万石张叔列传 — Shiji

Wan Shinong was named Fen. His father was a native of Zhao, and the family name was Shi. When Zhao fell, they moved to Wen. When the Emperor Gaozu marched east to attack Xiang Yu, he crossed through Henei. Fen was then fifteen years old and served as a minor official in attendance on Gaozu. The Emperor took a liking to his respectful manner and asked him, "What family do you have?" He replied, "Only a mother, who unfortunately lost her sight. We are poor. I have an older sister who can play the zither." Gaozu said, "Will you follow me?" He answered, "I wish to serve you with all my strength." Thereupon Gaozu summoned his sister and made her a court beauty, while Fen was appointed a zhongjuan, put in charge of documents and petitions. The family was moved to live in Zhongqi Lane in Chang'an, on account of his sister being a beauty. Fen rose through the ranks to become a senior grand master during the reign of Emperor Wen through accumulated merit and service. Though lacking in literary education, his deference and caution were unmatched.

During Emperor Wen's reign, when Zhang Xiangru, Marquis of Dongyang, who had been Crown Prince's Tutor, was dismissed from office, those considered suitable for the post all recommended Fen. Thus Fen became Crown Prince's Tutor. When Emperor Jing took the throne, Fen was appointed to the Nine Ministers. However, finding him too close for comfort, the Emperor transferred him to serve as chancellor of a vassal state. Fen's eldest son Jian, second son Jia, third son Yi, and youngest son Qing all conducted themselves with disciplined propriety and filial caution, each attaining the rank of two-thousand-bushel official. Thereupon Emperor Jing remarked, "Shi and his four sons are all two-thousand-bushel officials—indeed the ministers' honor and prestige gather at their door." Fen was therefore styled Wan Shinong, "Master of Ten Thousand Bushels."

In the last years of Emperor Jing's reign, Wan Shinong retired on his pension as a senior grand master, returning home. He still presented himself at court during seasonal festivals. When passing through any palace gate, he would alight from his carriage and hurry forward on foot. Upon seeing the royal carriage, he would place his hand upon it in reverence. When his descendants, serving as minor officials, came home to pay respects, Wan Shinong would receive them in formal court dress, never addressing them by name. If any grandchild committed an offense, he would not scold them sharply. Rather, he would sit apart from them and refuse to eat at their table. The sons would then admonish the offender, and the elders would bare their arms and earnestly beg forgiveness on his behalf. Only after the fault was corrected would approval be given. Grandchildren who had come of age stood beside him; even in casual moments he kept his hat on, maintaining proper demeanor. His servants and boys were likewise neat and proper, all notably cautious. Whenever the Emperor sent food to his home, Wan Shinong would kowtow and lean forward to eat it, as though the Emperor were present before him. In mourning rites, his grief was most profound. His descendants followed his teachings faithfully. The Wan household became renowned for filial piety and caution throughout all the commanderies and kingdoms—so much so that even the most earnest scholars of Qi and Lu considered themselves his inferiors.

Jian's hair turned white in service, yet Wan Shinong remained well. When Jian took his five-day rest from duty, he would return home to visit his parents. Entering the servants' quarters, he would privately ask the attendants for his father's chamber pot and washing basin, wash them himself, then return them—daring not to let Wan Shinong know. This became his regular practice. When matters arose that Jian wished to discuss, he would dismiss others to speak freely and urgently. Yet when appearing at court, he behaved as though unable to speak at all. The Emperor therefore esteemed and honored him.

Wan Shinong passed away in the fifth year of Yuanchuo. His eldest son, Court Architect Jian, wept with sorrow and could only walk with the support of a cane. After more than a year, Jian also died. All the descendants were filial, but Jian surpassed them all—exceeding even Wan Shinong.

