Fu Xuan, with the courtesy name Xiu Yi, was from Niyang in Northern China. His grandfather, Fu Xie, served as the governor of Hanyang in the Han Dynasty, and his father, Fu Gan, served as the governor of Fufeng in the state of Wei. Fu Xuan became orphaned at a young age and was raised in poverty, but he was well-educated and talented, excelling in literature and possessing musical knowledge. He had a principled and upright character, with zero tolerance for injustice. The county recommended him twice for the title of 'filial and incorrupt,' and the Grand Commandant also called for him, but he did not go. Later, he was recommended as a scholar by the province and was appointed as a Langzhong (a type of official). He was selected as an author alongside Miao Shi from Donghai due to their notable reputations, taking part in compiling the history of the Wei state. After that, he was involved in military matters under General An Dong and General Wei, and was later promoted to County Magistrate of Wen County, while concurrently serving as the Supervisor of Agriculture. He excelled in every position, submitting many suggestions and correcting numerous errors. When the five ranks of nobility were established, he was granted the title of Marquis of Chungu. When Sima Yan became the King of Jin, he appointed Fu Xuan as a Cavalry Attendant (散骑常侍). After Sima Yan ascended to the throne, Fu Xuan's title was elevated to that of a noble, and he was also granted the title of Duke of the Imperial Family.
When Sima Yan first became emperor, he widely accepted the frank advice of his ministers, encouraging everyone to speak the truth. Fu Xuan and Huangfu Tao, the Cavalry Officer, were responsible for the duties of advising the emperor. Fu Xuan wrote in a memorial, "I have heard that wise rulers in ancient times ruled the realm by emphasizing education and promoting justice. Leading by example, everyone had a sense of justice in their hearts. The downfall of the Qin Dynasty was due to abandoning the system of the previous kings and relying solely on legalism to rule, resulting in a loss of the people's sense of justice. Later, Emperor Wu of Wei favored political maneuvering, and people everywhere admired the study of legalism; Emperor Wen of Wei liked to make friends widely, and people everywhere held in disdain those who adhered to moral principles. As a result, the political situation became chaotic, as empty and reckless opinions filled the court, and there was no longer any clear and upright public opinion. The same issues that contributed to the Qin Dynasty's downfall resurfaced. Your Majesty, with your sagacity and the mandate to rule, have inherited the education of Yao and Shun, opened up a path of righteousness, emulated the thriftiness of Xia and Yu, and inherited the institutions of the Yin and Zhou dynasties. I am deeply moved; what more can I say? However, Your Majesty has yet to appoint upright and courteous ministers to foster virtuous conduct, nor have you removed the hypocrites and unscrupulous individuals to correct those who disregard the rules, so I dare to offer this advice." The emperor's decree in response said, "Appointing upright and courteous ministers is the most important matter today." He then instructed Fu Xuan to draft a decree to put this into action. Fu Xuan submitted another memorial, saying:
I’ve heard that Emperor Shun appointed five wise officials, and with little effort, they were able to bring peace to the realm. This shows that the most crucial factor is selecting the right people. These days, there are too many officials in the government, so we need to carefully select the right talents. If the wrong person is chosen, the losses from a single wrong choice can be staggering, let alone over a longer period! Ancient texts say, "official positions should never be left vacant," which means those positions shouldn’t stay empty for too long. Those who have been ill for over a hundred days and haven’t gotten better should be temporarily relieved of their duties, well taken care of, and reinstated once they recover. I show up for work every day, and the country won’t suffer from vacant positions. This is the most pressing issue in running the country.
I heard that in ancient times, enlightened rulers divided the people into four classes - scholar-officials, farmers, craftsmen, and merchants - to manage the country. Each person engaged in their own profession, fulfilling their roles. Children from the scholar-official class and above had academies established to educate them, with distinguished teachers chosen to instruct them, and work arranged according to their abilities. Farmers were responsible for food and clothing, craftsmen for manufacturing goods, and merchants for circulating goods. Therefore, even though the world was vast and the population numerous, no one was idle. This system of division of labor was indeed thorough! During the Han and Wei dynasties, there was no clear division of labor. Children of officials did not study the classics, only busy with socializing, not understanding how to serve as officials yet enjoying the country's salary. Agriculture and handicrafts declined, with many pursuing quick profits and abandoning their original work. Although academies were established in name, they completely lacked the legacy of ancient sage kings. Now, the rule of the wise has just begun, and the shortcomings of the Han and Wei periods remain unaddressed. There are too many dispersed officials and no schools established yet, with many idlers and few farmers. Various goods are also in short supply. I believe that a system should be promptly established to calculate how many people in the country are suitable for official positions, to fulfill the needs of current officials; how many people are engaged in farming, capable of stockpiling a year's worth of food within three years; how many people are engaged in handicrafts, able to meet the demand for goods; and how many people are engaged in commerce, sufficient to facilitate the circulation of goods. Advocating Confucianism, valuing agriculture, and undervaluing commerce are crucial tasks for the nation's development.
There was an official named Huang Fu Tao who once suggested that officials holding idle positions should personally cultivate the land so that the nation could be well-fed. Da Yu and Hou Ji both personally farmed, and their contributions were remembered by future generations. The practice of emperors personally farming is documented in the "Ming Tang" and "Yue Ling." Yi Yin was a renowned ancient minister who farmed in Shen; Yan Ying was a great official of the Qi state who also farmed by the seaside to escape the turmoil caused by Duke Zhuang. In the past, wise emperors and capable ministers all engaged in agricultural production. Nowadays, the emperor rewards officials with positions, many of whom are idle. If they are not urged to learn, they should be sent to farm the land so as not to waste the people's food. There are many civil and military officials today, with even more holding idle positions. In addition, they have to serve in the military and cannot farm. Only half of those capable of farming do so, while the number of officials drawing salaries without work has multiplied. By sending those idle officials to farm and collecting taxes and rents from them, the country can obtain actual benefits, and the world will not lack food. When families have enough food, children will be filial, fathers will be loving, elder brothers will be supportive, and younger brothers will be respectful. When the world is well-fed, the principles of benevolence and righteousness will be practiced naturally without the need for enforcement. The key to governing a country lies in setting official positions according to the population, allocating work according to people's abilities, and the distinction between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants must always be maintained. If strict management and control cannot be carried out, those civil and military officials who are competent enough to hold secondary positions should be sent for training, while the rest should be sent to farm. Capable artisans and merchants should also be encouraged to farm. If we prioritize agriculture in this way, how could there be a shortage of food? The "Yu Shu" states, "Assess performance over three years, and promote or demote after three assessments," indicating that promotions or transfers will take nine years. Therefore, long-serving officials will carefully consider how to fulfill their duties, while those who have been in office for a short time will be eager to achieve various political affairs. With a limit of six years, this timeframe is insufficient for thorough assessment and promotion. Huang Fu Tao's proposal aligns with ancient practices.
