Wang Ji's life history reflects the change in mentality of the scholars at the turn of Wei and Jin.
Wang Ji was a heavy minister of Cao Wei and an official who served as the governor of Jingzhou and oversaw the military of Jing, Yu, and Yang prefectures; after his death, he was given the title of Sikong and was honored for a time.
If you notice the time of Wang Ji's activity, you will find that the end of his eunuchs was actually in the context of the Wei and Jin dynasties. In other words, Wang Ji was successively attached to the Cao and Sima clans, so it had high analytical value.
Judging from historical records, Wang Ji's initial political patron was Cao Shuang. Therefore, after the fall of Cao Shuang, he was once persecuted by Sima Shi. Soon after, Wang Ji embarked on the path of cooperation with Sima Shi, and although he had many achievements, he also had a lot of cunning.
From this point of view, under the tide of the Wei and Jin dynasties, the old Wei Chen did not completely submit to the political deterrence of the Sima family. Wang Ji's case reflects the general mentality of the old bureaucrats "from Wei to Jin", that is, to recognize fait accomplis but refuse to become vassals.
This article mainly discusses the ups and downs of Wang Ji's eunuch sea and the beginning and end of the rise and fall, and discusses the behavior logic and mentality changes of the old bureaucrats of Cao Wei under the background of the shift of Wei and Jin.
This article totals 5700 words and takes 11 minutes to read
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="9" > Wang's origin and the logic of his subsequent behavior</h1>
Before analyzing Wang Ji's behavioral logic, it is first necessary to clarify Wang Ji's origins, which helps to explain his subsequent behavioral logic.
Wang Ji was born in Donglai, Qingzhou, although this legend calls him "less lonely", but from a large number of clues, it can be known that Wang Ji comes from a local giant clan and has a prominent family.
(Wang Ji) Is a young orphan, living with his uncle Weng Ju. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
At the age of seventeen, Wang Ji was recruited as a county official by Dong lai County, but because of "not his liking", he resigned and entered Langya to study.
(Wang Ji) seventeen years, (Dong Lai) County summoned as an official, not his good also, so he went (official). --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
At the time of the Han and Wei dynasties, if a scholar wanted to become a soldier, he first had to accept local conscription and serve as an official in the prefecture, county, and county; then he was recommended as Mao cai and xiao lian, and was promoted to be an official. This path of promotion is called the right path.
According to the two Han system, men have twenty crown ceremonies (coming-of-age ceremonies). In other words, Wang Ji was conscripted into the county before he became an adult, which could not be done unless the local Hao clan.
At the same time, Wang Ji resigned from the position of county official just because he was "not his own favorite", which shows that the attraction of the county official is very limited to him.
After Wang Ji resigned as a county official, he left Qingzhou and went to Xuzhou to study, similar to the deeds of Cui Yan and others, which is a common behavior of the disciples of the gate valve.
(Wang Ji) then went to (official) and entered (Xuzhou) Lang evil world to study. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
(Cui Yan) On Zheng Xuan's education... The outskirts of Zhou Xuanqing, Xu, Yan and Yu, Shouchun in the east, and the rivers and lakes in the south. After four years of going home, he returned home and entertained himself with piano books. --The Biography of Wei Shu and Cui Yan
Cui Yan traveled all over the world to study, and the piano book entertained himself
According to records, during the Early Huang Dynasty (220-226), Wang Ji was promoted by Qingzhou as a filial piety, bypassing the link of the county official and being directly investigated, which belonged to the patent of the Hao clan in the social background at that time.
Huang Junior High School, Cha (Wang Ji) Xiao Lian, except Lang Zhong. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
After Wang Ji was raised, he was dismissed as a driver by King Ling of Qingzhou.
Although it belongs to the state official, it is the highest level of state official, which is equivalent to the head of the officials.
It was the time when Qingtu was initially determined, and (Qingzhou) Thorn Shi Wang Ling Te Watch asked (Wang) Ji to be another driver. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
The status of other drivers can be understood through the cases of Mi Zhu and Frustrated Teaching.
Xuzhou could interfere with the succession of the state's assassin history; Jizhou's other drivers were frustrated, and their power was so great that they even made Yuan Shao, the governor of the prefecture, jealous.
Xuzhou Mu Tao Qian Pei (糜竺) is engaged in other driving. (Tao) Humble pawn, (糜) Zhu followed Qian's will and greeted the Lord Yu Xiaopei. --The Book of Shu
(Frustrated) Overseeing the inside and outside, the three armies of Wei Zhen... (Yuan) Shao was suspicious. --"Biography of the Emperor Xian"
The "Biography of Wang Ji" states that "the merits of Wang Ling in Qingzhou are mostly derived from Wang Ji's coordination and assistance", which confirms the influence of the Wang Ji family in Qingzhou.
