Wei Shu, with the courtesy name Yangyuan, was from Fan County in Rencheng, Shandong. He lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his grandmother's family, the Ning family. When the Ning family was building a house, they invited someone to assess the feng shui, and that person said, "A noble nephew will emerge from here in the future." His grandmother thought that although Wei Shu was young, he was very clever, and believed the feng shui master was referring to him. However, Wei Shu said, "This feng shui spot should bring prosperity to my grandmother's family." After a while, he moved out to live on his own. He was eight feet two inches tall, handsome, and had a remarkable tolerance for alcohol, but he was somewhat simple-minded but honest, and the villagers looked down on him. His uncle was Wei Heng, an official in the Ministry of Personnel, who was quite a prominent figure at the time, but he did not know much about Wei Shu and only assigned him to manage the water mill, often lamenting, "If Wei Shu could just be a minor official overseeing a few hundred households, I’d be content!" Wei Shu did not care for those worldly conventions and did not engage in ostentatious behavior; he always found ways to help talented people and never exposed others' shortcomings. He enjoyed horseback riding and archery, dressed in leather attire, and often ventured into the mountains and wetlands to hunt and fish. Only Wang Yi from Taiyuan valued him, saying, "You will definitely become a prime minister in the future, but right now you can't even support a wife and children, let me help you out!" He often assisted Wei Shu financially, which Wei Shu accepted without saying much.
Once, when Wei Shu went to Yewang, the host's daughter-in-law went into labor in the middle of the night. Hearing the sound of carriages outside, she asked the visitor, "Is it a boy or a girl?" The visitor answered, "It's a boy; make a note of it; he will die in battle at fifteen." She then asked, "Who is sleeping inside?" The reply was, "It's Wei Gong Shu." Fifteen years later, when Wei Shu returned to that home, he inquired about that child, and the host said, "He died from an axe injury while chopping down mulberry trees." That’s when Wei Shu came to understand that he would rise to a high official position in the future.
When Wei Shu was in his forties, the county wanted to select candidates known for their filial piety and integrity, and Wei Shu was recommended. His relatives and friends thought he lacked knowledge and advised him not to take the exam, saying that he could still earn a good reputation without taking the exam. Wei Shu said, "If I take the exam and fail, the responsibility lies with me. How can I falsely claim a good reputation just to save face?" So he started to study seriously, completing a classic text in just a hundred days, then took the exam and passed with flying colors, becoming an official. He first served as a county magistrate in Mianchi County, then was promoted to magistrate of Junyi County, and finally became an official in the central government known as Shangshu Lang. At that time, the court was planning to cut some incompetent officials, and Wei Shu said, "I'm one of those incompetent officials." So he packed up his things and walked out. Those officials who usually had a bad reputation felt ashamed. Everyone was talking about it, praising Wei Shu's character.
Wei Shu initially served under Zhong Yu, and his career progressed steadily until he became Zhong Yu's chief historian. At that time, they often shot arrows together, with Wei Shu always responsible for keeping score and jotting down the results. Later, when there were not enough people participating in archery, Wei Shu was invited to join in to make up the numbers. Zhong Yu had no clue about Wei Shu's incredible archery skills. Wei Shu's every move was poised and graceful, and his aim was always spot on. Everyone present was amazed, because no one stood a chance against him. Zhong Yu turned to Wei Shu and said, "I had no idea you were so talented. You are so skilled in archery, you must be just as good at everything else!" And so, Wei Shu was moved to the Prime Minister's Office as a military officer and was also given the title of Juyangzi.
In the Prime Minister's residence and the court, he never showed favoritism when dealing with various mundane matters. When faced with major decisions that others were indecisive about, Wei Shu was always able to calmly analyze and propose solutions that exceeded everyone's expectations. The Emperor held him in high regard, and after every court meeting, he would see Wei Shu off and praise him, saying, "Wei Shu is truly upright and a leader among men!" Later, Wei Shu was promoted to the positions of Prefect of Yiyang County and Prefect of Xingyang County, where he achieved remarkable political success and gained a good reputation. He was later summoned back to the court to serve as a Gentleman of the Palace. He was then appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, where he became known for his honesty and generosity throughout his three-year tenure. Upon returning to the court, he served as a Chamberlain. Emperor Wu, admiring Wei Shu's integrity, specifically rewarded him with one hundred bolts of silk. He was later promoted to the position of Minister of State, and although he should have faced dismissal for an official error, the Emperor issued a decree permitting him to atone with a monetary fine. Wei Shu's three wives had all passed away, and that year, he submitted a request to return to his hometown to bury his wives. The Emperor granted him a plot of land for their burial and awarded him fifty thousand coins.
