It is said that Emperor Xuan of Han once said: "To make political affairs clear and reduce lawsuits, we still need those excellent officials of 2,000 stones!" It is also recorded in ancient books: "Today's county magistrates are equivalent to the ancient princes." Therefore, the positions of local officials are said to be close to the people, guiding morality, standardizing etiquette, and changing customs, all of which must be accomplished by them.
At the end of the Qi state, the realm was in turmoil, and political power fell into the hands of unscrupulous individuals. Taxes and corvée were imposed relentlessly, without limit. Most local officials were attached to the powerful, colluding with each other, embezzling and extorting from the populace, leading to immense suffering among the populace. People felt nowhere to settle. Emperor Gaozu was once a farmer and deeply understood the suffering of the people. Later, he established the Liang platform and ordered a reduction in taxes and the abolition of various harsh taxes, allowing the entire nation to finally catch its breath.
After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he personally inquired about various matters, working late into the night each day, seeking ways to alleviate the people's suffering. He also sent people to inspect various places to understand the local situation, set up special channels for citizens to voice their concerns, and tried his best to care for the people and solve their urgent needs. In the first year, he abolished the head tax and switched to a household tax based on the number of individuals; he wore coarse clothes himself, and the palace was not extravagant, not using luxurious silk and satin, or jewelry and jade. The food in the palace was also simple, only eating vegetables every day, and drinking no more than three cups of wine—setting an example of frugality.
Every time officials were selected, he placed a strong emphasis on their integrity and fairness, calling them to the palace to personally motivate them to work well for the people. For example, he promoted the Shangshu Palace attendant to serve as the Neishi of Jian'an, and the Left Minister Liu Zong served as the Jin'an Prefect; both were recognized for their integrity during their terms. He also ordered: officials in smaller counties who performed well would be promoted to larger counties, and officials in larger counties with achievements would be promoted to the rank of 2,000 stones.
In this way, the magistrate of Shanyin County, Qiu Zhongfu, was promoted to the Governor of Changsha for his outstanding achievements; while the magistrate of Wukang County, He Yuan, was promoted to the Prefect of Xuancheng for his integrity and incorruptibility. Many other officials emulated them. Individuals like Yu Xi from Xinye applied their knowledge of Confucian classics to govern effectively during their terms. Some regions benefited from their governance, and some even regarded them with nostalgia after they left office. They are all regarded as exemplary officials by later generations! Because of this, I even wrote an article titled "On Good Officials"!
Yu Xi, also known as Xiuye, was from Xinye. His father, Yu Shenzhi, once served as the Governor of Yongzhou in the Song Dynasty. His father passed away when he was ten years old. During his mourning period, he was deeply saddened and emaciated, earning praise from many locals for his demeanor. At the age of twenty, he was recommended by the local government to serve as the registrar, passed the scholar's examination, and gradually ascended through the ranks to become the registrar of Anxi, a court official in the Secretariat, and a clerk of the Valiant Cavalry. He was well-read and possessed exceptional eloquence.
During the reign of Emperor Yongming of the Qi Dynasty, Qi and Wei established a marriage alliance. Yu Bi was appointed as a Cavalry Attendant to visit the Wei Dynasty, and upon his return, he was appointed as the Cavalry Attendant of the Eastern Palace, responsible for documentation. After the Prince of Yulin ascended the throne, Yu Bi was deposed and became in charge of imperial edicts and announcements. Later, he was sent to serve as the Deputy Magistrate of Jingzhou. He was subsequently promoted to the advisor to the General of the Western Army and once again served as the Deputy Magistrate of Jingzhou. During both of his terms as Deputy Magistrate, he managed the finances of the region very well, which led to the region's prosperity. Despite this, Yu Bi led a very simple and frugal life during both terms, rejecting all bribes, eating simple meals, and wearing coarse clothes, resulting in his wife and children often going hungry and cold. Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty greatly admired him upon hearing this and personally wrote a letter praising him, earning him the respect of the people in the region. He was later promoted to the advisor to the Minister of Works and the Cavalry Attendant of Tongzhi. After Emperor Gaozu pacified the capital, he established the Ba administration and recommended Yu Bi as a military officer of the Cavalry, later promoting him to the Deputy Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He was then sent to serve as the Chief Historian of Fuguo County, overseeing the affairs of the county government. At that time, society was in turmoil, and the people were suffering, as food prices soared and many became homeless. Yu Bi took office and earnestly governed, comforting the people and achieving significant results. He was known for his integrity and extreme frugality, to the extent that he sometimes went several days without cooking. When the Prefect and Prince Yongyang heard about this, they sent some food to him, which Yu Bi graciously declined. In the first year of Tianjian, Yu Bi passed away, leaving his family impoverished, unable to afford a coffin or transport his body home. Upon hearing this, Emperor Gaozu ordered a hundred pieces of silk and fifty sheng of rice to support his family.
