#ws083

[bookofjin]

Biography of He Ne

[From WS083. His actual family name would have been Helan. I have also included the opening remarks of the chapter on in-laws. This is one of the Weishu chapters were the full original is lost, and the received text is a “reconstruction” from the Beishi.]

In all cases to put the worthy to the right and relatives to the left, to place high virtue and esteem merit, these are the means by which a state governs Under Heaven. When Yin commenced the kingly foundations, they did not rely on the Shen clan as aides, when Zhou completed the great legacy, they had not heard of the Si family as assistants.

On reaching the era of Han, relatives by marriage were particularly esteemed. They themselves were killed and their families toppled, carrying on after each other in the Two Capitals, therefore arriving at the shift of their cauldrons and seal, bringing chaos to their nation and state. Wen of Wei deeply considered it a warning, Emperor Ming still ennobled the oafish and stupid. Jin's Yang Jun soon reached the extermination of his lineage.

To reside above is not used to reach honour and be entrusted with things, to be below to no avail employ private favour and demand glory. A budding calf pulling a great chariot, or weak material being relied on for thick beams, it is said that loving them is the means by which to harm them.

At the beginning of Taizu's reign, He Ne had a patrimony of section multitudes, joining to complete the august blessing. For the remainder, some hence were laborious and industrious, some clung to bounty and favour. Completely arranging their traces in order, the flourishing and decline of raised up relatives by marriage is said thus.

He Ne was a native of Dai, he was Taizu's foremost maternal uncle, and the elder brother of Empress Xianming. His ancestors had for generations been chieftains, in all directions those who adhered to the state were several tens of sections. His grandfather He first began to have achievements in the state, he wed a daughter of Pingwen [r. 317 – 318]. His father Yegan wed a daughter of Zhaocheng [r. 338 - 376], the Princess of Longxi.

When Zhaocheng expired [in 376 AD], the various sections were rebellious and chaotic. Xianming Taizu and the Kings of Wey and Qin relied on Ne. It happened that Fu Jian made Liu Kuren divide and administer the affairs of state. Hence Taizu turned back to stay with the Dugu section.

Ne overall administered the eastern section as Chief, and moved to stay at Daning. In his actions he was kind and truthful, many of the multitudes turned to him, and he was equal to Kuren. Fu Jian made use of Ne as Hawk Rising General.

Later, when Liu Xian was planning rebellion, Taizu heard about it, and riding lightly returned north to Ne. Ne saw Taizu, and in startled delight did obeisance, saying:

The official house after restoring the state must recall this old subject.

Taizu laughed and replied, saying:

Truly, like [my] maternal uncle says, it will not be forgotten.

Ne's middle younger brother Rangan was rough and brutal, he was envious of Taizu, and often plotted to make rebellion. Every time he was held close and protected by his father's wife, the Princess of Longxi, and for that reason Rangan did not get to indulge his calamitous heart. Hence the Great Men of the various sections requested Ne and his brothers to seek to lift up Taizu as the ruler. Rangan said:

[He] is in the middle of our state, why would he get it!

Ne said:

The Emperor is the generational heir of the great state, and will raise up and restore the previous legacy, by the fortune of being in the middle of our state. [Rather than] often be supporting and sustaining, establishing and carrying on successive deeds, you still have a different opinion, how is that a subject's steadfastness!

Thereupon he and the various people urged advancement, and Taizu ascended the throne of King of Dai at Niuchuan.

When Taizu chastised the Tutulin section, Ne and his brothers thereupon held in their breasts disloyal plots, and led various sections to aid them. The Emperor struck them, and they were greatly scattered. Ne escaped west. Weichen dispatched his son Zhilidi to conquer Ne. Ne reported the urgency and requested to surrender. Taizu picked 200 000 of the finest cavalry to aid him. Thereupon he moved Ne's section groups and his various younger brothers, and settled them in the eastern regions.

Ne also communicated with Murong Chui, and Chui used Ne as King who Reverts to the Good. Rangan planned to kill Ne and install himself in replacement. Ne and Rangan thereupon attacked each other. Chui dispatched his son Lin to chastise them, he defeated Rangan at Niudu, and routed Ne at Chicheng. Taizu dispatched a host to aid Ne. Lin therefore pulled back and withdrew.

