Oh, let's take a look at the past affairs of those imperial relatives and listen to what the elders have to say. Those who prospered through their relationships with the imperial family and powerful officials, they had quite the impressive backgrounds! However, very few of them had a good ending, and why is that? It's because they relied on the emperor's favor to climb the ranks, lacking both virtue and ability. They relied solely on their royal connections to land important positions in the court. Some even became arrogant and intimidated the emperor; others had too much power, dominating court affairs. They ignored the dangers, only focused on climbing higher, not restraining themselves, becoming increasingly extravagant and decadent, and this was bound to happen! Think about the families of Empress Lü and Huo Guang, who were wiped out during the Western Han Dynasty; the faction of Liang Ji and Empress Dowager Deng, which was wiped out during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The list of those who caused chaos and corrupted politics is endless.
However, not all imperial relatives were like that. For example, the son of Fan Kuai, the brother of Dou Guangguo, and people like Yin Xing and Shi Dan, they were relatively low-key, not extravagant, even covering up their family's misdeeds, promoting their family's virtues - they were good examples among imperial relatives. Thus, those who became arrogant and reckless all met a grim fate; those who were humble, cautious, and followed the rules could enjoy long and peaceful lives. As the ancients said, "Misfortune and fortune have no door; they come only from within," and that’s the truth!
During the Jin Dynasty, trouble started from the palace. Yang Jun, relying on the favor of Emperor Wu, abused his power; Jia Mi took advantage of Emperor Hui's incompetence, rose to power step by step, and ultimately caused the death of the Empress Dowager, causing great suffering to Emperor Min Huai. The people were angry, the court was chaotic, the ancestral temples were destroyed, and the common people suffered. As the Book of Songs says, "The grandeur of the Zhou dynasty was destroyed by Bao Si." This is exactly what it means! Even during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the situation did not change. The prominent Yud Liang family and the prestigious Wang Gong both held important positions in the court, but what happened as a result? Xiaobo Yud Liang eventually died, and Wang Gong nearly lost the country. It's really a shame! On the other hand, Chu Jiye avoided those in power, and Wang Shuren actively requested to go to an official position in a distant place, thus saving their lives and avoiding disasters. This is what smart people do! The deeds of Jia Chong, Yang Jun, Yud Liang, Wang Xianzhi, and Wang Gong are all recorded in history books, and the rise and fall of other relatives will be written in the "Relatives" chapter.
Yang Xiu, styled Zhishu, was the cousin of Empress Jingxian. His father, Yang Dan, served as the Minister of Ceremonies, and his brother, Yang Jin, held the position of Right Minister of the Secretariat. When Yang Xiu was young, he passed the county-level examination and later participated in the military actions of General Zong Hui in pacifying the Shu region. When Zong Hui rebelled, Yang Xiu earnestly tried to persuade him but was unsuccessful. He returned to the court and was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei. Yang Xiu was well-educated, talented, and skilled in strategy, and he had a close relationship with Emperor Wu from a young age, often sharing meals and drinks together. He once said to Emperor Wu, "If you become wealthy and successful in the future and hold a high position, let me hold important positions for ten years." Emperor Wu smiled and agreed to his request.
At the beginning, Emperor Wu had not yet been designated as the Crown Prince, and his reputation and status were not as good as his younger brother, Sima You. Emperor Wen preferred Sima You and had always wanted to establish him as the Crown Prince. Yang Xiu provided secret counsel to Emperor Wu, offering significant assistance. He closely monitored Emperor Wen's governance successes and failures, speculated on what questions Emperor Wen might ask, and then informed Emperor Wu to ensure he was prepared. Later, Emperor Wen and Emperor Wu discussed national affairs and personnel issues, and Emperor Wen approved of Emperor Wu's answers. In this way, the Crown Prince position was ultimately secured. After Emperor Wu became General Who Pacifies the North, he appointed Yang Xiu as his military advisor. After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he promoted Yang Xiu to General of the Left Guard and granted him the title of Marquis of Ganlu Pavilion. After Emperor Wu's coronation, Yang Xiu was promoted several times and eventually became the Central Army Commander, also holding the title of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. Yang Xiu served in these positions for a total of thirteen years, overseeing the Imperial Guards, participating in confidential affairs, and receiving special favor from Emperor Wu. Initially, Du Yu was appointed as General of the South, and the officials in the court went to congratulate him, sitting in rows on the couches. Yang Xiu and Pei Kai later arrived, and Yang Xiu said, "Du Yuankai actually indulges in such a display of sitting in rows?" After saying this, he simply stood up and left without sitting down.