At the beginning, Yu Bi came from a distinguished family in the Western Chu aristocracy. He rose to prominence as an official at a young age, and his fellow townsman Le Ai was jealous of his achievements, which led to a rivalry between the two. Le Ai had previously worked under King Yi of Qi, but after King Yi's death, Le Ai's career took a downturn, being demoted from a foot soldier to a border guard, before eventually requesting a transfer back to Jingzhou. At that time, Yu Bi was the assistant in Jingzhou and grew even more distant towards Le Ai. After Gaozu ascended to the throne, Le Ai was appointed as the Deputy Imperial Censor due to his contributions in the Western Court, while Yu Bi had just obtained the position of magistrate of Kuaiji County, which filled him with shame. Later, Yu Bi committed a few minor errors in his duties, and Gaozu, since he was from the same hometown as Le Ai, sent Le Ai to rebuke him. This angered Yu Bi greatly, and he eventually died from illness and sorrow.
Shen Yu, courtesy name Boyu, was from Wukang, Huzhou, Zhejiang. His uncle Shen Chang had worked under King Jingsu of Jianping in the Song Dynasty. When King Jingsu later rebelled, Shen Chang left him early, but was still imprisoned after King Jingsu's failed rebellion. Shen Yu went to the court to advocate for his uncle, eventually clearing his name and earning a reputation. He started as a minor official in the local government and later became responsible for court affairs as the Court Secretary.
Once, he visited Yin Mi, the Right Minister of the Qi Dynasty. Yin Mi discussed political matters with him and greatly admired him, saying, "With your talent and abilities, you should be in my position!" The Prince of Jingling, Ziliang, heard of Shen Yu's reputation and invited him to serve as an advisor in his household, also assigning him the responsibility of communication affairs in Yangzhou. At the time, the county magistrate of Jiankang, Shen Huifu, misused his power to bully Shen Yu, who then punished him according to the law, making everyone wary of Shen Yu's decisiveness. Ziliang highly appreciated him and even entrusted him with family affairs. After Ziliang's death, Shen Yu went on to serve the Inspector, Prince Yaoguang of Shi'an.
Once, he was sent to collect duty tax from the people. He worked swiftly and effectively, without causing any complaints. Yao Guang said to the other envoys, "Why don't you learn from Shen Yu?" So Yao Guang put Shen Yu in charge of the prison affairs in the state. There was a place called Fangshandai in Hushu County, with steep terrain making travel difficult in winter, causing inconvenience to both officials and the people. Emperor Song Ming sent Shen Yu to govern there. Shen Yu dug four waterways to facilitate pedestrian traffic, completing the project in just three days. Later, in Yangzhou, a scribe acted on his own accord, impersonating a state envoy and refusing to help with the work. Shen Yu administered thirty lashes. The scribe returned to Yao Guang to file a complaint, and Yao Guang said, "Shen Yu must have had a good reason for punishing you." Investigation revealed that the scribe was indeed an imposter. Later, Emperor Ming sent Shen Yu to build Chishan Pond, where he saved tens of thousands of units of materials compared to the original plan, which earned him even greater praise from the emperor. In the first year of Yongtai, Shen Yu became the magistrate of Jiande County. He taught the people that each household should plant at least fifteen mulberry trees, four persimmon trees, and some pear and chestnut trees, with women planting half as many. Everyone was very happy, and soon the trees quickly flourished into a lush forest. After resigning from his official position, he returned to the capital and served as a recruitment officer. Later, he followed Chen Bozhi's army to Jiangzhou and came across the rebel forces besieging Yingcheng. Shen Yu advised Chen Bozhi to surrender to Gaozu. Chen Bozhi cried and said, "My son is still in the capital and cannot leave. I can't bear the thought of leaving him behind." Shen Yu said, "We can't afford to stay; the situation is becoming increasingly dire. If we don't plan ahead now, it will be difficult to regroup if everyone disperses." Chen Bozhi ultimately led the army to surrender, and Shen Yu followed into Gaozu's army.
At first, Shen Yue was particularly close to Fan Yun in the Prince Jingling's household. When the Qi dynasty was on the verge of collapse, Shen Yue once stayed at Fan Yun's house and had a dream. In the dream, he found himself sitting on a beam, looking up and seeing the words "Fan Family Residence" written in the sky. Later, Shen Yue told this dream to the founding emperor. The founding emperor remarked, "If Fan Yun can escape a disaster, this dream could come true." After the founding emperor became the emperor, Fan Yun strongly recommended Shen Yue, and Shen Yue was promoted directly from the magistrate of Jiyang County to Right Minister of Personnel. At that time, the realm had just been pacified, and Chen Bozhi recommended Shen Yue to be in charge of logistics transportation. He was responsible for the army's logistics support, and the founding emperor thought he was very capable. Later, he was promoted to Gentleman of the Carriage in the Ministry of Personnel, while retaining his position as Right Minister. Shen Yue also recommended his relatives, Shen Senglong and Shen Sengzhao, claiming they were capable of serving as officials, and the founding emperor approved.
