Han Annals, Volume 56
Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, Volume 064 [Han Records 56] From the year of xinsi to the year of yiyou, five years in total.
Emperor Xiaoxian, Part Ji (Jian’an 6, 201 AD)
Spring, third month, on the day of dingmao (the first day), a solar eclipse occurred. Cao Cao moved to the region of Anmin to forage for food. Because Yuan Shao had just been defeated, Cao Cao wanted to take this opportunity to attack Liu Biao. Xun Yu said: “Yuan Shao has just suffered a fresh defeat, and his followers are disunited and estranged. It is fitting to take advantage of his distress to subdue him completely. If you now go on a distant campaign to the region of the Yangtze and Han Rivers, and should Yuan Shao gather his remaining forces and attack our rear while we are vulnerable, then your great enterprise will be finished.” Cao Cao therefore halted the plan. Summer, fourth month, Cao Cao displayed his military strength along the Yellow River, attacked Yuan Shao’s garrison at Cangting, and defeated them. Autumn, ninth month, Cao Cao returned to Xuchang.
Cao Cao personally attacked Liu Bei at Runan. Liu Bei fled to Liu Biao, and Gong Dou and the others scattered and fled. When Liu Biao heard that Liu Bei had arrived, he personally went out of the city to the outskirts to welcome him, treated him with the courtesy due to an honored guest, and also gave him additional troops, stationing him at Xinye. Liu Bei lived in Jingzhou for several years. Once, while visiting Liu Biao, he rose to go to the latrine and wept with emotion. Liu Biao found this strange and asked Liu Bei the reason. Liu Bei said: “In the past, I was never away from my saddle, and the flesh on my thighs wasted away. Now I no longer ride, and the flesh on my thighs has grown back. The sun and moon flow like water; old age is approaching, yet I have accomplished no merit. For this I am grieved.”
Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan and Zhang Liao to besiege Chang Xi at Donghai. After several months, their army’s provisions were exhausted, and they discussed withdrawing. Zhang Liao said to Xiahou Yuan: “These past few days, every time I patrol the various siege camps, Chang Xi stares fixedly at me, and the arrows he shoots are also fewer and fewer. This must mean that Chang Xi is hesitant in his heart, and therefore does not fight with full effort. I wish to provoke him into speaking, and perhaps I can induce him to surrender.” Thereupon he sent someone to say to Chang Xi: “Lord Cao has given orders, to be conveyed to you by Zhang Liao.” Chang Xi indeed came down from the mountain to speak with Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao told him of Cao Cao’s divine might and how he was using kindness to pacify the four directions, and that those who submitted first would receive great rewards. Chang Xi then agreed to surrender. Zhang Liao then ascended Mount Sangu alone, entered Chang Xi’s household, and paid his respects to Chang Xi’s wife and children. Chang Xi was greatly delighted and followed Zhang Liao to pay homage to Cao Cao. Cao Cao allowed Chang Xi to return to his original post.
Zhao Wei besieged Liu Zhang at Chengdu. The people from Dongzhou feared execution and annihilation, so they united their strength and fought to the death. Zhao Wei was then defeated and retreated. The government troops pursued him to Jiangzhou and killed him. Pang Xi was afraid and sent his subordinate Cheng Qi to his father, Cheng Ji, the magistrate of Hanchang County, with orders to demand troops composed of the Cong people. Cheng Ji said: “The commandery’s gathering of troops was originally not for rebellion. Even if there are slanderers and sycophants, the key is to exhaust one’s loyalty. If because of this one harbors treacherous intentions, I dare not obey the order.” Pang Xi again sent Cheng Qi to persuade Cheng Ji. Cheng Ji said: “I have received the favor of Governor Liu (Zhang); I ought to fulfill my duty to the death. You are a commandery official; you should naturally serve with effort. As for an unrighteous act, I would rather die than do it.” Pang Xi was greatly angered and sent someone to say to Cheng Ji: “If you do not obey the commandery governor, disaster will extend to your entire family!” Cheng Ji said: “Yue Yang ate his son’s flesh, not because he lacked father-son affection, but for the sake of righteousness he acted thus. Even if Cheng Qi were cooked into soup and given to me, I would drink it.” Pang Xi then offered profuse apologies to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang promoted Cheng Ji to the post of Grand Administrator of Jiangyang. The imperial court, hearing of the unrest in Yi Province, appointed the Fifth-rank Palace Attendant Niu Dan as Inspector of Yi Province. It summoned Liu Zhang to the court to serve as a minister, but Liu Zhang did not go.
Zhang Lu used the Way of the Ghosts to teach the common people, making sick people confess their faults and praying to heaven for them. This in fact did no good for curing illness, but the common people, ignorant and confused, vied with one another in believing in him. For those who violated the law, he forgave them three times, and only then did he execute punishment. He did not establish long officials but used libationers to manage government affairs. Both Han and non-Han people found this convenient and peaceful. Those who fled and migrated to his territory did not dare to disobey his Way. Later, Zhang Lu seized Ba Commandery. The imperial court’s forces could not subdue him, so they took advantage of the situation to appoint Zhang Lu as General Who Pacifies the People, concurrently serving as Grand Administrator of Hanning, merely requiring him to present tribute. A commoner obtained a jade seal from the ground, and Zhang Lu’s subordinates wished to honor Zhang Lu as the King of Hanning. Meritorious Official Yan Pu of Baxi remonstrated, saying: “The people of Hanchuan number a hundred thousand households, with abundant wealth and fertile land, surrounded by strategically formidable terrain. If you support the Son of Heaven above, you can become like Duke Huan of Qi or Duke Wen of Jin. Next best, you can be like Dou Rong and not lose wealth and honor. Now, by receiving imperial commands to set up offices, your power is sufficient to decide matters; there is no need to call yourself king. I hope you will temporarily refrain from claiming kingship and not become the first to invite disaster.” Zhang Lu followed his advice.
Emperor Xiaoxian, Part Ji (Jian’an 7, renwu year, 202 AD)
Spring, first month, Cao Cao stationed his army at Qiao County, then arrived at Junyi and regulated the Suiyang Canal. He sent an envoy to sacrifice to Qiao Xuan with the ritual of tailao (an ox, a sheep, and a pig). He advanced his army to Guandu.
