There are few records of ministers in the Shu Han regime, which is related to its lack of talent.
Among the Three Kingdoms, the power struggle between Wei and Wu was the most tragic, and the records of the "Yi Three Tribes" appeared endlessly. The political struggle of the Shu Han Dynasty was relatively mild, mostly concentrated on deposing and exile, and at most it was only death; except for Wei Yan, there was basically no record of the "Yi Three Tribes".
Shu Han's game method of "fighting without breaking" is certainly commendable. But if we talk about human nature, the differences between individuals are not very large, and there is no clear distinction between good and evil.
In other words, the Shu Han never launched a large-scale political purge, which cannot be explained solely by the personal likes and dislikes of those in power.
The reason why the Shu Han maintained a relatively stable and moderate political ecology was actually closely related to its national strength. The talent reserves of the Shu Han Dynasty were thin, so they did not have the conditions for internal cleaning.
This article wants to explore and discuss the political environment of the Shu Han Dynasty and the causes of this special political ecology.
This article totals 5300 words and takes 10 minutes to read
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="9" > the gentle characteristics of the Shu Han courtiers</h1>
Compared with the frequent political purges campaigns of Wei and Wu, the Shu Han dynasty had two differences. The first is that the number of political struggles is small, and the second is that the means of struggle of the powerful ministers are relatively moderate.
(1) Zhuge Liang
Although Zhuge Liang had a strong desire for power, his treatment of political opponents was not brutal. Liao Li, Li Yan, and Lai Min were only deposed and exiled; although Peng Xi and Liu Feng were slandered to death, they did not harm their descendants.
Zhuge Liang's attitude toward the families of political enemies was also relatively mild.
Although Li Yan's son Li Feng was relieved of his military powers, he remained in the shogunate.
Jun (referring to Li Feng) joined the army as Zhonglang to live in the palace, and the Qi of Fang was like the upper family. --Zhuge Liang Collection
Liu Feng's son Liu Lin, Meng Da's son Meng Xing, and Hao Yi's son Hao Zheng also served normally in the Shu Han Dynasty, and did not suffer more persecution because of the political stains of their fathers.
(Liu) Fengzi (Liu) Lin was the tooth gatekeeper, and Xian Xi moved to Hedong within the first year. (Meng) Dazi (Meng) Xing was the overseer of the council, and was still supporting the wind. - "Wei Luo"
(郤) was made the governor of the general Meng Da Camp, and with Da surrendered to Wei, for the Zhongshu Lingshi... (郤正) Weak Crown can belong to the text, and is admitted as a secretary official, and turned into Ling Shi. --Shu Shu (蜀書郤正傳)
(2) (3) Jiang Huan and Fei Yi
Jiang Huan and Fei Yi, as zhuge liang's successors, Xiao Zhicao followed and pursued the political concept of "protecting the border and the people", so it is discussed together.
Jiang Huan's mind was relatively broad, and at the beginning of his reign, he was attacked by Yang Min as "a troublemaker who did things, and was sincerely not and his predecessors". Jiang Huan did not retaliate against this, but instead laughed it off, and even took the initiative to excuse Yang Min.
Inspector Yang Min once destroyed (Jiang) Huan Yue: "Doing things is troublesome, and it is sincere and not the predecessors." Or with Bai Wan, the lord please push (Yang) Min, (Jiang) Wan Yue: "I am not as good as my predecessors (referring to Zhuge Liang), there is no way to push it." --The Book of Shu and the Biography of Jiang Huan
Jiang Huan: I am really inferior to my predecessors
Dealing with political enemy Yang Yi, Jiang Huan initially only exiled him. Because Yang Yi was still "speechless" in the exile, he was given death.
Thirteen years, abolished (Yang) Yi for the people, migrated to Hanjia County. Yi went to the migration office, repeated the letter of slander, the words were fierce, and then the county received the ceremony. Yi committed suicide. --Shushu Yang Yi Biography
Fei Yi's mind was not as good as Jiang Huan's, but in general, he also had a certain amount of qi.