Confucian scholars are fundamental to the governance of virtue. Valuing Confucian teachings, valuing the Confucian cause, and valuing the selection of Confucian scholars, even so, I worry that the flourishing of Confucian thought may gradually decline without us realizing it. Confucius said in the Analects: “One can promote the Way, but the Way does not promote the individual.” Therefore, valuing Confucian teachings is not just about valuing Confucian texts, but more importantly, about valuing Confucian scholars. Valuing the Confucian cause means not to indiscriminately teach those who are unfit. Valuing the selection of Confucian scholars means not to appoint those who are unqualified without due consideration. If these can be achieved, then education in schools can thrive.
After receiving the memorial, the emperor issued a decree stating: “The two attendants sincerely presented their opinions, which can be said to genuinely want to assist the court in governing the country. However, the relevant departments processed it according to standard procedures; how can they not feel aggrieved? The memorials from the two attendants might have merely outlined the main ideas, with insufficient details, so let them promptly supplement and refine it, and then the eight departments should engage in thorough study and discussion together. Advising the emperor is one of the most challenging tasks. If the emperor cannot listen with an open mind, loyal ministers and upright officials will feel wronged and may even hesitate to voice their opinions. Whenever I think of this, I cannot help but sigh. Therefore, the previous decree had the courage to encourage candid speech without hindrance, hoping to rectify mistakes and maintain high positions. Even if the words are somewhat biased, as long as they arise from loyalty and serve the country's interests, any errors in the writing or inappropriate expressions should be generously forgiven. The ancients did not shy away from slander; how much more should these be accepted as good-natured suggestions that can be adopted! Recently, Kong Chao and Qi Wuhe were punished for being accused of disrespect, so I pardoned them, seeking to show the world that this court is open to candid expression.” Shortly thereafter, he was soon promoted to Chief of Staff.
Initially, Zhang Hua recommended Huangfu Tao. However, after Huangfu Tao entered the court, Zhang Hua had a dispute with him, resulting in a heated argument. They were reported by the authorities and both were eventually dismissed from their positions. In the fourth year of Taishi, Zhang Hua was appointed as the Deputy Imperial Censor. At that time, natural disasters were occurring frequently. Zhang Hua once again submitted a memorial, saying:
"I have heard that the emperor, who rules by divine mandate, may still encounter calamities. During the time of Emperor Yao, there were nine years of flooding, and during the time of King Tang, there were seven years of drought. It is only through human effort that these disasters can be resolved. This is how we can avoid drowning during floods and prevent famine when fields are barren. I humbly request Your Majesty's benevolence and brilliance. Currently, the disasters of floods and droughts are limited in scale; the people have not yet suffered from widespread famine. Your Majesty has issued cautious decrees, soliciting sincere opinions, engaging in self-reflection like Yu and Tang, and having the awareness of troubles like King Wen of Zhou. I am very pleased; I offer five suggestions:
First, farmers labor tirelessly in the fields, but due to poor harvests, they end up with nothing to show for their hard work. In the past, soldiers used government-owned cattle to plow the land, with the government taking 60% of the harvest and the soldiers taking 40%. If they used their own cattle, the harvest was split evenly. This method had been in place for a long time, and everyone considered it fair. However, this changed abruptly. When using government cattle, the government now takes 80% and the soldiers only get 20%. If they used their own cattle or had no cattle, the government takes 70% and the soldiers get 30%. Everyone is left at a disadvantage and understandably unhappy. I believe it is better to stick to the old method, where soldiers using government cattle get 40%, and those using their own cattle split evenly with the government. This way, soldiers across the country will be content and take better care of the crops, thus preventing food waste."
Secondly, those high officials, although they have received orders to prioritize agriculture, have not truly made an effort to increase grain production. During the time of the Han Dynasty, several high officials were even executed because there was not enough arable land. I think we should reinforce this rule from the Han Dynasty, warn officials across all counties and commanderies to take it seriously, and enforce the death penalty to motivate them!
Thirdly, in the early days of the Wei state, water conservancy projects were not given much importance. During the reign of the previous emperor, the river embankment projects were split into four departments, each overseen by five supervisors. Since water conservancy projects are as crucial as agriculture, they can't be managed by just one person. Currently, there is only one supervisor overseeing the country's water conservancy, which is simply too busy. I've noticed that Che Yi, the river embankment supervisor, lacks knowledge in water conservancy, so he should be assigned to other tasks and replaced by someone who understands water conservancy. It is best to divide the river embankment projects into five departments, so each department can concentrate on doing its part effectively.
Fourthly, in the past, one acre of land was counted as one hundred steps, but now it is two hundred and forty steps, which is over double the area. During the early days of the Wei state, when assessing farmland, the emphasis wasn't on having a vast amount of arable land, but rather on the quality of the crops. Therefore, dry fields could yield more than ten shi of grain, and paddy fields could yield several tens of shi. However, since then, the focus has been solely on increasing the target of arable land, with soldiers toiling away without time for proper cultivation, resulting in only a few shi of grain per acre, which doesn't even cover the cost of seeds. This is not a natural disaster or man-made calamity; the issue is that the focus is solely on increasing arable land, rather than emphasizing the quality of cultivation. I've discovered that Shi Hui, the river embankment supervisor, is well-versed in both water conservancy and agriculture, and he understands the relationship between them. I recommend that the Ministry of Personnel bring Shi Hui in for a detailed discussion about his insights, which will definitely lead to finding a solution.
