生平

樂廣因父親樂方早死，年少孤貧，僑居於山陽，因家世寒微且貧困而無人知曉。後來裴楷曾請樂廣與他共談，談了一夜後相互欽佩推崇，裴楷更自言不如樂廣。當時任荊州刺史的王戎因樂廣曾被夏侯玄稱許而舉他為秀才，及後裴楷又向時任太尉的賈充推薦樂廣，樂廣於是被賈充任命為太尉掾，後遷任太子舍人。當時樂廣亦被朝中名士如衞瓘、王衍等人讚賞，衞瓘更命兒子門去造訪他。

樂廣後外任元城縣令，隨後又入朝任中書侍郎，又曾當過太子中庶子，屢次升遷後至侍中、河南尹。永康九年（299年）十二月，皇后賈南風廢掉司馬遹太子之位，至次年年初，司馬遹被送至許昌禁閉，並下令太子宮中屬官不能送行。不過江統、潘滔等人都違反禁令去送行，故遭司隸校尉滿奮命人收縛下獄，不過樂廣就下令將因此事而拘禁於河南郡的太子屬官都釋放了。當時人們都為樂廣擔心，不過因孫琰向賈謐說若收捕樂廣和屬官，將會彰顯司馬遹的善，賈謐聽從，樂廣於是沒有獲罪。後趙王司馬倫於永康二年（301年）篡位稱帝，樂廣與滿奮及崔隨奉璽綬授予司馬倫。

樂廣後來遷吏部尚書、尚書左僕射，永寧元年（301年）司馬繇將任尚書左僕射，樂廣於是轉任尚書右僕射，領吏部。後接替升任司徒的王戎任尚書令。

成都王司馬穎與河間王司馬顒進攻長沙王司馬乂，圍攻洛陽時，因為樂廣的女兒是成都王妃，故此作為當時朝望的樂廣受到誹謗。司馬乂亦因而去問樂廣，不過樂廣神色不變，答：「我怎會為了一個女兒而換掉了我家五個男子的性命。」意謂不會因為女兒而依附司馬穎，換來五人被司馬乂誅殺。不過司馬乂未因此釋疑，樂廣亦於太安三年正月丙午日（304年2月29日）憂死。

性格特徵

• 樂廣性格淡泊儉約，有遠見，沒甚麼嗜好慾望，無與人爭競之心。

• 樂廣擅長清談論事，且都以簡約言詞論理以令人心服，如有一次有客人問樂廣《莊子》中「指不至」的意思，樂廣不解釋文句，直接以塵尾的柄子敲打几子說：「至不？」客人就答：「至。」樂廣又舉起塵尾說：「若至者，那得去？」客人都心服了。。而當樂廣不知該事時，就會沉默不言。另外他亦對王澄、胡毋輔之等人放任自己及至裸體的清談者不以為然，曾經笑說：「名教內自有樂地，何必乃爾！」

• 樂廣在地方當政，在任內其實都沒甚麼功績榮譽傳出，不過每到離任後，人們都會思念他所作的。

• 樂廣談論人時，必定說他的長處，而隨後其短處即使不需說出也顯而易見了。人有過失，樂廣都寬大地看待，然後其善惡就彰顯了。

• 樂廣和王衍都用心於俗事以外，在當時名聲極重，當時談論風流之人，他們兩個都在首位。

逸事

• 樂廣受任河南尹，他打算辭讓，不過自以文筆不夠好，於是請潘岳為其寫表章。當時樂廣就寫了二百句話述說自己的志向，而潘岳就以此寫了名篇。當時人們都說：「若果樂廣不假借潘岳的文筆，潘岳不取用樂廣的志向，都不能達成這美好的事呀。」

• 因為河南尹官邸流傳有很多妖怪出沒，所以以前的河南尹都不敢住正房，不過樂廣任河南尹時卻不怕。一次樂廣房子的門自動關上，身邊的人都很害怕，但樂廣神色自若。樂廣及後看到牆上有孔洞，於是命人掘開牆壁，抓住了狸貓並將牠殺掉，及後妖怪之事都沒有發生了。

• 有一次，樂廣發現一個親好的客人好久沒有到來，於是問他原因，那人就說：「早前到你那裏，你拿酒給我喝，就想喝時就看見杯中有蛇，十分不快，喝後就患了病。」當時河南尹聽事堂壁中有角飾，畫了蛇的樣子，樂廣於是覺得所謂杯中有蛇其實是角飾的倒映。樂廣後來特地請那客人到訪，並將酒杯於在當時的位置，客人說還看見蛇在杯中。樂廣於是告知客人原委，客人聽後不再害怕，病也好了。

