Chang Lin

Historical Record

Chang Lin, courtesy name Bohuai, was a man of Wen in Henei. From childhood he displayed unusual propriety and discernment. At the age of seven, when a friend of his father came to visit and asked why he did not bow, Chang Lin replied: "Though you are a guest of lower standing, to address a man's son by his father's courtesy name—why should I bow to that?" At these words, all present praised his cleverness.^[1] In his youth his family was poor, yet his conduct was lofty and pure, and he took no wealth that was not his due. Chang Lin loved learning; at the end of the Han, he carried his classics with him as he tilled the fields, and even while laboring in the fields, when his wife brought him food he treated her with the courtesy of an honored guest.

During Dong Zhuo's misgovernment, the Grand Administrator Wang Kuang raised troops to punish him, dispatching students to investigate the offenses of officials and commoners in each county and using this to extort money and grain; those who delayed had their clans exterminated. Chang Lin's uncle, having beaten a guest, was reported by the students, and Wang Kuang in fury sought to punish him. Heedless of his family's terror, Chang Lin went straight to Humu Biao, a fellow countryman of Wang Kuang, and, invoking the great cause of the realm, persuaded Wang Kuang, pointing out that his conduct fell short of wisdom; in the end he made Wang Kuang pardon his uncle.^[1] Afterward Chang Lin took refuge in Shangdang, farming in the wild mountains. When great drought and a plague of locusts struck, Chang Lin's household alone reaped a good harvest, and he distributed grain to his neighbors, displaying his benevolent heart.

Chang Lin once attached himself to the fortified settlement of Chen Yanbi, the former Grand Administrator of Hejian. At that time the Chen and Feng clans were the leading families of the region, and Zhang Yang, coveting their wealth and women, led troops to besiege them. Chang Lin led his clan in devising plans for Chen Yanbi, holding out for more than sixty days and ultimately preserving the stronghold.^[1] Gao Gan, Inspector of Bing Province, once memorialized to make Chang Lin a Cavalry Commandant, but Chang Lin declined and did not accept. Later the Inspector Liang Xi recommended Chang Lin and other notable men to Cao Cao, who appointed them all as county magistrates. Chang Lin became magistrate of Nanhe County, where his administration was outstanding; he was later promoted to Grand Administrator of Boling and Inspector of You Province, achieving distinction wherever he went.

When Cao Pi was the General of the Household for All Purposes, Chang Lin served as his Merit Officer. While Cao Cao was on his western campaign, Tian Yin and Su Bo rose in revolt, throwing You and Ji provinces into turmoil. Cao Pi wished to lead a great army to suppress them in person, but Chang Lin remonstrated: "Formerly I served as Grand Administrator of Boling and Inspector of You Province, and I have some understanding of the rebels' situation. The officials and commoners of the north have long wearied of war and yearn for stability; those who hold to good order are the majority. Tian Yin and Su Bo are no more than a rabble, with small wits and grand schemes—not worth worrying over. Now the great army is far afield and powerful foes lie outside; you, General, are the bulwark of the realm. To campaign rashly afar would, even in victory, earn you no martial glory." Cao Pi heeded his advice and dispatched a general to chastise them, and the rebellion was at once quelled.^[2]

Chang Lin later served as Grand Administrator of Pingyuan and Eastern Commandant of Wei Commandery, and entered the court as a subordinate of the Eastern Bureau of the Chancellor. After the state of Wei was established, he was appointed a Master of Writing. After Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, Chang Lin was promoted to Privy Treasurer and enfeoffed as Marquis of Leyang Village. He was upright and stern in office; once, for flogging a subordinate at night, he was jokingly called "the Commandant of Justice" by Cui Lin, then Director of the Office for Receiving Guests. He was later transferred to Grand Minister of Agriculture. After Emperor Ming of Wei ascended the throne, Chang Lin was advanced to Marquis of Gaoyang Township and promoted to Superintendent of the Imperial Household and Grand Master of Ceremonies.

