Yuan Ang, courtesy name Qianli, hails from Shouxian County, Anhui Province. His grandfather, Yuan Xun, served as a general in the Song Dynasty and the Prefect of Wu County; his father, Yuan Yi, served as a champion general in the Jin Dynasty and the Governor of Yongzhou. During the Taishi period of the Jin Dynasty, his father Yuan Yi raised troops to support Prince Sima Xun of Jin'an, but he failed and was executed. At that time, Yuan Ang was only five years old, and his wet nurse carried him to hide in Lushan. When the imperial court issued a general amnesty, they came down from the mountain and moved to Jin'an. It was not until the Yuanhui period that Yuan Ang returned to his hometown at the age of fifteen. After his father's defeat, his severed head was sent to the capital city and hidden in the armory until it was returned at this time. Yuan Ang held his father's severed head and wept inconsolably, weeping so hard that he vomited blood, fainted, and then woke up again. His brother Yuan Tuan constantly comforted and supported him, and Yuan Ang gradually calmed down, living in a small shed next to his father's grave. Later, he and his brother went to see their great-uncle, Situ Yuan Can, who said to Yuan Tuan, "This child lost his parents at a young age, but can do this, suggesting that he is destined for greatness."
During the early establishment of the Qi Dynasty, Yuan Ang was first appointed as the aide to the champion Prince Ancheng (Xiao Xiu), then promoted to Chief Clerk to the General of Conquering Barbarians, Prince's Attendant, and finally became the Historiographer of Wang Jian's Military Government Office. At that time, Wang Jian was the Intendant of Jingzhao, and one day he met Yuan Ang alone in the back hall, pointing towards the north hall and stating, "You will definitely live here in the future." Yuan Ang was later promoted to Secretary Cheng and Chamberlain of the Yellow Gates. Originally named Qianli, during the Yongming period of the Qi Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Qi said to him, "'The horse gallops a thousand li,' this line of poetry suits you perfectly; now change your name to Ang, and 'Qianli' will be your courtesy name." Following that, he was appointed Chief Clerk to the Prince of Annan and aide to the Duke of Xunyang. Upon returning to the capital city, he also served as Middle Privy Secretary to the Crown Prince and Chief Historiographer of the Prince of Wuling.
Alas, my father passed away, and I am overwhelmed with grief. I have gone beyond the mourning period prescribed by custom. Before the mourning period ended, my brother Tuanyi has also passed away. I lost both my parents at a young age, and it was my brother Tuanyi who raised me. Therefore, I have decided to observe mourning in accordance with the customs for my brother. Some people find this strange and ask why, so I wrote a letter explaining, "I heard that mourning customs are determined by the ties of affection, not rigid rules. Therefore, even distant relatives, if there is a deep bond of gratitude, can mourn according to the customs for closer relatives; those who share a roof, even if they aren't direct relatives, can wear mourning clothes made of coarse cloth. This is all clearly documented in the classics. I've had a tough life since I was young, losing the protection of my parents early, unable to care for my parents properly, and unable to serve them regularly. I have been kept away from the world since childhood. It was my brother who raised me, taught me how to conduct myself, always looked out for me, helped me establish my place in the world, and ensured my well-being. He built a spacious and comfortable house for me, shared his property with me, and cared for me as if I were his own son, never wavering. He even helped my sisters and nephews, his deep affection and friendship never changed until his death. This bond of gratitude, this love and care, I cannot repay even in death. My feelings for him were just like those for a real brother, and according to customs, I should observe mourning as I would for any other brother, but I can't accept this in my heart, and I can't stay calm. In the past, Ma Leng lived with his brother Yi, and when his brother passed away, Ma Leng observed mourning for three years. Due to their deep bond, he extended the mourning period. Although I am not as knowledgeable as the ancients, my heart is filled with gratitude and longing, and I have always hoped to extend the mourning period like those filial sons of ancient times to express my grief. I did not expect misfortune to befall my family, one tragedy after another. I've just gone through the pain of losing my father, and now I am faced with the pain of losing my brother, overwhelmed with grief. Now, with what little strength I have left, I want to fulfill this wish, to express my infinite sorrow, and to slightly convey my uncontrollable sadness. While there may not be strict rules in etiquette, there are precedents to consider, and I would rather break convention to do this. If you ask whether this is in accordance with etiquette, I've explained this honestly to you. As I write this, I'm at a loss for words, tears streaming down, and my words seem confused and chaotic.
