Chang Ji (fl. 250s–280s), courtesy name Maotong, was an official and scholar of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. After the fall of Shu in 263, he continued serving under the Cao Wei state, then the succeeding Jin dynasty in 266.
Chang Ji | |
|---|---|
| 常忌 | |
| Prefect of Henei (河內令) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Sima Yan |
| Commandant of Cavalry (騎都尉) | |
| In office 266–? | |
| Monarch | Sima Yan |
| Retainer (舍人) | |
| In office 264–266 | |
| Monarch | Cao Huan |
| Gentleman at the Yellow Gates (黃門侍郎) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Internuncio (謁者) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Chengdu, Sichuan |
| Died | Unknown Wuzhi County, Henan |
| Relations |
|
| Parent |
|
| Occupation | Official, scholar |
| Courtesy name | Maotong (茂通) |
Life
editChang Ji was born in Jiangyuan, Shu Commandery (蜀郡), which is present-day Chengdu, Sichuan. He served as Internuncio (謁者) then as Gentleman at the Yellow Gates (黃門侍郎) in Shu Han.[1] After the death of his relatives, he became known for his filial piety. Hence, was nominated as xiaolian (civil service candidate) and served as Gentleman Cadet (郎).[2] Then, he was sent as an envoy to the Wu, where he performed his duties admirably. After, he successively served as Changshui (長水) in the army then as Prefect (令) of Shifang (什邡) and Luo County (雒縣).[3]
After Cao Wei's abdication to Jin, The Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史), Yuan Shao (袁邵) was summoned to the capital of Luoyang for his recent activities in the city under his rule. Chang Ji traveled to the capital to plead on his behalf, arguing that it was not appropriate to replace him since the people in the newly annexed region were just beginning to trust their new leaders.[4] Moreover, he also said that maintaining and fortifying the city's defenses was an essential duty of a border commander. His arguments were well received by the court.[5]
When Sima Zhao was alive, Chang Ji was appointed as Retainer (舍人) in the prime minister's office. After Sima Yan ascended the throne, he was promoted to the position of Commandant of Cavalry (騎都尉).[6] Furthermore, he served as Prefect of Henei (河內令), a county notoriously known to be difficult to govern. Chang Ji managed to suppress the power of the wealthy families and greatly improved the local customs therefore promoting education back to the people.[7] At that time, there were people who raped their sister in law then killed their brother. Gang would hide the culprits. Before, there was no way to impose order. Chang Ji would hunt down those criminals relentlessly and eventually brought them to justice.[8] After becoming the capital of the province. He was considered for a higher position as an Administrator (太守) of the commandery however he died before it happened.[9]
Appraisal
editChang Ji was known for his integrity and adherence to principles. Like his elder brother, Chang Xu. He did not associate with those he considered to be of immoral character. Consequently, he was not favored by the powerful and influential.[10] Nonetheless, he wrote poetry and essays often criticising his own shortcomings. He displayed deep emotions in both joy and sorrow, earning him the admiration of his peers.[11] Chang Ji was among the descendants of former Shu officials recommended by Luo Xian to Sima Yan to be employed. At the time, each of them were renowned.[12]
Duan Rong
editDuan Rong (段容), whose courtesy name, was Zongzhong (宗仲), was born in Guanghan Commandery (廣漢郡; present-day (Guanghan, Sichuan). He was a friend of Chang Ji. He was also a man of learning and virtue. As a Shu official, he held positions comparable to Chang Ji. When Yuan Shao (袁邵) was appointed as Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史). He chose him as his Registrar (主簿). Along with Chang Ji, they worked together in managing the affairs of the region, earning the admiration of Sima Zhao. After the establishment of Jin, he served as an assistant officer to the Bieja (別駕; important assistant to the governor of the province) in Liang province and was recommended as a xiucai (秀才; person who passed the county level imperial exam). Gradually, he rose through the ranks, eventually serving as the Administrator (太守) of Yunnan (雲南) and Jianning (建寧).[13]
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ (忌字茂通，蜀謁者、黃門侍郎。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (喪親，以「致」〔至〕孝聞。察孝廉，為郎。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (使吳，稱職。歷〔長水〕參軍，什邡、雒令。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (大同後，刺史邵坐治城被徵。忌詣洛陳訴：「遠國初附，君民始結，不宜改易。」) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (又表：「脩治城池，居安思危，邊將常職。」事皆中情。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (晉文帝時為相國，辟忌舍人。武帝踐祚，拜騎都尉。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (除河內令，〔州〕名為難治，忌挫折豪勢，風教大興。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (縣有奸嫂殺兄者，群黨蔽匿，前令莫得，忌皆窮治。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (入為州都。方議為郡守，會卒。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (忌為人，信道任數，不從下人。故為貴勢所不善，) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ (是以作詩著論，先攻己短。臨喪與樂，歡哀俱至，為士類所稱。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- ^ ([泰始]四年三月，從帝宴于華林園，詔問蜀大臣子弟，後問先輩宜時叙用者，憲薦蜀郡常忌、杜軫、壽良、巴西陳壽、南郡高軌、南陽呂雅、許國、江夏費恭、琅邪諸葛京、汝南陳裕，即皆叙用，咸顯於世。) Xiangyang Ji annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (忌友人廣漢段宗仲，亦有學行。蜀時，官與忌比。袁邵〔以〕為主簿，與忌共理郡事，文帝善之。梁州辟別駕從事，舉秀才。稍遷，官至雲南、建寧太守。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 05.
- Chang Qu (4th century). Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).