Xiu was a person who spent money recklessly, without restraint. He even used charcoal to heat wine in the shape of small animals, and all the nobles in Luoyang tried to imitate him. He loved socializing and revelry every night, bringing together relatives and friends of all ages and backgrounds. Many people laughed at him at that time. However, when he valued someone, he wholeheartedly promoted them and took special care of the poor and destitute. When selecting talents, he always favored those he personally approved of, without regard for the rules. If any soldier dared to claim an official position without authorization, he would risk his life to maintain military discipline. Despite his reckless and lawless behavior, officials often turned a blind eye. Later, the Chief Commandant Liu Yi accused him, and although he should have been severely punished, Emperor Wu spared his official position out of old affection. Soon after, he was reinstated. When Prince Qi You was appointed to his post, Xiu offended the Emperor with his frank advice and was demoted to the Household Department. Bitter over his demotion, he fell ill and eventually requested retirement due to his serious condition. The Emperor appointed him as Special Advisor and promoted him to Cavalry Commandant, allowing him to retire at home. Shortly after, he passed away. The Emperor personally issued a decree stating, "Xiu had a close relationship with me since childhood, serving faithfully and with remarkable achievements both inside and outside the court. Sadly, he passed away young, causing me great sorrow. I posthumously appoint him as Grand General Who Supports the State and Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, and grant him the Secretarial Office of the East Garden, a set of court attire, 300,000 coins and 100 rolls of silk." He was posthumously granted the title "Wei."
Wang Xun, whose courtesy name was Liangfu, was the younger brother of Empress Wenming. His father, Wang Su, was the Marquis of Lanling in the Wei Kingdom. Wang Xun was knowledgeable and upright, rising to the position of Intendant of Henan. He also founded two schools, promoting the study of the Five Classics. The magistrate of Ge County, Yuan Yi, once gave him a good horse, but Wang Xun declined it. Later, Yuan Yi fell from power, and those who had accepted his bribes were punished.
The Wei Kingdom stipulated that officials below the rank of nobles had limits on the number of cattle they could rent and tenant farmers they could hire. As a result, common people feared conscription, preferring to work for wealthy officials. These wealthy families often hired hundreds of tenant farmers. In the Taiyuan region, many tribes used Xiongnu tribes as tenant farmers, with some having thousands. When Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he ordered the recruitment of tenant farmers to be banned. Wang Xun strictly enforced the ban within his jurisdiction, and no one dared to violate it. In the fourth year of the Xianning era, Wang Xun passed away and was posthumously granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry. Wang Xun had two younger brothers, Wang Qian and Wang Kai.
Qian, whose courtesy name was Gongzu, rose through the ranks due to his merits, eventually becoming the Commandant of Wei and then the Marquis of Anshouting. He later became the General Who Pacifies the East, with authority over military affairs in Qingzhou. He was later appointed as a Palace Attendant, promoted to the role of Imperial Secretariat, and eventually died. His son, Shiwen, inherited his titles and achieved the ranks of General of the Right Guard and General of Southern Lang. He was stationed in Xuchang and was later killed by Liu Cong.
Kai, style name Junfu, showed great talent from a young age, and his official rank continued to rise. Although his personal life was somewhat disordered, everyone thought he did well in his official duties. He was rewarded for his contributions in the campaign against Yang Jun and was appointed as the Duke of Shandu County, with a fief comprising 1,800 households. Later, he was promoted to the rank of General Longxiang, concurrently serving as General of the Agile Cavalry, and was also appointed as a Cavalier Attendant. However, he was subsequently dismissed from his post due to misconduct. He was later reinstated as the Commandant of the Garrison, and after some time, was promoted to General of the Rear. Kai came from a prominent family and was a relative of the imperial family, had a notably extravagant character, and even went so far as to use cinnabar to paint his walls! He and Shi Chong were almost exposed for poisoning, and the Colonel Director of Retainers, Fu Zhi, accused him. The authorities believed he bore significant blame, but the Emperor granted him a pardon. After this incident, everyone grew fearful of him, so he became even more reckless, acting with complete impunity. He eventually passed away and was posthumously given the title "Chou."
Yang Wenzong was the father of Empress Wuyuan. His ancestors served the Han Dynasty, and three out of four generations held high positions as Three Excellencies. Yang Wenzong served as a Gentleman of the Palace in the Wei Kingdom and inherited the title of Marquis of Maoting. He died at a young age, and after his daughter ascended to the position of empress, he was posthumously appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the title "Mu."