評論

• 《晉書》史臣曰：「樂令解愍懷之客，豈聞伯夷之風歟，愞夫能立志者也。」

• 《晉書》贊曰：「樂令披雲，高天澄澈。」

• 夏侯玄：「神姿朗徹，當為名士。」

• 衛瓘：「自昔諸賢既沒，常恐微言將絕，而今乃復聞斯言於君矣。」「此人之水鏡，見之瑩然，若披雲霧而睹青天也。」

• 王衍：「與人語甚簡至，及見廣，便覺己之煩。」

• 劉訥：「樂彥輔我所敬。」

• 王敦：「樂彥輔短才耳。後生流宕，言違名檢。」

• 郗鑒：「彥輔道韻平淡，體識沖粹，處傾危之朝，不可得而親疏。及愍懷太子之廢，可謂柔而有正。」

家庭

子女

• 樂凱，參驃騎將軍軍事

• 樂肇，東海王掾，永嘉之亂後南渡

• 樂謨，隨兄南渡，官至征虜將軍、吳郡內史

• 樂氏，嫁成都王司馬穎

• 樂氏，嫁衛玠

六世孫

樂藹

Historical background

In the late period of Cao Wei, politics became increasingly corrupt and class contradictions became more and more acute. At the same time, there was a confrontation and struggle between the two groups led by Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. In the end, the Sima clan became the victory of the political war. In the second year of (265), Sima Yan forced the last emperor of Cao Wei, Cao Huan, to abdicate the throne and establish the Jin dynasty.

Western Jin (266-316) is one of two main divisions in the history of Jin, which was established by Sima yan, posthumously known as the emperor Wu of Jin. After the elimination of Wu, in order to improve the poor situation left by the war, Sima Yan took Luoyang as the capital and adopted a series of measures throughout the country, such as paying attention to agricultural production and protecting the interests of the gentry. These measures contributed to free the people from the war gradually and make the country embark on the road of development. While emphasizing the development of production, Sima Yan strongly opposed extravagance and advocated thrifty. Yue Guang was promoted to a higher position depending on his personality during that period.

However, after a period of stable development, the royal family of Western Jin gradually decayed. Sima Yan was also immersed in his achievements and forgot what he advocated. In order to dominate the country and bolster the power of Sima clan, most of his relatives were awarded with different lands, which resulted in War of the Eight Princes, since every prince would like to dominate the whole country rather than only part of it. A succession of crises had caused higher pressure of tax and destroyed the social economy at that time. However, the ruling classes were still busy contending for power and after the War of the eight princes, the hidden class contradiction broke out. Eventually the Chinese began to revolt the domination. At the same time, with the uprising of the five barbarians, Western Jin gradually lost the control of northern China.

Lifetime

Early life

Yue Guang』s father served as staff officer of Xiahou Xuan when he was eight years old. After being familiar with him, Xiahou Xuan said to his father 『Yue Guang will become a famous officer in the future, it is rare to behave so decently in his age.』

After the early death of his father, Yue Guang was left poor and alone. He had to devote all his energy and time to studying, but was unknown at that time. He was modest and never looked forward to enjoying luxury, which had helped him earned a reputation for being frugal and hard-working.In addition, he was good at analysing things with terse and lively language, but he always kept silent while being asked something he did not understand. Therefore，many people felt that it was difficult to compare Yue Guang in terms of Qingtan. Afterwards, he was recommended as a scholar and invited to become Wei Guan sons』 tutor because of his reputation.

Political career

Afterwards, Yue Guang was served as county magistrate of City Yuan and was promoted to the tutor of princess and then the master of Henan. At last, he served as assistant minister, which was a high-ranking government official post at that time. When he was in office, his performance did not appear to be distinct but after retirement, his abilities and reputation were always missed by all the people. While evaluating employees, Yue Guang preferred to point out their advantages first, then the disadvantages would be realized by themselves without mentioning about it. He had been regarded as one of the leaders of Qingtan in Western Jin and famous for his literary reputation all over the country.

In the first year of Yongkang (300 AD), Sima Yu, known as the Crown Prince Minhuai, was deposed and detained to Jinyong City. The imperial court ordered the old minister of the prince not to see him. Those people could do nothing but sigh indignantly, but eventually, all of them decided to violate the decree and went to worship. Therefore, the clerk of the government arrested them and sent to jail. However, those who were sent to prison in Henan, which was governed by Yue Guang at that time, were released by him. Everyone began to worry about him because it was illegal behavior. One of the assistant prosecutors said to the manager, 『The reason why the prince was deposed is he overused his authority and enjoyed luxury every day. Now those old ministers risked bidding farewell to the prince, which seems that the evil prince deserved to be missed. If they are punished severely, this thing will be circulated widely, and in people』s eyes, it looks like those people were attracted by the virtue of Sima Yu, which is an absolute misunderstanding, so it is better to release them like Yue Guang.』 After listening to his opinions, there was no punishment for Yue Guang.

Yue Guang was promoted to the Ministry of the Department of Shang Shu later. He took over the position of Wang Rong, who recommended him as a scholar at the beginning of his political career, which was seen as a wonderful inheritance in people』s eyes.