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After the mourning period, I was appointed Chief of Staff for the Right Army under King Shaoling, and soon promoted to Deputy Chief Justice. At that time, Wang Xu, Wang Yan's brother, was serving as the Governor of Guangzhou and was corrupt and took bribes. I impeached him on the grounds of evidence, fearless in the face of power, and people praised my integrity. Later, I was sent to Yuzhang as the Prefect, and after my mother passed away, I resigned from my position and returned home to grieve. On the way home, the river was raging, and I even tied my clothes to her coffin, vowing to drown with her. When the storm subsided, all the other boats sank, and only the boat I was on was the only one to survive. People said my filial piety had touched the heavens. After her burial, I was appointed General Jianwu and Governor of Wuxing.
At the end of the Yongyuan period, the rebel army reached the capital. The governors of various provinces and counties all surrendered quickly, except for one person, Ang, who refused to surrender. Gaozu personally wrote a letter to persuade him to surrender, saying, "There is no fixed path for fortune and misfortune; rise and fall have their own destiny. Heaven has abandoned him—who can possibly help him now? Opportunities do not come twice; you should really think this through. I heard that you are hesitating and want to wait and see the situation, but I have not fully understood your thoughts, so let me first explain mine. The current dictator is so tyrannical and has become increasingly cruel; we have never seen anything like this before. He is getting more powerful by the day. Heaven has not abandoned the Qi state; the rule of the wise is about to begin, and the common people are counting on us to bring them a better life. I bear the heavy responsibility of the vanguard—to clear the capital, restore order, punish the wicked, and appease the people. Since I set out, I've faced no obstacles. Our army has already surrounded Jiankang City; people and horses from all directions have gathered here, both men and gods are rising up together. We have tens of thousands of elite soldiers and strong generals, and tens of thousands of war horses. With this kind of force, what can’t we take down? Moreover, Jiankang City is isolated; the people in the city are losing heart, surrendering one after another—it's only a matter of time before the city falls. Furthermore, the planet Venus has appeared at the main gate, and the planet Jupiter has entered the Dipper constellation. The celestial signs indicate the will of heaven, and human affairs also conform to the celestial signs; this isn't just coincidence—it's the right time for action. Fan Xu and Shen Zhou have long recommended you to me, and they have each brought their troops to assist. Shen Fayu, Sun Yi, and Zhu Duan have already pacified the Wu Hui area. You think you can hold off our powerful army with just the forces of one county? Your foundation has crumbled—what can the branches and leaves possibly hold onto? Even a child knows this is impossible. You should think about it carefully; do you really not understand what I'm saying? Now, this isn’t loyalty. Your family will be wiped out, and that’s not filial piety either. You're neither loyal nor filial—what do you expect to gain from this? It's better to change your mind quickly and secure a better outcome for yourself. If you surrender, you can save your life; if you refuse to surrender, you might still keep your position. Think about it carefully. If you persist in your stubbornness and continue to resist, when our army arrives, we will wipe out your entire family. You’ll regret it when it’s too late! I've said all this to help you understand where I'm coming from."
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Ang replied, "It is truly an honor for you to come in person, Commandant. I have heard many people say that I should be loyal to the king, and even criticize me for not surrendering. Your stern command feels like I'm standing at the edge of a precipice. The southern region is hardly a place for military action, especially since I'm just from a small, remote county; what can I possibly do? I was recently ordered to come here because the situation is more complex, so I came to calm the people's fears. Since your army arrived, everyone has surrendered without a fight; I was the only one who dared to come late, mainly because of my limited abilities. I'm neither skilled in literature nor in martial arts; I'm just a small figure from the eastern region. Even if I want to offer my loyalty, it will not increase your courage; even if I remain silent, it will not affect your military might. I hope, General, that you can be generous and let me surrender calmly. My meager salary nearly cost me my life, let alone I received the court's salary but I forgot my loyalty. This isn't just about public opinion; I'm afraid you might look down on me too, so I have been hesitant and have not dared to surrender. You value me so much, giving me such great grace, leaving me both fearful and touched, feeling lost. I've thought carefully about your advice, but I still fear your authority." After the fall of Jiankang City, Ang personally went to the capital to surrender, and Gaozu forgave him and didn’t hold him accountable.
