xiang he saw Jia Kui's shrine beside the water and called out, "Jia Liangdao, Wang Ling was truly loyal to the altars of Wei—only you spirits know it." That same year in the eighth month the Grand Tutor fell ill; he dreamed Wang Ling and Jia Kui had become plague demons, found it deeply hateful, and then died.
5
Linghu Yu.
6
使 祿 使 退
Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan, marched into Shouchun. Zhang Shi and others turned themselves in, and the entire conspiracy was investigated to the end. Cao Biao was compelled to take his own life, and everyone implicated was executed along with three generations of kin. 〈The Brief Account of Wei introduces Shan Gu of Shanyang, styled Gongxia, as a man of solid ability. During Zhengshi, Linghu Yu, inspector of Yan Province, was close to Gu's father Bolong; he recruited Shan Gu and meant to install him as provincial aide. Shan Gu had no wish to serve on the provincial staff and pleaded illness to refuse. Linghu Yu pressed him with ever greater courtesy, yet Shan Gu would not yield. His mother, of the Xiahou clan, told him: "The inspector and your father have been friends for years—that is why he keeps calling for you. You ought to take office in any case; go." Unable to refuse further, he went and, alongside Yang Kang of the provincial bureau staff, became one of Linghu Yu's inner circle. When Linghu Yu later conspired with Wang Ling, Yang Kang and Shan Gu were both privy to the plot. Linghu Yu then fell ill; Yang Kang obeyed the minister of education's summons to Luoyang, while Shan Gu resigned his post, again citing sickness. In the capital Yang Kang revealed what he knew, whereupon the grand tutor marched east against Wang Ling. At Shouchun, Shan Gu was brought before the grand tutor, who asked: "Were you aware that this plot was real?" Shan Gu said he had not known. The grand tutor said, "Set aside what just happened for now. Tell me—did Linghu Yu rebel?" Again Shan Gu denied it. Yang Kang then informed, linking Shan Gu to every detail. Shan Gu and his kin were taken into custody and handed to the minister of justice; though questioned repeatedly, he still insisted he knew nothing. The grand tutor had Yang Kang brought in to confront Shan Gu face to face. Cornered, Shan Gu turned on Yang Kang: "You worthless old fool—you betrayed your lord and wiped out my family—do you think you will survive?" Once his confession was recorded and sent up, they awaited the minister of justice's ruling; by old practice prisoners could still visit mother, wife, and children. When he faced his mother he could not lift his eyes; she knew his shame and called him by his style: "Gongxia, you never wanted that provincial appointment—I pushed you into it. You chose to serve as an official—what happened follows from that. If our house falls, I bear no grudge. You meant to speak with me before the end." Shan Gu never raised his eyes nor uttered another word—so he went to his death. Yang Kang had hoped his confession would win him honors; when his story proved inconsistent, he was executed alongside the others. On the way to execution both men were led from jail; Shan Gu cursed Yang Kang again: "Slave—you chose your own death. If the dead have any knowledge, what face would you have in the underworld?"〉" The court held that Spring and Autumn precedent justified posthumous punishment Cui Zhu of Qi and Guisheng of Zheng had suffered—exposing the corpse and splintering the coffin, as the classics record. Wang Ling and Linghu Yu deserved the same ancient penalties. Their graves were opened, the coffins broken open, and the bodies displayed three days in the nearest town; seals, court dress, and ribbons were burned, and what remained was covered with bare earth. 〈Gan Bao records that Ma Long, a Yan Province clerk from Dongping, passed himself off as Linghu Yu's retainer, paid for a second burial from his own purse, mourned three years, and planted pine and cypress at the grave. Men of learning across the province were put to shame by his integrity.〉 Wang Hong and Wang Hua were promoted to village marquises. Wang Guang was a man of ambition and learning; he was a little over forty when he died. 〈The Wei chronicle gives Wang Guang's style as Gong Yuan. His brothers Wang Feixiao and Wang Jinhu were both formidable fighters. The grand tutor once asked Jiang Ji for his opinion. Jiang said, "Wang Ling's abilities in civil and military affairs are unrivaled in our time; Wang Guang and his brothers almost equal their father in resolve." When he had stepped aside, he regretted what he had said and told his confidants, "That compliment could wipe out whole families." The Traditions of Late Wei adds that Wang Ling's youngest son, styled Mingshan, was the best known of the brothers: he wrote a fine hand and possessed many talents, and others copied his brushwork as a standard. He ran toward Taiyuan until the pursuit caught up; a bird settled in a mulberry and dipped with the branch—he shot it down at once, and the chase halted. Mingshan sought food with in-laws, who denounced him to the authorities, and he was taken.〉
7
使 西 使 殿 使
Guanqiu Jian, styled Zhonggong, was a native of Wenxi in Hedong commandery. His father Guanqiu Xing, in early Huangchu served as administrator of Wuwei, subdued rebels, opened the lands west of the Yellow River, and ranked just below Su Ze of Jincheng. For merit against the bandit Zhang Jin and rebellious Hu tribes, he was enfeoffed as marquis of Gaoyang precinct. Memorials of Wei Worthies records Inspector Zhang Ji of Yong Province memorializing: "The lands west of the Yellow River are remote and long troubled; Wuwei sits at the throat of the routes among the commanderies, with Han and tribal peoples mixed together and frequent military unrest. When Acting Administrator Guanqiu Xing took office, he soothed officials and people within and won over the Qiang and Hu without, finally making them gentle and attached so they served the government. When Huang Hua and Zhang Jin first plotted rebellion, Xing's spirit was loyal and fierce; facing peril he did not flinch, and for officers and tribesmen alike he explained fortune and disaster until he wept as he spoke. At that time tens of thousands of men and women were stirred to gratitude; with bodies marred and hair disheveled they vowed their lives. Soon he led crack troops against Zhangye and rescued Acting Administrator Du Tong and Administrator Zhang Mu of Xihai. The officials and people of Fanhe and Liqian in Zhangye and the mixed Hu of the commandery abandoned evil and came to Xing; he comforted them all and had them farm. Wherever Xing served, he exhausted heart and strength—truly a fine officer of the state. Since Your Highness took the throne, you have given careful attention to the countless affairs of state. If there is even the slightest merit, it is always rewarded and recorded. Your servant, humbly following your sacred intent, points out this matter." He entered court as master of works. Jian inherited his father's rank and served as literary aide to the marquis of Pingyuan. When Emperor Ming took the throne, he became an attendant of the masters of writing and was transferred to colonel of the Feathered Forest. As an old companion of the eastern palace, he was greatly favored. He went out to serve as agricultural officer of Luoyang. At the time peasants were being taken to build palaces; Jian submitted a memorial saying: "Your servant considers that what the realm most urgently needs to eliminate are the two bandits, and what it most urgently needs to attend to are clothing and food. If the two bandits are not destroyed and officers and people hunger and freeze, even lofty palaces are of no benefit." He was transferred to inspector of Jing Province.
8
使 西 輿
During Qinglong the emperor prepared an expedition against Liaodong; trusting Guanqiu Jian's judgment, he transferred him to You Province as inspector, named him general who crosses the Liao with jie authority, and put him in charge of the Wuhuan colonelcy. He brought the You armies to Xiangping and camped at Liaosui. Kou Loudun, chanyu of the Youbeiping Wuhuan, and Huliu, the Liaoxi Wuhuan chief styled king who leads the host—men who had followed Yuan Shang into Liaodong—came in with more than five thousand followers. Kou Loudun sent his brother Aluo Pan and others to court with tribute; over twenty Wuhuan leaders received marquisates or royal titles, with graded gifts of vehicles, horses, and silk. Gongsun Yuan offered battle but lost and pulled back. The following year the emperor ordered Sima Yi, as grand commandant, to lead the central army and tens of thousands under Guanqiu Jian against Gongsun Yuan and secure Liaodong. For his part in the victory Guanqiu Jian was ennobled as marquis of Anyi with a fief of 3,900 households.
9
穿
During Zhengshi, Gaogouli having raided and rebelled repeatedly, Guanqiu Jian led ten thousand horse and foot out of Xuantu commandery along several routes. King Gong of Gaogouli brought twenty thousand men to the Feisui River and fought a major engagement at Liangkou. 〈The note reads liang with the same vowel as ke ("thirst").〉 Gong was routed again and again and fled. Guanqiu Jian then climbed the tortuous road to Wandu, sacked the Gaogouli capital, and took thousands of heads and prisoners. A Gaogouli official titled peizhe named Delai repeatedly urged King Gong to reconsider. 〈Pei Songzhi cites the Eastern Yi treatise: peizhe is a Gaogouli office title.〉 The king ignored him. Delai sighed, "Before long this soil will be overgrown with weeds." He starved himself to death, and the entire kingdom honored him as a worthy. Guanqiu Jian forbade his troops to disturb Delai's grave or fell his trees; anyone who seized his family let them go. King Gong fled with only his wife and children. Guanqiu Jian withdrew his army. In the sixth year another expedition drove Gong as far as Maigou. Guanqiu Jian sent Wang Qi, governor of Xuantu, in pursuit. 〈Shishuo yinyu records Wang Qi, styled Kongshuo, from Donglai—his grandson was the notorious bandit Wang Mi of Western Jin.〉 They marched over a thousand li past Woju to the southern edge of Sushen territory, carved victory stelae on Mount Wandu and at Naibu city. They killed or accepted the surrender of over eight thousand people; more than a hundred merited noble titles. They cut channels through hills for irrigation, to the people's lasting benefit.
10
退
He became general of the left with jie authority over Yu forces, served as inspector of Yu, then rotated to general who guards the south. After Zhuge Dan's setback at Dong Pass, the court swapped his post with Guanqiu Jian's. Zhuge Dan became general who guards the south and commanded Yu Province. Guanqiu Jian took the post of general who guards the east over Yang Province. When Wu's grand tutor Zhuge Ke invested Hefei's new fortress, Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin held him off until Grand Commandant Sima Fu led the central army east to break the siege and Zhuge Ke withdrew.
