Xie Zhe, style name Yingyu, was from Yangxia in Chen County. His grandfather Xie Fu served as the Minister of Works during the Liang Dynasty, and his father Xie Hui served as the Right Guanglu Daifu during the Liang Dynasty. Xie Zhe was handsome, elegant, and easygoing, earning the respect of scholars. He started as a Secretary in the Liang Dynasty, gradually rising to become the Governor of Guangling. During the Hou Jing Rebellion, Xie Zhe lived in Guangling with his elderly mother. When Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) crossed the river from Jingkou to meet Guo Yuanjian, Xie Zhe joined him and was highly regarded by Emperor Gaozu. After Emperor Gaozu became the Inspector of Southern Xu Province, he promoted Xie Zhe as Chief Clerk. After the fall of Jingzhou, Emperor Gaozu sent Xie Zhe to Prince Jin'an to advise him to ascend the throne. After Emperor Jing succeeded to the throne, he appointed Xie Zhe as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate and concurrently as the Colonel of Infantry. Later, when Yuwen Huai usurped the throne, he appointed Xie Zhe as a Regular Palace Attendant, serving the Crown Prince. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Xie Zhe was promoted and concurrently served as an Attendant. After Emperor Gaozu received his mandate, Xie Zhe was promoted to Minister of Justice, Grand Central Regular of Yuzhou, and Minister of Personnel. Later, he served as General of Mingwei, Prefect of Jinling, and then returned to the court as the Director of the Palace Library. After Emperor Wen (Yang Guang) succeeded to the throne, Xie Zhe became the Tutor of the Crown Prince. He later served as General of Mingwei, Interior Minister of Hengyang, holding the rank of a 2,000-bushel official. He was then promoted to Governor of Changsha and General, with no change in rank. He later returned to the court, serving as a Regular Palace Attendant and Director of the Palace Library. After Emperor Fei (Yang Tong) ascended the throne, Xie Zhe retained his previous position and was additionally appointed as a former general. When Emperor Gaozong (Li Yuan) became the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, he appointed Xie Zhe as an Attendant, General of Renwei, and Left Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works. Unfortunately, before he could take office, he passed away in the first year of the Guangda reign at the age of fifty-nine. He was posthumously granted the title of Attendant and Director of the Palace Library, and was posthumously honored with the title of Kangzi.
Xie Zhe was a handsome man, with a great demeanor and a particularly easygoing personality, so he was quite popular among the elite at the time. He began his career as a minor official in the Liang Dynasty and eventually became the Governor of Guangling. When Hou Jing rebelled, he remained in Guangling to care for his elderly mother. Later, when Yang Jian crossed the river at Jingkou, Xie Zhe allied himself with him, and Yang Jian greatly valued his talents. After Yang Jian became the Governor of Nanxuzhou, he promoted Xie Zhe to serve as his Chief Clerk. After Jingzhou fell, Yang Jian sent Xie Zhe to convince Prince Jin'an to claim the throne. Once Emperor Jing took the throne, Xie Zhe was promoted to several positions. Later, when Yuwen Huaji staged his uprising, he was assigned another official role. After Emperor Jing regained the throne, Xie Zhe continued to rise in rank. When Yang Jian declared himself emperor, Xie Zhe's rank continued to rise, holding significant posts in the court. He was later assigned to a local post, then returned to the court. After Yang Guang ascended to the throne, Xie Zhe continued to work under him. Later, when Yang Guang's son became emperor, Xie Zhe was granted an even more prestigious position. Unfortunately, before he could assume his new role, he passed away at fifty-nine. After his death, he was posthumously honored with several official titles.
Xiao Qian, style name Siti, is from Lanling. His grandfather, Xiao Yi, was the Prime Minister of Southern Qi and the King of Yuzhang Wenxian; his father, Xiao Fan, was the Secretary of State of the Liang Dynasty. Xiao Qian is composed and steady, with a calm and simple personality. He is skilled in clerical script, inheriting the styles of his uncle and father in calligraphy. When he was nine years old, he was recruited to study "Zhouyi" at the National University, where Yuan Ang, the Minister of Works of the Liang Dynasty, highly valued him. At the age of fifteen, Xiao Qian passed the Civil Service Examinations. He was first appointed as the Legal Advisor to the Prince of Xiangdong and later promoted to the Prince's Attendant. When Marquis Jian'an Xiao Zheng was stationed in Nanyuzhou, Xiao Qian served as his Record Keeper. He rose through the ranks and eventually became the Records Officer for the Prince of Xuan City in the Central Army. After the suppression of the rebellion by Hou Jing, Emperor Xiaoyan was stationed in Nanxuzhou and appointed Xiao Qian as the General of Zhenwei and the Minister of Works. Later, he was promoted to the Gentleman of the Palace in the Imperial Secretariat and the Steward of the Crown Prince.