After Yuan Shao’s defeat in battle, he was ashamed and enraged, fell ill, and vomited blood. Summer, fifth month, he died. Initially, Yuan Shao had three sons: Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang. Yuan Shao’s second wife, Lady Liu, loved Yuan Shang and frequently praised him before Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao wanted to establish Yuan Shang as his heir but did not make it clear. Thereupon he had Yuan Tan adopted into the line of his deceased elder brother and sent him out to serve as Inspector of Qing Province. Ju Shou remonstrated, saying: “People often say that ten thousand people chase a single rabbit, but when one person catches it, all the greedy ones stop, because the ownership is settled. Yuan Tan is the eldest son and should be the heir, yet you send him away to an outer post. Misfortune probably begins from this.” Yuan Shao said: “I want each of my sons to occupy a province, to test their abilities.” So he made his second son, Yuan Xi, Inspector of You Province, and his nephew, Gao Gan, Inspector of Bing Province.
Pang Ji and Shen Pei had always been hated by Yuan Tan. Xin Ping and Guo Tu both adhered to Yuan Tan and had conflicts with Shen Pei and Pang Ji. When Yuan Shao died, the majority thought Yuan Tan was the elder and wanted to establish him. Shen Pei and others, fearing that if Yuan Tan succeeded, Xin Ping and others would harm them, falsely claimed Yuan Shao’s dying command and supported Yuan Shang as heir. When Yuan Tan arrived, he could not succeed to the position. He styled himself General of Chariots and Cavalry and stationed his army at Liyang. Yuan Shang gave him very few troops and sent Pang Ji to accompany him. Yuan Tan requested additional troops, but Shen Pei and others deliberated and refused to give them. Yuan Tan, enraged, killed Pang Ji.
Autumn, ninth month, Cao Cao crossed the Yellow River and attacked Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan sent an urgent request for help to Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang left Shen Pei to guard Ye City and personally led troops to aid Yuan Tan, confronting Cao Cao. They fought successive battles, and Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were repeatedly defeated, retreating to hold their positions. Yuan Shang sent his appointed Grand Administrator of Hedong, Guo Yuan, together with Gao Gan and the Southern Chanyu of the Xiongnu, to attack Hedong, and also sent envoys to contact the various generals in Guanzhong, such as Ma Teng, to combine forces. Ma Teng and the others secretly agreed. All the cities that Guo Yuan passed through were captured.
Jia Kui, an official of Hedong Commandery, defended Jiang County. Guo Yuan attacked fiercely. When the city was about to fall, the local elders made an agreement with Guo Yuan that they would surrender only if Jia Kui were not killed. Guo Yuan agreed. Guo Yuan wanted to make Jia Kui a general and tried to force him with military threats, but Jia Kui remained unmoved. Guo Yuan’s attendants pulled Jia Kui to make him kowtow. Jia Kui rebuked them, saying: “How could a state official kowtow to a bandit!” Guo Yuan, enraged, was about to kill him, but someone threw themselves over Jia Kui to save him. The officials and commoners of Jiang County, hearing that Jia Kui was to be killed, all climbed the city walls and shouted, “If you break your agreement and kill our wise official, we would rather die together!” Thereupon Guo Yuan had Jia Kui imprisoned at Huguan, placed in an earthen pit, and covered with a cartwheel. Jia Kui said to his guard: “Is there no brave man here? Must a righteous man die in this place?” A man named Zhu Gongdao happened to hear his words, so he went there at night, secretly rescued Jia Kui, removed his shackles, and let him go, without revealing his own name.
Cao Cao sent the Colonel-Director of the Retainers, Zhong Yao, to surround the Southern Chanyu at Pingyang. Before a victory was achieved, Guo Yuan arrived with reinforcements. Zhong Yao dispatched the Magistrate of Xinfeng County, Zhang Ji of Fengyi, to persuade Ma Teng, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages for him. Ma Teng hesitated and could not decide. Fu Gan urged Ma Teng, saying: “An ancient saying goes: ‘Those who follow righteousness flourish; those who defy virtue perish.’ Lord Cao honors the Son of Heaven and punishes the rebellious; his laws are strict and governance clear; superiors and subordinates obey commands—this can indeed be called following righteousness. The Yuan clan relies on its strength, turns its back on the imperial mandate, and drives barbarian tribes to invade the Central Plains—this can indeed be called defying virtue. Now, General, since you serve a man of the Way, yet do not exert your full strength, secretly harboring divided loyalties, and wish to sit back and watch who succeeds or fails, I fear that once success and failure are decided, Lord Cao, holding the Son of Heaven’s authority, will charge you with crimes, and you, General, will be the first to be executed!” Thereupon Ma Teng became afraid. Fu Gan then said: “A wise man turns misfortune into fortune. Now Lord Cao is locked in conflict with the Yuan clan, while Gao Gan and Guo Yuan jointly attack Hedong. Though Lord Cao has a plan of ten thousand certainties, he cannot avoid the peril in Hedong. If you, General, can lead troops to attack Guo Yuan, striking from both inside and outside, you are sure to conquer. In one move, you will cut off Yuan’s arm, relieve one side’s crisis, and Lord Cao will be deeply grateful to you, General. Your merit and fame will be unmatched by anyone.” Ma Teng then sent his son, Ma Chao, leading over ten thousand men to join forces with Zhong Yao.
Initially, the various generals, because Guo Yuan’s forces were strong, wanted to abandon Pingyang and withdraw. Zhong Yao said: “The Yuan clan is at its peak; Guo Yuan has arrived, and the Guanzhong region is secretly colluding with him. The only reason they have not all rebelled is that they fear our prestige. If we abandon this place and withdraw, showing weakness to them, every person here will become our enemy. Even if we wanted to return, could we make it? This would be to defeat ourselves before battle. Moreover, Guo Yuan is self-willed and competitive; he is sure to despise our army. If he crosses the Fen River and sets up camp, and we strike before he has fully crossed, we can achieve a great victory.” When Guo Yuan arrived, he indeed pressed straight ahead to cross the Fen River. His men tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen. When the crossing was not yet half complete, Zhong Yao attacked and routed Guo Yuan’s forces. After the battle, everyone said that Guo Yuan was dead, but his head could not be found. Guo Yuan was Zhong Yao’s nephew. Later, Ma Chao’s Colonel of the Standards, Pang De of Nan’an, took a head from his quiver. When Zhong Yao saw it, he wept bitterly. Pang De apologized to Zhong Yao, but Zhong Yao said: “Guo Yuan, though my nephew, was a traitor to the state. Why should you apologize!” The Southern Chanyu then surrendered.
