Biography
Early life
Du Ji was born in 161 CE in Duling, Jingzhao (present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi).
His courtesy name was Bohou.
He was a descendant of Du Yannian, Palace Attendant Imperial Secretary of the Western Han.
His father died early.
Although he was treated harshly by his stepmother, Du Ji still showed filial piety to his stepmother.
He became famous for filial piety.
Early service
At the age of twenty (180 CE), Du Ji served as Clerk of Jingzhao Commandery.
He concurrently served as Magistrate of Zheng.
At that time, the county jail held several hundred suspects.
Du Ji personally went to the prison to make judgments for them.
Although not everyone received appropriate judgments, everyone in the commandery was surprised that he was young but had great ambition.
Later, he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt.
He served as Assistant to the Administrator of Hanzhong.
Flight to Jing Province
Later, the Eastern Han political situation was unstable.
The realm was in great chaos.
Du Ji therefore resigned from office and fled to Jing Province.
Return to the north
During the Jian’an era, Du Ji returned to the north.
He was appreciated by Xun Yu, Cao Cao’s strategist.
Xun Yu therefore recommended Du Ji to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao appointed him as Director of Credentials.
He was transferred to Protector of the Qiang.
He acted with imperial credentials and concurrently served as Administrator of Xiping.
Appointment as Administrator of Hedong
In 205 CE, the tenth year of Jian’an, after Cao Cao pacified Hebei, he campaigned north against the Wuhuan.
Gao Gan took the opportunity to rebel against Cao Cao in Bing Province.
At that time, Wang Yi, Administrator of Hedong, was summoned elsewhere.
Wei Gu and Fan Xian of Hedong, using the name of requesting Wang Yi to return, secretly colluded with Gao Gan.
Cao Cao asked Xun Yu who could guard Hedong.
Xun Yu recommended Du Ji.
Cao Cao therefore appointed Du Ji as Administrator of Hedong.
The difficult arrival
Wei Gu and others therefore ordered an army of several thousand to cut off Shanjin.
This prevented Du Ji from advancing.
Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to campaign against them.
However, before he arrived, someone said to Du Ji that a large army would be needed to solve Hedong’s problems.
Du Ji believed that not everyone in Hedong wanted to rebel.
They only listened to Wei Gu because they were afraid.
If they forcefully campaigned, even if they won, it would harm the local people.
If they failed, it would make nearby people support Wei Gu.
The rebellion would not be pacified.
He therefore planned to take them by surprise.
When he arrived locally, Wei Gu would certainly pretend to accept the new Administrator.
Then he would use strategy to solve it.
Finally, Du Ji took a detour and crossed the river at Doujin.
The confrontation with Wei Gu and Fan Xian
Fan Xian intended to kill Du Ji to intimidate the masses.
Therefore, when Du Ji arrived, he executed more than thirty people below the rank of Chief Clerk at the city gate.
However, Du Ji’s actions were not affected.
Wei Gu believed that killing Du Ji would only bring a bad reputation.
Moreover, Du Ji would be controlled by him.
He therefore welcomed him.
Du Ji later transferred some people outside.
He secretly used them as his reinforcements.
He also dispersed those who plotted rebellion.
The rebellion
At that time, Zhang Baiqi attacked Dongyuan.
Gao Gan advanced to Huoze.
When Du Ji knew that all the counties were attached to him, he led several dozen cavalry out of the city to defend.
Most of the officials and people of the various counties raised their cities to help Du Ji.
Within several dozen days, he obtained more than four thousand troops.
Wei Gu and Gao Gan, Zhang Sheng, and others jointly attacked Du Ji.
They could not capture him.
When they plundered the various counties, they obtained nothing because of Du Ji’s strategy of strengthening walls and clearing fields.
Later, the large army sent by Cao Cao arrived.
They defeated Gao Gan and Zhang Sheng.
Wei Gu and others were executed.
The remaining followers were all pardoned.
Governance of Hedong
Du Ji governed Hedong Commandery using the principle of governing by doing nothing.
When the people brought lawsuits, Du Ji only spoke reason with them.
