Shi Chong


Shi Chong, courtesy name Jilun, was a Chinese politician of the Western Jin Dynasty. He was a son of situ Shi Bao. He was known for his luxurious lifestyle.

Life

Shi Chong was the sixth son of situ Shi Bao. At a young age, he showed great intelligence and courage. As a result, his father decided to leave no property for him, as he was confident that Shi Chong could make a fortune on his own. Shi Chong first served as magistrate of Xiuwu County and Governor of Chengyang Commandery. He became Marquis of Anyang Village due to his participation in the Conquest of Wu by Jin. Later, he rose to the position of Palace Attendant.
After the death of Emperor Wu of Jin in May 290, Yang Jun became regent to Emperor Hui. As a dissident, Shi Chong left the capital and became Governor of Jingzhou. Later, he was appointed as dasinong. However, the appointment was cancelled because he left his post before the official announcement. Shortly after, he was appointed as Zhenglu Jiangjun, guarding the Xuzhou region. Soon, he was removed after an incident where he became drunk and fought with Gao Dan, Governor of Xuzhou.
After Queen Regent Jia Nanfeng gained power, he became a friend of Jia's nephew, Jia Mi, by flattering the latter. It was recorded that whenever Guo Huai, Jia Nanfeng's mother passed by, Shi would stop and prostrate himself before her.
In the first year of the Yongkang era, the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun, exterminated the Jia family in May. Shi Chong was removed from his post as an ally of the family. Sun Xiu, a favorite of Sima Lun, hated Shi Chong over the beauty of Shi's concubine, Lüzhu, and framed Shi that he had conspired with Prince of Huainan, Sima Yun, who rebelled against Sima Lun. Shi Chong was subsequently executed along with his family; Pan Yue and his family were also executed.

Notable anecdotes

Shi Chong was best known for his extravagant lifestyle. On the position as Governor of Jingzhou, Shi accumulated huge wealth by engaging in highway robbery, often murdering merchants passing by for their property. Shi Chong and Wang Kai, a consort kin, loathed each other. After learning that Wang Kai's family used sugar water to clean their dishes and pots, Shi ordered his servants to burn candles instead of firewood. On the road to his manor, Wang decorated the roadside barriers with purple silk for 40 li. On learning this, Shi covered 50 li with more expensive multicolored silk. Emperor Wu of Jin once sent Wang Kai a coral tree two chi in height as a gift. Shi Chong visited him, smashed it with an iron ruyi, and offered him several coral trees 34 chi in height in return.