Fei Li (died 311), courtesy name Jianxi, 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.
Fei Li | |
|---|---|
| 費立 | |
| Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (散騎常侍) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Sima Yan |
| Master of Writing (尚書) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Sima Yan |
| Chief Controller (都督) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Sima Yan |
| Prefect of Chengdu (成都令) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Commandant of the State (國中尉) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Leshan, Sichuan |
| Died | 311 Luoyang |
| Parent |
|
| Occupation | Official, scholar |
| Courtesy name | Jianxi (建熙) |
| Peerage | Secondary Marquis (關內侯) |
Life
editFei Li was born in Nan'an County, Qianwei Commandery (犍為郡), which is present-day Leshan, Sichuan.[1] His father was Fei Shi.[2] Fei Li was known for his modest nature, to follow the principles of righteousness and his quiet and profound demeanour. He was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) and later served as Commandant of the State (國中尉).[3] When Liu Shan was young, he was fond of leisurely excursions. Fei Li often sternly advised and corrected him.[4] He also submitted written admonitions that were filled with righteous and forceful words in the form of moral instructions.[5] Fei Li was then appointed as the Prefect of Chengdu (成都令), a county known for its difficulty to govern. However, he achieved great accomplishments in his position.[6]
With his fair and upright character, he was promoted to the position of zhongzheng (中正; Impartial and Just) of the State.[7] He was later appointed as the Administrator of Ba Commandery (巴西太守) but did not take up the post. Instead, he was transferred as the Chief Controller (都督) of the three provinces of Liang, Yi, and Ning,[a] and also served as the Master of Writing (尚書).[8] When the imperial court moved to Chang'an, Fei Li often stayed in Luoyang with the other high-ranking ministers. He was promoted to the position of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (散騎常侍) and was enfeoffed as a Secondary Marquis (關內侯).[9][10]
In his position, Fei Li would evaluate the people of the three provinces making commendations and criticisms according to their merits. He was impartial and fair hence commanding respect and fear from all.[11] However, those who were dishonest often resented his strict adherence to the rules.[12] He declined several governorships, having his sights set on the regions of He (河), Tai (泰), Ru (汝), and Ying (久). After some time, the imperial court considered appointing him as the Inspector of Jing province.[13] In 311, during the Disaster of Yongjia Fei Li and his son both perished at the hands of the Han Zhao's army.[14] After his death, most of the famous officials from Yi province with the surname Fei (費) were his descendants.[15]
Appraisal
editChang Qu, who wrote Fei Li's biography in the Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi),[b] appraised Fei Li as follows: "Standard of restrain, leave a legacy of justice."[16]
Lu Shu
editAround the same time as Fei Li, there was another notable figure named Lu Shu (呂淑), whose courtesy name was Weide (偉德), who was known for his integrity. He was summoned to serve in the government and was recommended as a xiucai (秀才; person who passed the county level imperial exam). He held various positions such as Gentleman of the Masters of Writing (尚書郎) Inner Clerk (內史) of Qin state (秦國), the Colonel (校尉) of Changshui (長水), Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (員外常侍) and Chief Controller (都督). Like Fei Li, Lu Shu also perished during the Disaster of Yongjia.[17]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Nanzhong was also called Ningzhou or Ning Province (寧州).
- ^ Fei Li's biography is recorded in eleventh volume of the Huayang Guo Zhi, titled Biographies of later worthies (後賢志), covering the life of notable persons from the Sichuan region who lived during the Jin dynasty.
References
edit- ^ (費立，字建熙，犍為南安人也。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (孫盛蜀世譜曰：詩子立，) Sun Sheng's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (父揖，字君讓，巴西太守。立學義沖邃，玄靜沈嘿。察孝廉，王國中尉。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (王年少，好輕行遊觀。立常正色匡諫，) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (及上疏風喻，辭義劘切，合箴規之體。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (出為成都令，縣名難治，立蒞之垂績。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (以性公亮，入為州大中正。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (除巴西太守，不就。轉梁益寧三州都督，兼尚書。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (常與大臣居守在洛，加員外散騎常侍，封關內侯。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (晉散騎常侍。) Sun Sheng's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (每準正三州人物，品格褒貶，帥意方規，無復疏親，莫不畏敬。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (然委曲者多恨其繩墨。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (數辭諸郡，意在河、泰、汝、潁。久之，朝議欲以為荊州。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (永嘉六年，與子并沒於胡寇。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- ^ (自後益州諸費有名位者，多是詩之後也。) Sun Sheng's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- ^ (尚書、三州都〔督〕費立建熙：尚書準繩，古之遺直。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 01.
- ^ (立時，漢國呂淑，字偉德，以清彥辟，「別」〔州〕舉秀才。尚書郎，秦國內史，長水校尉，員外常侍，梁州都督。與立同沒胡寇。) Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 17.
- Chang Qu (4th century). Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).