Xi Shen, courtesy name Guangji, was from Danfu in Jiyin. His father, Xi Xi, served as the Left Minister. Xi Shen was an erudite and versatile person, with a free-spirited and unrestrained nature. He was not concerned with trivialities, thus he largely ignored the various ceremonial appointments in the local governments. During the Taishi era, the court ordered the nationwide recommendation of virtuous and outspoken officials. Governor Wen Li recommended Xi Shen.
The emperor issued a decree, roughly stating: "The supreme ruler governs the world with virtue; it should be simple and clear, not overly complicated. By the time of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, the systems of rites and music became well-established, and the rules and regulations became increasingly complex. What accounts for this shift from civil governance to martial rule? During the times of Yao, Shun, and Yu of the Xia dynasty, one wise ruler after another emerged, but their methods of governance were different. After the decline of the Zhou dynasty, Confucius still said to 'follow the Zhou', indicating that as times change, so too should our methods; what's so strange about that? Even after the death of the sage kings, their systems still existed, and the regional lords who held power also adhered to these systems. However, with the decline of royal authority, what good are these systems? Why can't we return to the right path? Is it because the virtues of these regional lords might be insufficient? Or is it not the right time yet? For example, Duke Huan of Qi, despite his intelligence, only managed to dominate a single region; why is that? Past rulers governed the country by eliminating chaos and decay, establishing indelible systems, changing customs and habits, without resorting to harsh laws and punishments; isn't this a model of successful governance? Why doesn't it work now? I have inherited the foundation of my ancestors for seven years, but the people do not follow the teachings, and there is no improvement in political affairs. Comparing the ancient situation with the present, the gap is simply too wide! Although my abilities are limited, I still want to discuss with everyone how we can resolve these uncertainties and hear some honest opinions. Moreover, with recent barbarian invasions, frequent disasters, and border residents being displaced, is this due to issues with our political system and laws, or are the officials simply incompetent? Everyone should think carefully, analyze carefully, not only to draw from ancient systems but also to take the current situation into account, and point out my shortcomings so I can make improvements. I hope you can honestly provide your opinions; I will listen carefully." Xie She responded:
Your Majesty, you are wise and valiant, and you seek to hear a wide range of opinions, so you have recruited talented individuals. But we are all very ordinary people, not worthy to address the significant issues you have posed. Thus, we have felt a deep sense of unease; although we work in the court, we are always cautious and fearful.
After reading your imperial decree, I realized that you are humbly seeking counsel. I heard that wise monarchs in ancient times appointed virtuous individuals, abdicated the throne, and educated the populace, thereby unifying their hearts, so the governance methods were straightforward and easily adopted, and the people were also easy to accept education; the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties passed down from generation to generation, but became more complex in the later period, so the system of rituals also grew increasingly complex, though eventually it was rectified. Although the governing approaches of Yu and Shun were inherited from one another, there were also additions and subtractions, not because the ways of governing the country were different, but because the methods of solving problems were different.
The Zhou dynasty inherited the culture of the Xia and Shang dynasties and developed it to the extreme, boasting a highly refined system of rituals and music, and various rules and regulations were also very complete. Confucius advocated following the Zhou dynasty based on the actual situation at that time, which was not an unusual stance. I heard that wise monarchs first valued the education of rituals and music, while the powerful feudal lords prioritized harsh laws and punishments. The influence of rituals and music education is far-reaching, while the effects of severe laws and punishments are relatively short-lived. Being diligent in governance can bring temporary stability to the nation; once slack, it will lead to decline. The path of educating through rituals and music is relatively straightforward, so the benefits it brings are immeasurable. After Duke Huan of Qi betrayed his promise at the Kuiqiu Alliance, and the officials of the Jin state had short-sighted vision, they could only hold power temporarily and could not attain lasting stability; isn't this precisely the reason?
The leader asked me, "To establish an immutable system, change customs and habits, and bring peace to the world, what should we do?" I think the most important thing is to select talented individuals for official positions. Although it may seem that the world is unified on the surface now, the abilities of officials in various regions vary. Some prosper because they have chosen the right people, while others decline because they have chosen the wrong people. This indicates that talent is what drives political success, not political affairs that accomplish people. If we only focus on working hard and do not pay attention to selecting the right people, even hard work will be in vain.
Upon studying ancient and modern history, I found that the ancients valued selecting the virtuous and capable, while modern people only think about getting promoted and making money. In ancient times, officials were evaluated by the monarch above and recommended by subordinates below. Choosing the right person was rewarded, and choosing the wrong person was punished, so everyone worked hard to find talented individuals! Nowadays, officials rely on family members to help them navigate their roles. If they have connections, they can become officials; if not, they can only feel anxious, so everyone thinks about how to climb up! If worthy individuals want to stand out, they have to rely on self-cultivation; otherwise, they will end up poor and destitute, so they often wait calmly for opportunities. Those who are solely focused on getting promoted will actively strive for it. Once they miss an opportunity, they will deeply regret it, so they are always busy trying to climb up by any means necessary.
As a result, this will lead to power struggles, the formation of factions and cliques, mutual conflicts, the inability to distinguish right from wrong, the monarch being swayed by slanderous words, and the success of villains. However, if everyone remains content, society will be stable, people will be honest and trustworthy, they will recommend talented individuals to each other, be modest and not seek recognition, and the monarch will be able to see clearly. The social atmosphere will naturally improve. Therefore, even if one is worry-free, the social atmosphere can naturally improve; but if people's greed is not restrained, even relentless effort will fail to change the social climate.
Furthermore, everyone has a desire for fame and fortune; who doesn't want to be an official? Therefore, everyone appears upright on the surface but harbors selfish motives inside, making it difficult to distinguish between loyal ministers and treacherous ones. If upright individuals are chosen, they will attract more of the same; if treacherous individuals are chosen, they will attract more treacherous people. Birds of a feather flock together; who can stop this? Therefore, the monarchs who lost their kingdoms did so because they were surrounded by treacherous individuals. These treacherous individuals may start with little power, but if not restrained, they will eventually grow and become stronger.
