Wáng Jī appellation Bóyú, was a Dōnglái Qūchéng man. When young he was orphaned, and with his father’s younger brother [Wáng] Wēng resided. [Wáng] Wēng fostered and raised with extreme sincerity, and Jī also for filial piety was praised. Aged seventeen years, the prefecture summoned him as an official, this was not what he enjoyed, and he therefore left, entering Lángyé’s border to travel and study.
王基字伯輿，東萊曲城人也。少孤，與叔父翁居。翁撫養甚篤，基亦以孝稱。年十七，郡召為吏，非其好也，遂去，入琅邪界游學。黃初中，察孝廉，除郎中。
During Huángchū [220-226], he was nominated Filial and Incorrupt, appointed Cadet Internal. At the time Qīng [province] territory was newly settled, the Inspector Wáng Líng specially memorialized to request Jī as Aide-de-Camp, later he was summoned to be Confidential Documents Cadet, [Wáng] Líng again requested his return. Shortly afterward, Excellency over the Masses Wáng Lǎng recruited Jī, [Wáng] Líng did not send him. [Wáng] Lǎng’s letter impeaching the province stated: “The best of household ministers, then should ascend to the Duke’s assistance, the best of the Duke’s ministers, then should enter to the King’s offices. Therefore the ancient Marquis and Earls had ritual of candidate tributes. Now the province fetches a night guard’s minister, and detains a confidential cabinet’s official, this is rarely heard of.” [Wáng] Líng still did not send him. That [Wáng] Líng was praised in Qīng territory, overall was also due to Jī’s harmonizing assistance.
是時青土初定，刺史王淩特表請基為別駕，後召為祕書郎，淩復請還。頃之，司徒王朗辟基，淩不遣。朗書劾州曰：「凡家臣之良，則升于公輔，公臣之良，則入于王職，是故古者侯伯有貢士之禮。今州取宿衛之臣，留祕閣之吏，所希聞也。」淩猶不遣。淩流稱青土，蓋亦由基協和之輔也。
General-in-Chief Sīmǎ [Yì] Xuān-wáng recruited Jī, he had not yet arrived, and was promoted to Central Documents Attendant Cadet.
大將軍司馬宣王辟基，未至，擢為中書侍郎。
Míng-dì extensively repaired palaces and residences, and the common people toiled overworked. Jī sent up memorial that said: “I your servant have heard the ancient people used water as analogy for the people, stating: ‘Water is what carries the boat, and also what overturns the boat.’ Therefore the one above the people, cannot be not wary. If the people are leisurely then considerations are easy, if bitter then thoughts are hard, and therefore the former kings resided themselves in frugality, so as to not create troubles. In the past Yán Yuān spoke of Dōngyě-zǐ’s chariot, the horse’s strength was exhausted and yet he sought to advance without end, and therefore knew he was about to be defeated. Present matters of conscripted labor and bitter toil, men and women are separated and apart, may Your Majesty deeply investigate Dōngyě’s faults, retain thoughts of the analogy of boats and water, stop rushing horse teams that are not yet exhausted, and save strength of conscripted labor that is not yet destitute. In the past Hàn held the realm Under Heaven, reaching Xiào-Wén’s time there were only same surname vassal lords, but Jiǎ Yì worried of this stating: ‘To set fire below accumulated fuel and then lie above it, and therefore call it safe.’ Now the bandit rebels are not yet exterminated, fierce officers wield soldiers, if restraining them then there is nothing to meet the enemy, if for a long time using them then it is difficult to leave things for later, for an extensively enlightened era, to not engage in removing troubles, if posterity does not fight, it is the State Altar’s worry. If Jiǎ Yì again rose, he would certainly deeply feel for former times.”