In the year 503 AD, I was appointed as the military counselor to the King of Linchuan. I wrote a letter expressing my gratitude, saying: "Your grace has come at just the right time, allowing me to see hope in my moment of despair; this warmth is something I have yearned for after feeling so desolate for so long! This kindness is simply indescribable, like ashes rekindled or a withered tree coming to life in spring. I am at a loss for words to express my overwhelming gratitude. I have reviewed numerous texts, carefully studied various legal provisions, examined the standards for rewards and punishments, and scrutinized the life-and-death laws, discovering that all of these reflect the enlightened ruler's rigorous enforcement of laws in the court, emulating the sages in governing the world. For instance, at the Tushan alliance, the Fangfeng clan was executed; as soon as Fengyi was established, the Chónghóu clan was punished. Throughout history, no one who has committed a capital offense has ever been pardoned, let alone someone like me. I have rescued a life from the gates of hell! The emperor's grace towards me is so great that I am overwhelmed with gratitude, and I dare to present my thoughts to you. I am originally a humble person from Dongjun, with average knowledge and character; I am neither as noble as the wild goose nor as upright as a straight tree. Therefore, I have never had the opportunity to wear an official cap, having risen from farming to an official position solely through your favor. In the past few years, I have been negligent in my duties, guarding the eastern border, and it is thanks to your grace that I escaped a calamity. At that time, there were countless people coming to present treasures and seek official positions, while I was foolish and incompetent, betraying your trust, only concerned with my own survival, forgetting the responsibilities among colleagues. However, the Sanwu region is strategically important, with numerous lakes, and rebellions frequently occur. I constantly feared meeting a misfortune like Yin Tong, yet I failed to protect my territory and my people, unlike Jun Yu, nor did I fulfill my duties like Shi Juan. When those who came after me were executed, I would willingly accept death. Publicly executing punishments to serve as a warning to others is only just. Fortunately, the court has been magnanimous and pardoned me; although my official position has been lowered, I am already content.
I feel like someone rising from the grave, returning to the ranks of the common people. I have washed away the stains of my past, like a traveler from Chu visiting Chen, having weathered many trials, and now I have received your forgiveness. The ancients said, 'Death is not terrible; what is terrible is facing death.' The grace I have received is seldom seen in history; as for where my end will come, I cannot say."
The Emperor Gaozu said, "I lost the arrow hook; you do not need to blame yourself for it." After speaking, he immediately promoted him to be the Attendant of the Yellow Gate. That year, he was promoted to be the Chamberlain. The following year, he was sent to be the Prefect of Xunyang, also in charge of affairs in Jiangzhou. Six years later, the court summoned him back to the capital, appointing him as the Minister of Personnel Affairs, but he repeatedly declined in memorials, and was finally appointed as the Minister of the Left while concurrently serving as Minister of the Right. In the seventh year, he was appointed as the Imperial Scholar, maintaining his position as Minister of the Right, and also concurrently serving as the Grand Inspector of Yuzhou. In the eighth year, he was sent out again, serving as General Renwei and Prefect of Wu County. In the eleventh year, he returned to the court, serving as the Minister of Military Affairs, once again concurrently serving as Minister of the Right; before he could officially take office, he received an imperial decree mandating him to assume his duties at once. Not long after, he was also appointed as the Minister of Works, and was further honored with the title of Palace Attendant.
In the fourteenth year, Ma Xianjun defeated the Wei army in Qushan. The emperor ordered him to temporarily act as Ang and comfort the army. In the fifteenth year, he was promoted to Left Minister, and soon after became the Minister of Rites and General Xuanhui. In the third year of Putong, he was appointed as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Governor of Danyang. In the same year, he was promoted to General of the Imperial Guard, again serving as the Minister of Rites, and was also granted the title of General of the Household, along with a ceremonial music band. Before he could take up the position, he also took on the role of the Grand Scholar. In the first year of Datong, his official position was further raised to Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and he was granted thirty trusted followers. Shortly after, he submitted a memorial to resign from the position of Grand Scholar, and was promoted to Grand General of Pacification, and appointed as Minister of Construction, Chamberlain, and Prefect of the Masters of Writing, with his trusted followers and music band still retained. Five years later, he was further promoted to Special Honorary, Left Grandee, with his trusted followers increased to eighty. In the sixth year of Datong, he passed away at the age of eighty.
