He Zhi (Shu Han)
He Zhi | |
|---|---|
| 何祗 | |
| Administrator of Qianwei (犍為太守) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Succeeded by | Wang Li |
| Administrator of Guanghan (廣漢太守) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Administrator of Wenshan (汶山太守) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Prefect of Pi County (郫縣令) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Prefect of Chengdu (成都令) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Assistant Officer Who Supervises the Army (督軍從事) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Chengdu, Sichuan |
| Died | Unknown (aged 47) Qianwei, Sichuan |
| Occupation | Official |
| Courtesy name | Junsu (君肅) |
He Zhi (fl. 210s–220s) courtesy name Junsu, was an official of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
Life
He Zhi was born in Shu County, which is present-day Chengdu, Sichuan.[1] He was from a poor family however as a youth, he was generous and would help others. He grew up to be a strong and imposing man. During his meals, he would greatly eat and drink. He was also known as extravagant, was fond of music and women, and would not exercise moderation in the things he liked. Because of this conduct, people didn't think highly of him.[2] He would often dream of a mulberry tree growing out of a well and asked the meaning of this with the dream diviner Zhao Zhi (趙直). Zhao Zhi explained to him that seeing a mulberry tree growing out of a well is not something common but that mulberry tree may have some significance. He described to him that the word mulberry tree (桑) is composed of four "tens" (十) and a lower "eight" (八) hence he feared that his lifespan may not exceed this. He Zhi then laughed and answered that it was enough for him.[3]
Later, he served as an official in the commandery and was soon promoted to Assistant Officer Who Supervises the Army (督軍從事). During this time, Zhuge Liang was very strict and conscientious about the application of the different laws. He was reported by private sources that He Zhi was indulging in games and travels, didn't take his duties seriously and went to the prison he managed. Everyone was fearful except He Zhi who remained calm. He Zhi soon heard about this and was informed of Zhuge liang's imminent arrival. Therefore, he went from cells to cells, spoke with the prisoners and learned about their various situations. When at dawn, Zhuge Liang arrived. He Zhi knew perfectly about all the cases and answered with composure and clear explanations. Zhuge Liang was greatly impressed by him.[4]
Thanks to this, he was promoted to serve as the Prefect of Chengdu (成都令), at the same time the position of Prefect of Pi County (郫縣令) was vacant and soon He Zhi was in charge of the two counties. Since both of these counties were very populous and close to the capital of the kingdom, there were many cases of corruption and treachery to resolve in comparison with the other counties. He Zhi would sleep longer than others but when he was awake and on duty, he would be quick to discover cases of duplicity and deceit hence all feared him. Among them, some believed that he used divinations in his procedure therefore they didn't dare to use treachery. He did have people help him with calculations, He Zhi would listen to them and be quick to reach an answer hence they had no dissent and were all in agreement. His expertise was as such.[5]
The Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan (虞翻別傳) mentions an anecdote between Yang Hong and He Zhi that when the court meeting started and He Zhi sat next to Yang Hong, the latter would tease him and ask him: "When his horse will gallop?" He Zhi's answer was: "If your former subordinate's horse does not dare to gallop, It is only because your excellency has not yet whipped it." Hearing this, everyone greatly laughed.[6]
Before his arrival, there were many problems among the people of Wenshan and the minority tribes yet when He Zhi became the Administrator of Wenshan (汶山太守), they were quick to submit to his authority and trusted him. Later he was transferred to Guanghan and the tribes of Whenshan revolted claiming that only He Zhi's bright rule would appease them. Unfortunately, He Zhi was already occupied so they selected member of his family for the task and soon Wenshan was again secure.[7]
He Zhi was famous for being an excellent doctor. During his tenure as the Administrator of Guanghan (廣漢太守), Zhang Ni heard of him and personally took a carriage to meet him and entrust He Zhi with a treatment that could cure his illness. He Zhi knew of Zhang Ni's reputation as a brave and generous man and did not spare any expense to cure him. Finally, after several years Zhang Ni's illness was cured. Both of them remained friends after this event.[8]
Eventually, He Zhi was transferred to Qianwei. And like Zhao Zhi prophesied, he died at the age of 48 years old (by East Asian age reckoning).[9]
Wang Li
Wang Li (王離), whose courtesy name was Boyuan (伯元), was born in Guanghan Commandery (廣漢郡). He was known as a talented man with illustrious ability and graduated to Assistant Officer Who Supervises the Army. When he was in charge of the application of law, he would be fair and just and thanks to his behavior was promoted until he succeeded He Zhi as the Administrator of Qianwei (犍為太守). His governance was well received and worthy to be mentioned and although he did not match He Zhi's ability, his literary talent surpassed him.[10] He had a son, Wang Changwen (王長文).[a]
Appraisal
Chen Shou, in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), appraised He Zhi as "talented and full of shemes" which allowed him to render achievements. Chen Shou further stated that Zhuge Liang's employment of He Zhi along with Yang Hong allowed him to be famous in the western lands as someone who knew how to make use of the men of talent.[11]
See also
Notes
- ^ Wang Changwen (王長文) has his own biography in Volume 11 of the Huayang Guo Zhi.
References
- ^ (廣漢太守蜀郡何祗，) Sanguozhi vol. 43.
- ^ (祗字君肅，少寒貧，為人寬厚通濟，體甚壯大，又能飲食，好聲色，不持節儉，故時人少貴之者。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (嘗夢井中生桑，以問占夢趙直，直曰：「桑非井中之物，會當移植；然桑字四十下八，君壽恐不過此。」祗笑言「得此足矣」。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (初仕郡，後為督軍從事。時諸葛亮用法峻密，陰聞祗游戲放縱，不勤所職，嘗奄往錄獄。眾人咸為祗懼。祗密聞之，夜張燈火見囚，讀諸解狀。諸葛晨往，祗悉已闇誦，答對解釋，無所凝滯，亮甚異之。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (出補成都令，時郫縣令缺，以祗兼二縣。二縣戶口猥多，切近都治，饒諸奸穢，每比人，常眠睡，值其覺寤，輒得奸詐，眾咸畏祗之發摘，或以為有術，無敢欺者。使人投算，祗聽其讀而心計之，不差升合，其精如此。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (益部耆舊傳雜記曰：每朝會，祗次洪坐。嘲祗曰：「君馬何駛？」祗曰：「故吏馬不敢駛，但明府未著鞭耳。」眾傳之以為笑。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (汶山夷不安，以祗為汶山太守，民夷服信。遷廣漢。後夷反叛，辭〔曰〕「令得前何府君，乃能安我耳」！時難〔復〕屈祗，拔祗族人為〔之〕，汶山復得安。轉祗為犍為。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (後得疾病困篤，家素貧匱，廣漢太守蜀郡何祗，名為通厚，嶷宿與疏闊，乃自轝詣祗，託以治疾。祗傾財醫療，數年除愈。其黨道信義皆此類也。) Sanguozhi vol. 43.
- ^ (年四十八卒，如直所言。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (後有廣漢王離，字伯元，亦以才幹顯。為督軍從事，推法平當，稍遷，代祗為犍為太守，治有美績，雖聰明不及祗，而文采過之也。) Yi Bu Qijiu Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (有才策功干，...。是以西土咸服諸葛亮能盡時人之器用也。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- Chang Qu (4th century). Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).