Virtuous Officials in Han Dynasty

During the Han Dynasty, several officials were known for their exceptional character and conduct, earning respect and admiration from both the emperor and the people. Among them were Wan and Zhang Shu, who exemplified the values of integrity and loyalty.

Wan, known for his ability to control chariots, served Emperor Wen and rose through the ranks to become a Zhonglang General. His promotion was due to his diligence and loyalty rather than any other distinguishing characteristics. When Emperor Jing was the Crown Prince, he once invited his close aides for a drink, but Wan claimed to be ill and did not attend. This was out of concern that Emperor Wen might suspect Wan of having dual loyalties if he associated too closely with the Crown Prince. Before Emperor Wen passed away, he instructed Emperor Jing to treat Wan kindly, acknowledging his integrity.

Upon Emperor Jing’s accession, Wan continued to serve with unwavering dedication. One day, when the emperor and his retinue were returning from a trip to Shanglin, the emperor questioned Wan, “Do you know why you were allowed to accompany me?” Wan humbly replied, “I was fortunate to be promoted from a lowly chariot soldier to a Zhonglang General; I am not sure of the reason.” The emperor then reminded him of the time when Wan had declined an invitation due to illness, to which Wan reiterated his genuine sickness at that time. Impressed by Wan’s honesty, the emperor gifted him a sword. Wan declined, stating that the late emperor had already given him six swords, which he had never used. The emperor, surprised that the swords were still well-preserved, acknowledged Wan’s conscientiousness.

Wan’s colleagues often envied his achievements, but he never competed for merit or shirked responsibilities. Recognizing his modesty and honesty, the emperor appointed him as the Grand Tutor to the King of Hejian. Later, when the Wu and Chu kingdoms rebelled, Wan was tasked with leading troops to quell the rebellion, successfully restoring peace and earning the title of Marquis of Jianling.

The following year, Emperor Jing dethroned the Crown Prince and executed the Crown Prince’s relatives, known as the Li family. Despite his reluctance, the emperor ordered Wan to return home, and another official, Zhi Du, was assigned to handle the Li family’s arrest. Eventually, the emperor appointed the King of Jiaodong as the new Crown Prince and reinstated Wan as the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor. Wan’s career progressed, and he eventually became the Chief Minister. However, throughout his service, Wan remained modest, never boasting of his achievements or seeking unnecessary attention. The emperor valued his sincerity and entrusted him with significant responsibilities, often rewarding him generously.

After serving as Chief Minister for three years, Wan retired due to illness. His son, Xin, inherited his title, but later lost it due to a violation involving tribute gold.

Another notable figure was Marquis Sai Zhi Buyi, a native of Nanyang. Zhi, also known as Buyi, served as a lang (a lower-ranked official) during Emperor Wen’s reign. During this time, a fellow lang who was returning home accidentally took Zhi’s gold. When the mistake was realized, Zhi compensated the owner out of his pocket, and when the gold was returned, the original owner felt great remorse. This incident earned Zhi a reputation as a gentleman. He was gradually promoted to the rank of Taizhong Dafu. Despite his upright appearance and demeanor, some accused him of being overly meticulous. Nevertheless, Zhi never defended himself, maintaining his integrity even in the face of slander.

When the Wu and Chu kingdoms rebelled, Zhi commanded troops to suppress the revolt. In recognition of his service, he was appointed as the Imperial Chancellor during Emperor Jing’s reign. Later, Emperor Wu ascended the throne and dismissed Zhi and Wan due to unspecified infractions. Zhi devoted himself to studying Laozi’s teachings, often blending into his surroundings and avoiding overt displays of authority. He detested fame, earning him the title of “gentleman.” Zhi eventually passed away, with his descendants rising to prominent positions, although some lost their titles due to similar violations.

Another official, Zhang Shu, also known as Ou, was the illegitimate son of Marquis Anqiu. Zhang, who served the Crown Prince, was known for his expertise in legal matters and his reputation as a gentleman. During Emperor Jing’s reign, Zhang held various high-ranking positions, ultimately becoming the Imperial Chancellor. Despite his role, Zhang rarely spoke out, choosing instead to handle matters with discretion. He earned the respect of his subordinates, who never dared to deceive him. When reviewing legal cases, Zhang was known to shed tears if he found the verdicts too harsh, demonstrating his compassion.

Zhang eventually retired due to illness, but the emperor held him in high regard, granting him a pension equivalent to that of a high-ranking official. His family settled in Yangling, where they continued to prosper.

The historian Sima Qian reflects on these figures, noting that they embodied the Confucian ideal of being cautious in speech but swift in action. They did not seek fame or power, but their deeds spoke volumes about their character. While some, like Sai, were criticized for being overly meticulous or secretive, they ultimately proved themselves to be honorable and trustworthy officials. Their lives and actions serve as a testament to the virtues of integrity, humility, and loyalty, which were highly valued in the Han Dynasty.