Fifthly, I believe that those barbarians are as cruel as wild beasts; they are nothing like Han people, especially the Xianbei tribe. In the past, Deng Ai, in pursuit of short-term gains, did not consider the long-term consequences, allowing tens of thousands of Xianbei people to scatter among the populace, which would certainly lead to great disaster. The Qinzhou Inspector Hu Lie has great prestige in the west. If we send him there, the barbarians may not cause trouble for now, but this calmness is merely superficial. How can we guarantee the intentions of wild beasts? Maybe one day they will turn against us, and perhaps they won't be able to maintain peace for long. If they really cause trouble in the future, Hu Lie will have a way to deal with them. What I am worried about is that if the barbarians are driven to desperation by us, they will flee east to Anding County and west to Wuwei County. They may surrender on the surface, but they could rebel again at any time. Hu Lie will not have authority over these two counties, and the barbarians will roam around on both sides, becoming an uncontrollable menace that cannot be stopped. Therefore, a new county should be established in Gaoping Plain, utilizing Anding County and the Western Prefect to recruit willing migrants, offering generous rewards to enrich this new county. This way, we can secure the northern routes and gradually strengthen the border defenses. Carefully consider these two counties along with the newly established one, all under the jurisdiction of Qinzhou, with Hu Lie overseeing border defense; this arrangement would be appropriate.
The Emperor said, "Your suggestions are very good. You have spoken very comprehensively and clearly about the pros and cons of agricultural production, the construction and abolition of water conservancy projects, border defense, strategies for dealing with barbarians, and measures of leniency and severity. These are indeed major national affairs and the current top priority. You've done well to bring all this up. We deeply appreciate your loyalty. Please think carefully about any other suggestions you may have, and report to us at any time about any situations."
Five years later, he was promoted to the position of Grand Master of the Horse. During those years, the situation was not good, and the Qiang and Hu tribes began to raid the borders. The Emperor convened the court ministers for a discussion. Pei Xuan responded to the Emperor's inquiries with candor. Although not all of his suggestions were adopted, the Emperor was always very tolerant of him. Later, he was promoted to the position of the Colonel of the Capital Defense.
Empress Xian died in Hongxun Palace, and a memorial tablet was established. Traditionally, the Colonel of the Imperial Guard sat outside the Duan Gate, with a higher status than other ministers, with no gaps between the seats. However, when entering the hall, according to rank, his seat was below that of other ministers, and there were no gaps between the seats. The officer in charge of the ceremonial procession insisted that Hongxun Palace was part of the inner palace, so Pei Xuan's seat should be below that of other ministers. Pei Xuan was furious and loudly berated the officer. The officer claimed that the seating arrangement was dictated by the Ministry of Personnel, and Pei Xuan publicly chastised the officials beneath the Ministry of Personnel in front of all the officials. Deputy Imperial Censor Yu Chun charged Pei Xuan with disrespect, which led to his dismissal. However, Pei Xuan was known for his fiery temperament and could not tolerate any slights; every time he accused others in a memorial, even in the evening, he held the memorial, adjusted his attire, and stood waiting until dawn. Therefore, the high-ranking officials held him in great respect, and the court became respectful because of this. Not long after, he passed away at home at the age of sixty-two, and was posthumously named "Gang".
When Fu Xuan was young, he fled to Henan to avoid the chaos of war, where he focused on studying diligently. Even after becoming a high-ranking official, he never gave up writing. He authored "Fu Zi," which encompasses the narratives of the nine schools of governance and the Three Histories, assessing and summarizing the merits and demerits of historical figures, and categorizing them into internal, external, and central sections, comprising one hundred and forty articles and totaling hundreds of thousands of words. Additionally, he authored over a hundred volumes of collected works that have endured through the ages.
When Fu Xuan finished writing the inner chapters of "Fu Zi," he showed it to Wang Shen, the Grand Scribe. Wang Shen wrote back to him, saying, "I have read your book. It is rich in content, clear in reasoning, offering profound insights into state governance and political structures. It pays special attention to Confucianism, sufficient to counter the fallacies of thinkers like Yang Zhu and Mozi, and is comparable to the ancient Sunzi and Mengzi. Every time I read your book, I can’t help but marvel, 'Without seeing Jia Yi, I thought I was better than him, but now it seems that I am far inferior to him,' this statement rings true!"
Later, Fu Xuan was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Qingquan. His son, Fu Xian, inherited his title. Fu Xian, styled Changyu, was upright and principled, possessing a rigorous writing style, extensive knowledge, and a bright personality. He had a strong aversion to evil, a commitment to promoting talent, and a passion for doing good, always taking Ji Wenzi and Zhongshan Fu as role models. He enjoyed writing, though his prose lacked some flourish, his writing was structured rigorously and was highly persuasive. Yuchun of Yingchuan often exclaimed, "Changyu's articles are just like poetry!"
After my father passed away, I inherited his title and was appointed as the Crown Prince's Horse Keeper, gradually promoted to the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel. Later, I was sent to serve as the Inspector of Jizhou, but my stepmother, Lady Du, chose not to accompany me and submitted a letter requesting to resign. Within a month, I was promoted to the Left Chief Historian in the Ministry of Works.
At that time, the emperor paid great attention to government affairs and issued decrees to inquire about the successes and failures of government matters from court officials. I submitted a memorial saying, "Your Majesty, you are in the highest position, yet you lead a simple life, personally handling various government affairs, working tirelessly day and night. Ancient emperors all benefited the world through frugality, and none can surpass Your Majesty. However, from the beginning of the Tai Shi Kai Yuan era until today, it has been fifteen years, yet the national military and treasury are lacking, and the people's lives are not prosperous. In a year of poor harvest, some are unable to eat. This is mainly because there are too many officials, bloated institutions, and too many officials who draw salaries without working, while few truly farm. I am not particularly clever, yet I have been fortunate to hold a significant position. Whenever I see edicts expressing concern for the people's famine, I feel helpless and ashamed. I must respond to the Emperor's inquiries to the best of my ability. In the past, there were only four regional commanders, but now, with the addition of military supervisors, there are as many as ten; Great Yu divided the Nine Provinces, yet the number of provincial governors is nearly double what it was; the population has decreased by nine-tenths compared to the Han Dynasty, yet the number of counties has increased; the positions of Commandant and Gatekeeper serve no purpose for defense, yet there are hundreds of empty military offices; many officials have been added under the five ranks of nobility; all these extra expenses are borne by the people. If just one person doesn't farm, it leads to hunger for others, and there are countless non-farmers now. Even if the harvest is bountiful, it barely suffices; in the event of disasters, it will not be sustainable. I believe the most urgent task is to streamline institutions, cut back on corvée labor, and bring everyone together with a focus on agriculture."