The emperor issued a decree, stating: "The Chamberlain, Special Honorary, Left Grandee, Minister of Construction, Ang, has unfortunately passed away, causing immense grief in our hearts. He was a man of integrity, noble character, and unwavering loyalty, making many contributions to the court. In order to honor his achievements, this decree is issued: posthumously restore his original official position, grant a set of ceremonial music band, a set of Eastern Garden secret treasures, a set of court attire, a set of garments, two hundred thousand coins, one hundred pieces of silk, two hundred jin of wax, and conduct a mourning ceremony in his honor today."
Initially, Ang left his final words, not to be awarded a posthumous title. He instructed his sons not to report his life story and aspirations to the court, and to cease reporting anything requiring court approval. He also said, "I began my career as a commoner, never thought of getting rich, only hoped that my official position would not be wrong, my clothing and food could be sustained, and I knew honor and disgrace. In this way, closing my eyes and departing this world, I can face my hometown elders. When I served as an official in Wuxing, it was a time when the court was transitioning between incompetence and clarity. I could not see the path ahead clearly, did not comprehend the emperor's intentions, was unaware of my fate, and was willing to accept responsibility. I was fortunate to receive the emperor's special grace, which saved my whole family. I acknowledge my guilt to the court; my official position and reputation have been irrevocably lost, and it is a blessing to have preserved my life. I never expected to receive the emperor's grace again and reach my current position. I have always wished to repay the court wholeheartedly, to express my loyalty, so every time the court sent troops to the north, I requested to go to war and made vows; this is certainly not an empty promise. However, I am mediocre and have accomplished little; all requests have not been approved. Although I wished to sacrifice myself for the country, my requests were not accepted. Today, I close my eyes and depart this world with regret. If my soul is aware, I hope to repay the emperor's grace in my next life." The court followed ancient customs, knowing his conduct; perhaps there would be a posthumous award, but this was the customary practice of the state, which is unnecessary for me. If a posthumous official title is indeed conferred, do not accept it. His sons made repeated petitions, but the court did not grant approval. Ultimately, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Mu Zhengong.
His son Junzheng, handsome in appearance and elegant in demeanor, earned a good reputation as a young nobleman. Soon, he became an official in the Ministry of Personnel, but resigned due to his mother's death. After completing the mourning period, he served as a close associate of Prince Shaoling, Chief Historian of the Northern Zhonglang, and Prefect of Dongyang. Later, he was recalled to the capital, where over three hundred people from Dongyang County, including Xu Tianyou, went to the capital to ask the court for permission to let him stay another year. However, the court denied the request and appointed him as the Interior Minister of Yuzhang, and soon after promoted him to Prefect of Wu County. During the rebellion of Hou Jing, he led hundreds of people to assist Prince Shaoling in the rescue effort, but after the fall of the capital, he returned to his home county.
Junzheng was highly respected in his official duties, but he accumulated a lot of wealth, dressed in luxurious attire. The rebel Yu Ziyue launched an attack against him, and Dai Senyi, the garrison commander of Xincheng, urged him to resist. The officials in Wu County, including Lu Yinggong, worried they wouldn't be able to withstand the rebels and advised him to give up his property, saying, "The rebels' attack is fierce and difficult to resist; if we resist now, the people may not support us." Junzheng, being timid and weak, sent rice, meat, and wine to welcome Yu Ziyue outside the city. After Yu Ziyue arrived, he looted his wealth and children, which led to Junzheng's anxiety and eventual death from illness.
Historical accounts state: With Heaven above and Earth below, the positions of ruler and subject are determined; like pine trees and bamboo, they embody the spirit of resilience. Yuan Qianli faced the impending collapse of the nation and reached his old age; despite the emperor's incompetence, he remained steadfastly loyal. Later, he submitted a memorial to Emperor Gaozu without wavering in his loyalty and integrity, truly embodying the noble character of Yi Shu and Bo Yi! To ultimately become a pillar of the Liang Dynasty court is truly remarkable!
To put it simply, it's essentially saying that the sky is above and the earth is below; this principle defines the relationship between the emperor and his subjects. Pine and bamboo endure the harshest winters, symbolizing unwavering loyalty. Yuan Qianli stepped in when the country was in peril; he was growing old himself, but even if the emperor was a tyrant, he remained steadfast in his loyalty. He continued to write to the emperor, reaffirming his loyalty, just like the ancient loyalists Boyi and Shuqi! Ultimately, he became a celebrated hero of the Liang Dynasty, which is truly remarkable!
