Xu Ling, courtesy name Xiaomu, was from Tan County, Shandong. His grandfather, Xu Chaozhi, served as the Yulin Commandant of the Qi State and the Attendant Cavalry Commandant of the Liang State. His father, Xu Chi, served as the General of the Right Guard of the Liang State and died being posthumously honored as the Palace Attendant and Prince's Consultant, with the posthumous title of "Zhenzi." His mother, Zang, once dreamt of colorful clouds turning into a phoenix and landing on her left shoulder, after which Xu Ling was born. At that time, there was a monk named Baozhi, known for his wisdom. When Xu Ling was a few years old, his family took him to meet Baozhi, who touched his head and said, "He's like a qilin from the heavens." Master Guangzhai Huiyun often marveled at Xu Ling's early accomplishments, saying he was like Yan Hui. Xu Ling could write essays at the age of eight and understood the principles of Zhuangzi and Laozi at twelve. As he grew up, he read extensively, had a wide range of knowledge, and was excellent at speaking and debating.
In the second year of the Liang Putong era, Prince An of Jin was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the West and the Inspector of Pacifying the Man Tribes, with Xu Ling's father, Xu Chi, serving as Prince An's advisor. Prince An also allowed Xu Ling to participate in the military affairs of the Office for Pacifying the Man Tribes. In the third year of the Zhongdatong era, Prince An was proclaimed as the Crown Prince, and a Scholar was appointed in the Eastern Palace, with Xu Ling being selected. He gradually rose in rank to become the Prefect of the Ministry of Revenue. He was later transferred to serve as the Magistrate of Shangyu County. The Censor-in-Chief, Liu Xiaoyi, who held a grudge against him, accused Xu Ling of corruption and bribery in the county based on rumors, resulting in Xu Ling's dismissal. After a long time, he was reinstated and appointed as the Military Advisor to the Prince of Nanping, and later promoted to the Cavalry Attendant of the Palace. Emperor Jianwen of Liang composed "The Records of the Palace of Eternal Spring" in the Eastern Palace and had Xu Ling write the preface. He also had Xu Ling explain his own work, "Interpretation of Zhuangzi," in the Office of the Privy Tutor. Shortly after, he was promoted to be the Military Advisor to Prince Zhenxiang of Xiangdong.
In the second year of Taiqing, Xu Ling concurrently served as the Attendant Cavalier of the Palace. When he was sent to the Wei country, the people of Wei arranged accommodations and hosted a banquet for him. On a particularly hot day, the host of Wei, Wei Shou, jokingly said to Xu Ling, "The heat today must be due to Attendant Xu's presence." Xu Ling immediately replied, "In the past, Wang Su came here to establish etiquette for Wei; now that I am here, let me remind you of the changes in the seasons." Wei Shou was immediately embarrassed.
When Hou Jing attacked the capital city, Xu Ling's father, Xu Chi, was trapped inside the city. Xu Ling did not return home, but instead ate vegetarian food and wore coarse clothing, as if he were in mourning. Later, the Qi country accepted the abdication of Wei, and Emperor Yuan of Liang proclaimed himself emperor in Jiangling, resuming diplomatic relations with Qi. Xu Ling repeatedly requested the court to let him return home, but was ultimately detained and not allowed to leave. So Xu Ling wrote a letter to the Director of Retainers, Yang Zunyan, in which he said:
Hey, a word can summon the sunshine of Luoyang, a thought can make the springs of Shule gush out, not to mention that the emperor is in good health now, the ministers are all diligent, and the neighboring countries are friendly with each other, influencing each other! This is really great!
But now, it seems like the heavens are intentionally putting us through tough times; the world is in chaos, the court is in turmoil, everyone is anxious and afraid, the people's demands have been ignored, their wishes are only written in petitions, and not taken seriously at all. This is not what we want to see, nor what we hope to see!
You know? In the past, when the vassal states were established and glory was achieved, there were also times of observing the rivers and mountains, worshipping the heavens and earth, but disasters such as solar eclipses, storms, earthquakes, landslides in the northwest, cracks in the southeast, three years of drought, and floods submerging the Five Sacred Mountains also occurred. Our Liang country, even though we received the emperor's rewards, still faced difficulties. Why is that? Because even a sage cannot control the timing of the heavens; this is the natural order!
Let's take the example of the Governor of Jingzhou, Prince Xiangdong. He was born intelligent, not one to boast, but under his governance, Jingzhou prospered like the golden age of Yao and Shun. Even the dances from the Six Dynasties performed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the songs of the Nine Provinces played in the Music Bureau, Yu Kui striking stones and Jin Kuang tuning bells, none of these could fully express his achievements or exhibit his virtues! If he could assist the emperor like the Duke of Zhou, he would be the dominant figure of the Zhou Dynasty, without needing to move the capital like King Bin did to Yong, building a city in just one month, or like Emperor Yao did by the river, establishing cities within a year!
