Life

He Pan was born in Pi County, Shu Commandery (蜀郡), which is present-day Pi County, Sichuan. He was born into a distinguished family as he was a descendant of He Xian (何顯), Administrator of Yingchuan (潁川太守) and younger brother of the Han minister, He Wu (何武). His father was He Bao (何包), whose courtesy name, was Xiuyang (休楊), he was recommended as a xiucai (秀才; person who passed the county level imperial exam) and nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) in the Shu Han government but did not pursue these positions. He Pan and his four brothers were all well known. He Pan exhibited extraordinary talent from a young age, his physical appearance is described as unique and outstanding. Before he reached adulthood (around 19 years old), he served in his home commandery (Shu) as Registrar (主簿). Then, as official in the provincial government.

Huangfu Yan (皇甫晏), Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史) praised him as one who had the talent to assist an hegemon and appointed him as his Registrar (主簿). However, He Pan returned home to care for his foster mother. Thereafter, in 272. Huangfu Yan was accused of treason and killed by general Zhang Hong (張弘) and others. He Pan took on the responsibility of the mourning period and went directly to the capital Luoyang to argue for his late superior's innocence successfully clearing Huangfu Yan's name. Later, Wang Jun became the new Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史) and reappointed He Pan as Registrar (主簿) and Bieja (別駕; important assistant to the governor of the province).

In 277, Wang Jun received an imperial edict to disband the Tuntian soldiers and build ships for a campaign against the Eastern Wu. He Pan warned Wang Jun that there were only 600 farming soldiers, in those conditions it would take a long time to build the ships. Furthermore, by going so slowy, the wood may rot before the completion is done which would not be efficient and encouraging for the campaign. He suggested calling back the reserve soldiers and military officials, recruiting over 10 000 people to construct the ships. With such number, the task could be completed within a year.

Before the recruitment of so many soldiers, Wang Jun wanted to report the proposal to the capital. However, He Pan disagreed and told him that although Jin officials wanted to conquer Wu, many were still doutful and fearful about the project therefore they may prevent any avancement under the form of discussions. In that case, the soldiers wouldn't be levied and the ships not completed in time. He highlighted the importance of quick actions in those operations and advised him to start before they reported it so there would be no way to stop the invasion plan. Wang Jun then remarked that going deep in the forests looking for the specified wood such as pine and cypresses then bring him back here for the construction of boats would be an hazardous task. He Pan answered that many structures are built from this wood, encouraging him to use it from those present in the cities or found on the market. Accentuating the importance of speed. Wang Jun agreed with He Pan's proposal and tasked him with overseeing the shipbuilding process.

During the winter, He Pan was sent as an envoy to Luoyang. He suggested that in order to achieve their goals, they needed to gain the trust of influential people, such as Yang Hu, an ally of the state. He Pan traveled from Luoyang to Jing province, discussing the military strategy with Zong Ting (宗廷), who was initially unconvinced. He then met with Yang Hu and together, they planned the key points of the military campaign against the Wu kingdom.

Yang Hu was delighted with the plans, and they eventually submitted a request to launch the campaign against Wu. Soon after, Wang Jun was promoted to the position of Prancing Dragon General (龍驤將軍), with He Pan appointed as Gentleman of the Palace (郎中). Sima Yan appreciated his ability and knew that He Pan was a talented military instructor therefore he ordered him to keep serving as advisor to the army. He Pan frequently traveled to Luoyang on official business. At that time, he was not yet married, but the Excellency of Works (司空), Pei Gong (裴公) admired his talents and arranged for his daughter to marry him.

In the autumn of 279, He Pan was sent to Luoyang. The General Who Stabilizes the East (安東將軍), Wang Hun reported that Sun Hao of the Eastern Wu was planning a northern expedition and the border guards were on high alert. The court discussed making preparations to resist but it would take a long time to assemble the defenses. He Pan submitted a memorial stating that Sun Hao would not dare to attack advising that it would be better to seize the opportunity to launch an offensive campaign and take advantage of the current alertness, which would make the victory easy. Zhang Hua consulted with He Pan on various difficulties and He Pan provided solutions for all of them. He Pan also suggested that Wang Jun who was loyal and resolute should be promoted to a higher position. The imperial decree appointed Wang Jun as the General Who Pacifies the East (平東將軍) and placed him in charge of affairs in the two

Western provinces of Liang and Yi.

