Hua He

Historical Record

Hua He, courtesy name Yongxian, was a native of Wujin in Wu Commandery. His official career began as Commandant of Shangyu and Commandant of Agriculture at Qunong; later, on account of his literary talent, he was summoned into the imperial secretariat to serve as a Gentleman of the Secret Repository, and gradually rose to become Assistant of the Palace Secretariat. After Shu Han was destroyed by Cao Wei, Hua He submitted a memorial to the Wu sovereign Sun Xiu expressing his anxiety over the fall of Shu Han. He held that, although the western frontier had its strategic barriers, Lu Kang's report had already confirmed the loss of Chengdu and the overthrow of the state altars. Hua He likened this to the destruction of the state of Wei by the Di during the Spring and Autumn period: though he knew the distance was too great to send aid, he still felt uneasy over the lost vassal state, and voiced his praise of Sun Xiu's benevolence together with his own grief and concern.^[1]

After Sun Hao ascended the throne, Hua He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Lingting. In the second year of Baoding, Sun Hao undertook vast construction works, building a new palace at enormous cost, and began the labor in the height of summer, causing farming to be neglected. Hua He submitted a memorial of remonstrance over this, but Sun Hao did not adopt it.^[2] Thereafter Hua He was transferred to be Director of the Eastern Pavilion, concurrently holding the office of Right Historiographer. He once submitted a memorial declining this post, arguing that the Eastern Pavilion was a hall of the Confucian scholars and should be staffed by erudite Confucians of broad learning. In his reply, however, Sun Hao affirmed Hua He's learning, that he had "deeply studied the classics and was broadly read and widely informed," and encouraged him to "let his brush soar and his eloquence gallop, illuminating and aiding the affairs of the age," urging him to fulfill his duties and decline no further.^[3]

In his post as historian, Hua He repeatedly recommended worthy men to Sun Hao. He once recommended Lu Yi, calling him "firm and upright in constitution, strong and solid in capacity, with a talent for command that Lu Su did not surpass," and praised that when Lu Yi was recalled to the capital and passed through Wuchang, he took none of its weapons or military supplies, displaying the character of one "resolute in war and restrained before wealth"; he held Lu Yi to be the best man to garrison the vital point of Xiakou.^[4] He also recommended Lu Yin, praising him as "intelligent and clear by nature, talented and pure in conduct," who in his post in Jiaozhou had benefited the people so that "rough customs ceased, merchants and travelers passed in peace, the people were free of pestilence, and the fields yielded rich harvests." Hua He noted in particular that when Lu Yin left his post, the people "carried the aged and led the young, gladly following him in spirit," displaying his ability to bind the multitude through kindness and trust; and he praised his integrity, holding that Lu Yin ought to assist the royal house at court rather than long occupy a minor post by the river.^[5] Hua He also recommended Lou Xuan, holding him to be "pure, loyal, and devoted to the public good, foremost of his age," a man of statesman's talent, and advising Sun Hao to pardon Lou Xuan's former faults and promote him to chief minister.^[6] As for Wei Zhao, although Hua He had once criticized him for failing to fully proclaim Sun Hao's virtues, he still affirmed that Wei Zhao "from youth had been diligent in study, untiring even in age, exploring and mastering the classics, reviewing the old to know the new," and likened him to Sima Qian of the Han, holding that he had the talent of a good historian.^[7] These recommendations by Hua He reflected his character of one who "repeatedly offered good counsel, striving to give of himself to the utmost."

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Hua He's portrayal lies chiefly in his keen insight into the situation of the times and his loyal remonstrance to the Wu sovereign Sun Xiu. In the novel, Hua He, serving as Assistant of the Palace Secretariat, at once advised Sun Xiu after Wei destroyed Shu. He pointed out that "Wu and Shu are as lips and teeth; when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold," predicted that Sima Zhao's invasion of Wu was imminent, and begged Sun Xiu to take deep precautions.^[8] Sun Xiu adopted his advice and at once appointed Lu Kang as General Who Guards the East to defend the river's mouth; Sun Yi to guard the various passes of Nanxu; and stationed troops along the river under the overall command of Ding Feng, to guard against the Wei soldiers. This episode has no clear basis in the histories, but it accords with the character Hua He shows in his historical biography—one anxious for his country and people and repeatedly offering good counsel—and is a reasonable extension and concretization of his character by the literary work.