Yang Xuanzhi was the father of Empress Hui and was the son of Yang Jin, the Minister of the Right. Yang Xuanzhi initially served as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, but following his daughter's elevation to empress, he was appointed as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Special Attendant, Cavalier Attendant, and was granted the title of Marquis of Xingjin. He was later promoted to Minister of the Right, given the title of Palace Attendant, and his title was elevated to Duke. When Prince Ying of Chengdu attacked Prince Yi of Changsha, troops were raised in the name of suppressing Yang Xuanzhi, which led to his death from fear. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry and given the title of Household Director with Equal Rank to the Three Excellencies.
Yu Yu, the father of Empress Yuanjing, was well-known when he was young and was summoned by various provinces and counties multiple times, but he never accepted. Later, he was appointed as the literary scholar for the Prince of Nanyang. He died young. After Emperor Ming took the throne, he posthumously honored Yu Yu with the titles of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat, and Marquis of Pingshan County. His son Yu Yin succeeded him in his title.
Yin, the younger brother of Empress Yuanjing, was initially appointed as the Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and was later promoted to Infantry Colonel. Towards the end of the Taining era, he was posthumously honored with his father's title of Marquis and promoted to General of the Right Guard. He and Prince Zong of Nandon were both trusted confidants of Emperor Ming and commanded the Forbidden Army. When Emperor Ming's health deteriorated, Zong's conspiracy was exposed, implicating Yin. However, Emperor Ming chose not to pursue the investigation and instead transferred Yin to Zong's former position as Minister, also granting him the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. In the second year of Xianhe, Zong was executed, and Yin was demoted to Governor of Guiyang with a rank equivalent to 2,000 bushels. He was subsequently reassigned several times, serving as Governor of Langye and then Governor of Luling. He passed away in the first year of Xiankang, posthumously honored with the title of Guard General and the additional title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. His son Hong inherited his title.
Yu Chen, styled Zimei, was the father of Empress Muming. His brother Yu Gun's deeds are recorded in "Biographies of Filial Piety and Brotherhood." Yu Chen initially served as General Who Establishes Might during the Yongjia period, and after crossing the river, he became Governor of Kuaiji. He was later summoned to serve as the Military Adviser to the Prime Minister. After his death, he was posthumously honored as General of the Left in recognition of his status as the Empress's father, and his wife, Lady Guqiu, was posthumously granted the title of village lady. However, his son Yu Liang initially firmly refused the posthumous honor. During the Xianhe period, Emperor Cheng issued a decree posthumously honoring Yu Chen with the titles of General of the Chariots and Cavalry and Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat, but Yu Liang once again refused. Yu Liang's deeds are documented in the biographies.
Du Yi, also known by his courtesy name Hongli, was the father of Empress Chenggong, the grandson of General Du Yu of Zhen Nan, and the son of Left Minister Du Xi. He was gentle-natured and strikingly handsome, renowned in the Jiangzuo region. Wang Xizhi praised him, saying, "His skin is like condensed fat, and his eyes like lacquer dots; he is truly an immortal." Huan Yi remarked, "Wei Jie is ethereal, and Du Yi possesses a similar clarity." He inherited the title of Marquis of Dangyang, served as a clerk in the public office, and also held the position of Dan Yang Cheng. He died young, leaving no sons. After his death, his wife, Pei Shi, raised the Empress with strict discipline and was known for her virtuous character. In the early Xiankang period, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of Jinzi Guanglu and given the posthumous name Mu. Pei Shi was granted the title of Lady of Gao'an Township, with a fief of five hundred households. During Emperor Xiaowu's reign, she was elevated to the title of Lady of Guangde County. Pei Shi lived to a very old age, and the locals affectionately referred to her as Du Lao. In his youth, Minister Cai Mo held Du Yi in high regard, saying in court, "I lament that you gentlemen have not had the pleasure of meeting Du Yi." This illustrates how much he was admired by the literati.
Chou Pou, also known by his courtesy name Jiye, was the father of Empress Kangxian. His grandfather was known for his wisdom and courage, gaining fame for his exceptional abilities. He once worked as a county official, but after a disagreement with his superior, he faced punishment. Chou Pou replied, "Everything has its proper use; for instance, wooden beams are not fit for building city walls. I trust you can see this." His superior spared him. His family struggled financially, prompting him to resign from his official position. At nearly fifty, General Yang Hu of Zhen Nan recommended him to Emperor Wu, thanks to their prior acquaintance, marking the beginning of his career, eventually rising to the rank of General of An Dong. His father, Chou Qia, served as the Prefect of Wuchang.
