Book of Wu · Biographies of Shi Yi, Xu Xiang, and Hu Zong

Shi Yi, courtesy name Ziyu, was from Yingling in Beihai. His surname was originally written 氏, Shi. He first served as a county clerk, then in the commandery. Chancellor Kong Rong mocked the character 氏 as resembling 民, “people,” without its top <also suggesting people without a superior>, suggesting he change it to 是. He did so.

He later joined Liu Yao and fled disorder to Jiangdong. After Yao's army was defeated, Yi moved to Kuaiji. When Sun Quan inherited the enterprise, he summoned Yi with a gracious letter. On arrival Yi became trusted with confidential affairs and was appointed Cavalry Commandant. When Lü Meng planned a surprise attack on Guan Yu, Quan consulted Yi, who approved and urged acceptance. Accompanying Yu's defeat, Yi became Colonel of Loyalty and Righteousness. When he offered thanks and declined, Quan instructed: “Though I am no Zhao Jianzi (Zhao Yang), why should you not condescend to be my Zhou She?” After Jing Province was settled and the capital established at Wuchang, Yi became Deputy General, later Marquis of Duting and acting Palace Attendant. Quan wanted to give him troops, but he firmly refused as unfit. During Huangwu he was sent to General Liu Shao at Wan to lure Cao Xiu. Xiu came and was heavily defeated. Yi became Lieutenant General, reviewing affairs of the Masters of Writing inside the palace, overseeing other offices outside, and concurrently managing lawsuits. He was also ordered to supervise the lords' study of writing <the supplied phrase 都諸公於書學 is difficult>.

When the imperial carriage moved east, Crown Prince Sun Deng remained at Wuchang and Yi assisted him. Deng respected Yi and consulted him before acting. Yi advanced to Marquis of Duxiang. Later returning to Jianye with the prince, he again became Palace Attendant and Central Enforcer of the Law, overseeing offices and lawsuits as before. Investigating Gentleman Lü Yi falsely accused former Administrator of Jiangxia Diao Jia of slandering state government. Quan angrily imprisoned Jia and questioned everyone present. Fearing Lü Yi, all claimed to have heard it; Shi Yi alone said he had heard nothing. He was closely interrogated for days, the edicts increasingly severe, leaving the ministers holding their breath. Yi answered: “With blades and saws already at my neck, how could I hide Jia's offense, bring extermination on myself, and become a disloyal ghost? But what one has heard and knows must have an actual course and foundation.” His truthful replies never shifted. Quan finally released him, and Jia too escaped punishment.

When Shu's Chancellor Zhuge Liang died, Quan concerned himself with the western province and sent Yi to Shu to reaffirm the alliance. His mission satisfied Quan, and he later became Vice Director of the Masters of Writing. When the southern and Lu palaces were first established, he concurrently became Tutor to King of Lu (Sun Ba) <a royal fief title>. Concerned that the two palaces were too nearly equal, Yi memorialized: “King of Lu (Sun Ba) possesses Heaven-given virtue and civil and military gifts. Present needs require him to guard a region as the state's support, proclaiming virtue and spreading authority. This is good national policy and what all the realm hopes. My rough words cannot exhaust the thought. The two palaces should differ in rank, rectifying superior and inferior and clarifying teaching's foundation.” He submitted this three or four times. As tutor he served loyally, remonstrating at every action, diligent toward superiors and respectful toward others.

He accumulated no property, accepted no gifts, and built a house barely sufficient for himself. A neighbor erected a great residence. Seeing it, Quan asked whose it was. The attendants said it looked like Shi Yi's. Quan said: “Yi is frugal; it cannot be.” Inquiry proved it belonged to another. Such was Quan's trust and understanding. Yi's clothes were not fine and his meals had no multiple dishes. He relieved the poor and kept no household reserves. Hearing this, Quan visited, asked to see his vegetable meal, tasted it himself, and sighed before him. He increased Yi's stipend and gifts, adding fields and a house. Yi repeatedly declined, regarding the favor as a source of anxiety.

He occasionally recommended men, never speaking of their shortcomings. Quan often reproached him for not commenting on affairs or criticizing anyone. Yi answered: “With a sage ruler above, subjects attend their duties and fear inadequacy. I truly dare not intrude my narrow views upon Heaven's hearing.” Serving for decades, he never committed a fault. Lü Yi repeatedly accused generals and ministers, sometimes four times against one man, but could find no accusation against Shi Yi. Quan sighed: “If everyone were like Shi Yi, what need would there be for penal regulations?”

