Oh, what a grand scene to start with! The Book of Changes says, "observe human culture to harmonize the world," and Confucius also said, "enhance its literary accomplishments!" Since the Chu and Han dynasties, many literati and scholars have emerged one after another, especially in Luoyang and the Jiangnan region, where literary trends are particularly prevalent. Everyone wants to be on par with the heavens, to be remembered in history. The more talented individuals engage in national affairs, assisting the emperor in ruling the realm, while others can still compose writings that convey genuine emotions. In short, studying the classics, summarizing human relationships, connecting the past and present, and commenting on right and wrong—this is the highest pursuit of literati!
Our emperor, the late emperor, especially appreciates literati and scholars and attaches great importance to literary creation, so a large number of talents have gathered here. When the ministers present memorials and poems, he personally reviews them. If they are exceptionally well-written, they will be greatly rewarded and promoted directly! Therefore, all scholars are striving to excel and make a name for themselves! Of course, the true contributions of those renowned literary figures are also considered. Now, I will document talented and accomplished individuals such as Du Zhiwei in this piece.
Du Zhiwei, styled Zida, is from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. His family has been a lineage of scholars, especially skilled in the "Three Rituals." His father, Du Gui, served as a courtier in the Liang Dynasty and had good relations with the Grand Master of Splendor, Jiang Ge, and the Minister of Justice, Kong Xiuyuan.
This child, Shen Zhiwei, was exceptionally intelligent and talented from a young age. At the age of seven, he began studying the "Book of Documents," and later studied the "Book of Songs" and the "Book of Rites," and gained familiarity with these classic texts. By the age of fifteen, he had read various historical and ritual books and stories, and people at the time remarked that he was a prodigious youth. Xu Mian, then the Minister of Works, had read his articles and greatly admired his writing style, feeling that he had great strength.
In the first year of the Tongyuan era, Emperor Wu of Liang went to Tongtai Temple to make offerings to the Buddha. He ordered Xu Mian to formulate the relevant ritual procedures. Xu Mian stated that there was no prior precedent in the palace, so he asked Shen Zhiwei for help in drafting the procedures. Shen Zhiwei was then promoted to the position of Academician of the Eastern Palace, and together with Liu Zhi and other scholars, he proofread and compiled a variety of texts, and was also responsible for drafting titles for these works. Shen Zhiwei wrote the prefaces for the two pieces "Fu Jiao" and "Zheng Dao." Later, Xiao Ang, the Marquis of Xiangyin, became the Prefect of Jiangzhou and appointed Shen Zhiwei as his secretary. After Xiao Ang's death, Prince Luling took over his position and personally wrote a letter inviting Shen Zhiwei to continue as his secretary, but Shen Zhiwei firmly declined, only escorting Xiao Ang's coffin back to the capital. He then served as a reader for the Marquis of Lincheng. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed as the Yangzhou Councilor, the Nan Kang Siwang's Mocao Army, and also served as a Tai Xue Doctor.
In the seventh year of Daitong, the Crown Prince of Liang held a sacrificial ceremony at the National Learning Academy. At that time, there were no songs by Confucius and Yan Hui in the music bureau, so the Secretary of the Shangshu asked Shen Zhiwei to compose them. The musicians learned this song, and it became a standard part of the ceremony. He was then promoted to the position of Tiancao Army of the former Shaoling Prince, and later transferred to the position of Xingyu Army. Although Shen Zhiwei held a low official position, his extensive knowledge and outstanding talent earned him great fame. The Minister of Personnel, Zhang Zuan, knew him well and believed that he would become a pillar of the country in the future.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Yan Zhiwei fled everywhere and hid in the mountains. Later, when Gaozu became Prime Minister, he had already heard of his reputation and summoned him to serve as a secretary and army officer. He was later promoted to the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and concurrently served as the Grand Editor. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Minister of Rites, while keeping his other titles.
Yan Zhiwei submitted a request to resign from the position of Grand Scribe, stating: "I have been serving as the Minister of the Central Secretariat responsible for overseeing national history since the first year of Shaotai, and it has been four years now. I originally came from a humble background and have received your grace and favor. I hope to repay your kindness and do not wish to relinquish my official position lightly. However, now that a new dynasty is established, we need leaders akin to Xuanyuan and Haotian to govern the country, record words and events, and we cannot afford to change personnel lightly. Those responsible for compiling national history should be selected from the most outstanding talents. The Chief Imperial Censor Shen Jiong, Left Assistant Secretary Xu Ling, former Grand Scribe of the Liang Dynasty Yu Li, and former Chamberlain for the Yellow Gates of the Liang Dynasty Kong Huan—some of whom have elegant and fluent writing styles, while others possess profound knowledge of ancient classics, are all talented individuals. It would be inappropriate for me to alter the court's arrangements at this time and once again obstruct the path of promotion for talented individuals. During the time of Yao and Shun, they all showed deference to the talented individuals. Although we cannot do the same, I still want to express my thoughts and hope to gain your understanding." The Emperor granted his request with special grace but did not agree to it. Not long after, he was transferred to the position of Grand Master and later promoted to Grand Master of the Palace, still responsible for writing the history of the Liang Dynasty. He passed away in the third year of Yongding at the age of fifty-two. The Emperor was very regretful and issued a decree posthumously appointing him as a Cavalier in Regular Attendance of the Court, granting him fifty thousand coins, fifty pieces of cloth, a coffin, and ordered a mourning ceremony to be held for him on the specified date. Yan Zhiwei's writing style was not extravagant, but rather elegant and rich in content. Many of his writings have been lost, with only seventeen scrolls still preserved.
Yan Huang, whose courtesy name was Yuanming, was a native of Linyi in Langya. His parents passed away when he was young, and he lived in poverty, yet he was eager to learn and possessed remarkable literary talent. When he first started working as an official, he was appointed Assistant Military Secretary in the Prince Shaoling's household of the Liang Dynasty. At that time, the Eastern Palace Scholar Yu Xin, seeing Yan Huang's youth, disdainfully remarked, "How many officials serving as Assistant Military Secretaries are there in this mansion?" Yan Huang replied, "Probably fewer than the scholars in the palace." His response was well-regarded by those present.
When the Hou Jing rebellion broke out, Yan Huang fled to Jingzhou. In the Chengsheng era, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat. At that time, Du Gan served as the Prefect of Wuxing and particularly favored those who were strong in martial arts. His subordinates consisted of arrogant young men. Emperor Yuan grew increasingly concerned, so he tasked Yan Huang with writing letters and managing official documents for Du Gan. He even specifically instructed Du Gan, "You are still young and have much to learn. Yan Huang is very knowledgeable. Let him help you, and in the future, be sure to listen to his advice." Later, after Du Gan's death, Yan Huang sought refuge with Xiao Yi, the son of Emperor Liang Wu, Xiao Yan (Shizu). Xiao Yi held him in high regard, entrusted him with document preparation, and treated him exceptionally well. Eventually, Yan Huang was promoted to Middle Recorder of Xuanyi Prefecture while continuing to serve as Assistant Military Secretary.