11
西 西西 使 便 退使 退 祿 使 輿宿 使 退 使使使 使調 便
At first Guanqiu Jian was on close terms with Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng, and others. Wen Qin, Inspector of Yang Province and Former General, was a townsman of Cao Shuang. Brave, decisive, coarse, and fierce, he had won battle merit several times, but liked to inflate enemy captures in order to seek favor and rewards. These were often not approved, and his resentment grew day by day. Guanqiu Jian deliberately treated Wen Qin generously, and their friendship grew warm. Wen Qin in turn was deeply grateful and gave him his loyalty without reservation. In the first month of the second year of Zhengyuan, a comet tens of zhang long stretched across the northwest sky, rising from the Wu-Chu quarter. Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rejoiced, taking it as an omen in their favor. They then forged an edict of the empress dowager, indicted Grand General Sima Shi, Lord of Jing, sent notices to every commandery and kingdom, and rose in arms. They coerced Huainan garrison commanders at detached posts and officials and commoners alike into Shouchun, built an altar west of the city, drank blood, and proclaimed arms in alliance. The old and weak were left to hold the city while Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin personally led fifty or sixty thousand men across the Huai west to Xiang. Guanqiu Jian held the defense while Wen Qin operated outside as mobile troops. Guanqiu Jian, Wen Qin, and the others submitted a memorial: "The late Chief Minister Sima Yi supported the house of Wei and served with loyal fidelity; Resplendent Ancestor Emperor Ming therefore entrusted him with the charge of guardianship. Sima Yi exhausted his strength and fulfilled his duty to bring peace to the Central Realm. Because the Prince of Qi was intelligent and without foul conduct, he devoted himself in loyal service to the sovereign, and the realm relied on him. Sima Yi wished to campaign against the two barbarian states and settle the realm; he began dividing army grain and fixing a date for a joint advance, but died before it was accomplished. Because Sima Yi had rendered him great service, the Prince of Qi had Sima Shi inherit his father's enterprise and entrusted him with great affairs. Yet Sima Shi, in the prime of life and in office, feigned illness while sitting on strong troops and showing no deportment of a subject. Court ministers condemned him and men of principle mocked him—the whole realm heard of it. This is his first crime. Sima Yi devised plans against the enemy, pounded much army grain, and fixed a day for the campaign. As a great minister Sima Shi ought to remove the state's peril; as a son he ought to complete his father's work. Before the sounds of mourning had ceased he stopped the effort—unfaithful as a minister and unfilial as a son. This is his second crime. When the enemy retreated past Dong Pass he raised troops on his own; three campaigns advanced together, lost men, and were defeated. Years of military stores were exhausted in a day, the enemy returned, the realm was thrown into turmoil, and the dead and wounded were driven from their homes. This is his third crime. The enemy mobilized the whole state, claiming five hundred thousand men, and marched on Shouchun intending to reach Luoyang. Grand Commandant Sima Fu and we devised a plan to block the vital passes, refuse battle, and withdraw to hold Xincheng firm. Huainan officers and soldiers charged spearpoints and trod blades, guarding day and night through a hundred days of exhausting toil until the dead covered the ground. Since Wei first had armies, no hardship in warfare has surpassed this. Yet Sima Shi then followed his own will, made no account of rewards and honors, kept power in his own hands, and submitted to no oversight. This is his fourth crime. The late Director of the Secretariat Li Feng and others, because Sima Shi lacked the restraint of a subject, wished to deliberate on removing him. Sima Shi learned of it and summoned Li Feng; that evening he dragged him out and killed him, loaded the corpse into a coffin, and buried it. Li Feng and the others were great ministers and the sovereign's inner confidants; Sima Shi arbitrarily inflicted cruel violence, and they died without any charge against them. He harbored a heart without regard for the ruler. This is his fifth crime. Sima Yi often declared that the Prince of Qi was himself fit to be ruler and that the righteousness between ruler and minister was settled. For fifteen years he had served the throne; he first wished to return government to the sovereign, inspected the armory, and issued an edict forbidding the forbidden troops to go out without authorization. Knowing himself wicked and unblessed by men and spirits, Sima Shi forged the deposition of the sovereign and heaped charges upon him. Sima Fu, Sima Shi's uncle by the paternal line, was by nature deeply humane and filial; he followed to send off the Prince of Qi, grief beyond his power to bear. All the ministers were angry, yet Sima Shi harbored hardness and paid no regard to great righteousness. This is his sixth crime. Moreover the late Household Counsellor Zhang Ji was executed though guiltless; his wife and children were exterminated, and even the empress dowager was implicated. He intimidated the supreme sovereign and forcibly urged the dismissal—at the moment all were stricken with grief and shock; yet Sima Shi proclaimed celebration and rejoiced. This is his seventh crime. Your Majesty ascended the throne, intelligent, divine, and martial; affairs passed through the sacred heart; you wished to promote austerity and restraint, and all the realm rejoiced; yet Sima Shi did not repent and restore the deportment of a subject, but instead recruited troops, damaged the inner palace, and had ranked marquises guard themselves. From the time Your Majesty took the throne, at first he did not attend court audience. Your Majesty wished to visit Sima Shi's residence in person to inquire after his illness, yet he again refused and would not admit you, not observing the laws and standards. This is his eighth crime. Recently Colonel of the Garrison Xu Yun was to become general who guards the north and kitchen funds were given as bounty, yet Sima Shi memorialized and added capital punishment. Though it was said he was banished, on the road he starved to death; all the realm grieved. This is his ninth crime. The garrisons of the three directions were in one morning left vacant; he selected many elite troops to guard himself, left the five-camp commands unfilled, and packed weapons into his own headquarters. All the realm heard of it; men harbored anger and resentment, false reports filled the roads, and doubt spread throughout the realm. This is his tenth crime. He dismissed many frontier garrison troops to occupy high-grade posts, leaving the four borders empty, wishing to monopolize power and give free rein to his wicked heart. He recruited and seized military colonies, added to their exemptions and rewards, relied on troops, rested in cruelty, and wrecked the old laws. He gathered the feudal kings and princes at Ye, intending to execute them all, and then in a single stroke launch his coup and depose the ruler. Heaven does not long endure wickedness; it made his eye swell so that the deed could not be completed. This is his eleventh crime. Our forebears all followed Grand Ancestor Emperor Wu in campaigning against the violent and cruel and won great merit; with High Ancestor Emperor Wen they received the Han abdication, founded the state and inherited the house, like Yao and Shun passing the throne in succession. We deliberated with Protector of the Army of Anfeng Zheng Yi, Protector of the Army of Lujiang Lu Xuan, Administrator Zhang Xiu, Administrator of Huainan Ding Zun, and Protector of the Army supervising Hefei Wang Xiu, and others. Each, having received grace through successive generations amid a thousand years of turmoil, thought to exhaust body and life to secure the altars of state and the sovereign. If this righteousness is once established, though we burn wife and children or swallow charcoal and lacquer our bodies, we would die without regret. Weighing Sima Shi's crimes, he ought to receive capital punishment to make manifest his wickedness and corruption. The principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals is that one generation's goodness earns one generation's pardon. Sima Yi had great merit, recorded throughout the realm; according to ancient precedent, depose Sima Shi and let him go to his younger brother as a marquis. The younger brother Sima Zhao is loyal, solemn, broad-minded, and clear-sighted; he delights in goodness and loves scholars, has the measure of a lofty gentleman of the age, is loyal and devoted to the state, and does not share Sima Shi's ways. We would break our heads to vouch for him; he can replace Sima Shi in assisting and guiding the sacred person. Grand Commandant Sima Fu is loyal, filial, and careful; he ought to be favored in person and given the posts of guardian and tutor. Protector of the Army and Regular Attendant at the Secretariat Sima Wang is loyal and public-spirited in personal service, competent in office, welcomed the imperial carriage from afar, and has merit in night guard; he can serve as central colonel of the garrison. According to the principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals, great righteousness overrides kinship. Thus the Duke of Zhou executed his younger brother, Shi Que killed his son, and Ji You poisoned his elder brother: above, they acted for the state's interest; below, they preserved the whole clan. Executing Gun and employing Yu is the clear precedent of the sages, praised through ancient and modern times. We beg Your Majesty to issue down our memorial for broad deliberation in the court hall. If our words accord with the Way, let Sima Shi yield his position and make way for the worthy, dismiss troops and remove defenses as in the old ways of the Three Sovereigns, and the realm will be of one accord. If Sima Shi relies on his power and trusts in his masses and will not withdraw of himself, we will lead what we command, traveling day and night together, awaiting orders to give our lives. In what we memorialize today, our only wish is that Great Wei may endure forever, that Your Majesty may carry out a ruler's will, that the calamity of ruin may be kept far away, that the common people may be safe, that the six directions may be united as one, and that loyal ministers and righteous men need feel no shame before the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. We fear that if troops are raised, the realm will fall into disorder. We therefore immediately submit this report and have sent notices to the Three Campaign Generals and to the agricultural officers of the provinces, commanderies, and kingdoms, ordering each of them to reassure the officials and people under their command and not to move rashly. We respectfully set forth the full circumstances for Your Majesty's information. May Your Majesty cherish and nurture your spirit, clearly weigh perils and harms, and thereby bring peace within the seas. Sima Shi monopolizes power and uses force; rewards and punishments are at his own will. Hearing that we have raised the masses, he is sure to issue an edict forbidding passage at passes and fords, cutting off relay dispatches, and on his own authority again levying troops and making arrests. These are Sima Shi's orders, not Your Majesty's edicts; wherever they arrive none may again receive and employ them. We are far away on the road and fear that written communications may not all get through. We therefore grant rewards and punishments as circumstances require and act according to what is expedient, awaiting a settled report to submit by memorial."
