Xie Shang, styled Renzu, was the son of Xie Kun, the governor of Yuzhang. He was particularly mature from a young age. When he was seven years old, his older brother passed away, and he was so overwhelmed with grief that he even neglected the customary mourning rituals, which surprised his relatives. By the age of eight, he showed remarkable intelligence and maturity. His father, Xie Kun, once took him to accompany guests, and someone remarked, "This child achieves enlightenment while sitting still, like Yan Hui!" Xie Shang immediately replied, "Even the great master Confucius himself has not seen such a thing, how can you compare me to Yan Hui?" The guests present were all astonished. When he was in his teens, his father passed away, and the Dan Yang magistrate Wen Qiao came to offer condolences. Xie Shang cried bitterly, but after shedding tears, he immediately composed himself and conversed with Wen Qiao in a manner that was quite mature for his age, which greatly surprised Wen Qiao. As Xie Shang grew older, his talent, knowledge, and analytical abilities were unparalleled. However, he was not overly concerned with details or worldly conventions. He had a fondness for wearing embroidered trousers, and when criticized by his uncles, he changed his ways, and eventually gained notoriety for it. He was also proficient in music and various crafts. The Minister Wang Dao thought very highly of him, likening him to Wang Rong and often calling him "Xiao Anfeng," making him his aide. He also inherited his father's title - Marquis of Xianting. When he first visited Wang Dao's residence, Wang Dao heard that he was a talented performer and asked, "I heard that you can perform the 'Quyu Dance' and captivate everyone, is that true?" Xie Shang replied, "Yes." He then put on his clothes and hat and began to dance, while Wang Dao encouraged everyone to clap along. Xie Shang danced gracefully in the middle, as if no one else was around, moving with incredible grace and ease!
When I was transferred to the Western Bureau, it was during a time of chaos, and I became separated from my parents. Some people thought I should take advantage of the situation to serve the court and continue the family line through marriage, which is not unreasonable. However, others opposed, arguing: "The rise of various ceremonies stems from adherence to rules and reason and allows for pioneering efforts that promote the prosperity of the era. However, in times of national crisis, one must make decisions guided by righteousness. The lack of offspring is not among the three thousand offenses. Nowadays, marriage is indeed for continuing the family line and honoring ancestors, which is justifiable. However, faced with the sorrow of being separated from loved ones, there is no pain greater than this! A person who can't even manage their own affairs may struggle with clear thinking and judgment, especially when burdened by great sorrow and restlessness; how can they handle state affairs well? An ambitious person will never settle for mere fame and fortune. Those who chase fame and fortune are not truly ambitious; they only pave the way for corruption and allow malpractice to flourish. Even those who aspire to live simply in the countryside and remain true to their principles, we should admire their integrity and promote their values. Especially those who have endured hardships and felt the pain of separation, how can we possibly pressure them to pursue fame and fortune?"
Later, I was transferred to be an aide to King Kuaiji, then appointed as Deputy Yellow Gate Attendant, then appointed as General of Jianwu, Prefect of Liyang, and later promoted to supervise the military affairs of the three counties of Jiangxia, Yiyang, and Sui, while also serving as the Governor of Jiangxia, retaining the position of general. At that time, General Yu Dun was stationed in Wuchang, and I often visited him to seek military advice. Once, Yu Dun and I shot arrows together, and he said, "If you hit the bullseye, I will reward you with a music band." I hit the target, and Yu Dun immediately rewarded me with his deputy band. I governed simply and honestly. When I first arrived, the county government crafted a beautiful tent for me using forty pieces of cloth. I took apart the tent and repurposed the fabric to make clothes for the soldiers. In the second year of Jianyuan, the court issued an edict stating, "Xie Shang did not receive a salary previously due to his duties in border defense, but was given military supplies. The location where he was stationed is of great importance, thus his prestige should be elevated. He is now appointed as the General of Southern Zhonglang, with no change in other official positions." After Yu Bing passed away, I continued to supervise the four counties of Yuzhou in my original position and was also appointed as the Inspector of Jiangzhou. Shortly after, I was promoted to General of the West Zhonglang, supervising the military affairs of six counties in Yangzhou, while also serving as the Inspector of Yuzhou and holding a temporary position, stationed in Liyang.
Huan Wen wanted to attack the Central Plains, so he sent Xie Shang to lead the army to Shou Chun and appointed him as General of Anxi. Initially, Fu Jian's general Zhang Yu surrendered to Xie Shang, but Xie Shang did not handle him well. In anger, Zhang Yu occupied Xuchang and rebelled. Xie Shang went to suppress him but was defeated by Zhang Yu, who was subsequently taken to the Ministry of Justice. At that time, Empress Kangxian was ruling in court; she was the niece of Xie Shang, and she specifically ordered that Xie Shang be demoted to General of Establishing Might.
At the beginning when Xie Shang departed, General Jianwu and Prefect Dai Shi of Puyang were stationed at Fangtou. Ran Zhi, son of Ran Min, and his general Jiang Gan came to surrender, and a messenger Liu Yi was sent to Xie Shang for help. Dai Shi stopped Liu Yi and demanded the imperial seal. Liu Yi went back and told Jiang Gan about it. Jiang Gan thought Xie Shang had been defeated and hesitated to agree. Dai Shi then sent Colonel He Rong with a hundred strong men into Ye City. He climbed the three platforms to help defend the city and deceived Jiang Gan, saying, "Now you can hand over the seal to me. With enemies outside and the roads blocked, I dare not send the seal away. It is better to send a single messenger on a fast horse to report. The emperor will know you are sincerely surrendering and will send reinforcements and supplies." Jiang Gan handed the seal to He Rong, who quickly returned to Fangtou. Xie Shang sent General Zhenwu Hu Bin to lead three hundred cavalry to meet the seal, then sent the seal to the capital. At that time, Yang Ping, a general under Fu Jian, was stationed in Xuchang. Xie Shang sent troops to attack and defeat him, and was awarded the position of official in charge of military affairs, as well as a chariot and a music band, to defend Shitou.
During the Yonghe period, Xie Shang was appointed as the Supervisor of the Left and also served as the Commander of Military Affairs in Jiangxi and Huainan, General of the Front, and Governor of Yuzhou, while the positions of official in charge and Supervisor remained the same. He was stationed in Liyang and was also appointed as Commander of the military affairs of the five counties in Yuzhou and Yangzhou, achieving notable political successes. He requested to return to the capital, but the court allowed him to stay in the capital to act as Supervisor. Shortly after, he was promoted to General of the West, stationed in Shouyang. Xie Shang then began to gather musicians and made stone chimes to play music. The Zhongshi music in the Jiangdong region traces its origins to Xie Shang.
Huan Wen pacified Luoyang and submitted a memorial to the court requesting the appointment of Xie Shang as the Governor of Sizhou, intending for him to guard Luoyang, but Xie Shang did not go due to illness. In the early years of Shengping, Xie Shang was promoted to oversee the military affairs of Yuzhou, Jizhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou. He fell seriously ill, and the court summoned him as the Guard General, also adding the official position of Cavalier In Regular Attendance, but before he took office, he passed away in Liyang at the age of fifty. The court posthumously conferred on him the titles of Cavalier In Regular Attendance, Guard General, and Chief of Staff, and posthumously named him Jian.
My younger brother Yi’s son, Kang, inherited the title, but sadly, he passed away young. Kang's younger brother Jing allowed his son Su to inherit the title, but Su did not leave any sons. Later, Jing's son Qian continued the family title through his son Lingyou.
Xie An, whose courtesy name is Anshi, is also my younger brother's son. His father, Xie Pou, was the Minister of Ceremonies. When Xie An was four years old, Huan Yi from Qiao County saw him and exclaimed, "This child has an extraordinary demeanor and will definitely not be inferior to Wang Donghai in the future." By the time he came of age, he had already demonstrated exceptional intelligence, elegance, and skill in calligraphy. When he was young, he visited Wang Meng, and the two engaged in a lengthy and enjoyable conversation. After Xie An left, Wang Meng's son Wang Xiu asked him, "How was that guest just now?" Wang Meng said, "That guest has remarkable eloquence and a commanding presence!" Even Wang Dao held him in high regard. As a result, Xie An gained fame at a remarkably young age.