During my tenure, I upheld the law fairly on several occasions. The Grand Administrator of Yuzhou, Xiahou Jun, reported that the Minor Administrator of Lu State, Kong Yu, and the Minister of Works, Kong Yu, had repeatedly claimed illness and could not receive guests, requesting that the Censor, Cao Fu, replace Kong Yu. Ten days later, Xiahou Jun reported again to restore Kong Yu to his position as Minor Administrator. The Minister of Works refused three times, yet Xiahou Jun stuck to his position. I thought Xiahou Jun was making arbitrary changes to his decisions, so I reported to remove him from his position as Grand Administrator. Wei Shu, the Minister of Works, was a relative of Xiahou Jun and repeatedly refused to sign documents. I insisted on principle, which made things quite challenging for me. In the end, Wei Shu did not comply, so I reported alone. Wei Shu claimed that I was harsh and unreasonable, and the emperor issued an edict transferring me to the position of Cavalry Commander.
Hello everyone, let me talk about what this article is about. This article talks about the extravagant social atmosphere of that time, where the common people lived too luxuriously, and that's just not right! The author wrote to the emperor, saying: "I believe that food and cloth are not easy to produce, yet everyone spends money recklessly and is not frugal; how can resources be sufficient? Therefore, the wise rulers of ancient times governed the world with strict regulations, ensuring that the common people ate meat and wore cloth. I honestly think this wastefulness is worse than natural disasters! In ancient times, Emperor Yao lived in a thatched hut, but nowadays, regular folks are all trying to outdo each other in building fancy houses; ancient officials had little good food to eat, while now every merchant is tired of fine rice and meat; the way ancient queens and concubines dressed was considered fancy, but now even maids and concubines wear silk and satin; ancient officials walked instead of riding in carriages, but now even the lower classes ride horses and sit in carriages, keeping well-fed horses. In the past, when there were many people and little land, there was still surplus grain because everyone practiced frugality; now, with vast land and sparse population, there is still a shortage, precisely because of excessive luxury! To change the current atmosphere of extravagance, we need to really call out this kind of extravagance; if no one keeps an eye on this extravagance, people will just keep trying to one-up each other and it’ll get worse."
The author then gave an example, saying that there was once a man named Mao Jie. When he was the Minister of Personnel, his subordinates were afraid to wear fine clothes or eat well. Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao, sighed and said, "I am not as good at governance as Minister Mao!" If every department were as diligent and responsible as Mao Jie, changing customs and habits would not be difficult at all! The author also noted that he suggested moving the county prisons to the prefectures, and the court agreed. The author was subsequently promoted to Deputy Minister of Personnel.
Emperor Hui became the emperor, and Yang Jun became the regent. A counselor advised Yang Jun, "The current circumstances are not what they used to be, and rules should also change with the times. The old custom of mourning for three years without leaving home is outdated. Nowadays, society is in decline, and power shouldn't be casually handed over to others. Therefore, even if the emperor feels uncomfortable, he should personally handle government affairs. Emperor Wen of Han considered that there were many important matters in the world, and it was too difficult to mourn for a long time, so he stipulated that mourning should end after the funeral. Even Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, known for his filial piety, shortened the mourning period according to the actual situation at that time, mourning for only three years, and had no time to attend to state affairs. Now the emperor wants to hand over power to you, but you insist on mourning. Although this is a humble gesture, people don’t see this as a good thing. The reason why people don’t see this as a good thing is because millions of people all look up to the emperor, obey the orders of the prime minister, and worry that the emperor is being deceived by you. Given how the public feels, it’s certainly not easy for you to manage this. I believe that once the mourning period is over, you should think about how to bring prosperity to the country. Even a wise figure like the Duke of Zhou faced slander. By analogy, it is not easy for the Duke of Zhou to govern, much less the young emperor, who isn’t as seasoned as King Cheng! I won’t say more; just understand my point."
Xun Kai, the Grand Commandant of the Inspectorate, lost his brother. He submitted a request to return home for mourning, which the emperor approved, but Xun Kai went home on his own before the edict was issued. When Xun Kai went to see Yang Jun, someone took the opportunity to complain to Yang Jun, saying, "The bond between brothers is deep; living under the same roof, when a brother dies, it has only been a few days. The emperor, understanding the feelings of the people, allowed him to return home for mourning. However, before the edict was issued, he acted on his own. This eagerness to please shows a lack of brotherly affection. He should be severely punished to deter others." The emperor did not pursue the matter because Yang Jun was in control of the court, and Yang Jun was quite worried about this. That person wrote to Yang Jun again, harshly criticizing him, which made Yang Jun's attitude shift, and he began to feel dissatisfied. As a result, Yang Jun considered resigning to take up the post of Governor of Jingzhao or Hongnong, but his nephew Li Bin urged him not to resign, so Yang Jun gave up on that idea. Yang Jun's brother, Yang Ji, was close to that person and wrote to him saying, "Rivers are deep and wide because they gather countless streams. You can't rush major affairs; you shouldn't always try to finish things quickly. Just because a foolish son gets all the official stuff done doesn’t mean it’s really finished. Getting things done while being foolish—that’s what happiness is! The Left Chancellor runs Tiantai, overseeing eight departments, and that's no easy task. Putting your heart and soul into a tough job only makes it harder. I have racked my brains thinking about this, which is why my hair has turned white."
The man replied, "Duke Wei said that wine and lust can lead to death, which is more harmful than righteousness. Dying because of wine and lust, no one will regret it. Attracting misfortune due to one's uprightness stems from an unworthy heart, trying to be clever by being superficial! Historically, those who have faced misfortune due to their integrity should reflect on whether they are overly righteous or disloyal, wanting to show themselves through a hardline attitude, thus inviting resentment. Who has ever sincerely and loyally served the country and instead attracted hatred?" Not long after, Yang Jun was killed. The man was promoted to the position of Prince Zhongshuzi and later became the Deputy Minister of the Censorate.
