Jiang Yan, style name Wentong, was a native of Jiyang Kaocheng. He was poor from a young age but particularly studious, with a quiet demeanor, rarely engaging with others. He initially served as a low-ranking official in Southern Xuzhou and was later promoted to serve the court. Song Jianping King Jingsu had an appreciation for talent, and Jiang Yan accompanied King Jingsu in Southern Yanzhou. Later, the county magistrate Guo Yanwen fell into disgrace, which led to Jiang Yan's imprisonment in the local jail. While in prison, Jiang Yan wrote a letter to King Jingsu:
I have often read stories of commoners who sacrificed their lives for the nation, like the tales of Yan Di Feishuang and Qi Tai Zhenfeng. Every time I read these stories, I find myself moved to tears. Why? Because those noble individuals adhere to their principles, and those virtuous women maintain their integrity. Even when faced with suspicion or death, they stand firm, so those men with integrity, those loyal individuals, would rather die than yield! I once heard that benevolence and righteousness cannot be entirely trusted, kindness cannot be completely relied upon; I thought it was mere rhetoric, but now I truly grasp its meaning. I hope Your Majesty can momentarily set aside any prejudice against me, consider my circumstances more thoughtfully, and grant me some leniency.
I was just an ordinary farmer to begin with, wearing coarse clothes and a belt, not one to flaunt poetry or books, nor seeking fame in the world. Recently, I've been granted the honor of entering and leaving the palace. How could I not be cautious and careful? I admire Your Majesty's benevolence and am fortunate to be your subject, using my meager abilities to offer some simple skills. Your Majesty has shown me great favor and appreciation. I feel as honored as Jing Ke and as appreciated by the king as Yu Rang. I've always wanted to serve Your Majesty loyally, repaying your kindness with my life, even if it means sacrificing everything. But I never imagined that someone as foolish as I would attract slander, make mistakes, and end up imprisoned. I worry every day, suffering unbearable pain. I've heard that ruining one's reputation is even more shameful than losing one's looks, so whenever I think about it, I can't eat or sleep. Moreover, I've been locked up for so long now, and deep autumn is just around the corner; the weather is dreary, and everything around me feels dark. I'm not made of stone or wood, trapped here with the jailer all day. That's why I pound my chest and stomp my feet day and night, crying until my eyes bleed.
Although I have no reputation, I have heard of the conduct of gentlemen. Some live in seclusion in the mountains, some serve as officials in the court, some fight on the battlefield and achieve great military feats; their names are all inscribed in the annals of history. Why should I vie for such trifles? But I have also heard that prolonged slander can destroy a person. In ancient times, upright people were also suspected of theft, and in modern times, upright people have been slandered as unjust. If talented people can be treated like this, how could someone like me escape it? In the past, famous generals like Jiang Hou were imprisoned, and the renowned historian Sima Qian also suffered punishment. What more is there to say? Lu Zhonglian was talented, yet he chose to resign from office; Jieyu was virtuous and sang for his own pleasure; Yan Ziling lived in seclusion in the East Sea, and Yang Zhen lived in the western Qin; these are all excellent examples. If I commit a crime, I deserve punishment, and I would remain silent, even choosing to take my own life to atone for my sins. Why should I pursue so-called heroic spirit?
We are in an era of peace and prosperity; the common people are living in peace and contentment, and everywhere is thriving and prosperous, even the border areas basking in imperial favor. From Lin Tao and Di Dao in the west to Feihu and Yangyuan in the north, everywhere is filled with righteousness and benevolence, a peaceful atmosphere. But I am trapped in prison, suffering and tortured; this seemingly trivial matter is still worthy of sorrow! I humbly implore the king to look into this matter, so that I may close my eyes in peace and without regrets after my death. My heart is at ease; even in death, I shall be remembered for generations!
After Jing Su read my letter, he sent someone to release me from prison on the same day. Later, I was recommended as a scholar in South Xuzhou, took part in the policy examination, came in first, and was appointed as the Left Chamberlain of the Kingdom of Baling. When Jing Su served as the governor of Jingzhou, I followed him to work in Jingzhou. After the young emperor took the throne, he made numerous blunders. Jing Su held the military power in Jingzhou and was plotting a rebellion. I repeatedly advised him: "Listening to rumors will lead to disaster. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the two uncles perished because of this; mutual suspicion and resentment led to the downfall of the Seven Kingdoms. Your Highness should consider the welfare of the country and its people, instead of trusting the schemes of those around you; otherwise, history will repeat itself, and the deer will be left to suffer in the cold frost and dew of Gusu Platform." Jing Su completely ignored my advice. Later, he was transferred to Jingkou for garrison duty, and I was appointed as his military counselor, also serving as the Prefect of South Donghai County. Jing Su and his inner circle plotted day and night to stage a rebellion, and I sensed that things were about to come to light, so I composed fifteen poems to mock him. Lu Cheng became the Prefect of Kuaiji County and was struggling. He believed that the county magistrate Shen Yue should take over the county's affairs. However, Lu Cheng insisted on appointing Sima Liushilong. Shen Yue firmly opposed this, which angered Lu Cheng. He filed a complaint with the selection department and demoted Shen Yue to the position of county magistrate in Jian'an Wuxing. Shen Yue remained in the county for three years.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Qi Gaodi Xiao Daocheng, it was heard that Shen Yue was very talented, so he was summoned to the court and appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Chariots and Cavalry and Military Advisor. Not long after, the Governor of Jingzhou, Shen Youzhi, rebelled. Emperor Xiao Daocheng asked Shen Yue, "Given the current chaos in the world, what's your take?" Shen Yue replied, "In the past, Xiang Yu was so strong and Liu Bang was so weak; Yuan Shao had many people and Cao Cao had few; Xiang Yu commanded the princes but was eventually killed by someone with a single sword; Yuan Shao occupied several states but ended up as a fugitive. This illustrates that success or failure hinges on character, not merely on strength. What more is there to hesitate about?" Xiao Daocheng said, "I've heard this plenty of times; think of a solution." Shen Yue said, "You are brave and skilled in battle; that’s the first victory; you are kind and merciful; that’s the second victory; you can use talented individuals; that’s the third victory; the people support you; that’s the fourth victory; you are carrying out the mission to suppress the rebels on behalf of the emperor; that’s the fifth victory. Regarding Shen Youzhi, while he may be ambitious, he lacks the strength necessary; that’s the first defeat; although he has authority, he lacks virtue; that’s the second defeat; his soldiers are disheartened; that’s the third defeat; the literati do not back him; that’s the fourth defeat; his forces are spread thin over thousands of miles and lack mutual support; that’s the fifth defeat. Therefore, even if he commands a hundred thousand troops, he will ultimately be defeated by us." Xiao Daocheng laughed and said, "You might be pushing it a bit."
