Book of Shu · Biographies of Huang Quan, Li Hui, Lü Kai, Ma Zhong, Wang Ping, and Zhang Ni

Huang Quan, courtesy name Gongheng, was from Langzhong in Baxi. He served as a commandery clerk when young, and Governor Liu Zhang summoned him as Registrar. When Attendant Officer Zhang Song proposed inviting the Former Lord (Liu Bei) <the retrospective designation for Shu's founding ruler> to attack Zhang Lu, Huang Quan remonstrated: 'The General of the Left (Liu Bei) has a reputation for valor. If invited and treated as a subordinate, he will be dissatisfied; if treated as an honored guest, one state cannot contain two rulers. Giving the guest Mount Tai's security places the host in danger like piled eggs. Better close the borders and await the Yellow River's clearing.' Liu Zhang refused, sent envoys to welcome the Former Lord (Liu Bei), and sent Huang Quan out as Chief of Guanghan. When the Former Lord (Liu Bei) attacked Yi Province, his generals separately took commanderies and counties, which submitted swiftly. Huang Quan alone shut his city and held firm until Liu Zhang surrendered, only then submitting to the Former Lord (Liu Bei), who granted him Lieutenant General. <The source prints 先生, 'teacher,' in the invitation clause and 風景 in the submission clause; both expressions appear textually problematic, and their sense here follows the surrounding narrative.>

After Lord Cao (Cao Cao) <a respectful designation> defeated Zhang Lu, who fled into Ba, Huang Quan urged: 'If Hanzhong is lost, the Three Ba regions cannot be secure. This cuts off Shu's arms and legs.' The Former Lord (Liu Bei) made Huang Quan Protector of the Army and sent him with the generals to receive Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu had already returned to Nanzheng and surrendered north to Lord Cao (Cao Cao). Yet the eventual defeat of Du Huo and Pu Hu, killing of Xiahou Yuan, and occupation of Hanzhong all originated in Huang Quan's plan. <Xiahou Yuan is written 夏候淵 here, differing in the second surname character from 夏侯淵.>

When the Former Lord (Liu Bei) became King of Hanzhong (Liu Bei) <a territorial royal title> while retaining Yi Province's governorship, he made Huang Quan Administrative Aide. After assuming the imperial title and intending to attack Wu eastward, he heard Huang Quan remonstrate: 'Wu's people fight fiercely, and your navy will go downstream: advance is easy and retreat difficult. Let me lead the vanguard against the enemy, while Your Majesty (Liu Bei) remains behind as support.' The Former Lord (Liu Bei) refused and made Huang Quan General Who Guards the North, commanding the army north of the Yangzi against Wei, while he himself remained south. When Wu general Lu Yi (Lu Xun) came downstream, broke the encirclement, and defeated the southern army, the Former Lord (Liu Bei) withdrew. Huang Quan's route was cut and he could not return, so he surrendered to Wei with his forces. The law officials requested arresting his wife and children. The Former Lord (Liu Bei) said: 'I failed Huang Quan; Huang Quan did not fail me,' and treated them as before. <Lu Yi is the earlier personal name 陸議 used here for Lu Xun.>

Emperor Wen of Wei (Cao Pi) <the emperor's posthumous title> told Huang Quan: 'Have you abandoned rebellion to follow obedience, wishing to emulate Chen Ping and Han Xin?' Huang Quan replied: 'I received exceptional favor from Lord Liu (Liu Bei) beyond my deserts. Surrendering to Wu was impossible, and the route back to Shu was blocked, so I submitted here. A defeated general is fortunate to escape death. What ancient men could I aspire to emulate?' Emperor Wen (Cao Pi) approved, appointed him General Who Guards the South, enfeoffed him as Marquis of Yuyang (Huang Quan) <a territorial marquisate>, added Palace Attendant, and had him ride in the imperial carriage. Some who surrendered from Shu said his wife and children had been executed. Knowing the words false, Huang Quan did not immediately begin mourning.

Later reliable news arrived, exactly as he had said. When news of the Former Lord (Liu Bei)'s death came, Wei's ministers all congratulated the ruler except Huang Quan. Emperor Wen (Cao Pi), seeing his composure and capacity, wished to startle him as a test. He sent attendants with a summons, then before Huang Quan arrived dispatched repeated urgent messengers, mounted envoys racing and crossing on the road. His staff and attendants were all terrified, but Huang Quan's bearing and expression remained unchanged.