The Chancellor and Wang Liang of Runan wrote to the emperor, saying, "Everyone believes that Tai Jia and Cheng Wang were both assisted by Yi Yin and Zhou Gong in their youth. Even sages cannot escape suspicion; how can we, who are not sages, expect to simply replicate Yi Yin and Zhou Gong's methods? Your Majesty, you do not discern right from wrong and blindly trust the words of Chancellor Yang Jun. That guy, who failed to learn, thinks he is Yi Yin or Zhou Gong and wants to monopolize the world, only to end up dead and his family wiped out. His crimes are countless, and you have seen them with your own eyes. Bringing Yang Jun to justice is the will of heaven; only Meng Guan, Li Zhao, and the others know the emperor's secret decree. As for rewards and punishments, they should naturally be attributed to Your Majesty. Meng Guan and the others have already conferred titles on thousands of households; Your Majesty is very pleased with Yang Jun's death, so the rewards will be even more generous to express your joy. But this has led everyone to feel it is unfair, resulting in the East An Wang being granted a title, Meng Guan and Li Zhao being made dukes, and others being promoted and given titles, with leaps in rank! This is too grand, earth-shattering; since ancient times, there has never been such a large-scale conferment of rewards! Those without any merit receiving lavish rewards make everyone feel that the country is about to face trouble; when calamity arrives, they will need to achieve great merit again. People seem to get a kick out of chaos; does that ever lead to anything good? All of this is the doing of the East An Wang."
You should take steps to address this situation. If we govern with the right principles, what reason do people have to be dissatisfied? People are unhappy because of the unfairness of it all! Now everyone feels the rewards are too much, and they're really disappointed. I feel dull and incompetent; not only am I disappointed, but I'm also really worried. Plus, when the campaign against Yang Jun happened, you weren't in the capital, so you're not fully aware of the situation. Now you want to assign important tasks and talk about merits and rewards. Dealing with merits and rewards is tricky; it might be better to just watch how things unfold before making any decisions. That's the right way to go.
Ah, as for Xian, because he assisted in state affairs and held great power, he advised: "That old rascal Yang Jun, so full of himself, has even placed his relatives in key positions, making everyone on edge. You are now in a high position of power and should do the opposite! You should remain calm and focused; when major issues arise, you can step in to deal with them; for minor matters, just brush them aside. Look, the number of visitors you get each day is crazy, causing traffic jams that make it impossible to move on the streets; you really need to rein this in. And then there's that Xiahou Changrong, who was previously ordered to pray for the late emperor, but when it didn't work, the late emperor passed away. He ought to take a good look at himself and own up to it, yet you promoted him to Shaofu! People are whispering that Changrong is your relative, which is why you are treating him so well. It's just like 'one dog barking at a shape, and a pack of dogs barking along'; you are afraid everyone will follow suit and make a fuss, so you won't listen to anyone. Xian doesn't say nice things to your face, but loves to gossip behind your back. He previously offended Yang Jun and almost got himself killed; now here with you, he has to be even more cautious! Last time he accompanied you on a tour, you even said: 'Do you not know about the "reverse scales" mentioned by Han Feizi? How dare you touch the emperor's reverse scales!' He understands that what he said is as risky as petting a lion. The reason he dares to speak so frankly is that he hopes you'll see his good intentions and not hold his minor faults against him. Previously, touching the emperor's reverse scales was for the sake of loyalty; now, stroking the whiskers of a fierce beast is not trying to cause trouble, and he's hoping you'll let it slide." However, Liang did not listen to him. By the way, this Xiahou Changrong is Xiahou Jun.
Xian said, "Yang Jun is too arrogant and heavily relies on his relatives, causing public unrest. You are now in a high position and should keep your cool instead, focus on major issues, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Look at how many people come to visit you every day. The traffic is congesting the streets; it’s quite a spectacle and should be toned down. Also, that Xiahou Changrong, who previously prayed for the late emperor to no avail, should feel guilty after the late emperor's passing, yet you promoted him to Shaofu. What do you think people will think? Behind closed doors, they say he is your relative, which is why he is favored. It’s like when one dog barks, the rest follow; you’re worried everyone will jump on the bandwagon and cause a ruckus, so you ignore all advice. Xian won’t say nice things to your face, but he loves to gossip behind your back. He previously offended Yang Jun and nearly lost his life; now offending you could lead to even worse consequences! Last time you went on a tour, you even said, ‘Don’t you know about Han Feizi’s "reverse scales"? How dare you touch the emperor’s reverse scales!’ He knows that what he said was as risky as petting a fierce beast. He said it to show his loyalty, hoping you wouldn’t hold these minor issues against him. Before, touching the emperor’s reverse scales was an act of loyalty; now, stroking the fierce beast’s whiskers isn’t intended as a malicious act. However, Liang still didn’t listen to him. Oh, and just so you know, Xiahou Changrong is actually Xiahou Jun."
In the year of Bingyin, the emperor ordered all officials to recommend county officials to fill vacancies in the internal administration. Everyone submitted petitions stating, "We all believe that the key to promoting good governance hinges on selecting the right officials. Each person has different talents, and each position has its unique focus, just like the trees in a forest, tall and short, thick and thin, each serving its unique purpose. Therefore, talented individuals should be discovered and appointed, whether within the court or outside. Appointments for both internal and external officials should be based on actual circumstances, with a greater emphasis on internal selections. Currently, the external recommendation process is cumbersome and competitive, causing everyone to prioritize internal matters while neglecting external ones, which has fostered a negative atmosphere. This issue needs to be addressed promptly, and appointments for both internal and external officials should be smooth and unbiased. Even if appointments are unimpeded internally and externally, if the selection process is unfair, harsh penalties will ensue, and if punishment is too severe, no one will dare to take responsibility. Just as one would use a method for tuning a zither to tune a qin, how can we hold officials to the same standards? We argue that such restrictions are meant to prevent the selection of outstanding talents. If outstanding talents cannot be selected, specific situations should be handled with flexibility, rather than being constrained by rigid rules. An overabundance of laws and regulations can hinder long-term development! Some argue that without laws and regulations, how can we assess officials' merits? We believe that criminal law serves to punish the wicked, while moral principles guide the virtuous. Virtuous individuals should exercise self-restraint, rather than depend on laws and regulations for limits. During the Zhengshi period, He Yan was in charge of selecting officials, and suitable talents were found in both internal and external departments, which represented a truly positive outcome. Such a situation is not achieved through restrictive laws and regulations, but through entrusting important tasks. The pressure that comes from being entrusted with important tasks far exceeds that of restrictive laws and regulations. If one is punished due to the mistakes of laws and regulations, it is not their own responsibility, and they will not fear punishment if the responsibility is not theirs; this illustrates the principle that 'when criminal law is used to restrain individuals, they tend to evade responsibility and lose their sense of shame.' When entrusted with significant responsibilities, individuals may worry about being implicated on one hand, and on the other, about inciting resentment and slander.