At first, he was appointed as an official in the Situ Mansion, and later became a Gentleman of the Imperial Library, but he declined both positions because of illness. He lived in Kuaiji, playing with Wang Xizhi, Xu Xun, and Zhi Dun, going fishing and hunting whenever he went out, wandering through the mountains and rivers, and composing poems and essays when he returned home, never once considering a life in office. The Yangzhou Governor, Yu Bing, learned of his fame and insisted on bringing him to Yangzhou, constantly sending people to urge him. Reluctantly, he went but resigned and returned home a month later. He was later appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat and as an aide to the Prince of Langye, but he never showed up. Officials claimed he had been summoned for years without appearing and wanted to confine him for life, so he remained in his old home in the east. One time, he sat in a stone chamber on Mount Lin'an, looking at the deep valley, and sighed, "How far is it to the realm of Boyi!" Another time, he and Sun Chuo sat on a boat together and set sail for the sea. Suddenly, a strong wind blew and the waves rose. Everyone was scared, but he remained there, singing and reciting poetry, completely unfazed. The boatman thought he was joyful and wanted to press on. As the wind intensified, he calmly remarked, "Where are we going if we continue like this?" Upon hearing his words, the boatman turned back. Everyone admired his calm demeanor. Though he loved wandering in the mountains, he always brought along singing girls whenever he ventured out.
He was summoned multiple times but refused each time. When Emperor Jianwen was in power, he said, "Since Anshi can enjoy with everyone, he must also be able to share responsibilities with everyone. Call him to take an official position, and he will definitely come." At that time, his younger brother An Wan was the General of the Western Central Army, holding great power. Although An Shi remained at home and did not take office, his reputation was greater than that of his younger brother, and everyone thought he would definitely become a high-ranking official in the future. He consistently set a good example at home while teaching his children. His wife was the younger sister of Liu Yan. Seeing the family becoming more and more prosperous while An Shi refrained from taking an official position, she said, "Husband should not be like this!" An Shi covered his nose and said, "I fear I can't escape this!" It was not until his younger brother An Wan was dismissed from his official position that he began to consider becoming an official. By then, he was already in his forties.
Huan Wen, the Grand General of the Western Campaigns, was about to be appointed as the Sima. Before he departed, many court officials gathered at Xinting to bid him farewell. The Deputy Minister Gao Song jokingly said to Huan Wen, "You always defy the imperial decree and live a reclusive life in the mountains. Everyone says, 'Xie An refuses to come out, what will the people do!' Now the people should also ask you what to do!" Huan Wen felt slightly embarrassed upon hearing this. When he arrived at Huan Wen's residence, Huan Wen was very happy. He chatted with Xie An about past events, and the two of them laughed and talked happily, lost in laughter and joy all day long. After Huan Wen left, he asked the people around him, "Have I ever encountered such an interesting guest before?"
Later, Huan Wen went to visit Xie An, catching him in the middle of getting a haircut. Xie An was a laid-back person and took a long time to finish, then asked his servant to bring his hat. Huan Wen saw this and stopped the servant, saying, "Let the Sima wear the hat and come in!" This shows how much Huan Wen valued Xie An. Later, Huan Wen was planning a northern expedition but passed away due to various illnesses. Xie An submitted a memorial requesting to return home. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuxing. During his term, he didn’t gain any notable reputation, but people began to miss him after he left. After some time, he was summoned to serve as an attendant, and later promoted to Minister of Personnel and Chief Army Protector.
As Emperor Jian was critically ill, Huan Wen recommended Xie An to assist in court affairs. After Emperor Jian's passing, Huan Wen went to Xinting to attend the funeral, where he gathered a powerful army, preparing to seize the throne of the Jin Dynasty. He called for Xie An and Wang Tanzhi, planning to eliminate them right there. Wang Tanzhi was terrified and sought advice from Xie An. Xie An remained composed and said, "The fate of the Jin Dynasty hinges on this moment." When Wang Tanzhi saw Huan Wen, he was sweating profusely and shaking. However, Xie An sat calmly and said to Huan Wen, "I heard that wise rulers protect their neighbors; why do you need to arrange things behind the scenes?" Huan Wen smiled and said, "I have no other option." They ended up laughing and chatting all day long. Wang Tanzhi and Xie An were once equally famous, but after this incident, it became clear that Wang Tanzhi was no match for Xie An. Huan Wen once showed guests the discussion written by Xie An about the posthumous title for Emperor Jian, saying, "These are Xie An's golden words!"
At that time, Emperor Xiaowu was getting old, and the power of the court had weakened. Huan Wen's influence intimidated both inside and outside, causing widespread anxiety and a flurry of opinions. Xie An and Wang Tanzhi devoted themselves wholeheartedly to assisting the court, eventually stabilizing the situation. When Huan Wen fell seriously ill, he hinted to the court to grant him the Nine Gifts and even had Yuan Hong draft the edict. Xie An saw it and modified it, thus delaying its completion for more than ten days. When Huan Wen passed away, the matter of granting the Nine Gifts was left unsettled.
Xie An initially served as the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, and was later appointed as General. Later, when the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Wang Tanzhi, was transferred to the post of Governor of Xuzhou, the court tasked Xie An with overseeing the affairs of Guanzhong. Xie An was known for his integrity and ability to support others, even benefiting Sima Daozi, the Prince of Kuaiji, with his help. At that time, strong enemies invaded the border, with continuous battle reports coming in: Liangzhou and Yizhou were lost, and Fancheng and Dengcheng fell. Xie An consistently approached these crises with calmness and a long-term strategy.
His virtuous governance was actively responded to by civil and military officials, focusing on the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in trivial details. His prestige and benevolence spread far and wide, with everyone comparing him to Wang Dao, believing that his demeanor and elegance even surpassed Wang Dao. Once, he and Wang Xizhi climbed Yecheng together, looking into the distance with great aspirations. Wang Xizhi said to him, "Emperor Yu wore calluses on his hands for diligent governance; King Wen of Zhou managed countless affairs for the country, not even having time to eat. Now surrounded by enemies, we should find ways to contribute to the country, but you are talking about unrealistic things and focusing on superficial matters. Perhaps this isn't the right approach at the moment." Xie An replied, "The state of Qin heavily relied on Shang Yang, and as a result, perished after two generations. Does that mean that engaging in intellectual discussions leads to disaster?"
At that time, the palace was in a state of severe disrepair, and Xie An wanted to repair it. Wang Biaozhi, the Minister of Personnel, and others advised against it on the grounds of external invasion, but Xie An chose to disregard their advice and decided to proceed with the repairs on his own. After the palace was completed, it reflected celestial phenomena, matching the movements of the stars, and the project was carried out without any waste of resources. Later, he also served as the Governor of Yangzhou, and the court allowed him to bring one hundred soldiers into the palace. At that time, the emperor had only recently begun to take charge of state affairs and promoted Xie An to Chief of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Valiant Cavalry, assigning him the role of acting Shangshu. Xie An firmly declined the military appointment.
At that time, there were unusual celestial phenomena, and drought had persisted for many years. Xie An submitted a memorial to the court, suggesting that the descendants of those who had served the state during the early Jin Dynasty be posthumously recognized. Shortly afterwards, he was subsequently appointed as Minister of Works, and the court placed all military forces under his command, which he declined once more. Later, the court subsequently appointed him as a Palace Attendant, overseeing military affairs in the five provinces of Yangzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Qingzhou, as well as the military of Yan in Youzhou, and granted him military command.