Later Huang Quan concurrently became Inspector of Yi Province and moved his residence to Henan. General-in-Chief Sima Xuanwang (Sima Yi) <a posthumous royal designation> greatly esteemed him and asked: 'How many men like you are there in Shu?' Huang Quan smiled: 'I did not expect you to value me so highly!' Sima Xuanwang (Sima Yi) wrote to Zhuge Liang: 'Huang Gongheng (Huang Quan) is an admirable man. At every sitting and rising he praises you without ceasing.' In Jingchu 3, corresponding to Shu's Yanxi 2, Huang Quan advanced to General of Chariots and Cavalry with Ceremonial Status Equal to the Three Excellencies.

He died the following year, receiving the posthumous title Marquis Jing (Huang Quan) <a posthumous marquisate title>. His son Huang Yong succeeded, but died without a son and the line ended. Huang Quan's son Huang Chong, who remained in Shu, became a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing and followed General of the Guard Zhuge Zhan against Deng Ai. Reaching Fu County, Zhuge Zhan hesitated and did not advance. Huang Chong repeatedly urged swift occupation of the difficult terrain to prevent the enemy entering level ground. Zhuge Zhan still hesitated, and Huang Chong shed tears. Deng Ai advanced far, and Zhuge Zhan withdrew to fight at Mianzhu. Huang Chong encouraged the soldiers to fight to the death and was killed in battle. <The source writes 崇's name as 祟, Sui, here; Huang Chong follows the contextual identification, with the written difference retained for review.>

Li Hui, courtesy name De'ang, was from Yuyuan in Jianning and served as a commandery Supervising Post Officer. His paternal aunt's husband Cuan Xi was Magistrate of Jianling and committed an offense. Li Hui was liable to dismissal through Cuan Xi's fault, but Grand Administrator Dong He, considering Cuan Xi a member of a powerful local clan, suppressed the matter and refused.

Later Li Hui was recommended to the province. Before arriving, he heard that the Former Lord (Liu Bei) had turned from Jiameng against Liu Zhang. Knowing Liu Zhang must fail and the Former Lord (Liu Bei) succeed, he claimed to be a commandery envoy, went north, and met the Former Lord (Liu Bei) at Mianzhu. Praised, he followed him to Luo City and was sent to Hanzhong to establish friendship with Ma Chao, who agreed. After Chengdu was secured and the Former Lord (Liu Bei) governed Yi Province, Li Hui became a clerk under the Merit Officer and then Registrar. Later a fugitive falsely implicated him in rebellion, and officials arrested him. The Former Lord (Liu Bei) recognized the charge as false and promoted him instead to Attendant Officer. In Zhangwu 1, Deng Fang, Commander-in-Chief of Laijiang, died. The Former Lord (Liu Bei) asked who could succeed. Li Hui replied: 'Men's abilities have strengths and weaknesses. Thus Confucius said, "In employing men, use each according to capacity." With an enlightened ruler above, ministers express their hearts fully. Therefore in the campaign against the Xianling Qiang, Zhao Chongguo said, "None is better than this old minister." I venture beyond my measure and ask Your Majesty (Liu Bei) to judge me.' The Former Lord (Liu Bei) laughed: 'My original intention was already with you!' He made Li Hui Commander-in-Chief of Laijiang, Bearing the Staff of Authority and concurrently Inspector of Jiao Province, stationed at Pingyi County.