Liu Biao sent Liu Bei to raid northward, reaching Ye County. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin to resist. One day, Liu Bei burned his camps and withdrew. Xiahou Dun and the others pursued him. The Lieutenant-General Li Dian of Julu said: “The enemy withdrew without cause; I suspect there must be an ambush. The southern road is narrow, with thick grass and dense trees; we cannot pursue.” Xiahou Dun and the others would not listen, ordering Li Dian to stay behind while they pursued. They indeed fell into an ambush, and their army was heavily defeated. Li Dian went to their rescue, and Liu Bei then withdrew.
Cao Cao sent a document demanding that Sun Quan send his son as a hostage. Sun Quan summoned his staff for a council. Zhang Zhao, Qin Song, and others hesitated. Sun Quan took Zhou Yu to discuss the decision before Lady Wu. Zhou Yu said: “In the past, when the state of Chu was first enfeoffed, its territory did not exceed a hundred li. Later generations, being capable and virtuous, expanded its borders, eventually occupying Jingzhou and Yangzhou, reaching as far as the Southern Sea. The inheritance continued and the state’s mandate lasted over nine hundred years. Now, General, you inherit the foundations laid by your father and elder brother, possess the troops of six commanderies, with well-trained soldiers and ample provisions, officers and men ready to serve. You can smelt copper from the mountains, boil seawater for salt, and within your borders, wealth and resources abound, and the people’s hearts are settled. What compels you to send a hostage? Once the hostage is sent, you will inevitably have to respond to the Cao clan. If you respond, then whenever he summons you, you cannot refuse, and thus you will be controlled by others. At best, you will receive the seal of a marquis, a dozen servants, a few carriages, and a few horses—how can this compare to ruling as a king in the south! It is better not to send a hostage and slowly observe his changes. If the Cao clan can lead a righteous army to rectify the empire, you may serve him then; it will not be too late. If he plots turmoil and tyranny, he will be too busy fleeing his own destruction to harm others!” Lady Wu said: “Gongjin’s argument is correct. Gongjin is the same age as Bofu, only one month younger. I regard him as a son; you should serve him as you would an elder brother.” So they did not send a hostage.
Emperor Xiao Xian, Ji period, Eighth Year of Jian’an (Gui Wei, 203 AD).
Spring, second month: Cao Cao attacked Liyang and fought with Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang outside the city walls. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were defeated and fled, retreating to Ye City. Summer, fourth month: Cao Cao pursued them to Ye City and harvested the wheat there. The various generals wanted to take advantage of the victory and attack Ye City. Guo Jia said: “Yuan Shao loved these two sons and did not establish an heir. Now their power is equal, each has his own faction. If we press them hard, they will protect each other; if we ease off, they will develop a desire to fight among themselves. It would be better to turn south and attack Jingzhou, waiting for internal strife to break out among them. When the change occurs, then we can attack and pacify them in one stroke.” Cao Cao said: “Excellent!” Fifth month: Cao Cao returned to Xuchang, leaving the general Jia Xin to guard Liyang.
Yuan Tan said to Yuan Shang: “My armor is not of good quality, which is why I was defeated by Cao Cao before. Now that Cao Cao’s army has withdrawn, everyone yearns to return home. If we take advantage of the time before they cross the river and launch a surprise attack, we can inflict a great defeat. This opportunity must not be missed.” Yuan Shang suspected him, neither sending additional troops nor replacing his armor. Yuan Tan was enraged. Guo Tu and Xin Ping then said to Yuan Tan: “It was all Shen Pei’s scheme that made the late lord (Yuan Shao) have you, General, adopted into the line of his deceased elder brother.” Yuan Tan then led his troops to attack Yuan Shang, fighting at the city gate. Yuan Tan was defeated and led his troops back to Nanpi. The Assistant Officer of Biejia, Wang Xiu of Beihai, led civil and military officials from Qingzhou to rescue Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan wanted to go back and attack Yuan Shang again. Wang Xiu said: “Brothers are like the left and right hands. For example, if a man is about to fight but cuts off his own right hand, saying, ‘I am sure to win,’ is that possible? If you abandon a brother and do not be close to him, who else in the world will be close to you? Those slanderous villains are alienating flesh-and-blood relatives for momentary gain. I hope you will stop your ears and not listen to them. If you execute a few treacherous ministers, restore closeness and harmony, and then resist the enemies from the four directions, you can dominate the world.” Yuan Tan would not listen. One of Yuan Tan’s generals, Liu Xun, rose in rebellion against Yuan Tan at Luoyin, and all the cities responded to him. Yuan Tan sighed and said: “Now the entire province has rebelled—is it because my virtue is insufficient?” Wang Xiu said: “The Grand Administrator of Donglai, Guan Tong, though far away at the coast, will not rebel. He will surely come.” Ten days later, Guan Tong indeed abandoned his wife and children and came to join Yuan Tan, but his wife and children were killed by bandits. Yuan Tan appointed Guan Tong as Grand Administrator of Le’an instead.
Autumn, eighth month: Cao Cao attacked Liu Biao and stationed his army at Xiping.
Yuan Shang personally led troops to attack Yuan Tan and heavily defeated him. Yuan Tan fled to Pingyuan and fortified the city for defense. Yuan Shang besieged it urgently. Yuan Tan sent Xin Pi, the younger brother of Xin Ping, to seek aid from Cao Cao. Liu Biao wrote a letter admonishing Yuan Tan, saying: “A gentleman avoids danger by not going to an enemy state, and when breaking off relations, he does not speak evil words—how much less should one forget the enmity of one’s ancestors, abandon the friendship of one’s kin, and become a warning for ten thousand generations, bringing shame to the alliance! If Jizhou (Yuan Shang) has displayed arrogant and disrespectful behavior, you, benevolent lord, ought to humble your will and lower your dignity, making the accomplishment of the great task your priority. After the matter is settled, let the world judge right and wrong—would that not also be a noble act of righteousness?” He also wrote to Yuan Shang, saying: “Metal, wood, water, and fire achieve harmony by blending hardness and softness, and then they can be used by men. Now Qingzhou (Yuan Tan) is by nature impatient and cannot distinguish right from wrong. You, benevolent lord, have a magnanimous spirit, broad and ample. You should use the great to contain the small, and the generous to accommodate the inferior. First eliminate Cao Cao, to fulfill the unfinished hatred of your late father. After matters are settled, then discuss right and wrong—would that not also be good? If you persist in your delusion, then even the barbarians will mock you, and how much more so your allies—can they still unite their efforts to serve you? This is the story of the Hanlu hound and the Dongguo hare exhausting each other in pursuit, allowing the farmer to catch the prey.” Neither Yuan Tan nor Yuan Shang heeded this.