明帝盛脩宮室，百姓勞瘁。基上疏曰：「臣聞古人以水喻民，曰『水所以載舟，亦所以覆舟』。故在民上者，不可以不戒懼。夫民逸則慮易，苦則思難，是以先王居之以約儉，俾不至於生患。昔顏淵云東野子之御，馬力盡矣而求進不已，是以知其將敗。今事役勞苦，男女離曠，願陛下深察東野之弊，留意舟水之喻，息奔駟於未盡，節力役於未困。昔漢有天下，至孝文時唯有同姓諸侯，而賈誼憂之曰：『置火積薪之下而寢其上，因謂之安也。』今寇賊未殄，猛將擁兵，檢之則無以應敵，久之則難以遺後，當盛明之世，不務以除患，若子孫不競，社稷之憂也。使賈誼復起，必深切于曩時矣。」
Cavalier Regular Attendant Wáng Sù wrote explanations for various classics and decided on Court ceremonies, changing from Zhèng Xuán’s old theories, but Jī held to [Zhèng] Xuán’s meanings, always with [Wáng Sù] contending. He was moved to Ānpíng Administrator, and due to official matters left office. General-in-Chief Cáo Shuǎng requested him to be Attending Matters Internal Cadet, and sent him out to be Ānfēng Administrator. The prefecture bordered the Wú bandits, in governance he was pure and strict and had prestige and kindness, clearly established preparations, and the enemy did not dare invade. He was added office as Suppressing Bandits General.
散騎常侍王肅著諸經傳解及論定朝儀，改易鄭玄舊說，而基據持玄義，常與抗衡。遷安平太守，公事去官。大將軍曹爽請為從事中郎，出為安豐太守。郡接吳寇，為政清嚴有威惠，明設防備，敵不敢犯。加討寇將軍。
Wú once greatly mobilized armies to gather at Jiànyè, spreading reports they wished to enter to attack Yángzhōu, the Inspector Zhūgě Dàn sent Jī to plan against this. Jī said: “In the past Sūn Quán twice reached Héféi, once reached Jiāngxià, and afterward Quán Cóng set out against Lújiāng, Zhū Rán plundered Xiāngyáng, and all without achievement returned. Now Lù Xùn and the rest are already dead, and [Sūn] Quán is old, inside [the palace] without worthy successor, inside [the Court] without strategic master. If [Sūn] Quán personally sets out then he will fear internal quarrels will arise, ulcers and rot festering; if he sends officers then the old officers are already gone, the new officers not yet trusted. This is nothing more than wishing to mend and settle branch factions, and they will return to defending themselves and that is all.” Later [Sūn] Quán indeed was not able to set out.
吳嘗大發眾集建業，揚聲欲入攻揚州，刺史諸葛誕使基策之。基曰：「昔孫權再至合肥，一至江夏，其後全琮出廬江，朱然寇襄陽，皆無功而還。今陸遜等已死，而權年老，內無賢嗣，中無謀主。權自出則懼內釁卒起，癰疽發潰；遣將則舊將已盡，新將未信。此不過欲補定支黨，還自保護耳。」後權竟不能出。
At the time Cáo Shuǎng concentrated power, public decency declined, Jī wrote Shí Yāo lùn “Discussion of the Time’s Important maters” to explain the situation. Claiming illness he asked to return, left home to be Hénán Intendant, before he was appointed, [Cáo] Shuǎng was executed, Jī once had been [Cáo] Shuǎng’s staff official, and following precedent was dismissed.
時曹爽專柄，風化陵遲，基著時要論以切世事。以疾徵還，起家為河南尹，未拜，爽伏誅，基嘗為爽官屬，隨例罷。
That year he became Secretariat, was sent out to be Jīng Province Inspector, added office Raising Ardent General, accompanying Campaigning South General Wáng Chǎng in striking Wú. Jī separately attacked Bù Xié at Yílíng, [Bù] Xié shut gates and defended himself. Jī showed appearance of attacking, but in fact divided troops to capture Xióngfù’s supply stores, seizing rice of over 300,000 hù, capturing [Wú’s] Securing North General Tán Zhēng, and the surrendered were several thousand. Therefore he moved the surrendered people, to install a Yílíng county. He was bestowed noble rank as Marquis Within the Passes. Jī also memorialized to build city walls at Shàngchǎng, move Jiāngxià’s capital to it, in order to put pressure on Xiàkǒu, and therefore the rebels did not dare recklessly cross the Jiāng. He had clear regulations, organized the army and agriculture, and also cultivated schooling, and the south praised him.