During the invasion, Sun Hao surrendered to Wang Jun rather than Wang Hun. As the latter was jealous of his achievement and wanted to attack Wang Jun's armies. He Pan convinced his superior to sent Sun Hao to Wang Hun to avoid conflict. With this, the matter was resolved peacefully.

After the conquest of Wu, He Pan was enfeoffed as a Secondary Marquis (關內侯). Wang Jun entered the capital to assist the government, and He Pan served as his Major (司馬). He Pan submitted five essays on current affairs and was appointed as the Prefect of Xingyang (滎陽令). Later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Justice (廷尉). At this time, another minister Zhuge Chong (諸葛沖) thought lightly of him as he was from Shu, it was only after working with him that he realized his talents. There was a case of a thief opening the city gates which according to the law warranted the death penalty. He Pan argued that the punishment should be reduced as the upper gates were for the display of trust while the lower gates were for storage. His argument prevailed and the death penalty was reduced. He Pan was involved in many legal discussions and was later appointed as a Cavalier Gentleman-in-Attendance (散騎侍郎).

When Yang Jun conspired to rebel, He Pan was among the officials who were summoned. He Pan along with the Palace Attendants Fu Zhi (傅祗), Wang Kai (王愷) and others went to the meeting. Emperor Hui of Jin, following the advice of Sima Wei and the Palace Gentleman, Meng Guan (孟觀) ordered a strict guard and executed Yang Jun. As Yang Jun's external forces were in a hurry, He Pan and Fu Zhi climbed over the wall and managed to escape to serve the emperor. The Emperor appointed He Pan as the Colonel Who Assists the Army (翊軍校尉) and gave him command of the Xiongqu troops. In one battle, Yang Jun was beheaded and the state was secure. He Pan was enfeoffed as the Duke of Xicheng (西城公) with a fief of 10 000 households along with 10 000 rolls of silk . The Emperor praised He Pan's loyalty, bravery and determination. Other members of He Pan's family also received titles and wealth by association. He Pan refused half of the households and riches while distributed the rest among his distant relatives with nothing for himself.

He Pan was later promoted to various positions. During his tenure, he was known for his virtuous teachings and effective administration. He served for 3 years as Inspector of Yan Province (兗州刺史). When the General Who Conquers Barbarians, Shi Chong reported military activities in the southeast, He Pan was recalled and appointed as the Minister of Finance (大司農) overseeing the administration of three provinces. He Pan later resigned from his post due to illness and old age, requested that Ren Xi and Fei Ji take over his duties. However, his request was denied. He was then reappointed as the Inspector of Yan Province (兗州刺史); although other officials tried to convince him to accept the function, he declined the position and the offered treasures.

At that time, the imperial court was in decline and many loyal and upright officials were persecuted. Princes were constantly rising and forming factions. He Pan closed his doors to focus on treating his illness and stayed away from worldly affairs. Until Sima Lun usurped power from the Emperor and summoned him, He Pan's disease was severe but Sima Lun threatened to have him killed therefore, although seriously sick, he had no choice but to come to Luoyang. The court wanted to promote him but he passed away at the age of 57 (by East Asian age reckoning) according to the Huayang Guo Zhi or at the age of 58 (by East Asian age reckoning) according to the Jin Shu. The Emperor mourned his death, granting him the posthumous title "Duke Huan" (桓公). His son, He Zhang (何璋) inherited his father's title.

Appraisal

Chang Qu, who wrote He Pan's biography in the Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi), appraised He Pan as follows: "Prepare plans, his thoughts auspicious and bring peace."