Shen Yue resigned from office due to his mother's death, but was later reappointed as General Zhenwu and County Magistrate of Yuyao. Yuyao County had a prominent Yu family, with over a thousand households. They often visited the county yamen to see officials, making it as bustling as a market. Previous magistrates had been unable to manage them. When Shen Yue arrived, he did not rely on connections. He made those who came to see him stand below the steps and adhere to the law. There were also several hundred wealthy clans in the southern part of the county, whose children acted arrogantly and oppressively, protecting each other. The common people suffered greatly. Shen Yue assigned the elderly to be warehouse managers at Shitou Cang and the young to be servants at the county yamen. These individuals wept and wailed as they walked, and from that point on, the powerful and influential learned to hold back. When Shen Yue first arrived in Yuyao, the wealthy officials donned bright, elaborate attire to flaunt their status. Shen Yue was very angry and said, "You small county officials, why do you dress like high-ranking officials?" He ordered them all to wear coarse clothing and stand and serve all day. If they grew tired and stumbled, they were punished. When Shen Yue was young, he had come here to sell pottery and had been humiliated by the wealthy, so now he was retaliating against them, leading the people to both fear and resent him. Nevertheless, Shen Yue was known for his integrity and adherence to his principles, which enabled him to realize his objectives.
After the court launched a northern expedition, the Emperor appointed Wang Yu as the General of Establishing Might, in charge of transporting military supplies. Before long, he also took on the role of the Imperial Water Commissioner. After some time, he was promoted to the position of Minister of State. He was later sent to serve as the Prefect of Annan, followed by being appointed as the Prefect of Xunyang. When the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Cao Jingzong, fell seriously ill, Wang Yu acted as his proxy in managing the affairs of his commandery. After Cao Jingzong's passing, Wang Yu became the Chief Clerk under General Xiao Yingda of Xin Wei, but he retained his position as Prefect. Wang Yu had a strong personality and often clashed with Xiao Yingda, who held a grudge against him. In the eighth year of Tianjian, when Wang Yu went to the capital to handle affairs, he spoke forcefully, causing Xiao Yingda to immediately change his demeanor and say, "Is the court sending you here to be a mouthpiece?" After leaving, Wang Yu told others, "I’d rather die than bow down to him." That day, he was ambushed and killed by bandits on the road at the age of fifty-nine. Many suspected that Xiao Yingda was behind his death. Wang Yu's son, Wang Xu, made several appeals, but Xiao Yingda died soon after, and the truth was never fully revealed. Wang Xu later led a modest life as a commoner.
Fan Shuzeng, styled Zixuan, was a native of Qiantang in Wu Commandery. He loved learning from a young age and studied the Five Classics with Lu Daohui in Yuhang, and had a solid grasp of their main ideas. Although Lu Daohui had over a hundred students, he only praised Fan Shuzeng, remarking, "This child will definitely become a teacher of emperors in the future." When Qi's Prince Wen and Jingling's Prince Wenxuan were young, Emperor Gaozu invited Fan Shuzeng to serve as their teacher and friend. He initially served as an attendant in the Song Jinxi Kingdom. After the establishment of the Qi Dynasty, he was promoted to the position of Langzhongling of Nanjun, and then further promoted to the position of Shangshu Zhu Ke Lang, Prince's Infantry Colonel, and concurrently served as the magistrate of Kaiyang. Fan Shuzeng was known for his integrity and willingness to speak his mind, often offering counsel in the palace. Although the prince did not fully accept his advice, he did not punish him for it. Prince Wenxuan valued him highly, referring to him as "Zhou She." At that time, the Left Guard Commander, Shen Yue, regarded Fan Shuzeng as honest as Ji An of the Han Dynasty. Because his parents were aging, Fan Shuzeng requested to return home to look after them and was appointed Grand Master of the Palace Carriages.
After Emperor Ming became the emperor, Fan Shu was appointed as a general of the cavalry and later transferred to Yongjia as the governor. He was honest and fair in his official duties, not relying on intimidation to govern the region, and the common people thought highly of him. Below Yongjia, there was a county called Hengyang, with rugged terrain where many fugitives hid. Several officials had tried to capture them before but failed. When Fan Shu arrived, he demonstrated the emperor's benevolence to all, and upon hearing this, the fugitives came forward to surrender voluntarily, resulting in over two hundred households re-registering. From then on, merchants were able to trade freely, and the common people could live and work in peace. During his time as the governor of Yongjia, he remained honest and never accepted bribes. Emperor Ming was very pleased to hear this and commended him, summoning him back to the court as a general of the cavalry. The officials in Yongjia offered him over two hundred thousand coins as a farewell gift, but he refused to accept any of it. He left without his family and took nothing with him, not even someone to help carry his belongings. The people of Yongjia, young and old, came out to send him off, their cries resonating for miles.
