Shi Chong

Shi Chong from Shandong was a famous rich man in the Western Jin Dynasty.

Shi Chong was an investigation commissioner (caifangshi) of Jiaozhi, an area including part of present-day Guangdong, Guangxi and Vietnam. He is described as a valiant general but avaricious official.

He enjoyed special treatment from Emperor Wu (r. 265-290) the first emperor of Jin, because of the support Shi Chong’s father had lent him in securing the throne. Shi Chong took advantage of his position to amass a sizeable fortune, part of which he used to construct a famous garden named Golden Valley Garden (Jingu yuan). He and his guests feasted and composed poetry to the accompaniment of music played by orchestras and soloists.

Living a life of great extravagance in the good graces of Emperor Wu, Shi Chong inevitably incurred the jealousy and hatred of many people. When Emperor Wu died, his position became less secure, and when his political anchor, Empress Jia, was overthrown in a coup, Shi Chong lost his official position. Finally, he was surrounded and captured by his enemies in his residence, Jin Gu (Golden Valley Villa). He was executed, his family was exterminated, and all his property confiscated.