After the Former Lord (Liu Bei) died, Gao Ding acted wantonly in Yuexi, Yong Kai arrogantly controlled Jianning, and Zhu Bao rebelled in Zangke. Chancellor Zhuge Liang campaigned south, first going through Yuejun, while Li Hui followed his route toward Jianning. The counties combined forces and surrounded him at Kunming. His men were few and the enemy twice their number; he also lacked news of Zhuge Liang. He told the southerners: 'The government army has exhausted its provisions and plans to retreat. I have long been separated from my native district and can now return. I cannot go north again, and wish to plan with you, so I tell you sincerely.' Believing him, they relaxed the siege. Li Hui attacked, decisively defeated them, and pursued south to the Pan River and east toward Zangke, joining strength with Zhuge Liang. <The source writes 越俊, Yuejun, here, differing from 越巂, and writes 繪, Hui, for Li Hui in the persuasion clause. These forms are not silently removed from consideration.>

When the south was pacified, Li Hui's military merit was among the greatest. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Hanxing Village (Li Hui) <a territorial marquisate> and additionally General Who Secures Han. After the army returned, the southern Yi rebelled again and killed the garrison commanders. Li Hui personally suppressed them, eliminated the hostile groups, and moved their powerful chiefs to Chengdu. He levied from the Sou and Pu plowing oxen, warhorses, gold, silver, and rhinoceros hides to maintain military supplies, which then remained sufficient. In Jianxing 7, because Jiao Province belonged to Wu, Li Hui was relieved of its inspectorship. He concurrently became Grand Administrator of Jianning and returned to his home commandery. He moved to Hanzhong and died in Jianxing 9. His son Li Yi succeeded. Li Hui's nephew Li Qiu, Commander of the Right Division of the Feathered Forest, followed Zhuge Zhan against Deng Ai and gave his life in battle at Mianzhu.

Lü Kai, courtesy name Jiping, was from Buwei in Yongchang.

He served as Assistant of the Five Offices and Merit Officer in the commandery. When Yong Kai and the others heard that the Former Lord (Liu Bei) had died at Yong'an, they became increasingly arrogant and cunning. Protector-General Li Yan wrote six sheets explaining advantages and harms. Yong Kai replied on one sheet: 'I have heard that Heaven has no two suns and the earth no two kings. Now the realm stands in three parts, with three calendars and beginnings of the year. Thus we distant people are bewildered and know not where to turn.' Such was his rebellious arrogance. He also submitted to Wu, which nominally appointed Kai Grand Administrator of Yongchang. <The source writes 凱, Kai, here, the character in Lü Kai's name; the context may intend Yong Kai, 雍闓, but the discrepancy is not silently corrected.> Yongchang lay west of Yi Commandery, its roads blocked and communications with Shu severed, and its administrators had changed. Lü Kai and Wang Kang of Shu Commandery, Assistant Administrator, encouraged officials and people and closed the borders against Yong Kai. Yong Kai repeatedly sent proclamations to Yongchang making various claims.

Lü Kai replied to the proclamation:

'Heaven has sent death and disorder, and treacherous heroes exploit the openings. The realm gnashes its teeth and all states mourn. Servants great and small all wish to exhaust their strength and scatter their brains and livers upon the earth to remove the state's calamity. I humbly consider that you, General, have received Han's favor for generations. You should gather your followers and lead the way, repaying the state above and not betraying your ancestors below, recording merit on bamboo and silk and leaving a name for a thousand years. How could I expect you to become a servant of Wu and Yue, abandoning the root for the branches? 'Formerly Shun labored for the people and died at Cangwu. The books praise him, and his reputation flows without end. Why should the late emperor (Liu Bei)'s death beside the river bring despair? King Wen of Zhou (Ji Chang) <a posthumous royal title> and King Wu of Zhou (Ji Fa) received the mandate, but only King Cheng of Zhou (Ji Song) <a posthumous royal title> achieved peace. The late emperor (Liu Bei) arose like a dragon, and the realm looked toward him. His chief minister (Zhuge Liang) is intelligent and discerning, and Heaven grants peace. Yet you fail to see the patterns of flourishing and decline and the signs of success and failure. You are like one treading on river ice beside a wildfire on the plain. When the fire goes out and the ice melts, upon what will you rely? 'Formerly your ancestor, the Marquis of Yong <a territorial designation; the personal name is not fixed here>, received enfeoffment despite former enmity, while Dou Rong recognized the coming rise and turned his allegiance to Shizu (Liu Xiu) <"Dynastic Ancestor," a posthumous temple name>. Both transmitted fame to later generations, which sing their excellence. Now Chancellor Zhuge Liang possesses outstanding talent and sees deeply into what has not yet appeared. Receiving the dying ruler (Liu Bei)'s trust and care of his orphan (Liu Shan), he assists the latter restoration, deals without suspicion with others, records merit, and forgets faults. If you decisively change your plans and steps, ancient men will not be hard to emulate. Why concern yourself merely with ruling our humble territory? I have heard that Duke Huan of Qi (Jiang Xiaobai) <a duke's posthumous title> reproved Chu's disrespect, and Jin refused to honor Fuchai's usurped title. How much less would anyone follow a subject joining an illegitimate ruler! Considering ancient principles, a minister has no private relations beyond the borders. Thus your repeated communications have received no visits in return. Receiving your further proclamation, I forgot food in indignation and have briefly set out my thoughts. Examine them, General.' <The source prints 漢思, literally 'Han's thought,' in the favor clause; its intended reading is uncertain.>