12
使 使 退 退 殿 使 西西 便 退 使 使使 西 使使
The grand general took command of all forces against the rebels: Zhuge Dan was to bring the Yu columns from Anfeng toward Shouchun, while Hu Zun, general who conquers the east, struck between Qiao and Song to sever their retreat. The grand general camped at Ruyang and ordered Wang Ji to hold Nandun with the van and wait. Every column was ordered to stand on the defensive and refuse battle. Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin could neither advance to battle nor fall back without risking an attack on Shouchun; cut off from home, they were at their wits' end. Huainan troops had kin north of the Huai; morale collapsed and men surrendered in chains—only recent settlers would still fight for them. The grand general sent Deng Ai with over ten thousand Taishan troops to Lejia as bait; Sima Shi himself followed hard behind from Zhu. Wen Qin took the bait and attacked by night, but at dawn he saw the main host's strength and pulled back. 〈The Wei chronicle names Wen Qin's second son Shu, nicknamed Wild Goose. Though still a boy, he was extraordinarily strong and told his father, "Strike before they form up—we can shatter them." They split into two wings for a night attack on both flanks. Shu led picked men in first, roaring for the grand general until the camp erupted in confusion. Wen Qin failed to arrive on time. At daybreak Shu broke off, and Wen Qin retreated as well. The Wei Final Traditions tells of Yin Damu, once a Cao household slave who attended the emperor; he now accompanied the grand general. Yin knew Sima Shi's eye had been injured; he urged, "Wen Qin was once your man—only others misled him—and he hails from your sovereign's home district. Qin once trusted me—let me ride after him, explain your mercy, and bring him back to your service." The grand general agreed: Yin Damu rode out alone in armor, overtook Wen Qin, and hailed him from a distance. Yin hoped still to save the Caos but spoke softly: "Sir, surely you can endure a few days longer!" He meant Wen Qin to read this as a hint of pardon. Wen Qin missed the point entirely and screamed at Yin: "You served the late emperor—how can you side with Sima Shi's treason? Heaven sees you—Heaven will not shield you!" He strung an arrow to shoot Yin, who wept, "All is lost—do what you can."〉 The grand general sent swift horse in pursuit, shattered Wen Qin's force, and Wen Qin bolted. That same day Guanqiu Jian heard of Wen Qin's defeat, fled in panic by night, and his army melted away. By Shen county his escort had melted away; Guanqiu Jian hid in riverside grass with his youngest brother Xiu and Sun Chong. Zhang Shu, a local under the Anfeng ford captain, shot Guanqiu Jian down and sent his head to Luoyang. Zhang Shu received a marquisate. Xiu and Sun Chong escaped into Wu. Every soldier Wen Qin and Guanqiu Jian had pressed into rebellion submitted. 〈In Wen Qin's letter to Guo Huai he wrote: "General-in-chief Zhabo and the grand tutor (text gloss 'Bo') together received the imperial testament: they mounted the couch, clasped arms, and were charged with the empire—the whole realm knows it. Later Sima Yi crushed him for ambition's sake and wiped out his kin—every one of them among the finest men of the hour; it breaks the heart. You who share Grand Marshal Cao Shuang's blood must feel the wound cut deeper than words can bear. Grand Commandant Wang Ling could not abide his monopoly at court and secretly plotted arms—the coup failed, his clan fell, and even Prince Chu died for it; one imagines your bitterness runs deep. After Sima Yi died, Sima Shi inherited his ambition and grew crueller by the day—deposing sovereigns, killing empresses, slaughtering loyal ministers, all prelude to usurpation. If we tolerate this, what outrage could we not swallow? Bound by duty to ruler and state, I burned with loyal rage—I forgot sleep and food and hesitated at nothing. When Guanqiu Dian's son Bang wrote urging all honors you owed your sovereign—like Lü Wang rallying in old age—calling for word from the east, how could loyal hearts not thrill? So I left wife and children behind and marched thirty thousand west beside Guanqiu Jian to rescue the throne—yet westward we heard nothing; Confucius longing for Gao Chai scarcely matches our desperation. Righteous men do not yield precedence—and saving one's sovereign matters more than punctuality; the distance defeated our timetable. We share one boat—your peril is mine; no rhetoric can mend it—you know this well. We both served the Caos and enjoyed Wei's trust—the whole road knows it. Courtiers cling to profit—heroes despise them, as do you; peddlers would blush—how much less men who hold power? Our host lay at Xiang: on the sixteenth of the intercalary month I struck toward Lejia to hit Sima Shi; his line broke at once, his dead beyond counting—you should have driven straight on Luoyang, but rumor arrived first, Guanqiu Jian took me for a liar, and the armies fell apart. Guanqiu Jian retreated before I could reach him to explain. Back at Xiang I collided with Wang Ji's twelve armies chasing Guanqiu Jian—we shattered him utterly—yet where were reserves when we needed them? Stranded at Liangchang with nowhere to turn, I fell back on Shouchun, lost it again, and had no choice but to cast myself on Wu for troops and rations—another Wu Zixu. We are lower than slaves—yet nothing would satisfy me like avenging our sovereign and denying the Simas even one offering—surely Great Wu wishes the same. Would you leave Cheng Ying and Gongsun Jiuyi the only names remembered while Wei has no champion left? Wu honors righteousness and has shown me deep compassion. Wu shares our frontier and could divide the realm with us—I ask no selfish carve-out. If you mean to join hearts with us, widen the front—I doubt Qinchuan can rise alone. Yield your pride, pledge allegiance to Shu Han, strike east and west together—only so can we crush Sima Shi's clique. Think it through: if my scheme wins you over, coordinate with Han's army, let the realm see you enfeoffed like the Dukes of Zhou and Shao, and hand that legacy to your heirs. This is no trifle—a gentleman may stand alone, yet I lay my loyalty before you and await your noble answer." By then Guo Huai was dead—Wen Qin did not know it, which explains this letter. Shishuo yinyu records that when Guanqiu Jian died over seven hundred associates were implicated; Du You as attendant censor handled the case and indicted only ten ringleaders while dismissing the rest. Du You, styled Jizi, from Dong commandery, later served Western Jin as inspector of Ji and governor of Henan. His son Du Mo, styled Shixuan, rose to director of the ministry of personnel and commandant of the guards.〉
13
𩑺
Guanqiu Dian held a palace secretary post; foreseeing his father's rising, he slipped away with his kin to Mount Ling in Xin'an. Another column stormed the mountain and extirpated Guanqiu Jian's three degrees of kin. 〈Shishuo yinyu gives Dian's style as Zibang and calls him celebrated in the capital. When the prince of Qi fell, Dian told his father, "You hold a frontier command while the state founders—history will blame you if you sit idle." Guanqiu Jian agreed. Sima Shi detested his character. When Jian raised troops, he asked where Qu was, and was told that nothing could be done if Qu did not come. At the outset Guanqiu Jian sent four sons named Zong to Wu. After Taikang, when Wu fell, the Zong brothers came back to the north. Zong, styled Ziren, resembled his father and rose to governor of Lingling. Zong's son Ao became East Ba area commander and inspector of Yi. Xi Zhaozhi writes that Guanqiu Jian rose to honor Emperor Ming's deathbed charge. Gentlemanly opinion calls him a loyal subject though he failed. One gives all for duty; fortune decides the outcome—without Heaven's hour, who can promise victory? To forget yourself without demanding success—that is loyalty. The ancients said: "Should the dead return to life, the living could face them without shame." By that measure Guanqiu Jian had nothing to regret.〉
14
退 使
Wen Qin fled to Wu, which named him protector-general with jie authority, general who guards the north, governor of You, and marquis of Qiao. 〈Memorial of Wen) Qin— 〈Memorial of Surrender to Wu〉 It reads: "Ill fortune placed me under Wei and twice cut me off from Heaven's favor. Though I have skulked in a corner, I know there is no refuge. Sima Shi's treason overflows heaven—he cast down two sovereigns; Jie, Zhou, Wang Mang pale beside him. My house owes Wei generations of kindness—the filial urge of the nesting crow burns in me; bound thrice to ruler, father, and teacher, I mean to serve unto death. I marched with Guanqiu Jian and Guo Huai to destroy Sima Shi and scour his faction—that humble longing still grips me. My plans proved shallow, my moment never came, my advance had no foothold—grief cuts to the bone. I could not save my dynasty; shame bows me at every turn—I have nowhere to stand. I invoke ancient duty and seek your shelter; if Heaven lends me one chance in ten thousand, I will fall content. I lead my officers to your enlightened rule; ashamed I lived so long by stealth—words fail me. I return my Wei seals—credential insignia, former general, and marquis of Shansang. I lay this memorial in terror and await your judgment." The Wei shu gives Wen Qin, styled Zhongruo, from Qiao commandery. His father Wen Ji was a cavalry officer under the Jian'an reign, famed for courage. In youth he was known as a famous general's son of martial talent. When Wei Feng rebelled, Wen Qin was implicated by something he had said; he was jailed, beaten hundreds of strokes, and sentenced to death until Cao Cao spared him for Wen Ji's sake. Under Taihe he supervised the five camps, then became a camp general. Wen Qin was brutish and insolent—everywhere he bullied his superiors and flouted orders until impeachment drove him from post after post and Emperor Ming checked him. He was later restored as Huainan's camp general, then governor of Lujiang and general who soars like a hawk. Wang Ling impeached him for corruption and cruelty—unfit to guard the frontier—and demanded his dismissal, so the court recalled him. Because Wen Qin hailed from the same district as Cao Shuang, Shuang showered him with favors and looked the other way when he broke the rules. He returned to Lujiang as general of the vanguard and enjoyed greater favor than ever. Flush with favor, he swaggered, trumpeted his valor, and lorded it over his fellows—earning empty prestige in the ranks. After Shuang fell he was elevated to former general to buy his loyalty, then replaced Zhuge Dan as inspector of Yang. Ever since Shuang's death Wen Qin had lived in dread and feuded with Zhuge Dan—they never plotted together. Once Zhuge Dan stepped down and Guanqiu Jian took his place, the two secretly joined forces. He ran night and day until the chase slackened, found sanctuary in Wu, and Sun Jun welcomed him handsomely. Even in exile Wen Qin would not defer to anyone—Lü Ju, Zhu Yi, and other senior commanders loathed him; only Sun Jun stood by him.〉
15
Zhuge Dan.
16
Zhuge Dan, styled Gongxiu, came from Yangdu in Langya and traced his line to Zhuge Feng. His first appointment was as magistrate of Xingyang while attached to the palace secretariat, 〈The Wei chronicle tells how Dan and Deputy Director Du Ji capsized during a trial run on the Tao River. Imperial guards swam out to save him, but he cried, "Marquis Du first!" He was washed ashore, apparently drowned, yet revived.〉 He was recalled to serve as gentleman of the ministry of personnel. If anyone brought him a private plea, he aired it openly before acting, then let colleagues debate the outcome—so every nomination was weighed with care. Promoted to palace aide and secretary, he befriended Xiahou Xuan and Deng Yang, built a reputation at court, and became the toast of Luoyang. Memorialists accused Dan, Deng Yang, and company of empty glitter and mutual puffery—a fashion that had to be stopped. Emperor Ming drove Dan from office in disgust. 〈Shishuo yinyu lists the Zhengshi partisans: Xiahou Xuan and three others as the "Four Clever," Zhuge Dan and seven others as the "Eight Freethinkers," with three well-connected also-rans mocked as the "Three Hesitant"—fifteen names in all. The emperor blamed them for spreading hollow manners and cashiered the whole set.〉 By the start of Zhengshi, after Mingdi's death, Xuan and company held posts again. He returned as palace aide and secretary, then became inspector of Yang with the title general who displays martial illumination.
17
During Wang Ling's conspiracy Sima Yi gave Zhuge Dan command of the east with jie authority over Yang and the village marquisate of Shanyang. When Zhuge Ke struck Dong Pass, Zhuge Dan took the field and lost the engagement. Afterward he rotated to general who guards the south.
18
使 使 使
When Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rose, they dispatched envoys to Zhuge Dan urging Yu Province to join them. Zhuge Dan beheaded the messengers and published an edict branding the rebels traitors. Sima Shi marched east and told Zhuge Dan to bring the Yu forces toward Shouchun via Anfeng Ford. Zhuge Dan arrived at Shouchun before Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin were routed. When news of the rebels' defeat reached Shouchun's hundred thousand souls, panic swept the city; people tore open the gates and fled into the wilds or east into Wu. Trusting his long experience in Huainan, the court restored him as grand general who guards the east with honors matching the three senior ministers over Yang. Sun Jun, Lü Ju, Liu Zan, and other Wu commanders, hearing of the revolt and Wen Qin's flight, marched him toward Shouchun— but Zhuge Dan's men were already there; finding the city untakable, they retired. Zhuge Dan ordered Jiang Ban to chase them down—Liu Zan fell, his head and insignia taken. He was raised to marquis of Gaoping with 3,500 households and promoted to grand general who conquers the east.