Now, the whole situation is in turmoil, like a tamed pheasant flying north, like wind blowing cattle southward, everything is in chaos. The Emperor still doesn't know what to do; this is truly concerning! The Emperor doesn't understand the current situation, that's the first problem!
Alas, Jinxi and its surrounding areas have all pledged allegiance to the court, so far from my hometown of Xunyang! I can't help but wonder how many places we'll pass through along this journey. Just thinking about it, I can hear the morning bell toll, seeing the flickering beacon at night; the sound carries across rivers, visible from high towers. Spring water flowing into exquisite bowls, I long for Piancheng, where Xianglu Peak still towers over Lushan.
Recently, King Poyang led his troops to camp there, busy with daily military mobilization and logistics. Various official documents are constantly exchanged, and the seasons are changing. I have no way to go see him, let alone accompany him! How is that possible? Absolutely impossible! Moreover, recently King Shaoling has made friends over there; officials and dignitaries from Yingzhou and scholars from the Wei Kingdom have gathered in Ye City, rushing towards the riverbank. Are they taking an easier route, like the newly opened Lulong Road, while my path is as difficult as Copper Camel Street, which seems forever closed to me? Why is their path so easy while mine is as challenging as climbing Jiugu Mountain? This land is not anyone's private possession, so why such a big difference? It really doesn't make sense! However, the imperial court's reply stated that there is simply no way to return home, which further confuses me; this is the second thing that I don't understand.
Jinxi, Lujiang, Yiyang, and Anlu have all expressed their submission; our country is no longer in danger. Think about it, the journey should be smooth. There is no longer any fighting in the north, and the southern border has not been completely unified. Even if I were to die out here, at least it wouldn't bring shame to the border officials. What does the life of an ordinary person like me even matter? Furthermore, this time I went out for fun without bringing anything of value, unlike Han Qi, who went to Zhengguo to buy an engagement gift or Wu Qi, who went to Xuguo to demand a precious sword. This time I went out to play, and the money I brought has already run out; my limited funds have to support me, a guest who has no idea when he can return. You all understand the situation.
Furthermore, stabbing someone like Tu Qiongbi is something only fools would do! The wise thing to do is to know how to stay alive. Why? Because being alive is more important than anything else, and this isn't just about greed. My family and relatives cannot be offered as sacrifices, and my clothes are not valuable enough to sell, so I never intended to steal anything. Besides, if the imperial envoy sent by the court needed money, and since the court is not in a peaceful and prosperous era, how could travelers like us afford such extravagance? I travel lightly, stay alone, and don't have any grand travel arrangements. I ride a small horse at a leisurely pace; how could I keep up with those luxurious carriages? When I return, I bring my own donkeys and mules, relying on the inns along the way for simple meals.
If you say that keeping me here will cause trouble for you, letting me go will increase the government's expenses, or that the journey is dangerous, or that I have too little luggage, those aren't valid reasons; they're just excuses! You have not understood these three points.
Surrendering to Hou Jing would be a disaster! Hou Jing is so cruel and brutal, causing our country to suffer and everyone to be angry! We don't even have the chance to serve the country and defend the emperor, hoping to defeat tyrants like Chi You and Wang Mang! How could we lower ourselves and become his subordinates? Although there seems to be peace recently, he has always had malicious intentions, being ruthless and cunning! I'm afraid he might kill us like he did to Song Wan, or force us like he did to Xun Gan, and that's why we're resisting him so fiercely and won't ever surrender! If he dares to torture us to the point of making us unrecognizable, everyone knows the consequences, and you should too.
Furthermore, I heard that the princess of the court and the women in the capital are all fleeing in all directions; the capital has become a wasteland, everywhere desolate and bleak. And looking back at Baling, it is even more desolate. You know all this, right? Why should he be exempt from blame? Why should we surrender to him? In the past, when the Wei Kingdom was about to perish, those treacherous officials vied for power and gain, while the loyal and righteous officials worked together to try to save the country. Are we really like Ge Rong and Xing Gao now? If we are indeed rebels, then Hou Jing was born between the Zhao and Dai states, living in the official residence in Youzhou and Hengzhou, behaving like an official, understanding the geographical situation and national laws without having to calculate. But Hou Jing is nothing more than a fugitive clown, mingling with sheep and pigs, living along the Yangtze River, with his family north of the Yellow River, sneaky and secretive, like a ghost, like a god. Isn't that so? Or is this also something you know? Moreover, the secrets of the palace are as elusive as clouds in the sky. The strategies of those wise strategists are conceived in the court. Sometimes they secretly discuss and decide on strategies, sometimes they burn drafts and report to the court. It is difficult for the court ministers to participate, much less for us who are far away in a foreign land. How can we know the truth? As for the changes in the ritual and music system, the strictness of the laws, those are matters of the past, long gone and part of history; we simply do not know. How could we possibly act as spies, trembling with fear?