Lü Kai's authority and kindness were established within, and the commandery trusted him. Thus he preserved his integrity.

When Chancellor Zhuge Liang marched south against Yong Kai, he had already been killed by Gao Ding's followers before Zhuge Liang arrived. Reaching the south, Zhuge Liang memorialized: 'Lü Kai, an official of Yongchang, Wang Kang, Assistant Administrator, and the others have upheld loyalty in a remote region for more than ten years. Yong Kai and Gao Ding pressed from the northeast, yet they maintained righteousness and refused communication. I did not expect Yongchang's customs to be so sincere and upright!' Lü Kai became Grand Administrator of Yunnan and Marquis of Yangqian Village (Lü Kai) <a territorial marquisate>. He was killed by rebellious Yi, and his son Lü Xiang succeeded. Wang Kang too was enfeoffed as a village marquis and became Grand Administrator of Yongchang.

Ma Zhong, courtesy name Dexin, was from Langzhong in Baxi. Raised in his mother's family when young, he bore the surname Hu and personal name Du; later he restored his paternal surname and changed his name to Zhong. Serving as a commandery clerk, he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt late in Jian'an and appointed Chief of Hanchang. The Former Lord (Liu Bei)'s eastern campaign ended in defeat at Xiaoting. Yan Zhi, Grand Administrator of Baxi, raised five thousand county troops to make good the losses and sent Ma Zhong to deliver them. The Former Lord (Liu Bei) had returned to Yong'an. After speaking with Ma Zhong, he told Liu Ba, Prefect of the Masters of Writing: 'Though Huang Quan is lost, I have gained Hu Du (Ma Zhong). This shows the age never lacks worthies.' In Jianxing 1, Chancellor Zhuge Liang opened his headquarters and made Ma Zhong a subordinate commander. In Jianxing 3, when Zhuge Liang entered the south, Ma Zhong became Grand Administrator of Zangke. Assistant Administrator Zhu Bao had rebelled. After the rebellion, Ma Zhong nurtured, relieved, and ordered the people, displaying both authority and kindness. In Jianxing 8 he was summoned as Army Adviser to the Chancellor and deputized for Chief Clerk Jiang Wan in managing the remaining headquarters, concurrently Administrative Aide of the province. The following year Zhuge Liang campaigned at Mount Qi, and Ma Zhong went to him to arrange garrison affairs. Upon the army's return, he supervised General Zhang Ni and others against rebellious Qiang in Wenshan. In Jianxing 11, Liu Zhou, a powerful southern Yi chief, rebelled and disturbed the commanderies. Zhang Ji, Commander-in-Chief of Laijiang, was recalled, and Ma Zhong replaced him, beheaded Liu Zhou, and pacified the south. He additionally became Supervisor of the Army and General Who Exerts Awe and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Boyang Village (Ma Zhong) <a territorial marquisate>. Earlier Yi Commandery had killed Grand Administrator Zheng Ang and bound Grand Administrator Zhang Yi for delivery to Wu, so the commanders-in-chief had regularly remained at Pingyi County. Ma Zhong moved the seat to Wei County, among local and Yi people. Yuexi Commandery too had long lost its territory. Ma Zhong led Grand Administrator Zhang Ni to recover it and therefore received the additional title General Who Secures the South and advancement to Marquis of Pengxiang Village (Ma Zhong) <a territorial marquisate>. In Yanxi 5 he returned to court and then went to Hanzhong to meet Grand Marshal Jiang Wan and proclaim an edict, receiving the additional appointment General-in-Chief Who Guards the South. In spring of Yanxi 7, General-in-Chief Fei Yi went north against Wei, leaving Ma Zhong at Chengdu to adjudicate affairs of the Masters of Writing. After Fei Yi returned, Ma Zhong went south again. He died in Yanxi 12, and his son Ma Xiu succeeded. <Fei Yi is written 費韋 in the first occurrence here and 禕 in the next; the difference is retained for review.> <Zhang Ji is written 張冀 here, differing from the familiar name 張翼, Zhang Yi, in other accounts; the source form is retained. The fief designation 彭鄉亭侯 combines 鄉 and 亭 in the supplied text.>