He treated his colleagues more kindly, and treated the demotion people very kindly, and even was warned by Zhang Ling and others.
The military master Wei Yan and The Elder Shi Yang Yi hated each other... (Fei) Yi often entered his seat, and the parables were separated. --Shu Shu Fei Yi Biography
(Zhang) Ling first saw Fei Yi as a great general, wantonly loved, waited for the letter to be attached too much, and Ling Shu abstained from it. --The Book of Shu, The Biography of Zhang Ling
Zhang Ling unfortunately became a slur, and Fei Yi was eventually assassinated by Guo Xiu, who was demoted, and paid the price of his life.
(4) Jiang Wei
Jiang Wei is different from Jiang Huan and Fei Yi, and has a relatively strong martial color. He even "yin raised dead soldiers and did not repair the business of clothing", and was the most powerful minister in the Shu Han regime after Zhuge Liang.
(Jiang) Wei is a good meritorious person, yin raises the dead, and does not repair the business of clothing. --"Fu Zi"
However, Jiang Wei's treatment of political enemies is not brutal.
In dealing with colleagues with political differences such as Hu Ji and Zhang Yi, Jiang Wei only reprimanded them; when Liao Hua and other senior generals raised objections, Jiang Wei simply ignored them. Even when he heard the news that Yan Yu was preparing to replace himself, Jiang Wei only took the initiative to avoid trouble and did not take further action.
(Zhang) Yi Yue: "It can be stopped, it is not appropriate to re-enter, enter or destroy this great achievement." (Ginger) Wei was furious. "Draw the feet of the snake." "--Book of Shu, Biography of Zhang Yi"
In the fifth year of Jing Yao, Jiang Wei led the crowd out of Di Dao, and Liao Hua said: "Soldiers will not kill, they will set themselves on fire, and Bo Yue (Jiang Wei Zi Bo Yue) is also said." ——"Han Jin Spring and Autumn"
The eunuch Huang Hao and others gained power, the right general Yan Yu competed with Hao Xie, and (Huang) Hao Yin wanted to depose Wei Shuyu. (Jiang) Wei is also suspicious. Therefore, he was afraid of himself and did not return to Chengdu. --Book of Shu, Biography of Jiang Wei
Dealing with a low-ranking villain like Huang Hao, Jiang Wei only sent a complaint to the rear lord, and then no longer pursued. In fact, with Jiang Wei's status and wrist, it was easy to kill Huang Hao.
(Jiang) Wei Evil Huang Hao is unscrupulous, and the Lord wants to kill him. Later, the Lord said: "Hao tends to take away the ears of the little minister, and cuts his teeth to Dong Yun, I often hate it, Jun He Zu minds!" "(Ginger) Wei saw (Huang) Haozhi attached to the leaf lian, afraid of gaffes, and resigned. --"Huayang Guozhi"
Jiang Wei was evil and huang Hao was unscrupulous, and the Lord wanted to kill him
Zhuge Liang, Jiang Huan, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei have different personalities and abilities, but they all have the characteristics of moderation and leniency, which cannot be explained by mere coincidence or personal qualities.
In fact, many political events in the post-Lord era, if they occurred in the Wei or Wu states, could definitely set off a political tsunami. When Sun Quan, Sun Jun, Sun Qiang, and Sima Yi killed their subjects, many of the victims' charges did not even reach the level of Li Yan and Liao Li. It can be seen that the "temperamental forbearance" of the Shu Han dynasty ministers actually has a deeper reason.
This reason is the "Shu Shaoren" mentioned in the opening paragraph.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="150" > the problem of "Shu shaoren"</h1>
Sun Sheng, a scholar of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, once mentioned the drawbacks of "Shu widow talents".