He then asked them to go back and think.
If they were still dissatisfied, they could come again.
The village elders also obeyed.
This made the commandery and counties have few lawsuits.
He also encouraged the people to raise oxen, horses, livestock, and poultry.
The people worked hard at farming.
After every household became rich, he again taught military studies and opened schools to teach the classics.
This made Hedong Commandery have many Confucian scholars.
Support for Cao Cao’s campaigns
Later, when Han Sui and Ma Chao raised troops in Guanzhong to resist Cao Cao, many counties in Hongnong Commandery and Fengyi Commandery responded.
However, although Hedong Commandery was adjacent, the people had no different intentions.
When Cao Cao led his army to fight against the rebels, military grain was completely supplied by Hedong Commandery.
After victory, there were still more than two hundred thousand hu remaining.
Cao Cao therefore praised Du Ji.
He increased his rank to two thousand dan.
When Cao Cao campaigned against Zhang Lu, who was guarding Hanzhong, Du Ji again sent five thousand people to transport.
Although they had to go to the war front, in order not to fail Du Ji’s trust, not one person fled.
Service in the capital
After the Wei dukedom was established, Du Ji was appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.
Du Ji governed Hedong for a total of sixteen years.
Service under Cao Pi
After Cao Cao died, Cao Pi succeeded to the kingship of Wei.
He enfeoffed Du Ji as Marquis Within the Passes.
He summoned him as Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.
After Cao Pi became emperor, Du Ji was advanced to Marquis of Fengle.
His fief was one hundred households.
He served as Colonel Director of Retainers.
Death
In 222 CE, the third year of Huangchu, Cao Pi campaigned south against Eastern Wu.
He appointed Du Ji as Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
He was in charge of remaining affairs.
In the seventh month, Jizhou had a locust disaster.
Du Ji was ordered to open granaries to provide relief.
Later, when Cao Pi went to Xuchang, Du Ji was always in charge of remaining affairs.
Later, together with Zhuge Dan, Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, he was appointed to make a tower ship for the emperor.
The two were testing the ship at Tao River when they encountered strong wind.
The ship capsized.
Zhuge Dan survived.
However, Du Ji drowned.
He was sixty-two years old.
Cao Pi wept because of Du Ji.
After his death, he was posthumously granted Grand Coachman.
He was posthumously titled Marquis Dai.
Personality
Du Ji was known for his filial piety.
He was also known for his excellent governance.
He was also known for his integrity.
He was also known for his wisdom and strategy.
Military achievements
Pacifying Hedong
Du Ji successfully pacified Hedong Commandery.
He defeated Wei Gu, Fan Xian, Gao Gan, and Zhang Sheng.
Supporting Cao Cao’s campaigns
Du Ji successfully supported Cao Cao’s campaigns.
He supplied military grain.
Relationships
With Xun Yu
Du Ji was recommended by Xun Yu to Cao Cao.
With Cao Cao
Du Ji served under Cao Cao and governed Hedong excellently.
With Cao Pi
Du Ji served under Cao Pi and was in charge of remaining affairs.
With Wei Gu and Fan Xian
Du Ji successfully defeated Wei Gu and Fan Xian’s rebellion.
Anecdotes
The difficult arrival
Du Ji successfully arrived at Hedong despite Wei Gu and Fan Xian’s obstruction.
Pacifying Hedong
Du Ji successfully pacified Hedong Commandery.
He used strategy to defeat Wei Gu and Fan Xian.
Excellent governance
Du Ji successfully governed Hedong Commandery for sixteen years.
His governance was often considered the best in the realm.
The ship incident
Du Ji died when testing a tower ship at Tao River.
Cao Pi praised him for his loyalty.
Achievements
- Successfully pacified Hedong Commandery
- Successfully governed Hedong Commandery for sixteen years
- Successfully supported Cao Cao’s campaigns
- Known for excellent governance
- Known for filial piety and integrity
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Du Ji’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, grouped with Ren Jun, Su Ze, Zheng Hun, and Cang Ci.