During the reign of Emperor Donghun, Fan Shu was appointed as a middle-ranking official and later returned to his hometown. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Fan Shu took a small boat to the capital to meet the emperor, then he resigned and returned home. Emperor Gaozu issued a decree saying, "Middle-ranking official Fan Shu, during the Qi dynasty, he served the emperor with loyalty and integrity. While serving as the governor of Yongjia, he lived a simple and honest life. He should be promoted to recognize his noble character. Appoint him as a grand master, and reward him with twenty pieces of silk." Fan Shu gave away his entire salary throughout his life. By the time he grew old, his family had become destitute and owned nothing. He passed away in the eighth year of Tianjian, at the age of seventy-nine. He made annotations on the Book of Changes and wrote dozens of poems and essays.
Qiu Zhongfu, courtesy name Gongxin, was a native of Wucheng from Wuxing. He loved learning from a young age, and his ancestors were known for their integrity. They often said that Qiu Zhongfu was a steed that runs a thousand miles, an outstanding talent. In the early years of Qi Yongming, he was selected as a scholar at the Imperial Academy. Although he excelled in the exam, he returned to his hometown before assuming his position. His family was very poor and could not afford to live, so he fell in with a band of thieves, offering them strategic advice on their heists in the Sanwu region. Qiu Zhongfu was intelligent and talented, and the bandits all respected him and listened to him. The heists he orchestrated were highly successful, so he was never caught. Later, the governor Xu Si appointed him as the main clerk, and he subsequently served as an official in Yangzhou, a professor at the Imperial Academy, and the magistrate of Yuhu County, all with good political achievements. The governor Lv Wenxian was a favorite of the emperor at the time, often oppressing subordinate counties, but Qiu Zhongfu stood his ground against him. Later, due to his father's death, he resigned from his official position. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he promoted Qiu Zhongfu to Liewu General, and he later became the magistrate of Qu'a County. At that time, the governor of Kuaiji, Wang Jingze, rebelled, exploiting the court's unpreparedness, and the vanguard troops were already close to Qu'a. Qiu Zhongfu said to the officials and people of the county, "Although these rebels are fierce, they are actually a bunch of loose sand, easily disintegrated. Now let's quickly collect all the boats, dig up the embankment of Changgangdai, flood their path; as long as we can delay them for a few days, the court's army will definitely arrive, and the situation will be successful!" When Wang Jingze's army arrived, the river had run dry, and the army found itself stranded, eventually disintegrating. Qiu Zhongfu was promoted to the magistrate of Shanyin County for his steadfastness and achievements. During his tenure, the locals even composed a song in his honor: "Two Fus, Shen, Liu, not as good as one Qiu." The "Two Fus, Shen, Liu" referred to several esteemed officials from Shanyin County's past, Fu Yan and his son, Shen Xian, and Liu Xuanming. They all had political achievements, but the locals believed that Qiu Zhongfu surpassed them all.
In the late years of the Qi Dynasty, the court was in chaos, where corruption and bribery were rampant. Qiu Zhongfu was also reported by the officials and was wanted for arrest. He secretly fled and went straight to the capital city, waiting outside the palace gates. Luckily, he escaped punishment thanks to a general amnesty. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he appointed Qiu Zhongfu as the magistrate of Shanyin County. Qiu Zhongfu was skilled at handling complex issues and adept at adapting to changing situations. Both officials and common people respected him greatly, almost worshipping him as a deity. His achievements were among the best in the country.
Later, he was promoted to Chief of Chariots and Cavalry and then to Intendant of Changsha. After a brief period, he was summoned by the court to serve as Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, then promoted to Director and subsequently to Minister of War. The Emperor greatly valued him. Qiu Zhongfu was in charge of the construction of the palace. Once the project was completed, he was appointed as Intendant of Anxi and Prefect of Nanjun. He was later promoted to Chief of Cloud Cavalry and Prefect of Jiangxia, while also overseeing affairs in Yingzhou Prefecture. After his mother's passing, he returned home to observe the mourning period and resumed his duties afterwards. He was dismissed from office due to various circumstances, but was later reinstated as a Military Advisor to the Minister of Works. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Intendant of Yuzhang, where he prioritized integrity and frugality in his administration. He passed away shortly thereafter, at the age of forty-eight. The Emperor issued a decree commending his service and posthumously honored him with the title of Yellow Gate Attendant. When Qiu Zhongfu's coffin was brought back to his hometown, the people of Yuzhang wept as they followed the funeral procession, which moved slowly due to the large crowd.
While serving as Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Qiu Zhongfu composed the "Imperial Canon" in twenty volumes, "Stories of the Southern Palace" in one hundred volumes, and "Miscellaneous Rites and Ceremonies of the Imperial Secretariat," all of which have been preserved through the ages.
Sun Qian, styled Changxun, was from Ju County in Dongguan. When he was young, he was held in high regard by his relative Zhao Bofu. At the age of seventeen, Sun Qian was brought along by Zhao Bofu, who had become the governor of Yuzhou, to serve as a military aide due to his strong ability to handle affairs. Later, after his father passed away, Sun Qian resigned from his official position and returned home in mourning, working the land in Liyang to support his younger siblings. The people in the village praised his devotion to his siblings.
Upon hearing about this, Prince Yi Gong of Jiangxia in the Song Dynasty invited him to serve as a military officer. Later, Sun Qian served in succession at the Taizai and Dasi Mansions. He was then appointed as the magistrate of Jurong County, known for his honesty, caution, remarkable memory, and was revered by the common people like a god.