19
256 使使 使 忿
Zhuge Dan was very close to Xiahou Xuan, Deng Yang, and their circle; Wang Ling and Guanqiu Jian had already been destroyed one after another, and fearing for his own safety he emptied the treasury and spent lavishly to win loyalty, richly maintaining his clients and several thousand Yang Province bravos as devoted diehards. The Book of Wei says that Zhuge Dan's rewards and gifts were excessive. When someone deserved death for an offense, he bent the law to spare them. In the winter of the first year of Ganlu (256), Wu forces planned to strike Xu embankment; though the troops under Zhuge Dan were enough to meet them, he again asked for one hundred thousand men to hold Shouchun and to build a fortress at Linhuai against invasion—secretly intending to keep control of Huainan. The court had some inkling of Zhuge Dan's unease; as an old servant of the dynasty, they meant to summon him in and take his measure. In the fifth month of the second year of Ganlu, he was summoned to the post of Minister of Works. When Zhuge Dan received the edict, his fear deepened and he rebelled. He assembled his generals, marched out himself against Yang Province inspector Yue Lin, and killed him. The Sayings of the Age relates that once Sima Zhao held court power, chief clerk Jia Chong argued that staff should be sent to console the four frontier commanders, and Chong was dispatched to Shouchun. Chong returned and reported to Sima Zhao: "Zhuge Dan has twice held Yang Province; he has a formidable reputation and the people look to him. Summon him now and he will surely refuse—the harm will be small; wait, and the trouble will grow far worse." The court thereupon appointed him Minister of Works. No envoy came—only a runner with orders to hand the troops to Yue Lin; this must be Lin's doing. He then took several hundred personal followers to the provincial seat; when the locals tried to shut the gates, Dan shouted: "Are you not my old subordinates!" He went straight in; Yue Lin fled upstairs and was beheaded where he stood. The Traditions of Late Wei says that when Jia Chong met Zhuge Dan and discussed current affairs, he said to him: "The worthies of Luoyang all accept the transfer of the mandate—you know this. What is your view?" Zhuge Dan flushed with anger and said: "Are you not the son of Inspector Jia of Yu Province? Your house has enjoyed Wei's favor for generations—how can you betray the state and hand the Wei throne to others? That is more than I can bear to hear. If Luoyang is in danger, I will die for it." Jia Chong said nothing. After the summons arrived, Zhuge Dan invited the gate commanders to a feast, called up their followers, plied them with wine until they were drunk, and told the assembly: "The thousand suits of armor we finished were meant for fighting bandits; now that we must return to Luoyang they are useless, so I mean to go out briefly and let the men drill for sport—I will be right back; All of you wait here." Then he beat the drums and marched out with seven hundred officers and men. When Yue Lin heard of it, he shut the provincial gates. Zhuge Dan passed the south gate proclaiming: "We are returning to the capital and only going out for sport—why does Yang Province shut its gates against us?" At the east gate the doors were shut again, so he had his men climb the walls to force them; the townspeople fled; he set fire to the government storehouses with the wind at his back and killed Yue Lin. Zhuge Dan submitted a memorial: "Your servant bears a weighty charge from the state, commanding troops in the east. Yang Province inspector Yue Lin is wholly treacherous: he claims I am in contact with Wu and says an edict has named him to replace me—his outrages have gone on for some time. I serve the state's command and stand ready to die for it—I will never waver in loyalty. Outraged at Yue Lin's treachery, I led seven hundred foot and horse on the sixth of this month to punish him; that same day I beheaded him, boxed the head, and sent it by relay post. If the court understands me, I am Wei's minister; if it does not, I am Wu's minister. Long unable to contain my grief, I respectfully submit this memorial; weeping blood with sorrow, choked and overcome, I know not what to do, and beg the court to see my utmost sincerity." Pei Songzhi holds that what the Traditions of Late Wei reports is on the whole crude and vulgar. He suspects the wording of Zhuge Dan's memorial was distorted and would not have gone this far. He mustered more than one hundred thousand officials and soldiers from military-agriculture households across Huainan and Huaibei, plus forty or fifty thousand fit troops newly attached in Yang Province; stockpiled grain for a year; and shut the city to hold it. He sent chief clerk Wu Gang with his young son Jing to Wu to ask for aid. The Sayings of the Age relates that near the end of Huangchu, Wu men opened the tomb of King Wu Rui of Changsha and used its bricks at Linxiang to build a temple to Sun Jian. Wu Rui looked as if alive, and his clothes had not rotted. Later, those preparing to open the tomb saw Wu Gang and said: "Sir, how you resemble King Wu Rui of Changsha—only a little shorter." Wu Gang started and said; "That is my ancestor—how did you see him?" The witness told how; Wu Gang asked: "Was he reburied?" The reply was: "He was reburied immediately." From Wu Rui's death to the opening of the tomb was more than four hundred years; Wu Gang was his sixteenth-generation descendant. The Wu court was delighted and sent generals Quan Yi, Quan Duan, Tang Zi, Wang Zuo, and others with thirty thousand men, who secretly joined Wen Qin in coming to Zhuge Dan's aid. They named Zhuge Dan left protector-general, with provisional authority, grand minister of education, general of agile cavalry, governor of Qing Province, and marquis of Shouchun. At that time General Who Guards the South Wang Ji had just arrived and was directing the armies besieging Shouchun, though the lines were not yet closed. Tang Zi, Wen Qin, and the others entered from the northeast, using the mountains and difficult terrain to rush their forces into the city.
20
使 使 漿 使
In the sixth month the emperor's host reached Xiang. Sima Zhao led 260,000 men of the inner and outer armies to the Huai to besiege the rebels. The grand general pitched camp at Qiutou. Wang Ji and Chen Qian ringed the city in two belts of trench and palisade. Shi Bao, Zhou Tai of Yan, and others led picked mobile troops to ward off relief forces. Wen Qin sortied again and again and was driven in each time. Zhu Yi of Wu twice tried to relieve the siege at Lijiang; Zhou Tai and company turned him aside. Sun Chen killed Zhu Yi for failing to press the attack. Provisions ran low, no help came, and the defenders lost heart. Jiang Ban and Jiao Yi, Zhuge Dan's chief counselors, slipped over the wall to Sima Zhao. 〈The Han-Jin Spring and Autumn relates that Jiang Ban and Jiao Yi said to Zhuge Dan: "Zhu Yi and the others came with a great army but could not advance, and Sun Chen killed Zhu Yi and returned east. Outwardly they use dispatching troops as their pretext, but in reality they sit and wait to see success or failure. Their withdrawal is plain. Strike now while morale holds—throw everything at one sector; even total victory may not come, yet some might escape alive." Wen Qin replied: "The south has swaggered on victory too long to fear us. Besides, your hundred thousand newcomers are trapped like Qin and Quan Duan—every family still lies east of the Yangzi—would Sun Chen or their kinsmen truly march to save us? The heartland never rests—another year's siege would exhaust everyone; history shows relief follows soon." Ban and Yi pressed their case until Wen Qin flared and Dan nearly executed Ban. Fearing Dan's doom, they defected together in the eleventh month. Sima Zhao spread distrust among Quan Yi and company until Yi opened the gates with thousands of followers. Panic seized the garrison.
21
使
First month, year three: Dan, Qin, and Tang Zi hurled engines against the south wall for days, trying to break out. 〈The Han-Jin Spring and Autumn records Wen Qin saying: "Jiang Ban and Jiao Yi said that we could not break out and fled; Quan Duan and Quan Yi have also led their men over in surrender. This is the moment when the enemy is unprepared; we can fight." Zhuge Dan and Tang Zi agreed and threw every man into the assault. Defenders on the earthworks smashed the rams with traction trebuchets and rockets; missiles fell like rain until corpses choked the trenches. They withdrew; starvation drove tens of thousands to yield. Wen Qin wanted to drive out northern troops to stretch rations while Wu soldiers held the walls—Dan refused, and they turned on each other. Old enemies forced into alliance, they trusted each other less as danger mounted. When Wen Qin came to council, Zhuge Dan slew him. Yang and Hu held the inner ward; hearing of their father's murder they galloped to revenge but their troops refused orders. The brothers scaled the wall alone and defected to Sima Zhao. The staff officers asked to execute them, but the Grand General ordered: "Qin's guilt is beyond pardon, and his sons indeed ought to be put to death. Yet Yang and Hu have come over in surrender at the end of their resources, and the city has not yet fallen. To kill them would only harden the defenders' hearts." He freed them and sent them riding the circuit crying that Wen Qin's heirs lived—so why fear?" He named them generals with noble rank within the passes. The garrison wavered between hope and panic as hunger gnawed and Dan's counsel failed. Sima Zhao rode to the siege line; assault parties escaladed on four fronts while garrison troops froze. Zhuge Dan bolted through a postern with his household guard. Hu Fen cut him down; his head went to Luoyang and his clan perished. Several hundred of Dan's followers who refused surrender were executed in ranks; each said, "We die for Lord Zhuge without regret." Such was his hold on loyalty. 〈Gan Bao describes hundreds standing like Tian Heng's retainers, undaunted to the blade. The Wu general Yu Quan said: "A true man receives his lord's command and leads troops to rescue others. If, having failed to prevail, he then folds his hands before the enemy, I will have none of it." He threw away his helm and died charging the Wei lines. Tang Zi, Wang Zuo, and staff tied themselves and came out; ten thousand Wu troops stacked arms in heaps.
22
使 祿
When the siege of Shouchun began, many advisers wanted to attack it quickly, but the Grand General judged: "The city is strong and its people are many. If we attack it, our strength will surely be exhausted; if an outside enemy then comes, we will face foes within and without. This is a dangerous course. Now the three rebels are gathered together in a single isolated city. Perhaps Heaven means to have them go to execution together. I will hold them fast with a complete strategy, and can subdue them while sitting still." Dan rose second year fifth month and fell third year second month. Wei troops stood idle behind fortifications until Dan collapsed without a major assault. 〈Gan Bao notes chronic floods around Shouchun when the Huai spilled. Thus when Wenwang built the siege lines Dan laughed: "This fort needs no attack—it will defeat itself." Yet during the siege a year-long drought struck. The day it fell a cloudburst swept the earthworks away. His son Zhuge Jing, styled Zhongsi, came back under Jin after Wu surrendered. Jing's son Hui, styled Daoming, reached secretary-in-chief and received posthumous honors. Some urged slaughtering captured Wu troops lest Huainan rebel again. Sima Zhao cited the maxim: spare the state when possible—punish ringleaders alone. Letting survivors return advertises the north's mercy. None were executed; they were settled among commanderies near the three He rivers.
23
退 使 駿
Tang Zi came from Licheng. During Huangchu Licheng rose, killed prefect Xu Ji, and made Tang Zi chief. Emperor Wen crushed the revolt; Tang Zi fled overseas to Wu and climbed to general of the left with a marquisate. Dan and Qin died; Tang Zi was captured—the three rebels gone at last. 〈Fu Xuan compares Song Jian's vain sacrifices to doom. Wen Qin's daily prayers did not spare him from the sword. Zhuge Dan and his wife fed shamans—corpses filled Huainan and extirpation followed. The realm saw—clear warning for posterity. Tang Zi became general who pacifies the far regions; subordinates received brevet ranks and Wu surrendered willingly. Wu so respected Wei mercy that no captive kin suffered reprisal. Huainan folk pressed into rebellion faced punishment only for ringleaders; the rest went free. Wen Yang and Wen Hu buried their father with imperial carts and oxen at his old grave. 〈Xi Zhaozhi writes that the empire thereafter feared Wei arms yet treasured its grace. Moralists called Sima Zhao's campaign a conquest won by clemency. Founders differ in what they prize—no one path holds every virtue. Brute force without humanity fails; soft virtue without steel fails. One campaign netted three traitors, broke Wu's army on the Huai, and took a hundred thousand heads—magnificent. Sima Zhao lost Wang Ji yet won Wu hearts, forgave enemies, left Yang gentry abashed, and balanced force with policy—none could have stood against such a course. Wang Ji's death is related in his own chapter. Wen Yang was also known as Shu. The Jin Praise records Shu as general who crushed Liangzhou barbarians and became famous. Under Taikang he was eastern Yi colonel with jie authority. Taking leave of Emperor Wu before his posting, he earned the emperor's disgust and lost his post on a trumped-up excuse. Sima You, Zhuge Dan's grandson, framed Shu during Yang Jun's purge and wiped out his clan.〉
24
使 使
Deng Ai, styled Shizai, came from Jiyang in Yiyang commandery. Orphaned young, after Cao Cao conquered Jingzhou his family was relocated to Runan, where he herd calves for peasants. At twelve, reading Chen Shi's epitaph in Yingchuan—"his prose modeled the age, his deeds modeled gentlemen"—he took the names Fan and Shize. A clansman later claimed the same courtesy names, so he changed them. Named to the commandant's school, his stammer barred him from staff work. He served as keeper of the irrigation ditches. A colleague's father subsidized the poor boy generously; Deng Ai offered no thanks. He traced imaginary camps on every ridge and marsh—others mocked the dreaming cowherd. Promoted through agribusiness posts to clerk, he eventually audience with Sima Yi. Sima Yi was impressed and recruited him as an aide, 〈Shishuo yinyu tells how Deng Ai and Shi Bao, tweens in Xiangcheng agribusiness, met usher Guo Xuanxin of Yangdi—son of military inspector Guo Dan. Ji Ben's coup left Guo Xuanxin under sentence at home; borrowing Deng Ai and Shi Bao as drivers for ten li, he predicted ministerial careers for both. Deng Ai rose to merit evaluator, impressed Sima Yi on embassy, and climbed the ladder. He transferred to gentleman of the palace secretariat.