Chu Pou was graceful and dignified when he was young, and was renowned alongside Du Yi from Jingzhao during the period of national prosperity. When Huan Yi from Qiao country saw him, he said, "This person is like 'hiding one's talents'." This means that on the surface, he does not show off and does not easily judge others, but he has his own judgments about others. Xie An also highly esteemed him, often saying, "Although Chu Pou doesn't speak much, he embodies the changes of the four seasons." He was initially appointed as a strategist for the King of Xiyang and the King of Wu. During Su Jun's rebellion, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Chi Jian, made him a military advisor. After Su Jun was pacified, because of his contributions, he was appointed as the Marquis of Duxiangting, gradually promoted to the Minister of State’s Cavalry Attendant, and later served as the Yellow Gate Attendant of the Palace Secretariat. When Emperor Kang was still the Prince of Langya, he wanted to marry a consort after careful selection, and finally issued a decree to marry Chu Pou's daughter as a consort, so Chu Pou was appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhang. After Emperor Kang ascended the throne, he summoned him back to the court to serve as a Palace Attendant, and later promoted him to the position of a Minister. Because he was the father of the Empress, he pleaded to be reassigned, so he was appointed as the General Who Establishes Might, the Inspector of Jiangzhou, to govern Banzhou. He was upright and frugal in his post; although he was a local official, he often had his children do the chores of chopping wood and fetching water. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Guard General, while also serving as the Prefect of the Palace Library. Chu Pou believed that the Prefect of the Palace Library was in charge of issuing edicts and should not be a position held by members of the imperial family, so he firmly declined. The Emperor then appointed him as the Left General, the Inspector of Yanzhou, the Commander of Military Affairs in Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Langya, and other places, giving him the authority of a provisional governor, tasking him with guarding Jincheng, and also serving as the Intendant of Langya.
At first, when Xie Pu was young, he went to visit Yu Liang, who had Guo Pu perform a divination for him. When the hexagram was cast, Guo Pu was taken aback, and Yu Liang asked, "Is there something unlucky?" Guo Pu said, "This hexagram is not one that a minister should receive. I don't know why this young man has such a good omen. It won't come to pass for another twenty years." Twenty-nine years later, Empress Dowager Kangxian held court, and the court officials wanted to elevate Xie Pu's status because he was the Empress Dowager's father. They wanted to appoint him as an attendant, General of the Guards, and Minister of Personnel, while retaining other titles such as superintendent and governor.
Xie Pu, feeling the weight of his imperial connections, was worried about attracting criticism, so he firmly requested to remain in his fiefdom in a formal petition. He said, "I am mediocre in ability and not competent enough for heavy responsibilities, yet I have received great favor from the country, holding positions I should not have held multiple times. I can no longer shoulder this privilege, and I feel deeply ashamed. How can I accept higher official positions and honors again? What merit do I have to deserve this? How can I have the face to vie for high positions? Since I have devoted myself to this prosperous era, I won't let myself slack off, but I am truly afraid of failure, which could lead to significant losses. The country's major initiatives are still underway, and government affairs are busy. Your Majesty should appoint wise prime ministers, follow the method of employing talents by the late emperor, humbly accept advice, and make the people feel at ease. You shouldn't show favoritism to your relatives; otherwise, both court and people will be disappointed, which could lead to significant losses." So the court appointed him as the military commander of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yangzhou, Jinling, and Wuguo, guard general, governor of Xuzhou, and governor of Yanzhou, granting him a ceremonial axe and assigning him to guard Jingkou.