He Pan's character was inclined toward justice. When in office, he was solemn. He also enjoyed giving appraisal of people, was an honest scholar and noble talent. From the provinces of Liang and Yi, he would seek those with ability. Chen Shou, Yan Yi (閻乂) and Fei Li were all famous scholars from the Western lands yet were slandered by the villagers of their countrysides for more than 10 years. He Pan cleared away those rumors and repaired their reputations. Although he hold a major office, his family lived in extreme poverty. He Pan didn't have any concubines or female dancers or singers. He only saw helping the poor as an important affair. His son, He Zhang resembled him.

生平

刺史皇甫晏，稱何攀：「王佐才也。」並任命何攀為主簿。泰始八年（272年），刺史皇甫晏被牙門張弘殺害，誣陷皇甫晏謀反。當時何攀正為母親守喪，於是到梁州上奏章，證明皇甫晏沒有謀反。皇甫晏的冤情得以申雪。

劉禪長子劉璿在鍾會之亂中喪生，應立次子劉瑤為繼承人，但劉禪偏愛六子劉恂，立劉恂為繼承人，文立勸諫，不聽，劉恂襲為安樂公。劉恂驕橫暴虐，梁州、益州的人士都想上表廢黜他，文立阻止他們說：「他只損害了自己的家族，不殃及百姓。」後來劉恂淫亂無道，何攀與上庸太守王崇、涪陵太守張寅作書進諫指責，要他思量文立所言。

滅吳之戰

王濬擔任益州刺史，徵召何攀為別駕。王濬謀劃伐吳，派何攀帶奏章到中央口述計謀，詔令第二次接見，令張華與他籌劃討伐事宜。並派他拜訪羊祜，陳述伐吳之策。何攀善於傳達命令，受司馬炎喜愛，任命為郎中，下令讓他參與王濬軍事，當時何攀尚未娶妻，司空裴秀覺得他很有才能，便將女兒嫁給他。

咸寧三年（277年），羊祜安排王濬造船後，奉詔解散屯田兵，大量建造舟艦。何攀建言：「屯田兵不過五六百人，建造船艦並非一朝一夕就能完成，如果人數太少，只怕後面的船尚未造好，前面的船就已經腐爛了。應該要召集各郡士兵湊足萬餘人造船，這樣一來年底前就能完成。」 王濬覺得有理，打算奏報朝廷大舉徵募船工，被何攀勸阻：「朝廷突然聽到要召一萬多名士兵，必然不聽從，不如獨斷獨行。萬一被拒絕了，我們早已經開工，已經無法中止。」聽完何攀的諫言後，王濬決定先斬後奏，由何攀主持造艦工程。於是大艦做成，船身長度大約一百二十步，能容納二千多人，船面以堅木為堡，堡上築有瞭望台，四邊有能夠進出的門，船上能騎馬奔跑。

咸寧五年（279年），王濬上疏說：「孫皓荒淫凶逆，最好趕快討伐他。一旦孫皓去世，吳國換了一位賢明的君王，必將成為我們的強敵。臣造船已經七年，每天都有船因腐爛而毀壞；臣年已七十，離死亡已經不遠了。這三點只要有差錯，伐吳將難以完成。希望陛下不要錯失這次機會。」司馬炎於是決心伐吳。此時安東將軍王渾上表說孫皓打算率軍北上，吳國邊境戒備森嚴。朝廷於是又商議明年再出發。何攀這時正在洛陽，何攀上疏說：「孫皓必然不敢出兵，應當乘著吳國戒備深嚴突然襲擊，如此一來更容易拿下吳國。」中書令張華要何攀住在他家，設了不少難題，何攀都順利解決。何攀又說: 「王濬性情忠義剛烈，接受命令必定會成功，應該加封他的職權。」於是司馬炎下詔升任王濬為平東將軍，督益、梁兩州事務。

太康元年（280年），孫皓後向王濬投降後，王渾卻因為王濬不等他到就先接受孫皓投降而不悅，甚至想要攻打王濬。何攀勸王濬將孫皓交給王渾，自此化解矛盾。吳國被平定後，何攀被封關內侯。王濬入拜輔國將軍，何攀則為司馬。何攀上《論時務》五篇，被任命為滎陽令。