In the second year of Yongding, Gaozu (Xiao Yi) went to Dazhuangyan Temple. That night, it rained sweet dew, and Yan Huang wrote an essay titled "Sweet Dew Ode," which was exceptionally well-written. Gaozu greatly appreciated it. During the Tianjia period, Yan Huang was promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Household Cavalry and also served as a Gentleman of the Palace Library, responsible for drafting edicts. Three years later, Yan Huang died at the age of fifty-three. The court posthumously appointed him as Minister of Agriculture, conferred him the posthumous title of Zhenzi, and granted him a burial plot. Yan Huang had no prominent background or powerful relatives or friends, but through his own efforts, he earned recognition from the public. He was skilled in drafting memorials and edicts; his writing was clear and refined. He left behind a twenty-volume collection.
Jiang Dezao, styled Dezao, was a native of Kaocheng in Jiyang. His grandfather, Jiang Rouzhi, served as a Minister of the Imperial Clan in the Qi Dynasty; his father, Jiang Ge, served as Minister of Works and Grand Master of Rites in the Liang Dynasty. Jiang Dezao was studious from a young age, excelled in writing, and was handsome, standing seven feet four inches tall. He was extremely filial and respectful to his parents. Although he and his brothers had gone their separate ways, they maintained a strong bond. Initially, he served as a military officer under the Prince of Wuling in the Liang Dynasty. The Grand Marshal, Prince Nanping Xiao Wei, heard of his talent and brought him to court as the Libationer of the East Pavilion. He was later promoted to the position of Military Officer for the Palace of Prince Anxi Xiangdong, then became a Gentleman of the Personnel Ministry, resigning following his father's death. After completing his mourning period, he looked haggard, as if still in mourning. The court appointed him as the Secretary of the Prince of Wuling of Anxi, but he turned it down. After some time, he was appointed as a military officer for the Prince of Luling. He later became the Director of the Court of Judicial Review, and shortly after, was sent to serve as the Magistrate of Nanyanzhou. When Gaozu Xiao Yi became Minister of Works and General Who Conquers the North, he brought Jiang Dezao to court as an advisor. He was later promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Palace Library and then to Chief Historian of the Prince of Linhai. After the establishment of the Chen Dynasty, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Personnel Ministry.
After the abdication of the founding emperor, he was appointed Secretary Supervisor and concurrently served as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. Not long after, he was also appointed as a Gentleman of the Palace Library based on this official position. In the fourth year of Tianjia, he was also appointed as a Cavalier Attendant and, together with the Gentleman of the Palace Library Liu Shizhi, was sent on a mission to the Qi State, where he wrote a three-volume book called "Records of the Northern Expedition." Upon his return, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Attendant while also holding the position of Infantry Colonel. After some time, he was promoted to Deputy Censor-in-Chief but was dismissed from his position due to official matters. Soon after, he was appointed as the General for Pacifying Distant Regions and the Cavalier Attendant of the Palace. He requested to serve as a county magistrate and was appointed as the Magistrate of Xinyu. During his tenure in Xinyu, he focused on benevolent governance and achieved notable political accomplishments. Six years later, he passed away during his term, at the age of fifty-seven. The reigning emperor greatly mourned his passing and posthumously granted him the title of Cavalier Attendant. He left behind fifteen volumes of writings.
His son Chun was also skilled in writing and served as the Attendant Gentleman to the Crown Prince and the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. Yu Chi, styled Yunde, was from Yanling in Henan. His grandfather Yu Peiyu was the Prefect of Changsha during the Song Dynasty; his father Yu Shami was the Magistrate of Changcheng County in the Liang Dynasty. Yu Chi lost his father at a young age, but he was exceptionally filial, mourning longer than required. He had a passion for learning, particularly excelling in calligraphy and writing, and earned a reputation for his exceptional talent.
At the beginning, he became the Left Regular Attendant of the Southern Ping Kingdom of the Liang Dynasty, the Acting Military Officer of the He Dong Wang Mansion, and also served as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, soon becoming a full official. Later, he was transferred to serve as the County Magistrate of Anji, then promoted to be the Secretary of the Zhen Dong Shao Ling Prince's Mansion, also serving as the magistrate of Jiankang County. At the beginning of the Tianjian era, Emperor Wu of Liang and Yu Chi became acquainted, and when Emperor Wu of Liang became the Prefect of Wuxing, he appointed Yu Chi as the Deputy Prefect, also entrusting him with document management. From then on, Yu Chi was held in high regard by Emperor Wu of Liang. After Emperor Wu of Liang captured Zhang Biao and guarded Kuaiji County, he sent Yu Chi to supervise Linhai County. Due to corruption and losing the people's trust, he was abducted by bandits and imprisoned for ten months. Later, Emperor Wu of Liang dispatched Liu Cheng to quell the rebellion, and Yu Chi was rescued.
After Emperor Xiao Yan usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, he appointed Yu Chi as a Military Advisor to the Andong Linchuan Prince's Mansion. At the beginning of the Tianjia period, Yu Chi was promoted to Left Minister of the Secretariat. For his contributions to quelling the Great Wall Rebellion, he was granted the title of Viscount of Chongde County with a fief of three hundred households. Strangely, on the day he was awarded the title, he even entertained the officials as guests and accepted their gifts. Emperor Wu of Liang was enraged by this and dismissed him from office. Later, he was appointed as a Military Advisor of the Xuanhui Shixing Prince's Mansion. He later became the magistrate of Lin'an County, but was stripped of his title for fatally beating a county resident. He was then promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, he served as General of Lengwei and magistrate of Yanguan County. In the first year of Guangda, he was promoted to Director of the Imperial Secretariat, responsible for overseeing national history. He also served as Minister of the Household, concurrently overseeing the Imperial Guard. Later, he was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace Attendants, concurrently serving as the Colonel of Infantry. In the first year of Taijian, Yu Chi passed away at sixty-two. The court issued a decree posthumously promoting him to Grand Master of Splendor.
Yu Chi was highly skilled in calligraphy, and whenever he wrote, he preferred using unusual characters, which led to mockery from literati. He left behind a ten-volume collection of writings.