During the early years of the Yonghe era, the court once again summoned Xie Pou, intending to appoint him as the Governor of Yangzhou and concurrently as the Registrar of the Imperial Secretariat. The Minister of Personnel, Liu Xia, said to Xie Pou, "Prince Kuaiji is very talented; he is the country's Duke of Zhou; you should entrust the affairs of the country to him." Xie Pou's Chief Historian, Wang Huzhi, also encouraged him to do so, so Xie Pou firmly declined once again, returning to his fiefdom, where he was praised by both the court and the common people. The court then promoted him to General of the Northern Campaign and appointed him as Supervisor of the Left and Right. However, he turned down the position of Supervisor of the Left and Right. Xie Pou believed that governing the country depended on talent and that capable, virtuous individuals should be entrusted with responsibilities while respecting senior officials. Therefore, he recommended the former Minister Gu He and Palace Attendant Yin Hao. Once the memorial was submitted, Gu He was promptly appointed as the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, and Yin Hao was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou. After the death of Shi Jilong, Xie Pou memorialized the court, requesting to lead an expedition. That day, martial law was declared, and the army advanced directly to Siku. The court ministers felt that Xie Pou's position was critical and that he should not venture deep into enemy territory, suggesting that a detachment be sent first to scout ahead. Xie Pou then detailed his plan: first to send the vanguard led by Wang Yizhi to strike directly at Pengcheng to demonstrate our strength, and then send Mi Yi to lead the army to attack Xiapi. Consequently, the enemy forces were routed, and Mi Yi successfully captured the city. Xie Pou believed they should quickly mobilize troops to bolster morale, so the court appointed him as the Commander-in-Chief of the expedition, overseeing the armies of the five provinces: Qingzhou, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou.
Xie Pu led thirty thousand troops straight to Pengcheng. The people of the Hesuo region surrendered one after another, resulting in over a thousand individuals flocking to him every day. Xie Pu was very good at soothing the people and won their support. He first sent the inspector Xu Gang to attack Pei County, capturing the pretender Xiang Zhi, which resulted in over two thousand people in Pei County surrendering. In the mountainous area of Lu County, over five hundred households requested military assistance from the court. Xie Pu sent Xu Gang to lead three thousand elite soldiers to support them. However, Xu Gang disobeyed Xie Pu's orders, and his forces were ambushed by Li Tu, a general under Shi Zun, at Dai Po, resulting in heavy casualties and the death of Xu Gang in battle. Xie Pu held himself accountable according to the standards of the "Spring and Autumn Annals" for his poor judgment in personnel matters, leading to strategic mistakes and loss of prestige. He then submitted a memorial to the court requesting to lower his rank to serve solely as General of the Northern Expedition and to remain stationed in Guangling. The court believed that the responsibility of a subordinate general should not be blamed for this, and since the rebellion had not been quelled, the responsibility for local defense was critical. Therefore, they ordered him to return to Jingkou for defense and revoked his position as Grand Commander of the Expedition. At this time, Shi Jilong had just died, his country was in chaos, and two hundred thousand households crossed the Yellow River wanting to surrender to the court and requesting military aid. However, Xie Pu had already returned to Jingkou, his influence diminished, and he was unable to support them in time. These individuals were ultimately captured by the forces of Murong Huang and Fu Jian, and perished. Xie Pu, distressed by his unachieved ambitions, fell ill. Upon returning to Jingkou and hearing cries all around, he asked, "Why are there so many cries?" His attendants replied, "It's because of the defeat at Dai Po." Xie Pu was filled with even greater shame and regret. In the fifth year of Yonghe, Xie Pu passed away at the age of forty-seven. People near and far mourned for him, and the officials and soldiers were very sorrowful. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor, with the title of Yuanmu. His son, Xie Xin, known by his courtesy name You'an, gained fame for his knowledge and virtue, and later held the positions of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and Chief of the Imperial Secretariat.
He Zhun, courtesy name Youdao, was the father of Empress Mu of the Zhang dynasty. He was a man of integrity who sought neither fame nor fortune. Though young, he was already well-known, and many prefectures invited him to take up official positions, all of which he declined. His brother He Chong rose to the rank of General of the Valiant Cavalry and urged him to join the government, but He Zhun said, "Is the fifth son's reputation any less than that of the General of the Valiant Cavalry?" As the fifth of five brothers, he said this. His brother He Chong held a position of great power and influence, while He Zhun lived a simple and humble life, not involving himself in politics, instead dedicating his time to chanting Buddhist scriptures and constructing temples. When the court summoned him to serve as a Cavalry Attendant, he turned it down. He passed away at the age of forty-seven. In the first year of the Shengping era, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu (a high-ranking official title) and appointed him as the Marquis of Jinxing County. His son He Tan respectfully declined the title in honor of his father's integrity. He had three sons: He Fang, He Tan, and He Cheng, each of whom followed their own paths. He Fang followed in his uncle He Chong's footsteps. He Tan served as the Prefect of Nankang but died young. His son He Yuandu became the Prefect of Xiyang, while another son, He Shudu, attained the rank of Minister of Ceremonies and Minister of Personnel.