Heaven and earth cannot change warmth and cold in an instant, just as a monarch cannot change the rise and fall of a country in an instant. Changes in temperature occur gradually, as do the rise and fall of a country. The current situation is that officials are not promoted based on strict standards, leading to the proliferation of corruption; the court does not value the selection of talented individuals, blocking the way for good people. This is the root of a country's rise and fall! The so-called "responsible for recommending talented individuals" means recommending talented individuals to each other; the so-called "checking on each other" means mutual supervision and assurance. Improper recommendations should be punished, and inadequate supervision should also be penalized. In ancient times, vassals had to recommend talents to the emperor, and those who did not recommend or recommended improperly would be punished. It is indeed difficult to recommend talents, and improper recommendations are minor faults. However, strict requirements must be imposed to urge them to recommend suitable talents to the best of their ability; punishing improper recommendations is meant to prevent bigger mistakes, not to unfairly blame anyone. Moreover, the emperor has a responsibility to supervise the vassals, so strict requirements are necessary. When implementing policies, it's better to be lenient than to misuse power.
The current situation is completely opposite; why is that? Because talented individuals are like the natural laws of the universe, the foundation of all development. Therefore, people are eager to obtain them, even if it means pretending to have talent just to get them, rather than risk losing them out of caution. However, that’s not the case now. People only care about themselves and pass the buck. As a result, the skills and integrity of officials are no longer assured. For the country, this leads to chaos in governance; for individuals, it leads to corruption. Recently, many local officials have been making these mistakes; some have even turned into fugitives and are now wanted, while others are bound and executed. Greedy and despicable individuals hold official positions—who put them in those positions? Corrupt individuals cause chaos—who is responsible? Corruption is rampant; what can be done about it? People chase after their interests like moths to a flame. Even though past attempts failed, future generations will continue, seemingly without end. Who can stop this? Who worries about the prevalence of these negative trends? Even if the emperor works day and night to govern the country, he still encounters such issues. To achieve a virtuous society, improve social norms, and create a peaceful and prosperous era may be harder than waiting for the Yellow River to run clear!
If we wish to change this situation, we need to establish a system for selecting and promoting talented individuals, along with strengthening supervision mechanisms. Once the system is set up, people will be cautious in their recommendations and will not make hasty suggestions, thus being able to select true talents. After selecting talents, assessments can be conducted to make sure the right people are in the right positions. With the right people in office, governance will be orderly; with orderly governance, everything will fall into place; with everything in its place, life will thrive, and people will enjoy peace and prosperity, and society will be harmonious. In this way, mistakes will decrease, punishments will be less needed, people will be ashamed of wrongdoing, and will follow customs and laws. This is the establishment of an unchangeable system, changing customs and traditions, and achieving social stability and harmony without relying on punishment.
The policy essay states: "Since the invasion of the barbarians, natural disasters and man-made calamities have been continuous. Is this due to improper personnel management? How did it become like this?" I heard that when the barbarians invaded the Central Plains region, Gao Tao established specialized government positions to deal with it. To effectively address superficial issues, one must start from the root. When wise personnel are in place, political affairs will be transparent; and when capable individuals are employed, punishments will be more lenient. This way, the people will live in peace and happiness and understand the rules; when the people take action, they will feel closer to the government and be filled with fighting spirit. As long as one prioritizes the people's interests and eliminates harm, those who sacrifice their lives for the country will not regret their decision; those who work hard for the country's benefit, even if they are tired, will not resent it. Therefore, their lives can be sacrificed, and they can exhaust their strength in battle and conquer cities. In this way, good people will respect a virtuous government and live peacefully, while wrongdoers will be afraid and keep their distance. Stop the war, develop culture, justice is found in culture, and only by employing talented individuals can future troubles be avoided. As for the natural disasters such as droughts and floods, this is part of the natural order. So in ancient times, after thirty years of farming, there would always be a ten-year reserve. During the times of Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang, they also encountered these disasters, but the people did not suffer because they were prepared. Although the recent weather is not quite normal, when examining countries around the world, some places are adjacent, but the harvests are different; some places are connected by land, but their fortunes are different. This doesn’t mean that heaven intends to harm the people, but that people themselves cannot evenly distribute their labor. When people blame heaven and ignore their own issues, officials will become complacent and fail to fulfill their duties, and the people will blame the heavens and others, which does not help stabilize the people's morale or ensure a bountiful harvest. Diligence in governance is essential.
I truly feel foolish and ignorant, not qualified to answer the Emperor's questions in court, but I still brought these ideas to court hoping to inspire the Emperor! I worry that my thoughts aren't fully formed yet. If I can help those who struggle to speak find their voice, then I am satisfied, so even though my words may be rough, I speak honestly. Because of this essay, I was accepted and became a Yilang. My mother passed away, and I stepped down from my position.
My mother fell ill, we did not have a carriage at home, and after my mother passed away, I didn't want to use a carriage for the coffin. Since we were poor and could not afford a horse, I temporarily buried my mother outside the northern wall of our home, and I opened the door every day to pay my respects and mourn. I raised chickens and planted garlic, doing my best to care for my mother. Once the three-year mourning period was over, I got eight horses and took my mother's coffin to the cemetery, and personally filled the grave with dirt. Before I could finish, I was called up to serve in the Eastern Expedition. Later, I was moved to Shangshu Lang and then promoted to Chariot and Cavalry Attendant.
The Minister of Personnel, Cui Hong, recommended me to be the Left Minister. While I was in office, I once impeached Cui Hong over an issue, which made him resent me. I responded fairly, and this incident was recorded in the "Biography of Cui Hong." When Cui Hong learned of this, he felt ashamed and accepted it.