Fu Jian's power was strong, and the border conflicts were escalating, with many generals being defeated one after another. Xie An sent his younger brother Xie Shi and his nephew Xie Xuan to lead troops into battle, and they were victorious in every engagement. Xie An was appointed as the General of the Guard and the Governor of the Capital, and he was also granted the title of Duke of Jianchang County. Later, Fu Jian personally led a large army, claiming to have a million soldiers, and camped in the area near the Huai River, causing panic in the capital. Xie An was promoted to the Grand Commander of the Expedition. Xie Xuan went to ask Xie An about the battle plan, but Xie An, unfazed, replied, "I have made other arrangements." He then fell silent, not offering any further details. Xie Xuan dared not ask again and sent Zhang Xuanzhong to inquire instead. Only then did Xie An order the carriage to leave the mountain villa, with family and friends gathered around. He and Xie Xuan were playing chess and betting over the villa. Xie An typically wasn't as skilled at chess as Xie Xuan, but this day, Xie Xuan was distracted by worries about the battle, making him an easier opponent. Xie An smiled and said to his nephew Yang Tan, "I will give this villa to you." After a full day of play, Xie An returned in the evening and began to command his generals and arrange battle tasks. After Xie Xuan and the others defeated Fu Jian, a battle report was delivered. Xie An was in the midst of a chess game with guests, and after reading the report, he casually laid it on the bed, his expression remaining unchanged, continuing to play chess. When asked about the battle situation, he nonchalantly remarked, "The children have defeated the bandits." After the game ended, he returned inside, and as he stepped over the threshold, he was so elated that he didn't realize he had stepped on and ruined his shoes! He truly could control his emotions! As a result of his accomplishments, Xie An was promoted to Grand Preceptor.
Xie An wanted to unify the cultural system, so he submitted a memorial requesting to lead a military campaign northward. As a result, he was appointed as the commander of military affairs in fifteen provinces including Yangzhou, Jiangzhou, Jingzhou, Sizhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Jizhou, Youzhou, Bingzhou, Ningzhou, Yizhou, Yongzhou, and Liangzhou. He was also granted a yellow ceremonial axe and two additional mid-level official positions. Xie An requested to resign from the position of Grand Guardian and his title, but the court did not approve. At that time, Huan Chong had passed away, leaving vacancies in Jingzhou and Jiangzhou. People believed that Xie Xuan had made great contributions and should be appointed to fill the positions. Xie An considered that his father and son both had significant achievements, worried that the court might view them with suspicion. He also feared that the Huan family would lose power. Huan Shi Qian had also made achievements in Mianyang and was brave and skilled in battle, holding a strategically important position that might be difficult to control in the future. Therefore, Huan Shi Min was appointed as the regional governor of Jingzhou, Huan Yi was transferred to a central position, and Huan Shi Qian was appointed as the regional governor of Yuzhou. In this way, the three branches of the Huan family each occupied a province, with no resentment among themselves. Xie An always handled affairs in a fair and impartial manner.
He loved music but hadn't played it for ten years after his brother died. When he became the prime minister, he felt that he shouldn't abandon music during the mourning period. Wang Tanzhi wrote to advise him, but he did not listen and continued to wear mourning clothes while listening to music. Over time, this eventually became a common practice.
He also built a villa on Tushan, surrounded by beautiful pavilions and bamboo groves. He often took his children and nephews there to play, spending hundreds of taels of silver every time. Though many criticized him for it, he couldn't care less.
He always felt that Liu Laozhi was not capable of leading independently, and he knew that Wang Mi was not cut out to be a regional ruler. Later, Liu Laozhi indeed fell from grace due to rebellion, and Wang Mi also fell from power due to corruption. Therefore, people with insight admired his knack for judging character.
At that time, King Daozi of Kuaiji had absolute authority, surrounded by a bunch of scheming officials in cahoots, leaving people on edge. To avoid these chaotic affairs, Xie An ran to Buqiu in Guangling (now Yangzhou) to take up a post, and even built a new town for some peace and quiet. When the emperor went to West Chi to worship his ancestors, Xie An even brought offerings of wine and poetry. Although Xie An held a high position, he always wanted to retire to Dongshan, a desire that remained constant, evident in his words and actions. After moving to the new town with his family, Xie An got ready to set sail, intending to return to Dongshan along the Yangtze River when the situation stabilized. Unfortunately, before he could see his wish come true, he fell seriously ill.
He penned a letter to the emperor asking for permission to return to court, and asked the emperor to bring back his son, General Xie Yan, so they could both hang up their boots and take a break. He also suggested that General Longxiang Zhu Xu be stationed in Luoyang, and that Vanguard Commander Xuan Kang guard Pengcheng and Peixian, properly assigning these important tasks. Xie An also said that if those two rebel factions kept getting bold, when the spring floods came next year, we could wipe them out in one go! The emperor sent a courtier to comfort Xie An, and then returned to the capital. It is said that as soon as his carriage rolled through the West Zhou Gate, Xie An felt really down because his wish hadn't come true, sharing his feelings with those around him: "When Huan Wen was alive, I always worried that I wouldn't live long. I once dreamed that I rode in Huan Wen's sedan chair for sixteen li, then saw a white chicken and stopped. Riding in Huan Wen's sedan chair means stepping into his shoes; sixteen li is exactly sixteen years! The white chicken represents You, and now the Grand Duke is in You, my illness is likely beyond help!" So, he decided to step down from his post, and the emperor sent some officials to talk him out of it.
Before, when Xie An set out from Shi Tou Cheng, the military drums suddenly broke; normally he spoke very accurately, but this time he made an unexpected error, which puzzled everyone. Not long after, Xie An passed away at the age of sixty-six. The emperor held a three-day mourning ceremony for him in court and bestowed upon him precious items from the Eastern Garden, a set of court clothes, one million coins, a thousand bolts of cloth, and five hundred pounds of candles. He was posthumously appointed as Grand Tutor and given the posthumous title Wen Jing. As Xie An left no heir to inherit his title, the emperor also ordered the palace to prepare funeral ceremonies for him. When Xie An was buried, the emperor organized a grand ceremony in his honor, with the same level of ceremony as that of Grand Marshal Huan Wen. Because Xie An had once achieved military merits in pacifying Fu Jian, the emperor posthumously appointed him as the Marquis of Lu Ling County.
Xie An was quite renowned in his youth, and many people admired him. When Xie An asked a retired county magistrate from his hometown what he had brought back, the magistrate replied, "I brought back fifty thousand palm-leaf fans." Xie An selected a few to sell. As a result, the capital's residents rushed to buy them, driving the prices up several times. Xie An was originally able to write poems for the scholars in Luoyang, but he suffered from sinusitis, which made his voice a bit hoarse. Many literati liked his poems, but they struggled to imitate him; some even covered their noses while trying. After arriving in Xin Cheng, Xie An built a dam to the north of the city, which later became known as Zhaobo Dai in his honor.
Yang Tan, from Mount Tai, was a renowned scholar favored by the An family. After the An family passed, Yang Tan was deeply saddened for several years and even avoided the West Zhou Road altogether. One time, he got drunk in Shi Tou Cheng, singing as he stumbled along the road, unknowingly arriving at the state gate. Someone nearby told him, "This is the West Zhou Gate." Overcome with sadness, Yang Tan struck the gate with his horse whip, reciting lines from Cao Zhi's poem: "Living in a splendid mansion, yet returning to the hills." Then he burst into tears and left.
The An family had two sons: An Yao and An Yan. An Yao inherited the title and rose to the title of Prince of Langye, but unfortunately died young. His son An Gai inherited the title and eventually became the Administrator of Dongyang. An Gai had no sons, so his younger brother An Mo, a Palace Attendant, wanted his son to inherit the An family title. However, he committed a crime, resulting in the revocation of the title. Liu Yu, recognizing the An family's contributions to the country, specifically reappointed An Gai's brother, An Dan, as Marquis of Chaisang with a fief of one thousand households, and tasked him with overseeing the An family's ancestral rites. An Dan had held many prominent positions in his youth, and during Huan Xuan's usurpation, he served as Grand Commandant and, alongside Wang Mi, went to Gushu carrying an imperial edict. In the Yuanxi era, he became a Household Counsellor and also served as Grand Guardian, and, with the emperor's edict, he went to welcome the abdication of Emperor Wu of the Song dynasty.