何攀任廷尉平時，廷尉諸葛沖因何攀是蜀中人士而輕視他，直到共同審理疑難案件，諸葛沖才開始佩服他。

楊駿秉政

永熙元年（290年），晉惠帝司馬衷即位，太傅楊駿輔政，楊駿想效仿魏明帝即位時的先例，多數親屬，厚封賞，來討好眾人。時任散騎侍郎的何攀與散騎常侍石崇一起上奏給惠帝認說：「陛下正式立為太子有二十多年，道化宣流，萬國歸心。現今繼承宏業，是天意所授。但賞賜封爵比武帝泰始革命初期的將領們還豐厚，這是第一點令人不安；今日施加恩澤的封賞，高於滅吳功臣，這是第二點令人不安；今日封賞的爵位和制度，會傳於後世，如果沒有差別，有爵位就晉升，那幾代以後，就沒有人不是公侯了，這是第三點令人不安，即便不能遵循以前的典制，也應依我朝舊制。」但他們的意見沒有被採納。

帝室政衰

永平元年（291年），賈南風設計讓晉惠帝下詔書，宣稱楊駿謀反，洛陽全城戒嚴，令楚王司馬瑋領軍保衛皇宮，圍攻楊駿府第。太傅主簿朱振勸楊駿燒雲龍門，斬賊首，開萬春門，引兵擁太子入宮。楊駿膽小懦弱，事件發生時謀而不決，不願讓魏明帝功業被燒毀，最終逃到府中馬廄，結果被殺。其三族也被誅滅，株連而死的共有數千人，至此楊駿政治勢力被消滅。何攀當時被任命為翊軍校尉，領熊渠兵，因參與謀劃除掉楊駿有功勞，被封為西城侯，一作西城公，封賞食邑一萬戶，絲絹一萬匹，弟弟何逢被封為平卿侯，哥哥的兒子何逵被封為關中侯。何攀堅決推辭，讓出食邑和絲絹各半，剩餘分給親戚，沒留給自己。

帝室政衰，多害忠直。諸王迭起，好結黨徒。朝廷徵用何攀為東羌校尉。任東羌校尉時舉薦李流為東羌督。西方外族侵略邊境，何攀派遣長史楊威前往征討，楊威違背何攀指令，因而失利。徵還，領越騎校尉。武庫發生火災，百姓官員皆救火。何攀領兵保衛皇宮。獲得賞賜絹五百匹。後任揚州刺史，在位三年，升任大司農。後改任兗州刺史，加封鷹揚將軍，何攀堅決不就職。太常成粲、左將軍卞粹勸他就職，何攀卻聲稱自己有病而不接受。直到司馬倫篡位，派人召見何攀，何攀卻真的已經病重。司馬倫發怒，想要殺他，何攀不得已而帶病應詔。在洛陽去世。時年五十八，華陽國志則是享年五十七。謚曰桓公。

性格

何攀居心平允，為官時嚴肅，喜愛鑑賞人物，敦儒愛才。任梁州、益州中正時，引薦被埋沒的人才。巴西陳壽、閻乂、費立都是西州的名士，被鄉里誹謗，評議了十多年。何攀明辨曲直，洗刷了他們的冤屈。何攀雖然身居要職，家中卻很清貧，寒素，沒有侍妾也沒有擅長歌舞的女藝人，只把幫助困苦的人當作重要的事。

親屬

父

• 何包，字休楊，蜀漢時期曾被察舉茂才、孝廉。

弟

• 何逢，西晉平卿侯。

子

• 何璋，有其父風。

評價

• 皇甫晏：王佐才也。

• 《晉書》：攀申明曲直，咸免冤濫。攀雖居顯職，家甚貧素，無妾媵伎樂，惟以周窮濟乏為事。

• 司馬衷：攀受命奮討，兇逆速殄，忠烈果毅，朕甚嘉焉。《封何攀為西城公策》

資料來源