Xin Pi went to Xiping to pay respects to Cao Cao and conveyed Yuan Tan’s intentions. Most of Cao Cao’s subordinates believed that Liu Biao was powerful and should be pacified first, while Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were not worth worrying about. Xun Yu said, “The world is in a time of great turmoil, yet Liu Biao sits idly in the region between the Jiang and Han Rivers. His lack of ambition to annex the four directions is obvious. The Yuan family occupies four provinces, commands hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers, and Yuan Shao won people’s hearts through his leniency. If the two sons could live in harmony and preserve their father’s legacy, the chaos in the empire would not subside. But now the brothers are at odds, and their situation cannot allow both to survive. If one swallows the other, their strength will be concentrated, and once concentrated, it will be difficult to plot against them. Seizing the opportunity of their internal strife to attack and conquer them will bring peace to the empire—this moment must not be lost.” Cao Cao heeded his advice. A few days later, Cao Cao again considered pacifying Jingzhou first, letting Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang wear each other down. Xin Pi observed Cao Cao’s expression, sensed a change, and reported this to Guo Jia. Guo Jia informed Cao Cao, who said to Xin Pi, “Can Yuan Tan certainly be trusted? Can Yuan Shang certainly be defeated?” Xin Pi replied, “Your Excellency need not ask about trustworthiness or deceit; you need only look at the situation. The Yuan brothers have been attacking each other from the start, not because they think others can sow discord between them, but because they believe they can pacify the empire themselves. Now that one of them has suddenly come to Your Excellency for aid, this tells you everything. Yuan Shang sees Yuan Tan in distress but cannot capture him—this shows his strength is exhausted. His army is defeated in the field, his strategists are killed within, the brothers slander and struggle against each other, the state is split in two, and years of continuous warfare have bred lice on their armor. Added to this are droughts and locust plagues, with famine arriving simultaneously. Heaven’s calamities manifest above, and human affairs are beset with difficulties below. Whether foolish or wise, the people all see that the situation is crumbling—this is the time for Heaven to destroy Yuan Shang. If you now attack Ye City, Yuan Shang cannot fail to return and defend it, or he will lose his stronghold. If he returns, Yuan Tan will follow behind him. With Your Excellency’s might, confronting a hard-pressed enemy and striking an exhausted foe is no different from a strong wind blowing down autumn leaves. Heaven has delivered Yuan Shang to Your Excellency, yet you turn away to attack Jingzhou. Jingzhou is wealthy and peaceful, with no cracks in its state. Zhong Hui once said, ‘Attack a chaotic state, and take advantage of a dying one.’ Now the two Yuans, instead of planning for the long term, are scheming against each other—this can be called chaos. Those who stay have no food, and those who flee have no provisions—this can be called dying. They do not know what the evening will bring from morning on, and the people’s lives have no basis. To not pacify them now, but to wait for the future, is to miss the essence of waging war. Now, by responding to their plea for help and soothing them, there is no greater advantage. Moreover, among the enemies in all directions, none is greater than Hebei. If Hebei is pacified, then the six armies will be strong, and the empire will be shaken.” Cao Cao said, “Excellent!” He then agreed to make peace with Yuan Tan. In winter, in the tenth month, Cao Cao arrived at Liyang. When Yuan Shang heard that Cao Cao had crossed the Yellow River, he abandoned Pingyuan and returned to Ye City. Yuan Shang’s generals Lü Kuang and Gao Xiang defected and surrendered to Cao Cao. Yuan Tan secretly carved a general’s seal and sent it to Lü Kuang and Gao Xiang. Cao Cao, knowing Yuan Tan’s deceit, betrothed his own son Cao Zheng to Yuan Tan’s daughter to appease him, then led his army back.
Sun Quan attacked Huang Zu to the west, defeated his navy, but only the city remained unconquered, and the mountain bandits stirred up trouble again. Sun Quan returned, passing through Yuzhang, and sent the General of the Household Who Conquers the Caitiffs, Lü Fan, to pacify Poyang and Guiji; the General of the Household Who Sweeps Away the Caitiffs, Cheng Pu, to attack Le’an; the Chief Commandant Who Establishes Peace, Taishi Ci, to serve concurrently as the Prefect of Haihun; and the Separate Department Commandant, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Zhou Tai, Lü Meng, and others to act as magistrates and prefects of key counties, suppressing the Shanyue, all of whom were pacified. The people of Jian’an, Hanxing, and Nanping rose in rebellion, each gathering over ten thousand people. Sun Quan sent the Southern Commandant, He Qi of Guiji, to lead a campaign and pacify them all. He reestablished counties and towns, selected ten thousand soldiers, and appointed He Qi as the Colonel Who Pacifies the East.
Emperor Xiaoxian Ji, Jian’an Ninth Year (Jiashen, 204 AD)
Spring, first month. Cao Cao crossed the Yellow River, diverted the Qi River into the Baigou to open a grain transport route.
Second month. Yuan Shang again attacked Yuan Tan at Pingyuan, leaving his generals Shen Pei and Su You to guard Ye City. Cao Cao advanced to the Huan River. Su You intended to serve as an inside contact, but his plan was exposed, so he fled and surrendered to Cao Cao. Cao Cao advanced to Ye City, piled up earthen mounds and dug tunnels to attack the city. Yuan Shang’s magistrate of Wu’an County, Yin Kai, stationed his troops at Maocheng to keep the grain route to Shangdang open. Summer, fourth month. Cao Cao left Cao Hong to attack Ye City, while he himself led an army to attack Yin Kai, defeated him, and returned. He then attacked Yuan Shang’s general Ju Hu at Handan and captured it. The prefect of Yiyang County, Han Fan, and the magistrate of She County, Liang Qi, both surrendered with their entire counties. Xu Huang said to Cao Cao, “The two Yuans have not yet been defeated, and the cities that have not yet surrendered are listening carefully. You should reward these two counties to set an example for the others.” Cao Cao heeded his advice, and Han Fan and Liang Qi were both granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes. The leader of the Black Mountain bandits, Zhang Yan, sent an envoy to request aid, and Cao Cao appointed him General Who Pacifies the North.
Fifth month. Cao Cao destroyed the earthen mounds and tunnels, dug a moat to surround the city, forty li in circumference. At first, the moat was shallow, appearing crossable. Shen Pei saw it and laughed, not coming out to contest it. Cao Cao deepened the moat overnight, making it two zhang wide and two zhang deep, and diverted the Zhang River to flood the city. More than half of the people in the city died of starvation.