An Yan, whose courtesy name was Yuandu, was young but already known for his integrity, capability, and good looks. Although he lived near his cousin An Dan, they rarely interacted, as An Yan only kept company with a few talented family members. He was first appointed as a literary official, then promoted to secretary, and eventually rose to the positions of Cavalier Attendant and Palace Attendant. When Fu Jian rebelled, the An family believed that An Yan had the talent for leading troops into battle, so he was appointed as Assistant General to aid in the war, leading 8,000 elite troops together with his cousin An Xuan, and together they defeated Fu Jian. Due to his military achievements, he was given the title of Marquis of Wangcai. Shortly after, his father passed away, and An Yan resigned from his position to observe mourning rites. After completing his mourning period, he was appointed as General Who Subdues the Rebels and Interior Minister of Kuaiji. After some time, he was called to serve as the Right Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, also serving as Minister to the Crown Prince, and was additionally granted the title of Cavalier Attendant, maintaining his military rank. Later, his mother passed away, and the court hesitated over the funeral arrangements for his mother. It was suggested that, based on a eulogy written by Pan Yue for Jia Chong's wife, which mentioned, "In the past, at the time of the Marquis of Wu, the mourning rites were exceptional. The couple was as one, and their morning ceremonies were equal," his mother should receive a lavish funeral befitting a Grand Tutor. Previously, Wang Xun had married a daughter of Wan Shi, while Wang Xun's brother Wang Min had married a daughter of the An family, but both marriages had not lasted, causing a rift between the Wang and Xie families. Wang Xun, who was serving as a Supervisor at the time, dealt with the situation slowly because of past grudges. Feeling embarrassed, An Yan ordered an extravagant funeral cart for his mother's burial, which led to a lot of gossip.
In the late period of Taiyuan, he became the General of the Guard and was later promoted to General of the Right. Prince Sikong Daizi of Kuaiji appointed him as his Marshal, while retaining his position as General of the Right. Later, when Wang Gong rebelled, the court appointed him as the commander of the vanguard forces and granted him military command authority. After Wang Gong was defeated, he was promoted to Guard General and Governor of Xuzhou, with military command authority.
When Sun En rebelled, the court again entrusted him with commanding the military of Wuxing County and Yixing County to suppress Sun En. Upon his arrival in Yixing, he killed the rebel Xu Yun and welcomed the Prefect Wei Yan back to the county. He then went on to defeat the rebel Qiu Lang in Wuxing. The court subsequently ordered him and Deputy General Liu Laozhi to jointly suppress Sun En. Sun En fled to an island, which caused concern for the court, which then appointed him as the Internal Historian of Kuaiji, in charge of military affairs in five counties, while retaining his previous position. Everyone believed that with his experience and reputation, he would be able to defend against any threats from the east.
However, after arriving in Kuaiji County, he failed to pacify the people, stabilize the situation, or make military preparations. His generals advised him, saying: "The enemy is on the sea, ready to strike at any time. You should show some mercy and give them a chance to turn over a new leaf." He replied: "Fu Jian's million-strong army perished in Huainan, let alone Sun En, who has already been defeated and fled to the sea. Even if he comes back, it will be the will of heaven to destroy this traitor and let him die quickly!" Thus, he ignored their advice.
Sun En once more attacked Jia Kou, captured Yu Yao, defeated Shang Yu, and advanced all the way to Xing Pu, only thirty-five miles from Shan Yin. He sent Colonel Liu Xuanzhi to resist, but the Governor of Shangdang, Zhang Qianshuo, was defeated. Sun En's army grew increasingly bold, terrifying the common people, who felt they needed to strengthen their defenses and prepare for the enemy, preferably deploying naval forces at Nanhu and setting up ambushes. However, he refused to heed their advice. When the enemy attacked, he said, "We have to defeat the enemy before we can eat!" and then rode out on horseback. General Huan Bao of Guangwu led the vanguard, charging into battle and slaying numerous foes. However, the narrow road forced his army to advance in single file. The enemy shot at them from both sides of the boats, isolating his army from both sides. By the time he reached Qianqiu Pavilion, his forces had been routed. His commander, Zhang Meng, cut off his horse's legs from behind, causing him to be thrown from his horse. He and his two sons, Zhao and Jun, were killed, and Huan Bao also died. Later, Liu Yu won a victory at Zuoli, captured Zhang Meng alive, and handed him over to Yan Hun, who dug out his liver and ate it. The court posthumously honored him as a Minister of State and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Zhongsu, honoring him and his sons for their loyalty and filial piety in sacrificing their lives for the nation. The Xie family had three sons: Xie Zhao, Xie Jun, and Xie Hun. Xie Zhao served as a Cavalry Colonel, while Xie Jun was granted the title of Marquis of Jianchang for his military achievements. Later, after Xie Jun died in battle, the court posthumously honored Xie Zhao as a Cavalier Attendant and Xie Jun as a Cavalier Gentleman.
Xie Hun, style name Shuyuan, was well-known for his talents from a young age and was very skilled in writing. Initially, Emperor Xiaowu wanted to select a husband for Princess Jinling and said to Wang Xun, "The princess's husband only needs to be like Liu Zhenchang; Wang Zijing is on par with him. It's also okay to be like Wang Chuzhong or Huan Yuanzi. Although slightly inferior in talent, they are wealthy and good at managing household affairs." Wang Xun replied, "Xie Hun may not be as good as Liu Zhenchang, but he is on par with Wang Zijing." Emperor Xiaowu said, "That's enough." Shortly after, Emperor Xiaowu died. Yuan Shansong wanted to marry his daughter to Xie Hun, and Wang Xun said, "You mustn't entertain the idea of 'forbidden meat.'" So what’s this 'forbidden meat' all about? When Emperor Yuan first arrived in Jianye to take up his post, he was struggling financially in both his public and private life. Every time he got a fat pig, he considered it a delicacy, especially the meat on the pig's neck, which was the best, which he offered to the emperor. The ministers wouldn't dare eat it, so people called this piece of meat "forbidden meat." So Wang Xun used this as a joke. In the end, Xie Hun did marry the princess and inherited his father's title. Huan Xuan once wanted to requisition Xie Hun's house as a military camp. Xie Hun said, "Even a kind person like Duke Shao can protect the sweet osmanthus tree; a virtuous person like Duke Wenjing can't even protect his own five acres of land?" Huan Xuan felt ashamed after hearing this and abandoned the idea. Xie Hun later served in various roles, including Minister of the Central Secretariat, Commander of the Central Army, Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, and Chief Selector. He lost his title due to his involvement in the killing of Liu Yi. After the Song Dynasty came to power, Xie Hui said to Liu Yu, "Your Majesty should ascend to the throne according to the will of heaven. On the day of your coronation, I truly hope that Xie Yishou can present the jade seal." Liu Yu also sighed, "I also regret that future generations won't see his charm and grace!" Yishou was Xie Hun's nickname.
Yi was initially not very well-known. When he first became the magistrate of Shan County, an old man committed an offense, and Yi offered him some fine wine, which caused him to get drunk. At that time, Yi's son Anshi was only seven or eight years old, sitting on his father's lap and urging him to stop drinking. Yi's expression immediately darkened, and he ordered the old man to leave. He had a good relationship with Huan Wen, who recommended him for the position of Sima in Anxi, and Yi continued to embody the straightforwardness of the common folk. When visiting Huan Wen, he would always wear a cap, smile, and recite poetry, just as he normally did. Huan Wen remarked, "I have a Sima in my ranks who is unconcerned with trivialities!" Whenever Yi drank, he would forget all about court etiquette. On one occasion, he even pressured Huan Wen into drinking, prompting Huan Wen to hastily seek refuge at Princess Nankang's residence. The princess remarked, "If it weren't for this Sima who plays by his own rules, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet you!" Later, Yi brought wine to Huan Wen's office, coaxed Huan Wen and a military officer into drinking together, and said, "One old soldier departs, and another old soldier arrives. What's so unusual about that?" Huan Wen didn't blame him either.