In the first year of Yongding, Xiao Qian was appointed as the Yellow Gate Attendant. At that time, Xiong Tanlang was in Yuzhang, Zhou Di was in Linchuan, Liu Yi was in Dongyang, and Chen Baoying was in Jianzhou and Jinzhou. These people colluded with each other, and the wealthy landlords in Fujian built fortresses to protect themselves, which posed a challenge for the Emperor. Therefore, the Emperor sent Xiao Qian to persuade them to submit to the court and observe the actual situation there. Before leaving, the Emperor said to Xiao Qian, "Jianzhou and Jinzhou are surrounded by mountains and are prone to crime. Now that the world is just beginning to stabilize, it is not advisable to use force lightly. Think back to the Southern Expedition of Lu Jia and the submission of Zhao Tuo; the missions of Su He and the surrender of Ying Bu, these past events are vivid and unforgettable. Moreover, you are talented in both civil and military affairs, surpassing the sages of ancient times. You should strive to achieve great things and not need to tire yourself and mobilize the masses again." After arriving, Xiao Qian engaged with the local leaders and persuaded them to submit to the court. The local leaders led their troops to open the city gates and expressed their readiness to submit. That same year, Xiao Qian was appointed General of Zhenwei and Prefect of Jian'an.
In the second year of the Tianjia era, Liu Yi instigated a rebellion, prompting Chen Baoying to lead troops in support of him and also provided troops and supplies to Zhou Di for an attack on Linchuan, advancing towards Jian'an. Xiao Qian went alone to Linchuan, without any troops by his side and unable to defend himself, so he had to abandon Jian'an County to avoid Chen Baoying. At that time, all the local officials in Minzhong were coerced by Chen Baoying into accepting his appointments, but Xiao Qian refused to yield, choosing to live on the outskirts and isolating himself from the world. After Chen Baoying was subdued, Xiao Qian went to meet Commander Zhan Zhaoda, who subsequently reported this to the court. Emperor Xiaogang praised Xiao Qian highly and promoted him to the position of Secretary of the Five Armies, breaking with tradition. In the first year of Guangda, Xiao Qian passed away and was posthumously honored with the title Jingzi.
Xie Gu, whose courtesy name was Hanmao, hailed from Yangxia in Chen County. His grandfather held the title of Golden Purple Guanglu Daifu during the Qi Dynasty, and his father was the General of the Central Guard and the Supervisor of the Left in the Liang Dynasty. Xie Gu was known for his handsome appearance and exceptional writing skills. He began his career as a Secretariat Gentleman in the Liang Dynasty and was later promoted to the position of Chief Scholar to the Crown Prince, responsible for managing the documents of the Eastern Palace, and was subsequently appointed as the Prefect of Jian'an.
During Hou Jing's rebellion, Xie Gu fled to Guangzhou to seek refuge with Xiao Bo. During the Chengsheng period, Emperor Yuan summoned him back to the court to serve as the Minister of Military Affairs, but he declined due to the long journey, so he was instead appointed as General of Wisdom and Valor. Xiao Bo appointed him as Chief of Zhen Nan Command and Governor of Nanhai Command. After Xiao Bo's failure, Xie Gu returned to Linchuan and was detained by Zhou Di for a period of time. After some time, he traversed mountains to reach Jin'an to seek refuge with Chen Baoying. Chen Baxian summoned him multiple times, but Xie Gu was always burdened by the ongoing conflict and unable to escape. After Chen Baoying pacified the rebellion, Xie Gu finally went to the capital to meet the emperor. Consequently, Deputy Imperial Censor Jiang Dezao filed a complaint against him, but Chen Baxian did not hold him accountable, instead appointing him as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Palace Attendant. In the first year of the Tiankang era, he was dismissed from office due to his official duties, but was soon reinstated to his original position. In the first year of the Guangda era, he was appointed as General of Trust and Wei, Chief of the Changshi, and Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, while still retaining the position of Chief of the Changshi. In the first year of the Taijian era, Xie Gu passed away, posthumously honored with the titles of Palace Attendant and Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, with the posthumous title of Guangzi. His collected works have been preserved through the ages. He had two sons: Xie Yan and Xie Feng. Xie Yan achieved the rank of Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Palace Attendant, Deputy Imperial Censor, and Minister of Ceremonies, and was later assigned to oversee Dongyangzhou. In the second year of the Zhenming era, he passed away in Kuaiji, where he was posthumously honored as Middle Guard.
Zhang Zhong, also known as Shimiao, was a native of Wu County. His grandfather was the Minister of Works and Governor of Guangzhou during the Song Dynasty. His father was the Crown Prince's Privy Secretary and Prefect of Linhai in the Liang Dynasty. Zhang Zhong was quiet and upright from a young age, not one to make friends easily or flatter others. People at the time said, "In the Song Dynasty, there were notable figures Fu and Yan; in the Liang Dynasty, there were Juan and Chong. Zhang Zhong is of the same style, being reserved and dedicated to his studies." He served as a legal officer in the Wang Mansion of the Liang Dynasty, later rising to the position of Junior Staff Officer of the Outer Army, but resigned after his father's death. After completing his mourning period, he became the Registrar of the Mansion of Prince Xuan of Xuan Cheng in the Central Army. At that time, Zhang Zhong was over forty years old and very poor. He requested to serve as the Magistrate of Shifeng County and was later appointed as the Assistant Officer of the West Department of the Marquis of Xichang in the Central Guard. When Prince Wuling served as the Governor of Yizhou, he sought to appoint Zhang Zhong as the Assistant Officer of the Eastern Department of the Western Expedition, but Zhang Zhong declined due to his elderly mother, even submitting a request in writing. This matter was reported to the relevant authorities, and he was subsequently dismissed from his position.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Zhang Gong fled eastward with his mother, only returning to his hometown after a long time. Soon after, his mother passed away. At that time, Zhang Gong was fifty years old, and due to excessive grief, his health deteriorated. In addition, there was a famine at the time, so he couldn't arrange his mother's funeral in time. Even after the mourning period ended, he continued to live in mourning. After Hou Jing was defeated, Minister Wang Sengbian reported Zhang Gong's situation to the emperor in detail. As a result, the emperor appointed Zhang Gong as General of Zhenwei, Historiographer, and provided funds for his mother's funeral. After the funeral, Zhang Gong was able to resume his normal life. Wang Sengbian, considering Zhang Gong's old age and childlessness, granted him a concubine and some living necessities.