Moreover, even if we are eventually returning to the Western Court and end up seeking refuge with our northern enemies, even if there is distance between the Qi and Liang states, what does it matter? Just because the Yellow River is difficult to cross, does it mean the Yangtze River is easy to cross? Aren't the horses crossing the Yellow River bridge a sign of the Song Dynasty's traitorous officials? Are the chickens crowing on the mountain passes all the deeds of Tian Wen's followers? Your contradictory and conflicting statements are completely baffling! This is the fifth point that I do not understand.
Furthermore, if war breaks out, despite previous agreements, if they pursue us like fugitives, seeking revenge as if venting the anger of Han Shan, then all the marshals will release the prisoners, including those low-ranking officials, and no one will be executed. Just like when Zhongyi was pardoned, his friends smiled and sent him on his way, Xiang Lao was sent back, and Yu Ge showed him the way. We should also polish our jade, make amends, and show our loyalty to the court by the Sishui River and the Yellow River; the court rewards us, and we express our gratitude. What wrong have we done to deserve this blame? If this is the case, this is the sixth point that I do not understand.
If this chaotic world will never end, we will always be wandering around like this. Sighing, I travel around seeking to preserve my life; of course, I remember your kindness and appreciate your favor, as deep as the ocean, as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Hua. But I am like a bird in the mountains, living a simple life, never thinking about being locked in a cage; like a fish in the river and sea, carefree, unbothered by the noise of drums and gongs. Moreover, we lost souls are almost dissipating, clinging to life, living in sorrow; how much longer can we hold on? So, even if you take care of me, my life won't last much longer. If that's the case, then I'm even more confused about your intentions.
If you want to deal with those rebellious folks, you have to obey the court's orders and set out in grand chariots and horses, but I still don't understand what you mean; how can you make jokes about this? Who can really predict the rise and fall of a nation and its chaos? Xie Changshi is fifty-one, and I'm forty-four; we're both at that age where we know how life goes. Xie Changshi plans to retire back home, and I'm about the same age as him, just tagging along. Besides, he never cared to compete for those court positions; I know those alchemy and immortality methods are a waste of time. I'm worried I won’t live as long as the chrysanthemums in Nanyang, not to mention seeing the world change like the sands of the East Sea. If that's the case, I'm even more lost about what you're saying.
Your open-mindedness and deep knowledge, from ancient times to the period of King You and King Li, people like you are truly a rarity! So, studying historical texts like the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' really needs some careful thought.
Just look at those royal descendants; they’re all in decline. Those tyrants are all incompetent and cruel; some courtiers have too much power and are backstabbing each other, while some officials are morally bankrupt and just riding the coattails of their positions. Take Zang Sun, for instance; a polite guy like him is treated like a prisoner. Then there's Zhou Bo, who’s done nothing wrong, yet he gets scolded by the king’s messengers for no reason. Ji Qing got exiled to some far-off place, and Ji Zi spent three years in prison. Isn’t this just a sign of rampant corruption? Can this really be a model for today?
Looking back at the Spring and Autumn Period, the vassal states east of Mount Xia struggled for supremacy, leading to chaos across the realm. Some states attacked Zhao and invaded Yan; some formed alliances with Han to plot against Wei; some rulers personally traveled to Chu to seek alliances, while others went to Qin to seize jade discs; some countries presented precious tripods to please the King of Qi, while others used luxurious chariots to lure assassins from Liang. While they appeared peaceful on the surface, beneath lay hidden conflicts, schemes, and even fratricide.
It was not until the Son of Heaven received his decree in Zhongyang that the country finally aligned its objectives. The Son of Heaven toured the various regions, and no more humiliating incidents were heard of. However, after the three families divided Jin and became overlords, the Sun clan employed flattery to win favor, the Cao clan resorted to deceit to gain control, and envoys shuttled between Wu, Yong, and Shu throughout the year. Diplomatic rhetoric often concealed ulterior motives; jokes among guests also carried unpredictable intentions. While everyone appeared cheerful, who could claim there was no suspicion or conflict among them? If one were to carefully examine history, perhaps similar precedents could be found, but they were likely treacherous plots rather than strategies that led to the country’s victory.
