Life

Chang Ji was born in Jiangyuan, Shu Commandery (蜀郡), which is present-day Chengdu, Sichuan. He served as Internuncio (謁者) then as Gentleman at the Yellow Gates (黃門侍郎) in Shu Han. After the death of his relatives, he became known for his filial piety. Hence, was nominated as xiaolian (civil service candidate) and served as Gentleman Cadet (郎). Then, he was sent as an envoy to the Wu, where he performed his duties admirably. After, he successively served as Changshui (長水) in the army then as Prefect (令) of Shifang (什邡) and Luo County (雒縣).

After Cao Wei's abdication to Jin, The Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史), Yuan Shao (袁邵) was summoned to the capital of Luoyang for his recent activities in the city under his rule. Chang Ji traveled to the capital to plead on his behalf, arguing that it was not appropriate to replace him since the people in the newly annexed region were just beginning to trust their new leaders. Moreover, he also said that maintaining and fortifying the city's defenses was an essential duty of a border commander. His arguments were well received by the court.

When Sima Zhao was alive, Chang Ji was appointed as Retainer (舍人) in the prime minister's office. After Sima Yan ascended the throne, he was promoted to the position of Commandant of Cavalry (騎都尉). Furthermore, he served as Prefect of Henei (河內令), a county notoriously known to be difficult to govern. Chang Ji managed to suppress the power of the wealthy families and greatly improved the local customs therefore promoting education back to the people. At that time, there were people who raped their sister in law then killed their brother. Gang would hide the culprits. Before, there was no way to impose order. Chang Ji would hunt down those criminals relentlessly and eventually brought them to justice. After becoming the capital of the province. He was considered for a higher position as an Administrator (太守) of the commandery however he died before it happened.

Appraisal

Chang Ji was known for his integrity and adherence to principles. Like his elder brother, Chang Xu. He did not associate with those he considered to be of immoral character. Consequently, he was not favored by the powerful and influential. Nonetheless, he wrote poetry and essays often criticising his own shortcomings. He displayed deep emotions in both joy and sorrow, earning him the admiration of his peers. Chang Ji was among the descendants of former Shu officials recommended by Luo Xian to Sima Yan to be employed. At the time, each of them were renowned.

Duan Rong

Duan Rong (段容), whose courtesy name, was Zongzhong (宗仲), was born in Guanghan Commandery (廣漢郡; present-day (Guanghan, Sichuan). He was a friend of Chang Ji. He was also a man of learning and virtue. As a Shu official, he held positions comparable to Chang Ji. When Yuan Shao (袁邵) was appointed as Inspector of Yi Province (益州刺史). He chose him as his Registrar (主簿). Along with Chang Ji, they worked together in managing the affairs of the region, earning the admiration of Sima Zhao. After the establishment of Jin, he served as an assistant officer to the Bieja (別駕; important assistant to the governor of the province) in Liang province and was recommended as a xiucai (秀才; person who passed the county level imperial exam). Gradually, he rose through the ranks, eventually serving as the Administrator (太守) of Yunnan (雲南) and Jianning (建寧).

生平

蜀漢時期，初為謁者僕射、黃門侍郎，喪親後，憑藉至孝聞名。被舉為孝廉，擔任議郎。出使吳國，稱職而還。歷任長水參軍，什邡、雒縣令。

司馬昭擔任魏相國時，徵闢忌擔任相府舍人。

西晉時期，泰始四年三月（268年），羅憲跟隨晉武帝司馬炎在華林園參與宴會，晉武帝詢問蜀漢大臣的子弟，又問起其中適合任用者，羅憲推薦了常忌、杜軫、壽良、陳壽、高軌、呂雅、許國、費恭、諸葛京、陳裕，他們隨即得到了進用，都在當時知名於世。

司馬炎建晉國時，命常忌為騎都尉。後外放任河內令，忌到任後大力打壓豪族勢力，治理民風，於是風教大興。縣里有姦嫂殺兄者，群黨蔽匿，而常忌皆窮治。後入為州都，剛議論讓常忌擔任郡守，常忌卻剛好病逝。

常忌的好友廣漢段宗仲，亦有學行。在蜀漢時期曾任謁者僕射、黃門侍郎等，官位常與常忌相當，蜀亡後新任益州刺史袁邵命其為主簿，與常忌共理郡事，入晉後官至雲南、建寧太守。