He Cheng, courtesy name Ji Xuan, started as a secretary, later rising to the position of prefect. He was known for his integrity, uprightness, and high reputation. He steadily rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief Secretary, Minister of Ceremonies, and Central Protector-General. Emperor Xiaowu highly valued him, appointing him as Champion General and Historiographer of Wu. In the late Taiyuan period, Prince Langye moved out and carefully selected teachers. The court summoned He Cheng to serve as both secretary and tutor to Prince Langye. After Emperor An ascended the throne, He Cheng was promoted to Left Deputy Director of the Secretariat, in charge of selecting officials and overseeing Prince Langye's affairs. Due to his illness, he was granted permission to work from home, which he initially declined. He also held the position of Grand Master of the Central Secretariat in his province. When Huan Xuan came to power, He Cheng resigned due to illness and passed away peacefully at home. After Emperor An's restoration, he was posthumously awarded the title of Golden Purple Grand Master. His eldest son He Ji died early, while his second son He Rong served as Grand Minister of Agriculture during the Yuanxi era.
Wang Meng, courtesy name Zhongzu, was the father of Empress Ai Jing. His great-grandfather Wang An served as a secretary, his grandfather Wang You was a commander in the Northern Army, and his father Wang Ne served as the magistrate of Xingan County. Wang Meng was quite wild and free-spirited in his youth, not held in high regard by his fellow villagers. However, in his later years, he learned to restrain himself, worked diligently, and earned a solid reputation. People admired him for his elegance and charm. He was humble, adept at handling various situations, always forgiving others before acting, and highly respected. He was deeply filial towards his mothers, always giving them the best of his salary and property, while always maintaining a composed demeanor. He was known for his integrity and simplicity, not concerned with trivialities. He was also proficient in clerical script and was quite handsome. Once, he looked into the mirror and sighed, saying, "My father Wang Wenkai actually raised such a fine son!"
His family was poor, and his hat was tattered, so he went to the market to buy a new hat himself. An old woman was attracted by his handsome appearance and gifted him a new hat. At that time, people considered him quite fortunate. He was renowned, on par with Liu Tan, a man from Pei State, and they had a good relationship. Liu Tan often said that Wang Meng was perceptive and possessed an innate sense of propriety. Wang Meng always said, "Mr. Liu understands me better than I understand myself." At that time, people compared Liu Tan to Xun Fengqian and Wang Meng to Yuan Yaoqing. Anyone who was considered charming and dashing would use Wang Meng and Liu Tan as examples.
Situ Wangdao invited him to serve as a clerk. Later, Wangdao wanted to promote Kuang Shu's brother, Kuang Xiao, and Wang Meng wrote a letter to Wangdao saying, "As a founding family, we should not employ unscrupulous individuals. We should rely on morality and justice to govern the realm, in order to purify social customs, value reputation and integrity. Military and civil affairs have different purposes, and officials in both fields have different appearances. How can we confuse the two and ruin the spirit of integrity and seriousness? Only in this way can we meet the expectations of the people and establish a good image in the world!" Wangdao remained silent. Later, Wang Meng was appointed as the magistrate of Changshan County, and then became the Left Minister of Situ. This position carried the risk of corporal punishment for errors, but Wang Meng firmly declined. The court ordered his punishment to be waived, yet he still declined. Finally, he was reassigned as a Lang in the Central Secretariat.
When Emperor Jianwen Di was the King of Kuaiji, he once talked with Sun Chuo about talented and elegant individuals. Sun Chuo said, "Liu Yan is clear and elegant, concise and organized; Wang Meng is gentle and warm, with a cheerful disposition; Huan Wen is dignified and extraordinary. Xie Shang is serene and wise, understanding the ways of the world; and Wang Meng is gentle and articulate, speaking concisely yet with depth." After becoming the Prime Minister, Emperor Jianwen Di valued Sun Chuo even more, considering him and Liu Yan as his closest friends. Later, Sun Chuo was promoted to Left Chief of Staff. In his later years, he requested to serve in Dongyang but was not approved. When Wang Meng fell ill, Emperor Jianwen Di regretted not having promoted him. Upon hearing this, Wang Meng lamented, saying, "People say King of Kuaiji is confused, and indeed he is!" As his illness worsened, he turned his fly-whisk under the lamp as he approached death, sighing, "A person like me, unable to live past forty!" He died at the age of thirty-nine. When Wang Meng was buried, Liu Yan placed a rhinoceros horn fly-whisk and duster in his coffin; overcome with grief, he fainted and took a long time to regain his composure. Xie An also often praised Wang Meng, saying, "Wang Changshi speaks little, but with great weight." Wang Meng had two sons: Wang Xiu and Wang Yun.
