27 Facts About Han Ji

Han Ji, courtesy name Gongzhi, was a Chinese politician who served in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Han Ji previously served under the warlords Liu Biao and Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Han Ji was from Duyang County, Nanyang Commandery, which is present-day Fangcheng County, Henan.

When Han Ji was still young, Chen Mao, a wealthy and influential man from Duyang County, framed his father and elder brother for committing capital offences.

Han Ji remained silent over the injustice suffered by his family while secretly plotting to take revenge against Chen Mao.

Han Ji found employment, saved up his earnings, and used the money to hire assassins to assist him in taking revenge.

Han Ji was later nominated as a xiaolian and offered a job in the office of the Minister of Works, but he rejected the offer.

Sometime between 189 and 192, when the warlord Yuan Shu controlled Nanyang Commandery, he heard of Han Ji and summoned Han Ji to serve under him.

Han Ji refused and went into hiding in the hills near Shandu County to avoid Yuan Shu.

When Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province tried to recruit him as a subordinate, Han Ji fled further south to Chanling County to evade Liu Biao.

Han Ji soon became a popular and respected figure among the locals; Liu Biao was very resentful when he heard about it.

Han Ji, fearing that Liu Biao would retaliate against him, reluctantly agreed to serve under Liu Biao, who appointed him as the Chief of Yicheng County.

Cao Cao recruited Han Ji to serve in the office of the Imperial Chancellor, the position he held, and later promoted him to serve as the Administrator of Laoling Commandery.

Han Ji was reassigned to be an Internuncio in charge of the cast iron industry.

When Han Ji took charge of the industry, he saw that manual labour was too inefficient and required too much manpower.

Han Ji then introduced the use of hydraulic power to operate the bellows, a method devised by Du Shi in the early Eastern Han dynasty.

Han Ji supervised the cast iron industry for seven years and performed well in office as the production levels of cast iron remained high, thus ensuring that Cao Cao's army had a steady supply of weapons and equipment.

Han Ji retired in 234 due to poor health and was given an honorary position as a Palace Counsellor.

Han Ji is hereby conferred the appointment of Minister over the Masses.

Han Ji wrote a memorial to the imperial court to convey his wishes for a simple funeral, even though he knew that according to custom he would be accorded a more elaborate funeral because of his ministerial appointment.

Han Ji awarded Han Ji a set of funeral artefacts, a set of court robes, and a ceremonial sword made of jade, in addition to honouring him with the posthumous title "Marquis Gong".

Han Ji Bang was known for being studious and talented since young.

Han Ji was appointed as a Regular Mounted Attendant after Emperor Hui of the Jin dynasty came to the throne, and was promoted to the position of Intendant of Henan.

Han Ji Shou married one of Jia Chong's daughters and had a son, Han Ji Mi, with her.

Han Ji Mi was appointed as a Palace Attendant by the Jin government as soon as he reached adulthood, and was known for being arrogant but more talented than his father Han Ji Shou.

Han Ji Shou had another son, Han Ji Wei, who had quite a reputation in the Jin government.

Han Ji Wei was executed by the prince Sima Lun, probably during the War of the Eight Princes.