After Marquis Zhenyang usurped the throne, he appointed Zhong Gong as the Minister of Rites and the Prince's Chief Attendant. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Zhong Gong was appointed as the Cavalier Attendant, later promoted to the Deputy Minister of the Interior and concurrently appointed as the General of the Vanguard. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Zhong Gong served as the Minister of Finance. In the first year of Tianjia, he was appointed as the Minister of the Left. In the second year, he was temporarily assigned to oversee the affairs of Wu Commandery, and shortly after returned to his original position. He was later promoted to the Court Attendant and concurrently appointed as the Infantry Commander. Due to negligence in official duties, he was dismissed, but later appointed as the Minister of Rites, and shortly after officially took office. After Emperor Fei ascended the throne, Zhong Gong was appointed as the General of the Right Army. Before he could take office, he was reassigned as the Commander of the Hongshan Palace Guards, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Yangzhou and Dongyang. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Zhong Gong once again served as the Minister of Rites, concurrently holding the title of General of the Left Valiant Cavalry. He was later promoted to the Minister of the Palace Secretariat, maintaining his positions as Valiant Cavalry General and Prefect. Due to illness, he was honored with the title of Senior Grand Master of the Golden Purple. Zhong Gong was known for his calm and composed nature, with extensive knowledge, and was considered by many at the time to be a potential prime minister. Minister Xu Ling once recommended Zhong Gong in a memorial, voluntarily stepping aside from his own position, stating: "Minister Zhong Gong is calm and knowledgeable, a rare talent in the southeast region. The court values talents and should allow him to fully utilize his abilities in important positions assisting the emperor." This shows how highly regarded Zhong Gong was at the time. In the fifth year of Taijian, Zhong Gong passed away at the age of seventy. The court posthumously awarded him the title of Special Advanced, and he was posthumously honored with the title of Yuanzi.
Zhong Gong was compassionate and generous, leading a modest life despite his high-ranking official position. His family often lived in poverty, but he maintained an optimistic attitude and never worried about it. In the early years of the Taijian period, his daughter became the queen of Shixing, and the court granted him a residence to accommodate their humble living conditions. Later, he was awarded the title of Marquis of Wuxi and Jiaxing County on several occasions. One time, upon seeing prisoners in Wuxi suffering from the cold, he let them out to bask in the sun, resulting in one of them escaping. Emperor Shizu heard about this and laughed heartily, without giving him a harsh reprimand. Zhong Gong authored a collection of fourteen volumes of writings.
Zhong Gong's brother, Zhong Leng, was equally composed and wise. He served as the Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works and passed away in the eleventh year of Taijian at the age of seventy. The court posthumously awarded him the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
Zhong Zuzi Zhicai, the grandson of Qi Hujun Chong, was independent and self-assured from an early age. He later became the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, then rose to the position of Right Minister. He held various positions, including Magistrate of Jiankang, Minister of the Imperial Household, Historiographer of Yangzhou, and Cavalier Attendant. He was once dispatched on a diplomatic mission to the Zhou Dynasty and later served as the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Justice upon his return. Throughout his career, he was renowned for his honesty and integrity.
In summary, Zhong Zuzi Zhicai hailed from a prestigious family and exhibited independence and uniqueness from an early age. He ascended through the ranks, held various official positions, and was highly regarded for his integrity and positive reputation throughout his career.