其年為尚書，出為荊州刺史，加揚烈將軍，隨征南王昶擊吳。基別襲步協於夷陵，協閉門自守。基示以攻形，而實分兵取雄父邸閣，收米三十餘萬斛，虜安北將軍譚正，納降數千口。於是移其降民，置夷陵縣。賜爵關內侯。基又表城上昶，徙江夏治之，以偪夏口，由是賊不敢輕越江。明制度，整軍農，兼脩學校，南方稱之。
At the time the Court discussed wishing to attack Wú, Imperial Order had Jī judge the suitability of advancing. Jī replied: “If troops act but are without achievement, then authority is broken outside, wealth is used up inside, and therefore it must be certainly secure and only afterward used. If there are no preparations for resource transport streams and gathering provisions and naval battles, then although there is accumulation of troops within the Jiāng, there is no certainty of having power to cross it. Now Jiānglíng has the Jǔ and Zhāng two rivers, irrigating fertile fields in the thousands. Ānlù’s left and right are pools and ponds rich and fertile. If water and land are joined in agriculture, to secure army resources, then afterward draw troops to visit Jiānglíng and Yílíng, dividing to occupy Xiàkǒu, and follow the Jǔ and Zhāng, on the waters float grain and go downstream. The rebels know the officers and soldiers have long-lasting strength, then intentions of resisting heavenly punishment are destroyed, and increases in turning toward the ruler’s influence is assured. Afterward lead and gather the Mán and Yí to attack their interior, elite troops and stalwart soldiers to suppress their exterior, then Xiàkǒu and above is certain to be taken, and the prefectures outside the Jiāng cannot be defended. In this way, Wú’s and Shǔ’s connection is cut off, the connection cut off and Wú is taken. If not, then the success of soldiers setting out, cannot be certain.” Therefore it stopped.
時朝廷議欲伐吳，詔基量進趣之宜。基對曰：「夫兵動而無功，則威名折於外，財用窮於內，故必全而後用也。若不資通川聚糧水戰之備，則雖積兵江內，無必渡之勢矣。今江陵有沮、漳二水，溉灌膏腴之田以千數。安陸左右，陂池沃衍。若水陸並農，以實軍資，然後引兵詣江陵、夷陵，分據夏口，順沮、漳，資水浮穀而下。賊知官兵有經久之勢，則拒天誅者意沮，而向王化者益固。然後率合蠻夷以攻其內，精卒勁兵以討其外，則夏口以上必拔，而江外之郡不守。如此，吳、蜀之交絕，交絕而吳禽矣。不然，兵出之利，未可必矣。」於是遂止。
Sīmǎ [Shī] Jǐng-wáng newly controlled the government, Jī’s letter exhorting him said: “The realm Under Heaven is of utmost broadness, all things are of utmost plenty, and truly cannot be not industrious in action, to sit and wait for dawn. If will is upright then the multitude of evils are not produced, if heart is tranquil then the multitude of matters is not tense, if thoughts are examined and settled then teaching and command are not troubled, if intimacy uses loyalty and goodness then far and near cooperate and submit. Therefore one knows harmonizing the distant is on self, settling the masses is on heart. Xǔ Yǔn, Fù Jiǎ, Yuán Kǎn, Cuī Zàn all are the time’s upright scholars, have straightforward character and are without drifting heart, and can with you together govern affairs.” Jǐng-wáng accepted this advice.
司馬景王新統政，基書戒之曰：「天下至廣，萬機至猥，誠不可不矜矜業業，坐而待旦也。夫志正則眾邪不生，心靜則眾事不躁，思慮審定則教令不煩，親用忠良則遠近協服。故知和遠在身，定眾在心。許允、傅嘏、袁侃、崔贊皆一時正士，有直質而無流心，可與同政事者也。」景王納其言。
The Duke of Gāoguī village succeeded the honored throne [254], and advanced his fief to Marquis of Chánglè precinct. Guànqiū Jiǎn and Wén Qīn created chaos. Appointed Jī as Acting Supervisor of the Army, with Acting Staff of Authority, to command the Xǔchāng Army, to follow with [Sīmǎ Shī] Jǐng-wáng to meet at Xǔchāng.