Yi's brother Shang had a commendable political career. After his passing, the people of the Western Regions held him in great fondness. The court believed that Yi was a man of integrity and would certainly carry on his brother's legacy, so he was promoted to the military commander of Yuzhou, Sizhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou, as well as Anxi General, Yuzhou Governor, and granted an honorary title. Not long after, he passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of General of Zhenxi.
He had three sons: Quan, Jing, and Xuan. Quan gained fame early on and served as the Prefect of Yixing. Jing rose to the position of Minister of Rites.
Xuan was very intelligent from a young age. He and his cousin Lang were both highly regarded by their uncle An. An once warned his nephews, asking, "What do you kids know about the world? Why do you have to become successful?" Everyone was at a loss for words. Xuan replied, "It's like planting orchids and jade trees; I just want them to thrive in the courtyard." An was very pleased to hear this. Xuan used to like to wear violet sachets when he was young, which concerned An. Not wanting to upset him, An joked with him and made a playful wager. After winning, he ended up burning the sachet, and from then on, Xuan stopped wearing it.
As he grew up, he demonstrated his talent and strategic thinking in governance, but he turned down multiple imperial summons. Later, he and Wang Xun were summoned by Huan Wen to serve as advisors. Huan Wen held them both in high regard. Afterwards, he was promoted to be the Marshal under Huan Huo, also serving as the Prefect of Nanjun, tasked with overseeing military operations in the north.
At that time, the powerful Fu Jian frequently launched invasions on the borders, and the court urgently needed skilled military leaders to defend the northern frontiers. An Shi recommended Xie An. Although Xi Chao, the Imperial Clerk, typically had a strained relationship with Xie An, he sighed upon hearing this recommendation, saying, "An Shi goes against the opinions of others to recommend his own relative, demonstrating his integrity; Xie An will not disappoint his recommendation, indicating his genuine abilities." At that moment, everyone believed this was unlikely. Xi Chao explained, "I've witnessed his talent for utilizing people effectively. Even in arranging trivial matters, he can make the best use of everyone's talents, so I know his capabilities."
As a result, Xie An was summoned back to the court by the emperor, appointed as the General of Establishing Martial Might, the Inspector of Yanzhou, and also serving as the Prefect of Guangling, tasked with overseeing military operations north of the Yangtze River.
Fu Jian sent troops to surround Xiangyang, but General Huan Chong held his ground. The court ordered the conscription of young men from three states and sent the Prefect of Pengcheng, He Qian, to lead troops to patrol the Huai River and Sishui area as a show of support. After Xiangyang fell, Fu Jian's general Peng Chao attacked General Long Xiang stationed in Pengcheng. Xie Xuan, along with the Prefect of Dongguan Gao Heng and Rear General He Qian, arrived at Siku to send a message to Long Xiang, informing him that reinforcements were on the way, but they were unsure how to send the message. A young officer named Tian Hong stepped forward and secretly swam to the city, but he was captured by the enemy. The enemy offered Tian Hong various incentives, urging him to claim "the southern army has been defeated." Tian Hong pretended to agree and then told the people in the city: "The southern army is about to arrive. I came to deliver the message but was captured by the enemy. You must hold on!" Ultimately, Tian Hong made the ultimate sacrifice.
At this time, Peng Chao left his supplies in Liucheng, and Xie Xuan deliberately spread misinformation to provoke He Qian and the others into attacking Liucheng. Hearing this, Peng Chao quickly returned to safeguard the supplies. He Qian swiftly advanced and lifted the siege of Pengcheng. Peng Chao then advanced south with his troops, and Fu Jian's generals Ju Nan and Mao Dang rushed from Xiangyang to support him. Peng Chao besieged the Inspector of Youzhou, Tian Luo, at San'a with an army numbering sixty thousand. The court ordered General Xie Shi to lead the navy to Tu Zhong, while General Mao Anzhi, General Hejian Wang Yuzhi, Prefect of Huainan Yang Guang, and Prefect of Xuancheng Qiu Zhun arrived at Tangyi. Consequently, Xuyi City was lost, Mao Zao, the Prefect of Gaomi, was killed in action, and the forces of Mao Anzhi and others fell into disarray, each soldier fleeing for their life, resulting in widespread panic at the court.
Xie Xuan then set out from Guangling to march west to confront Ju Nan and his forces. He Qian lifted the siege on Tian Luo, moved to Baima, engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy, defeated them, and killed their false general, Dou Yan. He then continued to attack, once again defeating the enemy and killing their false general, Shao Bao. Peng Chao and Ju Nan were forced to retreat. Xie Xuan led He Qian, Dai Lu, and Tian Luo in pursuit, clashing with the enemy at Junchuan, where they secured another significant victory. Xie Xuan's aide, Liu Laozhi, destroyed the enemy's floating bridges and white boats, while supervisors Zhuge Kan and Shan Fuling routed the enemy's supply fleet. Ju Nan and others fled in disarray, desperately trying to save their lives. As a result, the garrisons at Pengcheng and Xiapi were dismantled. The court appointed Xie Xuan as Champion General, promoted him to Governor of Xuzhou, and conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Dongxing County in recognition of his achievements.
Fu Jian personally led a large army to Xiangcheng, boasting a force of one million soldiers. Meanwhile, the Liangzhou army had only just arrived in Xianyang, the Shu Han army advanced downstream, and the armies of Youzhou and Bingzhou also arrived one after another. Fu Jian first dispatched Fu Rong, Murong Wei, Zhang Hao, Fu Fang, and others to Yingkou, while Liang Cheng, Wang Xian, and their forces established positions at Luojian. The court designated Xie Xuan as the vanguard, commanding the armies from Jinling Prefecture in Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yangzhou, and other regions, along with his uncle Xie Shi, cousin Xie Yan, Huan Yi, Tan Xuan, Dai Xi, and Tao Yin, to oppose Fu Jian, commanding a total force of approximately 80,000 soldiers.
Xie Xuan first sent Liu Laozhi, the Prefect of Guangling, to lead five thousand men directly to Luojian. They immediately killed Liang Cheng and his brother Liang Yun on the spot, causing the enemy's infantry and cavalry to scatter and flee toward the Huai River. Liu Laozhi led his troops in pursuit, capturing the enemy generals Liang Ta, Wang Xian, Liang Ti, Murong Qushi, and others, and seizing their military equipment and supplies. Fu Jian advanced and stationed his troops in Shouyang, forming a battle formation by the Fei River, preventing Xie Xuan's army from crossing the river. Xie Xuan sent a message to Fu Rong, "You have come from afar and formed a formation by the river, suggesting that you are not interested in a swift battle. If you move back a bit, to allow your soldiers to maneuver more freely, we could take our time to observe the battle together—wouldn't that be better?" Fu Jian's soldiers all said, "We should block the Fei River and not let Xie Xuan's army cross. We have more people than them; the situation is definitely in our favor." Fu Jian said, "However, if we retreat and let the enemy cross the river, I can bring hundreds of thousands of cavalry to the river and completely annihilate them." Fu Rong also agreed that Fu Jian's strategy was sound, so he ordered a retreat, but the army became disorganized and could not halt their withdrawal.