I heard that during the era of the Yan Emperor and the Yellow Emperor, although customs and habits varied, whether it was emperors or warlords, they all respected and revered their parents, inscribing this reverence in various artifacts, and emphasized filial piety to govern the people, which allowed the country to remain stable without major upheavals. But now, I find myself amidst chaos, with conflict raging everywhere, bandits rampant, people displaced, and the nation's authority teetering on the brink of collapse. Who will take charge of the situation? As I gaze towards my hometown, my heart is heavy with conflicting emotions, not knowing what to do. If it weren't for the land left by my ancestors that I rely on for survival, I would probably have starved to death long ago. Reflecting on the plight of the displaced, my heart aches for them. I often reflect that serving as an official should be about action, not personal glory; doing things is for the country, not for personal loyalty. Moreover, now the court is filled with wise monarchs and ministers, officials are well-versed in the classics, and even the common people understand etiquette, respecting the elderly wherever they go, whether in the East or the West. I brought gifts to present to the emperor, only to find myself amidst the suffering of the people caused by the turmoil in the nation. For so many years, I have not been able to speak out like Yuan Zhi, only silently enduring, overwhelmed with grievances and anger, wanting to express my loyalty and filial piety, but fearing punishment. I hardly dare to hope for such things.
Furthermore, how could I ever forget the joy of family togetherness? How could I ever abandon my feelings for my wife? Even esteemed figures like Princess Qinghe and humble officials from Yuyao County have been affected by the chaos of war, robbed by bandits. Since the invasion of bandits from the southeast, they have been plundering the people; even the court officials are starving and emaciated, let alone me. After experiencing so much separation through life and death, as the seasons change, I can hardly bear to think of the plight my wife and children are facing. If I could return to my hometown, I would do my best to help them, hoping to shield them from the ravages of war.
Ah, look at those so-called wise men, like Lord Huayang who are labeled as traitors, while the common people suffer no injustices; like Sun Shu'ao who is praised as a good prime minister, while the people live in peace. You are talented and renowned, engaged in national affairs, knowledgeable and understanding of etiquette, yet you seldom voice your opinions on significant matters in court. Why haven't you participated in those good suggestions? You should speak as plainly as Zhou She, rather than being evasive like Hu Guang. Why is there such a scarcity of those in the court who dare to speak the truth? Time flows away like water; how many more good days will I have left in my life? In the morning, watching the wild geese fly south, thinking of the Jianghuai area; at night, gazing at the Cowherd Star, thinking of Yangzhou and the lands of Yue. Every day I wear a frown, tossing and turning in bed at night, sighing, unsure if I am alive or dead.
You have always been eloquent, well-versed in various principles, able to make the Chancellor laugh, and can also bring joy to the Music Master. I once had questions for you, but you never had the chance to answer. If I’ve made a mistake, just let me know. Even if it means my head on the block, I’ll take it. Why stay silent like a statue? If I make some sense, then have mercy on me! Don't let me end up like those soldiers who fell in battle, buried in the dirt of Zhao and Wei, or die as a stranger in a foreign land. After my death, I’ll only be able to dream of my homeland under the trees in Dongping, or dream of my hometown at the lonely tomb in Xiluo. I have written to you many times, and my heart is truly heavy.
Sadly, Zun Yan, you never wrote back. Later, when the city of Jiangling was lost, the court sent Xie Yuanming to be the heir to the Liang Dynasty, and then they sent you back. General Wang Sengbian was initially reluctant to accept, but Xie Yuanming repeatedly wrote to him, and those letters were written by you. When Xie Yuanming got there, Wang Sengbian was thrilled to see your letters, warmly welcomed you, gave many gifts, and treated you exceptionally well. He immediately promoted you to Minister of Personnel, putting you in charge of drafting edicts. That year, Gaozu led the army to kill Wang Sengbian, and then went to attack Wei Zai. At that time, Ren Yue and Xu Sihui seized the chance to attack Shitou City, and you went to help them out of gratitude for Wang Sengbian. After they quelled the rebellion, Gaozu let you off the hook and didn’t hold you responsible. Shortly after, you were appointed as General of Zhenwei and Left Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel.
In the year 557 AD, he was sent to Qi country again, and upon his return, he was appointed as the Yellow Gate Attendant in the Secretariat. After Emperor Gaozu abdicated, he was also appointed as a Cavalier in Regular Attendance, keeping his position as Left Secretary unchanged. In the first year of Tianjia (560 AD), he got promoted to Minister of the Imperial Stables. Four years later, he was promoted to Minister of Military Affairs, concurrently serving as Grand Compiler. Six years later, he was appointed as Cavalier in Regular Attendance and also as Deputy Director of the Imperial Library.
At that time, Prince Ancheng, Xiao Xu, became the Minister of State, enjoying immense power as the emperor's brother, and had significant influence both in the court and among the common people. Under his command, a military commander named Bao Sengrui who took advantage of Prince Ancheng's power acted arrogantly, suppressed lawsuits, and no officials dared to speak out. Upon hearing about this, Fan Zhen filed a formal complaint against Bao Sengrui, and along with officials from the Southern Bureau, went straight into the palace carrying the memorial.