In the early Tai Shi period, Sun Qian worked under Prince Jian'an Xiu Ren, who recommended him to Emperor Ming and appointed him as the General of Ming Wei, concurrently serving as the governor of Badong and Jianping counties. These two counties were located in the Three Gorges and often required military force to maintain order. When Sun Qian was about to take office, the court ordered him to bring along a thousand soldiers. Sun Qian said, "The barbarians do not submit because the court lacks tolerance towards them. Why mobilize troops and increase the financial burden of the country?" He resolutely refused to comply with the court's order. Upon arriving in the counties, he implemented benevolent policies, for which the local tribes were very grateful. They sent gold and silver treasures, which Sun Qian politely declined to accept. If he captured any prisoners, he would release them back to their homes. He returned all the gifts given by the people. The atmosphere in the counties transformed dramatically, and his prestige continued to rise. After serving for three years, he was recalled to the court and appointed as a military officer.
During the early years of the Yuanhui period, the court appointed him as the Governor of Liangzhou, but he declined and was later appointed as the Cavalry Commander and the Chief Clerk of the Northern Expedition Marshal's Office. Prince Jianping sought to rebel, fearing that Sun Qian's honesty and strength would stop him, so he found an excuse to send him to the capital and then rebelled himself. After Prince Jianping was killed, Sun Qian was promoted to General of the Left Army.
In the early years of the Qi Dynasty, Sun Qian served as General of Ning Shuo and County Magistrate of Qiantang. He managed government affairs with remarkable efficiency, resulting in no prisoners in the jail. When he left office, the people gifted him silk and cloth in gratitude for his refusal to accept bribes during his tenure, but he refused them all. Every time he left office, he had no personal residence and always stayed in government-owned empty stables. In the early years of the Yongming period, he served as Chief Historian of the Champion and Prefect of Jiangxia. He was replaced by someone else and imprisoned in the Shangfang. Shortly after, he was dismissed and demoted to Middle Cavalry Officer. Emperor Ming sought to depose the Crown Prince and wanted Sun Qian to be his confidant, appointing him as the Guard Commander with a hundred soldiers, but Sun Qian refused to get involved in power struggles and disbanded the soldiers. Although Emperor Ming did not blame him, he never used him again. Later, he was appointed as the South Central Marshal. In the first year of Emperor Donghun's Yongyuan reign, he was promoted to... (original text missing).
In 507 AD, Sun Qian was appointed as the General of the Auxiliary Country and Prefect of Lingling. By then, he was already very old, but still devoted himself to governing the area, and the people lived in peace and prosperity. Previously, there were often tiger attacks in Lingling County, but after Sun Qian took office, the tiger attacks ceased. It was only on the night of his departure that the tigers returned and attacked once more. During his term, Sun Qian consistently encouraged the community to diligently pursue agriculture and sericulture, striving to maximize the benefits of the land, and as a result, Lingling County's income consistently surpassed that of neighboring counties.
Nine years later, due to his old age, Sun Qian was recalled by the court and appointed as Minister of Rites. Upon arriving at the court, Emperor Gaozu greatly appreciated his honesty and integrity and showed him particular favor. Every time he attended court, Sun Qian would ask the Emperor for more significant responsibilities so that he could continue to serve the country. Emperor Gaozu laughed and said, "I use your wisdom, not your physical strength."
In the year 514 AD, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "Minister of Rites Sun Qian, known for his honesty and prudence, despite his old age, remains diligent and tireless. Considering his age and experience, he should be given greater honor. He is granted twenty trusted guards and a walking stick."
From his youth to old age, Sun Qian served in two counties and five commanderies, always maintaining honesty and integrity wherever he went. He lived a simple life, with only a reed mat and a screen for a bed, covered with a cloth blanket in winter and had no mosquito net in summer. Yet, he never got bitten by mosquitoes at night, which everyone found curious. Despite being over ninety years old, he was as strong as a man in his fifties, always arriving at the court earlier than others. He was kind and righteous, exceeding the norm. His cousin Sun Lingqing often fell ill and stayed at Sun Qian's house, and whenever Sun Qian returned home, he would check on him. Once, Sun Lingqing said, "The water I just drank was too hot or too cold, and now I feel thirsty." Sun Qian immediately sent his wife to take care of him.
There was a man in Pengcheng named Liu Rong, who begged for a living and became homeless due to a serious illness. His friends carried him to Sun Qian's house, where Sun Qian offered his hall for him to stay. After Liu Rong passed away, Sun Qian ensured he received a proper burial according to proper rites. Everyone greatly admired Sun Qian's character.
In the year 515 AD, Sun Qian passed away at the age of ninety-two. The court granted him thirty thousand coins and fifty pieces of cloth for funeral expenses. Emperor Gaozu held a mourning ceremony for him, deeply saddened and mournful.