Xie Xuan, Xie Yan, Huan Yi, and others led eight thousand elite troops across the Feishui River. Xie Shi's army fought against Zhang Hao's army and retreated slightly. Xie Xuan and Xie Yan continued to advance, fighting a decisive battle against Fu Jian on the south bank of the Feishui River. Fu Jian was struck by a stray arrow and killed on the battlefield; Fu Rong was also slain. Fu Jian's army was defeated, trampled one another, and many drowned in the river, causing the Feishui River to almost come to a standstill. The remaining soldiers abandoned their weapons, fled at night, terrified by the sounds of the wind and the cries of cranes, thinking that the enemy had arrived. They rushed to walk and slept rough, and combined with hunger and cold, this resulted in the deaths of roughly one-seventh to one-eighth of the soldiers. The army captured Fu Jian's mica carriage, ceremonial attire, equipment, military supplies, treasures, and over a hundred thousand livestock. The court issued an edict to send the Palace General to commend Xie Xuan, promote him to the rank of General, and award him a ceremonial staff. Xie Xuan stoutly refused the reward. The court then awarded him a million coins and a thousand bolts of silk. Xie An reported that Fu Jian had died and suggested seizing the opportunity to strike. Therefore, Xie Shi was appointed as the vanguard general and led the army to retake their homeland at Wugui River and Ying River. Xie Shi arrived near Pengcheng, sent Liu Xi to confront Zhang Chong, the Inspector of Yanzhou, defeated him in Juancheng, and then had Liu Laozhi defend the city. After capturing Yanzhou, Xie Shi discovered that navigating the waterways was challenging and transporting supplies was arduous. He consulted with Wen Ren Shi, and together they built dams, fences, and seven docks on the Luliang River to ease the movement of supplies. This initiative later became known as the "Qingzhou Dispatch." Xie Shi then went to attack Qingzhou, sending Gao Su, the Prefect of Huailing, along with three thousand troops to assault Guanggu. Consequently, Fu Jian's Inspector of Qingzhou, Fu Lang, surrendered.
Afterwards, Xie Shi launched an attack on Jizhou, sending Liu Laozhi and Ding Kuang to occupy Qiaozhu, sending Guo Man to occupy Huatai, and also sending Yan Xiong to cross the river and set up camp. Fu Jian's son, Fu Pi, sent Sangju to station troops in Liyang. Xie Shi then ordered Liu Xi to launch a night attack on Sangju and drove him away. Fu Pi was frightened and expressed a desire to surrender, to which Xie Shi agreed. Fu Pi said they were hungry, so Xie Shi also sent Fu Pi two thousand hu (a traditional Chinese measure) of rice. Afterwards, Xie Shi sent Teng Tianzhi to cross the river and guard Liyang, and now all three states of Wei surrendered.
Because Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Sizhou, and Yuzhou were all pacified, Xie Shi was appointed military commander over seven provinces: Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Sizhou, Jizhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou. Xie Shi submitted a report stating that Hebei had been pacified, and that Youzhou and Jizhou needed a governor, and Sizhou was too far away, so it should be under the jurisdiction of Yuzhou. For his great achievements, Xie Shi was granted the title of Count of Kangle County. Xie Shi also requested to transfer the marquis title previously granted to him to his nephew, Xie Wan, which the emperor agreed to, and also granted Xie Wan the title of Count of Yuning.
Next, Xie Shi sent Yao Yan to attack Shen Kai in Weijun, defeating Shen Kai. Xie Shi wanted the governor of Yuzhou, Zhu Xu, to guard Liangguo, while he himself stayed in Pengcheng, defending the Beigu River, supporting Luoyang in the west, and protecting the court. The court felt that the war had lasted too long, so they should station troops and then withdraw, and thus asked Xie Shi to return to guard Huaiyin, and let Zhu Xu guard Shouyang.
As a result, Zhai Liao staged a rebellion in Liyang and captured Teng Tianzhi, while Zhang Yuan, the Prefect of Mount Tai, also raised troops in rebellion, causing chaos in Hebei. Xie Shi felt he had fallen short, so he wrote to request his resignation and relinquish all duties. The emperor reassured him and instructed him to return to Huaiyin to take up his post, allowing Zhu Xu to take over defending Pengcheng.
After Xuan returned home, he fell ill and submitted a request to resign, but the Emperor did not approve it. Xuan submitted another letter, stating he was truly unfit for the position and was worried about causing delays. The Emperor subsequently reassigned him to Dongyang City. Xuan immediately set off for his new post, but his condition deteriorated during the journey, so he submitted another letter stating:
I have always been an ordinary person, without the ability to serve the court, yet I have been granted your special favor. At that time, I did not overestimate my own capabilities and participated in military and political affairs. For over a decade, I have faced the dangers of the battlefield without fear. Every time there is a battle, I voluntarily charge into the fray out of gratitude for your deep kindness. I have forgotten life and death, willing to face death as if I were still alive. May Heaven bless the Great Jin Dynasty; your reputation has been repeatedly exalted, all because of your divine martial wisdom and decisiveness, and none dare to defy. My deceased uncle, An Xiezanzong, fulfilled the will of Heaven. But now there are still many unresolved issues in the world, the country is not completely stable, and the people are still in dire straits. The strongholds of rebellion must also be eradicated. I have been commanded to lead troops to the front lines once more. I hope to rely on the Emperor's power to unify the world, so that Your Majesty may usher in a peaceful and prosperous era. Only then can this humble servant repay your kindness with my meager abilities. Then, like my deceased uncle An, I can retire to the mountains, cultivate my character, and enjoy my twilight years. I have laid these words out clearly in my memorial, which I have submitted to Your Majesty. My deep concern for state and family matters stems from these reasons. I never anticipated such misfortune, with calamities befalling me in midlife. First, my deceased uncle An and deceased brother Jing passed away one after another within a few months, followed by the untimely death of my young son. Grief and pain assailed me simultaneously, surpassing what any ordinary person could endure. The reason I endure this sorrow and strive to carry on is that even wise ministers may fall out of favor, enlightened monarchs may have moments of confusion, and successors to people like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou will arise. Everyone should strive for self-reliance. I still wish to fulfill my aspirations, serve my country, and defend my homeland, and that is why I am able to overcome my grief and maintain a calm demeanor.
Xuan was seriously ill on the way; he wrote a letter requesting to resign, but the emperor did not agree and instead ordered him to be transferred to Dongyang City. After Xuan set off, his condition worsened, so he wrote another letter, roughly meaning: My abilities are limited, yet I have been favored by the emperor, participating in military and political affairs for more than ten years, risking my life in hopes of repaying the emperor's kindness. Although the country is in a prosperous era, there are still hidden dangers. I am willing to continue serving the country and, once peace is restored, to retire like my ancestors. However, unforeseen events occurred; my uncle, brothers, and young son passed away one after another, my family has suffered misfortune, and I am in deep pain, but for the country, I still have to persevere.
Last winter, under the orders of Lord Situ Daozi, I participated in a grand strategic planning and was later asked about my personal decision to stay or leave. I have limited abilities and cannot see the situation clearly; I consider the tense national situation as a personal shame, retreating but feeling inadequate, so I wanted to follow my inner thoughts. I did not expect the strategic planning to make no progress, but instead, I made a mistake. Therefore, I submitted a memorial, waiting for the government's punishment, following the usual procedures, feeling guilty in my heart. However, the emperor pardoned my wrongdoing, forgave me against the law, allowing me, a wrongdoer, to be registered again in the government. Even stones and wood would be moved, let alone me! But my health is poor, always encountering disasters; the virtue of humility is not shown, but instead, I took on too much responsibility. When the illness came, I fell ill, and Your Majesty understands my serious condition, allowing me to return to the fief of Huainan. I wanted to recuperate and pacify the people while trying to treat my illness, hoping to slowly recover and prepare for a grand plan. However, my condition worsened with no signs of improvement. Now, I am extremely weak, living on borrowed time now. I usually follow the rules and work diligently in handling affairs, but it has not been enough to ensure the smooth progress of government matters. Moreover, now that we are separated both internally and externally, we will never meet again. Why should I take on heavy responsibilities and invite trouble?