Sun Sheng believed that the despicable figures such as Xu Ci and Hu Qian, who were unknown in the north, were actually written into the history of the country by the Shu Han Dynasty, which was really because of the lack of talents.
(Xu) Ci and (Hu) qian are more mutually exclusive, slandering and arguing, and taking the form of sound and color; books are available or not, they are not borrowed from each other, and when they look for Chu Tarts (referring to mutual beatings), they shake each other. It is jealous of the other, and even so. --Shu Shu Xu Ci Biography
Shu is a few people, so (Xu) Ci, (Hu) Qian, etc. are also described in the narrative. --Sun Sheng
In other words, the Shu people were actually the root cause of the Shu Han courtiers' "temperament and forbearance, restraint and killing".
The reason is obvious. The talent reserves of the Wei Shu and Wu families were vastly different, and what Cao Wei could do, Shu Han could not do once.
For Cao Wei, it was a pity to kill Cao Shuang, He Yan, Wen Qin, Bi Rail, Li Sheng, Li Feng, Wang Ling, Xiahou Xuan, Yuqiu Jian, Zhuge Shi, and others, but the Wei family was a big business, and soon a new group of talents could quickly fill the position.
If the Shu Han also killed people like Cao Wei, it would only take a political purge to cause the collapse of the imperial court.
When Zhong Hui entered Shu (263-264), he compared Jiang Wei to Zhuge Zhi and Xiahou Xuan of the Wei state, but Zhuge Shi and Xiahou Xuan were both important ministers who died in Cao Wei's internal purge.
(Zhong Hui) said of Chang Shi Du: "(Jiang) Bojobi middle-earth celebrities, (Zhuge Gongxiu), (Xiahou) Taichu could not win." "--Book of Shu, Biography of Jiang Wei"
Zhong would compare Jiang Wei to Xiahou Xuan and Zhuge Zhi
In the Shu Han regime at that time, Jiang Wei undoubtedly belonged to the pillar state. However, in Cao Wei's view, Zhuge Zhi, Xiahou Xuan, and others who were equally famous as Jiang Wei were just high-level talents who could be replaced at any time.
Among the fourteen states under the heavens, Cao Wei occupied ten prefectures, Eastern Wu occupied three prefectures, and Shu Han occupied one prefecture. The area and number of talents in the jurisdiction are indeed judged.
Present-day Great Wei has ten states. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Du Shu
Emperor Wei asked, "What kind of lord is King Wu?" (Zhao) consulted: "... According to the three states of the tiger in the world, is its male also. "--Book of Wu, Biography of Lord Wu"
The multitude of the state of Bashu is divided and garrisoned, and it is difficult to rule the world's division. --"Wei Shu Zhong Hui Biography"
Cao Wei experienced the Gaopingling Rebellion and the Three Rebellions in Huainan, and was still strong; After the bloody purges of Sun Quan in Sun Quan's later years, Eastern Wu showed signs of depletion of talents; as for shu Han, from beginning to end, even the conditions for a political purge were not met, and if it took a wrong step, it would be ruined.
Therefore, from Zhuge Liang to Jiang Wei, they all actively or passively pursued the internal policy of "harmony and friendship", and were particularly cautious in the way they handled political enemies. In addition to Yang Yi's own initiative to destroy the Three Tribes of Wei Andan, there is no record of the "Yi Three Tribes" in the history of the Shu Han Dynasty.
(Yang) Yi sent Ma Dai to chase after him, and to the head of Yi, Yi Qi stepped on it, saying: "Yong slave! Can you do evil again? "Suiyi (Wei) Yan Three Tribes. --Book of Shu, Biography of Wei Yan
In fact, not to mention the fierce means of the Yisan ethnic group, the lack of talent within the Shu Han Dynasty, even the abolition of a cadre needs to be reconsidered.
For example, Zhuge Liang exiled Li Yan, but still maintained the political treatment of his son Li Feng, and even arranged for Li Yan in Zitong County to "more than 100 slave guests" to raise him for him. As for Lai Min, who was deposed, he was revived after Zhuge Liang's death.