Sima Yi, the Xuan Prince of Jin, because Chang Lin was an esteemed elder of his home district, wished each time he saw him to perform the rite of kneeling and bowing. When someone urged Chang Lin to prevent this, Chang Lin said: "Lord Sima simply wishes to honor the order of seniority and set an example for the younger generation. His exalted rank is not something I fear, and his bowing is not something I can prevent." The one who had spoken withdrew in shame.^[3] At that time the whole court regarded Chang Lin's integrity as pure and lofty and wished to recommend him for the office of high counselor of state, but Chang Lin pleaded grave illness. In the end he was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Chang Lin lived to the age of eighty-three; after his death he was posthumously awarded the rank of General of Agile Cavalry, his funeral was conducted according to the rites for a duke, and he was given the posthumous title Marquis Zhen. His son Chang Shi succeeded to his rank, but was later executed for some offense, and the fief passed to his younger brother Chang Jing.

In the Novel

Romance of the Three Kingdoms gives no independent literary treatment of Chang Lin, and his deeds receive no detailed account in the novel. Chang Lin's image in the novel is therefore essentially consistent with the historical record, with no notable deviation or embellishment.

Key Relationships

* Wang Kuang: Chang Lin spoke with Humu Biao, a fellow countryman of Wang Kuang, indirectly remonstrating with Wang Kuang and making him pardon Chang Lin's uncle.^[1]
* Zhang Yang: When Zhang Yang besieged Chen Yanbi, Chang Lin led his clan in devising plans for Chen Yanbi and successfully repelled Zhang Yang's assault.^[1]
* Gao Gan: Gao Gan once memorialized to make Chang Lin a Cavalry Commandant, but Chang Lin declined and did not accept.^[2]
* Cao Wei: Chang Lin held many important posts under the Cao Wei regime, including magistrate of Nanhe, Grand Administrator of Boling, Inspector of You Province, Merit Officer, Privy Treasurer, Grand Minister of Agriculture, Superintendent of the Imperial Household, and Grand Master of Ceremonies, ultimately rising to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and being posthumously awarded the rank of General of Agile Cavalry—he was an important official of Cao Wei.^[2]
* Sima Yi: Because Chang Lin was an esteemed elder of his home district, Sima Yi wished each time he saw him to perform the rite of kneeling and bowing; Chang Lin accepted it calmly, displaying his integrity in standing unafraid of the powerful.^[3]

Iconic Scenes

* Discoursing on propriety at age seven: At seven, faced with a visiting friend of his father, Chang Lin displayed precocious propriety and discernment with the words, "Though you are a guest of lower standing, to address a man's son by his father's courtesy name—why should I bow to that?"^[1]
* Remonstrating with Wang Kuang: To save his uncle, Chang Lin, unafraid of power, spoke with Humu Biao, a fellow countryman of Wang Kuang, persuading Wang Kuang by the great cause of the realm and ultimately securing his uncle's release. This act not only saved a kinsman but also displayed Chang Lin's wisdom, courage, and uprightness.^[1]
* Sharing grain amid drought and locusts: In the hard times when drought and locust plague struck together, Chang Lin's household alone reaped a good harvest, yet he distributed all the grain to his neighbors, displaying his benevolence and generous, charitable nature.^[1]
* Wisely dissuading Cao Pi: When Cao Pi wished to campaign in person against the rebels, Chang Lin, with his deep understanding of the northern situation, dissuaded Cao Pi from acting rashly, ultimately allowing the rebellion to be quelled and avoiding needless risk, showing his outstanding strategic vision.^[2]
* Calmly accepting Sima Yi's obeisance: Faced with the powerful Sima Yi's wish to perform the rite of kneeling and bowing, Chang Lin was unmoved and accepted it calmly, saying, "His exalted rank is not something I fear, and his bowing is not something I can prevent." This act was passed down by later ages as a fine story and became a symbol of his pure and lofty integrity.^[3]