During the early period of the Taikang era, Wei Shu was appointed as the Right Minister. He, along with Wei Guan, Shan Tao, Zhang Hua, and others, believed that the world had already been unified and that they should emulate ancient classics by holding the Fengshan ceremony to offer sacrifices at Mount Tai. They repeatedly petitioned the emperor to suggest this, but the emperor humbly declined and did not agree. Later, Wei Shu was appointed as the Left Minister and concurrently as the Minister of Personnel. Wei Shu submitted a memorial saying, "Now, when selecting concubines for the six palaces, jade and silk are used as betrothal gifts. In the past, it was the responsibility of the Director of the Imperial Household to send the betrothal gifts and announce the auspicious ceremonies of marriage. In this way, the betrothal gifts are grand, but the messengers are treated lightly. I believe that the appointment of the three primary consorts should be the responsibility of officials of the ministerial level, the nine concubines should be the responsibility of the Commandant of the Five Departments, and the other beauties and favored men should be managed by the attendants; only then can it conform to the system of rites." The emperor issued an edict for a detailed discussion on this matter, but there were various opinions and no consensus was reached in the end. Later, Wei Shu was further appointed as the Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and concurrently as a Secretary of the Three Excellencies. After Shan Tao passed away, Shu Yun was appointed as the Minister of Works shortly after. Shu Yun was highly respected and well-regarded; he distributed all his salary and rewards to his relatives, not keeping any money at home. Zhou Zhen from Chenliu sought to hire him for various positions, but each time an offer letter was sent, someone in his family passed away, so everyone referred to him as "Master of Calamity" and no one dared to hire him again. However, Shu Yun employed Zhou Zhen, and nothing untoward occurred, so those who understood the situation praised Shu Yun's discernment in people.
Shu Yun has grown older and often declines official positions citing illness as the reason. Later, he briefly returned to office and was appointed as the Zhongzheng in Yanzhou, but soon resigned due to illness. The Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, Xi Shen, wrote to him, saying, "You have recovered a bit from your illness, and it is only right for you to handle government affairs. The Emperor is also very concerned about you. How can you keep coming back and forth, resigning and declining repeatedly, which has really disappointed everyone’s expectations? You were so accomplished when you were young, but now you are so quick to give up. Don't you think it's a pity?" Shu Yun still ignored political affairs as before. Later, due to disasters, he wanted to resign again, but the Emperor disagreed. After the New Year's Day court meeting, Shu Yun returned home and submitted a request to resign from his official position. The Emperor personally wrote a decree urging him to remain in office, but Shu Yun remained resolute.
So the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Minister Shu Yun, noble in character, profound in thought, loyal, and upright, has been diligent and responsible in his official duties. He has made appropriate selections of officials and assisted the Emperor in governing, promoting the Five Classics. His benevolence and teachings have spread throughout the country, and his reputation is well-known. He can be said to be a pillar of the court. However, he has repeatedly humbly declined to resign, showing sincere intentions, repeatedly declining, which deeply moved me. This is in line with the virtue of fulfilling others and is allowed by ancestral traditions. I find it difficult to go against his wishes. We hereby permit him to resign, appoint him as Juyangzi, and he shall enjoy the same status as the Three Ministers at home, with his salary and rewards remaining unchanged. He is relieved of his duty to attend court, given a million cash, as well as bedding and other household items. In addition, he is provided with four attendants and ten official riders. The Imperial Household Department is ordered to carefully review the ceremonial system, and everything is to be handled according to precedent." Therefore, the Emperor granted him a carriage and horses for his safety and also sent people to patrol in front of his residence. Shu Yun always ensured that he did things properly before speaking, and when he resigned, no one was aware of it.
At that time, public opinion held that since the establishment of the Jin Dynasty, there had never been an example of someone resigning from the position of San Gong, retiring to seclusion, and dying a peaceful death. Sikong Wei Guan wrote to Shu Yun, saying, "Every time I discuss this matter with you, I have not been successful; it's truly like 'seeing it in front of me, only to have it suddenly disappear behind me'!" In the first year of Taixi, Shu Yun died at the age of eighty-two. The emperor was deeply saddened and generously rewarded him, posthumously conferring the title "Kang."
His son, Hun, styled Yan Guang, was a handsome and talented person who served as a close aide to the Crown Prince. At the age of twenty-seven, he lost his father, which caused great sorrow and regret among both the court and the common people. Whenever his father mourned too deeply, he would withdraw and sigh, saying, "I can't match Zhuangzi's level of detachment; why harm oneself for useless matters!" So he eventually stopped crying. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Shu only has one son, but unfortunately he died young. When Shu reached the age of retirement, he endured the pain of poverty alone, which filled him with sadness every time he thought of it. I feel regret for him. Thinking of letting him dispel his worries and nurture his body and mind, I shall provide him with more fine food and useful items. I will also reward him with a sunstone, four window curtains, and a black-wheeled ox cart, hoping he might find some distraction when he goes out, perhaps to ease his sorrows." Thus, his grandson Rong inherited the title. Unfortunately, his grandson Rong also died young, and the title subsequently passed to his great-grandson Huang.