Ma Zhong was generous, accommodating, and broad-minded, given to joking and hearty laughter, never showing anger in his face. Yet he decided affairs firmly and combined authority with kindness, so the Man and Yi feared and loved him. After his death, all came personally to mourn, weeping with full grief and erecting a temple for sacrifices that still survives. Zhang Biao, a renowned scholar of the time, had a purer reputation than Ma Zhong. Yan Yu had long demonstrated administrative ability and diligent precision. Both succeeded Ma Zhong, but neither equaled his authority, reputation, or achievements. <The source writes 恢啁 and 威思 in the descriptions of joking and kindness; their precise textual readings remain open to review.>

Wang Ping, courtesy name Zijun, was from Dangqu in Baxi. He was originally raised in his mother's He family and later restored the surname Wang. Following Du Huo and Pu Hu to Luoyang, he was granted a colonelcy and accompanied Lord Cao (Cao Cao) against Hanzhong. He then surrendered to the Former Lord (Liu Bei), who appointed him General of the Standard Gate and Assistant General. In Jianxing 6 he served in the vanguard under Army Adviser Ma Su. Ma Su abandoned water to occupy a mountain and made confused arrangements. Wang Ping repeatedly remonstrated, but Ma Su ignored him and suffered a great defeat at Jieting. All scattered; only Wang Ping's thousand men beat drums and maintained their position. Wei general Zhang He suspected an ambush and did not press. Wang Ping slowly gathered the camps' scattered survivors and brought the troops back. Chancellor Zhuge Liang executed Ma Su and Generals Zhang Xiu and Li Sheng and deprived General Huang Xi and others of their forces. Wang Ping alone was specially honored: he became Army Adviser, commanded five divisions while also managing camp affairs, advanced to General Who Punishes Bandits, and was enfeoffed as a village marquis. In Jianxing 9, while Zhuge Liang besieged Mount Qi, Wang Ping separately held the southern enclosure. Wei's General-in-Chief Sima Xuanwang (Sima Yi) attacked Zhuge Liang, and Zhang He attacked Wang Ping, who held firm and could not be overcome.

In Jianxing 12, Zhuge Liang died at Wugong, and the army withdrew. Wei Yan caused disorder and was defeated in one battle through Wang Ping's achievement. Wang Ping became Rear Director of the Army and General Who Secures Han, serving as deputy to Wu Yi, General of Chariots and Cavalry, at Hanzhong. He also became Army Commander and Grand Administrator of Hanzhong. In Jianxing 15 he advanced to Marquis of Anhan (Wang Ping) <a territorial marquisate> and replaced Wu Yi in command of Hanzhong. In Yanxi 1, General-in-Chief Jiang Wan stationed at Mianyang, and Wang Ping became Front Protector of the Army, managing Jiang Wan's headquarters. In Yanxi 6 Jiang Wan returned to Fu, and Wang Ping became Front Supervisor of the Army and General-in-Chief Who Guards the North, commanding Hanzhong.

In spring of Yanxi 7, Wei's General-in-Chief Cao Shuang led more than a hundred thousand infantry and cavalry toward Hanchuan, with the vanguard already in Luo Valley. Hanzhong had fewer than thirty thousand defenders, and the generals were alarmed. Some said: 'Our strength cannot resist. We should hold the fortified towns of Han and Le, let the enemy enter, and meanwhile Fu's army can relieve the passes.' Wang Ping said: 'No. Hanzhong lies nearly a thousand li from Fu. If the enemy takes the passes, disaster follows. We should first send Protector of the Army Liu (Liu Min) and Army Adviser Du <his complete personal identification is not established here> to hold Xingshi, with me as rear support. If the enemy detaches troops toward Huangjin, I will personally lead a thousand down against them. Meanwhile Fu's army will arrive. This is the best plan.' Only Protector of the Army Liu Min agreed, and they implemented it immediately. The armies from Fu and Fei Yi from Chengdu arrived in succession, and Wei's army withdrew, just as Wang Ping had planned. At that time Deng Zhi in the east, Ma Zhong in the south, and Wang Ping on the northern frontier all established distinguished reputations.