25
使 西
The court meant to farm Huainan for the Wu campaign and sent Deng Ai to survey from Chen-Xiang east to Shouchun. Ai judged that "the fields are good but water is scarce, so the full advantage of the land cannot be used. We should open rivers and canals, draw in water for irrigation, accumulate large stores of military grain, and also open a route for transport by water." He drafted the Discourse on the Ji River to spell it out. He also judged that "when the Yellow Scarves were crushed we instituted garrison farms and stored grain at Xuchang to bind the four quarters. Huainan alone remained costly—every campaign wasted half its strength on transport. Chen-Cai land is prime—divert water east from Xuchang farms. Order twenty thousand garrison farmers north of the Huai and thirty thousand south of it, rotating them in twelve divisions, so that forty thousand are always both farming and guarding. Well-watered fields yield triple interior harvests—five million hu yearly after costs. Six or seven years yields thirty million hu on the Huai—five years' food for a hundred thousand. With this to strike Wu there is nowhere you would not conquer." Sima Yi endorsed every proposal. In Zhengshi 2 they dug the Broad Canal so fleets could supply Jiang-Huai campaigns—Deng Ai's legacy.
26
西 西 退西 使
He joined the western headquarters as aide and became governor of Nan'an. Jiaping 1: he fought Jiang Wei beside Guo Huai. When Jiang Wei retired, Guo Huai turned west against Qiang tribes. Ai said: "The enemy has not gone far—they may return; divide the armies against surprises." He stayed north of the Bailong River. Three days later Liao Hua appeared south of the Bailong facing Deng Ai. Ai told the generals: "Wei returned abruptly—we are few—by rule they should ford yet build no bridge. Liao Hua pins us while Jiang Wei strikes elsewhere. Wei must himself raid Taocheng from the east." Taocheng sits sixty li north across the water. Deng Ai marched overnight, seized Taocheng before Jiang Wei, and averted disaster. Rewarded with noble rank within the passes and general who smashes bandits, then governor of Chengyang.
27
When Bingzhou's Liu Bao unified his tribe, Deng Ai submitted:
28
使 使
Nomads are faithless—strong they raid, weak they submit—like Zhou against Xianyun or Han at Pingcheng. Every Xiongnu revival imperiled China. With the Chanyu beyond reach court control grew slack. The court baited him into attendance. Frontier tribes lost unified leadership. While the Chanyu stayed at court the steppes obeyed. Today the Chanyu fades while border bands rise—prepare for nomads. Split Liu Bao's rebel Hu into two polities. Honor Qubei's heir at Yanmen for past service. Divide and weaken—sound border policy.
29
使
He urged relocating mixed barbarian settlements to teach Chinese propriety. Sima Shi newly in power adopted many proposals. As Runan governor he honored his poor patron's memory—sacrificed at his grave, enriched his widow, promoted his son. His postings turned wasteland fertile for army and people.
30
退 使
Zhuge Ke failed at Hefei new town and retreated. Ai told Jingwang: "Sun Quan is gone; great ministers are not yet loyal; Wu's powerful clans each command private troops and could dictate orders. Zhuge Ke seized power without consolidating within—he battered his army on Hefei's walls and marched ruin home. Wu Zi, Wu Qi, Shang Yang, and Yue Yi fell once their patrons died. Moreover Ke's talent falls short of those four sages yet he ignores great peril—his ruin awaits." Zhuge Ke died on his return. He became inspector of Yan with general who shakes might. He memorialized: "What the state urgently needs is farming and war—wealth makes armies strong; strong armies win. Farming underpins victory. Confucius listed food before arms. Without incentives none hoard grain. Reward harvests in performance reviews—cut patronage and glitter."
31
漿 西 退西
Gaoguixiang's accession brought village marquis of Fangcheng. Guanqiu Jian's propaganda runners died on Deng Ai's sword; he raced to Lecia and threw pontoon bridges. Sima Shi arrived and held Lecia. After Wen Qin's rout Deng Ai chased him to Qiutou. Wen Qin escaped to Wu. Sun Jun threatened to cross with 100,000 men; Zhuge Dan posted Deng Ai at Feiyang—Ai relocated to Futing and routed Wu at Lijiang via Zhuge Xu. He was recalled as colonel of the everlasting troops. Breaking Wen Qin earned township marquis of Fangcheng and acting general who pacifies the west. After lifting Wang Jing at Didao he became general who pacifies the west with jie authority over eastern Qiang. Court opinion wrote Jiang Wei off as exhausted. Deng Ai said:
32
西 西 西
The Tao river rout was no minor setback; armies shattered, stores bare, people fled—the realm tottered. They ride victory; we show weakness—that is one. Their troops drill together with sharp arms; our officers rotate and gear unready—two. They sail while we march—third. We guard four sectors; they concentrate—four. They can live off Qiang grain toward Qishan—ripe wheat lures them—five. A clever foe in force will come.
33
西 西 退 西
Jiang Wei headed for Qishan but veered toward Nan'an from Dong Pavilion when he found Deng Ai ready; they grappled for Wucheng Mountain. That night Jiang Wei forded the Wei eastward; Deng Ai shattered him at Duangu. Ganlu first year edict stated: "The rebel Jiang Wei for years has been crafty—folk and barbarians stirred—the west unquiet. Deng Ai slew dozens of officers and thousands of soldiers. Wei prestige shook Shu and his fame echoed along the Yangzi. He became general who guards the west, commander of Longyou, and marquis of Deng. Son Deng Zhong received a village marquisate of 500 households." Next year he blocked Jiang Wei at Changcheng and Jiang Wei retreated. As general who conquers the west his fief grew to 6,600 households.
34
使 西 退 西
Jingyuan 3: broken again at Hehou, Jiang Wei withdrew to Tazhong. Autumn Jingyuan 4: Sima Zhao orchestrated the Shu invasion—Deng Ai was to fix Jiang Wei. Zhuge Xu was to cut Jiang Wei's retreat. Deng Ai attacked Jiang Wei's camp from three directions via Wang Qi, Qian Hong, and Yang Xin. Learning Zhong Hui had penetrated Hanzhong, Jiang Wei pulled back. Yang Xin overtook him at Qiangchuankou and broke him. Finding Bridgehead blocked, he slipped through Konghan Valley to flank Yongzhou. Zhuge Xu fell back thirty li. Jiang Wei doubled back for Bridgehead but Zhuge Xu missed him by a day. He raced east to hold Jiange. Zhong Hui stalled against Jiang Wei. Ai memorialized: "Now the enemy has been broken, and we should take advantage of this. From Yinping, by a hidden path, we can pass Han's Deyang Pavilion and hurry toward Fu, emerge one hundred li west of Jiange and a little over three hundred li from Chengdu, and send a surprise force against their heartland. Jiange's garrison would rush to Fu—freeing Zhong Hui to advance. If not, Fu falls lightly guarded. Sunzi: strike where unwary. Hit the hollow—a sure win."
35
綿 退 使
In winter Deng Ai carved seven hundred li through Yinping. Supplies failed on deadly cliffs. He rolled down slopes wrapped in felt. Men scaled cliffs in single file. Ma Miao surrendered Jiangyou. Zhuge Zhan barred Mianzhu. Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan attacked both flanks. Zhong and Zuan fought poorly and withdrew saying "the bandits cannot be struck." Ai raged: "Survival hangs on this stroke—how can it be impossible?" He nearly beheaded his son and Shi Zuan. They rallied, smashed Zhuge Zhan, took heads to Luo. Liu Shan sent seals and surrender plea.
36
輿 使 西 使綿
At Chengdu Liu Shan came bound with a bier; Deng Ai freed him per ritual. No looting—people restored—Shu praised him. Like Deng Yu he breveted Liu Shan and sons. Shu bureaucracy folded into Wei appointments. Shi Zuan governed Yi; Hong held counties. He raised a victory mound at Mianzhu. Wei and Shu dead were buried together. Ai deeply boasted to Shu gentry: "You gentlemen owe your survival today to me. Wu Han would have exterminated you." He also said: "Jiang Wei was a mere champion of an hour—matched against me—thus ruined." Knowledged Shu smiled.
37
使 使
Twelfth month edict: "Ai displayed might—deep struck barbarian court—beheaded generals tore banners—beheaded leviathans—made pretender ruler bind throat bow—generations evaded execution—leveled in one morn. Swift victory cleared Shu. His feat rivaled Bai Qi, Han Xin, Wu Han, Zhou Yafu. Grand commandant, +20,000 households, two sons ennobled." 〈Yuan Zhun notes Zhuge Liang drafted Shu relentlessly. No campaign matched its speed. At that moment Deng Ai had led ten thousand men through the peril of Jiangyou, while Zhong Hui's two hundred thousand were stalled at Jiange and could not advance; the soldiers of the three armies were already hungry. Though Deng Ai had won battles and overcome generals, if Liu Shan had delayed surrender for several days, the armies of both commanders could scarcely have returned. Victory hung by a thread. Small states must seize moments; great states guard against exhaustion after triumph. Deng Ai wrote Sima Zhao:
38
便 使 便
Strike Wu while fear spreads. Rest the army first. Garrison 40,000, build industry and fleet, then diplomatic surrender. Keep Liu Shan local to entice Wu. Wait until next cool season. Ennoble Liu Shan as king of Fufeng with subsidy. House him in Dong Zhuo's old fort. His sons get noble ranks in Fufeng. Prepare coastal havens for Wu defectors.
39
使 退
Wenwang ordered army supervisor Wei Guan instruct Ai: "Affairs must be reported—ought not act rashly." Ai emphasized: "Bearing orders on campaign following commander-in-chief's plan—chief evil already submitted; Brevet appointments stabilized Shu. Luoyang round-trip wastes time. Classics allow initiative abroad. Wu still independent. Cannot miss timing. Art of War: duty over fame—Deng Ai claims loyalty." Zhong Hui accused Deng Ai of rebellion. Imperial order arrested Deng Ai. 〈Annals of Wei relates Ai sighed skyward: "Ai is loyal minister—reached this! Like Bai Qi's fate."〉"
40
綿西 西
Zhong Hui shipped Deng Ai off then mutinied. Deng Ai's troops freed him. Wei Guan's Tian Xu killed Deng Ai west of Mianzhu. Zhong died with father; rest executed; family exiled west. 〈Deng Ai had spared Tian Xu at Jiangyou. When Guan dispatched Xu, he said: "I can repay the insult at Jiangyou." Du Yu declared to crowd: "Boyu surely cannot escape! Du Yu criticized Wei Guan's character." Wei Guan rushed to apologize. Shi Zuan died with Deng Ai. Shi Zuan's corpse was mutilated.
