汲郑列传 — Shiji

Ji An, courtesy name Changru, was a native of Puyang. His ancestors had been favored by the rulers of the ancient state of Wei, and over seven generations the family had consistently produced officials and ministers. Ji An entered government service through his father's position, and during the reign of Emperor Xiaojing served as an attendant to the Crown Prince. His dignified bearing commanded respect.

When Emperor Xiaojing died and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Ji An was appointed Herald. When the rulers of Dongyue went to war with each other, the emperor sent Ji An to investigate. He did not proceed all the way to Dongyue but turned back at Wu, reporting: "The Yue people fight among themselves—this is simply their custom. It is not worth dispatching an imperial envoy to intervene."

When a fire broke out in Henan, spreading to more than a thousand homes, the emperor again sent Ji An to assess the situation. He returned and reported: "A household fire—houses burning in a row—hardly warrants concern. But passing through Henan, I saw over ten thousand poor families devastated by floods and drought, some with fathers and sons eating each other. I took the liberty of using my credentials to open the Henan granaries and distribute grain to the starving. I ask to be held accountable for falsifying orders."

The emperor, admiring his initiative, released him from punishment but transferred him to be magistrate of Xingyang. Ji An considered the post beneath him and, feigning illness, returned to his farm. The emperor soon heard of this and summoned him to appoint him Grandee Secretary. His repeated blunt remonstrances, however, made it impossible for him to remain long at court, and he was sent out as Governor of Donghai.

Ji An studied the teachings of Huang-Lao. In governing his jurisdiction and managing the people, he favored quietude and simplicity, selecting capable subordinates and entrusting them with duties. His administration concerned itself only with major objectives, never with minor details. Ji An was frequently ill and rarely left his inner chambers. Within a year and more, Donghai was thoroughly reformed and won widespread praise.

Ji An was by nature proud and discourteous, making little ceremony. He would confront people directly and could not tolerate their faults. Those who shared his views he treated well; those who did not, he could not bear to see. Scholars consequently did not attach themselves to him. Yet he loved learning, admired chivalrous men, valued integrity, cultivated personal virtue, and delighted in speaking plainly. Time and again he offended the emperor, often emulating the courage of Fu Bai and Yuan Ang.

The emperor fell silent, his expression shifting to anger as he abruptly ended the audience. The ministers all feared for Ji An. After retiring, the emperor remarked to his attendants: "How utterly obtuse Ji An can be!"

When some officials rebuked Ji An, he replied: "The Son of Heaven appointed us ministers and advisors. Should we simply echo his wishes and lead him into unrighteousness? Once in our positions, even if we would spare ourselves, how could we bring disgrace upon the court?"

Ji An fell ill frequently, and whenever his three-month leave of absence expired, the emperor repeatedly granted extensions—yet his illness never improved. In his final illness, Zhuang Zhu requested leave on his behalf. The emperor asked: "What manner of man is Ji An?" Zhuang Zhu replied: "If there is any task to be performed, no one exceeds Ji An. But when it comes to advising a young ruler, to defending a city under siege, he cannot be called forth or driven away—though one might claim the valor of Bao and Yu, it would not suffice to move him."

The emperor said: "Yes. In ancient times there were ministers who saved the state. As for Ji An, he comes close to such a man."

When Grand General Wei Qing attended court, the emperor would receive him while seated on a chamber pot. The Chancellor, Gongsun Hong, was sometimes granted informal audiences without his hat. But when Ji An requested an audience, the emperor would not see him unless properly attired. Once, seated in a military tent, Ji An came forward to present a memorial. The emperor, not wearing his hat and catching sight of Ji An from afar, retreated behind the curtain and would approve the memorial only through an attendant. Such was the reverence shown to him.

When Zhang Tang was appointed Commandant of Justice after revising the laws and ordinances, Ji An repeatedly confronted him: "You hold the highest judicial office, yet can you claim credit for advancing the late Emperor's accomplishments or suppressing the wicked designs beneath heaven? Have you enriched the state and secured the people, emptying the prisons? Neither. Why then do you take the regulations established by Emperor Gaozu and wantonly alter them? Because of such actions, you will leave no descendants."

When Ji An debated with Zhang Tang, Tang's arguments were always couched in intricate legal minutiae. Ji An, stern and unwavering, could not be swayed, and in frustration he declared: "The world says that clerks with their brush and tablet cannot become ministers and nobles—and they would be right about you. Were men like you in power, the empire would stand frozen, watching with fear."

At that time, the Han empire was campaigning against the Xiongnu and recruiting the four frontier peoples. Ji An advocated restraint, urging peace with the nomads and opposing military adventures. The emperor, drawn to Confucian teachings, elevated Gongsun Hong instead. As affairs multiplied and officials and commoners alike resorted to trickery, Zhang Tang and others issued ever more elaborate legal interpretations to gain imperial favor. Ji An consistently disparaged the Confucians, denouncing Gongsun Hong and his kind for their hypocrisy and flattery, while the legal clerks wielded their interpretations to ensnare men in crime, preventing them from vindicating themselves—yet such persons were promoted as successful.

Ji An served as Right Intendant for several years, and official affairs suffered nothing. As Grand General Wei Qing's prestige and favor only grew—his sister having become Empress—Ji An nonetheless refused to treat him with special deference.

Someone counseled Ji An: "Since the Son of Heaven wishes all ministers to defer to the Grand General, and the General's standing only rises, you must show proper respect." Ji An replied: "Should the Grand General not consider it an honor to have a guest who stands rather than kneels?"