Speaking of Wang Shen, his career kept growing until he eventually became the Governor of Yongzhou. Emperor Wu threw him a farewell banquet in the Eastern Hall and asked him, "How do you feel about yourself?" Wang Shen was quite witty; he replied, "Back when I participated in the examination for virtuous strategies, I was the best in the world, like a branch of osmanthus from Guilin or a beautiful piece of jade from Kunlun Mountain." Emperor Wu laughed heartily at this. Later, a court official requested that Wang Shen be removed from his position, but Emperor Wu replied, "I was just joking with him; it’s no big deal."
Wang Shen was efficient and fair in his role, earning the love of the people, and eventually passed away while in office. His son, Wang Yandeng, later became a provincial official as well.
Now, let's discuss Ruan Zhong. Ruan Zhong, courtesy name Deyou, was a native of Weishi in Chenliu and the eighth-generation descendant of Xu Qing, an Attendant of the Han Dynasty. He was ambitious from a young age and was highly appreciated by Ji Kang. The "Ruan Sheng" mentioned in Ji Kang's "Nourishing Life Treatise" refers to him. Ruan Zhong was later selected as a filial and upright official and became a county scribe. During that time, minority ethnic groups from the west invaded, leading to ongoing disasters and widespread starvation among the people. The San Gong, Qingyin, Changbo, and local officials were ordered to recommend virtuous, upright talents who dared to speak out. Tai Bao He Cheng put forward Ruan Zhong as a candidate.
The emperor posed a question in the exam: "In the past, those wise kings who followed the order of heaven and governed the world well all adhered to the rules of the operation of heaven and earth, bestowing blessings on all things, and their prosperous scenes have been passed down for a thousand years. I have been in reign for seven years, but my virtue is insufficient, and the politics are not clear. I worry daily and have yet to find an effective way to govern the realm. You talented individuals, please step forward. I am very happy. I hope you will speak honestly and clarify my thoughts, deeply expound the fundamentals of the principles of governance, do not hide anything, and I humbly await your answers." Ruan Zhong's response was: "Heaven and earth each occupy their rightful place; only the sage can accomplish great things. The principles of governance are profoundly deep, which is why their teachings can reach so far. Only then can all things be developed, achievements realized, with merits that are boundless. Those close obey, those far also obey, blessings reach all living beings, benefit the world, reputation spread endlessly, and laws and regulations passed down for generations. Therefore, the 'Classics' say: 'When the sage persists in his own way for a long time, the world can be taught and peaceful.' We should learn from the experience of past sages, emulate the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns, change the customs, follow the will of the people, let the people know what to do, spread good teachings, block evil paths; this is the prosperous era that the people long for!" He then asked, "Why are the policies ineffective, and why can't the system of rites and music be established?"
The smooth implementation of government decrees actually depends on the effectiveness of the system of rituals and music. In the past, those wise monarchs regarded this as the most important task to prevent tyranny, influence the people's moral character, regulate people's behavior, and educate all citizens. The ritual and music system uses rituals to regulate people's moral character and music to praise achievements. The essence of music lies in harmony, while rituals are grounded in respect. "Rituals embody virtue, music celebrates achievements; music is rooted in harmony, while rituals are grounded in respect."
Then he asked why those barbaric tribes were so rampant and repeatedly violated the borders. The minister replied: "The barbaric tribes have historically sought to invade the Central Plains, disrupting the court's strategic plans; even during periods of ancient prosperity, there were often such dangers. The Book of Songs wrote about 'Xianyun Kongchi', and the Book of Documents also lamented 'Barbarians wearing official robes'. Since the Wei Dynasty, most of these barbaric tribes have submitted to the court, and there have been few aggressive acts. Therefore, border defenses have become lax, and the passes have been abandoned. Now these barbaric tribes live within our territory, mixed with the people, and the border officials have become accustomed to them; the general populace has forgotten about war. The officials in charge of border defense lack competence; some use deceptive means to oppress the barbarians, while others arbitrarily launch attacks on them for rewards and benefits. Trying to control wild horses with small reins and using complex whips to drive them, of course, they cannot be controlled; this is quite common. So these barbaric tribes become more reckless and take advantage of the situation. Although the three provinces have been breached, the local officials did not resist; this is not due to the strength of the barbarians, but rather the flaws in the court's military strategies."
The minister continued, "I have heard that the wise ruler values winning without fighting, using benevolence to influence distant lands, rather than resorting to violence at the slightest provocation. War is cruel, and battle is dangerous. Once war breaks out, it harms agricultural production and requires a large amount of resources for military mobilization; damage to agriculture leads to shortages for the people; excessive resource consumption leaves the country empty. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, inheriting the foundation of Emperor Wen, with the wealth of the entire nation, a large number of manpower and resources were used to attack the Xiongnu, seeking victory and plunder in war, which led to elite soldiers dying in the desert, with victories and defeats being nearly equal, and ultimately failing to completely conquer the Xiongnu, needlessly sacrificing countless lives, only serving as food for the wolves. When finally using the advantage of military force to defeat the Xiongnu, forcing them to flee far away, achieving victory at Qilian Mountain, drinking horses in the vast sea, but the country's losses had already exceeded half. Using a weakened national strength to confront barbarians is not a wise strategy. This led to rampant banditry and unrest throughout Shandong. During the reigns of Emperor Xuan and Emperor Yuan, Zhao Chongguo conquered the Western Qiang, Feng Fengshi conquered the Southern Qiang, both achieving victory effortlessly, pacifying the rebellions, capturing the ringleaders, showing that proper use of military force results in clear victories and defeats, serving as a model for military governance during the period of national prosperity." He then asked how to govern the country. The minister replied, "With changes in yin and yang and various disasters, the ruler must rule wisely to defend against them, identify and prevent hidden dangers, establish the highest moral standards, and carefully consider various measures. The Book of Songs says 'Respect it, respect it, heaven reveals its intentions,' heaven is wise, we humans must also be wise, so the ruler must uphold the mandate of heaven, exercising caution and care every day. Only then can they receive many blessings and always prosper; this is why the ancient kings could avoid disasters."