Zilian was a humble man who had a knack for flattering those in power. He was already a magistrate during the Qi Dynasty and later became the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel. During the Tianjian period, he sought to ingratiate himself with Shen Yue, Fan Yun, and others, including Huang Muzhi. He would send various delicious foods to the officials every day, all personally prepared, never considering it a hassle. He steadily rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a minister, deputy imperial censor, and serving as the prefect of both Jinling and Wuxing. There was a talented but somewhat frivolous man named Gaoshuang who sought his patronage, and Zilian had him write articles. When Gaoshuang's request went unfulfilled, he composed a riddle to mock Zilian: "Stabbing the nose without sneezing, stepping on the face without anger, biting the teeth as steps, holding this to defeat others." This suggested that Zilian climbed the ranks through unethical means.
Fuyue, also known as Xuanyao, was the son of Fumanrong. He inherited his father's talents and was skilled in metaphysics, gaining renown alongside Ren Fang from Le'an and Liu Man from Pengcheng. He initially served as an imperial attendant while also holding the position of a Confucian scholar, later becoming the magistrate of Dongyang. After his term ended, he became the magistrate of Yinxian. Since his father had retired by then, the court assigned him to lighter positions to allow him to care for his father. As the Qi Dynasty approached its downfall, he was appointed Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat and also took on the role of a military secretary in the Guard.
After the founding emperor ascended the throne, Fugai, the Emperor's high ancestor, was appointed as a national scholar but resigned later due to his father's death. After the mourning period, he became a military advisor for chariots and cavalry, and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Minister of Works, Assistant Minister of Personnel, and General of the Vanguard, also serving as a scholar of the "Five Classics." He, along with the Minister of Personnel Xu Mian and the Assistant Minister of Personnel Zhou She, was responsible for managing the matters concerning the Five Rites. Later, he was sent to Yongyang as an internal historian, where he governed with integrity and efficiency. The people of Yongyang, including He Zhenxiu and 154 others, reported his achievements to the local government, which the Governor of Xiangzhou then reported to the court. After an investigation, fifteen of his actions were praised by the people, and the founding emperor greatly admired him, so he was appointed as the governor of Xin'an. In Xin'an, he continued to be honest and upright like he was in Yongyang. For those who couldn't pay taxes, he used his own farmland to assist them. Xin'an was rich in hemp and ramie, yet his family couldn't even afford to buy hemp ropes, showing how frugal he was. The three counties under his jurisdiction, Shixin, Sui'an, and Haining, all erected shrines in his honor.
I was appointed as a national scholar by the court and later became the Chief Officer of Water. At that time, the internal historian of Shixing, He Yuan, was promoted directly to the Yellow Gate Attendant due to his remarkable accomplishments, and shortly after was appointed as the General of Trust and Valor, responsible for overseeing Wu County. I felt that my reputation and qualifications surpassed those of He Yuan, and we were both recognized for our integrity, yet he was repeatedly promoted while I was only making slow progress. Feeling dissatisfied, I often pretended to be sick and stayed at home.
Later, I concocted an excuse, claiming I needed to return to Dongyang for a funeral, but in reality, I wanted to go to Gai Fang in Kuaiji to settle down. Then I submitted a request to resign from my position. Surprisingly, the emperor issued a decree appointing me as the internal historian of Yuzhang, so I reluctantly accepted the position. The Chief Censor Yu [Rijue] reported to the court:
I heard that if a person loses loyalty and credibility, then their commitment to serving the court will be broken; being two-faced, this kind of behavior should be punished! I’ve never heard of anyone who dared to defy the court's laws, disrespect the emperor and parents, and still be able to govern the country and achieve success. I heard that Fugai, the Interior Minister of Yuzhang, took leave last year, claiming to return home for a funeral, but ended up staying in Kuaiji and never came back. When he arrived in Kuaiji, he sold his house and carriage. These actions clearly show he never intended to come back. Fugai held positions in two places, rarely engaging in corruption and bribery, which should have been the foundation of his governance. How could he use this to seek praise? He always boasted about his talent and reputation being superior to others, but the emperor promoted him for his integrity, and as his rank rose, his heart was filled with resentment, which showed in his words and actions, constantly sighing and unable to sleep well or come up with good ideas. The heavens see everything clearly; nothing can escape their gaze. On December 21st last year, the emperor issued a decree: "Fugai, the National Scholar and Chief of the Longshui Battalion, is upright and just in his governance; he should be rewarded well to prevent any grievances and affect morale. Appoint him as the Interior Minister of Yuzhang." How could a subject receive such a grand favor and not be terrified, quickly confessing and repenting to the court to show gratitude? But he continued to act as he pleased, not caring about it at all. Fugai should have understood the emperor's intentions, but he craved favor, was never satisfied, and remained calculating, leading to unrest among scholars and stirring public opinion. Upon careful investigation, we discovered he had no remorse whatsoever.