Li Xi, styled Jihe, was from Tongdi County in Shangdang Commandery. His father, Li Quan, was a Grand Minister of the Han Dynasty. Li Xi had high moral character and was well-educated and talented from a young age. He was recommended to the court for his virtue, but he turned it down. Despite multiple summons to serve in the offices of the Three Dukes, he refused. Emperor Xuan summoned him to serve as an official under the Grand Tutor, but he stoutly refused, saying he was ill. When the county officials carried him on a stretcher to send him off, his mother fell seriously ill, so he secretly scaled the walls of Xuan City to return home. He made it home just in time for his mother’s passing, and people praised his filial piety and integrity. He later served as the Deputy to the Governor of Bingzhou. When General Qin Lang passed through Bingzhou, Governor Bi Gui welcomed him respectfully and offered a carriage to the office. Li Xi cautioned against it, and Bi Gui had no choice but to follow his advice. After Emperor Jing assumed control, Li Xi was appointed as an official in the Grand General's Office. When summoned by Emperor Jing, Li Xi was asked why he accepted this appointment after turning down his father's recommendation. Li Xi replied, "My father respected me, allowing me to accept or decline according to etiquette. You appoint officials according to laws, and I respect the laws, so I came." Emperor Jing greatly valued him and promoted him to Marshal, then later as the Right Chief Historian. After returning from a military campaign against Muqiu Jian, he was further promoted to be the Deputy Imperial Secretary. He kept a straight-laced attitude in court, not fearing the powerful, and all officials looked up to him. He recommended Sun Pu from Le'an, who was also renowned for his integrity, which earned Li Xi a reputation for good judgment. He was later promoted to be the Grand Marshal but was let go due to an error in his duties.
Sima Zhu became the General of Ningbei and was stationed at Ye City. He appointed Du Yu as his military affairs officer. Shortly after, Du Yu was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou, with the additional title of General of Promoting Might. He was authorized to issue orders on behalf of the court and also served as the Protector of the Qiang and other ethnic minorities. He performed exceptionally well and achieved remarkable success. Once, when the Qiang and Hu tribes invaded the border, Du Yu took the opportunity to lead troops into enemy territory without reporting to the court, and secured a significant victory. Due to his significant contribution, he was exonerated for his unauthorized actions. Contemporaries compared him to Feng Yi and Gan Yanshou from the Han Dynasty. Later, Du Yu requested to return home, which the court approved. After spending about a month at home, he was appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, and he continued to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the Colonel of the Imperial Guard. When the Wei Emperor abdicated to the Jin Dynasty, Du Yu, as the Colonel of the Imperial Guard, acted as the Minister of State, receiving the Jin Dynasty's edict alongside Grand Commandant Zheng Chong. During Emperor Wu of Jin's reign in the Taishi era, Du Yu was granted the title of Marquis of Qi.
Du Yu submitted a memorial to the court, saying: "The former Jinling appointee, Liu You, the former Shangshu Shan Tao, Prince Zhongshan Sima Mu, and the former Shangshu Pushe Wu Gai, each had encroached on three hectares of official rice paddies, requesting that Shan Tao and Sima Mu be removed from their official positions. Wu Gai has already passed away, and I request that his posthumous title be demoted." The Emperor issued a decree saying: "The law serves as a standard for correcting people's behavior and should not be lenient just because of their relationships or power. Only in this way can the law be truly enforced! How could I favor them! However, the investigation revealed that Liu You was solely responsible for this matter. He encroached on the land of the common people and even misled the court ministers. For such audacious corrupt officials to dare to do such things, Liu You should be thoroughly investigated to punish those evil and treacherous individuals. Since Shan Tao and the others were not involved, there is no need to pursue them. The Book of Changes states, 'Ministers are cautious not because they are inherently cautious, but because their king is cautious.' Now, Du Yu, your wholehearted devotion to the public good and diligent service during your tenure truly make you a loyal and upright minister of the country! Emperor Guangwu once remarked, 'Even imperial relatives must curb their behavior to avoid ending up like the two Baos.' Isn't that so! All officials should be reminded to handle their own affairs carefully, as forgiveness isn't something they can always expect!" Du Yu served twice as Minister of the Imperial Guards and was praised by everyone. Later, he was dismissed from office due to official matters.
That year, the crown prince was officially designated, and Li Xi was appointed as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor. Since the reign of Emperor Ming of Wei, there had been no crown prince in the Eastern Palace for a long time, and the system had fallen into disarray. Many official positions were not set up, such as Grand Chamberlain, Left and Right Generals, Attendants, and Central Attendants; none of these positions were filled, only the Commandant of the Guards was appointed to manage the army, while the two Grand Tutors were responsible for all affairs. Li Xi served as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor for several years, diligently teaching the crown prince. Later, he was promoted to Minister of Rites, then appointed as a Senior Grand Master, and finally retired due to advancing age. The emperor issued a decree saying, "The Senior Grand Master Li Xi, who is upright and honest, should have been promoted to a higher position, but he retired due to advancing age. Even though he could enjoy a leisurely retirement, I still miss him very much! Let him continue to enjoy the title of Senior Grand Master, give him a golden purple robe, provide him with ten official horses, reward him with five hundred thousand coins, and his salary and ceremonial treatment are the same as those of the Three Departments; he can ride a horse when traveling."