高貴鄉公即尊位，進封常樂亭侯。毌丘儉、文欽作亂，以基為行監軍、假節，統許昌軍，適與景王會於許昌。
Jǐng-wáng said: “How do you plan against [Guànqiū] Jiǎn and the rest?”
景王曰：「君籌儉等何如？」
Jī said: “Huáinán’s rebellion, is not the officials and people thinking of chaos, it is [Guànqiū] Jiǎn and the rest deceiving and coercing them to fear, they are fearful of immediately being killed, and therefore still gather together and that is all. If the main army overlooks and pressures them, they will certainly collapse apart, and [Guànqiū] Jiǎn’s and [Wén] Qīn’s heads, within a morning will be hanging from the army’s gates.”
基曰：「淮南之逆，非吏民思亂也，儉等誑脅迫懼，畏目下之戮，是以尚群聚耳。若大兵臨偪，必土崩瓦解，儉、欽之首，不終朝而縣於軍門矣。」
Jǐng-wáng said: “Excellent,” and therefore ordered Jī to occupy the army’s front.
景王曰：「善。」乃令基居軍前。
Commentators all believed [Guànqiū] Jiǎn’s and [Wén] Qīn were ferocious, and difficult to with them fight and contend. Imperial Order on Jī to stop and wait. Jī believed: “[Guànqiū] Jiǎn and the rest raised an army sufficient to penetrate deeply, but for a long time did not advance, this is their falseness already revealed, their armies’ hearts suspicious and dejected. Now to not widely display powerful appearance to support the people’s hopes, but stop the army and build high ramparts, is to appear afraid and timid, and not use the power of the soldiers. If some of the caitiffs plunder the people, and also in the provinces and prefectures the soldiers’ families are by the rebels captured, then they will even more harbor departing hearts; those that [Guànqiū] Jiǎn and the rest coerced, look on themselves as having heavy crimes, and do not dare again return, this is to evade the soldiers’ useless land, and accomplish the origins of the traitors. If the Wú bandits answer them, then Huáinán will not be the state’s possession, and Qiáo, Pèi, Rǔ, and Yù will be endangered and unstable, this is a plan of great failure. The army should quickly advance to occupy Nándùn, Nándùn has large storage stations, calculated to be sufficient for the army men for forty days of provisions. Protect strong city walls, and therefore amass grain, the first men have the heart to seize men, this is critical to pacifying the rebels.”
議者咸以儉、欽慓悍，難與爭鋒。詔基停駐。基以為：「儉等舉軍足以深入，而久不進者，是其詐偽已露，眾心疑沮也。今不張示威形以副民望，而停軍高壘，有似畏懦，非用兵之勢也。若或虜略民人，又州郡兵家為賊所得者，更懷離心；儉等所迫脅者，自顧罪重，不敢復還，此為錯兵無用之地，而成姦宄之源。吳寇因之，則淮南非國家之有，譙、沛、汝、豫危而不安，此計之大失也。軍宜速進據南頓，南頓有大邸閣，計足軍人四十日糧。保堅城，因積穀，先人有奪人之心，此平賊之要也。」
Jī repeatedly requested, and therefore was allowed to advance to occupy the Yǐn river. When he arrived, he again said: “With troops one hears of clumsy speed, and never observes skillful delay. Right now outside there are strong bandits, inside there are rebelling ministers, if it is not timely decided, then the matter’s severity cannot be measured. Of commentators many wish for me the General to be cautious. For the General to be cautious is correct, to stop the army and not advance is wrong. Caution is not called not acting, but advancing and yet not making mistake and that is all. Now occupying strong city walls, protecting ramparts, to give accumulated supplies to the caitiffs, and distantly transport military provisions, is an extremely wrong plan.”
