Shen Junli, courtesy name Zhonglun, hails from Wuxing. His grandfather Shen Senghe served as the Left Minister of Works during the Liang Dynasty. His father Shen Xun was on particularly good terms with the founding emperor and served as the Governor of Dongyang during the Taiqing era of the Liang Dynasty. After Hou Jing's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Yuan appointed him as the Minister of the Household. After the fall of Jingzhou, Xiao Cha appointed him as the Grand Master of Splendid Violet.
Shen Junli was handsome, knowledgeable, insightful, and had good judgment. He initially served as a judicial officer under the Prince of Xiangdong. When the founding emperor was stationed in Nanyang, his father Shen Xun sent him from Dongyang to pay respects to the founding emperor. The founding emperor appreciated him and allowed him to marry the Princess of Kuaiji. He was then appointed as the Registrar of the Western Office at the palace and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Attendant of the Crown Prince of Yuzhang, later becoming the General of Mingwei, also serving as Deputy Minister of Personnel. He was later promoted to the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, also overseeing Wu County. After the founding emperor became emperor, he was appointed as the Colonel of the Cavalry and the Marquis of Yong'an Pavilion. He was then sent to serve as the Prefect of Wu County. At that time, the turmoil was still ongoing, and the people were living in hardship. The court urgently needed supplies, which came from the eastern regions. Shen Junli recruited soldiers and organized their weapons and equipment, and the people rallied behind him, confident in his governance.
After the Emperor Shizu ascended to the throne, he summoned him to the capital as an attendant official, and then promoted him to Left Minister of Personnel. Before officially taking office, he was appointed as General Mingwei and Prefect of Danyang. In the third year of Tianjia, he was again appointed as Left Minister of Personnel, concurrently serving as Colonel of Infantry, and shortly after was reassigned as General of the Vanguard. In the fourth year of Tianjia, Hou Andu was transferred to guard Jiangzhou, so he also managed Southern Xuzhou in his official role. In the sixth year of Tianjia, he was sent to serve as General Renwei and Prefect of Dongyang. In the first year of Tiankang, his father passed away, so he resigned from office to mourn at home. Shen Junli requested to go to Jingzhou to meet his father's coffin, but the court deemed it inappropriate for him to leave due to his high position, so they sent his brother Shen Junyan instead. When his brother returned and was preparing for the funeral, the court posthumously honored his father as an attendant and Leading General, bestowing upon him the posthumous title of Jingzi. That year, the court also appointed Shen Junli as General of Xinwei and General of the Left Guard. Later, he was appointed as Commissioner and Commander of Military Affairs for Dongheng and Hengzhou, General Renwei, Governor of Donghengzhou, concurrently serving as Governor of Shixing. He was then appointed as General Mingwei and Prefect of the Palace Secretariat. Three times, the court waived his mourning obligations for his father's affairs so he could continue serving as an official, but he declined each time.
In the first year of the Taijian era, after the mourning period for Jun Li ended, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, responsible for handling affairs of the Eastern Palace. Later, he was promoted to the Minister of Civil Service. In the second year, Emperor Gaozong designated his daughter as the Crown Princess and granted him the title of Marquis of Wangcai County with a fief of five hundred households. Four years later, he was further appointed as a Chamberlain. In the fifth year, he was promoted to the Right Minister of the Secretariat, continuing to concurrently hold the position of Minister of Civil Service and Chamberlain. That year, he fell ill, and the Emperor personally visited him. In September, he died at the age of forty-nine. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Chamberlain and Tutor to the Crown Prince, with all funeral expenses covered by the court. He was later posthumously appointed as General of the Left and Grand Counselor, with the position of Chamberlain retained. He was posthumously honored with the temple name Zhenxian. His son Zunjian passed away early, so the title was inherited by Zunli, the son of his younger brother Jungao.
Jun Mai, the fifth uncle of Jun Li, was recognized for his integrity and exceptional administrative skills. He served as the Minister of Finance during the Liang Dynasty. During the Yongding era, he was promoted several times, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat. During the Tianjia era, he held positions as Grand Minister of Works and Minister of Justice, and was later appointed as the Chief Clerk of the Prince of Shixing and Magistrate of Kuaiji County, serving as the Acting Inspector of Eastern Yangzhou. In the first year of the Guangda era, he was appointed as Deputy Director of Personnel. In the first year of the Taijian era, he was promoted to Imperial Secretary in Waiting, serving in the Eastern Palace. He passed away the following year at the age of fifty-two, and was posthumously honored as an Imperial Secretary in Waiting by the court.
