Pan Yu Ji Xiao Zhu (Revised Edition)

Author: Pan Yue (247–300), Western Jin litterateur. Known as Anren. Hometown: Zhongmou, Xingyang (now part of Henan). However, some believe that since his father's generation, his family actually resided in Gongxian. Pan Yue's grandfather, Pan Jin, once served as the Governor of Anping. His father, Pan Bi, once held the position of Nai Shi of Langye. His cousin, Pan Xu, served as the Right Minister during the reign of Emperor Xian of Han, and the "Nine Honors of the Wei Duke" was written by him. Pan Yue received a strong literary upbringing from a young age, "brilliant in debate and wisdom, with elegant and beautiful literary talent," and was known as a "remarkable child" in his hometown (as cited in the annotation to "The Imperial Field" in the Selected Works of Literature). As he grew older, he became even more outstanding. After Sima Yan established the Jin Dynasty, Pan Yue was appointed as a clerk under the Minister of State, Xun Yi. Later, due to his composition of "The Imperial Field," he incurred resentment and was stagnant in his position for over a decade. In the fourth year of the Xianning era (278), Jia Chong summoned Pan Yue as a clerk under the Grand Protector. He later served as the magistrate of Heyang County and was promoted to the position of magistrate of Huai County four years later. He was then transferred to the position of Minister of State for Financial Affairs and later became a court referee. He was soon dismissed from office. In the first year of the Yongxi era (290), Yang Jun served as regent and summoned Pan Yue as a chief secretary in the Grand Tutor's. After Yang Jun was executed, he was dismissed but soon appointed as the magistrate of Chang'an. Around the sixth year of the Yuankang era (296), he returned to Luoyang. He held various positions, including Court Historian and Yellow Gate Attendant. During this time, he frequently participated in the literary group "The Twenty-Four Friends," who, and was the leading figure among them. In the first year of the Yongkang era, Prince Zhao Lun seized power and falsely accused Pan Yue, Shi Chong, and Ouyang Jian of plotting to support Prince Huainan and Prince Qi in rebellion. They were executed, and their entire families were annihilated. The Sui Book·Bibliography records the "Pan Yue, Yellow Gate Attendant of Jin" in 10 volumes, which is now lost. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Pu compiled the "Pan Anren Collection," which was included in the "One Hundred and Thirty Collections of Han, Wei, and the Six Dynasties."