When Li Xi was Minister of Rites, minority groups in Liangzhou frequently conducted raids along the borders. Li Xi volunteered to lead troops to suppress them. The court officials believed it was too difficult to mobilize troops and that the minority groups posed little threat, so they did not agree to his proposal. As a result, those minority groups later invaded in large numbers, and Liangzhou was captured. The court soon regretted its decision. Due to Li Xi's integrity and frugality, the court rewarded him with a hundred bolts of silk. When Prince You was stationed in command, Li Xi earnestly advised him through a memorial. Throughout his career, Li Xi was honest but not exceptional; he had no savings and even had to share clothes and meals with relatives and friends. He never exploited his position for personal benefit. After Li Xi's death, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Guardian, and his posthumous title was 'Cheng.' His son Li Zan inherited his title.
Li Xi's youngest son, Li Jian, styled Zhongyue, served as the General of the Left Crossbow Forces and as a Cavalier Attendant. Li Jian's son, Li Hong, styled Shiyi, was known for his strong principles from a young age. During the Yongjia period, he held positions as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and as a Cavalier in Regular Attendance.
Liu Shi, styled Zizhen, was from Pingyuan Gaotang. He was a descendant of Prince Hui of Jibei in the Han Dynasty, and his father Liu Guang was the magistrate of Chiqiu County. Liu Shi was very poor as a child and made a living selling cowhide. However, he was diligent in his studies, often holding a rope in one hand while reciting passages from his books, learning a wide range of knowledge from ancient to modern times. He was upright and impeccable in his conduct. The county recommended him as an exemplary and incorruptible candidate, and the prefecture recommended him as a talented scholar, but he declined both. Later, he made his way to Luoyang through the ranks of the clerical officials and was appointed as the Deputy Intendant of Henan, then promoted to Gentleman of the Secretariat and Chief Justice. He later served as a Gentleman in the Ministry of Personnel, participated in military affairs under Prime Minister Wen, and was granted the title Xunyangzi.
It is said that when Zhong Hui and Deng Ai went to attack Shu, a guest asked Sima Shi, "Can these two generals take down Shu?" Sima Shi replied, "Shu will certainly fall, but they won't come back." When asked why, Sima Shi smiled without answering, and the outcome did indeed come true. Sima Shi's foresight was often spot on.
Because at that time many people were scrambling to climb up the ranks, the number of honest and humble people was dwindling. So Sima Shi wrote an essay titled *On Chongrang* to address this issue. The essay stated:
In ancient times, the wise kings who ruled the world valued humility to select talents and eliminate conflicts. Everyone wants to be talented, so encouraging humility is to better showcase one's abilities, not to let the untalented rise to power! Therefore, as long as the principle of humility is upheld, talented individuals will naturally stand out, and a fair and just environment will emerge, with officials in various departments able to find suitable candidates. When a position is vacant, the most recommended person will be chosen, which is the fairest method. When court officials practice humility, the common people will also be influenced, and a culture of promoting virtue and humility will develop. If a person is admired by the whole country, they are the pillar of the nation; if they are elected by the people of the whole country, they are the nation's talents. By promoting a culture of humility, the talented and the less capable can be distinguished. If this principle of humility is upheld, those in power do not need to worry about selecting talents, and positive public sentiment will naturally arise. Therefore, it is said that "Yao's governance of the world was so natural and harmonious that people cannot say how he did it," because the world was so peaceful that no one could see how Yao ruled, so they cannot describe it. It is also said, "Shun and Yu governed the world as if they did nothing, and the world naturally stabilized; this is probably Shun's way of governing the country." When talented officials practice humility, those with abilities are in important positions, and the less capable will not compete, so the world will naturally be peaceful. Ruling with virtuous leaders brings peace; this is the ultimate principle! Why make extra efforts when you can benefit from it yourself? Therefore, one can sing the "Southern Wind" song and play the five-stringed instrument! This success stems solely from promoting humility! As Confucius said, "If one can govern a country with courtesy and humility, it will not be difficult."
The officials in the government have not shown mutual humility for a long time, and this toxic atmosphere has spread to the common people. Since the Wei Dynasty era, those who have been promoted and appointed, along with current officials, when it comes to promotion and rewards, even if they are unable to refuse, ultimately, no one is willing to let someone more capable than themselves take the position. The spirit of humility has disappeared, and the desire to compete has emerged. Confucius once said, "When humility is advocated from above, there will be no competition below; when humility is not advocated from above, there will certainly be competition below." When humility prevails, talented individuals will be consistently promoted; when competition prevails, they will be relentlessly slandered and undermined. Those who are competitive and eager to outdo others especially resent those who are more capable than they are, which leads them to inevitably slander others. Thus, both Confucius and Mozi were not immune to the world's slander, much less those who are inferior to them!