(Wang) Lingliu is called Qingtu, and gai is also supplemented by (Wang) Ji Xiehe. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Therefore, Wang Ji, who was born from the Hao clan in Qingzhou, was himself a member of a vested interest group, so he was proud of his status and refused to completely submit to the magnates of the time. This can also explain his future conflicts with the Wang Lang family and the Sima family.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="145" > the conflict between Wang Ji and the Wang Lang family</h1>
There is a hidden clue in the "Biography of Wang Ji", that is, there is a long-term contradiction and conflict between Wang Ji and the Wang Lang family.
The Wang Lang family had a very special political status in the Wei and Jin dynasties.
This is due to the marriage relationship between the Donghai Wang clan and the Sima clan of Hanoi. Wang Lang's granddaughter, Wang Su's daughter, was Sima Zhao's main chambermate and Sima Yan's biological mother.
(Wang) Su's daughter Sima Wen (i.e., Sima Zhao), i.e. Empress Wen of Civilization, was born Emperor Wu of Jin and Wang You of Qi. --"Wei Jin Shiyu"
Therefore, the contradictions and conflicts between Wang Ji and Wang Lang's family led to his future predicament to some extent. At the same time, it is highly related to the historical background of the "Cao Ma Party Struggle" in the Zhengshi period (240-249). This will be discussed in more detail later.
First of all, let's talk about the historical feud between Wang Ji and Wang Lang.
When he was serving as the governor of Qingzhou, Wang Ji was recruited by Situ Wang Lang, but Wang Ji's direct superior, Qingzhou Assassin Wang Ling, was reluctant to send him. Wang Lang marched again, but did not dispatch.
Situ Wang Lang Pei (Wang) Ji, (Wang) Ling Bu. (Wang) Langshu impeached (Qing) State... (King) Ling Yu did not send it. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Wang Lang requisitioned Wang Ji, and Wang Ling did not dispatch; he did not dispatch wang; he did not send again;
Although Wang Ling was Wang Ji's superior, judging by Wang Ji's status as the "Auxiliary of Concord" in Qingzhou, Wang Ling had great respect and reliance on Wang Ji. It can be seen that rejecting Wang Lang's conscription should be the common will of Wang Ling and Wang Ji.
Wang Ji not only provoked Wang Lang, but he was also at odds with Wang Lang's son Wang Su.
Wang Su wrote commentaries on scriptures to change Zheng Xuan's teachings; Wang Ji was a supporter of Zheng Xuan, so he had contradictions with Wang Su and even "often competed with them".
Wang Su wrote the sutras to explain and discuss the imperial ceremony, changing the old sayings of Zheng Xuan, and (Wang) Ji held (Zheng) Xuanyi and often competed with (Wang Su). --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Differences in academic ethos are the apparent cause of the conflict between the two sides.
(Zheng Xuan) The protégé Dong Lai Wang Ji is famous in the world. --The Book of the Later Han Dynasty, The Biography of Zheng Xuan
(Wang) Su Zi Yong. In the eighteenth year, he read "Tai xuan" from Song Zhong. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Su
From an academic point of view, Zheng Xuan is a master of scripture, and Song Zhong is mainly engaged in the "I Ching" and "Tai Xuan", which is tainted with metaphysics; this is the difference between the two. Wang Su studied under Song Zhong, and Wang Ji was in charge of Zheng Xuan, and naturally he was not harmonious.
However, Wang Ji attacked Wang Su in the name of scholarship, and what was reflected behind it was actually the conflict of political positions.
In the Biography of Wang Su and the Biography of Wang Ji, there is a secret record that the positions of the two sides changed during the first year (240-249).
Wang Ji was appointed as the Taishou of Anping, and as a result, he "went to the official for official affairs". Wang Su was appointed as the Taishou of Guangping, and as a result, he was also "requisitioned by the public affairs", which is exactly the same as Wang Ji's record.
(Wang Ji) Moved to Anping Taishou and went to the official office on official business. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
(Wang Su) was appointed as Guangping Taishou.) Official requisition. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Su
It should be noted here that Anping County and Guangping County are both in Jizhou and border each other. According to the background of time, Wang Su served as an official in the first year of the first century (240); Wang Ji was returned by the general Cao Shuang during his term of office, and Cao Shuang was also a great general, which also began in the first year of the first year.
