22 Facts About Du Ji

Du Ji, courtesy name Bohou, was an official who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.

Du Ji later served as a high-ranking official in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.

Du Ji had the reputation of being a model governor, valiant, loyal and wise.

Du Ji was the grandfather of Du Yu, the author of the most influential Zuo Zhuan commentary, who gave the work its modern form.

Du Ji was from Duling County, Jingzhao Commandery, which is in present-day southeastern Xi'an, Shaanxi.

Du Ji personally saw all of the hundreds of convicts in the county prisons, weighed the severity of their transgressions, and despatched them to their labours accordingly.

Towards the end of the Han dynasty, Du Ji abandoned his post and fled south to Jing Province.

Du Ji returned to the north sometime between 196 and 205, and was recommended to Cao Cao by Xun Yu.

Du Ji was appointed as a Director of Justice to under the Minister of Works, then sent west to Xiping Commandery to serve as the commandery's Administrator and as Colonel Who Protects the Qiang.

Du Ji asked Xun Yu to recommend him a great general the likes of Xiao Du Ji or Kou Xun, who substantially assisted the careers of the Han dynasty emperors Gaozu and Guangwu respectively.

Du Ji was unable to cross the river, so Cao Cao sent a large force under Xiahou Dun to attack the rebel forces.

Rather than waiting for Xiahou Dun's forces to crush the Hedong rebels, Du Ji chose to use subterfuge.

Du Ji proceeded to convince them that they had to move slowly in order to win over the people of Hedong, so they kept their forces in check for several weeks.

Du Ji pardoned their assistants and conspirators, and sent them back to their old occupations.

When someone impeached him or spoke out against him, Du Ji would have the person summoned and explain to them his plans, with the command to think them over thoroughly.

Du Ji opened a school where he personally taught from the Chinese classics.

Two years later, Cao Cao invaded Hanzhong Commandery and Du Ji sent 5,000 men to join Cao Cao's army in the campaign.

Du Ji promoted Du Ji to the position of Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, entrusting him with administrating state affairs during the expedition.

In 224, Cao Pi ordered Du Ji to assist in building his fleet for attacking Eastern Wu.

Du Ji was in charge of the imperial tower ship, the fleet's central flagship.

Du Ji was posthumously granted the office of Minister Coachman, which his son Du Shu inherited.

Conversations with no possible recorders are presented, and Du Ji is portrayed as a perfect, sagely governor who taught his subjects industry, culture and loyalty to the death.