Xu Heng, style name Hengdao, hails from Gaoyang Xincheng and is the sixth-generation grandson of the famous Jin Dynasty scholar Tao Yuanming. His great-grandfather Xu Gui held the position of an official and was appointed as the Governor of Guiyang, renowned for his integrity. He lived in the very place where Tao Yuanming once lived in seclusion, Jiushan in Yongxing County. His grandfather Xu Yonghui served as the household steward for the Prince of the Qi Dynasty and an attendant official. His father Xu Mao served as the Governor of Shizhou and Tianmen and held the titles of Prince's Attendant Officer and Cavalier Attendant, renowned for his scholarship and authoring "Fifteen Volumes on the Comparative Exegesis of the Mao Poems" and "Four Volumes of Accounts." Xu Heng inherited the family's academic tradition from a young age, noted for his uprightness and noble character. He was well-read and well-versed in historical allusions from earlier dynasties and held in high regard by many notable figures, especially by Liu Zhilin of Nanyang, with whom he frequently exchanged recommendations.
Xu Heng initially served as a military aide under the Eastern King of the Liang Dynasty, Liang Chao'an, while also serving as a scholar at the Imperial Academy. Later, he was transferred to serve as a military aide in the Pingxi Prefecture. During the Taiqing period, he served as a secretary in the Ministry of War and also held the position of Minister of Rites. After the rebellion of Hou Jing broke out, he fled to Yingzhou. At that time, the Shaoling Prince of the Liang Dynasty came from the east to Yingzhou and appointed him as a military consultant. Later, Wang Sengbian attacked Yingzhou and, having heard of Xu Heng's reputation, summoned him to serve as an assistant officer of the Grand Commandant. Xu Heng was later promoted to be the assistant officer of the Grand Commandant, and together with Shen Jiong from Wuxing, they were responsible for managing the documents, with all the prefecture's affairs entrusted to them. After Prince Jin'an took office, he appointed Xu Heng as the Yellow Gate Attendant. Xu Heng submitted a letter of resignation, to which Wang Sengbian replied, "I have received your resignation letter. It was a good thing for the court to appoint you as an official. Your noble character and profound knowledge will surely bring you further success in your official career. Besides, you have been trapped here for a long time and should take a good rest to assist the court, as that is the court's expectation of you. I am glad that you can work in a new place without suffering, but it is regrettable that you are like a phoenix trapped in a thorny bush. Although the position of Yellow Gate Attendant is prestigious, it is based on merit, so you need not feel guilty. Moreover, you are in your prime and should have great ambitions. You're not at the point of exhaustion yet, so there is no need for late-night regrets. It saddens me to receive your repeated letters of resignation. The ancients, when missing a friend, would travel far to meet them. How can true intentions be hindered by city walls? I’m truly honored by your high regard for me."
After Emperor Gaozu of Han ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Grand Commandant of the Palace Attendants, in charge of supervising the Yulin Army. Later, he was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace, responsible for overseeing important literary works, and also in charge of compiling the history of the Liang Dynasty. Legend has it that when Monk Bian was killed, the authorities buried Monk Bian and his son Monk Wei together in a pit on Fangshan, and at that time no one dared to speak out. This gentleman, who was a former colleague of Monk Bian, wrote a petition requesting a reburial for them. So, he and his former friends Xu Ling, Zhang Zhong, Kong Huan, and others pooled their money to rebury the seven bodies.
During the Guangda period, Emperor Gaozong became the regent, and because this gentleman was upright and had the demeanor of an ancient sage, Emperor Gaozong greatly respected him and treated him as a mentor. Later, Zhongju wanted to overthrow Emperor Gaozong, but Mao Xi saw through his scheme. Emperor Gaozong asked this gentleman for advice, and he advised him to disregard Zhongju. After Emperor Gaozong became emperor, he appointed him as the Minister of War. He passed away in the second year of Taijian, at the age of fifty-four. In his early years, he wrote the "Book of Qi" and related historical records, totaling fifty scrolls, which were lost during the upheaval. He later wrote the "History of Liang," totaling fifty-eight scrolls. He also compiled a collection of writings from the Taiping era of the Liang Dynasty onward, totaling six scrolls.
His son, named Shanxin, became famous at a young age and achieved the rank of Assistant Minister of Revenue.
Speaking of Chu Jie, known as Wenli, he was from Yangzhai, Henan. His great-grandfather Chu Xuan, during the Song Dynasty, served the emperor along with Xie Fu, Jiang Qiu, and Liu Yu, known as the "Four Friends," and held the positions of Imperial Attendant and Minister of Personnel. He was posthumously honored with the title of Zhenzi. His grandfather Chu Yun was the Deputy Imperial Censor of the Liang Dynasty. His father Chu Meng was a chamberlain to the Crown Prince. Chu Jie became an orphan at the age of nine and was raised by his uncle, a Cavalry Officer. He had a good reputation from a young age, with many scholars praising his talent and demeanor. As he grew older, he was imposing in appearance and eloquent in speech. He was knowledgeable and could write substantial articles without pursuing a flashy style. He started as a legal clerk in the royal mansion and gradually rose through the ranks to the Ministry of War. During the Tianjia period, he also served as an imperial attendant and went on a mission to the Qi Kingdom, returning to become the tutor of the Prince of Guiyang (桂阳王). He was later promoted to the Prince's Attendant and Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, there were many corrupt officials in Shanyin County, who were eventually dismissed for their corruption. Emperor Gaozong was troubled by this and asked Cai Jingli, a chamberlain of the imperial secretariat, "Shanyin is a populous county that has long lacked good governance. As a civil official, do you have any suitable candidates in mind?" Cai Jingli recommended, "Chu Jie is honest and frugal, with strong abilities. I wonder if he could handle the job?" Emperor Gaozong was pleased to hear this and said, "Excellent! Your suggestion aligns with my thoughts!" He then appointed Chu Jie as the General of Rongzhao and the magistrate of Shanyin County. In Shanyin County, wealthy households like Zhang Ci and Wang Xiuda colluded with corrupt officials to evade taxes and hide assets through cunning schemes. Upon taking office, Chu Jie immediately arrested Zhang Ci and his accomplices, submitting a detailed report to the court. Emperor Gaozong personally wrote a letter to commend and encourage him, sending assistance to help Chu Jie investigate the wealth of those wealthy households, leading to the uncovering of over eight hundred households evading taxes!
At that time, there was an official named Cao Yida who was highly favored by Emperor Gaozong. In Shanyin County, there was a wealthy family named Chen Xin who sought to ingratiate himself with Cao Yida. Chen Xin's father, Chen Xianwen, relied on his daughter's connections and grew increasingly arrogant and lawless. Without hesitation, Chu Jie sent someone to arrest Chen Xianwen and gave him a severe beating of a hundred lashes! This deterred the officials and citizens of Shanyin County from breaking the law again. Later, Chen Xin manipulated his connections to falsely accuse Chu Jie, resulting in Chu Jie being dismissed from his position.