Wang Xiu, known by his courtesy name Jingren and nickname Gouzi, was handsome and well-known, adept at clerical script, known for his elegance and grace. At twelve, he penned the "Essay on Virtue." Wang Meng showed this article to Liu Yan, saying, "Jingren's essay is already comparable to those profound discussions." Wang Xiu initially served as a clerk, later becoming the Prince of Langye's literary officer, then being promoted to Marshal of the Central Army, but tragically passed away before assuming his duties, at just twenty-four. Before his death, he lamented, "I have not let down the expectations of my forebears, and I am of similar age to them."
Wang Xia, courtesy name Huanzi, was the father of Empress Jianwen of the Han dynasty and the cousin of General Wang Shu. He achieved the rank of Gentleman of the Guanglu due to his prominent family background when he was young. During the Ningkang period, he was posthumously granted the title of Tejin, Guanglu Daifu, and also awarded the title of Sanqi Changshi, with the posthumous title of Jing.
His eldest son, Wang Ke, served as the Leading General of the Army. Wang Ke's son, Wang Xinzhi, was the Prefect of Yuzhang, holding the rank of Zhong Erqian Shi. Wang Xinzhi's younger brother, Wang Huanzhi, served as the Governor of Guangzhou. Wang Xia's youngest son, Wang Zhen, was the Commandant of the Chongde Guard.
Wang Yun, courtesy name Shuren, was the father of Empress Xiaowuding and the son of Meng, the Left Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works. He began his career as a minor official in the Imperial Library and gradually rose to the position of Clerk of the Ministry of Personnel. He was known for his kindness and never discriminated against those from humble backgrounds. Whenever there were vacancies in official positions, there were always numerous applicants, but Wang Yun never played favorites or deliberately made things hard for anyone.
At that time, the Jian Wen Emperor was still the King of Kuaiji, responsible for overseeing the government. Wang Yun often recommended talented individuals in his memorials, saying, "This person is talented, that person has merit." He always made every effort to promote talented individuals, ensuring everyone could contribute their talents, so those who were not promoted did not resent him. Later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuxing, and his political achievements were outstanding. When there was a famine in the Wuxing region and the people were starving, he opened the granaries to relieve the people. The official responsible for bookkeeping advised him to report to the court before taking action, but Wang Yun responded, "The people are starving and crying out; there are corpses everywhere along the roads. If we have to wait for approval, how can we save those who are on the brink of starvation? As Prefect, I will take responsibility for my unauthorized actions. Even if I am punished for doing good, I have no regrets!" So he provided massive relief to the people, and about one-seventh or one-eighth of the population survived thanks to his efforts. The court removed him from his position because Wang Yun acted without authorization, but the common people and scholars petitioned the court on his behalf. The Emperor subsequently demoted him to Prefect of Jinling. In Jinling, he performed numerous good deeds, and the people sang his praises.
After being designated as the Empress, Wang Yun, being the Empress's father, saw his official career advance steadily. He was appointed as the Grand Minister of Rites, concurrently serving as the Minister of War, the Inspector of Xuzhou, and was granted the title of Marquis of Jianchang. However, Wang Yun felt that receiving a title due to his relationship with the Empress was not in line with the established traditions of the three previous dynasties, so he firmly refused to accept it. Despite the repeated persuasions from the court, he still declined. As a result, the court appointed him as the Commander of the military in Jingkou, the General of the Left, the Inspector of Xuzhou, and an acting official, but he still firmly declined. Xie An told Wang Yun, "Now that you are the father of the Empress and hold a prestigious position, you shouldn’t be too modest and risk disappointing the court’s favor. You should take a page from Chu Gong (Chu Pou) and wield power without getting involved in every little thing. You can temporarily take on this position to relieve the pressure from the imperial family." Wang Yun finally accepted the appointment and guarded Jingkou. Shortly after, the court called him back to serve as the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, while keeping his military duties. He was later promoted to the Governor of Danyang and was granted the title of Cavalier in Regular Attendance. However, Wang Yun felt that his relationship with the imperial family made it unsuitable for him to work at the center of the court, so he earnestly requested an assignment elsewhere. Eventually, he was appointed as the Commander of the five eastern counties of Zhejiang, the General Who Guards the Army, the Governor of Kuaiji, while keeping the title of Cavalier in Regular Attendance.