When the emperor saw Fan Zhen dressed in official attire, looking serious and unapproachable, he quickly reined in his smile and sat up straight. As Fan Zhen began to read the memorial, Prince Ancheng was standing in the hall, looking up at the emperor, sweating profusely and turning pale. Fan Zhen directly had the imperial censor remove Prince Ancheng from the hall, and then dismissed him from his positions as attendant and director of the Imperial Library. From then on, the court became significantly quieter, and no one dared to act recklessly.
In the first year of the Tiankang era, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel and also took charge of the Imperial Library. He discovered that since the end of the Liang Dynasty, most selections and appointments of officials had been inappropriate, so he set about reforming the Ministry of Personnel, meticulously verifying the qualifications and circumstances of officials.
At that time, some people were desperate to climb the ranks, competing fiercely. He wrote and posted an article, in which he stated: "Since ancient times, the duty of the Minister of Personnel has been to examine the moral character and ability of officials, assess their family background, qualifications, and the level of official positions they should hold. After the chaos of the rebellion of Hou Jing and the defeat of Wang Sengbian in Jingzhou, the world was in chaos with no established order, leading to disarray in official appointments. During the Yongding period, the imperial court had just been established, the war had not yet ended, and there was no fixed system in place. The national treasury was empty, rewards were insufficient, silver was hard to come by, but yellow paper (referring to official documents) was easy to obtain, so official positions were used in place of money, with the aim of soothing people's hearts; the quantity was disregarded, resulting in a surge of lower-ranking officials and court attendants flooding the streets, which is simply unreasonable! Many of you have overstepped your boundaries and still feel wronged, not understanding my intentions. If you say that Zhu Yi of the Liang Dynasty also served as a prime minister, was that really beyond his limits? That was a direct appointment by the emperor, unrelated to the normal selection process. Emperor Wu of Liang said, 'Everyone says I am biased, yet I never favored Fan Zhen'; Emperor Wen of Song also said, 'Is there no fate in the world? Whenever there is a good official position vacant, I think of Yang Xuanbao.' These high-ranking officials did not attain their positions through normal selection processes. Zhao Gao, the Minister of the Chariot in the Qin Dynasty, eventually became the Prime Minister, and Tian Qianqiu, the High Temple Prefect in the Han Dynasty, also became the Prime Minister. Can these examples be used as well? Now that I hold this position, I must take it seriously. I hope everyone can truly grasp my intentions." From then on, everyone was very convinced. People at the time likened him to Mao Jie of the Han Dynasty.
The former emperor took the throne again, while Gao Zong assumed the role of chief minister, in an effort to suppress dissent, and consulted Xu Ling about this matter. Later, Gao Zong granted Xu Ling the title of Marquis of Jianchang County, with a fief of five hundred households. In the first year of the Taijian era, Xu Ling was appointed as the Right Deputy Minister of Personnel. Three years later, he was promoted to Left Deputy Minister of Personnel. During this time, Xu Ling put forward recommendations for Zhou Hongzheng, Wang Mai, and others. Gao Zong summoned him to the inner hall and asked him, "Why do you persistently decline this position in favor of others?" Xu Ling said, "Zhou Hongzheng has long served as a senior official since returning from the west with Your Majesty; Wang Mai served as a senior official in the Prime Minister's Office during the Taiping period; Zhang Zhong is a respected relative from the emperor's hometown. If selection is based on merit and experience, I should rank below them." He declined for several days, but Gao Zong earnestly urged him, and Xu Ling ultimately accepted the appointment.
When the court discussed launching a northern expedition, Emperor Gaozong said, "My decision has been made; you may recommend a candidate for the Grand Marshal." Everyone believed General Chunyu Liang held a high rank and recommended him. Only Xu Ling said, "No. Wu Mingche's family is on the left bank of the Huai River and is well-versed in local customs and sentiments. His military skills and talent pool are unmatched by anyone at present." So everyone debated for several days without reaching a conclusion. Minister of Works Pei Ji stated, "I agree with Minister Xu's opinion." Xu Ling promptly replied, "Not only is Wu Mingche a good general, Pei Ji is also a good deputy." That day, the emperor issued a decree appointing Wu Mingche as the Grand Commander, with Pei Ji as the military supervisor, and soon conquered dozens of states in Huainan. Emperor Gaozong held a banquet to celebrate the victory, raised his glass to Xu Ling, and said, "I reward you for your ability to recognize talent." Xu Ling stood up and replied, "This strategy was determined by the emperor's wise decision, not my merit." That year, Xu Ling was appointed as an attendant, with all other official positions remaining the same. Seven years later, he also served as the National Teacher and the Grand Prefect of Nanxu Prefecture. Due to official duties, he was relieved of his positions as an attendant and minister. Shortly after, he was appointed as an attendant again, granted chariots and horses, and appointed as the Leading General. Eight years later, he was appointed as the Right General of Valiant Cavalry, the Prince's Secretary, and assigned as an assistant historian. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Right Grand Master of Ceremonies, with other official positions unchanged. Ten years later, he once again served as the Leading General. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Peaceful Right General and the Intendant of Danyang. Thirteen years later, he served as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat while also serving as the Prince's Secretary, granted a troupe of musicians, while still retaining the positions of attendant, general, Right Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Grand Prefect. Xu Ling, old and weak, repeatedly petitioned for retirement, and Emperor Gaozong treated him kindly, issuing a decree for him to oversee the construction of a grand hall and to manage this matter at home.