Wang Gu, courtesy name Zijian, was the younger brother of the Left Minister of Rites Wang Tong. He was known for his integrity from a young age and had read many books. As he was the nephew of Emperor Wu of Liang, he was appointed as the Marquis of Mokou. He later passed the imperial examination and earned the title of Xiucai. Initially serving as a secretary in the Liang dynasty, he was later promoted to the role of the Prince's equerry, in charge of managing the Eastern Palace's documents. However, he resigned to observe mourning for his mother's passing. After completing the mourning period, he was appointed as the Magistrate of Danyang. During the uprising of Hou Jing, he fled to Jingzhou. Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed him as an official responsible for the Prince's household registration, still managing the documents. Shortly after, he was invited by Western Wei, which treated him well due to his relation to the Liang imperial family. In the first year of Chengsheng, he was promoted to the position of the Prince's Middle Household Attendant, and later served as the General of Zhenwei, Chief Secretary of Annan, and Prefect of Xunyang. After the fall of Jingzhou, Wang Gu went to Poyang and settled in Xin'an County with his brother Wang Zhi. In the first year of Shaotai, the court summoned him to serve as an attendant, but he declined. During the Yongding period, he moved to Wu County. Emperor Wen of Chen held Wang Gu's integrity in high regard and wished to marry his daughter to him. In the second year of Tianjia, Wang Gu arrived in Jiankang and was appointed as the Ritual Official of the National University. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat. Four years later, he also served as a Cavalier Attendant and Ritual Official of the National University. In the same year, his daughter was named the Crown Prince's consort, and he received great honors. Wang Gu was a man with a story. He came from a good family, was educated, and known for his integrity. Despite experiencing wars and chaos, he always maintained his integrity and was eventually appreciated by the emperor. His daughter even became the Crown Prince's consort; his life was nothing short of extraordinary!
After the deposed emperor ascended to the throne, Wang Gu was appointed as the Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, with the title of Golden Purple. At that time, Emperor Gaozong was in power, and Wang Gu, a relative of the deposed emperor, had his wet nurse frequently visiting the palace, secretly passing on confidential decrees. This situation was later revealed, and Wang Gu narrowly avoided execution. However, Emperor Gaozong noted that Wang Gu had no military power and was known for his integrity, so he only dismissed him from his position and placed him under house arrest.
What a rapid plot twist! After finally reaching a high position, he almost lost his life because of his wet nurse. It's really a disaster that came out of the blue!
In the second year of the Taijian era, Wang Gu was appointed as the General of Distant Establishment and the Consultant of the Prince of Xuanhui Yuzhang. Later, he was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace, Minister of Rites, and Grand Central Inspector of Nanxuzhou. Seven years later, he passed away while serving at the age of sixty-three. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and covered all funeral expenses. In the second year of Taide, his tomb was relocated, and he was posthumously honored with the title of 'Gongzi.'
In the end, he received the respect and honor he deserved and can be seen as having had a good ending.
This person lived a simple life, had few desires, and was especially filial and well-known for his devotion. He was also a devout Buddhist. After his mother passed away, he adopted a vegetarian lifestyle for the rest of his life, meditating and chanting scriptures at night while reciting them during the day, and studying the principles of the "Chengshi Lun." However, he was not particularly adept at metaphysics. Once, Western Wei invited him as a guest, and during the banquet, he requested not to kill any sheep. The sheep actually knelt in front of him! Another time at a banquet in Kunming Pool, people from Wei assumed that southerners loved fish, so they set up many fishing nets. But after he recited Buddhist scriptures, they didn’t catch a single fish.
His son, Zikuan, achieved high-ranking positions, including Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works and Attendant.
Kong Huan, styled Xiuwen, was a native of Shanyin, Kuaiji. His great-grandfather was the Left Minister of the State of Qi and Prefect of Wuxing, Xiu Zhi; his grandfather was the Attendant of the Crown Prince and Senior Clerk to the Three Excellencies; his father was the Registrar for Princess Ningyuan of Zhijiang in the Liang Dynasty and the Magistrate of Wuxi County. Kong Huan lost his father when he was young and was brought up by his uncle Qiansun. He was particularly diligent in his studies and was talented in writing. He read a wide variety of books, including classics, historical texts, and various literary works. At that time, Liu Xian from Pei State was particularly famous for his knowledge, and every time he discussed issues with Kong Huan, he was greatly impressed by him and said, "In the past, Cai Yong's works were all given to Cao Zhi. I plan to follow in Cai Yong's footsteps and give all my books to you. You could definitely stand shoulder to shoulder with the Wang family!" He then gave him his treasured books. Kong Huan passed the provincial exam and earned the title of Xiucai and did exceptionally well in the policy exam. Later, the court appointed him as the Registrar of Yangzhou and a military officer under Prince Xuanhui of Xiangdong, but he chose not to take up the positions. He was later appointed as a military officer overseeing external affairs for Prince Zhenxi of Xiangdong, then promoted to the position of Supervisor in the Ministry of Revenue, and further promoted to the position of Assistant Minister in the Department of Rites. At that time, the Left Minister Lang Shen Jiong was falsely accused in a case related to intercepted correspondence and was almost sentenced to a severe punishment, which created a sense of unease in the court. Kong Huan made a logical argument in court and ultimately cleared up the situation. The Intendant of Danyang, He Jingrong, found Kong Huan to be an upright person and recommended him for a position as a historical officer. He was later sent as the advisor to the Marquis of Nanchang, but he did not assume the position because of the rebellion led by Hou Jing.
The capital was lost, and all the court officials were arrested. Someone recommended Kong Huan to the rebel chief Hou Jing. Hou Jing ordered his release and treated him well, appointing him as a secretary. At that time, the soldiers of Hou Jing's army were rampaging and ruthless, but Hou Jing trusted Kong Huan and gave him important responsibilities. While other officials were intimidated by Hou Jing, Kong Huan maintained a proud and defiant attitude. Although advised to prioritize his own survival during such chaotic times, Kong Huan refused to appease the vicious invaders. He protected the people from looting and violence, saving many lives.