Although Jin (Li Yan) was relieved of his duties, his form was lost, and there were hundreds of slave guests. --Zhuge Liang Collection
(Lai) Min Jing Chu ming clan, the old courtiers of the Eastern Palace, the special treatment, is abolished and revived. --Book of Shu Lai Min Biography
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="157" > the reason for the "Shu shaoren"</h1>
The reasons for the lack of talents in the Shu Han Dynasty come from two aspects.
One is the easing of the war situation, which has led to the return of displaced people to their hometowns. The second is the Jing Chuhao clan that rules Yizhou and suppresses and degrades the people of Yizhou.
(1) The movement of the exiles
In the world of mourning, in order to avoid the scourge of war, the soldiers began to migrate in large numbers.
The "Yingchuan Group" appeared in Jizhou, the "Huaisi Group" appeared in Yangzhou, and the "Dongzhou Group" appeared in Yizhou.
However, after the war situation eased, the exiled soldiers began to return to their hometowns one after another.
Liu Yan and Liu Zhang's Dongzhou clique gradually disintegrated; the Huaisi clique of Eastern Wu, after Zhou Yu (Yangzhou Lujiang), Lu Su (Xuzhou Linhuai), and Lü Meng (Yuzhou Runan), also began to face the embarrassment of no successor, and had to be led by veteran generals such as Lü Fan (Runan, Yuzhou), Lü Dai (Guangling, Xuzhou), and Buqi (Linhuai, Xuzhou).
As for the descendants of Gan Ning (Yizhou Ba County), Zhang Zhao (Pengcheng of Xuzhou), Xue Zong (Peiguo of Yuzhou), and other exiles, they simply wrote in Danyang and became "new Yangzhou people".
Zhang Min (張闿), courtesy name Jingxu, was a Danyang native, and the great-grandson of the Wu general (Zhang) Zhaozhi. --The Book of Jin, The Biography of Zhang Min
Gan Zhuo, Zi Ji Si, Danyang Ren, Qin Cheng Xiang Mao also. Great-grandfather (Gan) Ning, a General of Wu. --The Jin Shu Ganzhuo Biography
Xue Jian, Zi Lingchang, Danyang Ren also. Zu (Xue) Zong, Shi Wu is a servant of Shangshu. --"Jin Shu Xue Jian Biography"
In a relatively stable external environment, not only the old liuyu people have returned to the north one after another, but also the new generation of talents in the north will no longer migrate to the south, thus further reducing the source of talents for local regimes such as Wu and Shu.
When Guan Yu was defeated and died (219), a large number of subordinates who remained in Jingzhou defected, and "no one was returned".
Jingzhou was defeated, the ministers were out of control, and there was no return. --"Meng Da Ci Xian Main Table"
Jingzhou was defeated, the ministers were out of control, and there was no return
Mi Fang (Xuzhou Donghai) and Shiren (Youzhou Guangyang) served as generals in Eastern Wu, Pan Mao (Wuling, Jingzhou) entered Wu as Taichang, and Hao Pu (Jingzhou Yiyang) also served as a court lieutenant.
After the loss of Jingzhou, the Shu Han jurisdiction shrank sharply, and the external environment further deteriorated. According to Zhuge Liang's words, "Yizhou is dangerous and blocked, and its rocks are blocked", in fact, it is impossible to get in and out, and it is impossible to get out.
Yizhou dangerous, fertile and wild... If there is a jingyi across, keep its rock obstacles... Then hegemony can be achieved. - "Longzhong Pair"
In this context, the talents possessed by Shu Han were only the Yuan Cong group that Liu Bei brought into Sichuan and some of the Jingzhou Haoqiang. After this group of scholars was exhausted, Shu Han was completely exhausted.