Everyone says that there are fewer talented individuals these days, and there are no particularly outstanding individuals in the court to hold high positions. The common folks in the countryside and the minor officials say the same; although the officials in the court enjoy high positions, generous pay, and good reputations, they cannot compare to those from the past. I think both statements are wrong. It is not that this era is particularly lacking in talent, but rather that it fails to appreciate humility and deference. Once a person gains a reputation that surpasses others, slander is bound to follow; reputation alone cannot achieve anything, and that’s the way it is. Even if figures like Ji and Qi were brought back to life, they would not be able to preserve their reputations. Now, the talented and the untalented are mixed together, making it impossible to distinguish between the excellent and the inferior. There is no fixed standard for the level of officials. When there are vacancies in official positions, those responsible for selecting officials do not know whom to choose and can only promote individuals according to the hierarchy of positions. Those with equal talent who get promoted first are either the offspring of the powerful or those favored by influential people. It is not that they are truly exceptional; rather, they were promoted first and then continued to rise through the ranks endlessly. This endless promotion exposes their inadequacies. Take a look at those in office today; their achievements are barely noticeable. If they are not offspring of the powerful, most have risen simply due to their seniority in their positions.
That being said, if everyone in the world valued humility and deference, those with talent would certainly need to be recommended by others before they could become well-known, and only after becoming well-known could they take on official roles. Those who lack reputation and political achievements in the officialdom would surely be passed over repeatedly, having no opportunity to hold office. Therefore, those who have consistently held official positions have done so because the principles of humility have eroded, and the way people are chosen for positions has gone off track, resulting in this situation over time.
From the Han Dynasty to the Wei Dynasty, the court frequently held large-scale talent selections, allowing officials to recommend individuals they knew who had talent, based solely on ability without regard to rank. This happened repeatedly. There were definitely suitable candidates among the recommendations, but there was no way to know when someone would be specifically promoted, or who was the most outstanding. There were also definitely unsuitable candidates among the recommendations, but no one was punished, and no one knew who was the worst. Why couldn't this be figured out? Because people at that time were unwilling to recommend each other, unable to tell the difference between the talented and the incompetent, which led to this situation. Those making recommendations knew that their superiors were not scrutinizing the candidates closely, so they dared to recommend casually. Sometimes, they recommended people they admired and also recommended people they knew, recommending a large number at once, and everyone claimed that their recommended person was outstanding, exaggerating wildly, making it impossible to tell who was good or bad.
The recommended individuals were of mixed quality, with true and false mixed together, compounding the issue. While the recommenders weren't always to blame, the lax oversight from above contributed to this situation. Previously, King Qi enjoyed listening to the sound of the yue, demanding that three hundred musicians play for him, and even giving these people several times their salary. There was a man named Mr. Nanguo who couldn’t play the yue whatsoever. He knew that with three hundred people playing together, no one would notice if he didn't play, so he requested to play for King Qi and receive several times the salary. Later, King Qi discovered the truth and wanted to change, but he didn’t want to call out the previous King Qi’s mistakes. So he ordered, "I enjoy the sound of the yue more than my predecessor did; I want to listen to them one by one." Mr. Nanguo heard this and quickly fled.
You see, if the practice of recommending talented individuals isn't established, and this pretense of talent isn't addressed, people like Mr. Nanguo will fill the court. The number of genuinely talented individuals will dwindle, while those who flatter the powerful will increase. Even with rules and regulations in place, they will become ineffective.
It is said that the issue of failing to promote the virtuous is not only that virtuous talents cannot be promptly reused, but even those high-ranking officials may gradually withdraw due to grievances. Why do I say this? Confucius said that even Yan Hui's son has made mistakes on multiple occasions, which shows that even sages can make mistakes. Many people covet the positions of high officials and their generous salaries, and those who envy the talented will create obstacles everywhere, and even maliciously slander and undermine those talented individuals. These slanders and acts of destruction don't come from nowhere; they must seize upon some minor faults of others and then magnify them infinitely. After hearing the slanderous remarks many times, even if the superior wants to ignore them, it's hard not to believe them, and they will always secretly investigate because of the occurrence of the matter. Once the results of the investigation come out, can they really ignore it? If they knowingly tolerate wrongdoing and do not take action, then the king's authority will erode day by day, orders will no longer be executed, and everything will start from here. If they handle the wrongdoing even when they know about it, there will be more people forced to resign, and the ministers will not be so stubborn. The failure to utilize virtuous talents, while high-ranking officials become increasingly distant, is the biggest worry for those in power! The Book of Songs says, "Taking a salary without humility will ultimately lead to downfall." Those who lack humility are too busy looking out for themselves, so how can they be expected to contribute to the country?