41
西 西 西
Before Shu campaign Deng Ai dreamed mountain stream—asked Yuan Shao. Shao said: "According to Changes hexagram water atop mountain is Obstruction. Judgment favors southwest. Commentary: southwest wins merit. Northeast path ends. Victory in Shu—no return home." Deng Ai grew gloomy. 〈Yuan Shao rose clerk to commandant. Son Han governed Hedong. Son Chang became minister of agriculture. Youngest son Qian, styled Junyou, served as inspector of Ji and right guard of the crown prince. Han's son Yu, styled Shidu, was a debater in the Gongsun Long manner. He rose from the commandant's office to palace secretary and director. Pei Songzhi: the Tuan line reads 'attains center' not 'merit'. The next line adds 'merit' with the great man.〉
42
265 西 使 使 巿 使
In the first year of Taishi (265), when the Jin house ascended the throne, an edict said: "Formerly Grand Commandant Wang Ling plotted to depose the Prince of Qi, yet the prince was truly unfit to hold the throne. General who campaigns west Deng Ai, through boasting of his achievements and losing proper restraint, truly deserved the death penalty. Yet on the day he received the letter, he dismissed his followers and accepted punishment with his hands bound. Compared with those who seek survival and therefore persist in evil, he was truly different. Now, under the great amnesty he may return; if he has no descendants, he may establish an heir so that sacrifices do not cease." In the third year, the Proposal Gentleman Duan Zhuo submitted a memorial vindicating Ai, saying: Ai held the deepest loyalty in his heart, yet bore the name of a rebel; he pacified Ba and Shu, yet suffered the punishment of extermination. Your servant privately grieves for him. The claim of rebellion is false! His blunt pride left him few defenders. I prove he never rebelled. He fortified Longyou against Jiang Wei. In drought he led by doing pit farming in black laborer's coat. Officers and men gave their all. A commander who labored like a private showed rare devotion. He routed superior forces at Luomen and Duangu. The emperor trusted him with strategic command. He took Yinping at mortal risk and forced Liu Shan's surrender. His deeds deserved chronicle for ages. What could a septuagenarian gain by rebellion? He stretched authority to stabilize Shu out of duty. Intent matters—his acts were defensible. Zhong Hui framed him. A tragedy that moved the realm. Your reign welcomes even sons of the condemned. Qin mourned Bai Qi; Wu mourned Wu Zixu. The people grieve Deng Ai the same way. Recover his body and lands. Posthumous honors for his heir would right the wrong. One burial could win the world's heart.
43
Ninth year edict stated: "Ai had merit—received punishment did not flee punishment—yet descendants became common bondsmen—I constantly pity them. Grandson Lang became gentleman consultant."
44
西 西 祿
Deng Ai built western fortifications. Taishi: Liangzhou fell to Qiang raids. Survivors sheltered in Deng Ai's forts. 〈Fan Zhen told Emperor Wu of Deng Ai's loyalty in tears. Lang rose from Danshui to Dingling. Grandson Qianqiu served Wang Rong. Yongjia fire killed Lang's household except two sons. Qianqiu and his sons perished in the same fire.
45
使調
Deng Ai's contemporary from the same district, Zhou Tai of Nanyang, likewise loved to achieve merit and was skilled in using troops; he reached the post of general who subdues barbarians, with provisional staff superintending military affairs south of the Yangtze. In the second year of Jingyuan he died; posthumously he was made general of the guards with the posthumous title Marquis Zhuang. The Sayings of the Age says: At first Inspector Pei Qian of Jing Province employed Zhou Tai as an aide; Sima Yi, Prince of Xuan, was stationed at Wan; Qian repeatedly sent Tai to see him, and thereby Tai became known to him. When campaigning against Meng Da, Tai again guided the army, and thereupon he was recruited. Tai repeatedly mourned father, mother, and grandfather, observing mourning for nine years; the Prince of Xuan left the post vacant awaiting him, and on the thirty-sixth day promoted him to administrator of Xincheng. The Prince of Xuan held a gathering for Tai and had the Master of Writing Zhong You tease him: "Sir, you shed your commoner's clothes and entered the chief minister's office; within thirty-six days you held the commander's banners and canopies and guarded a commandery of troops and horses; a beggar boy riding a small cart—how very swift!" Tai said: "Truly it is so. You, sir, are the son of a famous house, with literary talent from youth, therefore you keep to clerical office; a monkey riding an earth ox—how very slow!" All the guests were pleased. Later he served successively as inspector of Yan and Yu provinces; wherever he was posted he had plans and calculations with effective results.
46
Zhong Hui, styled Shiji, from Changshe—Zhong You's youngest son. A precocious child. 〈Hui wrote his mother's biography stating: "Lady Zhang, courtesy name Changpu, native of Zishi in Taiyuan—wife by ritual of Grand Tutor Order-to-Dingling accomplished marquis. Her line held 2,000-picul posts. Orphaned, she married Zhong Yao with perfect deportment. Concubine Sun schemed against her. Sun's wit failed to displace Lady Zhang. Sun poisoned her food during pregnancy. Asked why she stayed silent. She cited the peril of concubine rivalries. Who would believe her over Sun? Sun would preempt her complaint. Let Sun expose herself. She feigned illness. Sun claimed boy-sexing medicine was poison. Zhong Yao saw through Sun. Servants confessed; Sun was expelled. Zhong Yao admired her restraint. She bore Zhong Hui in Huangchu 6. After accomplished marquis expelled Lady Sun—again took proper wife Lady Jia." Pei doubts Zhong Yao marrying a new principal wife so late. Probably ritual saying 'Heir son though seventy—cannot lack mistress of house' meaning. Alternative: Lady Zhang displaced the principal wife. Bian spoke; Emperor Wen ordered restoration. Zhong Yao tried suicide and went mute until Wen relented. Central protector Jiang Ji wrote a treatise stating, "Observing their pupils is enough to know persons." When Hui was five, Zhong You sent him to see Jiang Ji; Ji greatly marveled and said, "An extraordinary person." Adult Zhong Hui was polymath scholar.
47
使便
Zhengshi: secretary then masters of writing attendant. 〈Yu Song could not please Sima Shi. Yu Song despaired. Zhong Hui noticed and learned why. He rewrote five characters. Song was convinced and presented it to Jingwang; the king said, "Should it not be thus—who fixed it?" Song said, "Zhong Hui. I too wished to report it, but when the lord asked, I dared not claim his merit for myself." The king said, "Thus he can be greatly employed—have him come." Hui asked Song about the king's abilities; Song said, "Broad learning and clear knowledge—nothing he does not master." Zhong Hui studied ten days then impressed Sima Shi. After Hui left, the king alone clapped his hands and sighed, saying, "This is truly talent to assist a king!" Yu Song was Bian Rang's descendant. Yu Song wrote Xi campaign prose. Yu Song rose to prefect. Yu Song's son Jun became minister of justice. Pei Songzhi doubts the anecdote—Hui was already famous. Pei finds five-character miracle implausible. Gaoguixiang's accession brought noble rank.
48
使 257 使 使 249 257
When Guanqiu Jian rebelled, Grand General Sima Shi, Lord of Jing, campaigned east; Zhong Hui followed and managed confidential affairs; Guardian General Sima Zhao, Prince of Wen, served as rear support for the main army. Sima Shi died at Xuchang; Sima Zhao took overall command of the six armies; Zhong Hui planned strategy within the command tent. At that time an interim edict instructed Director of the Secretariat Fu Gu that, because the southeast had just been pacified, Sima Zhao was provisionally to remain at Xuchang as inner and outer support, and ordered Fu Gu to lead the armies back. Zhong Hui plotted with Fu Gu, had Fu Gu submit a memorial, and then set out together with Sima Zhao; returning, they encamped south of the Luo River. Thereupon the court appointed Sima Zhao grand general and regent; Zhong Hui was transferred to gentleman attendant at the Yellow Gates and enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongwu Village with a fief of three hundred households. In the second year of Ganlu (257), Zhuge Dan was summoned as excellency of works; Zhong Hui was then at home during mourning observance, judged that Zhuge Dan would surely refuse the order, and galloped to inform Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao said the matter had already been carried out and would not be changed retroactively. Zhong Hui was then in mourning for his birth mother. His mother's biography says: "The lady by nature was stern and dignified and skilled in instruction; though Zhong Hui was still a child, she often admonished and taught him. When he was four, she taught him the Classic of Filial Piety; at seven he recited the Analects; at eight, the Odes; at ten, the Documents; at eleven, the Changes; at twelve, the Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Discourses of the States; at thirteen, the Rites of Zhou and the Record of Rites; at fourteen, the Accomplished Marquis's Commentary on the Changes; and at fifteen he was sent to the Imperial Academy to study remarkable texts and variant readings from every region. She said to Zhong Hui: 'Learning piled up leads to weariness; weariness leads to slackness of mind; I feared your mind would slacken, therefore I taught you gradually; now you may study on your own.' She loved books by nature and read widely, especially the Changes and Laozi; whenever she read Confucius's explanations of the crane crying in the shade, the noble person who toils yet is humble, white rushes for spreading, and not going beyond the courtyard gate, she had Zhong Hui read them over and again, saying: 'The Changes has more than three hundred lines, yet Confucius especially explained these because humility, reverence, and caution are the pivot of conduct, the utmost essentials in deportment, and the means by which one honors oneself; follow this way henceforth, and you will suffice as a noble person.' In the eighth year of Zhengshi, Zhong Hui became a gentleman of the Masters of Writing; the lady took his hand and admonished him: 'You have been advanced at your weak-crown years; people naturally become self-satisfied—and harm lies within that; strive to ponder this warning!' At that time Grand General Cao Shuang monopolized court government and daily abandoned himself to drunkenness; Zhong Hui's elder brother Yu, attendant within, returned from a banquet and spoke of the matter. The lady said: 'Joy is joy, yet it cannot last long. Dwelling without arrogance, restraining oneself and observing limits—only then is there no peril of excess and overflow. Now extravagance and presumption such as this are not the way to long keep wealth and rank.' In the first year of Jiaping (249), the imperial carriage attended at Gaoping Tomb; Zhong Hui was a gentleman of the Secretariat and accompanied the journey. Chancellor Sima Yi, Lord of Xuanwen, first raised troops; everyone was afraid, but the lady was composed as ever. Director of the Secretariat Liu Fang, Attendant Wei Guan, Xiahou He, and their households were all astonished and asked: 'The lady has an only son in danger. How can she be free of worry?' She answered: 'Grand General Cao Shuang is extravagant and presumptuous beyond measure; I have long suspected he would not remain secure. The Grand Tutor, on grounds of righteousness, would not endanger the state; he is sure to act against the Grand General. My son is at the emperor's side—what worry is there? I hear the troops about to go out have no other heavy weapons; their force cannot fight for long.' It turned out as she said, and for a time she was praised as perceptive. Zhong Hui served in confidential affairs for more than ten years and took part considerably in policy deliberations. The lady said to him: 'Formerly, the younger son of the Fan clan devised a plan for Zhao Jianzi to attack Zhu. The affair succeeded and the people were pleased; it could be called an achievement. Yet his mother regarded it as relying on fraud and artifice, a base and vulgar pursuit, and that it could not last. Her insight was in origin deep and far-reaching—not what ordinary people say; I have always delighted in her character. Your heart is upright; I know you will escape harm. Only cultivate your aims to assist and improve the age's transformation, and not disgrace your forebears. She often said that who among men can fully embody the natural way; merely to act vigorously without tiring is also next best. Though dealing with the lowly and base, she was sure to keep her word. In taking and giving, her divisions were clear and distinct.' Someone said: 'Is this not perhaps too petty?' She answered: 'The conduct of a noble person is to accumulate small things in order to reach what is lofty and great. If one thinks a small good deed has no benefit and therefore does not do it, that is simply the way of petty men. To hope for far-reaching mastery and admire what is grand—that is what I do not like.' From childhood Zhong Hui wore only blue and dark blue; he personally managed household affairs and knew himself to be respectful and frugal. Yet when he saw gain he considered righteousness; facing wealth he always yielded. The money and silk Zhong Hui was granted before and after amounted to millions; he sent it all to supply public use and took not a single item. At age fifty-nine, in the second month of the second year of Ganlu (257), she suddenly fell ill and died. By the time of the burial, the Son of Heaven had issued a handwritten edict ordering the Grand General, the Marquis of Gaodu, to provide generous funeral gifts; every matter connected with the mourning, large or small, was supplied. Deliberators held that lords and marquises have a lady, a mistress of the house, a wife, and concubines—the so-called outer titled ladies. Following the precedent of Cheng Feng and Ding Si in the Spring and Autumn Annals, it was proper to honor ritual norms and not simply refer to her by the designation of concubine. She was therefore styled the Accomplished Marquis's appointed lady. That the funeral and burial took from ancient institutions was ritual propriety." When Zhuge Dan rebelled, the imperial carriage halted at Xiang; Sima Zhao reached Shouchun, and Zhong Hui again accompanied the campaign.