Chu Jie served as the county magistrate in Shanyin County for over a year, living solely on his salary, without any hint of greed. On the day he left office, he found himself without even the fare to return home, so he had to stay in Shanyin County and grow vegetables for self-sufficiency. Some mocked him, claiming he wasn’t cut out to govern a large county, but Chu Jie said, "My tax collection performance ranks at the top, not falling behind other states and counties; I have eradicated the wicked and fought against bullies; those corrupt officials were all scared by me. If I cannot live a prosperous life, it is fate. But to say that I do not understand how to be an official, I won’t accept that!" People at that time thought Chu Jie made sense.
Later, the crown prince learned that Chu Jie lacked even the money for his journey back to the capital, so he personally wrote a letter and sent him 200 shi of rice, allowing him to return to the capital. The crown prince appreciated Chu Jie's talents and appointed him to duty in the palace. Ten years later, Chu Jie was appointed as the General of Dianwei, the Chief Historian of Renwei Huainan King, and soon after as the steward of the Eastern Palace. Twelve years later, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Censor, and he passed away in office at the age of fifty-two.
Wang Jie was a very brave and decisive person, with top-notch skills in horseback riding and archery. Once, he went hunting in Xuzhou with Sikong Hou An and encountered a fierce beast. Without a second thought, Wang Jie drew his bow and fired two arrows, hitting the beast squarely in the mouth and belly, causing it to die shortly after. He later became the Minister of Justice, widely regarded as honest and principled. During the turmoil of the late Liang Dynasty, Wang Jie wanted to reform the lax regulations and systems of the court, but sadly, he died before he could finalize his proposed reforms. After his death, the Crown Prince himself wrote an epitaph in his honor. In the second year of Zhide, he was posthumously named Secretary of the Secretariat. He had written over two hundred memorials and miscellaneous essays during his lifetime, all of which were highly regarded for their sharp insights. His son, Wang Liang, was also talented and rose to the prestigious position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
Cen Zhijing, whose courtesy name was Sili, hailed from Jiyang in Nanyang. His father, Cen Shanyu, was famous during the Liang Dynasty for his expertise in Confucian classics and held the positions of magistrate of Wuning and court official. At just five years old, Cen Zhijing began studying the "Classic of Filial Piety," sitting upright while burning incense, which earned him admiration from relatives and friends. At the age of sixteen, he excelled in the examinations for the "Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals" and the "Classic of Filial Piety," achieving outstanding results and ranking highly. The censor presented a memorial to the emperor, stating, "There are many talented individuals in the court now, and typically only those who excel in the classics are admitted." After reviewing his examination papers, Emperor Wu of Liang remarked, "Could it be that I have another Yan Hui or Min Sun?" He then summoned Cen Zhijing, had him lecture on the podium, and engaged him in a debate while the Imperial Secretary Zhu Yi recited the "Chapter on Filial Piety." Cen Zhijing delivered clear explanations and answered questions swiftly, leaving everyone present in awe of him. Emperor Wu of Liang immediately appointed him as a Gentleman Cadet of the Carriage and showered him with gifts. At the age of eighteen, he participated in the Buddhist assembly at Chongyundian, where Emperor Wu of Liang personally went to burn incense and closely observed Cen Zhijing, exclaiming, "Rarely seen, suddenly eloquent!" On that day, he was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. He later served as a Bachelor at the Palace of Shouguang, a court official, and a military officer overseeing penal affairs in the Western Office of Prince Wuling. In the first year of Taiqing, he submitted a memorial requesting to take the examination for the Ministry of Personnel, and was subsequently appointed as the magistrate of Nansha County.
During the time of Hou Jing's rebellion, Zhi Jing led his troops to rescue the capital. However, upon arriving, he learned that the city had fallen and decided to say goodbye to everyone and return to his hometown. In the second year of the Cheng Sheng era, he was appointed as a military officer at the Xuanhui Mansion of Prince Jin'an. At that time, Xiao Bo occupied the Lingnan region, so the court sent Zhi Jing to negotiate with him. He remained in Guangzhou after Jiangling fell. During the Taijian period, he returned to the court and was appointed as a scholar in the East Palace Academy. The Crown Prince had heard of his reputation and held him in high regard, even personally meeting him. He was subsequently promoted several times to various positions, including secretary to the Prince of Poyang's guard, the military officer at the Zhenbei Mansion, the Imperial Historian of the Nantai, and the military officer of the Zhengnan Mansion.
Zhi Jing was initially promoted for his academic prowess, but he had a wide range of knowledge, was well-versed in both literature and history, and had excellent writing skills. He was humble and cautious, never boasting about his talents, and was always kind to younger generations. On days of sacrifice, he would personally clean the sacrificial site and spend the entire day in tears, earning praise for his noble character. He passed away at the age of sixty-one, much to the Crown Prince's regret, who generously allocated funds for his funeral expenses. He left behind a ten-volume collection that has been passed down through generations. His son, De Run, inherited his father's excellent qualities and rose to the position of secretary to the Wu Xing Prince in the Central Army.
Lu Yan, courtesy name Wenyu, was the younger male cousin of the Minister of Personnel, Qiong. His father was a military officer and was called Lu Linggong. Lu Yan lost his parents at a young age, but he was very studious and ambitious. He later passed the civil service examination. He first served as a military official under Prince Xuanhui of Shixing, and then gradually rose in ranks to become a Scholar in the Hall of Great Virtue. Emperor Shizu, during his free time, enjoyed reading historical books and admired Lu Yan's broad knowledge and remarkable memory, so he kept him close. One time, the Emperor asked him to write an inscription, and Lu Yan wrote it in a single sitting without needing to make any changes. The Emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with a new robe. Not long after, he also served as an imperial attendant and accompanied Prince Langye to Qi. Unfortunately, Prince Langye died in Ye City, and Lu Yan managed everything on his own. At that time, he was only in his twenties, charming and articulate, and the ministers of Qi all liked him. Upon his return, he worked as a registrar for Prince Yunhui of Xin'an, and later became the Chief Clerk of Prince Ancheng, and a military officer in Ningyuan Prefecture. During the Taijian period, he served as the military officer of the Mingwei Mansion of Prince Wuling, and also managed the records of the Eastern Palace. After his mother's death, he resigned from his post to mourn at home. Five years later, Lu Yan passed away at just thirty-four. The Crown Prince was heartbroken and ordered a mourning ceremony in his honor, along with additional honors. He also personally composed an epitaph for him. In the second year of Zhide, he was posthumously appointed as the Minister of Agriculture. Lu Yan was a man of few desires, not one to compete with others, and spent his days enjoying leisurely reading. Most of his writings were not preserved, and it took considerable effort to compile two volumes of his works when the Emperor sought them. He had a younger brother, Lu Yu, who also had a promising future.