After the emperor ascended the throne, Master Ling was promoted to Grand Minister of the Left and Prince's Tutor, while his other official positions remained unchanged. In the first year of the Zhide era, Master Ling passed away at the age of seventy-seven. The emperor issued a decree that read: "It is an ancient custom to honor the memory of the deceased; Master Ling's virtues are praiseworthy and deserve to be remembered. The Imperial Attendant, General of the Right, Grand Minister of the Left, Prince's Tutor, Grand Master of Southern Xu Prefecture, Marquis of Jiachang County Ling, who was diligent and studious from a young age, demonstrated exceptional talent upon entering the court, possessing profound knowledge and literary talent that distinguished him from his contemporaries, can be called a literary master of his generation. In recent years, I have been privileged to receive Master Ling's teachings and guidance. Although he had been bedridden for many years, I had still hoped for his recovery, but he unexpectedly passed away, which has caused me immense sorrow. I posthumously appoint him as General of the Right and grant him a special promotion. His positions as Imperial Attendant, Grand Minister of the Left, Imperial Musician, and Marquis remain unchanged. I also decree mourning ceremonies, and I will provide ample funds for his funeral expenses. He shall be posthumously honored with the title 'Zhang'."
Mr. Ling comes from a wealthy family and lives a respectable and comfortable life, but he is honest and simple, never pursuing fame and fortune. He shares his salary with relatives and friends. During the Taijian period, when he was granted the fief of Jianchang, the local people brought rice to his doorstep. Mr. Ling allowed his impoverished relatives to take it, which soon left his family in financial straits. The officials were puzzled and asked him what was going on. Mr. Ling said, "I can sell my car, oxen, and clothes. What else is there to sell?" He was generous in his assistance to others. Mr. Ling has been a devout Buddhist since childhood and has a deep understanding of Buddhist scriptures. When the Emperor was still in the Eastern Palace, he asked Mr. Ling to lecture on the "Great Sutra." Many famous monks came from afar to listen, and no one could rival him in his lectures. Mr. Ling's eyes are blue, which was considered a symbol of intelligence and wisdom. Since the founding of the Chen Dynasty, various official documents, military orders, and abdication decrees were all drafted by Mr. Ling, notably the "Nine Gifts," which were particularly outstanding. As a literary giant of his time, he never boasted about it or belittled other authors. He was always showing unwavering support for the younger generation. During the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong, he drafted important state documents. His writing style diverged from traditional forms, with intricate ideas, precise language, and full of innovative concepts. Whenever he wrote an article, enthusiasts eagerly copied and recited it, spreading rapidly both domestically and abroad, with every household cherishing his works. Later, many of his works were lost in the turmoil of war, and now only thirty volumes survive. He had four sons: Jian, Fen, Yi, and Lin.
The Xu family had a son named Jian, who was outstanding in both character and academics from a young age and was very ambitious. Zhou Hongzheng from Runan admired him and arranged for his daughter to marry him. During the Taiqing period of the Liang Dynasty, he started working as a junior official in the Wangfu of Yuzhang, serving as a military officer. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled and chaos erupted in Jiangling, Jian, who was only twenty-one at the time, fled to Jiangling with his family. Emperor Yuan of Liang had heard of his reputation and summoned him to the court, appointing him as a junior official in the Ministry of Finance. Once, at a banquet in the palace, the emperor asked him to compose a poem, and after hearing it, the emperor praised him, saying, "This Xu kid is quite talented too!" After the fall of Jiangling, he returned to the capital.
During the Yongding period, he became the stable manager of the Crown Prince and was later promoted to Zhendong Attendant. In the third year of Tianjia, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. During the Taijian period, Ouyang He, the Governor of Guangzhou, rebelled, and the emperor sent Jian to persuade him to surrender. When Ouyang He first encountered Jian, he put on a grand display and was quite arrogant and disrespectful. Jian advised him, "It has been a long time since the events of Lu Jia. Haven't you seen what happened to Zhou Di and Chen Baoying? It's not too late to turn back now; don't make things irreparable!" Ouyang He remained silent, probably fearing that Jian would disrupt his plans, so he wouldn’t let him enter the city and instead kept him at Gu Yuan Temple, with guards watching over him and not allowing him to leave for several days.