In the autumn of the fifth year of Yuanding, the Chancellor committed a crime and was dismissed. The imperial edict to the Minister of the Guards read: "Wan Shinong was held in high honor by the Former Emperor, and his descendants are filial. I hereby appoint Minister of the Guards Qing as Chancellor, enfeoffed as Marquis of Muqiu." At this time the Han empire was campaigning south against the two Yues, attacking east against Korea, pursuing north against the Xiongnu, and striking west against Dayuan. The realm was in great turmoil. The Emperor traveled throughout the land, restored ancient divine altars, performed thefeng and shan sacrifices, and revived ritual and music. The government treasury was strained. Sang Hongyang and others pursued profit through state monopolies; Wang Wenshu and his ilk enforced harsh laws; Er Kuan and others advanced literary scholars to the Nine Ministers. Each pressed their cases, and affairs were not decided by the Chancellor. The Chancellor merely maintained a sober caution. During his nine years in office, he had nothing of merit to offer. Once he attempted to investigate the offenses of the Emperor's close attendant Suo Zhong and the Nine Ministers Xian Xuan, but could not convict them; instead he was blamed for their crimes and had to redeem himself.

In the fourth year of Yuanfeng, two million displaced persons from the eastern passes, including four hundred thousand without household registration, wandered homeless. The ministers proposed resettling them on the frontiers. The Emperor, considering the elderly and cautious Chancellor unfit for such deliberations, granted him leave to return home. He then investigated those ministers below the rank of the Minister of the Guards who had supported the proposal. The Chancellor, ashamed of his incapacity, submitted a memorial: "I, Qing, was fortunate enough to serve as Chancellor, but my incompetence has left me unable to assist in governance. The city walls and granaries stand empty, the people wander homeless. I deserve the punishment of axe and stake, but the Emperor in his mercy has not enforced the law. I beg to return my Chancellor's seal and request permission to retire, making way for a worthier man." The Emperor replied: "The granaries are empty, the people are impoverished and wandering, yet you propose resettling them, causing unrest and danger, then ask to resign. Where would you have me find another successor?" He rebuked Qing in writing. Qing was deeply ashamed, yet he resumed his duties.

Qing was thorough and cautious, but had no grand designs. He spoke nothing on behalf of the common people. Three years and more later, in the second year of Taichu, Chancellor Qing died. He was posthumously titled Marquis of Tian. His middle son De was beloved by Qing and was designated heir. The Emperor appointed De as successor to the title, but later as Grand Sacrificial Official, he broke the law and faced execution; he redeemed himself and became a commoner. While Qing was Chancellor, thirteen of his descendants held office at the two-thousand-bushel rank. After Qing's death, however, they gradually lost their positions due to offenses, and their filial caution steadily declined.

Marquis Jianling, Wei Wan, was a native of Daling in Dai. He served as a palace guard with his skill in charioteering, becoming a Attendant General under Emperor Wen, and was promoted through merit to Commander of the Center. He was sober and cautious, free of other faults. When Emperor Jing was Crown Prince, he invited the Emperor's attendants to drink, but Wan pleaded illness and did not attend. When Emperor Wen was near death, he instructed Emperor Jing: "Wan is an elder. Treat him well." When Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing took the throne, for over a year he never once reproached Wan. Day by day Wan grew more diligent.

When Emperor Jing visited the Upper Forest, he commanded the Commander of the Center to ride in attendance. Upon returning, the Emperor asked: "Do you know why you were permitted to ride in attendance?" Wan replied: "Your servant, a chariot warrior, was fortunate to be promoted according to merit to Commander of the Center—I did not know why myself." The Emperor asked: "When I was Crown Prince, I summoned you, but you would not come. Why?" Wan answered: "I committed a capital offense—I was truly ill!" The Emperor granted him a sword. Wan said: "The Former Emperor gave me six swords; I dare not have used them." The Emperor said: "A sword is something a man gives away or exchanges—how does yours still remain?" Wan replied: "They are all still here." The Emperor sent someone to retrieve all six swords. The swords were still bright, never worn. When any of the palace officers was blamed, Wan often bore the punishment alone rather than dispute with other generals; when there was merit, he always yielded to other commanders. The Emperor regarded him as honest and loyal, with no hidden motives. He appointed Wan as Tutor to the King of Hejian. When the rebellion of Wu and Chu erupted, an edict made Wan a general. He led the Hejian forces to defeat Wu and Chu, earning appointment as General of the Center. Three years later, in the sixth year of Emperor Jing's reign, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jianling.