基屢請，乃聽進據濦水。既至，復言曰：「兵聞拙速，未睹工遲之久。方今外有彊寇，內有叛臣，若不時決，則事之深淺未可測也。議者多欲將軍持重。將軍持重是也，停軍不進非也。持重非不行之謂也，進而不可犯耳。今據堅城，保壁壘，以積實資虜，縣運軍糧，甚非計也。」
Jǐng-wáng wished to wait for the various armies to gather and arrive, and still did not give permission. Jī said: “When the officer is at the army, of the ruler’s commands there are those that are not accepted. If they gain then they benefit, if we gain then we benefit, this is called a disputed city, and what Nándùn is.” Therefore he at once advanced to occupy Nándùn, [Guànqiū] Jiǎn and the rest from Xiàng also wished to go, had set out over ten lǐ, heard Jī had first arrived, and again returned to protect Xiàng.
景王欲須諸軍集到，猶尚未許。基曰：「將在軍，君令有所不受。彼得則利，我得亦利，是謂爭城，南頓是也。」遂輒進據南頓，儉等從項亦爭欲往，發十餘里，聞基先到，復還保項。
At the time Yǎn Province Inspector Dèng Ài garrisoned Yuèjiā, [Guànqiū] Jiǎn sent Wén Qīn to command troops to attack [Dèng] Ài. Jī knew their strength was divided, and advanced soldiers to pressure Xiàng, and [Guànqiū] Jiǎn’s armies were therefore defeated. [Wén] Qīn and the rest were pacified, he was promoted to General Defending South, Regional Commander of Yù Province’s various military affairs, designate Yù Province Inspector, advanced in fief to Marquis of Ānlè village. He sent up memorial requesting to divide out households of two hundred, to bestow on his father’s younger brother’s son Qiáo noble rank as Marquis Within the Passes, to repay the virtue of his father’s younger brother’s raising of him. There was Imperial Order specially allowing this.
時兗州刺史鄧艾屯樂嘉，儉使文欽將兵襲艾。基知其勢分，進兵偪項，儉眾遂敗。欽等已平，遷鎮南將軍，都督豫州諸軍事，領豫州刺史，進封安樂鄉侯。上疏求分戶二百，賜叔父子喬爵關內侯，以報叔父拊育之德。有詔特聽。
Zhūgě Dàn rebelled [257], Jī with his original office was Acting General Defending East, Regional Commander of Yáng’s and Yù’s various military affairs. At the time the main army was at Xiàng, and as the rebel soldiers were elite, Imperial Order had Jī hold back the army on strong ramparts, Jī repeatedly reported requesting to advance to suppress. It happened that Wú sent Zhū Yì to come rescue [Zhūgě] Dàn, and the army was at Ānchéng.
諸葛誕反，基以本官行鎮東將軍，都督揚、豫諸軍事。時大軍在項，以賊兵精，詔基斂軍堅壘。基累啟求進討。會吳遣朱異來救誕，軍於安城。
Jī again was given Imperial Order to lead the various armies to transfer and occupy the northern mountains, Jī said to the various officers: “Now the encircling ramparts are becoming secure, the troops and horses are coming to gather, we should merely with elite preparations defend and prepare to wait for them to flee, but to again move troops to defend rugged terrain, is to cause them to escape, and even the wise will not be able to deal with the aftermath.”
基又被詔引諸軍轉據北山，基謂諸將曰：「今圍壘轉固，兵馬向集，但當精脩守備以待越逸，而更移兵守險，使得放縱，雖有智者不能善後矣。」
Therefore he held to expedience and sent up memorial that said: “Now with the rebel groups confronting, we should not move like a mountain. If we move to depend on rugged terrain, the people’s hearts will be shaken and dissolute, and power will be greatly decreased. The various armies all occupy deep moats and high ramparts, the multitudes’ hearts are all settled, and cannot be upset and moved, this is critical to managing troops.” The letter was presented, and the reply accepted.