He then asked what specific measures should be taken to govern the country. The minister replied, "The foundation of governance and major national matters must first educate the people using ritual and righteousness to instill a sense of shame in them. Once ritual and righteousness are established, gentlemen will adhere to the rules and take pleasure in doing good deeds; once a sense of shame is established, wrongdoers will act cautiously and dare not violate the system. Use rewards to encourage them to do good deeds, and use punishments to correct their mistakes. This is why the ancient kings could maintain stability, ensure peace among the people, and leave a legacy for future generations. Therefore, if humility prevails at the top, contention will not arise below; if there are officials in the court with integrity and moral conduct, there will be no greed among the common people. In politics, a sense of shame is as essential as fertile soil for growing trees, and abundant rainfall for a good harvest. It will definitely make the social atmosphere flourish. If there is no sense of shame and only punishment is used for governance, then customs will deteriorate, people will lose their nature, even trivial matters will lead to conflict, and even severe laws will not be able to control it. Governing a country is akin to a farmer tilling barren land, yearning for a bountiful harvest in a drought; it will definitely not succeed. The reason the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties thrived, enjoying blessings, long-lasting peace, and good customs for hundreds of years, while the Qin dynasty fell after just two generations, is because of their different methods." He then asked, "To achieve the seven virtues of King Wu and the nine achievements of King Wen, how can we achieve this? Which things should be done first, and which should be done later?"
The answer is: "To govern with benevolence and military prowess, one must rely on moral cultivation to achieve great accomplishments, foster the prosperity and growth of various endeavors, and most importantly, select talented individuals and entrust them with important responsibilities. By appointing capable individuals to corresponding positions and ensuring they are competent in their roles, national affairs can be handled smoothly and officials will not slack off. As the Book of History states: 'Heaven acts, and people should follow suit.' Therefore, having wise and capable individuals is crucial for governing the world and stabilizing the country. Having a reserve of talented individuals is akin to how skilled craftsmen require sharp tools, and accomplished artisans need plumb lines and chalk lines. With sharp tools, wood can be easily cut without damage; with plumb lines and chalk lines in place, the bent can be straightened, and all shapes can be correctly displayed. Therefore, rulers must strive to find talented individuals and trust them with tasks. Loyal ministers are devoted to the country and care for the people, both in and out of the court; outside the court, they cultivate their integrity, maintain personal integrity, do not seek personal gain in their duties, act in a just manner, showcase their abilities, and make their contributions. This explains why ancient sage kings were able to sit respectfully in the court and govern effectively, as they employed wise individuals and had great trust in them. People in the world today look up to the grace of sage rulers and eagerly seek to be valued, which hinges on the wise ruler's decisions. By creating channels for dialogue, seeking opinions widely, selecting outstanding talents, attracting virtuous individuals, assessing their abilities, assigning them appropriate positions, and ensuring there are no idle officials in the court, this positive atmosphere will thrive, and the achievements will be remembered for generations."
At that time, Zhong, Xi, and Prince Dongping Kang all lived in high-class residences. Zhong was appointed as a Secretary. However, some people who malign him said that Zhong's answers were far-fetched. The emperor then summoned another group of talented individuals to question them in person. The emperor said, "Last time when answering my questions, everyone only answered my questions and did not fully express what you wanted to say. So I am summoning you again, hoping that you can speak your minds. In recent years, there have been consecutive floods and droughts. Although I have been diligent, I have not been able to grasp the laws between heaven and man. What should be done to deal with these changes? When the people encounter floods and droughts, how should they be relieved? There are many national affairs now, and there is no peace. I want to ease the heavy burden of governance and make the people live and work in peace. If anyone encounters difficulties, what measures should be added or reduced to benefit both the public and private interests, please state them in detail. In addition, the management of personnel is crucial, but knowing people is the most difficult. We can only rely on everyone's opinions. If there are hidden talents in literature and military affairs, please recommend them. Even if their status is lowly and they are unknown, there should be no limitations. Therefore, I hope everyone can express their thoughts sincerely, without pursuing fancy words or hiding anything."
Your Majesty, you are wise and compassionate towards the suffering of the people. You want to govern the country like Yao and Shun, by recruiting talents to assist you in realizing great governance. This is truly the intention of Yao and Shun! I am not very bright, but I have received your favor. In my previous answers, I could not fully respond to your decree, and many thoughts were not fully expressed. I am truly ignorant and deserve punishment.
I have heard that Heaven created the people and entrusted the ruler to govern them. If the monarch wants the country to prosper, he must follow etiquette; then the five blessings will be abundant. If there are mistakes in politics and the law is biased, then various signs will not be favorable, and licentiousness and hubris will lead to calamity. This is the principle of harmony between heaven and humanity, and also the cause of the rise and fall of the country.
The past sage kings had clear politics and perfect systems, guiding the people to engage in agricultural production and return to the basics, so even when faced with floods and droughts, there was no famine. In recent years, there has been an imbalance of yin and yang, with frequent floods and droughts; perhaps this is destiny. If it is not destiny, then it is because officials have not fulfilled their duties, have not implemented your holy decree well, and assisted you in completing your great rule, so the auspicious energy cannot manifest, and affairs cannot proceed smoothly.