Soon after, Kong Huan's mother passed away, leading him to profound grief. He observed mourning rites that exceeded the usual customs. In the midst of chaos, only Kong Huan and Zhang Zhong from Wu were recognized for their exceptional filial piety, maintaining their principles amidst the turmoil.
After the rebellion of Hou Jing was suppressed, Minister Wang Sengbian invited Kong Huan to serve as a secretary and appointed him as the magistrate of Danyang. When Emperor Yuan of Liang proclaimed himself emperor in Jingzhou, he summoned Kong Huan and Shen Jiong to the capital. Wang Sengbian repeatedly requested to keep them in his service, and Emperor Yuan personally wrote a letter permitting them to stay temporarily. This demonstrated the high regard the court had for Kong Huan. He was later appointed as an official in the position of General of the Guards. Wang Sengbian became the Governor of Yangzhou and appointed Kong Huan as the historian of Yangzhou. With the chaos caused by Hou Jing's rebellion, many matters had to be reestablished, and Kong Huan's extensive knowledge, remarkable memory, and deep understanding of history and rituals made him indispensable in managing various affairs.
After Gaozu became the Prime Minister, he appointed Kong Huan as the Chief of the Right Long History and later promoted him to be the Privy Treasurer of the Yellow Gate. The Qi state sent Dongfang Lao, Xiao Gui, and others to attack, and the army advanced to the rear lake. The capital was in chaos, with transportation blocked everywhere and food and supply shortages. The three armies depended solely on supplies from the capital. Gaozu then appointed Kong Huan as General Zhenwei and magistrate of Jiankang. At that time, there were continuous wars, people were displaced, and strong enemies suddenly attacked. There was no time to collect supplies. Gaozu decided to engage in battle the next day and ordered Kong Huan to prepare a large amount of lotus leaf-wrapped wheat cakes. Overnight, tens of thousands of lotus leaf packets were prepared. After the soldiers finished breakfast, they threw away the leftover portions and then joined the battle, resulting in a great victory.
After Emperor Gaozu abdicated, he was appointed as the Central Secretary to the Crown Prince. In the second year of Yongding, he was appointed as the Prefect of Jinling. Jinling County had been a large county since the Song and Qi dynasties; despite having experienced wars, it remained prosperous and intact. Most of the previous prefects were corrupt, but he was upright and self-disciplined, and his family never benefited from official positions. He only brought simple luggage to take office and used his salary to support the elderly and the needy. The people in the county were very happy and called him the "wise ruler." There was a wealthy man named Yin Qi in Qu'a County who noticed his simple lifestyle and gave him a piece of clothing and a felt blanket. He said, "As a prefect with a decent salary, how could I not afford these things? It's just that there are many people in difficulty, and I cannot enjoy comfort and abundance by myself."
At first, when Emperor Shizu was still in Wu Zhong, he had heard of his good reputation. After ascending the throne, he summoned him to be the Deputy Censor-in-Chief and concurrently the Grand Commandant of Yangzhou. He was upright and capable in handling political affairs, often impeaching corrupt officials, and he was greatly respected at court. He was well-versed in the ways of governing the country, and the emperor always highly praised his suggestions in his memorials. The backlog of official duties was also handed over to him for handling. Later, he was promoted to be the Cavalier Attendant, concurrently holding the position of Colonel of Infantry, Gentleman of the Palace Writers, responsible for drafting imperial edicts, and also concurrently the Grand Commandant of Yangzhou and Dongyangzhou. In the fourth year of Tianjia, he was appointed again as the Deputy Censor-in-Chief, and shortly after was promoted to Minister of War, while retaining his other official positions. At that time, the founding emperor was in poor health, and he and Pu She Dao Zhongju handled all major court affairs together.
When the founding emperor fell seriously ill, he, along with Emperor Gaozong, Dao Zhongju, along with Minister of Personnel Yuan Shu, and Gentleman of the Palace Writers Liu Shizhi, served by the emperor's side. The founding emperor once said to them, "Now the world is divided into three, the people's lives are unstable, and there are many important national affairs that require a wise monarch to govern. I want to follow the examples of Duke Wen of Jin and the dynasties of Yin and Zhou, and you all must follow my intentions." After hearing this, he couldn't help but weep and replied, "Your Majesty will soon recover. The Crown Prince is in his prime, with noble virtues, and Prince Ancheng, Your Majesty's brother, is capable of assisting, just like the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao in the Zhou Dynasty. If Your Majesty has any thoughts of deposing the Crown Prince, we, your loyal ministers, dare not obey your orders." The founding emperor said, "The upright ministers of ancient times, I see such a minister in you now!" In the first year of Tiankang, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Advisor, while retaining his duties as the Grand Commandant of Yangzhou and Dongyangzhou.
The Emperor Shizu passed away, the usurped emperor took the throne, and then dismissed Wang Huan from his position, no longer allowing him to serve as a Cavalry Attendant or the Libationer of the National University. In the second year of the Guangda era, he was sent out to serve as General of the Imperial Guards, Chief Clerk of the Marquis of Kangle, and Prefect of Xunyang, and was also responsible for the affairs of Jiangzhou. Later, Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, and Wang Huan was promoted to a higher official position, being appointed as General of Benevolent Might, Chief Clerk of the Prince of Shixing, while his other official positions remained the same.