Lu Yu, courtesy name 'Ganyu.' He loved studying since childhood and had excellent literary talent. He also achieved the status of a scholar by passing the imperial examination. He first served as a military aide under Prince Ancheng of Biaoqi, then served as a military adviser to Prince Jin'an and as a scholar in the Eastern Palace. His brother Lu Yan was a steward in the Eastern Palace at that time, and both brothers served the emperor with their talents. People at that time compared them to the renowned 'Er Ying,' referring to two historically celebrated brothers. In the second year of the Taijian era, the crown prince held a sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Academy of Learning, and the palace ministers all composed poetry. The crown prince asked Lu Yu to write a preface, and his preface was exceptionally grand and beautifully crafted. He was later promoted to the position of Langzhong in the Department of Rites. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his position and returned home to fulfill his mourning duties. After the mourning period, he served as a historian in General Mingwei's household under Prince Guiyang and also took on the role of steward in the Eastern Palace. He was later promoted to the position of Wuxue in Prince Yongyang's residence, as well as the crown prince's equerry and mid-level official. Lu Yu loved reading since childhood, studying tirelessly day and night. He was intelligent and had a good memory, retaining everything he read. He once studied "Zhuangzi" and "Laozi" with Zhou Hong from Runan and studied "Chengshi Lun" with Master Taofa, grasping the essence of both texts. At that time, the crown prince also loved studying and wanted to read a wide variety of books. However, due to the overwhelming number of books, he tasked Lu Yu with copying and organizing them. Tragically, Lu Yu passed away before he could finish the task, at the age of forty-four. The crown prince was saddened by this and personally ordered the mourning rituals, allocated funds for the funeral arrangements, composed a eulogy himself, and sent envoys to convey his condolences.
The Crown Prince wrote a letter to Grand Minister Jiang Zong, saying, "Lu Yu, the Guanzhi, suddenly passed away, and my heart is heavy with sorrow. I have always loved reading, as you all know. Though I have studied Confucian classics, I cannot compare to the ancients. I have always held talented individuals in high regard, particularly Lu Yu. Amidst the chaos of the Liang Dynasty, the world fell into turmoil; the records and historical texts were fragmented, and the ritual music system collapsed. Few among the younger generation of scholars possess his exceptional talent. Though my knowledge is limited and I've never sought advice from others, I have a special appreciation for every bit of Lu Yu's talent. Moreover, he was a person of extensive knowledge and talent, which deepens my sense of loss.
Regarding his vast knowledge of history and mastery of both Confucianism and Mohism, he remembered the classics after reading them and could recite them effortlessly. His comments on characters, explanations of principles, analysis of articles, and excerpts of sentences were admired by those who had not heard of him and brought joy to those who had. Everyone could understand his thoughts. I believe he was truly extraordinary. In my spare time, I often enjoyed lively conversations with him, drank, and had fun together, composed poems and essays, and learned from each other. Whenever we encountered good weather and beautiful scenery, we would admire the beauty of the mountains and rivers together, watch the turbulent sea, or admire flowers, falling leaves, listen to birds singing, and geese calling. We would drink, chat, exchange poems and songs, and sometimes joke with each other. It was truly joyful.
I often feel that life is fleeting, like morning dew that vanishes so quickly. I never expected him to pass away at such a young age. It is truly sad and regretful. What words can express this? Whenever I see the articles and works he left behind, I can't help but shed tears. Now that he has passed away, I can no longer hear his voice reciting his works, and my heart is filled with sadness. Because you and he were fellow scholars, I am telling you my feelings. I am so heartbroken that words fail me, and I struggle to express how much I miss him." The Crown Prince held Lu Yu in such high regard. In the second year of Zhide, Lu Yu was posthumously honored with the title of Guangluqing. Lu Yu had a collection of ten volumes. Lu Yu also had a cousin, Lu Jie, and a younger cousin, Lu Chen.
Jie, courtesy name Runyu, was the son of Yanzi, a master artisan of the Liang Dynasty. He was elegant, knowledgeable, well-mannered, loved learning, and was a talented writer. He passed the imperial examination and achieved high marks in the policy examination. The Minister of Personnel, Yuan Shu, recommended him to the Emperor, and he was promoted to the literary official of Prince Hengyang, also serving as a scholar in the Tianbao Hall. In the early years of the Taijian era, he was further promoted to the literary official of Prince You of Changsha and also served as a records officer. Later, when the Crown Prince (future Emperor) was in the Eastern Palace, he heard of Jie's reputation and appointed him as the manager of records. He was also appointed as a middle official while continuing as records officer. The Emperor held him in high regard and was very close to him. Later, he became blind due to illness and planned to return to his hometown. The Crown Prince took off his own robe and gave it to him, shedding tears for him. Eight years later, Jie passed away at the age of thirty-seven. The court declared a period of mourning and posthumously awarded him an official title. In the second year of the Zhide era, he was posthumously appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Stables. He left behind ten volumes of writings.
Chen, courtesy name Jieyu, was the son of Qiu Gong, the Chief of Staff to the Prince of Xuan Yi Linchuan. He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, deeply devoted to his stepmother, and had a good reputation. When the Emperor was serving as the Governor of Kuaiji, Chen, at the age of eighteen, wrote an excellent essay on good governance, which brought him recognition and helped him pass the imperial examination. His initial official position was as the registrar of Prince Hengyang, also serving as the manager of records in the Eastern Palace. He then served as the literary official for Prince Yuchang, the secretary, the chief scribe of the Minister of Works, and the scholar of the Xuanming Hall. He was later promoted to the position of Attendant of the Three Dukes of the Ministry of Personnel, concurrently serving as the Imperial Secretariat, and also went on a mission to the State of Qi. Upon his return, he was appointed as the left-west scriptor of the Ministry of Works. He once again served as the manager of records in the Eastern Palace, and the Crown Prince admired his talent and eloquence, showing him great respect. After the Emperor ascended to the throne, he was promoted to the Yellow Gate Attendant, the middle official of the Imperial Secretariat, and was involved in handling confidential affairs. Chen was known for his straightforward nature, which ultimately led to him leaking palace secrets, resulting in the Emperor ordering his execution at the age of forty-two.
He Zhiyuan, from Lujiang County, had a grandfather named Seng Da who served as the Imperial Historian during the Qi Dynasty; his father, Fa Sheng, was renowned for his noble character. He Zhiyuan loved learning from a young age and was very talented. During the mourning period, he adhered to mourning customs even more strictly than required, thus gaining the appreciation of Yuan Ang, the Minister of Works, in the Liang Dynasty. Towards the end of the Tianjian period, Yuan Ang recommended him to the court, and he was summoned to the court. When he first entered officialdom, he served as a historian in the service of Prince Linchuan in the Liang Dynasty, and soon rose to the position of chief scribe. Later, when Yuan Ang became the Intendant of Danyang, he recruited him to serve as the official in charge of household affairs in Danyang. He was subsequently promoted to a higher position. He Zhiyuan had a powerful elder named Jing Rong in his family, who wielded considerable power and often visited him, but He Zhiyuan never reciprocated. When asked why, he said, "In the past, a man in the state of Chu was favored, and as a result, all the horse breeders died. A person lacking virtue but holding a high position is bound to fail quickly. I am afraid of inviting disaster instead of benefit." Those who recognized his wisdom praised him.