Now the people are suffering, with both public and private reserves lacking. The key is to reduce taxes and labor, soothe the people, and promote thrift and agriculture; this is the solution to the problem. The people's suffering stems from heavy taxes, burdensome duties, strict laws, and a lack of trust in the rulers. If taxes and duties are heavy, the people lose their livelihood; if the laws are strict, the people lose their integrity; if the credibility of the rulers is insufficient, the people lose their goals. These are all major events related to the rise and fall of the country. The ancient books say: "Do good things from the beginning, good things accumulate continuously, then bad things will naturally disappear." Confucius said: "Observe his behavior, examine his motives, and who can hide anything?" As for those talented civil and military officials who live in seclusion, those talented but lowly positioned individuals, they are beyond the recognition of me, a foolish person. I can only do my best to answer your questions.
After submitting the memorial, the emperor personally reviewed it and promoted me to the first place, granting me the position of Zhongshu Lang. I knew when to push forward and when to hold back, set an example, and both the court and the common people respected my authority. Every time I presented opposing views, they were accepted and implemented, gradually becoming a model.
Later, I was appointed as the Chancellor of Pingyuan. At that time, Xiangyi Wei Jing was promoted from the Prefect of Nanyang to the Prefect of Henan. We both received our appointments at the same time, and the emperor saw us both and exclaimed, "If all the two thousand stone officials could be like them, what else would I have to worry about!" I ruled Pingyuan with simplicity and kindness, and the people praised me. Ultimately, I passed away in office.
Hua Tan, courtesy name Lingsi, is from Guangling. His grandfather Hua Rong was the Left General of Wu and managed the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel; his father Hua Yu was the Huangmen Lang of Wu. Hua Tan became an orphan when he was just one year old. His mother, just eighteen herself, dedicated herself to raising him and worked tirelessly. As he grew older, Hua Tan developed a passion for learning and excelled at it. He was exceptionally eloquent, and everyone respected him. Zhou Jun, the Governor of Yangzhou, recognized his talent and brought him on as an official historian, treating him like a friend.
During the Taikang period, the deputy officer Chen Zong recommended Hua Tan as a talented scholar. Before leaving, he hosted a banquet to see him off and asked, "For those with aspirations, finding talent is paramount; for those with ambition, establishing a reputation is the goal. Why did Sima Xiangru not hold an official position during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, and why was Jia Yi not highly regarded during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han? This has sparked a long-standing debate between the states of Wu and Jin. Can you explain this principle before you leave?" Hua Tan replied, "If a sage were to be emperor, all things in the world would be in perfect order, and only capable and virtuous individuals would hold official positions. Therefore, there would be no beautiful scenery hidden in the mountains, and no leisurely people living in simple thatched cottages. However, if the emperor is merely average or even ordinary, occupying the position of a sage while ruling over the people, his rule will gradually decline day by day, and societal ethics will deteriorate. Moreover, an emperor of average ability surrounds himself with like-minded individuals, and even if what they say is incorrect, the emperor will believe it to be true. Even if there are talented individuals like Yan Hui and Ran Yong by his side, capable of assisting the state, and officials striving to achieve merits like Zhou Yafu, the emperor will aspire to act benevolently like Yao and Shun. How would they know that the affairs of the state are deteriorating day by day? Although the court claims to seek out talent, it actually has no understanding of how to recognize it. Speak the truth, and they accuse you of slander; propose a good idea, and they call it nonsense. Can you blame them? Incompetent emperors fail to see profound truths, and short-sighted emperors fail to see long-term goals. Therefore, if your words are not accepted, your strategies are not used, and you fear for your own survival, how can you even think about establishing a reputation? This is why officials like Shangguan Dafu are favored, while Qu Yuan is exiled; Zai Pi is favored, while Wu Zixu is killed. Isn’t that just heartbreaking? Sima Xiangru was neglected by Emperor Wu of Han, and Jia Yi was alienated by Emperor Wen of Han. This is considered mild! Therefore, Bai Qi once said, 'Finding talented individuals is not easy; using them well is even more difficult; using them well is not easy, trusting them is even more difficult.'”
"If you find a talented person but can't utilize them, and if you employ them but can't trust them, how can any achievement possibly succeed?"
When Tan arrived in Luoyang, Emperor Wu personally placed a cap on his head and asked, "Now the country is unified, customs are the same everywhere, the world is peaceful, there's nothing more prosperous than this. However, there are still unruly Hu tribes in the north and fierce Di tribes in the west, so we officials can’t afford to rest easy, and the people living on the borders can’t live in peace. What can we do to permanently eliminate these threats and ensure peace in the realm?"
Tan answered, "I heard that the wise monarch governs the world by following the principles established by our ancestors to educate the people, governing with benevolence in line with natural laws, applying the principles of heaven, earth, and humanity to manage all affairs, and encouraging open dialogue to attract talented individuals. Therefore, one must be diligent and humble, work tirelessly like the sun, focus mainly on selecting talents, and discover and promote those hidden talents. This way, talented individuals will rise like dragons, and the emperor's rule will be more brilliant; upright conduct will soar like phoenixes, and the royal road will be smoothly implemented. Therefore, after Gaotao was recommended, those unkind individuals stayed away; Lu Jia assisted the Han Dynasty, and the distant barbarians all submitted. Now, the court's benevolence and virtue have spread throughout the country, and an atmosphere of integrity has spread throughout. The southern army is now advancing towards the Yangtze and Han Rivers, sweeping across the Jianghan region; the western expeditionary army has set off, and the Qiang and barbarian tribes have all submitted. This is a prime opportunity to cultivate talent and promote education! Therefore, those talented individuals have flocked to us upon hearing the news, and those with special talents have also come to serve. We should establish more institutions to nurture talent, appoint high officials with generous salaries to attract talent, urgently seek talent as one would seek food, shut down avenues for flattery, ban frivolous entertainment, and bring peace to the world. This is the key. Although there are still unruly enemies in the northwest and the distant Hu people who do not offer tribute, conquering them would waste resources and burden the people. Even if we were to conquer them, there would be little to gain, as Ban Gu wisely noted: 'Occupying their land does not yield crops; subduing their people does not make them serve us. Punish them if they come, strengthen defenses if they leave.' This is the strategy for pacifying the borders."