遂守便宜上疏曰：「今與賊家對敵，當不動如山。若遷移依險，人心搖蕩，於勢大損。諸軍並據深溝高壘，眾心皆定，不可傾動，此御兵之要也。」書奏，報聽。
General-in-Chief Sīmǎ [Zhāo] Wén-wáng advanced to garrison Qiūtóu, dividing divisions to encircle and defend, each having their own commander. Jī commanded the city’s east and city’s south of twenty-six armies, Wén-wáng ordered the army officials to defend the southern division border, that not one was to be able to escape. Inside the city the provisions were exhausted, day and night attacked the ramparts, Jī at once resisted and struck, and defeated them.
大將軍司馬文王進屯丘頭，分部圍守，各有所統。基督城東城南二十六軍，文王敕軍吏入鎮南部界，一不得有所遣。城中食盡，晝夜攻壘，基輒拒擊，破之。
Shòuchūn was taken, Wén-wáng with a letter to Jī said: “At first the commentators talked and talked, and those requesting movement were very many, at the time [I] was not yet overlooking the situation, and also said it was appropriate to do so. You General deeply calculated the benefits and harms, alone maintained firm will, above disobeying Imperial Order, below refusing the multitude of commentators, in the end reaching control of the enemy and capture of the rebels, even what the ancients narrated, do not surpass this.”
壽春既拔，文王與基書曰：「初議者云云，求移者甚眾，時未臨履，亦謂宜然。將軍深算利害，獨秉固志，上違詔命，下拒眾議，終至制敵禽賊，雖古人所述，不是過也。」
Wén-wáng wished to send the various officers with light troops to penetrate deeply, to beckon and welcome Táng Zī and the rests’ junior relatives, to take advantage of quarrels to weaken and overturn Wú’s power. Jī remonstrated stating: “In the past Zhūgě Kè followed up on Dōngguān’s victory, exhausting the soldiers beyond the Jiāng, to encircle Xīnchéng, the city was not taken, and the armies’ dead were over half. Jiāng Wéi took advantage of the Táo’s upstream success, with light troops penetrating deeply, the army provisions were not connected, and the army was overturned at Shàngguī. After a great triumph, high and low think little of the enemy, and if thinking little of the enemy then considerations of difficulty are not thorough. Now the rebels are newly defeated outside, and also their inside troubles are not yet resolved, this is their time to fix preparations and considerations. Moreover the troops have set out for over a year, people have wishes to return home, now the captured and dead are a hundred thousand, the criminal is taken, since the campaigns of past ages, there has never been a secured army and total victory like now in magnificence. Wǔ Huángdì [Cáo Cāo] overcoming Yuán Shào at Guāndù, since what he captured was already many, did not again pursue those fleeing, fearing a loss of power.” Wén-wáng therefore stopped.
文王欲遣諸將輕兵深入，招迎唐咨等子弟，因釁有蕩覆吳之勢。基諫曰：「昔諸葛恪乘東關之勝，竭江表之兵，以圍新城，城既不拔，而眾死者太半。姜維因洮上之利，輕兵深入，糧餉不繼，軍覆上邽。夫大捷之後，上下輕敵，輕敵則慮難不深。今賊新敗於外，又內患未弭，是其脩備設慮之時也。且兵出踰年，人有歸志，今俘馘十萬，罪人斯得，自歷代征伐，未有全兵獨克如今之盛者也。武皇帝克袁紹於官渡，自以所獲已多，不復追奔，懼挫威也。」文王乃止。
As Huáinán was newly settled, transferred Jī to Campaigning East General, Regional Commander of Yáng Province’s various military affairs, advanced in fief to Marquis of Dōngwǔ. Jī sent up memorial firmly declining, giving credit to his accompanying assistants, and because of this his Chief Clerk and Major and others of seven men all became Marquis.
以淮南初定，轉基為征東將軍，都督揚州諸軍事，進封東武侯。基上疏固讓，歸功參佐，由是長史司馬等七人皆侯。
That year, Jī’s mother died, Imperial Order kept secret this inauspicious news, and welcomed Jī’s father Bào to be buried together with her at Luòyáng, posthumously titling Bào as Adminsitrator of Běihǎi.