(Wang Ji) Moved to Anping Taishou and went to the official office on official business. The Great General Cao Shuang asked for the engagement of Zhonglang. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
In the first year of the first year, (Wang Su) was appointed as the Taishou of Guangping. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Su
In other words, Wang Ji and Wang Su, who were undoubtedly involved in certain political events in the local sheriffs of Jizhou, were dismissed one after another.
Conflicts broke out between the counties of Jizhou (240-249) during the first years of the reign . For example, between Qinghe County and Pingyuan County (formerly part of Qingzhou) in Jizhou, there was a "struggle for eight years, and two assassination histories, but they could not be solved."
The Qinghe River and the Plains have been fighting for eight years, and even more two thorns in history, and they can be decided. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Sun Li
Behind the rivalry between the county boundaries of Jizhou was the power struggle between Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. This is described in detail in the Biography of Sun Li and will not be quoted in this article.
Wang Ji was a henchman of Cao Shuang, so he soon made a comeback and went to Yangzhou to serve as an Anfeng Taishou.
(Wang Ji) went to the official office on official business. The great general Cao Shuang asked for zhonglang and was appointed as an an feng taishou. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Wang Su was a henchman of the Sima clan (Wang Su was Sima Zhao's father-in-law), so he was given a vacant post and served as Taichang (the ninth secretary in charge of etiquette), with no real power.
(Wang Su) returned the official affairs and prayed to Lang. It is a matter of time, for the sake of the waiter, to move too often. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Su
During the Three Kingdoms era at the end of the Han Dynasty, Jiuqing had long since been reduced to a false position. When Xiahou Xuan took office too often, he was ridiculed by the times as "strong in his years and forever ruined". Cao Shuang's intentions in doing so are obvious.
(Cao) Shuang Jie, Zheng (Xiahou) Xuan as the Great Hongxu, several years of migration too often. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Xiahou Xuan
(Xiahou) Xuan was a heavy man in the sea, and he was given a great responsibility, and when he was young, he was strong and forever abolished. --Wang Shen, Book of Wei
Wang Su, as Sima Yi's in-laws, had a long-term disagreement with Cao Shuang. During the reign of Zhengshi (240-249), he repeatedly rebuked He Yan and Deng Biao, and He Yan and Deng Biao were cao Shuang's confidants.
The general Cao Shuang had exclusive powers and appointed He Yan and Deng Biao. (Wang) Su and the taiwei Jiang Ji and Si Nong Huan Fan on the time of government, (Wang) Su Zheng Se Yue: "This generation (referring to He Yan and Deng Biao) is honggong and Shi Xianzhi (Western Han Dynasty ministers), and is called evil! --"Book of Wei, Biography of Wang Su"
Cao Shuang and He Yan were in charge, and Wang Su rebuked them
Wang Ji's political stance was the opposite of Wang Su's, and he was a member of Cao Shuang's party.
In the context of "Cao Shuang's monopoly", Wang Ji repeatedly advised him and replaced Cao Shuang's love with Li Sheng as Henan Yin. Yinzhi Luoyang, Henan, belongs to the Gyeonggi region, and has an important position, and cannot be appointed unless Cao Shuang is in his heart.
Shi Cao Shuang was in charge, weathered Ling Chi, and (Wang) Ji was going to discuss the affairs of the world when he wrote. With the return of the disease, he started as Henan Yin. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
In other words, Wang Ji's discord with Wang Lang and Wang Su's father and son is fundamentally due to the difference in political factions between the two sides. Wang Ji, as a member of Cao Shuang's party, was naturally hostile to Sima Yi's henchmen.
Therefore, after the fall of Cao Shuang (249), Wang Gene was "tasted as an official subordinate of Cao Shuang", deposed and deposed, and once fell.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="166" > the conflict between Wang Ji and Sima Shi</h1>
After the Gaopingling coup (249), the Cao Shuang clique was brutally purged, and all the core members such as He Yan, Deng Biao, Ding Mi, Li Sheng, and Huan Fan were spared and all were killed; Wang Ji, a second-class member, also suffered a heavy blow and resigned and returned home.
(Cao) Shuang Fu Jie, (Wang) Ji tasted as a (Cao) Shuang official subordinate, as usual. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Wang Ji was deposed and could not be willed. Soon after, however, he was reinstated as the Assassin of Jingzhou and followed the southern general Wang Chang in his campaign against Eastern Wu.
In his year (Wang Ji) was Shangshu, he was made the Assassin of Jingzhou, the general of Jiayang Lie, and the general of Zhengnan (general) Wang Chang attacked Wu. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Judging from the historical background, Wang Ji should have privately reached some kind of compromise with Sima Yi and got the opportunity to make a comeback. This is not whimsical, but backed by clear arguments.