Raised in military life, Wang Ping could not write and recognized no more than ten characters. Yet the letters he dictated were coherent and reasoned. He had others read the annals and biographies of the Records of the Historian and History of Han aloud, understood their main principles fully, and often discussed them without missing the point. He followed laws and standards, spoke no jokes or vulgar sayings, and sat upright from morning to evening all day, lacking the usual manner of a military general. Yet he was narrow, suspicious, and self-deprecating, which diminished him. He died in Yanxi 11, and his son Wang Xun succeeded. <The source writes 懷無武將之體 in the bearing clause; the function of 懷 is uncertain.>

Earlier Gou, from Hanchang in Wang Ping's commandery,

was loyal, brave, generous, and repeatedly successful in battle. His merit, reputation, rank, and position stood just below Wang Ping's. He reached General of the Left and Marquis of Dangqu <a territorial marquisate; the personal name is incomplete in the supplied source>. <The preceding source segment gives only the surname 句 before the pronunciation note; a missing given name is not invented here.>

Zhang Ni, courtesy name Boqi, was from Nanchongguo in Ba Commandery.

At early manhood he became the county's Merit Officer. When the Former Lord (Liu Bei) was securing Shu, mountain bandits attacked the county. The county chief abandoned his household and fled, but Zhang Ni braved naked blades and carried the chief's wife to safety. This made his name known, and the province summoned him as an administrative officer. Gong Lu and Yao Zhou, scholars in the commandery holding two-thousand-shi rank and renowned in the age, were both his friends. In Jianxing 5, Chancellor Zhuge Liang stationed north at Hanzhong. Zhang Mu and other mountain bandits of Mianzhu in Guanghan plundered military supplies and seized officials and civilians. As commandant, Zhang Ni led troops against them. Judging that they scattered like birds and could not easily be captured in battle, he pretended to make peace and fixed a day for a drinking feast. When they were drunk, he personally led his attendants to behead Zhang Mu and more than fifty others, eliminating the chiefs. <The source prints 渠帥悉珍 in the final clause; 珍, 'precious,' appears textually problematic, and the intended verb remains uncertain.> Pursuing the remnants, he restored peace within ten days. Later he fell gravely ill, and his household was poor. He Zhi of Shu Commandery, Grand Administrator of Guanghan, was renowned for generosity. Though Zhang Ni had not been close to him, he had himself carried to He Zhi and entrusted his treatment to him. He Zhi devoted himself to arranging care, and Zhang Ni recovered after several years. His trust in the righteousness of associates was generally of this kind. He became General of the Standard Gate under Ma Zhong, campaigning north against Wenshan's rebellious Qiang and south against the Man and Yi of four commanderies, always contributing successful plans and victories. <The phrase 其黨道信義 is difficult; the account is understood here as describing his reliance on friendship and trust, while the wording remains open to review.>

In Jianxing 14, Fu Jian, King of the Wudu Di, requested surrender. General Zhang Wei was sent to receive him but did not return on time, worrying General-in-Chief Jiang Wan deeply. Zhang Ni reassured him: 'Fu Jian's wish to submit is sincere. There must be no other change. I have heard his younger brother is crafty, and foreign peoples cannot share achievement. They must have divided, causing the delay.' Several days later news arrived: Fu Jian's brother had indeed taken four hundred households to Wei, while Fu Jian alone came over. After Chancellor Zhuge Liang defeated Gao Ding, the Sou and Yi of Yuexi repeatedly rebelled, killing Grand Administrators Gong Lu and Jiao Huang. Thereafter administrators dared not enter the commandery but stayed at Anding County more than eight hundred li away. The commandery existed in name alone. Opinion favored restoration, and Zhang Ni was appointed Grand Administrator. He went with his troops and won people through kindness; the Man and Yi submitted, many coming over. The Zhuoma on the northern frontier were the fiercest and refused his orders. He attacked and captured their leader Wei Lang alive, then released and instructed him to win over the rest. He memorialized to have Wei Lang appointed Settlement Marquis (Wei Lang) <a local chiefly title>, and more than three thousand households settled and performed their duties. Hearing this, other groups gradually submitted. For his achievement Zhang Ni received Marquis Within the Passes (Zhang Ni) <a marquisate without a territorial fief>.