I believe it is actually very easy to change this kind of culture. Why do I say that? Among those who serve as officials in the court, although there are not a few mediocre talents, there are also many wise individuals. Can we really say that they don't understand the principle of recommending those who are capable? The issue is that back then, no one was willing to step aside, and over time it became a custom, so no one did it anymore. In ancient times, when officials took office for the first time, they had to write a memorial to report to the court, known as a "thankfulness memorial," and this tradition has a long history. The original intention of the thankfulness memorial was to hope to take this opportunity to recommend capable individuals as a way to repay the court's favor. In the past, when Emperor Shun appointed Yu as the Minister of Works, Yu bowed deeply in gratitude and recommended Ji, Qi, and Jiu Yao for the position. When Emperor Shun appointed Yi as the official in charge of the Yu, Yi also declined, giving the position to Zhu Hu, Xiong, and Pi. When Emperor Shun appointed Bo Yi to oversee the Three Rites, Bo Yi also declined, giving the position to Kui and Long. During the reigns of Tang Yao, Yu, and Shun, officials taking office for the first time almost always yielded. The meaning of the thankfulness memorial originates from this. The "Book of Documents" records these events to serve as a permanent model. However, in later generations, those officials who took office, the less capable did not recommend the more capable, merely offering insincere expressions of gratitude. This practice has continued without change, which highlights the shortcomings of such customs.
Those who get appointed do so because they know how to recommend talented individuals with humility, while those who lack humility and just waste paper won’t get chosen at all. Newly appointed officials focus on recommending capable people and giving others a chance, and then submit their recommendations to the relevant authorities. For example, if one position is vacant in three departments, the candidate will be chosen from the department that recommended the most people. The three departments have already pre-selected candidates for this position. The relevant authorities don’t need to pick candidates themselves; it’s better to let the three departments discuss and choose someone more suitable. The same goes for positions in the four regions; candidates are picked from the region that recommended the most people, and the four regions have already pre-selected candidates, so the authorities just need to pick from those pre-selected candidates. It’s the same for the minister's position; it’s much better for the eight ministers to choose one together than for the authorities to pick from them. The same applies to the county governor; it’s better to select from the county that recommended the most candidates than for the authorities to choose from a hundred counties.
Recommendations from over a hundred counties cannot all be thoroughly evaluated in the same year when compared to the opinions of the supervisory department. Even if the three prefectures recommend officials together, they are not authorized to select individuals at all, making it impossible to give serious consideration to each individual's circumstances. They only consider two or three people, and the supervisory department just needs to select according to the order of official positions, without bothering to investigate. The wise and the foolish are both self-effacing, and the people's perspectives serve as the eyes and ears of the nation. In human society, disputes often lead to slandering those they do not understand, while those who are humble will recommend people better than themselves. Therefore, social disputes will be mixed with praise and criticism, making it hard to tell the good from the bad, and it is difficult to be humble. When everyone practices humility, the truly talented will shine, and the level of ability will be clear, avoiding confusion. At this time, more individuals will be willing to step back to cultivate their character and humility. Even those who want to maintain a poor and humble status cannot do so. Those who desperately pursue fame and fortune while hoping others see their humility are like trying to walk forward while facing backward. In this way, both the foolish and the intelligent will understand that in order to succeed and prosper, they must cultivate themselves; there’s simply no other path. Those chasing opportunities elsewhere will find their way back to their true selves. Exaggerated claims and false discussions don’t need to be banned. They will fade away on their own. When everyone is free of selfish motives and open to others' opinions, the world will naturally become harmonious. This grand vision can be achieved without the need for verbal instruction. How can we not strive to achieve such an effect through humility?
The "Spring and Autumn Annals" states: "Fan Xuanzi was humble and self-effacing, and those under him followed suit. Although Luan Nian was somewhat rough, he also dared not defy him. As a result, the State of Jin enjoyed peace for several generations." This illustrates the governance methods of ancient times, where noble gentlemen led by example, showing humility to their subordinates, while the lower-class commoners worked diligently to serve their superiors, fostering a respectful hierarchy that kept treacherous and unscrupulous individuals at bay. All of this stemmed from the fact that everyone refrained from competing with one another. Conversely, when a nation falls into chaos, the source of the chaos often stems from this. This principle is clear and straightforward. Officials in the court, when selecting talents, should not overlook the input of capable individuals because of personal biases. Once selected, they should be boldly employed. If everyone prioritizes humility and the recognition of talent, a wealth of diverse talents will emerge, and abilities will be clearly distinguished, which is the greatest contribution to the state.
Next, let’s talk about the deeds of Du Yu. During the Taishi era, he was promoted to the rank of Bo, and later served as Shaofu. In the Xian Ning period, he became Taichang, and then was transferred to the position of Shangshu. When Du Yu led an expedition against the State of Wu, he served as the commander of the Southern Army. His wife, from the Lu family, passed away shortly after giving birth to their son, Du Ji. The Hua family wanted to marry their daughter to him. Du Yu's brother advised him, saying, "The Hua family is inherently greedy and will surely bring you trouble in the future." However, Du Yu ignored the advice and ultimately married the daughter of the Hua family, with whom he had a son, Du Xia. Later, Du Yu was dismissed from his post because of Du Xia's bribery. Shortly after, he faced dismissal once more due to Du Xia's criminal activities.
Every time Du Yu returned to his hometown, the villagers in his hometown would greet him with food and drinks. Du Yu found it hard to refuse their kindness, so he would eat and drink with everyone and then take the leftovers home. One villager advised him, "You are highly respected, but your sons cannot inherit your virtues. Why don't you teach them more often, help them recognize their mistakes and make a fresh start?" Du Yu replied, "My principles come from my experiences and observations in daily life, not on inherited family teachings. How can change be achieved through teaching?" Everyone agreed with Du Yu's words.