During his last illness he ordered a plain coffin and burial in his ordinary clothes, with the utmost simplicity. He died aged eighty-one.

Hu Zong, courtesy name Weize, was from Gushi in Runan. Orphaned young, he was taken by his mother to flee disorder in Jiangdong. When Sun Ce administered Kuaiji, Zong, aged fourteen, served as a patrol attendant at his gate, remaining at Wu to study with Sun Quan. After Ce died, Quan became General Who Campaigns against the Rebels and made Zong Attending Officer of the Treasury Bureau. He joined the campaign against Huang Zu and became Chief of E. When Quan became general and established headquarters at Jing, he recalled Zong to the Documents Bureau. Zong, Shi Yi, and Xu Xiang jointly handled military and state secrets. When Liu Bei advanced from Baidi, Quan had few available troops and ordered Zong to assess the counties. Six thousand men were obtained and organized into two Relieving Troubles divisions, Xiang commanding the Left and Zong the Right. Wu's general Jin Zong defected to Wei, which made him Administrator of Qichun, several hundred li from the Yangzi. His repeated raids caused harm. Quan sent Hu Zong and He Qi in a swift surprise attack, capturing him alive. Zong additionally became Gentleman-General Who Establishes Martial Prowess. When Wei made Quan King of Wu (Sun Quan) <his pre-imperial royal title>, Zong, Yi, and Xiang all received village marquisates.

In summer of Huangwu's eighth year a yellow dragon appeared at Jukou. Quan assumed the imperial title and changed the era name for the omen. He also made a great Yellow Dragon standard, kept in the central army. All armies advanced and halted according to its direction. Zong was ordered to compose this rhapsody <the supplied text writes 賊, apparently for 賦>:

“When Heaven and Earth first stood, the Three Powers arose. Wolf and Bow hung as celestial signs, the essence of arms. Sages observed their patterns and imitated them, first creating weapons and seeking accomplishment. The Yellow Emperor and Shennong founded ages, establishing imperial foundations, following Heaven above and ending people's disasters below. Gaoxin punished Gong, Shun attacked the Miao, Qi fought at Gan, Tang at Mingtiao, Zhou at Muye, Han at Gaixia: all relied on arms to settle their successions. Radiant great Wu! Heaven truly brought forth its virtue. Divine martial power is its guiding thread, the imperial standard its utmost rule. From antiquity the Yellow Emperor and Yu were its ancestors. Through five dynasties its line continued in subordinate stations. Responding to the time and receiving the mandate, it rose in the south to expand the great plan and transform our Chinese realm. It regulated Heaven's seasons and created a divine army, patterned on the Great One, five commanders and three gates. Swift as lightning, slow as clouds, its advances and halts have measure, concise without vexation. The Four Spirits arrayed, the Yellow Dragon occupies the center. Zhou's sun-and-moon banner was called the Grand Constant; loftily standing, it was the six armies' hope. A transcendent above surveys the four quarters. The spirits truly direct it as the state's blessed omen. When the army turns, the Yellow Dragon moves first. Without gong or drum, deployments change silently, hidden designs like spirits: secret marvel indeed! In Zhou's days a red crow carried writing; now great Wu's yellow dragon emits a talisman, matching the River and Luo's signs, moving with the Way. Heaven assists, men harmonize, and the gathered signs promise blessing.”

Hearing of Quan's accession, Shu sent envoys to reaffirm friendship. Zong drafted the covenant, eloquent and meaningful, as recorded in Quan's biography.

When Quan moved downstream to Jianye, Xiang and Zong both became Palace Attendants, advanced to district marquises, and concurrently commanded the Left and Right armies. A Wei defector reported that Wei's Commander-in-Chief of Hebei and General Who Rouses Awe Wu Zhi was under suspicion. Zong forged these three surrender letters in Zhi's name:

The first said: “Heaven's order is broken and the four seas split apart. Living creatures are exhausted and gentlemen scattered. Where armies and raiders pass, settlements have no inhabitants; dust, smoke, and fires appear everywhere. Since the Three Dynasties no age's disorder has equaled this. My purposes are slight and I lack a way through these times. Bound to my native soil and unable to fly away, I served the Cao clan in its military tasks. Far north of the river, cut off from Heaven's highway, I admire your influence and righteousness and long to entrust myself to your great mandate, but regret lacking a means to fulfill my purpose. Listening privately to travelers, I learn that Your Majesty's virtue equals Heaven and Earth, your brilliance the sun and moon, your divine martial gifts innate. You spread the imperial standard and transformation ten thousand li; every household south of the Yangzi receives shelter. Heroes and men of high understanding all sing in their hearts and rejoice to submit. At the end of this sixth month I respectfully heard that on an auspicious day you rose like a dragon and ascended the throne, expanding the great plan and rectifying Heaven's order, to let the surviving people see a settled ruler. The attack of King Wu (Ji Fa) <the Zhou conqueror of Shang> on Yin made Yin's soldiers reverse their weapons; the punishment by Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) <Han's founding emperor> of Xiang Yu brought Chu songs on every side. Even these cannot adequately compare with today. Unable to contain my utmost wish, I send my trusted fellow countryman Huang Ding respectfully with this memorial, ostensibly a surrendering deserter, seeking passage through dangers. My proposals follow.” The second said: “Yi Yin left Xia for Shang, and Chen Ping abandoned Chu for Han. Their achievements were recorded on bamboo and silk and their names handed down. Rulers did not consider them faithless, but discerning Heaven's mandate. Formerly the Cao clan associated closely with me: outwardly a minister, inwardly like kin, bound by affection and duty without thought of separation. I received regional responsibility and command of Hebei's armies. My hopes were high: forever to share life and death with the Caos, fearing only failure to achieve their work. After the Cao ruler died and a young successor governed, slander multiplied. Peers used power to harm one another, and men of different aims found openings for accusation. By nature straightforward and unceremonious, I had never bowed before others; I admit I pressed those men too closely. Wicked arguments consequently combined against me, creating suspicion and falsely charging rebellion. Though those knowing the truth attest my heart, slander triumphs in disorder and lingering suspicion remains. I constantly fear sudden innocent suffering, my heart painfully troubled as though treading ice and coals. Yue Yi achieved great things in Qi for King Zhao of Yan (Ji Zhi) <a Yan royal title>. When King Hui (Ji Yue) <his successor on Yan's throne> succeeded, suspicion cost him command and he left Yan for Zhao without diminishing his fine achievement. Was this wavering in loyalty? He feared unfulfilled reputation and approaching harm. Earlier I sent Zhou Guang of Wei Commandery, ostensibly a trader and then a deserter southward, to explain my secret plan. In haste I dared send no written memorial, only an oral message. The realm's ultimate allegiance is plain: where else but Wu does Heaven's intention lie? These people long to be your subjects, stretching necks and rising on toes, fearing only your army's delay. Grant a little trust, and I shall await your royal army in Hebei. My sincere heart is witnessed by Heaven and the sun. Yet Guang left a year ago and no word has come. Did my intention reach you? Looking and sighing, counting days and months—Lu's longing for Gaozi scarcely compares. My treatment here grows thinner, and the buzzing flies of slander never cease. Disaster is only a question of time. I suppose Your Majesty has offered no clear reassurance because you think me steeped in humanity and duty and incapable of this, so Guang's words seem mostly false, or you suspect other circumstances, not knowing how I am slandered and endangered. If genuinely guilty I should rush to cauldron and execution, binding myself to await punishment: a subject's duty. But now innocent, falsely accused, and facing Shang Yang's or Bai Qi's fate, circumstances justify departure. Why die unjustly instead? Gentlemen pity Yue Yi's departure and Wu Qi's flight as failures of recognition; none condemns them. Compare past and present and do not suspect me. I also know that a minister in disgrace should offer personal service like Wu Yuan (Wu Zixu), rather than exploit affairs for profit. Yet our circumstances differ from antiquity: north and south are distant, divided by rivers and lakes. Without an uprising, how can I escape? Thus I set aside the steadfast man's restraint to seek the duty of achievement. Moreover the Cao successor lacks Heaven's mandate: government weak, punishments disordered, authority seized by ministers. Generals rule independently outside without common purpose, soldiers diminish, treasuries empty, order collapses, and high and low are benighted. You must have heard this from successive defectors. Annexing the weak and attacking the benighted accords with Heaven's time. This is truly your season to advance, so I dare offer my plan. Send troops into the Huai and Si and occupy Xiapi. Jing and Yang will respond at the news. I shall sweep southward from Hebei; once our positions join, roots and strength will be secure forever. Forces west of the passes are tied to their defenses; Qing and Xu dare not withdraw garrisons; Xu and Luo together have fewer than ten thousand remaining troops. Who can come east to contest you? This is a meeting of opportunity in a thousand years: consider it deeply. My region already has many horses, and in the third and fourth months, when grass is fine, Qiang and Hu bring more. I estimate over three thousand could now be obtained. Time your expedition accordingly, bringing many riders to receive them. These preparations should be known to one or two beforehand <the supplied sentence here is irregular>. Opposing armies normally cannot know each other's true strength, but this region is genuinely weak and easily settled. Many will answer your advance. Above, establish the great enterprise and unite all under Heaven; below, let me achieve extraordinary service. That would be Heaven's will. Rejection too would be Heaven's will. Consider it; I shall say no more.” The third said: “Ziyuan (Xu You) left Yuan Shao for Cao Cao. His plans were accepted and Yuan's army defeated, establishing Cao's enterprise. Had Cao doubted him and hesitated, the realm would now belong to the Yuans. Consider this. Recently I heard frontier commanders Yan Fu and Zhao Ji wished to submit to your great transformation, but slow coordination brought their destruction. I now sincerely entrust my life from afar. Renewed suspicion and delayed action would leave me isolated and suffering disaster, making the realm's heroes who wish to achieve merit afraid to entrust themselves to Your Majesty again. Consider it. August Heaven and sovereign Earth hear these words.”