Speaking of which, Xiao Huian accompanied Prince Xiwuling Xiao Ji to Yizhou, where he was appointed as inspector, while he was appointed as a military judge in Anxi, a minor position. Later, Hou Jing rebelled, and the Prince of Xiwuling was promoted to Grand Commandant and appointed Inspector of Southern Liangzhou and Prefect of North Baxi, steadily increasing his rank. When the Prince of Xiwuling led his troops east from Chengdu, Xiao Huian joined the common people of Shu in writing a letter to advise him not to go, but the Prince of Xiwuling believed he was undermining morale and imprisoned him on a boat. After the Prince of Xiwuling was defeated, Xiao Huian sought refuge with Liu Gong, the Prefect of Shaoling. Not long after, Jiangling City was breached, Liu Gong died, and Wang Lin summoned him to take on the role of military advisor. Emperor Jing of Liang appointed Wang Lin as Minister of Works, and Xiao Huian was promoted to the position of military advisor in the Ministry of Works, also serving as a military advisor.
Wang Lin supported Xiao Zhuang as emperor and promoted Xiao Huian to be the Minister of the Interior. At this time, Emperor Wenxuan of Qi had died, and Wang Lin sent Xiao Huian to offer condolences. When Xiao Huian returned to Shou Chun from Qi, Wang Lin had been defeated. The Qi king appointed him as the deputy of Yangzhou, with authority over Shou Chun. Later, the Qi army undertook a northern campaign, occupying the Huainan region. Xiangzhou's governor, Prince Shixing Xiao Shuling, sent his assistant Shi Lixian to deliver a letter to him, asking for his help.
Xiao Huian already had some conflicts with the court, so when he received the letter, he was alarmed. Upon reading the phrase "Kong Zhang is innocent, Left Chariot is to be employed" in the letter, he sighed and said, "The meaning is so obvious, could they still deceive me?" He then followed Shi Lixian to Xiangzhou. In the eighth year of Taijian, he was appointed as the Military Officer of the Imperial Guard, and soon after, he was promoted to Military Consultant.
After Xiao Shuling was killed, Xiao Huian withdrew from officialdom and focused on writing books. He believed that the history of the rise and fall from Emperor Wu to Emperor Jing of the Liang Dynasty was enough to serve as a cautionary tale for future generations and facilitate the evaluation of right and wrong. He wrote a thirty-volume book titled "The Code of Liang," covering the seventy-five-year history from the first year of Qi Yongyuan to Wang Lin's arrest. The book's preface states:
There are many ways to write history, such as annalistic histories, with "Spring and Autumn" being the finest. However, "Spring and Autumn" is primarily a historical record of the State of Lu, rather than an official record of the emperor.
Let's think about it. The records of the legendary Three Emperors are called "Three Records," and the records of the Five Emperors are called "Five Records," which represent the origins of historical records. In the "Shangshu," the section on Emperor Yao is called "Yao Dian," and the section on Emperor Shun is called "Shun Dian," all of which can be verified. Therefore, the tradition of naming historical texts with "Dian" has been established for a long time. Like Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian" and Ban Gu's "Book of Han," they documented events based on the reigns of the emperors, and later historical texts followed this practice. Chen Shou's "Records of the Three Kingdoms" systematically organized the history of the Three Kingdoms into "zhis," opening up a new path. Only Fa Sheng's "Book of Jin" changed "Imperial Annals" to "Imperial Classics," claiming to emulate the ancients, which is, in fact, quite reasonable. So, the book I'm writing will be titled "Liang Dian."
During the Liang Dynasty, before the era of Emperor Da Tong, the country was very peaceful. However, after the reign of Emperor Tai Qing, there were frequent bandit disturbances. The earlier historical accounts were not perfectly written, so I wrote this book divided into six parts. Gaozu's uprising began during the late Qi Dynasty. I started tracing his experiences from the Yongyuan era, writing several volumes titled "Tracing." Gaozu came from a commoner background, having an understanding of societal norms and the genuine feelings of the people from a young age. After becoming emperor, he implemented good policies, and the country truly flourished during his rule. This part is documented in several volumes titled "Taiping." There is no such thing as eternal peace in this world. The country cannot remain stable forever. After my Liang Dynasty, there was a period of turmoil documented in several volumes titled "Disorder." After Gaozu's passing, Emperor Taizong also faced difficult times. Many people filed complaints and fled to the western province of Shaanxi rather than the eastern capital. Some who did not obey the court and talented individuals swore loyalty to Emperor Shizu instead of Taizong. Emperor Shizu restored order, pacified the realm, and achieved great contributions. This part is written in several volumes titled "Shizu." Later, the nation experienced further turmoil with dynastic changes. Emperor Jing succeeded to the throne and later abdicated to the Chen Dynasty, documented in several volumes titled "Jing Emperor." General Wang Lin, though he failed to establish the Liang Dynasty's descendants, is commendable for his loyalty. This part is written in several volumes titled "Successor." As for Taizong, although he was given a flattering posthumous title, the title "Dabao" was not adopted by later generations, likely due to the impact of banditry. Starting from the Chengsheng era to the Taiqing era, those divine edicts should not be altered lightly. I will elaborate on the specific reasons in detail later.
Speaking of writing, there must be a beginning and an end, just like in life, where there must be main and secondary points. The relationship between these elements must be carefully sorted out. Look, Zang Rongxu said that historical texts have no definite conclusion, just like chronicles, therefore, historical texts require thorough examination.
Why write according to the years? It's clear and easy to find! Like the invasion of the Xianbei into the Central Plains, which involved one emperor and then two, this situation is complicated, making it messy to write about. So, I simply refer to the Northern Wei period before the split, the Eastern Wei period assisted by Gao Huan after the split, and the Western Wei period controlled by Yuwen Tai, so it's clear. Moreover, to enhance clarity, I made some adjustments to the wording and added or removed content, all in a logical manner.
In the third year of the Zhengming era, the capital fell, and he moved to Jinling County in Changzhou. In the thirteenth year of Sui Kaihuang, he passed away at home.