Dong Feng, Settlement Lord of Suqi, and his younger brother Poqu had surrendered but rebelled again. Zhang Ni executed Dong Feng. His wife was the daughter of the King of the Maoniu <the ruler's personal name is not given here>; Zhang Ni strategically pardoned her. Poqu fled to the western frontier. Fierce, swift, and strong, he was deeply feared by the groups. He sent two trusted men to pretend surrender to Zhang Ni and gather information. Zhang Ni saw through it, promised generous rewards, and turned them into double agents. They plotted together and killed Poqu. After his death the groups became peaceful. Li Qiucheng, an elder chief of Sidu, had personally killed Gong Lu. Zhang Ni offered rewards, captured him, enumerated his crimes, and executed him. Because the commandery's walls and buildings had collapsed, Zhang Ni initially built a small fortified enclosure. After three years in office he returned to the old commandery seat and repaired its walls, with Yi men and women all contributing labor. <A stray closing quotation mark follows this source segment; it is not used to reassign the passage to a different source.>

Dingzuo, Taideng, and Beishui counties lay more than three hundred li from the commandery seat and formerly produced salt, iron, and lacquer. The frontier peoples had long held these resources for themselves. Zhang Ni took them with his troops and appointed local officials. At Dingzuo, the powerful chief Langcen, maternal uncle of the King of Panmu <the ruler's personal name is not recorded here>, was deeply trusted by the Man and Yi. Angered by Zhang Ni's encroachment, he did not come to meet him. Zhang Ni sent several dozen strong men to seize him, had him beaten and killed, returned the corpse to his people, and gave them generous rewards. He explained Langcen's offenses and warned: 'Do not act recklessly. If you do, you will be destroyed.' All bound their hands before them and apologized. Zhang Ni slaughtered for a feast, entertained them, and reaffirmed kindness and trust. Thus he obtained salt and iron, providing ample equipment and supplies. <The source writes 殺午, 'slaughter wu'; 午 is not an animal designation here, and the intended reading is uncertain.>

More than four thousand Maoniu Yi households lived near Hanjia's boundary. Their chief Langlu wished to avenge Dong Feng, his paternal aunt's husband. He sent his uncle Li with followers to assess the situation. Zhang Ni sent trusted men with cattle and wine as gifts and also had Li's elder sister, Dong Feng's wife, convey his intentions. Receiving gifts and seeing his sister, Li was delighted. He brought all his followers to Zhang Ni, who treated and rewarded them generously and sent them back. Thereafter the Maoniu ceased causing trouble. <The source's punctuation around 離將，逢眾 is compressed; the precise composition of the accompanying followers is uncertain.>

An old road ran through Maoniu territory from the commandery to Chengdu, level and short. Since the Maoniu cut it off more than a hundred years earlier, travelers had gone by Anshang, a dangerous and distant route. Zhang Ni sent attendants with goods and money for Langlu and again had Langlu's aunt explain his intentions. Langlu then came with his brothers, wife, and children. Zhang Ni swore an alliance with him, opened the old road, secured a thousand li, and restored the old postal lodges. He memorialized to enfeoff Langlu as Xuanniupi King (Langlu) <a chiefly royal designation printed 旋牛毗王; its wording requires review> and sent envoys escorting him to court with tribute. The Later Lord (Liu Shan) added the title General Who Pacifies the Rong to Zhang Ni, retaining his commandery. <The source repeatedly writes 疑, Yi, instead of 嶷, Ni, in these sentences; the identity follows context while preserving the textual issue.> When Zhang Ni first saw Fei Yi become General-in-Chief, he observed his unrestricted generosity and insufficient caution in trusting new adherents. He warned by letter: 'Formerly Cen Peng commanded armies and Lai Xi bore the staff, yet both were killed by assassins. Now your rank and power are high. You should consider those precedents and be somewhat vigilant.' Fei Yi was later indeed killed by Guo Xiu, a surrendered man from Wei. <The name is 郭脩, Guo Xiu, here, differing from 郭循, Guo Xun, in the Later Lord's biography.>