Later on, Du Yu was appointed as the Grand Sacrificial Official and Cavalier of the Imperial Guard. When the Crown Prince had just been named Prince of Guangling, he sought out teachers and friends, inviting Du Yu to be one of his instructors. In the early years of Yuankang, Du Yu was promoted to Marquis, later becoming the Prince's Tutor, concurrently serving as an Attendant, Imperial Clerk, Supervisor of the Imperial Granaries, and Governor of Jizhou. Nine years later, he was appointed as Minister of Works, then promoted to Prince's Tutor, and finally to Grand Tutor. In the early years of Taian, due to old age and frail health, Du Yu resigned from his official position. The court gifted him a carriage and horses, along with a million coins, and permitted him to return home with his title to enjoy his retirement. Later, during the conflict between Changsha and Chengdu, Du Yu was captured by soldiers, but he managed to sneak back home.
Emperor Hui has died, and Jia Xu rushed to the funeral. After Emperor Huai ascended the throne, he appointed him as Grand Commandant. Jia Xu himself said he was too old and firmly declined, but the emperor insisted. The Left Chancellor Liu Tan submitted a memorial that read: "High officials and prominent positions, with the monarch noble and the ministers distinguished, are why wise rulers and virtuous kings of ancient times always respected old ministers, promoting the teachings of honoring the elderly and educating the populace to provide guidelines for both young and old. Retiring at seventy is also to favor the meritorious old ministers and foster a culture of integrity and honor. Grand Commandant Jia Xu is known for his integrity and frugality, with steadfast principles. More than twenty years ago, he requested retirement, but his noble aspirations have only strengthened with age. He can be said to be a pillar of the nation and a model for the country. I have heard that elderly people should not be measured by physical strength; Jia Xu is now over ninety years old, his life precarious, yet he came to the funeral with a cane, risking his safety to show his respect for the royal family, fulfilling his ministerial duties. The emperor earnestly hopes that Jia Xu will continue to serve as Grand Commandant, bringing honor to the family name, and the court has repeatedly urged him for two years. However, Jia Xu has repeatedly submitted memorials requesting retirement, expressing his intentions sincerely. I believe that in ancient times, respect for the elderly was shown by not holding office rather than being in government; thus, Jia Xu's request should be granted."
Three years later, the emperor decreed, "In the past, Yu Shun relied on five great ministers to achieve an era of peace and prosperity; Xiao He of the Han Dynasty assisted Liu Bang and made a name for himself in history, benefiting future generations. I have inherited the mandate of heaven to govern the world, and the reason I can implement good governance is because of your assistance, esteemed ministers, who spare no effort to help me achieve my expectations. However, you are getting older and request retirement, and I find it difficult to go against your wishes. Now I grant you permission to retire and return home as a marquis, with a rank above the Three Excellencies, and with your salary and benefits unchanged. I will grant you a cane, exempt you from attending court, and provide you with a residence. I will consult you on national affairs to aid my decision-making." Over a year later, Jia Xu passed away at the age of ninety-one, posthumously honored as the Marquis Yuan.
When I grew up very poor, I often relied on a cane. Whenever I needed to rest, I made sure not to trouble anyone, doing chores like gathering firewood and fetching water by myself. Later, after I attained a high position and my reputation grew, I always lived simply, never chasing after extravagance. Once, when I visited Shi Chong's house, I saw a purple silk curtain hanging in the toilet, with luxurious cushions and two maids holding incense bags. I quickly stepped back and joked with Shi Chong, "It seems like I've walked into the wrong place." Shi Chong replied, "This is the toilet." I said, "When I was poor, I never encountered such a fancy toilet." Then I went to another toilet. Even after I attained a high position, I continued to live simply, without owning a house, spending my salary to help relatives and friends. Although the moral standards of the time were in decline, I always made it a point to be an upright person. When my wife passed away, I followed the mourning rituals and never entered the inner chamber during that time. Those who mocked me for being old-fashioned didn't faze me one bit.
From a young age to old age, I have consistently dedicated myself to hard study without interruption; even while working, I always have a book in hand. I have a particular expertise in the "Three Commentaries"—the Zuo Zhuan, Gongyang Zhuan, and Guliang Zhuan—and I have my own unique interpretations of the Gongyang Zhuan, arguing that Wei Zhe should not evade responsibility by invoking "the king's father's command," and that Ji Zhong lost his integrity as a subject. I use these examples to illustrate the expected conduct of subjects and to influence others. I also authored twenty volumes of the "Spring and Autumn Regulations."
I have two sons, Liu Ji and Liu Xia. Liu Ji, whose courtesy name is Jingyun, attained the position of Cavalry Attendant Official. Liu Xia was dismissed from his post for corruption and bribery, which damaged his reputation.