Wang Huan lived a simple, honest, and frugal life in office, and often corrected various improper practices. Emperor Gaozong greatly appreciated him, rewarding him with five hundred hu of rice, and issuing edicts several times to kindly comfort him. In the third year of the Taijian era, the court summoned him back to the capital, appointing him as Minister of Revenue, while also serving as General of the Right Army. Five years later, he was reassigned as a Tutor to the Crown Prince, jointly responsible with the Minister of Works Xu Ling for handling the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue. Six years later, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel. Seven years later, he was further appointed as Cavalry Attendant. Eight years later, he was further appointed as Palace Attendant.
During that time, the court was in the midst of a northern expedition, reclaiming the Huai River and Sishui River basins, with the leaders of the minority ethnic groups in Xuzhou and Yuzhou surrendering one after another. The court needed to reward these people, with various memorials and documents piling up like mountains. Wang Huan was responsible for receiving and handling these matters, with a steady stream of visitors coming to his residence, which bustled like a marketplace. Additionally, he had a keen eye for talent, well-versed in various classics, and the talents he recommended were all prominent figures, who were all highly regarded by their peers.
This person, particularly straightforward, never pulls strings or takes shortcuts. Even if he holds a high position of power, and the nobles try to flatter him, he remains unmoved. In the past, Prince Shuling of Shixing repeatedly hinted to officials in Xiangzhou that he wanted Cui Huan to secure a good position for him. Cui Huan stated, "Positions in the court should be earned through virtue, not necessarily by being royal relatives." Then, he directly told Emperor Gaozong about this. Emperor Gaozong said, "Prince Shixing is still counting on you, and moreover, my son will also rely on you. This matter should be discussed after Prince Poyang." Cui Huan said, "My views are in line with Your Majesty's."
Later, the Crown Prince, who would later become Emperor Gaozong, wanted Jiang Zong to be the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, so he sent his steward, Lu Yu, to speak with Cui Huan. Cui Huan told Lu Yu, "Although Jiang Zong is talented in literature, like Pan Yue and Lu Ji, his actual abilities are lacking. People like Yuan Qi, who have true talent and learning, are suitable to assist the Crown Prince. I honestly believe that's not appropriate." Lu Yu told the Crown Prince about this, and the Crown Prince was unhappy, so he personally told Emperor Gaozong. Emperor Gaozong initially wanted to agree, but Cui Huan replied, "Although Jiang Zong is talented in literature, the Crown Prince also has literary talent, so why insist on Jiang Zong? In my opinion, a solid and steady person should be chosen to assist the Crown Prince." The Emperor asked, "Who do you think is suitable?" Cui Huan said, "Wang Kuo, a minister of the Ministry of Justice, comes from a good family and is very intelligent, and can handle the role." The Crown Prince was present and said, "Wang Kuo is Wang Tai's son, he cannot be the Crown Prince's Chamberlain." Cui Huan replied again, "In the Song Dynasty, Fan Ye, the son of Fan Tai, also served as the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, and there were no issues in the previous dynasty." The Crown Prince persisted in opposition, but the Emperor ultimately appointed Jiang Zong as the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, which led to Cui Huan offending the Crown Prince. This is the essence of his upright character.
At first, the Crown Prince wanted to appoint an official position for his favorite courtier and wanted Cui Huan to help, but Cui Huan did not agree. Later, the Right Chief Clerk Lu Shan was transferred, and Emperor Gaozong wanted to use Cui Huan. The edict was drafted, but the Crown Prince stopped it, so it did not happen. Nine years later, Cui Huan was promoted to the position of Palace Attendant (侍中), Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, and concurrently held the titles of General of the Left Valiant Cavalry, Governor of Yangzhou, Dongyangzhou, and Fengzhou. Eleven years later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Imperial Clan while retaining the positions of Palace Attendant and General. In the fourteenth year, he was promoted to Regular Mounted Attendant, Golden Purple Grand Master, and concurrently appointed as General of the Front Army, but before he could assume his duties, he was reassigned to the Hongfan Palace Guard. He passed away in the first year of the Zhide era, at the age of seventy. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Regular Mounted Attendant while retaining his original position. He left behind a fifteen-volume collection of essays and four volumes of impeachment memorials.
His sons were named Cui Shaoxin and Cui Shaozhong. Cui Shaozhong, styled Xiaoyang, was also talented and served as the Crown Prince's Attendant and Registrar of the Eastern Bureau of Prince Poyang. Xiao Yun, styled Shuzuo, hailed from Lanling. His great-grandfather Xiao Sihua held the titles of General Who Conquers the West, Minister of War, and Right Chief Clerk during the Song Dynasty, and was titled as Yangmu Duke. His grandfather Xiao Huiqian served as Regular Mounted Attendant, Minister of the Imperial Household, and Left Minister of the People. His father Xiao Jie served as Palace Attendant and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of the Liang Dynasty. Xiao Yun gained fame from a young age, possessing an elegant demeanor, extensive knowledge, and graceful manners that adhered to etiquette. He initially served as a legal advisor for Prince Shaoling, then transferred to be the registrar for Prince Xiangdong, and later was promoted to Crown Prince's Attendant.
