He Wuji 何無忌

He Wuji 何無忌 (d. 410) was a general of the late Eastern Jin period 東晉 (317-420). A native of Tanxian 郯縣 in the commandery of Donghai 東海 (present-day Tancheng 郯城, Shandong), he was a nephew of the general Liu Laozhi 劉牢之 (d. 402).

From a young age, he harbored great ambitions, known for his loyalty, integrity, and strong sense of righteousness. He was outspoken when things did not go his way, often revealing his displeasure in words and expression. He began his career as an assistant officer in the provincial government, later becoming an erudite of the National University (taixue boshi 太學博士).

When Huan Xuan 桓玄 (369-404) usurped power, he joined Liu Yu 劉裕 (363-422; the eventual founder of the Liu-Song dynasty 劉宋, 420-479), Liu Yi 劉毅 (d. 412), and others in raising troops to overthrow the usurper. After Huan's defeat, they advanced to capture Jiangling 江陵, and he escorted Emperor An 晉安帝 (r. 396-418) back to the capital at Jiankang 建康 (modern-day Nanjing 南京, Jiangsu).

He was promoted to Household Administrator (neishi 內史) of the Prince of Guiji 會稽, General of the Right (you jiangjun 右將軍), and Area Commander-in-Chief (dudu 都督) of the region of Jiangdong 江東.

In the following years, he continued to distinguish himself through military service, eventually rising to become regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Jiangzhou 江州, General Guarding the South (zhenna jiangjun 鎮南將軍), and cavalier attendant-in-ordinary (sanji changshi 散騎常侍). He was also ennobled as a Dynasty-Founding Commandery Duke of Ancheng 安成郡開國公.

Later, he was tasked with leading troops to suppress the rebellion of Lu Xun 盧循 (d. 411), but was killed in battle by Lu Xun. He was posthumously honoured with the title Zhongsu 安成忠肅公.