Once, someone asked the strategist: "We have pacified both the state of Wu and the state of Shu; the people of Shu have all submitted and show no signs of dissent. However, the people of Wu are arrogant and always causing trouble. Is it because the people of Shu are straightforward and easily influenced, while the people of Wu are rash and harder to manage? Now that we want to pacify the newly-subdued regions, what should we do first?"
The strategist replied: "I have heard that during the late Han Dynasty, the country was in chaos, heroes emerged, Shu occupied the Minshan and Longxi, and Wu occupied Jiangdong. It was not until the rise of the Western Jin Dynasty that the mandate of heaven was granted; Sima Yan strategized and stabilized the country. Your Majesty, with your foresight and wisdom, all regions have submitted. Shu has been under control for a long time, and their customs and habits have already changed; Wu has just submitted and has not yet changed their habits. This doesn't mean that the people of Shu are submissive while the people of Wu are uncontrollable. However, Wu is located in a remote area, with different customs and traditions from the Central Plains, and is close to the Yangtze River, where the people have always been impulsive and brave. To govern Wu, we should first value the talents of Wu, provide them opportunities to showcase their talents at court, promote their capable individuals, and treat them well; select outstanding officials to govern Wu and demonstrate the authority of the court; reduce taxes, enabling the people to live and work happily. Only then can we permanently retain Wu and let them forever be the subjects of the great Jin."
Then someone else asked the strategist: "The sages say that if there is a wise monarch, it will take several generations of effort to achieve benevolent governance. Now that the world is peaceful and prosperity has been established, although the Xiongnu have not completely surrendered, and the Qiang and Di tribes are still bold and crafty, we aim to soothe them with kindness and charm them with song and dance, so the war has stopped and the soldiers can rest. So, can we turn our weapons into farming tools and cease weapon production?"
The strategist replied, "During the reign of Emperor Yao, the world was peaceful, and the sound of praise was unceasing; King Wen and King Wu successively ruled, and the civilization of rites and music reached its peak. During the Qing Dynasty, the world was peaceful, all within the four seas paid tribute, nations came to pay homage, and the world presented a harmonious scene. Even in remote regions where people dressed in animal skins and walked barefoot, they sent envoys to pay respects and learn the etiquette of the Central Plains. However, even rulers as virtuous as Great Shun faced the rebellion of the Three Miao; even powerful dynasties like the Zhou Dynasty suffered from the invasion of the Xiongnu, a nomadic tribe. Therefore, even with benevolence and virtue, there must also exist military strength. Being cautious in times of peace reflects the wise governance of ancient times; being vigilant at all times is the advice of sages. We cannot eliminate the role of the arsenal and melt weapons into farming tools. We can put away the weapons, wrap them in hides, appoint generals as feudal lords, and let them enjoy a peaceful and prosperous era. This is the best solution."
The Emperor asked, "Is the establishment of laws and regulations meant to adapt to the current situation? In times of crisis, strict laws are enacted to stabilize the situation, and in times of stability, they are relaxed to encourage the people to act virtuously. Now that the world is peaceful, with no wars from all directions, and the people are living in peace and contentment, can we consider reducing some legal provisions?"
The minister replied, "I have heard that during the reign of the Five Emperors, rituals were diverse, and during the Three Kings period, teachings differed. Some emphasized political virtue through voluntary abdication, while others seized power through warfare. However, the ultimate goal was to harmonize society through promoting rites and music, spreading positive customs to win the people's hearts. Though the paths may differ, they ultimately lead to the same goal. Nowadays, moral teachings have become highly unified, the world is peaceful, everyone is inclined towards goodness, evil is rejected, and people abide by laws and regulations. Even during the prosperous times of Yao and Shun, symbolic punishments were still in place; during the peak of the Yin and Zhou dynasties, laws were enacted. Having laws and regulations in place does not obstruct governance. If the great way is clear and rites and music harmonize, everyone cultivates themselves, and the people work hard to improve themselves, then even without the need for punishment and enforcement of laws, it can better demonstrate the good customs of a peaceful era, and the spirit of benevolence and righteousness will spread throughout the world."
The emperor then asked, "In the past, Emperor Shun took twenty-eight years to achieve his great accomplishments, and King Wen relied on numerous talents to prosper the Zhou dynasty. The key to governing the world lies in selecting talents, but talented individuals are rare. Now that the world has just been unified, we should actively seek out talents. Each state and county has a system for recommending talents, but we have not yet found exceptionally outstanding talents. Do such talents not exist now? Or have we simply not found the best way to uncover them?"
The minister replied, "I have heard that in order to promote education and establish laws, it is necessary to have talented individuals to realize its principles; in order to govern a peaceful and prosperous era and handle various disturbances, it is necessary to have talented individuals to accomplish its tasks. Starting from the time of Fuxi, through all the emperors in history, none have failed to spread order, unite the four corners, promote benevolence and righteousness, and bestow blessings. Therefore, with talented individuals, education can prosper; without talented individuals, governance will decline. Now that the world is unified, customs are similar within thousands of miles, all states recommend outstanding talents, and the court carefully selects talents. In such a vast land with so many people, how could it be possible not to have outstanding talents! It's like there must be countless bright pearls in the South Sea, and there must be many thousand-mile horses in Dawan. It's just that outstanding talents are hard to come by, and talents in remote border areas are not easy to see. Therefore, during the prosperous times of Yao and Shun, it took 28 years for Emperor Shun's achievements to be recognized; Yin's overthrow of the Xia dynasty succeeded only with the assistance of Yi Yin. Nowadays, the emperor respects talents from fallen states, accepting talents from remote areas; some hold important positions in the court, while some are serving the country from far away. By touring various places, you'll surely come across talents like Lv Shang, and you'll definitely dream of reclusive scholars in the mountains at night. The emergence of talented individuals is something to look forward to."
