Yang Jun 楊俊

Yang Jun, courtesy name Jicai, was a man of Huojia County in Henei Commandery. He studied under Bian Rang of Chenliu, who regarded him as a vessel of unusual capacity. Judging that with war just breaking out Henei, lying at a crossroads open in all four directions, was bound to become a battlefield, Yang Jun helped the old and the weak to the hills between Jing and Mi counties, and more than a hundred families went with him. Yang Jun relieved the poor and needy and shared what he had with those who lacked, and he spent all his wealth to ransom the six households of his clan and acquaintances who had been seized by others and made slaves. Records, Wei 23 §26

When Sima Yi was sixteen or seventeen he met Yang Jun, who said, 'This is no ordinary man.' Also, Sima Lang had won fame early, but people did not recognize his elder clansman Sima Zhi; only Yang Jun said that although Sima Zhi's early reputation did not match Sima Lang's, in real ability he was in fact superior in some respects. Records, Wei 23 §27

Yang Jun moved again to take refuge in Bing Province. Wang Xiang (王象) of the same commandery had been orphaned young and become a slave, and at the age of seventeen or eighteen, while herding sheep, he secretly read books and was beaten for it. Yang Jun, admiring his talent and quality, at once ransomed him and kept him in his household, and only after arranging his marriage and building him a house did he part from him. Records, Wei 23 §27

When Liang Xi, Inspector of Bing Province, recommended Chang Lin, Yang Jun, Wang Ling, Wang Xiang and Xun Wei as noted scholars of the province, Cao Cao made them all county chiefs. Yang Jun became Chief of Quliang County, entered the capital as an official in the Chancellor's office, was recommended as Flourishing Talent and became Prefect of Anling County, and was then transferred to Administrator of Nanyang. He spread virtuous teaching and established schools, and officials and people praised him. He was moved to Military Adviser to the General Who Conquers the South, and when the state of Wei was founded he became Capital Commandant. Records, Wei 23 §21 · 28

When Wei Feng rebelled at Ye while Cao Cao was campaigning against Hanzhong, Yang Jun impeached himself and went to Cao Cao's field headquarters. Believing that he was about to be dismissed for his offense, he sent a letter to the Crown Prince, Cao Pi, to take his leave, and the Crown Prince, displeased, said, 'Commandant Yang simply leaves—how excessively lofty!' Yang Jun then received the written order and was demoted to Administrator of Pingyuan. Records, Wei 23 §28–29

According to the biography of Xu Yi, Cao Cao at this time sighed that Wei Feng had dared to harbor thoughts of rebellion because none of his claw-and-tooth ministers could check treachery, and asked how he might find someone like Zhuge Feng to replace Yang Jun. When Huan Jie recommended Xu Yi, Cao Cao made Xu Yi Capital Commandant. Records, Wei 12 §38

When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, Yang Jun again took charge of Nanyang. Wang Xiang, then Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, recommended him, saying that he was lenient outwardly and upright inwardly, benevolent yet decisive, and that in his second term governing Nanyang his kindness had spread so widely that people even from other regions came to him carrying their children on their backs. He went on to say that the territory was now so clear and tranquil that there was no room to exercise his wisdom and ability, and that he should be recalled to the court to exert himself in the capital. Records, Wei 23 §29–30

From youth to maturity Yang Jun took it as his own duty to recognize and guide men of worth. Shen Gu of the same commandery and Wei Xun of Chenliu had both originally come from the ranks of common soldiers, but Yang Jun helped, promoted and encouraged them, and both became fine gentlemen. Shen Gu later served several times as administrator of a commandery, and Wei Xun as a censor and county prefect. Records, Wei 23 §31

Earlier, Cao Zhi, Marquis of Linzi, had been on good terms with Yang Jun. When Cao Cao, not having settled on his heir, secretly consulted his officials, Yang Jun discussed the respective strengths of Emperor Wen and the Marquis of Linzi without firmly backing either, but still praised the Marquis of Linzi more highly. Emperor Wen always resented this. Records, Wei 23 §31

In the 3rd year of Huangchu (222), when Emperor Wen's carriage reached Wan County, he was angered that the markets were not prosperous and flourishing and had Yang Jun arrested. The Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Sima Yi and the Attendants-in-Ordinary Wang Xiang and Xun Wei pleaded for Yang Jun, knocking their heads on the ground until they bled, but Emperor Wen did not grant it. Yang Jun said, 'I know my offense,' and then killed himself. Everyone grieved at the injustice of it. Records, Wei 23 §32

In his assessment Chen Shou named in turn He Qia, Chang Lin, Yang Jun, Du Xi, Zhao Yan (趙儼) and Pei Qian, saying that Yang Jun recognized human worth and acted with righteousness, and that all of them were fine gentlemen of their age. Records, Wei 23 §75