49
使
Quan clan rescued Zhuge Dan. Quan Hui and Yi defected to Sima Zhao. Zhong Hui forged letters about Wu executing families. Quan Yi surrendered from fear. His Shouchun stratagem earned comparisons to Zhang Liang. He refused grand coach. He ran Sima Zhao's secretariat. He refused the Chen marquisate. The edict stated: "Hui has overseen military affairs, joined in planning strategy, assessed the enemy, and mastered victory. He has merit in counsel and planning, yet he has firmly yielded favor and declined reward; his words are sincere and substantial, and though the matter has been pressed repeatedly, his resolve cannot be changed. Court respected his refusal." He became metropolitan commandant. He dominated policy despite nominal role. He engineered Ji Kang's death.
50
西 使 使 穿 退 使 西 使 退
Sima Zhao planned Shu because of Jiang Wei. Zhong Hui agreed and mapped the campaign. In winter Jingyuan 3 Zhong Hui became general who guards the west with authority over the Guanzhong armies. Sima Zhao mobilized shipbuilding across the eastern provinces and had Tang Zi build sea transports as cover for a Wu campaign. Autumn Jingyuan 4: Deng Ai struck Gansong-Tazhong while Zhuge Xu sealed Bridgehead. Zhong Hui took more than 100,000 men through Xie and Luo passes. He executed Xu Yi when the pioneer bridge collapsed. Even Xu Chu's son earned no mercy. The hosts trembled at such severity. Shu pulled back to Han and Le fortresses. Columns converged on Hanzhong via Ziwu. Wang Han and Jiang Bin held 5,000 each at Le and Han. Xun Kai and Li Fu invested the twin fortresses. Zhong Hui offered sacrifice at Zhuge Liang's grave. Hu Lie took Guancheng and its granaries. Jiang Wei raced from Tazhong toward Guancheng. Too late he fell back to Jiange with Zhang Yi and Liao Hua. Zhong Hui's open letter to Shu began:
51
西西 西
When Han fell the land shattered and lives hung by a thread. Cao Cao restored order from chaos. Emperor Wen took the Wei throne. Emperor Ming extended Wei power. Beyond the Yangzi and Bashu lay peoples Wei had not yet transformed. Under Sima Zhao governance reaches everywhere—even distant Sushen pays tribute. Shu still levied its people without end. Wei struck Shu on five axes. Classical warfare rests on humanity and duty. A kingly host goes forth on campaign, and the foe yields without a fight. Shun and Wu Wang won without slaughter. Zhong Hui promised humane conquest.
52
祿
Liu Bei failed against Yuan Shao and Lü Bu until Cao Cao aided him. Later Shu betrayed Wei—Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei raided Longyou—Wei had too many crises to strike back. Peace on northern borders lets Wei concentrate—Shu's scattered garrisons cannot hold. Morale still weak from Duangu and Hehou. Shu's levies exhaust the people. You have seen this yourselves. History shows Bashu falls—Shu Long was taken; Gongsun Shu died. You know the precedents. Wise men flee doomed regimes like Weizi and Chen Ping. Will you cling to salary till doom?
53
巿 使
Wei offers mercy before the sword. Sun Yi defected to wealth and rank. Even rebels Wen Qin and Tang Zi became leaders. Tang Zi captured—Wen Qin's sons surrendered—as generals and marquises. Tang Zi joined court councils. Cornered defectors flourished—how much more worthies who yield now! Defect now for fortune like Weizi or Chen Ping. Delay until Wei armies crush all. Choose wisely—spread this word everywhere.
54
綿 西 西 使 退 綿 使 便
Deng Ai aimed through Deyang toward Jiangyou and Chengdu with Zhuge Xu. Zhuge Xu advanced to Bailong to link with Hui—ignoring the flanking order. Zhong Hui sent Tian Zhang west of Jiange toward Jiangyou. Tian Zhang cleared Shu ambush a hundred li out. They drove deep. Zhong Hui framed Zhuge Xu as coward and recalled him. All troops fell to Zhong Hui. 〈Directory notes Zhuge Xu's Jin offices. Son Chong became minister of justice. Chong's sons Quan and Mei were notable. Quan governed Yanzhou. Mei reached attendant and censor chief. Jiange held against Zhong Hui. Deng Ai crushed Zhuge Zhan at Mianzhu. Jiang Wei fled east into Ba commandery. Zhong Hui pushed to Fu and chased Jiang Wei. Liu Shan surrendered to Deng Ai while ordering Jiang Wei to yield to Zhong Hui. Jiang Wei disarmed at Quxian and surrendered to Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui reported:
55
𩇕西 西 西 調
Jiang Wei and officers raced toward Chengdu. Zhong Hui claimed he had sent Xiahou Xian and Hu Lie through Jiange and out toward Xindu and Dadu to bar the way ahead, while Yuan Pang and Gou An closed from behind, Huangfu Kai and Wang Mai hit from south of Fu, and he himself anchored Fu to tie the wings together. Jiang Wei's army marched west in force. Zhong Hui described trapping Jiang Wei on every road. Shu stacked surrendered seals before him. Like Shun winning without fighting. Like Zhou's bloodless victory. Sunzi: preserve the whole state first. Preserve armies when possible. Edict praised Sima Zhao like Duke of Zhou. Zhong Hui claimed benevolent occupation of Shu.
56
西
Zhong Hui banned looting and courted Shu officials—charmed Jiang Wei. 〈Sayings of Age states that when Xiahou Ba fled to Shu, the Shu court asked, "What sort of virtue does Lord Sima have?" Ba said 'Certainly will establish household.' In this context, "the capital elite" are likely what is meant by "Capital Elite." He said, "There is Zhong Shiji—that man will manage court politics; he is Wu and Shu's worry." Han-Jin Spring and Autumn states initially when Xiahou Ba surrendered Shu Jiang Wei asked 'Sima Yi having seized government—will again have campaign ambition?' Ba said 'That side establishing household gate—not leisure foreign affairs. Yet Ba warned Zhong Hui would threaten Wu-Shu." Fifteen years later Zhong Hui destroyed Shu. Pei Songzhi merged Xi Chao with Shishuo.〉 Twelfth month edict stated 'Hui wherever directed smashed decline—before no strong enemy—silenced mass cities—netted fleeing fugitives. Shu commanders surrendered. Bloodless surrender of masses. West pacified. Zhong Hui became minister of education with vast fief. His sons received village marquises."
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西 使 便 退 使使使 使 紿
Zhong Hui coveted power and framed Deng Ai. 〈Zhong Hui forged Deng Ai's memorials. He forged Sima Zhao's replies too. Court ordered Deng Ai arrested. Sima Zhao feared Deng Ai might disobey, so he ordered Zhong Hui to advance on Chengdu as well. Army Supervisor Wei Guan went ahead of Hui, used Sima Zhao's handwritten order to proclaim instructions to Deng Ai's army, and when Ai's troops all laid down their weapons, he seized Ai and put him in a cage cart. With Deng Ai gone Zhong Hui commanded alone. Zhong Hui deemed himself peerless and plotted revolt. He planned to send Jiang Wei and company leading Shu forces through Xie Valley while he followed with the main army. From Chang'an, cavalry would go overland and infantry downstream on the Wei into the river; he figured five days to Mengjin, a rendezvous with the horse at Luoyang, and the realm settled at a stroke. Word came from Sima Zhao: if Deng Ai might refuse the summons, Jia Chong would take ten thousand into Xie Valley to Lecheng while Zhao himself camped at Chang'an with a hundred thousand—“we shall meet shortly.” Reading it, he told his confidants in alarm: “If it were only Deng Ai, the Chancellor knows I could handle that myself; this massive deployment means he has seen through me—I must move immediately. If I succeed, I take the realm; if not, I pull back and hold Hanzhong and Shu—no worse than Liu Bei. Since Huainan I have never dropped a plan—the whole world knows it. Am I supposed to walk away with this and go home in peace!” On the fifteenth of the first month in the fifth year he arrived; the next day he called every Protector of the Army, governor, gate commandant and cavalry inspector upward, plus former Shu officials, and staged mourning for the empress dowager in the Shu court hall. He forged her testament ordering himself to revolt and depose Sima Zhao, showed it to the assembly, made them debate and sign wooden slips of appointment, then put his own men in command of the armies. Every summoned official was locked in the Yizhou bureau buildings; city and palace gates were shut and soldiers sealed the compound. Qiu Jian, Zhong Hui's camp supervisor, had served under Hu Lie, whom Lie had recommended to Sima Zhao; Hui had asked to keep him and favored him. Jian pitied Lie isolated inside and persuaded Hui to let each camp send one orderly out for food; by custom each gate commandant was allowed one man in. Lie lied to his orderly and slipped a note to his son: “Jian’s secret word—Hui has dug pits and prepared white clubs 〈Commentary gloss: same word as "club."〉 They number in the thousands; he plans to bring every outer unit inside and give each man a white kerchief 〈Phonetic gloss: fanqie spelling supplied in the commentary.〉, promote them to miscellaneous officers, then club them into the pits in order.” The gate guards’ orderlies repeated it too; within one night everyone knew. Someone urged Hui: “Kill every gate commandant and cavalry inspector and above.” Hui wavered and did not act.
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使
At noon on the eighteenth, Lie’s troops and his son beat drums and burst from the gates; every camp roared out though no one had ordered it, all rushing for the city. They were still handing Jiang Wei armor and arms when word came of a din outside like a fire; soon reports said soldiers were heading for the walls. Hui started and asked Jiang Wei: “The men sound ready to turn on us—what now?” Jiang Wei said: “We strike them.” Hui sent men to slaughter the penned gate commandants and governors; those inside jammed looms against the doors so the attackers could not break in. Moments later ladders rose outside; buildings burned; men swarmed the walls like ants; arrows fell like rain; commandants and governors climbed from the roofs to their men. Jiang Wei fought beside Hui’s guards and killed five or six himself; when he fell the mob turned on Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui was forty; hundreds of soldiers died. 〈The Jin Zhugong Zan says Hu Lie’s son Yuan (courtesy Shiyuan) was grandson of Zun. Zun of Anding combined civil and military talent, served repeatedly on the frontier, and rose to General of Chariots and Cavalry. His son Fen (courtesy Xuanwei) also held regional posts. His daughter was a favored honored consort of Emperor Wu of Jin. Under Taikang, Fen became Supervisor of the Masters of Writing with supernumerary General Who Guards the Army and an independent command. Younger brother Guang (courtesy Xuanzu) was Minister of the Lesser Treasury. Next, Lie (courtesy Xuanwu) was Inspector of Qinzhou. Next, Qi (courtesy Xuanyi) was Inspector of Bingzhou. Guang’s son Xi was Inspector of Liangzhou. Yuan’s boyhood name was Yaochi; at eighteen he killed Zhong Hui to free his father and his name rang far and wide. Later, when Prince Zhao Lun seized the throne and the Three Princes rose against him, Lun sent Yuan with Zhang Hong against the Prince of Qi and they repeatedly broke Qi’s forces. When Chengdu fell, Yuan surrendered and accepted judgment.