"If you perform well, both the government and the public will praise you; if you fail, you'll be criticized by everyone. This sense of trepidation is nothing compared to dodging responsibility through legal loopholes."
Second paragraph:
In short, everyone's point is that the current system, which places greater importance on internal officials than external ones and has a cumbersome selection process, has significant flaws. Instead of restricting officials with strict rules and regulations, it is better to allow them the freedom to work and serve the country more effectively under the pressure of their responsibilities. He Yan's success during the Zhengshi era clearly illustrates that entrusting important tasks is more effective than a rigid system. While delegation carries risks, the pressure from these risks can motivate officials to fulfill their duties and prevent them from acting shamelessly in the face of harsh penalties. Rather than depending on a rigid system to evade responsibility, it is better to take on responsibility; achieving results under pressure is the mark of a good official dedicated to serving the country and its people.
As for Xian, he previously served as a magistrate in our region. When his stepmother died, he resigned and returned home to mourn. After some time, the court appointed him as a court officer and also as a prefect. Xian declined several times, but the Emperor insisted and sent envoys to personally appoint him. Nonetheless, Xian returned the official seal and insignia. The court sent carriages and horses to his doorstep, urging him to take up the position promptly. Xian explained that all his siblings had died and there was no one to manage the funeral arrangements, so he requested the court to allow him to set up a memorial hall in his official residence to conduct the funeral.
Xian submitted yet another memorial, saying: "I have limited abilities and really can’t handle such an important position. I’m feeling quite sad and distressed right now, and it’s time for my leave. Your Majesty, regarding the position you’ve given me, I truly can’t handle it. I’ve been honest and shared my thoughts with you. I didn’t dare to go against your previous edict. While I can’t die for the sake of filial piety, I also can’t just shamelessly accept such a high honor. I made a resolution on my first day in office to work hard and repay the emperor’s grace. We’ve got to crack down on corruption and bribery, and I specifically told the officials to make this a priority. But so much time has passed, and there’s been no progress at all. This is mainly because Your Majesty hasn’t paid enough attention to these issues, thinking I’m foolish; if a strict investigation happened, I’d surely be in trouble, so I’ve been holding back, not daring to show what I can do. I haven’t achieved anything remarkable during my time in office, let alone acted decisively; who would even be scared of me? Look at Liu Yi when he was governor; his reputation was well-known, and he cleaned up corruption inside and out. Liu Yi couldn’t have done this alone; the key was that the emperor listened to his memorials, letting him show his authority." The emperor then issued an edict saying: "Just focus on doing things by the book, and your authority will naturally get stronger. Is Liu Yi the only one who can do this?!"
At that time, the court was relatively lax, and the officials and nobles grew increasingly reckless, using backdoor connections, resulting in chaos throughout the court. Everyone submitted a joint petition to dismiss officials like Yan Dan, General Qian, Tingwei Gao Guang, and He Pan. Suddenly, the capital fell into a much quieter state, and those in power also behaved more honestly. Everyone said, "A wise ruler must adhere to their governing principles for peace to prevail. Therefore, during the eras of Tang, Yao, and Shun, officials' performance was assessed every three years, and a large-scale promotion and demotion should occur every nine years. As written in the 'Zhou Li', a large-scale assessment should occur every three years. Confucius also stated, 'success takes three years.' However, lately, officials have been reassigned shortly after taking office, leading to policy instability for the common people and fatigue among officials due to frequent farewells and receptions." At that time, Wang Rong served as the Minister of Personnel and concurrently held the position of Minister of Personnel. Everyone petitioned again, saying, "Wang Rong, you hold a high position and are in charge of selecting officials, but you have not succeeded in stabilizing the social atmosphere and fostering unity among the people's efforts, instead resulting in unrest and competition among the people. Zhong Lang Li Zhong and Li Yi did not correct each other, please dismiss Wang Rong and others from their positions." The emperor proclaimed, "The fundamental principle of governance should indeed allow officials to serve long tenures. The petitions are correct. Wang Rong's role is to deliberate on national affairs, which I value and for which I appointed him. Dismissing him would negate this directive." Chief Censor Jie Jie accused Wang Rong of breaching protocol, overstepping his authority, interfering in matters beyond his authority, and petitioned for his removal. This time, the emperor refused.
At that time, I submitted a memorial in which I stated: according to regulations, the Chief Censor is tasked with overseeing all officials. For officials below the Crown Prince, as long as they are within the palace, any violations of laws and regulations should be impeached and corrected by the Chief Censor. Even outside the palace, if local officials do not correct it, the Chief Censor can also file a memorial. According to the law, "within the horse's enclosure" pertains to palace security matters. Officials outside the court are not to interfere with palace security matters, so this authority is reserved exclusively for the Chief Censor. Now, with roads and bridges not being repaired and endless lawsuits, the Chief Censor is delegating these matters to local authorities, as if interpreting "within the horse's enclosure" to mean only palace security. If the Chief Censor is said to supervise all officials, there should be no need to stress "within the horse's enclosure," as both internal and external officials fall under the category of officials. The reason the Colonel Director does not make a distinction between "within or outside the horse's enclosure" is that security matters have already been assigned to the Chief Censor. Both the Chief Censor and the Colonel Director have the power to impeach officials below the Crown Prince, encompassing all internal and external officials, rather than the Chief Censor overseeing only the inner court officials and the Colonel Director overseeing only those outside the court. Since the roles of Chief Censor and Colonel Director were established, they have been impeaching officials both inside and outside, correcting them without distinguishing between internal and external.