The History of Jingzhou assassination was the former post of Li Sheng, a disciple of Cao Shuang. Li Sheng was Henan Yin before he served as the Assassin of Jingzhou, and the position of Henan Yin was originally scheduled to be taken over by Wang Ji.
(Cao Shuang) is (He) Yan, (Deng) Piao, (Ding) Mi as Shangshu, (He) Yan Dian election, (Bi) Rail Division Lieutenant, (Li) Sheng Henan Yin... In the winter of the ninth year, Li Sheng was made the Assassin of Jingzhou. --The Biography of Wei Shu and Cao Shuang
(Wang Ji) returned with a sick march and started as Yin of Henan. Unpaid, (Cao) Shuang Fu Jie. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Sima Yi's appointment and dismissal of Cao Shuang's old ministry Wang Ji as the Assassin of Jingzhou was obvious; that is, to send a signal of goodwill, express the intention of reconciliation, and induce Cao Shuang's old ministry to surrender.
As for the Zhengnan general Wang Chang (Taiyuan Wang), who was a disciple of Sima Yi, the example is not one.
After Sima Yi killed Cao Shuang, he first consulted Wang Chang, whose nephew Wang Shen was also a vassal of Sima Zhao, and assisted him in plotting against the Wei emperor Cao Xian, whose family's political stance was evident.
Sima Xuan, the Prince of Taifu, both reprimanded Cao Shuang and asked the chancellor about his gains and losses. (Wang) Chang Chen Zhiluo five things. --The Biography of Wei Shu and Wang Chang
(Cao Xian) then joined Empress Bai (Guo), (Wang) Shen, (Wang) Ye rushed to inform King Wen (referring to Sima Zhao), and King Wen prepared for it. --"Han Jin Spring and Autumn"
In this context, Sima Yi's appointment and dismissal of Wang Ji as Wang Chang's aide-de-camp was both a gift and a test, and in fact it was to observe Wang Ji's performance.
Sima Yi used Cao Shuang's old man Wang Ji to appease his subjects
Although Wang Ji changed the court and once submitted to Sima Shi, he did not become inflamed without a bottom line, but retained a strong autonomy.
Sima Yi died a few years after the Gaopingling coup (251), and Sima Shi inherited his father's business.
At the beginning of Sima Shi's rise to power, Wang Jishangshu recommended Xu Yun, Fu Gao, Yuan Kan, and Cui Zan, saying that they were "straight and had no flowing heart".
Sima Jingwang's new reign, (Wang) Ji Shu's precepts: "... Xu Yun, Fu Fu, Yuan Kan, and Cui Zan were all upright men, with a straight quality but no flow of heart, and could also be with the same political affairs. "--Book of Wei, Biography of Wang Ji"
It should be noted that among the above four people, only Fu Gao was close to Sima Shi, and the relationship between the other three and Sima Shi was very delicate. Yuan Kan was the son of Liu Bei's old subordinate Yuan Zhuo,Cui Zan (崔赞) was Xu Yun's closest friend, and Xu Yun embarked on a path of rebellion against Sima Shi and was eventually killed by Sima Shi.
(Xu) Yun Shao and the same county Cui Zanju are famous in Jizhou... (Xu) Allowed Jiaping to migrate in the autumn of the sixth year, the wife was not allowed to accompany herself, the road did not arrive, and she died in the winter of her year. - "Wei Luo"
In the second year of the Reign (255), the Wei generals Wen Qin and Yuqiu Jian rebelled, and Sima Shi wanted to gather heavy troops, but Wang Ji opposed Sima Shi's strategic deployment and publicly declared that "the general will be in the army, and the king's order will not be exempted". Then act autonomously.
King Jing (referring to Sima Shi) wanted to gather all the armies, but he still did not allow it. (Wang) Ji Yue: "General in the army, the king's order is not affected..." So he entered nanton. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
It should be noted that The military actions of Wen Qin and Yuqiu Jian were not aimed at Cao Xi, but were intended to be Sima Shi. Therefore, the "Jun" in Wang Ji's mouth does not refer to Cao Xi, but to Sima Shi.
(Yuqiu) Jian, (Wen) Qin, etc.: "... (Sima Shi) served in his prime years, had no illness, sat on strong soldiers, had no courtesy, was not a courtier, was ridiculed by righteous soldiers, and was heard by the world. "--Pei Song's Note
In the same year (255) that the Wenqin Rebellion was put down, Sima Shi also died, and Sima Zhao inherited his brother's business.
In the second year of Ganlu (257), the Wei general Zhuge Zhi rebelled in Huainan, and Sima Zhaodu oversaw the army to seek peace. After the rebellion was quelled, Sima Zhao "had the ambition to destroy Wu", and Wang Ji once again came forward to obstruct it, and in the end, the plan to cut down Wu failed.
