Yue Guang

Yue Guang (Chinese: 樂廣; died 304), courtesy name Yanfu (彥輔), was a Chinese politician, calligrapher and one of the pure conversation leaders in the Jin Dynasty and he was known as an individual with a literary reputation by others at that time. Yue Guang was born in a poor family and lived in the lowest social class but he got much appreciation from several high-ranking government officials due to his moral integrity and ability in his childhood. With the assistance from those officials, Yue Guang could begin his political career and he had served as assistant minister, archer coordinator and tutor of the crown prince. Afterward, he was involved in a complicated political struggle unconsciously and his leader lost trust in him because of his identity which is the father-in-law of another political party’s leader. Although Yue Guang had struggled to explain the truth, he died under the deep anxiety eventually.

Historical background

In the late period of Cao Wei, politics became increasingly corrupt and class contradictions became more and more acute. At the same time, there was a confrontation and struggle between the two groups led by Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. In the end, the Sima clan became the victory of the political war. In the second year of Xianxi (265 years), Sima Yan forced the last emperor of Cao Wei, Cao Huan, to abdicate the throne and establish the Jin dynasty.

Western Jin (266-316) is one of two main divisions in the history of Jin, which was established by Sima yan, posthumously known as the emperor Wu of Jin. After the elimination of Wu, in order to improve the poor situation left by the war, Sima Yan took Luoyang as the capital and adopted a series of measures throughout the country, such as paying attention to agricultural production and protecting the interests of the gentry. These measures contributed to free the people from the war gradually and make the country embark on the road of development. While emphasizing the development of production, Sima Yan strongly opposed extravagance and advocated thrifty. Yue Guang was promoted to a higher position depending on his personality during that period.

However, after a period of stable development, the royal family of Western Jin gradually decayed. Sima Yan was also immersed in his achievements and forgot what he advocated. In order to dominate the country and bolster the power of Sima clan, most of his relatives were awarded with different lands, which resulted in War of the Eight Princes, since every prince would like to dominate the whole country rather than only part of it. A succession of crises had caused higher pressure of tax and destroyed the social economy at that time. However, the ruling classes were still busy contending for power and after the War of the eight princes, the hidden class contradiction broke out. Eventually the Chinese began to revolt the domination. At the same time, with the uprising of the five barbarians, Western Jin gradually lost the control of northern China.

Lifetime

Early life

Yue Guang’s father served as staff officer of Xiahou Xuan when he was eight years old. After being familiar with him, Xiahou Xuan said to his father ‘Yue Guang will become a famous officer in the future, it is rare to behave so decently in his age.’

After the early death of his father, Yue Guang was left poor and alone. He had to devote all his energy and time to studying, but was unknown at that time. He was modest and never looked forward to enjoying luxury, which had helped him earned a reputation for being frugal and hard-working.In addition, he was good at analysing things with terse and lively language, but he always kept silent while being asked something he did not understand. Therefore，many people felt that it was difficult to compare Yue Guang in terms of Qingtan. Afterwards, he was recommended as a scholar and invited to become Wei Guan sons’ tutor because of his reputation.

Political career

Afterwards, Yue Guang was served as county magistrate of City Yuan and was promoted to the tutor of princess and then the master of Henan. At last, he served as assistant minister, which was a high-ranking government official post at that time. When he was in office, his performance did not appear to be distinct but after retirement, his abilities and reputation were always missed by all the people. While evaluating employees, Yue Guang preferred to point out their advantages first, then the disadvantages would be realized by themselves without mentioning about it. He had been regarded as one of the leaders of Qingtan in Western Jin and famous for his literary reputation all over the country.

In the first year of Yongkang (300 AD), Sima Yu, known as the Crown Prince Minhuai, was deposed and detained to Jinyong City. The imperial court ordered the old minister of the prince not to see him. Those people could do nothing but sigh indignantly, but eventually, all of them decided to violate the decree and went to worship. Therefore, the clerk of the government arrested them and sent to jail. However, those who were sent to prison in Henan, which was governed by Yue Guang at that time, were released by him. Everyone began to worry about him because it was illegal behavior. One of the assistant prosecutors said to the manager, ‘The reason why the prince was deposed is he overused his authority and enjoyed luxury every day. Now those old ministers risked bidding farewell to the prince, which seems that the evil prince deserved to be missed. If they are punished severely, this thing will be circulated widely, and in people’s eyes, it looks like those people were attracted by the virtue of Sima Yu, which is an absolute misunderstanding, so it is better to release them like Yue Guang.’ After listening to his opinions, there was no punishment for Yue Guang.

Yue Guang was promoted to the Ministry of the Department of Shang Shu later. He took over the position of Wang Rong, who recommended him as a scholar at the beginning of his political career, which was seen as a wonderful inheritance in people’s eyes.