Xu Boyang, styled Yinren, was from Donghai. His grandfather Xu Duzhi was a historian in charge of the southern Xu Province of the Qi Dynasty. His father, Xu Senquan, served as a steward in the Eastern Palace of the Liang Dynasty and managed the Secretariat because of his writing skills. Boyang was intelligent and studious from a young age, steady in character, knowing when to advance and when to retreat. At the age of fifteen, he became famous for his excellent writing. He studied the "Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo Qiuming," and his family had a collection of over three thousand volumes. He scored high in the examinations and became the Right Attendant of the Hedong Kingdom of the Liang Dynasty, the Eastern Palace Scholar, and the Secretary of the Ink Department of the Prince of Linchuan. During the Datong period, he was sent as a county magistrate and was deeply loved by the people. When Hou Jing rebelled, Boyang sailed south to Guangzhou to seek refuge with Xiao Bo. After Xiao Bo quelled the rebellion and returned to court, Boyang brought his family to Wu County as well.
In the second year of Tianjia, he was summoned by the court to serve as a tutor to Prince Jin'an. Later, he became a military advisor to Marquis Hou Andu, and when Marquis Hou Andu met him, he specifically got up to greet him. When the sweet dew fell in Leyou Garden, the court rewarded Marquis Hou Andu and commissioned Boyang to write a letter of thanks. Emperor Wu appreciated his writing after reading it. During the Taijian period, he, along with Li Shuang, Zhang Zhengjian, He Che, Ruan Zhuo, Xiao Quan, Wang Youli, Ma Shu, Zusan Deng, He Xun, and Liu Shan, formed a literary society. Later, Cai Ning, Liu Zhu, Chen Xuan, and Kong Fan also joined. These people were all famous scholars at the time. They enjoyed outings, banquets, and collaborated on poetry and essays, compiled their works into volumes, and Boyang wrote prefaces for them, which were widely circulated.
Now, let's discuss the Prince of Xin'an. He became the governor of Nanxu Prefecture, and then appointed a military advisor in the Prince of Xin'an's residence, also serving as the assistant of Nanxu Prefecture, and concurrently as the magistrate of Donghai County. Prince Poyang became the governor of Jiangzhou, and Boyang was once ordered to visit him. Prince Poyang took his officials and Boyang to drink at Kuangling. After enjoying their drinks, he requested everyone to compose twenty rhyming poems. Boyang and Zusan wrote them together, and Prince Poyang rewarded them with servants and other items. Later, upon returning to the capital, the Prince of Xin'an was appointed as a military advisor to the Linhai Prince's residence. In the spring of the eleventh year, the crown prince went to the Imperial College, so the emperor then requested the Prince of Xin'an to give a lecture on the Analects in the Biyong Hall, and also commissioned Boyang to compose a poem of praise. The emperor held Boyang's writing in high regard, and later appointed him as the military advisor of the Zhenyou Xin'an Prince's mansion. In the thirteenth year, Boyang learned of his sister's passing, and he fell ill from grief and subsequently passed away. He was sixty-six at the time of his death.
Now, let's discuss Zhang Zhengjian. His courtesy name was Jianze, and he was from Wucheng, Qinghe Dong. His grandfather, Zhang Gaizhi, was the Attendant Cavalry of Wei State and served as the Prefect of both Bohai and Changle counties. His father, Zhang Xiuli, was the Cavalry Attendant of Wei State, later defected to the Liang Dynasty, and continued in the role of Cavalry Attendant, eventually being promoted to the Prefect of Huaifang. From a young age, Zhang Zhengjian had a passion for learning and displayed remarkable talent. When Emperor Jianwen of Liang was still in the Eastern Palace, Zhang Zhengjian, at the age of thirteen, submitted a eulogy, which was highly praised by Emperor Jianwen. Emperor Jianwen loved learning and often lectured on his own, and Zhang Zhengjian frequently attended his lectures, answered his questions, spoke with gentleness and politeness, earning the admiration of all. During the Taiqing period, he sat for the imperial examination and achieved outstanding results, and was appointed as the Left Attendant of the Kingdom of Shaoling. After Emperor Yuan of Liang ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Cavalry Attendant, later promoted to the Prefect of Pengze. In the final years of the Liang Dynasty, amidst national turmoil, he sought refuge in Kuangsu Mountain. At that time, a monk named Jiaosengduo, who was protecting himself, sent someone to invite Zhang Zhengjian over. Zhang Zhengjian, feeling apprehensive, politely declined, yet he remained steadfast in his adherence to propriety and etiquette, and Jiaosengduo also respected him greatly. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he summoned Zhang Zhengjian back to the capital, appointed him as the Military Advisor of the Mo Cao at the Zhendong Poyang Prince's residence, and also held the position of Chief Historian at the Hengyang Prince's residence. Later, he also served as the Secretary of the Xianwai of Yidu Wang, the historian, and the prefect of Xunyang County. He steadily climbed the ranks, eventually attaining the position of Shangshu Duzhi Lang, while also retaining his role as historian. He passed away at the age of forty-nine during the Taijian period. He left behind fourteen volumes of collected works; notably, his five-character poems were especially praised and popular during that era.
Cai Ning, courtesy name Ziju, was from Kai Cheng in Jiyang. His grandfather Cai Zun was the Minister of Personnel and the Grand Master of Golden Purple of the Liang Dynasty; his father Cai Yanga was the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Clan in the Liang Dynasty. Cai Ning was intelligent and clever since childhood, and also handsome. As he grew up, he was widely read and talented, especially skilled in cursive and clerical script. In the fourth year of Tianjia, he was appointed as a Secretariat Clerk shortly after entering officialdom, and later promoted to the Literary Scholar of Prince Luling. In the first year of Guangda, he was promoted to the Prince's Horse Master and the Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel. In the first year of Taijian, he was promoted to the Prince's Attendant. Due to his good reputation, he was chosen as Princess Xinyi's husband, appointed as the Commandant of the Imperial Guard, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and later promoted to the Prefect of Jinling.
Before taking office in Jinling, he specifically instructed his subordinates to renovate the office of the Imperial Secretariat, and he told his friends, "This way, future officials won't have to struggle as much, isn't that nice?" Shortly after, he was appointed as General Ningyuan and the Minister of Personnel. Despite his young age and relatively low official rank, Cai Ning's talent and position were highly valued. He would often sit quietly in the western study, rarely socializing with others unless they were prominent figures, which led to a lot of gossip about him. Emperor Liang Gaozong once asked Cai Ning, "I want to appoint Qian Su, Princess Yixing's husband, as a Yellow Gate Attendant. What do you think?" Cai Ning solemnly replied, "The emperor's relatives, bestowed by imperial decree, I have no comment. If we were to discuss according to the usual procedures, the position of Yellow Gate Attendant requires both character and ability, which Your Majesty needs to decide." Gaozong fell silent after hearing this. Qian Su, feeling unhappy, kept slandering Cai Ning in front of Gaozong, resulting in Cai Ning's dismissal and exile to Jiaozhi. After some time, he was recalled to the court.