Ouyang He once stepped out to meet Jian, and Jian said to him, "General, you have rebelled. I have to go back to report to the Emperor. My fate is in your hands, but your success or failure has nothing to do with me. I hope you can let me go back." Ouyang He then let him go and urged him to take a small path back quickly. The Emperor sent Zhang Zhaoda to lead troops to quell Ouyang He, and also asked Jian to tell Zhang Zhaoda in detail about Ouyang He’s circumstances and supervise Zhang Zhaoda's army. Ouyang He was defeated, and the Emperor was very pleased, rewarding him with ten slaves and five hundred hu of rice, and appointing him as a military advisor to the King of Poyang in the North, as well as concurrently serving as a member of the Imperial Academy. Later, he was promoted to several official positions, such as National Scholar, Grand Architect, and other similar positions. He then became the Yellow Gate Minister, followed by the Prince's Household Officer, and added the title of Imperial Secretariat to his list of titles, also serving as the Deputy Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. He was later dismissed from office due to official matters. Shortly after, he was appointed as a military advisor to the Zhongwei Shixing King, concurrently serving as a member of the Imperial Academy. He later became the Prince's Household Officer, then promoted to General of Zhenwei, Left Guard of the Prince, and retained his position as a member of the Imperial Academy. After the Emperor ascended the throne, my brother was appointed as the General of Herong, the Chief Historian of Xuanhui Jinxing King, and also responsible for managing the affairs of Danyang County. Not long after, due to our father's passing, he resigned from his official position. After some time, he was appointed as the General of Herong again, and then gradually promoted to become the Internal Historian of Xunyang. He governed with an iron fist, leading to the disappearance of thieves. Later, he was promoted to Imperial Secretariat, inherited the title of Duke of Jianchang, and entered the court as the Deputy Chief Imperial Censor. He was known for his frugality, fairness, and impartiality, never showing favoritism to anyone. Even the influential Minister of Personnel, Jiang Zong, was impeached by him. The Emperor held him in high regard and also appointed him as the General of the Right Army. He passed away in the second year of the Zhenming era.
My second brother has always embodied our father's demeanor since he was young. At the age of nine, he wrote an essay titled "Dream Fu." After the late emperor read it, he remarked to those around him, "I also wrote articles when I was young, but not as good as this." He became a secretary at a young age, later promoted to serve as an attendant to the crown prince, then further promoted to be the chief clerk of Prince Yuzhang, and finally the prince's equerry. He was later appointed as the magistrate of Haiyan County, where he distinguished himself with notable political achievements. After his term ended, he returned to the court as the prince's equerry. My second brother was both filial and affectionate towards his siblings. Once, when the late emperor fell gravely ill, my second brother burned incense, wept, knelt down, and recited the "Classic of Filial Piety" day and night without stopping for three days. Miraculously, the emperor's health was restored. Relatives said it was my second brother's filial piety that moved the heavens. He died in the second year of Taijian, at the age of only twenty-two.
My third brother was always bright and quick-witted. Drawing on a solid foundation in the "Book of Changes," he excelled in his exams and became a secretary. Later, he was appointed as the magistrate of Wushang County after being sent out. After the Chen Dynasty fell, he moved to the Sui Dynasty. Emperor Yang of Sui summoned him to the capital to take on the role of a scholar, and later appointed him as a compiler. He passed away in the fourth year of Daye.
My younger uncle Xiaoke was the third younger brother of the emperor. He had a strong command of the "Book of Changes" from a young age, had good eloquence, and was able to discuss profound concepts. As he grew up, he became knowledgeable in the "Five Classics," read extensively from historical texts, and was skilled in writing. However, his writings lacked the depth of his thoughts. During the Taiching period of the Liang Dynasty, he was appointed by the court as a professor at the Imperial Academy.