Yun Su was a person who loved drinking, and the older he got, the more he drank. When he served as an official in Kuaiji, he rarely had sober days, but he was still deeply loved by the people because of his friendly demeanor. Once, when Wang Yue came to sweep his father's grave, Yun Su's son Yun Gong went to visit Wang Yue. The two had a good relationship, and Wang Yue ended up staying for more than ten days. When Yun Su asked what was going on, Yun Gong said, "I couldn't stop chatting with Auntie, so I couldn't leave." Yun Su said, "I'm worried that Auntie is not really your friend." Auntie was the nickname of Wang Yue. Eventually, their relationship soured, and people at the time believed Yun Su had a knack for reading people. Yun Su died in the ninth year of Taiyuan, at the age of fifty-five, and was posthumously granted the titles of Left Guanglu Doctor and Kaifu Yitong Three Sima. His eldest son, Yun Hua, passed away early. His second son, Yun Gong, has his accomplishments recorded in the biographies. Yun Gong's younger brother, Yun Shuang, style Jiming, was strong, principled, and responsible, and served as a minister of the Yellow Gate and an attendant. After Emperor Xiaowu passed away, Wang Guobao wanted to sneak in at night to write a testament, but Yun Shuang stopped him, saying, "The Emperor has passed away, the Crown Prince has not arrived; if you dare to enter without permission, it's punishable by death!" Wang Guobao then stopped. Yun Shuang once drank with Prince Daozi of Kuaiji, who, in his drunken state, called Yun Shuang "boy." Yun Shuang fired back, "My ancestors were friends with Emperor Jianwen during the commoner period, my aunt and sister both married into the royal family; how dare you call me a boy!" Later, when Wang Guobao rose to power, he removed Yun Shuang from his position. Later, Yun Gong returned to public service and promoted Yun Shuang to General of Ning Shuo, participating in military affairs. Eventually, Yun Gong was defeated in battle and killed.
Chu Shuang, courtesy name Hongmao, also known as Sisheng, is the father of Empress Gongsi. His grandfather was Chu Pou, and his father was Chu Xin. Chu Shuang was well-known when he was young, and Xie An highly valued him, once saying, "If Chu Shuang's son does not succeed, I will no longer comment on others." He served as the Yixing Prefect, died young, and was posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of the Golden Purple. Chu Shuang's sons Xiuzhi, Yanzhi, and Yuzhi all held prominent positions during the Yixi period.
Historical records say that Yang Xiu, leveraging his close relationship with the emperor and extensive knowledge, participated in the initial planning of the reform when the court wanted to implement it, thus receiving the emperor's favor and enjoying a successful career. However, he indulged in a life of luxury and acted arrogantly because of his power and status, repeatedly violating laws and national discipline. Fortunately, he was fortunate to escape sentencing due to lenient policies. Wang Kai, originally from Weiyang, received a hereditary stipend but was not thrifty at all, instead being extravagant and licentious, showing no regard for his reputation and violating court etiquette. Although he later atoned for his actions and changed his name, this was not nearly enough to serve as a warning to others. Hongli and Yixing, the two brothers, were handsome, while Jiye and Shenjian, the two brothers, were pure-hearted. Zhongzu was gentle and refined, and Youdao was pure and content. These individuals were well-known and highly regarded in the Jiangzhou area at the time, not only as elites of the royal family but also as distinguished figures in society.
Praise: Entrusted to Dan Ye, illuminating the Purple Palace. With power and favor, they adhered to the rules. Less prone to mistakes, yet arrogant towards others. Heed the warnings of past failures; they should suffice to build a good reputation.
Simply put, Yang Xiu relied on his connections and abilities to rise to prominence in the early stages of the reform, but later grew arrogant from his favored position, frequently breaking the law, and was lucky not to face punishment, thanks to the emperor's leniency. Wang Kai was from a prominent family, but lived a life of arrogance, extravagance, and indulgence, ruthlessly competing with others for wealth, damaging his reputation. On the other hand, the renowned scholars of Jiangzhou—Hongli, Yixin, Jiye, Shenjian, Zhongzu, and Youdao—were known for their integrity, honesty, and high regard, which stood in stark contrast to the former two. The final remark acknowledges Yang Xiu's favor, but ultimately becoming overbearing and serving as a warning for future generations.