My younger brother, Liu Zhi, whose courtesy name is Zifang, was also upright like his elder brother. He experienced poverty in his youth, often gathering firewood to support himself, yet he remained committed to his studies and ultimately gained a reputation for his integrity and scholarship. He served as a Yellow Gate Attendant in the Palace Library and as an official in the Ministry of Personnel, later becoming the Prefect of Yingchuan. Guan Lu from Pingyuan once remarked, "When I talk with the Liu brothers of Yingchuan, I feel so refreshed and energized that I don’t even need to sleep at night. Other than the two brothers, everyone else just wants to sleep during the day." Later, Liu Zhi returned to court, taking on the role of Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, commanding the army of Prince Nanyang, and rising to Cavalry Attendant Official, then further promoted to Palace Attendant, Minister, and Minister of Ceremonies. He also authored "Explanations of Mourning Attire," offering detailed insights on various issues. He passed away in the later years of the Taikang era and was posthumously honored with the title "Cheng."
Gao Guang, styled Xuanmao, was a native of Yucheng in Chenliu, the son of Gao Rou, Grand Commandant of Wei. He learned about the family's business from a young age and was very knowledgeable about laws and regulations. He started as a Gentleman of the Palace in the Crown Prince's court and gradually rose to the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, and was later appointed Inspector of Youzhou and Administrator of Yingzhou. During that time, Emperor Wu established the Huangsha Prison to detain those who violated imperial orders. Given Gao Guang's family's longstanding expertise in law, he was appointed as the Imperial Censor of Huangsha, a position equivalent to that of a Minister, and later promoted to Minister of Justice. During the Yuan Kang era, he was appointed Master of Writing, responsible for the affairs of the Three Excellencies. When Prince Zhao Lun usurped the throne, Gao Guang, at this critical juncture, upheld his principles and maintained his integrity. After Prince Zhao Lun was executed and Prince Qi Jiong assumed power, Gao Guang was once again appointed Minister of Justice, later promoted to Master of Writing, and granted the title of Commandant of Imperial Carriages. He then followed the Emperor to suppress Wang Ying of Chengdu, distinguished himself in military service, and was made Duke of Yanling County, with a fief of 1,800 households. At that time, all the court officials recognized Gao Guang's legal expertise, so he often held positions related to legal affairs. When Emperor Hui was pressured by Zhang Fang and fled to Chang'an, court officials scattered, but Gao Guang alone chose to accompany the Emperor to Chang'an. He was later promoted to Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing and appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. Gao Guang's elder brother, Gao Dan, was used by Shangguan Si and others, serving successively as Inspector of Xuzhou and Yongzhou. Gao Dan had a reckless and disorganized nature, yet he was decisive, in stark contrast to Gao Guang. He often criticized Gao Guang for being overly meticulous and consistently looked down on him, while Gao Guang remained respectful and cautious towards his brother.
After Emperor Hui returned to Luoyang, the Crown Prince had just ascended the throne. The court selected new tutors to assist the Crown Prince, appointing Gao Guang as the Grand Tutor and conferring upon him the title of Guanglu Daifu, while retaining his position as Cavalier Attendant. When Emperor Huai ascended the throne, Gao Guang was further awarded the gold seal and purple ribbon as Guanglu Daifu, receiving praise from the Emperor along with Fu Zhi. Shortly after, Gao Guang was appointed as Minister of Works, maintaining his original position. He later died due to illness, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Minister of Works and the position of Palace Attendant. During the unrest in the Jingluo region, he was not posthumously honored with a temple name.
His son, Gao Tao, styled Ziyuan, was wild and unruly in character. While Gao Guang was serving as Minister of Justice, Gao Tao accepted bribes, which were reported to the authorities without Gao Guang's knowledge. Although people at the time criticized Gao Guang for failing to discipline his son, his integrity protected him from blame. Initially, when Gao Guang was appointed to a post in Chang'an, he also made Gao Tao the Right Guard General. Gao Tao colluded with corrupt court officials and often visited his father's funeral home after Gao Guang's death. At that time, Prince Yue of Donghai held power but refused to meet the Emperor. Recognizing the prevailing sentiment, Gao Tao conspired with the Grand Tutor's Aide Jiang Ze and Du Gai of Jingzhao to overthrow Prince Yue of Donghai. The plot was exposed, and Gao Tao was executed.
Historical records say: Shallow thinkers only pursue flowery language; mediocre people, while honest and decent, are inferior to those who are less ambitious but know when to yield. Wei Shu and Liu Shi, with their keen intellects, rose to prominent positions, working diligently and responsibly to achieve success and fame. Ji He was diligent in learning, humble in seeking advice, and upheld integrity in his official duties. As stated in The Book of Songs, "The greedy will ultimately ruin themselves." Is this referring to Liu Xia?
Wei Shu never brags, yet he is held in high regard by the emperor. Zizhen and Xuanmao have noble aspirations that are truly admirable. They are able to speak up when necessary, but they also know when to step back, thereby fostering the prosperity of political affairs. They are like flawless jade, shining brilliantly like the Jade Heng star in the sky, radiant and resplendent.