是歲，基母卒，詔祕其凶問，迎基父豹喪合葬洛陽，追贈豹北海太守。
Gānlù Fourth Year [259], transferred to be General Campaigning South, Regional Commander of Jīng Province’s various military affairs. the Duke of Chángdào village succeeded the honored throne, increased his fief by a thousand households, adding to the previous to 5700 households. From beginning to end fief was given on his sons of two men as a precinct Marquis and Marquis Within the Passes.
甘露四年，轉為征南將軍，都督荊州諸軍事。常道鄉公即尊位，增邑千戶，并前五千七百戶。前後封子二人亭侯、關內侯。
Jǐngyuán Second Year [261], the Xiāngyáng Administrator memorialized that the Wú bandit Dèng Yóu and others wished to come submit, Jī was given Imperial Order, to take advantage of this to shake beyond the Jiāng. Jī suspected this was deception, and with fast relay explained the situation. Moreover he said: “Since Jiāpíng onward, repeatedly there have been internal troubles, the present’s affairs, should be in defending and securing the State Altars, securing and pacifying the common people, it is not yet suitable to move the maries to seek outside benefits.”
景元二年，襄陽太守表吳賊鄧由等欲來歸化，基被詔，當因此震蕩江表。基疑其詐，馳驛陳狀。且曰：「嘉平以來，累有內難，當今之務，在于鎮安社稷，綏寧百姓，未宜動眾以求外利。」
Wén-wáng’s reply letter said: “Of those handling affairs, most bend their appearance to follow and obey me, few are able to truly able to together with me thoroughly reason the truth. Truly I am moved by your loyalty and love, every time I see your admonishment, at once I respectfully depend on the coming direction.”
文王報書曰：「凡處事者，多曲相從順，鮮能確然共盡理實。誠感忠愛，每見規示，輒敬依來指。」
Later [Dèng] Yóu and the rest indeed did not surrender. (1)
後由等竟不降。〔一〕
- (1) Sīmǎ Biāo’s Zhànlüè records Jī in this matter, more detailed than the base biography. It says:
- Jǐngyuán Second Year Spring Third Moon, Xiāngyáng Administrator Hú Liè memorialized: “Wú bandit Dèng Yóu, Lǐ Guāng, and others, together planning with eighteen garrisons, wish to come submit, sending officers Zhāng Wú, Dèng Shēng, and further sending hostage appointments. On a specified date they wish to lead the prefecutre army to overlook the Jiāng to welcome capture.” General-in-Chief Sīmǎ [Zhāo] Wén-wáng reported this news. Imperial Order on General Campaigning South Wáng Jī to divide the various armies, and send [Hú] Liè to command ten thousand men on direct route on the Jǔ river, Jīngzhōu, Yìyáng south to garrison Yíchéng, to on receiving the letter in the morning set out. If [Dèng] Yóu and the rest as scheduled arrived, it would be convenient to because of this shake beyond the Jiāng.
- Jī suspected the bandits were fiening surrender, to entice the sending of officers and troops, and with fast relay stopped Wén-wáng, saying Yóu and the rest had suspicious appearance. “Moreover we should clear [up the situation], it is not yet appropriate to quickly raise heavy troops to penetrate deeply to answer them.”
- He also said: “Yílíng’s east road, should use chariots and carriages, reaching Chì bank then can they cross and ferry. The west road from Jiànxīkǒu, only there is level ground, everywhere else is mountains and rugged and narrow terrain, bamboo and wood thick and flourishing, if in the end there is trouble, crossbows and horses cannot line up. Now the tendon and horn on the crossbows are weak, water and rain newly falling, to abandon affairs of flourishing agriculture, to seek benefits that are difficult to be certain of, this matter is dangerous. In the past in the Zǐwǔ campaign, the soldiers traveled several hundred lǐ and encountered continuous rain, the bridges and storehouses were ruined and destroyed, behind the provisions were rotten, and ahead the army was exhausted. Jiāng Wéi penetrated deeply, not waiting for heavy transport wagons, his soldiers and armies starved, and overturned the army at Shàngguī. Wén Qīn and Táng Zī raised Wú’s heavy troops, seeking benefit at Shòuchūn, they died and did not return. This all are recent matters to reflect upon. Since Jiāpíng onward, repeatedly there have been internal troubles, at present it is suitable, to defend and secure the State Altars, support and pacify high and low, put strength in agriculture and attending to foundations, conciliate and appease the common people, it is not yet appropriate to move the armies to seek outside benefits. Obtaining it yet it is not sufficient to be much, losing it then the harm and losses are very heavy.”