Hou Jing captured Tai City, and the officials in the court fled in all directions. Only Xiao Yun dressed himself properly and sat in the palace. The soldiers of Hou Jing kept their distance out of respect and did not dare to force him. Later, he relocated to Jingkou. At that time, banditry was rampant, and the people were fearful and anxious. The officials and nobles fled everywhere, but Xiao Yun alone chose to stay. When asked why, Xiao Yun replied, "Life and death are predestined by fate. How can one escape disaster? Those who die in disasters are all because of greed. If you don't pursue profit, where does calamity come from? Now the people are all trying to gain merit and rewards; with just a word, one can become a high official. What does this have to do with me, a scholar? Just like Zhuangzi said, 'fear shadows and avoid traces,' I will not do that." So he stayed at home, eating only one meal a day, and eventually passed through the difficult times safely. After the chaos of Hou Jing was settled, Emperor Gaozu lived in Nanxu Prefecture and sent someone to ask Xiao Yun to help, but Xiao Yun pretended to be ill and did not go. Later, during the Yongding period, Hou Andou became the governor of Nanxu Prefecture and personally visited Xiao Yun to pay his respects to the elder. In the third year of Tianjia, Xiao Yun was summoned by the court and was appointed as a royal advisor. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of General of Lingwei and the Intendant of Danyang. Five years later, he also served as the Attendant and was dispatched as a diplomatic envoy to the Zhou court. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Minister of the Central Secretariat and the Grand Minister of Works. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Xiao Yun was promoted to the Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Five years later, he was sent to serve as the chief historian for Prince Jin'an of Anqian. Six years later, Prince Jin'an was appointed to Nanyu Prefecture, and Xiao Yun followed him as the chief historian. At that time, Prince Jin'an was still young and unable to manage the state affairs himself, so he entrusted the province's affairs entirely to Xiao Yun. Later, Xiao Yun returned to court as the Minister of Works. Xiao Yun was upright and honest, and was never swayed by fame or fortune.
Prince Jin'an was later sent to Xiangzhou as the governor and wanted to bring Xiao Yun along. When Xiao Yun was young, he had a good relationship with Cai Jingli. When Cai Jingli's son, Cai Zheng, heard that Xiao Yun was about to leave, he hurried to persuade him: "You are old, respected, and a senior statesman of the country. You should enjoy your old age, handling court duties at a leisurely pace. Why do you want to go outside and work hard?" Xiao Yun replied, "I have promised Prince Jin'an, how can I break my word?" This shows how little he valued fame and status.
In the third year of Zhide, Xiao Yun was appointed as the Chief Clerk of Prince Yuzhang of Zhongwei. Later, he was promoted to several official positions, achieving the ranks of General of the Guards, Left Chief Historian, and Palace Steward of Ande. Later, when Prince Zhenwei of Poyang was sent to Kuaiji as a governor, Xiao Yun followed him as his Chief Clerk, also serving as the magistrate of Kuaiji. Passing by the Temple of Jizi in Yanling, Xiao Yun also paid tribute to Jizi, regarding himself and Jizi as friends across different eras. He even wrote a poem to express his emotions, with elegant verses and clear meaning. Emperor Hou asked Cai Zheng, "Your family has been friends with the Xiao family for generations; what is your opinion of Xiao Yun?" Cai Zheng said, "He is noble, unpretentious, and quite profound. As for his writings, they are quite excellent." Then, Cai Zheng recited Xiao Yun's poem to Emperor Hou, who praised it greatly. That year, Xiao Yun was appointed as a Grand Master of Splendor.
When the Sui army crossed the Yangtze River, Xiao Yun was transferred to the Guanzhong area. At that time, when court officials arrived in Chang'an, they were usually granted official positions, but only Xiao Yun and the Minister of the Left, Xie Yong, declined due to old age and frailty. Emperor Wen of Sui admired their character and rewarded them with a large amount of money. Soon after, Xiao Yun passed away from illness at the age of eighty-four. He was survived by his younger brother, Xiao Yin.
It's about Uncle Liu Yin. He was upright and responsible, instilling an immediate sense of stability and reliability. Even in emergencies, he could keep his composure and act methodically. He was intelligent and studious, with good literary talent. He started as an editorial assistant and was later promoted to the registrar at the Yitong Mansion of the Marquis of Xichang. When Hou Jing rebelled, Emperor Liang Yuan became the governor of Jingzhou, and many courtiers went to join him. Liu Yin said, "The princes are at odds, and chaos has only just begun. Escaping now is not a good time to choose a monarch. Our ancestors have been people of Shixing County for two generations, always loved by the people. It would be wiser to head south to protect the family." So he took his younger brother Liu Tong and more than a hundred relatives to flee to Lingnan. At that time, Ouyang Pi from Shixing was the governor of Hengzhou, and Liu Yin sought his protection. Later, Ouyang Pi was promoted to Guangzhou and died of illness, and his son Ouyang Ge took over his army. Liu Yin always felt that Ouyang Ge was acting strangely, so he advised him several times, and their relationship became more and more distant. Ouyang Ge later rebelled, and the scholars in the capital, such as Cen Zhijing and Gongsun Ting, were all terrified. Only Liu Yin was calm. He said to Cen Zhijing and others, "Guan You'an and Yuan Yaoqing are also safe, right? A gentleman should keep himself upright to embody righteousness, act chivalrously, and what is there to be afraid of?" When Zhang Zhaoda restored order in Panyu, Liu Yin returned to the north.