I think Fu Lai has been drifting for more than thirty years. After the emperor ascended the throne, the world was at peace, with many tasks awaiting attention. The court was also reforming and innovating, as if the Jianghan River had been thoroughly washed clean. In just ten years, the royal family prospered for three generations. Yet he showed no gratitude for the emperor's grace, instead committing serious offenses with malice, being disloyal and disrespectful, and committing heinous crimes. Therefore, I believe Fu Lai should be held accountable for his blatant disrespect. According to the law, he should be sentenced to death. We have already arrested and interrogated those around him and dealt with them according to the law. If the law indeed stipulates so, Fu Lai should bear the responsibility.
I carefully investigated the case: Fu Lai, the Governor of Yuzhang, acted inappropriately, harbored resentment, and his words and actions were contrary to the court's expectations, betraying the emperor's trust. The emperor was flourishing and promoted him out of the ordinary. Yet he was dissatisfied and sought to leave the court; he abandoned his position, not intending to retire home; he was not retiring in frustration due to being unrecognized. He enjoyed the court's salary but was ungrateful; he donned official robes yet felt shackled. The law should be strictly enforced to restore integrity within the administration. After deliberation, we request to remove Fu Lai from his position and revoke all his duties.
The emperor decreed that no further investigation was necessary, so Lai successfully assumed his post in the county.
He worked there for three years, then was summoned by the court and appointed as an attendant of the Yellow Gate, also serving as a National Scholar, but sadly, he never had the opportunity to assume the role. In the first year of the Puyuan era, he passed away in the county at the age of fifty-nine. The Right Deputy of the Ministry of Works, Xu Mian, wrote an epitaph for him, in which it said: "In the eastern district, loving to connect with the people, facing the imperial palace, continuing to submit memorials. Whether lying in the rut, or pulling the cart, or drawing his image, or measuring his threshold. Thinking back on his past errors, how can we properly honor him?"
His father, Man Rong, and Ren Yao from Le An had a close relationship with Wang Jian, the Grand Commandant of Qi. As a result, Ren Fang and Xing gained Wang Jian's favor. After a period of time, Ren Fang's career developed increasingly well. By the end of the Qi dynasty, Ren Fang had become the Right Long Historian, while Xing was still just a low-ranking military officer. However, by the time Xing passed away, their official positions were almost the same. Xing was very frugal and simple, dressing very simply, seeming low-key on the surface, but actually quite ambitious in his heart, so many people criticized him at the time. He was very good at recommending talents, but always gave people a sense of inadequacy, so many young scholars sought his patronage.
He Yuan, styled Yi Fang, was from Tan County. His father, He Huiju, had been a Secretary in the Qi dynasty. He Yuan initially served as an attendant in the Jiangxia Kingdom and was later promoted to an official position. During the Yongyuan period, Xiao Baoxuan, the King of Jiangxia, was besieged by the Guard General, Cui Huijing, in Jingkou, and He Yuan was also involved in the matter. The attempt ended in failure, so he fled to Changsha and sought refuge with Prince Xuanwu, Xiao Yi, who hid him. Later, He Yuan found Prince Guiyang, Xiao Rong, hoping he would help him hide, but he was ultimately discovered. When the captors arrived, He Yuan escaped over the wall; Xiao Rong and his family were all captured, Xiao Rong was executed as a consequence, and He Yuan's family was also imprisoned in the Shangfang Court.
He Yuan fled across the river, reunited with his old friend Gao Jiangchan, and together they recruited a group to greet the army of Emperor Gaozu, Xiao Daocheng. When the subordinates of Dong Hunhou, Xiao Baojuan, caught wind of this, they sent people to capture them, causing the group to scatter once more. Later, He Yuan surrendered to Northern Wei, reached Shouyang, met the governor Wang Su, and hoped to achieve great things together with him. Wang Su declined, so He Yuan asked Wang Su to help him defect to Emperor Gaozu, and Wang Su agreed. He dispatched troops to escort him, ensuring he met Emperor Gaozu successfully. Emperor Gaozu Xiao Daocheng saw He Yuan and said to Zhang Hongce, "He Yuan is truly an extraordinary man, able to give up his family business to repay old kindness. This is not something an ordinary person can do!" He was subsequently appointed as the Assistant General of the State, and after defeating the army of the Zhuque Army, he was appointed as the Magistrate of Jiankang.
After Emperor Gaozu Xiao Daocheng became emperor, He Yuan was appointed as the Infantry Colonel. He was later elevated to the title of Guangxing Male for his accomplishments and granted a fief consisting of three hundred households. He was then promoted to General of Jianwu and became the recording officer for Prince Xiao Hui of Poyang's Rear Army. He Yuan and Xiao Hui shared a strong bond from the start, and He Yuan worked diligently under Xiao Hui, always willing to lend a hand, and Xiao Hui held him in high regard. The two enjoyed a particularly close friendship.