Autumn, seventh month. Yuan Shang led over ten thousand troops to return and rescue Ye City. Before arriving, he wanted Shen Pei to know of the external situation, so he first sent the Chief Clerk, Li Fu of Julu, into the city. Li Fu cut off a staff for questioning, tied it to his horse, donned a plain turban, and took three cavalrymen. At dusk, they arrived at the foot of Ye City. Claiming to be a commander, he passed through the northern siege lines, followed the markers eastward, and step by step shouted at and punished the soldiers guarding the siege, meting out penalties according to the severity of their offenses. Thus they passed Cao Cao’s camp, advanced to the southern siege line opposite the Zhangmen Gate, and again angrily berated the guards, binding them. They then opened a gap in the siege, galloped to the city wall, and called out to those on the wall. The people on the wall lowered a rope and pulled him up, allowing Li Fu to enter the city. When Shen Pei and the others saw Li Fu, they were overcome with both sorrow and joy, shouting “Long live!” in jubilation. The guards reported this to Cao Cao, who laughed and said, “This man not only got in, but he will also get out again.” Li Fu knew the outer siege had grown even tighter and that he could no longer risk it, so he asked Shen Pei to release all the elderly and weak from the city to conserve grain. That night, they selected several thousand people, all holding white banners, and had them go out from three city gates together to surrender. Li Fu, with his three cavalrymen, dressed in the surrenderers’ clothes, took advantage of the night to follow the crowd out of the city and break through the siege.
When Yuan Shang’s army arrived, the various generals all thought: “This is an army returning home; every man will fight for himself, so it is better to avoid them.” Cao Cao said: “If Yuan Shang comes by the main road, we should avoid him; but if he comes along the Western Mountain, then he will become my captive.” Yuan Shang indeed came along the Western Mountain, advancing east to Yangping Pavilion, seventeen li from Ye City, and camped near the Fushui River. At night, he lit fires to signal to the city, and the city also lit fires in response. Shen Pei sent out troops north of the city, intending to join Yuan Shang in a pincer attack to break the siege. Cao Cao attacked him, and Shen Pei was defeated and retreated; Yuan Shang was also repelled and fled, camping by the winding Zhang River. Cao Cao then surrounded him. Before the encirclement was fully closed, Yuan Shang, afraid, sent an envoy to request surrender; Cao Cao did not agree and tightened the siege. Yuan Shang fled by night, retreating to hold Qi Mountain; Cao Cao again advanced and surrounded him. Yuan Shang’s generals Ma Yan and Zhang Yi and others surrendered on the battlefield, and Yuan Shang’s army was greatly defeated. Yuan Shang fled to Zhongshan. Cao Cao seized all his baggage and supplies, obtaining Yuan Shang’s seals, credentials, ceremonial axes, and clothing, and showed them to the people in the city, causing them to become dejected and disheartened. Shen Pei ordered the soldiers, saying: “Hold fast and fight to the death! Cao Cao’s army is already exhausted, and reinforcements from Youzhou are about to arrive; why worry about having no lord!” Cao Cao went out of camp to inspect the siege; Shen Pei ambushed him with crossbowmen and nearly hit him. Shen Pei’s nephew, Shen Rong, served as the captain of the East Gate. On the day Wuyin of the eighth month, Shen Rong opened the city gate at night and let Cao Cao’s troops in. Shen Pei resisted and fought within the city, but Cao Cao’s soldiers captured him alive. Xin Ping’s family was imprisoned in Ye’s jail; Xin Pi galloped there to rescue them, but they had already been killed by Shen Pei. Cao Cao’s soldiers bound Shen Pei and brought him before the tent; Xin Pi met him and struck his head with his horsewhip, cursing him: “You slave! Today you are truly dead!” Shen Pei turned his head and said: “You dog! It is because of people like you that I lost Jizhou! I regret I did not kill you! Besides, can you decide my fate today?” After a while, Cao Cao received Shen Pei and said to him: “The other day when I inspected the siege, how numerous your crossbow bolts were!” Shen Pei said: “I still regret there were too few!” Cao Cao said: “You are loyal to the Yuan family; naturally, you had to do this.” He wanted to spare his life. But Shen Pei’s spirit was fierce, and he never spoke any words of submission, while Xin Pi and others wailed without stopping, so they killed him. A man from Jizhou, Zhang Ziqian, had surrendered earlier; he had always been on bad terms with Shen Pei and said to him with a smile: “Zhengnan, how do you compare to me after all?” Shen Pei said in a stern voice: “You are a surrendered captive; I, Shen Pei, am a loyal minister. Even if I die, would I envy you for living!” At the time of execution, he ordered the executioner to face him northward, saying: “My lord is in the north.”
Cao Cao then went to Yuan Shao’s grave to offer sacrifices, weeping bitterly; he comforted Yuan Shao’s wife, returned his family members and valuables, and bestowed various silks and cotton wadding, supplying food.
Initially, when Yuan Shao and Cao Cao raised troops together, Yuan Shao asked Cao Cao: “If the enterprise fails, where can we take refuge?” Cao Cao said: “What does your lordship think?” Yuan Shao said: “To the south, I hold the Yellow River; to the north, I rely on Yan and Dai, and I incorporate the troops of the Rong and Di tribes; advancing south to contend for the realm—perhaps I can succeed!” Cao Cao said: “I employ the talent and strength of the realm and govern them with righteousness; there is nowhere that is unsuitable.”
In the ninth month, an imperial edict appointed Cao Cao concurrently as Governor of Jizhou; Cao Cao declined the post of Governor of Yanzhou.
Initially, Yuan Shang sent his attendant, Anping native Qian Zhao, to Shangdang to supervise military grain supplies. Before he could return, Yuan Shang fled to Zhongshan. Qian Zhao urged Gao Gan to welcome Yuan Shang in Bingzhou and join forces to observe the changing situation, but Gao Gan did not listen. Qian Zhao then went east to Cao Cao, who appointed him as an attendant in Jizhou. He also summoned Cui Yan as a separate carriage, and Cao Cao said to Cui Yan: “Yesterday I checked the household registers and can obtain 300,000 troops; this is indeed a large province.” Cui Yan replied: “Now the Nine Provinces are split, and the two Yuan brothers personally attack each other. The people of Jizhou have their bones exposed in the wilds. We have not heard of the royal army inquiring into customs, saving them from fire and water, yet you count armor and troops, putting this matter first—is this what the men and women of Jizhou expect from you, Illustrious Duke!” Cao Cao changed his expression and apologized to him. Xu You, relying on his merit, was arrogant and disrespectful. Once, when sitting with the crowd, he called Cao Cao by his childhood name, saying: “Someone, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten Jizhou!” Cao Cao said with a smile: “You are right,” but in his heart he was displeased, and later he eventually killed him.