The following year, the Emperor deposed the Crown Prince and executed the family of Li Qing. Regarding Wan as an elder worthy of trust, the Emperor could not bring himself to punish him. Instead he granted him leave to return home, while sending Zhi Du to investigate and punish the Li family. Once the matter was settled, the Emperor installed the Prince of Jiaodong as Crown Prince and summoned Wan, appointing him Crown Prince's Tutor. After a long period, he was promoted to Minister of the Guards. Five years later, he succeeded Tao Hou She as Chancellor. At court audiences he spoke only of his regular duties. From his first official post through his chancellorship, he never offered a single proposal. The Emperor regarded him as honest and loyal, suitable to serve a young sovereign, and honored him greatly with generous rewards.

Marquis of Sai, Zhi Houxu, was a native of Nanyang. He served as an Attendant under Emperor Wen. One of his fellow attendants asked for leave, but mistakenly took another attendant's gold. The owner of the gold discovered the loss and suspected Houxu. Houxu apologized, admitting to having it, then purchased gold to repay the owner. When the man who had asked for leave returned, he gave back the original gold—and the attendant who had lost it was greatly ashamed. Thus Houxu was praised as an elder. Emperor Wen commended and promoted him, eventually making him a Senior Grand Master. At court, someone remarked: "Houxu is indeed handsome, but what can be done about his shameful act of robbing his own brother-in-law!" When Houxu heard this, he said simply: "I have no brother-in-law." Yet he never cleared his name.

Houxu studied the teachings of Laozi. In his official duties he governed as before, fearing only that others might learn of his administrative record. He disliked establishing a reputation, preferring to be known simply as an elder. Upon his death, his son Xiangru succeeded him. His grandson Wang later lost his title for insufficient sacrificial gold.

Ren was discreet and never disclosed secrets. He often wore patched clothes and dirty trousers, deliberately appearing unkempt, and thereby gained the Emperor's favor. When Emperor Jing entered his private chambers for secret intimacies with the imperial ladies, Ren was always present beside him. At Emperor Jing's death, Ren still held the post of Court Architect, yet he never spoke of what he had witnessed. When the Emperor asked about people, Ren would say: "Let Your Majesty observe them yourself." Thus he never disparaged anyone. Emperor Jing repeatedly favored his household. The family moved to Yangling. The Emperor's gifts were many, but Ren always declined, not daring to accept them. Bribes from nobles and ministers, he never accepted.

Minister of the Guards Zhang Shu, named Ou, was a son of Yi, Marquis of Anqiu, born of a concubine. During Emperor Wen's reign he served the Crown Prince in legal matters. Although Ou specialized in legal studies, he was himself an elder of integrity. During Emperor Jing's reign he was held in high esteem and served among the Nine Ministers. In the fourth year of Emperor Wu's Yuanchuo era, when Han Anguo was dismissed, an imperial edict appointed Ou as Minister of the Guards. From his time as an official onward, Ou never prosecuted anyone. He conducted himself entirely as an honest elder. His subordinates regarded him as an elder and dared not deceive him greatly. When cases were brought to trial, if there was room for mercy he would release them; if not, and force of circumstance prevailed, he would weep as he sealed the verdict. Such was his benevolence.

The Grand Historian remarks: Confucius said, "The gentleman is slow to speak but quick to act." Is this not what we see in Wan Shinong, the Marquis of Jianling, and Zhang Shu? Thus their teaching succeeded without severity, their governance prevailed without harshness. The Marquis of Sai was subtly clever, yet Zhou Wen was found wanting—the gentleman censures them, for such conduct borders on flattery. Yet these men may truly be called earnest and virtuous gentlemen.