Looking back on the past, it is truly heart-wrenching. I am just a nobody; what is there to regret? I am genuinely concerned about the country and the people. I specifically sent Liu Ji, who also holds the position of chief historian, to present the seal and documents of the military governor to Your Majesty again. I earnestly request Your Majesty to show mercy and save my failing life. Please frequently send troops to pacify the troubled border areas, grant my request for full medical treatment, allow me to embrace Taoism, and hope for the blessings of the deities. If this still does not work, then life and death will be left to fate. If I can survive, I can still see the grave and cypress trees; then I will die without regrets in both my public and private life. I lay on my pillow, overwhelmed with sorrow, tears streaming down my face.
The emperor sent a powerful imperial physician to treat him and allowed him to return to the capital to recuperate. Xie Xuan received the imperial edict and returned, but he remained gravely ill for a long time, showing no signs of recovery. He wrote to the emperor again, saying, "I have seven brothers, all of whom have passed away, leaving me all alone. The suffering I have endured in my life is unmatched. I bear this grief, only wishing to survive and repay the emperor's grace; my heart is filled with gratitude, hoping to recover from my illness and fulfill my wishes. Furthermore, being all alone, thinking of the situation at home, my heart is extremely distressed. I will do everything I can to survive; I don't want to die. My heart is in pain, truly pitiful! I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on me, forgive me, and do not let me carry regrets to the grave." The emperor ignored him. He wrote to the emperor over ten times, but much time passed. Eventually, the emperor reassigned him as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, General of the Left, and Intendant of Kuaiji.
At that time, the Prefect of Wuxing and Marquis Jinning, Zhang Xuanzhi, was also very talented. He and Xie Xuan both passed the imperial examination in the same year, but Xie Xuan was more famous than Zhang Xuanzhi. They were known as the "Two Xuans of the South and North," and everyone admired them. Xie Xuan took office in Kuaiji with his illness, and thirteen years later, he passed away while in office at the age of forty-six. He was posthumously named General of Chariots and Cavalry and honored with the title of Exemplary Martial.
His son Xie Zheng inherited his title, served as a secretary to the court, and died young. Later, Xie Lingyun inherited the title. Xie Zheng was not particularly bright as a child, while Xie Lingyun was exceptionally gifted in literature. Xie Xuan once remarked, "If I were still alive, how could Xie Zheng have lived to see the birth of Xie Lingyun!" During the Yongxi period, Xie Lingyun served as the Left Guard Commander of the heir of Liu Yu.
Among those who fought alongside Xie Xuan were He Qian, courtesy name Gongzi, from Donghai, and Dai Zhan, younger brother of Dai Kui, courtesy name Anqiu. He Qian and Dai Zhan were both brave and resourceful. Dai Kui withdrew to Dongshan, while Dai Zhan rose to prominence due to his military prowess. Xie An once asked Dai Zhan, "Why are the ambitions of you brothers so different?" Dai Zhan replied, "I cannot bear this responsibility; my brother enjoys his happiness, and that's enough for me." Dai Zhan was enfeoffed as Marquis Guangxin for his military achievements and rose to the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture.
Xie Wan, renowned for his exceptional talent, though not as gifted as An Shi, was skilled in both writing and debate and had already gained a reputation at a young age. He once wrote an essay titled "On the Eight Virtuous Men," which discussed the different life choices of eight reclusive and prominent figures such as the fisherman, Qu Yuan, Ji Zhu, Jia Yi, Chu Lao, Gong Sheng, Sun Deng, and Ji Kang. The main point of the article is that reclusive individuals are superior to those in official positions, with the intention of advising Sun Chuo. Sun Chuo debated with him, believing that individuals with noble character and lofty ambitions have no difference between serving in office or living in seclusion.
Once, he and Cai Xi were seeing off guests at the Zhenlu Pavilion, and a disagreement arose due to their differing opinions. In anger, Cai Xi pushed Xie Wan to the ground, knocking his hat off. However, Xie Wan calmly straightened his clothes, sat down, and coolly remarked to Cai Xi, "You almost ruined my image!" Cai Xi replied, "I never even considered your image." Despite their intense argument, they both did not care at all afterward, and people admired their composure.
When Xie Wan was young, he was summoned to be an official in the Ministry of Justice, but he did not accept the appointment. Later, he was promoted to Right Western Official, but he also declined. When Emperor Jianwen served as the Prime Minister, he heard of Xie Wan's reputation and summoned him to serve as a military advisor. Xie Wan wore a white silk headscarf, was wearing a crane-patterned cloak, and wore wooden sandals to meet Emperor Jianwen. After meeting, he and Emperor Jianwen talked for a long time. Taiyuan Wang Shu, Xie Wan's father-in-law, served as the Governor of Yangzhou. Xie Wan once wore a white silk headscarf, rode in a simple sedan chair, and went directly to the gate of Wang Shu's office, where he told Wang Shu, "People say you are confused, and you really are quite confused." Wang Shu replied, "That's not entirely untrue, but it's only in my later years." Xie Wan was later promoted to Governor of Yuzhou, Governor of Huainan, overseeing military affairs in the four provinces of Yujibing, and was given a nominal title. Wang Xizhi wrote to Huan Wen, saying, "Xie Wan is exceptionally talented and knowledgeable in history. If he were to serve in the court and participate in politics, he would surely become a famous minister of his time. But now he is squandering his talents in far-flung regions, which contradicts his abilities and undermines his ambitions!" However, Huan Wen did not adopt Wang Xizhi's suggestion.
General Mo Qi was appointed to lead the northern expedition; he was full of himself and often recited poetry to show off his superiority, without a care for his soldiers' feelings. His brother Wan An was very worried, so he went from the army commander to the ordinary soldiers, comforting and encouraging each of them individually. Wan An said to Mo Qi, "As a marshal, you should communicate with the generals frequently to please them. How do you expect to get anything done acting like that?" Mo Qi then gathered the generals, but instead, he didn't say anything; he just waved his baton at everyone and said, "All the generals are elite soldiers!" The generals grew to dislike him even more. Later, Mo Qi sent General Liu Jian to repair the city walls of Matoucheng while he led his army to the area of the Wo River and Ying River to support Luoyang. General Chi Tan of the Northern Lang fell ill and retreated to Pengcheng. Mo Qi thought the enemy was too strong, so he also led the army to retreat, resulting in the army dispersing, and he ended up fleeing back alone in disgrace, and was demoted to the status of a commoner. He was later reappointed as a Cavalry Attendant but sadly passed away at the age of forty-two, and the court posthumously promoted him.
The descendants of the Xie family, Shao, Lang, Xuan, and Chuan, were all outstanding. People referred to them as Feng, Hu, Jie, and Mo, with Feng referring to Shao, Hu referring to Lang, Jie referring to Xuan, and Mo referring to Chuan. Shao, Lang, and Chuan all died young; only Xuan managed to enjoy a good life thanks to his achievements and reputation. Shao became the Master of Chariots and Cavalry Units. Shao's son Xie En, known as Jingbo, was a broad-minded man with great strategic insight; he served as a Chamberlain and the Governor of Wuchang. Xie En's three sons, Xie Yao and Xie Hongwei, also held prominent official positions.
Xie Lang, style name Changdu. His father, Xie Ju, died young. Xie Lang was skilled at explaining profound concepts, with remarkable literary talent, and his reputation was second only to Xie Xuan. When he was young, just recovering from an illness, he was very weak and was easily fatigued. However, he engaged in a debate with his uncle Wan An and the monk Zhi Dun, and both sides ended up exhausted. His mother, Wang, sent messengers twice to bring him back home, but Wan An wanted to keep him for further debate. Wang said, "I have experienced a lot of hardships when I was young, and the only hope in my life is this child." She took Xie Lang away in tears. Wan An said to the guests present, "My sister-in-law's farewell was so heartfelt; it's a pity that the court ministers didn't get to witness it." Xie Lang eventually served as the Prefect of Dongyang.
