Ren An

Ren An, courtesy name Dingzu, was a renowned Confucian scholar and recluse from Guanghan. He was active during Liu Yan’s rule of Shu; he does not appear in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Deeds

• In a memorial to Liu Yan, Qin Mi recommended Ren An, praising his benevolence, righteousness, and uprightness, and his fame throughout the land. He argued that appointing Ren An would win the confidence of the entire province. (Recorded in the histories)^[1]
• As a young man, Ren An studied under Yang Hou, devoted himself to the classics, traveled to the capital, and returned home to teach. He was as renowned as Dong Fu for his learning and conduct. (Recorded in the histories)^[1]
• The commandery offices invited Ren An to serve as an administrative assistant, and the provincial offices summoned him to serve as a consultant and an aide-de-camp; he did not remain long in any of these posts. Later, he declined nominations as Filial and Incorrupt, Maocai, and appointments and summonses from the Grand Commandant, the Imperial Academy, and the chariot office, each time claiming illness. (Recorded in the histories)^[1]
• Liu Yan submitted a memorial recommending Ren An, praising his lofty integrity and saying he could assist in governing the state. Because the routes of official communication were obstructed, no appointment was ultimately issued. (Recorded in the histories)^[1]
• Ren An died at the age of seventy-nine. His students admired him and erected a commemorative stele. (Recorded in the histories)^[1]

Relationships

• He studied under Yang Hou and was as renowned as Dong Fu for his learning and conduct.^[1]
• Du Wei and Du Qiong once studied under Ren An.^[2][3]
• Qin Mi recommended Ren An in a memorial; later, when replying to Zhuge Liang’s questions, he said Ren An “remembered people’s good deeds and forgot their faults.”^[4][1]