Jun Li's sixth brother, named Jun Gao, courtesy name Jigao, had a great reputation when he was young, known for his upright character and governance abilities. As his family was related to the royal family, he held prestigious positions early on, serving as the Prince's Attendant, Imperial Stableman, Middle Attendant, Official in the Ministry of Works under Emperor Gaozong, and Minister of Justice. In the first year of the Taijian era, a major flood occurred in the eastern border, leading to widespread hunger and suffering among the people. Therefore, the court appointed Jun Gao as General of Zhenwei and Prefect of Wu County. He was soon promoted to the position of Prince's Attendant, then to the Ministry of Personnel, and finally to Minister of the Guard. Later, he was appointed as General of Xuanyuan, Chief Historian of Prince Pingnan Changsha, Prefect of Nanhai, and acting Prefect of Guangzhou. When his daughter was chosen as a princess, he firmly declined the offer and returned to his position at court as Minister of the Guard. Eight years later, the court appointed him as Governor of Guang and eighteen other provinces, General Ningyuan, General of Pingyue, and Governor of Guangzhou. The Lingnan region was frequently embroiled in conflicts between various tribes, and Jun Gao, skilled in civil administration, though not in military matters, managed to pacify them with sincerity, winning the affection of the people. Ten years later, he passed away while in office at the age of forty-seven. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Cavalier Attendant, and he was posthumously honored with the title Qizi.
Wang Yang, styled Ziyu, was the twelfth son of the Minister of State, Wang Chong. He had a steady temperament, was very elegant, and behaved gracefully and calmly. During the Datong period of the Liang Dynasty, he was first appointed as a Secretary, and later promoted to be the Crown Prince's Stable Supervisor. After Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, he was summoned to serve as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, overseeing palace affairs and managing the documents of the government office. Later, he served as the Chief Historian of the Eastern Palace, and was later promoted to be Attendant to the Crown Prince. After his mother passed away, he returned to his hometown in Danyang to fulfill his mourning duties. After the fall of Jiangling City, Emperor Jing of Liang ascended the throne and appointed him as the General of Benevolence and the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel. When the Marquis of Zhenyang usurped the throne and proclaimed Emperor Jing as the Crown Prince, Wang Yang was appointed as Cavalier in Attendance and served the Crown Prince. Shortly after, he was promoted to Chief Clerk of the Crown Prince and continued as Attendant.
After Emperor Xiao Liang took control of Jiankang, he appointed Wang Yang as Chief Clerk of the Left in the Ministry of Works. In the first year of Yongding, he was promoted to be the Secretary of the Five Armies. When Emperor Xiaozhao Ye succeeded to the throne, he was appointed as Cavalier in Attendance, while also serving as the Crown Prince's Attendant. Later on, he was promoted to be the General of the Left Valiant Cavalry, and continued as Chief Clerk of the Crown Prince, Cavalier in Attendance, and Attendant. Wang Yang served as Attendant for six years, during which his father, Wang Chong, once requested that he resign from his position as Chief Clerk, but Emperor Xiaozhao Ye said to Wang Chong, "I have long allowed Wang Yang to serve the Crown Prince in the palace, hoping the Crown Prince would benefit from his positive influence." After Emperor Xiaowen ascended the throne, Wang Yang continued to serve as Attendant and concurrently served as the General of the Left Valiant Cavalry. In the first year of Guangda, he resigned from his official position following his father's death.
After Emperor Gaozong Xiao Ze ascended the throne, in the first year of the Taijian era, he was appointed as an Imperial Attendant and concurrently served as General of the Left Cavalry. He was later promoted to Minister of Finance, concurrently serving as the Director of the Imperial Guard. Subsequently, he was appointed as General of Trusted Might and Chief Minister of the Prince of Shaixing, responsible for state affairs. Before he could take office, he was promoted to Chancellor of the Palace Secretariat, and shortly after was given the additional title of Regular Imperial Attendant, while retaining the position of Regular Imperial Attendant. Wang Chang was known for his kindness and gentleness, and when he held the position of selecting officials, he always sought to be peaceful and honest, diligently managing documents with integrity. Shortly after, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of the Right, and before he could take office, he was also appointed as Imperial Attendant, then promoted to Deputy Minister of the Left, participating in the management of selecting officials while retaining the position of Imperial Attendant. Wang Chang had over thirty brothers, and their family was close-knit. Every year during festivals, they would exchange gifts and support one another. He cared deeply for and taught his younger brothers, who all respected and followed his guidance. In the eighth year of the Taijian era, Wang Chang passed away at the age of fifty-four. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of Imperial Attendant, Special Advanced, and General of the Guard, and conducted his funeral in accordance with his rank. He was posthumously granted the title "Guangzi."