Winter, tenth month, a comet appeared in the Well constellation.
Gao Gan led Bingzhou to surrender, and Cao Cao again appointed Gao Gan as Inspector of Bingzhou.
When Cao Cao was besieging Ye City, Yuan Tan again betrayed him, capturing Ganling, Anping, Bohai, and Hejian. He attacked Yuan Shang at Zhongshan. Yuan Shang was defeated and fled to Gu’an, taking refuge with Yuan Xi; Yuan Tan gathered all his troops and returned to camp at Longcou. Cao Cao wrote a letter to Yuan Tan, rebuking him for breaking their agreement, ending the marriage alliance, sending back his daughter, and then advancing to attack. In the twelfth month, Cao Cao advanced to Yuan Tan’s city gate. Yuan Tan retreated from Pingyuan, fled to Nanpi to hold out, and camped near the Qing River. Cao Cao entered Pingyuan and pacified the various counties.
Cao Cao submitted a memorial recommending Gongsun Du as General of Martial Might, enfeoffing him as Marquis of Yongning Village. Gongsun Du said: “I am the King of Liaodong; why would I want a Yongning Marquis!” He stored the seals in the armory. That year, Gongsun Du died, and his son Gongsun Kang succeeded him, granting the title of Marquis of Yongning Village to his younger brother Gongsun Gong. Cao Cao, because Qian Zhao had once commanded the Wuhuan for the Yuan clan, sent him to Liucheng to pacify the Wuhuan. Just then, the Qiao King strictly ordered 5,000 cavalry to prepare to aid Yuan Tan. Additionally, Gongsun Kang sent an envoy, Han Zhong, to lend the Qiao King the seal of the Chanyu. The Qiao King summoned all the tribal leaders for a great assembly, and Han Zhong was also present. The Qiao King asked Qian Zhao: “Formerly, Yuan Gong said he received the mandate from the Son of Heaven and lent me the title of Chanyu; now Duke Cao says he should again request the Son of Heaven to lend me the genuine title of Chanyu; and Liaodong also brings seals. Among these, which is the orthodox one?” Qian Zhao replied: “Formerly, Yuan Gong, acting on the emperor’s decree, could make appointments. Later, he violated the Son of Heaven’s command. Duke Cao replaced him and said he should request the Son of Heaven’s decree, then lend the genuine title of Chanyu—that is correct. Liaodong is a subordinate commandery; how can it presume to speak of appointments!” Han Zhong said: “Our Liaodong is east of the Blue Sea, possessing over a million troops, and also has the Fuyu and Yilou tribes at our disposal. In the current situation, the strong are honored; how can Cao Cao alone do what is right!” Qian Zhao rebuked Han Zhong, saying: “Duke Cao is reverent and wise, assisting and supporting the Son of Heaven, punishing rebels and pacifying the obedient, settling the realm. You lord and minister are stubborn and stupid; now, relying on distance and danger, you defy heaven’s mandate, seeking to make unauthorized appointments and profane the authority of the court—you deserve to be killed! How dare you be so insolent as to slander your superior!” Then he grabbed Han Zhong by the head and struck it, drawing his sword to kill him. The Qiao King, terrified, barefoot embraced Qian Zhao, pleading on Han Zhong’s behalf, and the bystanders all changed color. Qian Zhao then returned to his seat, analyzing for the Qiao King and others the effect of success and failure and the destination of fortune and misfortune; they all left their seats, knelt, and reverently accepted his instruction, thus dismissing the envoy from Liaodong and disbanding the already assembled cavalry.
The Grand Marshal of Danyang, Gui Lan, and the Commandery Deputy Dai Yuan killed the Grand Administrator Sun Yi. General Sun He, stationed in the capital city, rode to Wanling, where Gui Lan and Dai Yuan also killed him; they then sent someone to welcome the Inspector of Yang Province, Liu Fu, to come to Liyang, intending to respond to him with Danyang. Gui Lan entered the military headquarters to reside, seeking to force and take Sun Yi’s wife, Lady Xu. Lady Xu deceived him, saying: “Please wait until the end of the month, when I will set up a sacrifice and remove my mourning garments, then I will follow your command.” Gui Lan agreed. Lady Xu secretly sent a trusted person to inform Sun Yi’s old close generals, Sun Gao and Fu Ying, among others, and plotted with them against Gui Lan. Sun Gao and Fu Ying wept and agreed, secretly summoning more than twenty of Sun Yi’s former attendants, swearing an oath and conspiring together. When the month’s end arrived, they set up the sacrifice. Lady Xu wept in utmost sorrow, and after finishing, removed her mourning garments, bathed in fragrant water, and spoke and laughed joyfully. All in the household felt sorrowful and wondered at her behavior. Gui Lan spied on her secretly and no longer had any suspicion. Lady Xu called Sun Gao and Fu Ying to hide inside the gate, then sent someone to summon Gui Lan in. Lady Xu came out to greet Gui Lan, and as soon as she made one bow, she cried out loudly: “You two may act now!” Sun Gao and Fu Ying came out together and jointly killed Gui Lan, while the others outside killed Dai Yuan. Lady Xu then put on her mourning garments again, held up the heads of Gui Lan and Dai Yuan, and offered them as sacrifice at Sun Yi’s grave, shocking the entire army. When Sun Quan heard of the rebellion, he returned from Jiaqiu. Arriving at Danyang, he exterminated the entire clan of Gui Lan and Dai Yuan’s remaining followers, promoted Sun Gao and Fu Ying to Yamen, and the rest received various rewards.
Sun He’s son, Sun Shao, who was seventeen years old, gathered Sun He’s remaining troops and stationed them in the capital city. Sun Quan led his army from Wu and arrived at night to camp below the capital city, testing an attack to frighten them; the soldiers all ascended the city walls, transmitting proclamations and preparing defenses, their shouts shaking heaven and earth, and they also shot arrows outside the city. Sun Quan sent someone to explain to them, and then they stopped. The next day, he met Sun Shao and appointed him as Colonel of the Chenglie, commanding Sun He’s troops.