Xie Zhong, style name Jingzhong, was intelligent and talented, serving as the Chief of Cavalry under King Sima Daozi of Kuaiji. One night while accompanying Daozi, the moon was bright and the night was clear, and Daozi praised the beautiful scenery. Xie Zhong blurted out, "I think it would be better with a few clouds to decorate it." Daozi then teased Xie Zhong, saying, "You lack sincerity; why do you insist on tarnishing this beautiful scenery?"
Shi Xuan, style name Xuanying, often joked around in front of his father-in-law, showing disrespect to his uncle Yuan Zhan. Yuan Zhan was very angry and said, "Your father used to disrespect my brothers, and now you are treating me like this. There's no uncle-nephew bond in the world quite like that of Wei Yang!" Shi Xuan's father, Shi Zhong, was the grandson of Wang Hu and had a feud with Yuan Zhan's brothers, which explains Yuan Zhan's words.
Shi Chong, styled Shinu. He was initially appointed as a secretary and later gradually promoted to the position of Minister of Writing. Due to his exceptional writing skills, he was granted the title of Count of Xingping. During the Battle of Huai Fei, the court ordered Shi Chong to resign from his position as Supervisor and instead serve as the General-in-Chief to lead the campaign against Fu Jian. Along with his sons, Shi Xuan and Shi Yan, he defeated Fu Jian. Prior to this, there was a popular children's rhyme: "Who says Fu Jian is as hard as a rock and cannot be broken?" Therefore, Huan Wen and Huan Huo named their sons "Shi" to wish them future success. Although the credit for Fu Jian's defeat primarily went to Shi Lao, the ultimate victory was secured by Shi Xuan and Shi Yan, while Shi Chong was indeed serving as the General-in-Chief at that time. Later, Shi Chong was promoted to Central Army General, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and granted the title of Duke of Nankang. At that time, the education system was in decline, and Shi Chong submitted a memorial advocating for the revival of national education to educate the youth, and ordered the construction of village schools in various states and counties. His memorial was accepted by Emperor Xiaowu. After his older brother Shi An passed away, Shi Chong was appointed as Guard General and granted the title of Cavalier Attendant. Due to a conflict with the official Wang Gong, the two accused each other; Wang Gong was very angry and claimed he was unwell, requesting to return home. Shi Chong also submitted a request to resign. After the relevant departments reported, Shi Chong was immediately dismissed from his position. The Emperor issued a decree stating, "Shi Chong requested to resign due to illness, how can this be processed according to standard procedures? Let him come back!" However, Shi Chong did not return to court for more than a year. He submitted over ten petitions in succession, but the Emperor did not approve. Shi Chong requested to follow the precedent set by former Minister Wang Biao to handle some affairs in his mansion, which the Emperor allowed. Later, Shi Chong fell seriously ill, was promoted to General of the Guards, and was awarded a ceremonial drum, but before he could accept the appointment, he passed away at the age of sixty-two.
Shi Chong had a scar on his face when he was young, which took a long time to heal, so he hid away. One night, a creature came to lick his wound, and wherever it licked, the wound healed, turning the healed areas white. Therefore, he later earned the nickname "Xie Baimian." During his time in office, Shi Chong placed great importance on preserving official documents. He did not have any special talents or fame, but because he was the younger brother of a prime minister and had achieved great merit, he was able to hold a high position. However, he was extremely greedy and amassed wealth endlessly, which drew criticism from the public. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Sikong, and the court officials deliberated on his posthumous title. The scholar Fan Hongzhi proposed the title "Xiang Mogong," which is recorded in Fan Hongzhi's biography. The court ultimately rejected this suggestion and simply conferred the title "Xiang."
Wang Si died young. His brother Wang Chong allowed his bright son to inherit the family business, but his son was killed by Sun En. Later, the murdered boy's brother, Yu Fu, let his son Hao inherit the family business. When the Song Dynasty came to power, the country underwent a dynastic change, and this family's lineage was cut off.
Miao, with the style name Maodu, was the son of a military officer who served as the governor of Yongjia. Miao was known for his integrity and uncompromising nature, as well as his keen insight. He eventually rose to the position of Shizhong. During Emperor Xiaowu's banquets, he often rewarded his attendants with edicts, some of which contained inappropriate language, so Miao took it upon himself to burn them. Other attendants who received such edicts would often spread the word, which led to gossip about Miao being overly impulsive. Later, he was appointed as the governor of Wuxing. During Sun En's rebellion, he was captured and killed by the bandits Hu Jie and Gao Biao. The bandits forced him to kneel and bow to the north, but Miao boldly declared, "I have done nothing to offend the emperor; why should I kneel to the north?" Immediately after he spoke, he was executed.
Miao's wife, Xi Shi, was extremely jealous. Miao had previously taken a concubine, which deeply upset Xi Shi. She wrote a letter to sever ties with Miao. Miao sensed that the letter didn't sound like it was written by a woman, so he suspected that his subordinate, Qiu Xuanda, had written it on her behalf, and he drove Qiu Xuanda away. Furious, Qiu Xuanda sought refuge with Sun En and ultimately caused harm to Miao's brothers, which ultimately led to the destruction of Miao's entire family.
Historical records state: After the establishment of the Jianyuan era, the country encountered numerous threats, with corrupt forces rampant and powerful ministers acting with arrogance. Only the Xie family could simultaneously hold key positions both within and outside the court, relying on the emperor's trust to live securely day by day. Xie An held crucial positions of power and achieved remarkable accomplishments; he advocated for proper discussions, which led to the revival of funeral rites that had fallen into decline; he supplemented lost music, bringing back the missing elegant music. He was truly a nobleman!
Xie An initially lived in seclusion away from the worldly hustle and bustle, composing poetry in the mountains and drifting along rivers and seas. At that time, he was carefree and elegant, like the colorful clouds on the mountain. When he was summoned by the court and donned official robes, the nation's various endeavors flourished, and social order became stable and orderly. At that time, Fu Jian led a million-strong army eyeing the Yangtze River, while Huan Wen was determined to seize the throne of the Jin Dynasty. The populace was anxious, both near and far. Xie An, however, calmly foiled the schemes of corrupt officials and easily pacified the bandits, stabilizing the court as solid as Mount Tai and averting the perilous situation. This was indeed an extraordinary achievement! However, when he was about to retire, he held extravagant feasts, incurring massive expenses and fostering a decadent social atmosphere, neglecting etiquette, which was particularly inappropriate given the country was at war. Although he sought to reconcile joy and sorrow, extravagance and frugality, he failed to recognize that the culture of decadence had already taken root, and the righteous path was gradually eroding, leading to the degradation of the country's laws and institutions!
Xie Yan is known for his loyalty and bravery; Xie Hun is renowned for his charm and eloquence. Both brothers hold positions in the court while upholding the family’s honor. Xie Yi is free-spirited, while Xie Shi tends to be narrow-minded, each with their own flaws but living up to their reputations. Xie Kangle excels in both civil and military affairs, with aspirations to help the people. Unfortunately, his lofty ambitions were tragically cut short by an untimely death, which is truly lamentable. His writings reflect his extraordinary talent and lofty aspirations.
Now let's talk about Shen Yue, a truly impressive figure! He is celebrated for his bravery and exceptional eloquence, making a name for himself both locally and in the imperial court. Despite holding high positions, he lived like a recluse, enjoying a carefree life, focusing on his own matters. His son Shen Yan, on the other hand, exhibited a bold and spirited character. Together, they made substantial contributions to the nation, with Shen Yue earning immense honor for his military exploits.
Praise: Anxi is graceful and exceptionally talented, possessing both eloquence and profound knowledge. He exerts his power and authority, his reputation resonating throughout the realms. Like a drifting vessel, he embodies both depth and expansiveness. Serving under numerous rulers, his loyalty remains steadfast. His loyalty and bravery are both noble and grand, and his accomplishments are vast and limitless. Whether as a dragon or a radiant beacon, he is both a minister and a general. Great is the dedication of Xianwu, his achievements celebrated with accolades. He has vanquished numerous foes, nearly purging the entire realm.