My thirteenth uncle, Yu, whose courtesy name was Zige, was also a famous figure, handsome and dignified. He rose to high office at a young age and became a court attendant at the age of thirty. In the first year of the Yongding era, he was sent to the Kingdom of Qi, accompanied by Yuan Xian from Chen County as his deputy. Due to the matter concerning Wang Lin, they were both arrested and imprisoned by the Kingdom of Qi. Whenever the Emperor of Qi went on a trip, he would bring along condemned prisoners, whom the people of Qi referred to as "sacrificial prisoners." If the Emperor was displeased, he would arbitrarily select one for execution. My uncle and Yuan Xian faced death several times, but fortunately, the Qi state official Yang Zunyan felt they were unjustly accused and secretly protected them. In the second year of the Tianjia era, they finally returned to the court, and the Emperor reinstated him as a court attendant. He passed away shortly thereafter, at the age of forty. He was posthumously restored to his original rank and granted the posthumous title of Zhenzi.
Lu Shan, courtesy name Shixiu, hailed from Wu County. His grandfather, Lu Huixiao, served as the Minister of Rites in the Kingdom of Qi; his father, Lu Ren, served as the Deputy Inspector in the Kingdom of Liang. Lu Shan harbored ambitions from a young age, was upright, and had a good reputation. He initially served as a legal officer under Prince Xuanhui of Wuling in the Liang Dynasty. During the Chengsheng period, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Palace Library, responsible for managing the documents and archives of the Eastern Palace. After Jiangling City fell, he disguised himself and secretly returned to the capital. In the first year of Shaotai, he was appointed as the Right Chief Historian of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Deputy Imperial Historian, but he resolutely declined the position following his father's death. Emperor Gaozu later appointed him as Minister of Works, then promoted him to Yellow Gate Attendant, Commander of Infantry, and concurrently served as an attendant. In the first year of Yongding, he was promoted back to court attendant. At that time, a rebel named Liu Yi had taken control of Dongyang, and Xiang Wenzheng from Xin'an conspired with Liu Yi and took control of Xin'an County. The court dispatched Lu Shan as General of Zhenwei and Prefect of Xin'an to quell the rebellion.
After Emperor Shizu ascended to the throne, he summoned him back to court to serve as the Prince's Chief Attendant and also allowed him to continue as Colonel of the infantry, responsible for managing the Eastern Palace's documents. Lu Shan was handsome and elegant, and Emperor Shizu allowed the princes, including the Crown Prince, to learn from him. Even their walking style had to mimic Lu Shan's. Later, he was appointed as a Supervisor in the Ministry of Personnel, while still serving as Colonel of the infantry, continuing to serve the Eastern Palace. After the chaos of Chen Bao's rebellion was quelled, he was appointed General of Zhenyi and Prefect of Jian'an. After completing his term, he was appointed as a Cavalier Regular of the Household and Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, but he declined the position following his father's death. The Emperor insisted he accept, so he was provided with a more favorable official post.
Initially, he was appointed Minister of Revenue, Palace Attendant, and Prince's Advisor, in charge of the affairs of the Eastern Palace, and also concurrently served as the Grand Master of Yangzhou. Later, when the Crown Prince began to personally manage political affairs, he stepped down from overseeing the Eastern Palace affairs and was appointed as a Cavalier Regular of the Household, and later as Palace Attendant. He was then promoted to Right Supervisor of the Secretariat, and shortly after, he was promoted to Left Supervisor, participating in the selection of officials, while retaining his position as Palace Attendant. Later, he served as Supervisor of the Secretariat, concurrently serving as General-in-Chief. He was reappointed as Left Supervisor, while also serving as Grand Master of Yangzhou. The Emperor specifically ordered him and seven others, including Xu Ling, to take part in discussions on state matters. He passed away at sixty-three. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant, Special Advanced, Golden Purple Illuminated Virtuous Grand Master, and given the posthumous title Anzi. In order to commemorate his service to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince granted him ancestral sacrificial rites in special remembrance.
His son was named Shan Bianhui. When he was very young, the Emperor summoned him to the palace, and this child spoke and acted with the same dignity and composure as his father. The Emperor was delighted and personally named him Bianhui, giving him the courtesy name Jingren.
His older brother's son is named Jianxian, who is also well-groomed and highly talented. When Gao Zong was the governor of Yangzhou, he appointed Jianxian as an official historian, valuing him greatly. Later, he served as the Yellow Gate Attendant, the Chief Historian for both the Prince of Changsha and the Prince of Poyang, as well as the Prefect of Xunyang, ultimately rising to the position of Minister of Finance. He passed away in the tenth year of the Taijian era, at the age of fifty. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Minister of Justice and given the posthumous honor of Pingzi.
Historians commented: the three of them, the father and his sons, were all well-dressed and of noble character, making significant contributions at court due to their integrity and prudence. The classics state, "their appearance and demeanor are admirable," and the Book of Songs further states, "their appearance and demeanor are without flaw." All three of them embodied these admirable qualities.