It is said that there was a man named Tan Qiao, who was exceptionally talented, and the entire eastern region praised him. There was a man named Liu Song in his hometown, who was a judge at the time. Upon seeing Tan Qiao, he exclaimed, "Ah, I never expected that our countryside would have such a talented individual!" What a pleasant surprise!
Then, a scholar named Wang Ji openly mocked Tan Qiao, saying, "The court has just opened, and everyone is selecting talents, searching for talents from remote areas and excavating outstanding individuals from deep mountains and forests. You, Tan Qiao, are from Wu Chu, a fallen state. What makes you so special that you'd be worth selecting?" Wang Ji's words were quite direct!
Tan Qiao calmly replied, "Outstanding talents can certainly come from remote areas, not necessarily from bustling central regions. Look, pearls and precious jade, as well as valuable shells, all come from the banks of the Yangtze River and Yu River; night-shining jade comes from the mountainous areas of Jingzhou and Lantian. Therefore, to find talent, one cannot just focus on one place. King Wen was born in Dongyi, and Great Yu was born in Xiqiang, haven't you heard of that? When King Wu overthrew the Shang Dynasty, he relocated the people of Yin and Shang to Luoyang. Sirs, are you not their descendants?"
This answer was clever! He directly rebutted Wang Ji back!
Wang Ji then said, "During times of national crisis, if you do not uphold, during times of national turmoil, if you do not support, leading to the displacement of rulers and ministers, and the downfall of the country, what are you officials aiming for?" Wang Ji was quite aggressive!
Tan Qiao replied, "Alas, the rise and fall of a country have their own rules, prosperity and decline have their cycles. If heaven wants to destroy a country, human effort cannot reverse it. King Xu Yan practiced benevolence and righteousness but lost the country. Confucius traveled to various states, Dugan Mu Yan was renowned for his recluse life, success and failure, rise and fall, all have their time; how can it be controlled by human effort?" Tan Qiao's words were somewhat helpless and philosophical.
After listening, Wang Ji's attitude towards Tan Qiao became more respectful.
Later, Tan Qiao was appointed as a Junior Official, then promoted as a Tai Zi Shenren, an official of the local government. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to fulfill his mourning duties at home. After the mourning period, he was appointed as the magistrate of Juancheng County. One time, while passing by the Pu River, he wrote a "Praise of Zhuangzi" for the magistrate's review. A court officer named Zhang Yan wrote a response article with exceptional literary skill. Tan Qiao admired Zhang Yan and recommended him, and Zhang Yan was later promoted as well. When Tan Qiao became the Prefect of Lujiang, Zhang Yan had become the Prefect of Huailing. These two achieved success together!
Tan Qiao recommended Zhou Fang, who came from a humble background, as a loyal and upright official. Zhou Fang later rose to great prominence, and at that time, everyone thought Tan Qiao was good at judging people. Later, Tan Qiao resigned from his official position after his father's grave was destroyed. Not long after, he was appointed as an Official of the Imperial Secretariat.
In the early years of the Yongning period, Tan Qiao was sent to serve as the magistrate of Jia County. At that time, due to previous wars, there was a famine in the area, and Tan Qiao was very concerned about the people, doing everything he could to support them. When the Minister Wang Rong heard about this, he held Tan Qiao in high regard and sent three hundred measures of grain to help the disaster victims. Tan Qiao's achievements in Jia County were outstanding, and he was later promoted to be the Governor of Lujiang and was given the title of General of Suiyuan. This was a substantial promotion!
At that time, Shi Bing's faction, including Lu Gui, occupied several county towns. Tan Qiao sent Sima Chu Dun to quell the rebellion, and he also sent troops to attack the commander Meng Xu under Shi Bing, capturing some of his valiant generals. Because of these achievements, Tan Qiao was granted the title of Marquis of Duting, with a fief of a thousand households, and was rewarded with a thousand bolts of silk. This was a well-deserved elevation to nobility and military rank!
Chen Min stirred up a huge mess, and Wu Shiduo was pushed to his breaking point. Gu Rong, who used to be Chen Min's subordinate, was secretly plotting against him. Tan Buwu misunderstood Gu Rong's intentions, posted notices everywhere, and vehemently criticized Chen Min, which offended Gu Rong. In addition, Tan Buwu held an official position in the county, managed strictly, and often clashed with his superiors. The Governor of Yangzhou, Liu Tao, who had long disliked Tan Buwu, used the law as a pretext to arrest him and imprisoned him in Shouyang Prison. General Zhong Fuhu had a good relationship with Tan Buwu and was able to spring him from prison. Later, Gan Zhuo came to attack Zhong Fuhu, causing the townsfolk to scatter. Zhong Fuhu thought Tan Buwu had already split, sent people to find him, only to find Tan Buwu right beside him. Zhong Fuhu sighed and said, "I always thought Hua Lingsi (Tan Buwu's name) was a formidable figure like Zangziyuan, and now it has been proven!" Gan Zhuo had previously been captured by the King of Donghai, who ordered that whoever dared to hide Gan Zhuo would be killed. Gan Zhuo sought refuge with Tan Buwu and just barely escaped. This time, Gan Zhuo sent someone to find Tan Buwu, asking, "Where is Hua Hou? I'm Gan Yangwei's messenger!" Tan Buwu said he didn't know and gave the messenger two pieces of silk to send him on his way. The messenger returned and told Gan Zhuo, who exclaimed, "That must be Hua Hou!" He sent someone to find Tan Buwu, but Tan Buwu had already fled. Later, Ji Zhan recommended Tan Buwu for an official position, but was thwarted by Gu Rong, and he was unable to move up the ranks for years.