After an initial victory over Wei, Wu's Grand Tutor Zhuge Ke raised a great army to pursue further conquest. Palace Attendant Zhuge Zhan, Chancellor Zhuge Liang's son, was Zhuge Ke's younger cousin. Zhang Ni wrote to him:

'The ruler of the east (Sun Quan) has just died, and the emperor (Sun Liang) is very young and weak. How easy can it be for the Grand Tutor (Zhuge Ke) to bear the weight of this trust? Even the Duke of Zhou (Ji Dan) <a Zhou prince's ducal designation>, with his close kinship and talent, encountered the slanders of Guan and Cai. Huo Guang, entrusted with office, also faced the rebellion of Yan, Gai, and Shangguan. Only the discernment of King Cheng of Zhou (Ji Song) and Emperor Zhao of Han (Liu Fuling) <the emperor's posthumous title> spared them these disasters. I have always heard that the ruler of the east (Sun Quan) kept life and death, reward and punishment, in his own hands. Now, at the moment of dying, he suddenly summoned the Grand Tutor (Zhuge Ke) and entrusted later affairs to him. This is truly worrying. Moreover, the rash and impetuous character of Wu and Chu is recorded in old accounts. For the Grand Tutor (Zhuge Ke) to leave the young ruler (Sun Liang) and enter enemy territory may not be a sound, long-term plan. Even if the eastern court's order is solemn and rulers and subjects harmonious, should a discerning man not consider the chance of one failure in a hundred? Take antiquity as a rule for the present and the present for antiquity. Unless you, sir, offer loyal advice to the Grand Tutor (Zhuge Ke), who else will speak fully? Bring back the army, expand farming, and diligently practice virtuous kindness. Within several years, east and west can advance together. It will truly not be too late. I hope you will consider this deeply.' <Guan, Cai, Yan, Gai, and Shangguan retain the abbreviated designations in the historical allusions; complete personal names are not forced where uncertain.>

Zhuge Ke ultimately suffered extermination of his clan through this affair. Zhang Ni's insights were often of this kind.

After fifteen years governing the commandery in peace, Zhang Ni repeatedly asked to return and was summoned to Chengdu. The Yi people loved and missed him, holding his carriage wheels and weeping. Passing Maoniu, the settlement lord came carrying a child to welcome him and pursued him to Shu Commandery's boundary. More than a hundred chiefs accompanied him to court with tribute. Upon arrival Zhang Ni became General Who Sweeps Away Bandits. Generous in spirit, vigorous, and resolute, he was esteemed by scholars, though his unrestrained manners and limited ritual observance also drew criticism.

This was Yanxi 17. Li Jian, Chief of Didao in Wei, secretly requested surrender. Jiang Wei, General of the Guard, led Zhang Ni and others into Longxi to use Li Jian's assistance.

At Didao, Li Jian led all the city's officials and people out to welcome the army. Advancing, the army fought Wei general Xu Zhi, and Zhang Ni died in battle, though the casualties he inflicted were more than double. After his death, his eldest son Zhang Ying was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xixiang (Zhang Ying) <a territorial marquisate>, and his second son Zhang Huxiong inherited his rank. Hearing of his death, local and Yi people of Yuexi in the south all wept and erected a temple, sacrificing there in each season and whenever flood or drought occurred. <The source writes 越崔巂, an irregular form of the place-name. The basis of comparison in 'more than double' is not explicitly stated.>

Appraisal: Huang Quan was broad, refined, and thoughtful; Li Hui impartial and clear in his aims and achievements; Lü Kai unwavering in integrity; Ma Zhong accommodating yet resolute;

Wang Ping loyal, brave, strict, and orderly; Zhang Ni discerning, decisive, clear, and courageous. Each used his strengths to become renowned and establish himself, meeting the needs of his time.