Cheng Ji

Cheng Ji (died 222), courtesy name Jiran, was a military officer of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlord Liu Zhang during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Service under Liu Zhang Cheng Ji was from Langzhong County (閬中縣), Baxi Commandery (巴西郡), which is in present-day Langzhong, Sichuan. He served as the Chief of Hanchang County (漢昌縣; in present-day Bazhong, Sichuan) under the warlord Liu Zhang, who controlled Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) during the late Eastern Han dynasty. An ethnic minority group, the Cong (賨), lived in Hanchang County. They were known for being fierce and warlike; Emperor Gao, the founding emperor of the Han dynasty, recruited Cong warriors to serve in his army when he conquered the Three Qins in 206–205 BCE. Cheng Ji's immediate superior was Pang Xi, the Administrator of Baxi Commandery, because Hanchang County was under Baxi Commandery's jurisdiction, and Baxi Commandery was administered by Yi Province. As chaos broke out throughout China towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Pang Xi wanted to improve security within Baxi Commandery, so he recruited more men to serve as soldiers. Around the time, Liu Zhang heard rumours that Pang Xi was planning to rebel against him and became more suspicious of Pang Xi. When Pang Xi heard about it, he became fearful and started making preparations to increase the strength of his military forces. He also sent Cheng Yu (程郁), Cheng Ji's son, who was serving in the commandery office, to persuade Cheng Ji to support him in rebelling against Liu Zhang. Cheng Ji wrote to Pang Xi: "Your original intention in recruiting more soldiers was not to start a rebellion. There might have been some misunderstanding, but what is more important is you are performing your duties. If you are fearful and start thinking of rebelling, I will not listen to you." He also wrote to Cheng Yu: "I received grace from the provincial government, so I am obliged to do my best to serve the Governor. You are serving in the commandery office, so you should do your best to serve the Administrator. You should not be thinking of rebelling." Pang Xi sent a message to Cheng Ji: "Your son is serving in the commandery office.