- Wén-wáng repeatedly obtained Jī’s letters, and became doubtful. He sent orders on the various armies already on the road, to temporarily stop where they were, and wait for later decisions.
- Jī also said to Wén-wáng: “In the past Hàn [Gāo]zǔ accepted Lì Shēng’s persuasion, wishing to give fief of the Six States, but was awakened by Zhāng Liáng’s planning, and quickly melted down the seals. I Jī in planning and consideration am narrow and shallow, and truly do not match the Marquis of Liú [Zhāng Liáng], but also fear Xiāngyáng [Hú Liè] will produce such a mistake [as Lì Shēng’s proposal].”
- Wén-wáng therefore stopped the army preparations, and later [Dèng] Yóu and the rest indeed did not surrender.
〔一〕 司馬彪戰略載基此事，詳於本傳。曰：「景元二年春三月，襄陽太守胡烈表上『吳賊鄧由、李光等，同謀十八屯，欲來歸化，遣將張吳、鄧生，并送質任。克期欲令郡軍臨江迎拔』。大將軍司馬文王啟聞。詔征南將軍王基部分諸軍，使烈督萬人徑造沮水，荊州、義陽南屯宜城，承書夙發。若由等如期到者，便當因此震蕩江表。基疑賊詐降，誘致官兵，馳驛止文王，說由等可疑之狀。『且當清澄，未宜便舉重兵深入應之』。又曰：『夷陵東道，當由車御，至赤岸乃得渡沮，西道當出箭谿口，乃趣平土，皆山險狹，竹木叢蔚，卒有要害，弩馬不陳。今者筋角弩弱，水潦方降，廢盛農之務，徼難必之利，此事之危者也。昔子午之役，兵行數百里而值霖雨，橋閣破壞，後糧腐敗，前軍縣乏。姜維深入，不待輜重，士眾飢餓，覆軍上邽。文欽、唐咨，舉吳重兵，昧利壽春，身沒不反。此皆近事之鑒戒也。嘉平以來，累有內難。當今之宜，當鎮安社稷，撫寧上下，力農務本，懷柔百姓，未宜動眾以求外利也。得之未足為多，失之傷損威重。』文王累得基書，意疑。尋敕諸軍已上道者，且權停住所在，須後節度。基又言于文王曰：『昔漢祖納酈生之說，欲封六國，寤張良之謀，而趣銷印。基謀慮淺短，誠不及留侯，亦懼襄陽有食其之謬。』文王於是遂罷軍嚴，後由等果不降。」
That year Jī died, posthumously titled Excellency of Works, posthumous name Jǐng-hóu “Visionary Marquis.” His son Huī succeeded, and early died. During Xiánxī, established the Five Ranks, and for Jī’s various achievements to the previous dynasty, changed fief of Jī’s grandson Yì, and with Dōngwǔ’s remaining households bestowed on one son noble rank as Marquis Within the Passes.
是歲基薨，追贈司空，諡曰景侯。子徽嗣，早卒。咸熙中，開建五等，以基著勳前朝，改封基孫廙，而以東武餘邑賜一子爵關內侯。
The Jìn House ascended, and sent down Imperial Order that said: “Former Excellency of Works Wáng Jī had outstanding virtue and established achievements, also managed himself pure and plan, not striving for wealthy and property, for long time he was in important appointment, his family had no personal stores, and this can be called self dying but conduct glorious, sufficient to be used as encouraging example. Thus with slave servants of two people bestow on his family.”
晉室踐阼，下詔曰：「故司空王基既著德立勳，又治身清素，不營產業，久在重任，家無私積，可謂身沒行顯，足用勵俗者也。其以奴婢二人賜其家。」
Three States Records 