Ne accompanied Taizu to pacify the Central Plains, and was designated General who Calms the Distant. After that they separated and scattered the various sections, allotted land and decided residence, and paid no heed to moving and migrating. Their lords, chiefs and great men were all similarly arranged in households. Ne as the prime maternal uncle very much was venerated and esteemed, but still never commanded or led. He hence ended his lifespan with his family.

Ne's younger brother Lu likewise accompanied to pacify the Central Plains, and for his merits was bestowed feudal rank as Duke of Liaoxi. Taizu dispatched Lu to meet with the King of Wey, Yi, and attack Ye. Yet since Lu was himself one of Taizu's junior maternal uncles, he was not willing to accept Yi's rules and measures. Taizu dispatched envoys to call him to account. Lu thereupon was angry and resentful.

He schemed with Yi's Marshal Ding Jian to complete their dissatisfactions, fully adding to the suspicion and envy. It happened that Taizu directed Yi to leave Ye, and Lu likewise pulled back and returned. Taizu used Lu as Grand Warden of Guangchuan.

Lu was by nature outstanding and brave, and was ashamed at being the subordinate of the Inspector of Ji province, Wang Fu. He assaulted and killed Fu, and ran to Murong De. De used him as Inspector of Bing province and King of Guangning. When Guanggu fell, Lu likewise came to naught.

Ne's junior cousin Yue. Earlier at Taizu's stay as the subordinate of the Helan section, people feelt he had not yet many adherents, only Yue recommended the section to follow and accompany. He also privately made prayers for Taizu to the Heavenly gods, requesting to complete the great legacy, brining out the extent of his sincerity. Taizu praised him, and he very much was favoured and waited on. Later when they pacified the Central Plains, he was for his merits bestowed feudal rank as Marquis of Julu. He advanced in feudal rank to Duke of Beixin. He passed on.

His son Ni inherited the feudal rank, he was later demoted to Marquis of Feiru. When Taizu collapsed, the Imperial City was troubled and disturbed. Ni set out to raise a signal fire to the north of Anyang City. The people of the Helan section all went to attend him. Taizong was enthroned, and he therefore ceased. Decreed that Ni, Yuan Hun, and ohters, 8 people were to retrive the lost to the left and right. He and the Marquis of Beixin, An Tong, Held the Tally to Act in Bing and Ding provinces. He memorialised condemnations of the Inspector of Bing province, Yuan Liutou, and others, all submitted to their crimes. The provinces and commanderies paid their respects.

Later he accompanied Shizu to campaign against Helian Chang. For his merit he was advanced in feudal rank to Duke of Langye. At the great discussions of army and state, he always assisted in preparing them. He also campaigned against the Ruanruan, and held command of a detached route. He was convicted of not advancing when they chased the thieves, and for fraudulently increasing the number of captives. He was to be beheaded, but paid for redemption to become a commoner. Some time after, he was designated Superintendent of the Brilliantly Blessed. He became Great Official of the Outer Capital, and was restored to his original feudal rank. He passed on in office.

His son Choujian inherited.

#ws083

[bookofjin]

Biography of Liu Luochen

[From WS083. His actualy family name would have been Dugu]

Liu Luochen was a native of Dai, he was the older brother of August Empress Xuanmu. His father Juan was Great Man of the Northern Section, and led the section groups to revert to the state. Luochen had wise plans, he spoke to Juan, saying:

Senior cousin Xian is a ruthless person. [I] desire to soon plot against him.

Juan did not keep it in mind. Later Kuren's son Xian killed Juan and was installed in replacement. He also planned rebellion. When Taizu was enthroned, he chastised Xian at Mayi, pursued until Mize, and greatly routed him. Later he ran to Murong Lin. Lin moved him to Zhongshan. Luochen led cavalry to run to Taizu. Xian relied on the strength of his section's multitudes, and always plotted to make rebellion. Luochen every time first memorialised the news, and for this he especially was thought of with favour.

Soon after he was designated Great Man of the Southern Section. He accompanied  ccompanied to pacify the Central Plains, and for his deeds from beginning to end he was conferred feudal rank of Duke of Yong'an. For his merit with the army he was appointed General who Conquers the East and Inspector of Ding province. He passed on, his posthumous title was Respectful [jing].

His son Shuhui inherited the feudal rank, he ranked Inspector of Bing province. He passed on.

His son Qiuyin was ranked General of Martial Guards. He passed on, his posthumous title was Pure [zhen].

His son Ertou ranked Prefect of Weichang and Yingtao counties. He was conferred Grand Warden of Julu. His son Renzhi has his own biography.

#ws083