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辿 辿
At first Deng Ai was grand commandant and Zhong Hui minister of education; both held the jie staff and superintended the armies as before, yet all died before receiving appointment. Zhong Hui's elder brother Yu died in the winter of the fourth year; Hui to the end did not know the news. Zhong Hui's elder brother's son Yong died together with Hui; Hui's adopted elder brother's son Yi and Jun and Chan were ordered to rebel in succession. They were imprisoned and were to suffer execution. Sima Zhao, Prince Wen, memorialized the Son of Heaven, who issued an edict saying: "Jun and the others' grandfather You, in the age of the three founding emperors, rose to the highest offices among the ministers, aided the mandate and established merit, and was honored with offerings in the ancestral temple. Their father Yu served in inner and outer posts and managed affairs with achievement. Formerly Chu, remembering Ziwen's governance, did not extinguish the sacrifices of the Dou clan; Jin recorded Cheng Xuan's loyalty and thereby preserved the descendants of the Zhao clan. Because of the crimes of Hui and Yong to cut off the line of You and Yu—I am moved to pity! The brothers Jun and Chan are specially pardoned; those with offices and ranks remain as before. Only Yi and Yong's son shall suffer the law." Some say Yu once secretly reported to Sima Zhao that Hui relied on arts and was hard to keep secure, and could not be entrusted alone—therefore Jun and the others were pardoned. The Annals of Han and Jin says: Sima Zhao praised his loyalty and candor and smiling answered Yu: "If it were as you say, it would surely not extend to the clan."
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西使
Earlier, when Sima Zhao meant to send Zhong Hui against Shu, Western Bureau clerk Shao Ti sought audience: “You give Hui more than a hundred thousand men—yet he bears no grave office alone; better send someone else.” Sima Zhao smiled:
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使 使 使
Do you think I do not know that? Shu harms the empire and denies the people peace; I will crush it like turning my hand—yet everyone says Shu cannot be taken. When hearts start afraid, wit and daring fail together; force such troops and you only feed the enemy. Only Zhong Hui agrees with me—send him and Shu will fall. After Shu falls, even if your fears come true—what could anyone do in one stroke? You do not talk bravery with a beaten general or survival with ministers of a fallen state—their nerve is gone. Once Shu is crushed, the remnant population will be too terrified to plot; Central Plain troops will each think of home and refuse to follow him. If he rebels, he only wipes out his own kin. You need not fret—just keep this between us.
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西 使 殿 使
When Zhong Hui reported Deng Ai's misconduct and Sima Zhao was about to go west, Shao Ti again said: "The forces Zhong Hui commands are five or six times those of Deng Ai; you need only order Hui to seize Ai—there is no need to go yourself." Sima Zhao said: "Have you forgotten what you said before, yet now again say there is no need to go? Even so, this remark must not be spread abroad. I myself must treat people with trust and righteousness; if others do not betray me, how can I first harbor suspicion in my heart! Recently Protector of the Army Jia asked me, saying: "Do you rather suspect Zhong Hui?" I answered: "Now that I am sending you on this mission, how could I again suspect you?" Jia too had nothing with which to change my words. When I reach Chang'an, the matter will settle itself." When the army reached Chang'an, Hui had indeed already died—everything was as planned. According to the first year of Xianxi 〈Names of the Hundred Offices〉 : Shao Ti, styled Yuanbo, was a native of Yangping. The Annals of Han and Jin says: When Sima Zhao heard that Zhong Hui's merit officer Xiang Xiong had gathered and buried Hui, he summoned and reproached him, saying: "Formerly when Wang Jing died, you wept at the eastern market and I did not question you; now Zhong Hui personally became a rebel and yet you again gather and bury him—if I again tolerate this, what of the king's law!" Xiong said: "Formerly the ancient kings covered exposed skeletons and buried rotting remains; their benevolence extended even to decayed bones. Did they first inquire into merit and crime before collecting and burying them? Now the king's punishment has already been applied and the law is complete; Xiong, moved by righteousness, gathered and buried—instruction too is not lacking. Law is established above and instruction is spread below; to train the multitude thus—Xiong says it is acceptable! Why must Xiong turn his back on the dead and violate life to stand in the age? If Your Highness treats dry bones as an enemy and casts them into the open fields, then a hundred years from now even slaves will laugh at you. Could this be something benevolent and worthy men would conceal?" The prince was pleased, feasted and talked with him, and sent him away. Xi Zuochi says: Xiang Bamao may be called brave in walking the path of righteousness. By weeping for Wang Jing, he moved the people of the marketplace to grief; by burying Zhong Hui, he stirred a wise ruler with righteousness. They were all loyal, ardent, and resolute, going forward though they knew death awaited them, not seeking to preserve their lives. How much more if Jing and Hui were in the world—or if one were in urgent peril—would there be any who would not go? Therefore, by tracing the hearts with which they served the dead, one can see the feeling with which they served the living; by observing their loyal and steadfast integrity, one can shame those who turn their backs on righteousness. The prince added courtesy in sending him away—this may be called enlightened judgment.
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Zhong Hui once debated “no overlapping trigrams” in the Changes and whether talent and nature were the same or different. After his death twenty chapters titled Daolun were found at his house—Legalist in substance, in Hui’s voice.
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便
In his youth he was already celebrated alongside Wang Bi of Shanyang. Wang Bi loved debating Ru and Dao, wrote with brilliance, annotated the Changes and Laozi, became Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, and died in his twenties. 〈His courtesy name was Fusi.) He Shao’s biography says Wang Bi was keen from boyhood; past ten he studied Laozi and argued fluently. His father Ye was Gentleman of the Masters of Writing. Pei Hui headed the Bureau of Appointments; Bi, still uncapped, called on him. Hui was struck on first meeting and asked: “Non-being grounds all things—yet the sage never names it while Laozi never stops—why?” Bi answered: “The sage embodies non-being; it cannot be put into doctrine, so he is silent. Laozi speaks from being, so he always shows where non-being is not enough.” Fu Gu soon noticed him too. He Yan was Minister of Appointments and marveled: “Confucius called youth formidable—this man may speak of Heaven and man!” In the Zhengshi years Palace Attendant seats stood empty again and again. Yan had placed Jia Chong, Pei Xiu, and Zhu Zheng and now moved to add Wang Bi. Ding Mi rivaled Yan and pushed Wang Li of Gaoyi on Cao Shuang; Shuang took Li. So Wang Bi became a clerk at the Masters of Writing. On first taking office he asked Cao Shuang for a private audience; Shuang cleared the room, but Bi talked only abstruse doctrine for hours—Shuang laughed at him. Shuang ran the court; his clique promoted each other; Bi had breadth of talent and chased no fame. Li soon died; Shuang replaced him with Wang Shen, so Bi never reached the inner offices—He Yan rued it. His time there was brief; administration was not his gift and he cared little. Liu Tao of Huainan mastered coalition rhetoric and was admired. In debate he usually got the better of Wang Bi. Yet Bi’s genius was unmatched—what he saw, no one could wrest away. He was even-tempered, loved feasts and outings, knew music, and excelled at pitch-pot. His philosophy pinned words together—not He Yan’s polish—but he often saw deeper and laughed at others’ weakness, which grated on contemporaries. He was close to Zhong Hui, whose style was tight logic—yet Hui bowed to Wang Bi’s heights. He Yan argued sages had no emotions—the thesis was subtle; Zhong Hui echoed it. Wang Bi disagreed: the sage exceeds common men in luminous spirit but shares the five emotions; that luminosity lets him embody emptiness and touch non-being, yet the shared emotions mean joy and sorrow still answer the world—only his responses leave no entanglement. Because he is untangled you imagine he does not respond—you err deeply. Wang Bi annotated the Changes; Xun Rong of Yingchuan attacked his Great Expansion gloss. Bi replied playfully: “Vision enough to sound the depths cannot erase innate nature. Yan Hui’s measure lay within Confucius’s ken—yet Confucius could not meet him without joy or lose him without grief. I once faulted such men for failing to let feeling follow principle—I see now nature cannot be revised. Your mind may be settled—yet ten days apart, why such longing? So Confucius toward Yan Hui was nearly blameless." He annotated the Laozi with a pointed outline, coherent in structure. He wrote Daolüelun and glossed the Changes in often sublime language. Wang Ji of Taiyuan loved debate and criticized Laozi and Zhuangzi, yet said: “Wang Bi’s Changes commentary opens many doors.” Yet Bi misread people: he befriended Wang Li and Xun Rong until Li took his Palace Attendant post—he hated Li and fell out with Rong. In Zhengshi 10 Cao Shuang fell and Bi lost office on public grounds. That autumn plague took him at twenty-four, childless—his line ended. When he died, Sima Shi grieved for days—such high minds prized him. Sun Sheng said: the Changes plumbs spirit and transformation—who but the finest mind can join it? Nearly every commentary of the age misses the mark. How much less Wang Bi, spinning clever dialectic to bottle the subtle teaching? His airy glosses overflow with ornament; his yin-yang moves are too clever by half; yet the hexagram lines’ turns, the images they mirror, the calendar and the five phases—he tosses them aside and barely touches them. Parts shine, yet the whole risks clogging the great Way. Bowuzhi records that Wang Can and cousin Kai fled to Jingzhou; Liu Biao meant to marry his daughter to Can but found him homely and blunt, while Kai looked the part—so the daughter went to Kai. Kai fathered Ye, Liu Biao’s grandson through his daughter. Cai Yong’s library—nearly ten thousand scrolls—went by wagon to Wang Can; after Can’s death his son died in Wei Feng’s coup, and the entire legacy landed with Ye. Ye (courtesy Changxu) reached Supervisor of the Imperial Household. His son Hong (courtesy Zhengzong) served as Colonel Director of Retainers. Hong was Wang Bi’s elder brother. The Wei shi Chunqiu adds that after Wen executed Can’s sons, he made Ye heir to Can.〉
65
Appraisal
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The historian judges: Wang Ling’s bearing was high; Guanqiu Jian’s talent sharp; Zhuge Dan stern and weighty; Zhong Hui a master of schemes—all rose to glory, yet grand schemes blinded them to ruin; revolt snapped like a bow—clans extinguished—a madness. Deng Ai was tough and accomplished much yet saw no danger coming—disgrace followed fast; he could read Zhuge Ke from a distance but not his own feet—what ancients mocked as “eye-only” judgment. 〈The Records tells how King Wujiang of Yue rivaled the central states; under King Wei of Chu, Yue struck north at Qi; Qi’s king sent an envoy to dissuade Yue, who refused. The Qi envoy answered: “Fortunate indeed—Yue still stands. I do not prize wit that works like eyes—eyes see every eyelash yet never their own lashes. Today the king sees Jin’s misstep but not Yue’s—that is the blindness of eye-only judgment.”〉”
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