Emperor Xiao Xian, Part Ji: The Tenth Year of Jian’an (Year Yi You, 205 AD)
Spring, first month: Cao Cao attacked Nanpi. Yuan Tan led out his troops to meet the battle, and the soldiers suffered many casualties. Cao Cao wanted to slow the attack, but Court Gentleman Consultant Cao Chun said: “Now we are deep in enemy territory and it is difficult to hold out for long. If we attack and cannot take it, retreating will surely lose our military prestige.” Therefore, Cao Cao personally beat the drum to urge on the troops, leading a fierce assault, and finally captured Nanpi. Yuan Tan fled, but was caught up to and beheaded. Li Fu, calling himself the Master of Records of Ji Province, sought an audience with Cao Cao and said: “Now in the city, the strong and weak bully each other, and people’s hearts are in turmoil. I believe you should send someone who has recently surrendered and is known and trusted by the people inside to proclaim clear orders.” Cao Cao then sent Li Fu into the city, instructing the officials and commoners to each settle in their own occupations and not to harm one another, and the city was stabilized. Cao Cao then executed Guo Tu and others, along with their wives and children. Yuan Tan had previously sent Wang Xiu to Le’an to transport grain. When Wang Xiu heard that Yuan Tan was in dire straits, he led the troops under his command to rush to his rescue. When he reached Gaomi and heard that Yuan Tan had died, he dismounted and wept loudly, saying: “Without my lord, where can I return?” He then went to see Cao Cao, requesting permission to bury Yuan Tan’s body. Cao Cao agreed and sent Wang Xiu back to Le’an to oversee the transport of military grain. All the cities under Yuan Tan’s jurisdiction surrendered to Cao Cao, except for the Grand Administrator of Le’an, Guan Tong, who refused to submit. Cao Cao ordered Wang Xiu to take Guan Tong’s head. Wang Xiu, believing Guan Tong was a loyal minister of a fallen state, untied his bonds and brought him to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao was pleased, pardoned Guan Tong, and recruited Wang Xiu as an Attendant Clerk of the Excellency of Works. Guo Jia advised Cao Cao to recruit many famous scholars from Qing, Ji, You, and Bing provinces as Attendant Clerks, to win over people’s hearts. Cao Cao followed his advice. During the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao had Chen Lin draft a proclamation listing Cao Cao’s crimes, even implicating his family background, vilifying and slandering him to the utmost. After Yuan’s defeat, Chen Lin surrendered to Cao Cao. Cao Cao said: “When you wrote documents for Yuan Shao before, you could have merely listed my offenses—why did you also have to bring up my father and grandfather?” Chen Lin confessed his crime, and Cao Cao pardoned him, appointing him along with Chen Liu’s Ruan Yu to manage the records office. Prior to this, the man from Yuyang, Wang Song, occupied Zhuo Commandery. A man from the commandery, Liu Fang, persuaded Wang Song to surrender his territory to Cao Cao. Cao Cao recruited Liu Fang to serve as a military aide to the Excellency of Works. Yuan Xi was attacked by his generals Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, and fled with Yuan Shang to the Wuhuan of Liaoxi. Jiao Chu styled himself Inspector of You Province, led the Grand Administrators, county magistrates, and chiefs of various commanderies to betray the Yuan family and submit to the Cao family. He deployed tens of thousands of troops, killed a white horse to swear an oath, and ordered: “Whoever dares to disobey will be executed!” None of the crowd dared to look up; they all took turns smearing blood on their mouths to seal the oath. The Attendant Officer of Dai Commandery, Han Heng, said: “I have received deep kindness from Lord Yuan and his son. Now that they have been defeated, I am neither wise enough to save them nor brave enough to die—I have already failed in righteousness. As for kneeling northward and declaring myself a subject to the Cao family, that is something I cannot do.” Everyone present changed color at Han Heng’s words. Jiao Chu said: “In undertaking great affairs, one should establish great righteousness. Whether an endeavor succeeds or fails does not depend on one man. We can fulfill Han Heng’s aspiration to encourage those who serve their lords.” Thus, they let him go. Jiao Chu and the others then surrendered to Cao Cao and were all enfeoffed as marquises of villages.
Summer, fourth month: The Black Mountain bandit chief Zhang Yan led his followers, over a hundred thousand men, to surrender, and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anguo Village. The man from Gu’an, Zhao Du, and Huo Nu, among others, killed the Inspector of You Province and the Grand Administrator of Zhuo Commandery. The Wuhuan of the three commanderies attacked Xianyu Fu at Guangping. Autumn, eighth month: Cao Cao campaigned against Zhao Du and the others, beheading them; he then crossed the Lu River to rescue Guangping, and the Wuhuan fled beyond the frontier.