When his father passed away, he was so devoted to his father that he nearly broke down. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to caring for his mother, Chen. Later, in the late years of the Liang Dynasty, Hou Jing rebelled, wars broke out everywhere, the capital was ravaged by famine, with eight or nine out of ten people starving to death. Although he tried his best to take care of his mother, there was often not even enough rice to eat. His wife Zang, from Dongguan, the daughter of General Zang Dun, was exceptionally beautiful. He told his wife, "Given the current situation, even food is a struggle. I want to marry you to a wealthy man so that we can both survive. What do you think?" His wife firmly refused. At that time, there was a man named Kong Jingxing, a subordinate of Hou Jing, who was very wealthy. He secretly had someone propose to Kong Jingxing on his behalf. Kong Jingxing's followers also joined in, forcing the marriage with Zang. Zang left in tears, and he used the food and cloth provided by Kong Jingxing to care for his mother. He became a monk and took the name Fazheng, going out to beg daily to support his family. Zang frequently sent him food in secret, ensuring they had enough to eat. Later, after Kong Jingxing was killed in battle, Zang encountered him on the road. It took her several days to find him, and she said, "I didn’t intend to leave you. Now I am free, and I want to come back to take care of you." He said nothing. He returned to secular life and resumed living with Zang. Later, he went to Qiantang Jiayi to study Buddhist texts with other monks and eventually mastered the "Three Treatises." He lectured on Buddhist scriptures in the morning and "The Book of Rites" in the evening, with hundreds of listeners, both monks and laypeople. During the Tianjia period, the court appointed him as the county magistrate of Yan, but he didn’t enjoy it and resigned shortly after. In the fourth year of Taijian, the court appointed him as a secretary, but he declined the position and chose to focus on a vegetarian lifestyle, observing the Bodhisattva precepts and spending his days reciting the "Lotus Sutra." Emperor Gaozong held him in high regard.
Six years later, he was appointed as a Grand Scholar and later promoted to be the Master of Ceremonies at the National University, eventually taking up the position officially. By the end of the banquet, a significant amount of food remained untouched in front of him. Emperor Gaozong secretly asked the Imperial Secretary Guan Bin what was going on, but Guan Bin was at a loss for words. Guan Bin began to observe him secretly and found that he was hiding the precious fruits in his clothes. At that moment, Guan Bin was puzzled, but later found out that he was taking these fruits back to his mother to eat. Guan Bin reported this to Emperor Gaozong, who sighed deeply and then ordered that from then on, any food left on his plate at banquets should be packed and taken back for his mother to eat. People at that time praised him for his filial piety.
During the reign of Tang Gaozong, the crown prince attended a sacrificial ceremony as part of his education, with all the officials in attendance. My father, Xu Xiaoke, took the stage to read a passage from the "Classic of Filial Piety," and afterwards, the emperor ordered the crown prince to bow to the north to show respect. In the first year of the Zhengming era, he was appointed as the Minister of Justice. Since the Jin Dynasty, officials of the Ministry of Justice had lived in the provincial office with their families. The provincial office was situated near the Lower Gate of Taicheng, featuring a corridor that spanned east to west, leading directly to the court. The Minister of Justice's provincial office was the oldest, adjacent to the corridor on the west side, and it was said to be haunted because of its age. At night, inexplicable sounds and lights would often appear, or people dressed in official attire would come out of the well and then disappear, or the doors and windows would open and close on their own. Most residents who lived there met untimely ends, including Minister Zhou Que. After my father succeeded Zhou Que and lived there for two years, all those strange occurrences ceased. People at that time believed it was because of his upright character.
My father was a man of integrity, frugality, and simplicity, always willing to help others. As a result, he often lived a life of poverty, sometimes even going hungry and cold. Later, the emperor specially allocated the tax revenue from Shitoujin to him as a subsidy, but he dedicated it entirely to fasting and reciting scriptures, spending it as soon as he received it. Two years later, he was appointed as a cavalier attendant and served the crown prince in the Eastern Palace. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he complied with the regulations and crossed into the capital. The family's financial situation was very poor, and when his mother fell ill and longed for some rice porridge, he often couldn't afford it. After his mother passed away, he subsisted on wheat, and if someone offered him rice, he would weep at the sight of it and never eat it for the rest of his life.
In the tenth year of the Kaihuang era, an epidemic struck Chang'an. Emperor Wen of Sui heard of his reputation and virtue, so he invited him to the Ministry of Rites to lecture on the Diamond Sutra. Shortly after, he was appointed as a doctorate at the National University, and later served the crown prince in teaching the Book of Rites. In the nineteenth year of the Kaihuang era, he passed away at the age of seventy-three due to illness. In his final moments, he sat upright, reciting the name of Buddha, and a mysterious fragrance filled the room, leaving the neighbors astonished. His son, Xu Wanzai, later served as a historian of the Prince of Jin'an and the crown prince's equerry.
Historians remarked: Xu Xiaoke was gifted, talented, and well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge. He thrived during a time of national prosperity, attaining a high position, providing honest and wise counsel to the court, and was known for his honesty, loyalty, and integrity. He was upright, filial beyond the requirements of etiquette. Isn't he similar to the ancient figures Zeng Shen and Min Ziqian? "Xu Xiaoke was a model of the five virtues, endowed with the spirit of heaven and earth, sharp-witted and well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge. He rose to a high position during a prosperous period, serving as a minister to the court, providing honest and wise counsel. His filial piety and strict adherence to principles are reminiscent of Zeng and Min!"