By the time this writing circulated, Wu Zhi had already entered court as Palace Attendant.

In the second year Yin Fan of Qing Province came to Wu and memorialized: “When Zhou ruled without the Way, Weizi left first; when Emperor Gaozu (Liu Bang) was generous and enlightened, Chen Ping came first. Aged twenty-two, I abandoned my native territory to submit to a ruler possessing the Way, and through Heaven's grace arrived safely. I have been here some time, but the officials treat me like ordinary defectors without discerning distinction, preventing my subtle words and profound meanings from reaching you. Sighing in distress, how can I stop? I respectfully present this memorial at the gate and beg an audience.” Quan immediately summoned him. His thanks, replies, and discussion of current affairs were eloquent and impressive. Zong attended. Asked his opinion, he said: “The grand language of his memorial resembles Dongfang Shuo; his quick, ingenious disputation resembles Mi Heng. But his ability equals neither.” Asked what office he could bear, Zong answered: “Not yet government over people. Try him in a small capital office.” Because Fan discussed punishments and prisons extensively, Quan made him Supervisor under the Minister of Justice. General of the Left Zhu Ju and Minister of Justice Hao Pu praised him as possessing a king's assistant's talent. Pu was especially intimate, constantly lamenting his inadequate position. Later Fan's rebellion was discovered and he was executed.

Reproached, Pu killed himself. Ju remained under restraint until eventually released. Zong became Lieutenant General and concurrently Left Enforcer of the Law, managing lawsuits. During the Liaodong affair, General Who Assists Wu Zhang Zhao remonstrated bluntly and Quan became furious. Zong helped reconcile them and prevent a breach. He loved wine; drunk, he shouted in unrestrained pleasure, sometimes pushing drinking vessels about and striking attendants. Quan valued his talent and did not punish him.

Since Quan took charge, nearly all proclamations, investitures, and letters and credentials to neighboring states had been composed by Zong. Earlier, because affairs were numerous inside and outside, a special rule forbade senior officials to leave upon family bereavement. Repeated violations troubled Quan, who ordered court deliberation. Zong proposed a clear capital penalty: execute one offender and the rest would cease. Quan adopted it, and departures for mourning stopped.

Zong died in Chiwu's sixth year and his son Hu Chong succeeded. Even-tempered and literarily capable, Chong became Director of the Secretariat during Tianji.

Xu Xiang, courtesy name Ziming, was from Wucheng in Wu Commandery. He died before Zong.

Appraisal: Shi Yi, Xu Xiang, and Hu Zong all helped build Sun Quan's enterprise. Yi was pure, conscientious, steadfast, and simple; Xiang repeatedly carried diplomatic missions; Zong possessed literary brilliance and practical talent. Each was trusted and employed. Compared with a great hall, were they not its supporting rafters?