In winter, the tenth month, Gao Gan, upon hearing that Cao Cao was campaigning against the Wuhuan, again held Bing Province and rebelled. He seized the Grand Administrator of Shangdang and sent troops to hold Huguan Pass. Cao Cao sent his generals Yue Jin and Li Dian to attack him. Zhang Sheng of Henei, commanding a force of over ten thousand men, plundered the area around Mount Xiao and Mianchi, while Zhang Yan of Hongnong raised troops to respond to him. Wang Yi, the Grand Administrator of Hedong, was summoned for reassignment. The commandery aide Wei Gu and Zhonglang General Fan Xian went to the office of the Colonel Director of the Retainers, Zhong Yao, to request that Wang Yi be kept in office. Zhong Yao did not agree. Wei Gu and others, outwardly using the pretext of requesting Wang Yi’s retention, secretly corresponded with Gao Gan. Cao Cao said to Xun Yu, “The generals west of the Pass outwardly submit but harbor treacherous intentions. Zhang Sheng is causing trouble in the area of Mount Xiao and Mianchi, and to the south he has made common cause with Liu Biao. Wei Gu and his ilk are exploiting this opportunity, and it will become a grave calamity. Now Hedong is a key strategic region under Heaven. Recommend for me a worthy talent to guard it.” Xun Yu said, “The Grand Administrator of Xiping, Du Ji of Jingzhao, has courage sufficient to handle crises and wisdom sufficient to deal with changes.” Cao Cao therefore appointed Du Ji as Grand Administrator of Hedong. Zhong Yao urged Wang Yi to transfer the seal of office. Wang Yi, wearing the seal and ribbon, went directly from Hebei to Xu to surrender himself. Wei Gu and others sent several thousand troops to block the ferry crossing at Shan Ford. When Du Ji arrived, he could not cross for several months. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to attack Wei Gu and the others, but before he arrived, Du Ji said, “Hedong has thirty thousand households; not all of them wish to rebel. If the army presses too urgently, those who want to do good will have no leader and will surely follow Wei Gu out of fear. Once Wei Gu and his faction’s power is consolidated, they will fight to the death. If we attack and cannot win, the calamity will be endless; if we attack and win, it will mean harming an entire commandery’s people. Besides, Wei Gu and the others have not yet openly defied the king’s command. Outwardly, they use the request to keep their former lord as a pretext, and they will certainly not harm the new Grand Administrator. I will go alone in a single carriage, taking them by surprise. Wei Gu is full of schemes but lacks decisiveness; he will surely pretend to welcome me. If I can stay in the commandery for a month, using stratagems to restrain them, that will be enough.” So he took a side road and crossed the river at Dou Ford. Fan Xian wanted to kill Du Ji to intimidate the masses, and also to observe Du Ji’s reaction. He beheaded over thirty people, including the Registrar and others below him, at the gate. Du Ji’s demeanor was as usual. Then Wei Gu said, “Killing him brings no benefit; it would only earn us a bad name. Besides, control over him lies in our hands.” So they honored Du Ji as Grand Administrator. Du Ji said to Wei Gu and Fan Xian, “The Wei and Fan families are the prominent clans of Hedong. I merely rely on you to accomplish matters. But since we have the great duty of lord and subject, sharing success and failure, great affairs should be decided together.” Thus he appointed Wei Gu as Dudu (Commander), acting as Assistant to the Commandery, concurrently serving as Gongcao (Merit Evaluator). The generals, officers, and troops, over three thousand in number, were all commanded by Fan Xian. Wei Gu and the others were pleased. Although they outwardly served Du Ji, in their hearts they did not take him seriously. Wei Gu wanted to levy a large-scale conscription. Du Ji was worried about this and advised Wei Gu, “If we levy a large-scale conscription now, the people’s sentiments will surely be alarmed. It would be better to slowly recruit soldiers with money.” Wei Gu thought this was correct and followed his advice, but the number of recruits was very small. Du Ji further advised Wei Gu and the others, “Human feelings cherish their families. The various generals and clerks can be sent back to rest in batches; if there is an emergency, it will not be difficult to summon them.” Wei Gu and the others, fearing to go against the people’s wishes, followed this advice as well. Thus the good people outside secretly became Du Ji’s support; the evil people scattered, each returning home. At that time, the White Bandits attacked Dongyuan, and Gao Gan entered Huoze. Du Ji knew that the various counties had all submitted to him, so he left the city, leading only a few dozen cavalry, and rushed to a strong fortress to defend it. Many officials and common people raised their cities to respond to Du Ji. After several tens of days, he had gathered over four thousand men. Wei Gu and the others, together with Gao Gan and Zhang Sheng, attacked Du Ji but could not conquer him. They then plundered the various counties but gained nothing. Cao Cao sent the Court Gentleman for Consultation Zhang Ji to the west to summon the generals of Guanzhong, such as Ma Teng, and they all led their troops to join in attacking Zhang Sheng and the others, defeating them. Wei Gu and Zhang Yan were beheaded, and the remaining partisans were all pardoned.
Thus Du Ji governed Hedong, devoting himself to promoting leniency and benevolence. When the people had lawsuits, Du Ji would explain rightness and principle to them, letting them return home to think carefully. The elders all reproached one another and dared not bring lawsuits again. He encouraged farming and sericulture, urged animal husbandry, and the people’s households all became prosperous and well-off. Then he established schools, promoted filial piety and fraternal duty, repaired military affairs, and lectured on martial preparedness. Hedong thus became settled. Du Ji governed Hedong for sixteen years, and his governance was always the best in the empire.
The Palace Secretary and Palace Attendant Xun Yue wrote the Shen Jian (Extended Reflections) in five chapters and presented it to the emperor. Xun Yue was the nephew of Xun Shuang. At that time, court affairs were in the hands of the Cao family; the Son of Heaven sat with folded hands and did nothing. Xun Yue had ambitions to promote good and eliminate evil, but his strategies had no place to be used, so he wrote this book. Its general outline said: The method of governance must first eliminate four calamities, and only then can one promote five governmental affairs. Falsehood disrupts truth, selfish desires destroy the law, indulgence oversteps norms, and extravagance ruins institutions. If these four are not eliminated, then governmental affairs cannot be carried out. These are the four calamities. Revitalizing agriculture and sericulture to nurture the people’s lives; examining good and evil to correct customs; promoting culture and education to clarify teachings; establishing military preparedness to hold authority; and clarifying rewards and punishments to unify the law—these are the five governmental affairs. If a person does not fear death, they cannot be intimidated by punishment; if a person does not delight in living, they cannot be encouraged by good deeds. Therefore, those in superior positions must first make the people’s wealth sufficient to stabilize their hearts and minds—this is nurturing life. Good and evil must be tied to merit and crime; slander and praise must be based on evidence and verification; listening to words must demand actual deeds; raising names must examine reality—there can be no falsehood to confuse the people’s hearts. Thus one hopes for no villainy or deceit, and the people have no licentious customs—this is correcting customs. Honor and disgrace are the essence of rewards and punishments. Therefore, using ritual, teaching, honor, and disgrace toward gentlemen is to influence their emotions; using fetters and whips toward petty people is to influence their bodies. If teaching is abandoned, it will push the average person into the realm of petty people; if teaching is promoted, it will lead the average person onto the path of gentlemen—this is clarifying teachings. Those in superior positions must have military preparedness to guard against the unexpected. In times of peace, it is entrusted to internal governance; in times of war, it is used for the army—this is holding authority. Rewards and punishments are the foundation of government. The ruler does not give rewards indiscriminately, not because he is stingy with goods; if rewards are given arbitrarily, then good deeds will not be encouraged. He does not punish indiscriminately, not out of pity for that person; if punishments are given arbitrarily, then evil deeds will not be deterred. If rewards cannot encourage good, it is called obstructing good; if punishments cannot deter evil, it is called indulging evil. If those in superior positions can avoid obstructing the people’s good deeds and avoid indulging the people’s evil deeds, then the state’s law is established. This is unifying the law. Once the four calamities are eliminated and the five governmental affairs are established, implement them with sincerity, guard them with steadfastness, be simple without negligence, be lenient without carelessness—then with folded hands and bows, the world will be at peace.