End of life

Sima Ying, titled Prince of Chengdu, was Yue Guang』s son-in-law, but Yue Guang worked for Sima Ai, titled Prince of Changsha. In 303, during War of the Eight Princes period, Sima Ying was going to attack Sima Ai in Luoyang, and Prince of Changsha was afraid that Yue Guang probably betrayed him due to the relationship with Sima Ying. Even though he had explained several times, he still cannot earn the trust from his leader. Therefore, Yue Guang felt untrusted and worried Sima Ai probably hurt his family in order to revenge his inexistent betrayal, which added his metal pressure and resulted in some psychological problems. Eventually Yue Guang passed away under the deep anxiety in 304, many people felt upset due to his death.

Family

Yue Guang』s father called Yue Fang, he served as a staff officer but he died early.

Yue Guang had three sons, the oldest called Yue Kai, courtesy name Hongxu, he served as adviser of the Second General. Another son called Yue Zhao, courtesy name Hongmao, he worked with the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue. The youngest son called Yue Mo, courtesy name Hongfan, he served as the general attacking the five barbarians in the end.

Yue Guang had two daughters, one of them married with the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, the other one married with Wei Jie, who was famous with his literary talent like her father, Yue Guang.

While Sima Ai suspected that Yue Guang would be rebellious during the War of the Eight Princes, Yue Guang explained 『It is impossible to sacrifice my three sons』 lives for one of my daughters.』 Because he and his sons were all working for the Prince of Changsha, but his daughter was the wife of Prince of Chengdu. Obviously, Yue Guang gave much preference to his sons rather than treating his children equally.

Anecdotes and Evaluation

Yue Guang felt confused about the fact that one of his close friends had not visited him for a long time. His friend explained that he felt extremely uncomfortable after having dinner with Yue Guang in his house since he thought there was a snake in his cup while drinking. After checking his house, Yue Guang had not found any snake and it was impossible to appear in his cup. However, the truth was that the bow behind him was reflected in his cup, which probably looked like a snake. Afterward, Yue Guang cured his friend』s psychologic problems throughout taking the bow down in front of him.

A mystery said that there was a monster in Henan palace and the previous masters of Henan were all afraid of living in the palace. However, Yue Guang did not believe that and tried to find out the truth after he was promoted to the master of Henan. At midnight, he stayed in the palace with some soldiers and the door suddenly opened following some harsh and menacing noise, everyone was scary at that time except Yue Guang. He looked around and found a small hole in the wall. After the wall was broken, a little fox jumped out and the mystery about monsters was solved out eventually.

Yue Guang was good at Qingtan, but writing articles seemed to be his disadvantages so he hoped Pan An could help him write a memorial to the throne. Pan An said 『I am able to help you, but I need to know your intentions first.』 After explaining the reasons that he quitted, Pan An only arranged and integrated Yue Guang』s words, then the article had become famous all over the country. This success was based on Pan An』s writing skills and Yue Guang』s intentions.

Yan Jian passed through Wang Dun』s manor and come across him when he was asked to go back to Jiankang. Wang Dun said to him 『Yue Guang is a man who has no talents. He is a wanderer in his later life. His words and deeds always stand at the opposite of the popular guiding principles. Seeing his actual talents, how can he compare with Man Fen?』 Yan said, 『The comparison should base on the same type of talent. Yue Guang is a far-sighted official with a plain temperament, and in a dangerous situation, he does not choose to attach other people. However, Man Fen arrested those who saw the prince off when the prince is deposed, he is a coward without higher moral principles, it is difficult to compare him with Yue Guang.』 Wang Dun said 『After the prince being deposed, he will bring a crisis to himself and the people around him. How can force people to keep their common sense? In terms of considering the situation, it is very clear that Man Fen is much better than Yue Guang.』 Yan Jian said 『The true hero is loyal to his prince, and never ask for surviving against his principles.』

Yang Qiao and Yang Mao, the two sons of Yang Zhun who was Ji Province prosecutor, both became famous in their childhood. Yang Zhun had a close relationship with Yue Guang and Pei Wei, so he took two sons to visit these two celebrities. Pei Wei was very straightforward and elegant, and he was attracted by Yang Qiao』s decent demeanor. He said to Yang Zhun 『Yang Qiao will catch you up, but your other son, Yang Mao, seems to be worse than his brother.』 Yue Guang was honest and upright, so he appreciated Yang Mao』s unique virtues, he said to Yang Zhun 『Yang Qiao can only catch up with you eventually, but Yang Mao will be better.』 Yang Xiao laughed and said 『The strengths and weaknesses of my two sons are reflected on you two.』 Other people discussed the views of the two celebrities and thought that although Yang Qiao was elegant, the moral cultivation needed to be improved, which means Yue Guang』s words seem to be correct, but these two youth were both outstanding.

Although Yue Guang was a celebrity, he did not accept the behavior of some celebrities. At that time, when Wang Cheng and Hu Wufuzhi served as high officials, they almost did whatever they wanted, such as streaking and insulting others, and Yue Guang disagreed. He said 『They are able to find happiness in Qingtan. Why do they have to do that?』