The reason I did not provide a detailed statement before was that I hoped to achieve my personal interests through the conclusion of the case. Now that my wishes have not been fulfilled, and the imperial edict states that it was just a mistake, not a violation of anything, to explain myself. As the Chief of Justice, I should lead by example, and if I have made a mistake, I dare not request absolution, so I have detailed my thoughts. The Censor and the Chief of Justice can impeach officials below the Crown Prince, which means that anyone below the Crown Prince can be impeached. I can impeach the Crown Prince, yet not the Minister, and I really do not understand the reason for this. Isn't the Crown Prince in the palace? The Crown Prince can be impeached in the palace, but the Minister in the palace cannot be impeached; this makes no sense at all! This reasoning is clear, yet the conclusion is being used to suppress me. Of course, I am very angry; isn't that a bizarre situation for both the court and the public! I remember that in the past, Shigong disrobed in the court and was impeached by the Prefect of Justice, Xun Kai. The late Emperor saw nothing wrong with it, and no one said he violated official authority; now I have only impeached the Minister—should I really be punished for that?
I repeatedly cite past cases, with a clear argument, and the court cannot refute it.
Gu Rong frequently wrote to his friends, saying, "Fu Changyu became the Chief of Justice; he is upright and loyal, dares to impeach, and intimidates the court and the people. Although he is not as talented as Duke Zhou, this kind of integrity and steadfastness is truly commendable!" In the fourth year of the Yuankang era, Gu Rong passed away at the age of fifty-six. The court posthumously appointed him the position of Chief of Justice and bestowed upon him a set of court robes, an additional garment, and twenty thousand coins, and posthumously named him "Zhen." He left behind three sons: Gu Fu, Gu Xi, and Gu Zuan. The eldest son, Gu Fu, inherited the title.
Gu Fu, courtesy name Yinggen, was known for his quiet demeanor and virtue, and he excelled in writing. He was appointed as a Crown Prince Attendant and later promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Library and Military Advisor to the Grand Tutor, but he declined all of them. He fled to Kuaiji to escape the Yongjia Rebellion. Emperor Yuan summoned him and appointed him as Attendant Officer of the East. Due to his poor health, he continued to decline the court's urging to take up his post, but ultimately had to be carried in a sedan chair due to his illness. He passed away a few months later at the age of forty-six. Gu Xi, who was also talented, served as the magistrate of Shangyu County with notable accomplishments, but later died while serving in the Ministry of Works.
Gu Zhi, courtesy name Zizhuang, was the son of Gu Ju, the Grand Minister of Wei. Gu Zhi was extremely filial and gained fame early on for his outstanding talent and administrative abilities. When Emperor Wu began to establish the Eastern Palace, Gu Zhi started as a Crown Prince Attendant and gradually rose to become a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and was granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes with a fief of three hundred households. After his mother's passing, he resigned from his official duties to observe mourning. During his mother's funeral, the court dispatched a ceremonial guard following the Grand Minister's five-tier auspicious and inauspicious event guidelines. This set a precedent for the court to send ceremonial guards for the funerals of officials' wives. After the mourning period, he was appointed as the Prefect of Xingyang. Since the great flood during the Huangchu era in Wei, the Yellow River and Ji River frequently overflowed. Deng Ai had previously written the "Ji River Treatise" and excavated the Stone Gate to improve the waterways, but they had since become blocked and damaged again. Gu Zhi then constructed the Shenlai Weir, after which Yanzhou and Yuzhou were free from flooding, and the people built a monument in his honor. Shortly after, he also took on the role of Minister of Justice, and was later promoted to Palace Attendant and General of the Left Army.
The emperor passed away, the funeral carriage was in place, and the Grand Tutor Yang Jun took control of the government. In order to win over the people, Yang Jun planned to grant titles widely. Fu Zhi wrote a letter to Yang Jun, saying, "It has never been the case that as soon as the emperor dies, his subjects begin to discuss merits and rewards." Yang Jun did not listen to him. Later, Fu Zhi became a court attendant. At that time, they were about to execute Yang Jun, but he was completely unaware. Fu Zhi sat with Yang Jun, and suddenly the Yunlong Gate closed, cutting off communication both inside and outside. Fu Zhi requested to understand the state of the country with the Minister of Works Wu Mao, and he bowed respectfully before stepping down. Wu Mao remained seated, unfazed, and Fu Zhi looked at him and said, "Aren't you a subject of the emperor? Now that there is no communication inside and outside, and no one knows the state of the country, how can you sit there so calmly?" Wu Mao then stood up in alarm.
After Yang Jun was killed, Pei Kai and Xi Zan (Yang Jun's son-in-law) were slain by rampaging soldiers. The Minister of Works Xun Kai could not stand Pei Kai, so he submitted a memorial stating that Pei Kai was a relative of Yang Jun and should be arrested and turned over to the court for trial. Fu Zhi defended Pei Kai's innocence, and the emperor granted him a pardon. When the time came to arrest Yang Jun's subordinates, Fu Zhi again submitted a memorial, stating, "In the past, Lu Zhi was the Marshal of Cao Shuang. He broke through the barriers to see Cao Shuang, and Emperor Xuan deemed him loyal and righteous, even promoting him to the Governor of Qingzhou. Yang Jun's subordinates should not face punishment." The emperor pardoned them again. Fu Zhi consistently upheld justice in many matters, handling them in this manner.
Fu Zhi was appointed as the Intendant of Henan, but before taking office, he was transferred to the Colonel of the Imperial Guards. Due to his merit in suppressing Yang Jun, he should have been granted the title of Duke of Lingchuan with a fief of 8,000 households. However, he firmly declined and was eventually granted the title of Duke of Lingchuan, with a fief of 1,800 households. The remaining 2,200 households were bestowed upon his son, Fu Chang, who became the Marquis of Wuxiang. He also shared a portion of his title with his nephew, Fu Jun, who became the Marquis of Dongming.
When the King of Chu, Sima Wei, forged an edict and caused chaos, Fu Zhi reported the news but was dismissed from office due to his slow response. A year later, he was appointed as a Grandee of the Imperial Household but was dismissed from office again due to official duties. When the Di people led by Qi Wannian rebelled, the court appointed Fu Zhi as the Military Commissioner of Anxi, with the additional title of Palace Attendant, to lead the General of Anxi, Xiahou Jun, in suppressing the rebellion. After the rebellion was quelled, Fu Zhi was promoted to Guard Commander, but due to illness, he requested to resign and was then appointed as a Palace Attendant, receiving a minister's salary. The court also rewarded him with money and items such as beds and curtains. Shortly after, he was further appointed as a Grandee of the Imperial Household, allowing him to ride in official carriages during his travels.
