汲鄭列傳

Ji An, styled Changru, was a man of Puyang. His ancestors had been favored by the ancient lords of Wei. For seven generations down to Ji An, the family had served as ministers and senior officials. Ji An entered service through his father's appointment and became Attendant of the Crown Prince's Horses under Emperor Jing, where his stern bearing inspired apprehension. When Emperor Jing died and the Crown Prince acceded, Ji An became a Court Usher. When the Yue peoples of the southeast attacked one another, the emperor sent Ji An to investigate. He did not go all the way — he turned back at Wu and reported: 'The Yue people attacking each other is simply their custom; it does not merit dispatching an imperial envoy.' When a fire broke out in Henei, burning over a thousand homes, the emperor sent Ji An to inspect. He returned and reported: 'A household fire spread to adjoining buildings — it is not worth worrying about. But as I passed through Henan, I found over ten thousand families of the poor devastated by flood and drought, with some fathers and sons reduced to eating one another. On my own authority, I used the imperial tally to open the Henan granaries and distribute grain to relieve the destitute. I request to return the tally and submit to punishment for overstepping my commission.' The emperor considered this worthy and acquitted him, promoting him to Magistrate of Xingyang.

At this time the Son of Heaven was recruiting scholars and Confucians. The emperor declared his intentions, and Ji An responded: 'Your Majesty is full of desires within yet puts on a show of benevolence and righteousness without — how can you hope to emulate the governance of Yao and Shun!' The emperor fell silent, then grew angry, his expression changed, and he dismissed the court. All the ministers feared for Ji An. After withdrawing, the emperor said to his attendants: 'How extreme is Ji An's bluntness!' Some ministers reproached Ji An, who replied: 'The Son of Heaven appoints dukes and ministers as his advisors. Would he have them simply flatter and agree, leading their sovereign into unrighteousness? Moreover, I already hold this office — even if I wished to protect myself, how could I endure disgracing the court!'

When General-in-Chief Wei Qing attended the emperor, the emperor would receive him casually, even sitting on the privy. When Chancellor Gongsun Hong had a private audience, the emperor sometimes went without his ceremonial cap. But when Ji An sought an audience, the emperor would not receive him without his cap. Once the emperor was sitting in the military pavilion when Ji An came forward to present a memorial. The emperor had no cap on; seeing Ji An approach, he retreated into the pavilion and had an attendant approve the memorial on his behalf. Such was the respect and decorum shown to Ji An.

When the King of Huainan was plotting rebellion, he feared Ji An, saying: 'He speaks his mind bluntly, holds fast to his principles, and would die for righteousness — he cannot be misled by false arguments. As for persuading Chancellor Gongsun Hong, that would be as easy as lifting a cover or shaking off a leaf.'

Zheng Dangshi, styled Zhuang, was a man of Chen. His ancestor Lord Zheng had served as a general under Xiang Ji. After Xiang Ji's death, he submitted to Han. Emperor Gaozu ordered all former officers of Xiang Ji to register their names. Lord Zheng alone refused to comply. All those who registered were appointed Grand Masters, while Lord Zheng was banished. He died during Emperor Wen's reign.

Zheng Zhuang took pride in knight-errant conduct. He rescued Zhang Yu from peril, and his name was known throughout the Liang and Chu regions. Under Emperor Jing, he served as an Attendant of the Crown Prince. Every five days, on his rest day, he would station relay horses at various suburban posts, visiting old friends and receiving guests from night into the following dawn, always fearing he could not see everyone. Zhuang admired Huang-Lao teachings and revered elder statesmen with an urgency as if he might never see them again. Though young and low in rank, his associates were all of his grandfather's generation — renowned figures of the realm.

The Grand Historian says: Given the worthiness of Ji An and Zheng Dangshi, when they had power their guests increased tenfold; when they lost power, the guests vanished. How much more so for ordinary people! Zhai Gong of Xiagui once said — when he first served as Commandant of Justice, guests thronged his gate; when he was dismissed, one could have set bird nets outside his door. When Zhai Gong was reappointed Commandant of Justice and guests wished to come again, he inscribed these words on his gate: 'Through one death and one survival, one learns the nature of friendship. Through one fall to poverty and one rise to wealth, one learns the character of associates. Through one abasement and one elevation, the truth of friendship is revealed.' Ji An and Zheng Dangshi would have said the same. How sorrowful!