End of life

Sima Ying, titled Prince of Chengdu, was Yue Guang’s son-in-law, but Yue Guang worked for Sima Ai, titled Prince of Changsha. In 303, during War of the Eight Princes period, Sima Ying was going to attack Sima Ai in Luoyang, and Prince of Changsha was afraid that Yue Guang probably betrayed him due to the relationship with Sima Ying. Even though he had explained several times, he still cannot earn the trust from his leader. Therefore, Yue Guang felt untrusted and worried Sima Ai probably hurt his family in order to revenge his inexistent betrayal, which added his metal pressure and resulted in some psychological problems. Eventually Yue Guang passed away under the deep anxiety in 304, many people felt upset due to his death.

Family

Yue Guang’s father called Yue Fang, he served as a staff officer but he died early.

Yue Guang had three sons, the oldest called Yue Kai, courtesy name Hongxu, he served as adviser of the Second General. Another son called Yue Zhao, courtesy name Hongmao, he worked with the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue. The youngest son called Yue Mo, courtesy name Hongfan, he served as the general attacking the five barbarians in the end.

Yue Guang had two daughters, one of them married with the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, the other one married with Wei Jie, who was famous with his literary talent like her father, Yue Guang.

While Sima Ai suspected that Yue Guang would be rebellious during the War of the Eight Princes, Yue Guang explained ‘It is impossible to sacrifice my three sons’ lives for one of my daughters.’ Because he and his sons were all working for the Prince of Changsha, but his daughter was the wife of Prince of Chengdu. Obviously, Yue Guang gave much preference to his sons rather than treating his children equally.  

Anecdotes and Evaluation

Yue Guang felt confused about the fact that one of his close friends had not visited him for a long time. His friend explained that he felt extremely uncomfortable after having dinner with Yue Guang in his house since he thought there was a snake in his cup while drinking. After checking his house, Yue Guang had not found any snake and it was impossible to appear in his cup. However, the truth was that the bow behind him was reflected in his cup, which probably looked like a snake. Afterward, Yue Guang cured his friend’s psychologic problems throughout taking the bow down in front of him.

A mystery said that there was a monster in Henan palace and the previous masters of Henan were all afraid of living in the palace. However, Yue Guang did not believe that and tried to find out the truth after he was promoted to the master of Henan. At midnight, he stayed in the palace with some soldiers and the door suddenly opened following some harsh and menacing noise, everyone was scary at that time except Yue Guang. He looked around and found a small hole in the wall. After the wall was broken, a little fox jumped out and the mystery about monsters was solved out eventually.

Yue Guang was good at Qingtan, but writing articles seemed to be his disadvantages so he hoped Pan An could help him write a memorial to the throne. Pan An said ‘I am able to help you, but I need to know your intentions first.’ After explaining the reasons that he quitted, Pan An only arranged and integrated Yue Guang’s words, then the article had become famous all over the country. This success was based on Pan An’s writing skills and Yue Guang’s intentions.

Yan Jian passed through Wang Dun’s manor and come across him when he was asked to go back to Jiankang. Wang Dun said to him ‘Yue Guang is a man who has no talents. He is a wanderer in his later life. His words and deeds always stand at the opposite of the popular guiding principles. Seeing his actual talents, how can he compare with Man Fen?’ Yan said, ‘The comparison should base on the same type of talent. Yue Guang is a far-sighted official with a plain temperament, and in a dangerous situation, he does not choose to attach other people. However, Man Fen arrested those who saw the prince off when the prince is deposed, he is a coward without higher moral principles, it is difficult to compare him with Yue Guang.’ Wang Dun said ‘After the prince being deposed, he will bring a crisis to himself and the people around him. How can force people to keep their common sense? In terms of considering the situation, it is very clear that Man Fen is much better than Yue Guang.’ Yan Jian said ‘The true hero is loyal to his prince, and never ask for surviving against his principles.’

Yang Qiao and Yang Mao, the two sons of Yang Zhun who was Ji Province prosecutor, both became famous in their childhood. Yang Zhun had a close relationship with Yue Guang and Pei Wei, so he took two sons to visit these two celebrities. Pei Wei was very straightforward and elegant, and he was attracted by Yang Qiao’s decent demeanor. He said to Yang Zhun ‘Yang Qiao will catch you up, but your other son, Yang Mao, seems to be worse than his brother.’ Yue Guang was honest and upright, so he appreciated Yang Mao’s unique virtues, he said to Yang Zhun ‘Yang Qiao can only catch up with you eventually, but Yang Mao will be better.’ Yang Xiao laughed and said ‘The strengths and weaknesses of my two sons are reflected on you two.’ Other people discussed the views of the two celebrities and thought that although Yang Qiao was elegant, the moral cultivation needed to be improved, which means Yue Guang’s words seem to be correct, but these two youth were both outstanding.

Although Yue Guang was a celebrity, he did not accept the behavior of some celebrities. At that time, when Wang Cheng and Hu Wufuzhi served as high officials, they almost did whatever they wanted, such as streaking and insulting others, and Yue Guang disagreed. He said ‘They are able to find happiness in Qingtan. Why do they have to do that?’