When Zhao Lun came into power, he appointed Fu Zhi as the Head of the Imperial Secretariat while still retaining his position as a Palace Attendant, in order to win the people's trust. Fu Zhi declined the appointment due to illness, so Zhao Lun sent an imperial carriage to bring him to the appointment. Wang Rong, Chen Zhun, and others privately discussed, "If Lord Fu is in office at court, then we don't need to worry." Fu Zhi was highly trusted and favored at that time.
Lun seized the throne, later becoming the Right Minister of Rites, Grand Commandant, and was also appointed as a Court Attendant. When Emperor Hui returned to the imperial palace, Lun requested to resign due to his previous illegitimate position, but the emperor did not agree. Initially, when Lun seized the throne, Sun Xiu and Wang Wei of Yiyang, along with more than ten others, participated in drafting the abdication ceremony and documents. After Lun's failure, Prince Qi handed over Liu Kui, Zou Jie, and other Palace Attendants to the court for trial. Since the abdication documents originated from the Ministry of Personnel, everyone began discussing Lun's guilt, coinciding with a general amnesty, so Lun was exonerated. Later, it was revealed that Lun was not the author of the draft abdication documents, so the court restored his position as Guanglu Doctor. His son Lun Xuan married Princess Hongnong.
Not long after, Lun was promoted to Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince, and he requested to resign and return home. Later, the Prince of Chengdu, Ying, became Grand Preceptor and appointed Lun as Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince again, and he was again appointed as a Court Attendant. When Emperor Huai ascended the throne, Lun was promoted to Guanglu Doctor, Court Attendant, and before he could take office, he was also appointed as Right Minister and Head of the Imperial Secretariat. At that time, Grand Preceptor Prince Yue of Donghai served as a regent, and Lun, because of his high position and influence, always advocated humility and respect between sovereign and subjects, resulting in a harmonious court. Lun was very clear on state affairs, and many of the court's systems were established and refined with his involvement. He had successively served as Left Guanglu Doctor, Grand Commandant, and acted as the Crown Prince's Grand Preceptor, while his position as Court Attendant remained unchanged. When he fell seriously ill and requested to resign, the emperor did not approve. Later, he was promoted to Minister of State, and due to his mobility issues, the emperor ordered that he be carried to court in a sedan chair, exempting him from the kneeling ritual.
General Gou Xi submitted a request to move the capital, sending Lun to Heyin to repair ships and prepare for a retreat by waterway. After the fall of Luoyang, everyone jointly established the temporary headquarters, elected Lun as the leader, appointed him as Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, and Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, and issued proclamations to various regions. Lun sent his son Lun Xuan, styled Shihong, with the princess and the Prefect of the Masters of Writing He Yu to notify the local officials of the states and counties, urging them to rise up and support the king. He was stationed in the small city of Mengjin, while his brother Lun Chang served as the county magistrate in Heyin, waiting for Lun Xuan. Lun suddenly fell ill and passed away at the age of sixty-nine. Before his death, he regretted not being able to fulfill his ambitions for the country, endured the pain, and wrote a will sternly admonishing his two sons, Lun Xuan and Lun Chang, in a heartfelt manner that deeply moved all who read it. Lun was prolific in his writings throughout his life, producing over a hundred thousand words of articles and treatises.
Lun Xuan, styled Shihong, lost his stepmother at the age of six and cried like an adult, surprising relatives and friends. As he grew up, he was particularly studious, and Zhao Wang Lun promoted him to the Chancellor, a Gentleman of the Imperial Library, and a Junior Attendant in the Crown Prince's Palace, and later advanced to Chancellor of the Western Bureau of the Ministry of Works. After resigning from his official position, he was promoted to Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat and a Cavalry Commandant. When Emperor Hui returned from Chang'an, he wanted Xuan to be Left Minister, but he declined, later being promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. After Emperor Huai ascended the throne, he was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel as a Deputy Director, later becoming the Deputy Director of the Imperial Censorate. He passed away at the age of forty-nine without any sons; thus, he designated his nephew Fu Chong as his heir.
Fu Chang, styled Shidao, at the age of five, was seen by his father's friend, who joked with him, unfastened his clothes, took his gold ring, and handed it to a servant. Fu Chang was unfazed and even rewarded the servant. By the time he was twenty, he had already gained considerable fame. He was later selected to be a lecturer in the Eastern Palace and then became the Secretary of State. He was later captured by Shi Le, who appointed him as the Right Sima of the Grand General. He was well-versed in court etiquette and frequently engaged in confidential matters, which led Shi Le to value him highly. He wrote "Praise of Various Dukes of Jin" in twenty-two volumes and "Stories of Officials and Nobles" in nine volumes. He passed away in the fifth year of the Xianhe era. His son Fu Yong served as the Governor of Jiaozhou and the Right Commander for the Crown Prince after crossing the river.
According to historical records, Emperor Wu inspected the four corners, understood the people's sentiments, often listened to the opinions of his subordinates, and employed officials who spoke candidly. Fu Xuan was upright, of noble character, and dared to correct mistakes, speaking candidly in the court and not betraying his position. When he held the position of the Three Excellencies, tasked with impeaching officials, the court was infused with a sense of righteousness, and the nobles restrained their behavior. Even the officials from the previous dynasty, such as Bao Shuya and Ge Hong, could not compare to him! However, he had a somewhat narrow character, lacking broad-mindedness, and was eager for success in competition, which is indeed unfortunate. The ancients cautioned us, and their wisdom holds true. Fu Chang maintained his family's good reputation. He advised the Prince of Runan and submitted a memorial to the Jin Emperor, acting upright and demonstrating great foresight. Fu Zhi, as a descendant of a noble family, displayed good behavior early on and helped rectify the relationship between rulers and ministers during turbulent times, ultimately preserving his official position and title, which is quite commendable.
Praise: Honest and insightful, genuinely embodying the court's expectations. Strong-willed and straightforward, with a character that stands apart. Long admired for his simplicity and integrity, upholding the highest standards. With talent and knowledge, he was appointed to high positions. Loyalty and merits unrecognized, with the path ahead abruptly cut short.