Emperor Gaozong summoned Liu Yin to inquire about the situation in Lingnan. Liu Yin explained the situation in detail, and the emperor was very pleased, appointing him as the Minister of the Ministry of Works that same day. Liu Yin was proficient in clerical script and was quite famous at the time. Emperor Gaozong once reviewed a memorial and pointed to Liu Yin's signature, saying, "This handwriting flows gracefully, like a bird ready to take flight." Liu Yin humbly replied, "That's all due to Your Majesty's grace!" Emperor Gaozong then asked Liu Yin, "Every time I get angry, just seeing you makes me calm down. Why is that?" Liu Yin replied, "It's because Your Majesty does not vent anger on others, so what does that have to do with me?" In the seventh year of Taijian, Liu Yin was promoted to General of the Imperial Guards. In the ninth year, he was appointed as an advisor to the Prince of Shixing, while also serving as the Minister of the Ministry of Works. Liu Yin was upright and did not flatter the powerful, which made court officials hesitate to seek favors from him. Emperor Gaozong often wanted to promote him but was frequently obstructed by powerful figures. It was not until after the defeat at Lüliang, when the military supplies were scarce, that the emperor appointed Liu Yin as the Minister of the Imperial Storehouse, responsible for producing military equipment like bows, crossbows, and arrows. Within a year of taking office, Liu Yin guaranteed an adequate supply of military equipment. He was later promoted several times to the Minister of the Central Secretariat, General of Virtuous Might, and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. In the twelfth year, when the Minister of Personnel position became vacant, and despite numerous recommendations for other candidates, the emperor ultimately issued a decree appointing Liu Yin to the position.
Governor of Guangzhou Ma Jing was highly respected in the Lingnan region, with well-trained troops that regularly operated in the mountainous regions inhabited by ethnic minorities, achieving many military victories. The court was abuzz with discussions about Ma Jing's contributions and influence. Emperor Gaozong wanted to understand the situation in Lingnan, so he sent Xie Yin to observe Ma Jing, secretly assessing his actions and subtly suggesting he send his son as a hostage. Xie Yin was dispatched south under the pretense of collecting tribute. Once he arrived in Panyu, Ma Jing grasped the emperor's intentions and sent both his son and brother to the capital as hostages. On his way back near Danshui, Emperor Gaozong passed away, the new emperor took the throne, and Xie Yin was promoted to Zhongshuzi but later stepped down due to illness. The following year, there were many thieves in the capital, and he was reappointed as Zhenwei General and Jiangling Prefect.
At that time, Wu Jing, the captain of the palace guard, along with eunuchs Li Shandu and Cai Tuo'er, frequently sought favors from Xie Yin, but he turned them all down. Xie Yin's relative, Xie Mi, who was serving as a Yellow Gate Attendant at the time, advised Xie Yin, saying, "Li Shandu and Cai Tuo'er have great power, and officials in the court are afraid of them. You should think about your future." Xie Yin replied, "I have my own principles in how I conduct myself, how can I change who I am just to please Li and Cai? Even if they’re unhappy, the worst they can do is dismiss me from my position." Eventually, Wu Jing wrote an anonymous letter accusing Xie Yin, with Li Shandu and Cai Tuo'er backing him up. As a result, Xie Yin was removed from his position and died at home at fifty-eight. His son, Xie Deyan, became quite famous.
Xie Yin's clan descendants are known for their high moral character. His younger brother Xie Tong is quiet and studious, rising to the position of Chief Secretary to the Crown Prince and Chief Historian to the King of Nankang. Xie Mi, whose courtesy name was Shiji, was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, well-versed in various fields, and had excellent writing skills. Xie Yin's grandfather Xie Chen was a distinguished official of the Liang Dynasty. His father Xie You was the Minister of the Imperial Household. In the eighth year of the Taijian era, Xie Mi also served as a Cavalier Attendant of the Imperial Court and was sent as an envoy to the Qi Kingdom. He held various positions such as the Yellow Gate Attendant, Chief Secretary to the Crown Prince, and Cavalier Attendant of the Imperial Court.
Historical records state that people like Xie, Wang, Zhang, and Xiao were known for their integrity and elegance, with their reputations widely known. Despite facing many hardships, they ultimately achieved success. Xie Yin was known for his honesty and courage, upholding a reputation for integrity and fairness as an official and influencing the societal atmosphere. A careful examination of his deeds reveals him to be a rare honest official in ancient times. Even someone like Xie Yin, who lived a simple life and was indifferent to fame and wealth, could still be dismissed from his position or risk being overthrown. This is even more true for officials with great power, such as Yan, Deng, Liang, and Dou, whose power and influence are genuinely intimidating.