For example, forty years after Guan Yu's death, his master, Liao Hua, was still serving as a general in Shu Han. The lack of talent has reached the point where those who hear it are sad and those who see it cry.
Liao Hua character Yuan Jian, real name (Liao) Chun, Xiangyang people also. It is the main book of the former general Guan Yu. --Book of Shu Sect Pre-Biography - Supplementary Biography
Shi Du protected Zhuge Zhan in the early unification of the dynasty, and Liao Hua had passed the (Zong) predetermined, and wanted to agree with the pre-approval. Foreshadowing: "We are more than seventy years old..." --"Shu Shu Sect Pre-Biography"
If zhuge Liang had not taken precautions and recruited Jiang Wei from the State of Wei in advance, the collapse time of the Shu Han regime would undoubtedly have been further advanced.
(2) The Jingchu clique's suppression of the Yizhou scholars
The ruling class of the Shu Han regime was a political alliance formed by Liu Bei's Yuan Cong clique and the Jingzhou surname, who not only monopolized the confidential position, but also intermarried internally, further blocking foreign blood.
For example, Liu Bei's son married Zhang Fei and Ma Chao's daughter, Guan Yu's grandson married Liu Chan's daughter, Zhuge Liang and Fei Yi's son Princess Yishang, and so on. None of the above figures are from Yizhou, and all of them are foreigners.
(Guan Xing) Zi (關) Tong Heir, Princess Shang. --ShuShu Guan Yu Biography
(Ma) Supergirl with Anping Wang (Liu) Li. --Book of Shu, Biography of Ma Chao
Regarding the division of groups within the Shu Han Dynasty, I have written many topics in detail before, and I will not repeat them in this article. To borrow the original text of the Huayang Guozhi, that is, "Yuzhou entered Shu, and the Jingchu people were noble". The distinction between subject and guest is obvious.
Xi Yu Prefecture (豫州牧匳) entered Shu, and the Jingchu people were noble; when Gongsun Shu was in charge, the displaced people Kangji. --"Huayang Guozhi"
During the Three Kingdoms period, the Northern Kingdom and jiangdong shiren had originally disdained the Shu Han, and the ruling clique of the Shu Han blindly suppressed the Yizhou people, which further aggravated the problem of talent shortage.
According to the Book of Shu, the talents of the late Shu Han Dynasty were basically Generals such as Zong Pre and Liao Hua, as well as descendants of Yuan Cong in Liu Bei's era.
Zhuge Liang's son, Zhuge Zhan, recorded Shang Shushi as a Wei general. Zhang Fei's son Zhang Shao served as a servant, and Zhang Fei's grandson Zhang Zun served as Shangshu. Zhao Yun's sons Zhao Guang and Zhao Tong, a pawn of the Tiger Army, continued to be in charge of garrison work, equivalent to the son inheriting his father's business; the other served as a tooth gatekeeper and served in the front. Huang Zhong's heir, Ma Chao's clan collapsed, so it didn't matter.
Note: The above characters, see Shu Shu Vol. VI, do not contain many texts.
As for the sons of Jiang Huan and Fei Yi, he also held prominent positions such as "general" or "Yellow Gate Attendant" in Shu Han.
(Jiang Huan) Zi (蒋) Bin Si (蒋) Bin Si (蒋) was the general of Suiwu and the protector of Seoul. --The Book of Shu and the Biography of Jiang Huan
(Fei Yi) zi (Fei) inherited the heir, and was a yellow door attendant. --Shu Shu Fei Yi Biography
The actual results of this kind of "nepotism" type of talent selection are quite unsatisfactory.
The talent base of the Shu Han Dynasty was already limited, and the candidate cadres were artificially concentrated in an extremely narrow range, which eventually led to tragic consequences.