After some time, He Yuansheng was promoted to governor of Wuchang. He was originally generous and enjoyed making friends with heroes. After becoming an official, he changed his ways, no longer socializing casually or accepting gifts. The people of Wuchang all drank river water, but during the hot summer months, He Yuansheng spent money to buy cool well water from the locals; if they didn't want to accept payment, he'd fetch the water himself. He handled other matters in a similar way. Although it might come off as hypocritical, his intentions were good. He dressed plainly, rode in a simple carriage, and wasn't concerned about material things. The Jiangzuo region was rich in cheap seafood, so He Yuansheng ate simple meals, just a few slices of dried fish. However, he had a strict temperament, and commoners were punished harshly for minor offenses, which led someone to report him. The court summoned him, bringing dozens of charges against him. At that time, scholars and officials accused of crimes often didn't admit guilt, but He Yuansheng, believing he hadn't done anything wrong, confessed. He was held for twenty-one days without confessing and was ultimately dismissed for hoarding prohibited weapons.
He Yuan later became the General of the Southern Town and the county magistrate of Wukang County. He strictly adhered to integrity, abolished immoral sacrifices, led by example, fulfilled his duties seriously, and the locals sang his praises. When the Governor Wang Bin inspected the subordinate counties, other counties prepared fancy banquets to welcome him, but when he arrived at Wukang County, He Yuan just had some dry food and water ready. When Wang Bin left, He Yuan escorted him to the county border and offered him a scoop of wine and two geese as a send-off. Wang Bin joked, "Your etiquette is fancier than Lu Na's; won't you be laughed at by the ancients?" Gaozu heard of He Yuan's talent and promoted him to Governor of Xuan Cheng. Going from a county magistrate directly to the governor of a major region was a big deal back then. Xuan Cheng County had been hit by bandits before; He Yuan worked hard to win the people over, manage the area, and bring back the county's good name. A year later, he was promoted to General of Shu Gong and Interior Minister of Shi Xing. At that time, the Marquis Quan Ling Yuan Lang served as the Inspector of Gui Zhou, plundering along the way and entering the territory of Shi Xing County, but he didn't even harm a blade of grass.
During his tenure as an official, He Yuan was fond of building roads and alleys and repairing the walls of houses. Whether it was residential buildings, markets, city walls, moats, stables, or warehouses, the places he visited felt as if they were homes he personally tended to. He did not accept any land rents, taxes, or money, and at the end of the year, he would select especially impoverished commoners to pay their rent on their behalf, as a matter of course. While he handled cases like an ordinary person and could not always be completely fair, his decisive character instilled fear in the commoners, making them hesitant to defy him, both fearing and appreciating him. Wherever he was appointed, the common people would erect shrines in his honor, carve inscriptions celebrating his achievements, and the Emperor consistently responded with generous edicts. In the sixteenth year of the Tianjian era, the Emperor issued a decree: "He Yuan was known for his integrity and fairness in Wukang before. Later, he governed two counties with even greater integrity and uprightness. He first managed the roads well, benefiting the people, surpassing even the excellent officials of ancient times. He should be promoted to highlight his achievements. Appoint him as an Attendant Yellow Gate Gentleman." He Yuan subsequently returned to the court, where he served as the Changshi of Renwei. Soon after, he was appointed to the position of General of Xinwu and supervised Wu County. During his time in Wu County, he displayed some inappropriate behavior while under the influence, so he was reassigned to the position of Prefect of Dongyang. During his time in office, He Yuan regarded the powerful and wealthy as adversaries, while treating the poor commoners as his own children, thus instilling fear and apprehension among the powerful. After serving in Dongyang for over a year, he was dismissed and returned home following false accusations from those he had punished.
Geng Jie is upright and honest, never engages in any deceitful practices. In the officialdom, he treats officials and common folks alike, treating them all with respect. He never puts on airs when meeting others; this has made him unpopular with some, who find him too high-minded. However, when it comes to honesty and integrity, he is absolutely the best there is! Despite facing various temptations while holding official positions in several places, he always maintained his integrity, even if it meant his wife and kids had to go hungry and freeze, living like an ordinary poor person. After returning to his hometown from Dongyang, he never discussed the gains and losses of officialdom for several years, gaining even more respect from those around him. He was generous, helpful, and always truthful in his words, which was just who he was. He often joked, "If anyone can catch me lying, I'll give them a piece of fine silk!" Many tried to test him, but nobody could catch him out. Later, he was appointed as a military adviser for the Western Expedition and a magistrate of Zhongfu. He passed away two years later at the age of fifty-two. The Emperor rewarded him handsomely. Yau Cha, Minister of Personnel of the Chen Dynasty, said: In the past, there were also honest officials in history; why? This was all thanks to the social conditions back then. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the corvee was heavy, and evil people rose up. The honest officials couldn’t deal with them, so harsh punishments were used to suppress them, resulting in widespread resentment and innocent killings. After the prosperity of the Liang Dynasty, the rigid and cumbersome style was changed, teaching the people to respect their parents, love their siblings, and encourage them to farm and raise silkworms. As a result, the crafty folks turned honest and down-to-earth, while the frivolous ones became loyal and honest. A simple and honest atmosphere was established, and the common folks knew how to follow the laws on their own. It is said that during the time of Yao and Shun, every household could be appointed as officials, which honestly sounds believable! As for those cruel officials, they could not be found during the Liang Dynasty.