After Liang Houzhuo succeeded to the throne, Cai Ning was appointed as a consultant to Prince Jin'an and later promoted to the position of Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate. One time, the emperor hosted a banquet for his ministers, and everyone was having a great time. They were preparing to move the banquet to Hongfan Palace, and everyone followed except for Cai Ning and Yuan Xian. The emperor asked, "What's the matter with you two?" Cai Ning replied, "Changle Palace is extremely noble, not a place one can casually pass through after drinking. I dare not follow your command." Everyone was taken aback by this. The emperor said, "You are drunk!" and had Cai Ning taken away. A few days later, the emperor told the Minister of Personnel, Cai Zheng, "Cai Ning is arrogant and useless." As a result, Cai Ning was reassigned as the Chief Historian of the Xingwei Jinxi Prince's Mansion. He remained disheartened and sighed, "The ways of heaven are unpredictable. Confucius said 'accepting one's fate.' Perhaps this is how it is." He then wrote a piece called "Xiaoshi Fu" to express his thoughts, which contained profound insights. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he sought refuge in the Sui Dynasty, but died of illness on the way at the age of forty-seven. His son, Cai Junzhi, also gained some fame.
Ruan Zhuo was from Weishi in Chenliu. His grandfather, Ruan Quan, was a Cavalry Attendant in the Liang Dynasty, and his father, Ruan Wenda, was a Junior Secretary in the Ningyuan Yueyang Prince's Mansion of the Liang Dynasty. Ruan Zhuo was bright and eager to learn from an early age, especially fond of reading and skilled in debate, especially skilled at writing five-character poems. He was very filial; when his father followed the Prince of Yueyang to Jiangzhou for official duties and fell ill and died, Ruan Zhuo was only fifteen years old. He rushed from the capital to Jiangzhou, enduring several days without food or water.
During the chaos of the Hou Jing rebellion, the roads were fraught with obstacles and perilous. Ruan Zhuo risked his life to transport his father's coffin back to the capital. Along the way, he encountered bandits. Ruan Zhuo was tired and hungry, looking haggard. He tearfully explained his situation to the bandits, and moved by his plight, they spared his life and even escorted him to safety. Upon reaching Pengli Lake, a fierce wind suddenly picked up, nearly capsizing the boat multiple times. Ruan Zhuo cried out to the heavens in desperation, and the wind stopped after a while. Everyone believed that his filial devotion had touched the heavens.
After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou ascended to the throne and appointed Ruan Zhuo as a military officer in the Qīngchē Póyáng Prince's Mansion. In the first year of the Tiankang period, Ruan Zhuo was promoted to a military officer in the Yúnhuī Xīn'ān Prince's Mansion. Later, he was transferred to the Yìyòu Record Office and also maintained his role in writing historical texts. He was then promoted to be a recorder in the Zhōngwèi Mansion of the Póyáng Prince and later promoted to be a recorder in the Jìn'ān Prince's Mansion, while still maintaining his role in writing historical texts. After pacifying the rebellion led by Ouyang He, the minority ethnic groups in the Jiāngjiā region frequently banded together to commit robbery. Ruan Zhuo was tasked with pacifying them. The Jiāngjiā region was abundant in gold, silver, jewels, and other precious treasures. Previous envoys had returned with these treasures, but Ruan Zhuo returned empty-handed, gaining admiration for his integrity. He was later promoted to a military officer in the Zhōnglùshì of the Héngyáng Prince's Mansion, and then transferred to the capital to serve as a Lang in the Ministry of Ancestral Worship, and later promoted to a military officer in the Zhōngwèi Mansion of the Shǐxīng Prince.
When Chen Shuling was killed, the emperor of the Later Shu said to his courtiers, "Ruan Zhuo has always been different from the rebels, and should be promoted to show recognition." In the first year of the Zhide era, Ruan Zhuo was appointed as a Scholar at the Temple of Virtue and Teaching. Shortly after, he was also appointed as the Cavalry Supervisor and sent on a mission to the Sui Dynasty. Emperor Wen of Sui had long heard of Ruan Zhuo's reputation, and invited people to feast and write poetry with him, bestowing many gifts upon him. After returning to his country, Ruan Zhuo was appointed as the General of Zhaoyuan and the Military Adviser at the Nanhai Prince's Court. Later, due to an eye disease, Ruan Zhuo did not assume his position, and returned to his hometown to build pavilions and plant flowers, trees, and shrubs, and often invited friends to gather at his home for poetry and wine. In the third year of Zhengming, when Ruan Zhuo traveled to the Sui Dynasty and arrived in Jiangzhou, he remembered the place where his father had passed away, became overwhelmed with emotion, fell gravely ill, and died at the age of fifty-nine.
There was a man named Yin Keng, whose courtesy name was Zijiān, the son of Yin Zichun, the Left Guard General of the Liang Dynasty. This child was intelligent from a young age, able to recite poetry at the age of five, reciting thousands of characters in a day, impressive, indeed! As he grew older, he became well-read and excelled in composing five-character poems, becoming famous at the time. Later, he became a judicial officer under the Prince of Xiangdong of the Liang Dynasty.
One particularly cold winter, Yin Keng and his friends were drinking together. When he noticed the person pouring wine for him, he handed over his warm wine cup and roasted meat to him. Everyone present laughed, and Yin Keng said, "We drink all day, but the person pouring wine for us never gets to taste it, this is quite unreasonable!" Later, during the rebellion of Hou Jing, Yin Keng was captured by bandits, but luckily someone saved him. When he asked who saved him, he found out it was the same person who used to pour wine for him. Indeed, good deeds are often rewarded!
During the Tianjia period, Yin Kong became the Chief Record Keeper of the Shixing Royal Residence. Once, Emperor Wu of Liang invited the ministers to write poetry. Xu Ling mentioned Yin Kong to Emperor Wu. That day, Emperor Wu summoned Yin Kong to the banquet and requested that he compose a poem on the spot praising the newly built Anle Palace. Yin Kong picked up his brush and composed a poem that impressed Emperor Wu greatly. Yin Kong was later promoted to various positions, including Zhaoyuan General, Prefect of Jinling, and Attendant Cavalier, but sadly passed away afterward. He left behind three volumes of poetry that have endured through the ages.
Historical records say: Literature is the foundation of human ethics! This is why gentlemen differ from ordinary people. Confucius spoke of four disciplines, beginning with moral conduct and culminating in literature, demonstrating that sages place great value on literature. Individuals like Du Zhiwei were able to fully showcase their talents during this peaceful era, with Du Zhiwei standing out in particular.