The governance of Hedong
Du Ji governed Hedong Commandery for sixteen years.
His governance was often considered the best in the realm.
The Du family
Du Ji’s descendants included Du Yu, a famous Jin general and scholar.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Xun Yu said: “Du Ji is brave enough to face great difficulties. He is intelligent and can adapt to changes. He can be tested.”
Cao Cao said: “Administrator of Hedong Du Ji is what Confucius called ‘Yu, I have nothing to criticize.’”
Cao Pi said: “In the past, Ming worked diligently at his office and died in water. Ji worked diligently at the hundred grains and died on a mountain. Therefore, Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat Du Ji, when testing a ship at Mengjin, capsized and sank. This is the ultimate loyalty. I deeply grieve for him.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Du Ji combined leniency and strictness. He benefited and pacified the people.”
Legacy
Du Ji is remembered as a key official who governed Hedong excellently.
His governance is praised.
His filial piety and integrity are also praised.
Timeline
- 161 CE: Born in Duling, Jingzhao; father died early; treated harshly by stepmother; showed filial piety; became famous for filial piety
- 180 CE: Served as Clerk of Jingzhao Commandery; concurrently Magistrate of Zheng; handled several hundred suspects in prison; everyone surprised; recommended as Filial and Incorrupt; served as Assistant to the Administrator of Hanzhong
- ?: Eastern Han political situation unstable; realm in great chaos; resigned from office; fled to Jing Province
- ?: Returned to north during Jian’an era; appreciated by Xun Yu; recommended to Cao Cao; appointed Director of Credentials; transferred to Protector of the Qiang; acted with imperial credentials and concurrently Administrator of Xiping
- 205 CE: Cao Cao pacified Hebei; campaigned north against Wuhuan; Gao Gan rebelled in Bing Province; Wang Yi summoned elsewhere; Wei Gu and Fan Xian colluded with Gao Gan; Cao Cao asked Xun Yu who could guard Hedong; Xun Yu recommended Du Ji; appointed Administrator of Hedong; Wei Gu cut off Shanjin; Du Ji took detour and crossed river at Doujin; confronted Wei Gu and Fan Xian; Fan Xian executed more than thirty people; Du Ji not affected; Wei Gu welcomed him; Du Ji transferred people outside as reinforcements; dispersed rebels; Zhang Baiqi attacked Dongyuan; Gao Gan advanced to Huoze; Du Ji led several dozen cavalry to defend; counties helped; obtained more than four thousand troops; Wei Gu and others attacked; could not capture; plundered counties; obtained nothing; Cao Cao’s army arrived; defeated Gao Gan and Zhang Sheng; Wei Gu executed; remaining followers pardoned; governed Hedong using principle of governing by doing nothing; encouraged lawsuits to be resolved through reason; encouraged raising livestock; taught military studies and opened schools; Hedong had many Confucian scholars
- 211 CE: Han Sui and Ma Chao rebelled in Guanzhong; many counties responded; Hedong did not; Cao Cao led army; military grain supplied by Hedong; more than two hundred thousand hu remaining; Cao Cao praised; increased rank to two thousand dan
- 215 CE: Cao Cao campaigned against Zhang Lu; Du Ji sent five thousand people to transport; not one person fled
- 220 CE: Wei dukedom established; appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing; governed Hedong for sixteen years total
- 220 CE: Cao Pi succeeded to kingship; enfeoffed as Marquis Within the Passes; summoned as Gentleman of the Masters of Writing; Cao Pi became emperor; advanced to Marquis of Fengle; fief one hundred households; served as Colonel Director of Retainers
- 222 CE: Cao Pi campaigned south against Wu; appointed Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat; in charge of remaining affairs; Jizhou had locust disaster; ordered to open granaries; appointed to make tower ship together with Zhuge Dan; tested ship at Tao River; encountered strong wind; ship capsized; Zhuge Dan survived; Du Ji drowned age 62; Cao Pi wept; posthumously granted Grand Coachman; posthumous Marquis Dai
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 16, Biography of Ren, Su, Du, Zheng, Cang.