Through this scene, the novel highlights Hua He's political foresight as a senior minister of the court and his sense of responsibility for the safety of the state. His ability to give timely warning, prompting the Eastern Wu regime to take defensive measures, follows directly from his image in the histories as one who repeatedly submitted remonstrances and recommended worthy men. Yet the novel gives Hua He little space, having him appear only once, in Chapter 119, with only two lines of dialogue^[8]—far less than the detailed historical record of his life and his many recommendations of worthy men. The novel's emphasis is on his proposing the strategic idea of "when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold," rather than his comprehensive contributions in historiography and politics.

Key Relationships

* Lu Yi (friend_of): In the histories Hua He rated Lu Yi very highly, calling him "firm and upright in constitution, strong and solid in capacity, with a talent for command that Lu Su did not surpass," and praising his integrity and resolve, holding him to be an important candidate to garrison Xiakou.^[4]
* Lu Yin (friend_of): Hua He strongly recommended Lu Yin to Sun Hao, praising his talent and conduct, his benevolent governance in Jiaozhou, and his pure and self-disciplined character, holding that Lu Yin ought to assist the royal house at court.^[5]
* Lou Xuan (friend_of): Hua He held Lou Xuan to be "pure, loyal, and devoted to the public good, foremost of his age," a man of statesman's talent, and advised Sun Hao to pardon his former faults and promote him to chief minister.^[6]
* Wei Zhao (friend_of): Although Hua He had criticized Wei Zhao for failing to fully proclaim Sun Hao's virtues, he still affirmed his untiring diligence in study and broad learning, and likened him to Sima Qian, holding that he had the talent of a good historian.^[7]
* Sun Xiu (ruler and minister): Hua He submitted a memorial to Sun Xiu expressing his anxiety over the fall of Shu Han.^[1] In the novel, Hua He further advised Sun Xiu of the strategy of "when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold," prompting Eastern Wu to strengthen its defenses^[8] (novel only).
* Sun Hao (ruler and minister): Hua He repeatedly submitted memorials of remonstrance to Sun Hao, including his opposition to building the new palace and his declining of the post of Director of the Eastern Pavilion; yet Sun Hao still held him in considerable regard and affirmed his learning.^[2][3]
* Ding Feng (colleague): In the novel, after Hua He's counsel, Sun Xiu ordered Ding Feng to take overall command of the river defenses, indirectly linking the two.^[8] (novel only).

Iconic Scenes

* Remonstrating against Sun Hao's building of the new palace: When Sun Hao undertook vast construction works to build a new palace, Hua He, disregarding his sovereign's wishes, submitted a memorial of frank remonstrance, pointing out that it exhausted the people and squandered wealth, causing farming to be neglected. Though it was not adopted, the act fully displayed Hua He's loyal, forthright character and his anxiety for his country and people.^[2]
* Recommending Lu Yi, Lu Yin, Lou Xuan, Wei Zhao, and other worthy men: As historian, Hua He repeatedly recommended men of worth and ability to Sun Hao, not only affirming their talent and virtue but also setting out in detail their achievements and the posts suited to them. This reflected his breadth of mind in knowing men, employing them well, and raising up talent for the state, and reflected his character of one who "repeatedly offered good counsel, striving to give of himself to the utmost."^[4][5][6][7]
* The remonstrance of "when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold": In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, after the fall of Shu Han, Hua He at once advised the Wu sovereign Sun Xiu, pointing out that Wu and Shu depended on each other as lips and teeth, that the fall of Shu meant peril for Wu, warning that Wei would invade Wu, and prompting Eastern Wu to take defensive measures.^[8] (novel only). This scene is the core of the novel's portrayal of Hua He, highlighting his political foresight and his deep concern for the safety of the state.