In the sixth year of Shu Jingyao (263), the Wei army cut down Shu. Zhao Guang (Zhao Yunzi) followed Jiang Wei to the enemy and was killed in battle; Zhuge Zhan (Zhuge Liangzi) led Zhang Zun (Zhang Feisun), Huang Chong (Huang Quanzi) and others to meet Deng Ai, and the entire army was defeated; Shu Han perished.
(Zhang) Baozi (Zhang) obeyed the Shang Shu, followed Zhuge Zhan and Mianzhu, fought with Deng Ai, and died. --ShuShu Zhang Fei Biography
(Zhao Yun) second son (Zhao) Guang, a tooth gatekeeper, accompanied by Jiang Wei, Linchen died in battle. --Book of Shu Zhao Yun Biography
(Huang) Quan Liu Shu Zi (Huang) Chong, shang shu lang, accompanied by the Wei general Zhuge Zhan to reject Deng Ai... Linchen saw the killing. --ShuShu Huang Quan Biography
Zhuge Zhan died in battle
Ironically, Deng Ai, who attacked shu Han, was just born as a cowherd.
(Deng Ai) Shao Lonely, Taizu broke Jingzhou, migrated to Runan, and raised calves for farmers. --The Biography of Wei Shu and Deng Ai
It can be seen that in selecting talents, we can neither use the wise to avoid relatives, nor can we blindly allow cronyism. The demise of the Shu Han dynasty is enough to serve as a precept for future generations.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="177" > summary</h1>
At the beginning of Liu Bei's entry into Sichuan, there were many talents. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were "enemies of ten thousand people", Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong were "strong and strong", Ma Chao was "obstructing Rong and losing courage", Zhuge Liang was "the weapon of heroic hegemony", and Wei Yan, Huo Jun, Ma Liang, Xiang Lang and others were also pawns and teeth.
However, as these old people have come to an end, Shu Han has inevitably fallen into the embarrassing situation of talent withering. Zhuge Liang was fully aware of this when he was regent (223-234), so his leniency toward political opponents was mixed with personal emotions and forced by the times.
After Zhuge Liang's death, Jiang Huan and Fei Yi pursued the strategy of defending themselves and did not take the initiative to provoke a war against Wei (there was a defensive counterattack), so the problem of lack of talent was not completely exposed at this time.
After Jiang Wei came to power, the "Nine Cuts down the Central Plains" and repeated defeats, in a large number of military defeats, Liu Chanjun finally realized the huge gap between Wei and Shu - the State of Wei could successively send Guo Huai, Chen Tai, Wang Jing, Deng Ai, and Sima Wangzhen to guard the border; Shu Han was only available to Jiang Wei.
As for the Xun Qi disciples represented by Zhuge Zhan, although their loyalty and courage were commendable, their strength was not good, and they were indeed embarrassing and useful.
In this context, the bureaucracy within the Shu Han Dynasty must be highly united in order to maintain the survival of the regime. Therefore, from Zhuge Liang to Jiang Wei, he always pursued the internal policy of "harmony and friendship", and not only did he dare not launch a political purge, but even when dealing with castrated ministers such as Huang Hao, he seemed particularly cautious.
However, on the other hand, the lack of talents in shu Han lies in the poverty of the people in the land, and on the other hand, it is inseparable from the Jingchu clique's suppression of the Yizhou scholars.
During Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition, he vigorously carried out united front work and extensively promoted military and political talents from Yizhou (see Book XIII of Shu). Unfortunately, after the death of Marquis Wu, the people died and the eunuch prospects of the Yizhou people fell silent again.
From a certain point of view, the demise of the Shu Han Dynasty, on the one hand, is the problem of the gap in national strength, on the other hand, it is also due to its own conservative color, which can be described as self-inflicted. It is not providence, but also man-made disaster. Shame!
I am Fat Mi, the original author of the history of the headline number. Talk about historical anecdotes and focus on the history of the Three Kingdoms. From the clues in Shi Hai's sinking hook and the Yoshimitsu katayu, to analyze the hidden meaning behind the unfolding.
Thanks for reading.