In the early years of Jianxing, the Emperor appointed him as Advisor to the Eastern Army. Tan Buwu, being highly knowledgeable, found himself with little to occupy his time in the government office, so he wrote a thirty-volume work titled "Bian Dao" and presented it to the Emperor, who personally read it. Later, he was promoted to Advisor to the Prime Minister and also held the position of County Grand Central Supervisor. Tan Buwu recommended Gan Bao and Fan Yao to the court and then submitted a request for retirement, stating: "I have heard that wise monarchs possess long-term vision and prioritize seeking out talent; and as a subject, one should act within their capabilities and recognize their limitations. Thus, Emperor Xuan of Han respected the wishes of his elderly ministers and honored their intentions; Marquis Wen also accepted Gan Muyan's advice and let him rest at home. I lack the talents of ancient sages, possessing only lofty ambitions. I have been in and out for two years without achieving anything noteworthy or correcting any mistakes; I only speak empty words and do not pay enough attention to recommending talents; the foreign enemies have not been subdued, and I have no good strategies. I am nearly seventy years old, my energy is declining day by day, and I have not made any contribution despite receiving a salary, so I should retire. I hereby return the seal of my office as Advisor to the Prime Minister." However, the Emperor did not agree.
At the beginning of the Jianwu period, someone wanted to appoint him as a Secretary Supervisor, but he firmly declined the offer. In the Taixing period, he was appointed to the front army, but due to illness, he was reassigned back to the Secretary Supervisor position. He believed he had talent and a good reputation, yet he remained dissatisfied and discontented. At that time, Zhu Feng from Jinling and Wu Zhen from Wu County, both of whom were of noble character and possessed great knowledge, despite their old age, had not been promoted. He recommended them for positions as Assistant Editors.
Someone asked him, "It is said that the gap between people is as vast as the distance between nine cows and one strand of hair, is it really that big?" He replied, "In the past, Xu You and Chao Fu both declined the emperor's high position, while the petty people in the marketplace fought over trivial amounts of money; this gap is not just as simple as nine cows and a strand of hair!" Those who heard praised him for speaking well.
Dai Ruosi's younger brother, Dai Miao, is also his son-in-law. He always suppressed Dai Ruosi and promoted Dai Miao, which made Dai Ruosi resentful. Later, when Dai Ruosi gained power, he frequently spoke ill of Dai Miao to the emperor, so his official position could not be promoted. He felt deeply wronged and one day calmly said to the emperor, "I am old now, planning to wait for death in the secret chamber. The words of Ji An from back then still hold true today." The emperor was very unhappy to hear this. After a long time, he was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, but he repeatedly declined citing illness. Later, when Wang Dun rebelled, he was very ill and could not attend court, so he was dismissed. He passed away at home and was posthumously promoted to Senior Grand Master, bestowed with a golden insignia and purple sash, and posthumously appointed as a Cavalier Attendant with the posthumous title "Hu." He had two sons: one named Hua, whose courtesy name was Changfeng, and the other named Mao.
His son Hua, whose courtesy name was Changfeng, served as a General in the campaign and died in battle during the campaign against Jisang. His other son Mao inherited his title.
Yuan Fu, a man from Huainan, whose courtesy name was Gongzhou, had a great passion for learning. He was on par with Tan Qiao and was famous for his eloquence in debate. He once went to visit General He Xu and self-identified as capable of serving as a county magistrate. He Xu asked him, "You only want to be a county magistrate and not hold a position in the central government, why is that?" Yuan Fu replied, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Just like the best fabric in silk products is brocade, but brocade cannot be used to make shoes; the highest quality grain is rice, but rice cannot be used to make pickles. Therefore, when a wise ruler selects officials, they must first consider if the person is suitable. If one's abilities are insufficient, how can they handle all matters? Huang Ba was well-known in the provinces but remained obscure in the capital. A talent like Ting Wei cannot attain the rank of San Gong; this has been the case throughout history." He Xu admired him and appointed him as the magistrate of Songzi County. He was later promoted to the Grand Farmer of Huainan and eventually became the Langzhong magistrate.
Shi Heng asked Yuan Fu, "You are well-known for your debating skills, so do you know why it is always dry west of Shouyang and rainy east of Shouyang?" Yuan Fu replied, "East of Shouyang is within the territory of the State of Wu; the people of the fallen State of Wu grieve for their homeland. Once a powerful nation, they fell from grace, harboring deep resentment and bitterness. Resentment turned into Yin energy, Yin energy accumulated into rain, and prolonged rain leads to flooding, hence the constant flooding. West of Shouyang is within the territory of China; following the pacification, the treasures of the State of Wu were transported here, and people were content and immersed in happiness. According to the Gongyang Zhuan, Duke Xi of Lu was very pleased, which resulted in a drought in the capital. If one can restrain the strong and support the weak, creating distance before fostering closeness, then peace will prevail, and disasters will be averted." The onlookers admired his quick wit. Yuan Fu passed away peacefully at home in his eighties.
The historian commented: governing the state, cultivating the populace, selecting exceptional individuals to fulfill responsibilities; showcasing achievements to enhance the family name requires the arrival of a wise ruler to recognize these accomplishments. During the reign of Emperor Wu, the world was peaceful, and the court attached importance to finding talents, with many people eager to obtain official positions. Individuals like Xi Shi remained in the provinces, waiting for the court's call, responding eloquently, and rising steadily. Their deeds can serve as models for posterity. May people lead by example, uphold justice, and have firm aspirations, embodying the character of Zhou Gong and Gan Luo, where the virtuous are indeed courageous, embodying the character of Yuan Fu! Although he was outstanding, he ultimately failed to enter the central leadership; the regret of unfulfilled ambitions is not unique to the ancients!
Praise: Xi Shi and Ruan Ji are renowned figures, both known for their noble character and integrity. Hua Xin, a man of exceptional talent and integrity, was summoned to serve in the court. Soaring over treacherous mountain paths like a bird, gliding through rivers like a dragon. Their virtuous character will endure through the ages, and their noble virtues will gain even greater recognition.