King Wen (referring to Sima Zhao) wanted to send his generals to go deep and recruit Tang Zhi and other disciples, but because of the provocation, there was a threat to overthrow Wu. (King) Ji Zhi ... King Wen is the end. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
In the second year of Jingyuan (261), Wu asked Deng to surrender from the above table, and as a result, Wang Ji, in his letter to Sima Zhao, did not talk about whether he surrendered or not, but said that "since Jiaping, there have been internal difficulties, and the current affairs lie in Zhen'an Sheji."
Wu Thief Deng Yu and others want to naturalize, (Wang) Ji was commanded... "Since Jiaping, there have been internal difficulties, and the task of today lies in the town security and social welfare, and the people of Suining are not suitable for moving the masses for external benefits." "--Book of Wei, Biography of Wang Ji"
"Jiaping" refers to Cao Fang's new era name after the coup d'état at Gaopingling, while "Internal Difficulty" refers to the three rebellions in Huainan launched by Wang Ling and Ling Huyu, Wen Qin and Qiu Jian, Zhuge Shi, and other former Cao Wei generals, as well as the coup d'état of Li Feng, Zhang Ji, Xiahou Xuan, and others against Sima Shi.
In other words, in the above book, Wang Ji did not comment on Wu's request for surrender; instead, he used the topic to ridicule Sima Shi's usurpation and Cao Wei's internal strife.
It can be seen that although Wang Ji changed the court after Cao Shuang's death, he still maintained a strong independence and could not be simply regarded as a vassal of Sima Shi.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="180" > summary</h1>
Wang Ji's career changes and rises and falls reflect the general mentality of the old bureaucrats of Cao Wei in the context of the Wei and Jin dynasties.
They accepted the fait accompli of Cao Shuang's downfall and reached a compromise and cooperation with sima shi, the new master of the State of Wei, but they were not pure vassals, but had a more obvious independence and autonomy.
The old Bureaucrats of Cao Wei represented by Wang Ji had two characteristics, one was that they were elderly, and the other was that they were outstanding in meritorious service.
The eunuch's resume and age have given this group of old bureaucrats the confidence to "refuse to become vassals". Compared with the second and third generations of Cao Wei's sons who "rely on power and power to fan the glory", old people such as Wang Ji can often maintain a relatively pure position and will not be too cunning to specific political groups.
(Ho) Yan and other flashy fans, relying on power, but to divide the industry, karma and desire. --Wang Maohu
He Yan and others are flashy and fanny, relying on power and karma to seek things
For example, although Wang Ji was attached to Cao Shuang during the first years of the reign, judging from the outcome of his escape from Sima Yi's purge, he and Cao Shuang should still maintain a certain distance, which is obviously different from He Yan, Deng Biao, Ding Mi and others.
Therefore, after changing the court, Wang Ji also maintained relative independence in dealing with Sima Shi's father and son, and he refuted sima shi and Sima Zhao's orders successively, which is evident.
In the praise section of the Biography of Wang Ji, Chen Shou's evaluation of Wang Ji is "learning to practice jianbai".
Wang Ji learned to be strong. --The Book of Wei and the Biography of Wang Ji
Among them, "xue" refers to Wang Ji and Wang Su's academic cunning, metaphorically referring to the Cao Ma party dispute; "xing" refers to Wang Ji's virtue and ethics. "Firm whiteness" means firmness and purity, that is, upholding principles and not being subjugated by external forces.
Qiu Luming, in his article "The Cohesion of the Sima Clique", argues that Cao Wei's old bureaucracy was more inclined to maintain the original political system and power network; therefore, they recognized Sima Shi's dominance on the one hand, and at the same time opposed Sima Shi's excessive encroachment on the old pattern.
Note: See Qiu Luming, Chapter 3 of Political Power and Family Networks at the Time of Wei and Jin Dynasties.
From this point of view, Wang Ji is the representative of this kind of old bureaucracy, and many of his actions are realistic reflections of this mentality.
After the older generation represented by Wang Ji withered away, the new generation of Cao Wei officials and eunuchs did not have the psychological baggage of their fathers and ancestors (favored for generations), so they accepted reality more generally, further accelerating the process of the Wei and Jin dynasties.
The old people of Cao Wei, represented by Wang Ji, are the epitome of the times in a special environment. Through the analysis of his inquiry, we can more deeply glimpse the line differences of the ruling class at that time, and better grasp the changes in the mentality of the scholars at the turn of the Wei and Jin dynasties.
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.