Since then, all military orders, memorials, and documents were drafted by Shen Yue. After Xiao Daocheng became the prime minister, he promoted Shen Yue to be the secretary for military affairs. In the early years of Jianyuan, Shen Yue also served as the secretary of the Prince of Biaoqi, Yuzhang (son of Xiao Daocheng), while also serving as the magistrate of Dongwu County, responsible for drafting edicts and classics, and in charge of national history. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. In the early years of Yongming, he was appointed Valiant Cavalry General, in charge of national history. Later, he served as the General of Military Establishment and the Interior Minister of Luling. After serving as an official in Luling for three years, he returned to the court, serving as the Valiant Cavalry General and concurrently as the Deputy Minister of Personnel. Shortly after, he resumed his original position, concurrently serving as the National Scholar. After Emperor Xiao Zhaoye ascended the throne, Shen Yue also served as the Deputy Imperial Censor. During Emperor Ming's reign, he said to Shen Yue, "When you worked in the Ministry of Personnel before, you never took non-official matters lightly, and you were both lenient and strict as an official, able to strike a good balance; now as the Minister of the Southern Bureau, it is enough to awe all the officials." Shen Yue replied, "Today's work can be said to be done according to the duties of the official position, but I am worried that my abilities are low, my aspirations are small, and I am not enough to meet your expectations." Therefore, Shen Yue accused Xie Ai, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Wang Hui, the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, and Yu Hongyuan, the Chief Historian of the Imperial Guard, all because they were absent from the sacrificial activities at the imperial tombs due to prolonged illness; he also reported to the Ministry of Justice to handle the former Governor of Yizhou Liu Quan and the Governor of Liangzhou Yin Zhibo for embezzlement and accepting large bribes. The Prefect of Linhai Shen Zhaolu, the Prefect of Yongjia Yu Tanlong, as well as officials ranked at the Two Thousand Stone level in various counties and the main officials of various counties, many of them were accused and investigated, causing a stir among officials and the public. Emperor Ming said to Shen Yue, "Since the Song Dynasty, there has never been such a strict Deputy Imperial Censor like you; you can be considered a unique figure of our time."
After Emperor Ming ascended to the throne, Shen Yue was appointed as the General of the Chariots and Cavalry and the Chief Historian to the Prince of Linhai. He was soon appointed as the Minister of Justice and Law, promoted to the position of Imperial Clerk, further promoted to the Chief Historian of the Crown Prince, and granted the title of General Assisting the State. He was then sent to serve as the Administrator of Xuan Cheng, while maintaining his military rank. After serving as the Administrator of Xuan Cheng for four years, he returned to the court to serve as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, concurrently holding the position of Colonel of Infantry, and later serving as the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. During the Yongyuan era, when Cui Huijing rebelled and surrounded the capital, all the high-ranking officials and nobles submitted letters pledging their loyalty, but Shen Yue claimed to be ill and did not go. After the situation was resolved, everyone admired his foresight and wisdom.
As the reign of the Eastern Emperor drew to a close, Shen Yue was appointed as the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and also concurrently as the Commandant of the Guards. He strongly declined but ultimately could not turn it down and had to take on the positions himself. He said to others, "This isn't my real job; everyone knows it’s just for appearances. Besides, with the changes in time and circumstances, a major upheaval is imminent. Confucius said, 'Those who excel in peaceful pursuits must also be prepared for war.' Why worry about making plans on the battlefield?" Shortly thereafter, he also took on the role of deputy to the Deputy Chief of the Army, Wang Ying. When the rebel army reached Xinlin, Shen Yue disguised himself and sought refuge with Emperor Liang Wu. Emperor Liang Wu appointed him as the General of the Crown Prince, while keeping his position as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, and shortly thereafter, he also took on the role of Left Chief Historian under the Minister of Works. In the first year of the Zhongxing period, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel. The following year, he was reassigned as the Right Chief Historian to the Prime Minister, while retaining his position as the General of the Crown Prince.
In the year 502 AD, Ren Yan was appointed as the Cavalier Attendant and General of the Left Guard, and was granted the title of Baron of Linju County with a fief of four hundred households. Ren Yan said to his children, "I was just an ordinary official, never thought of getting rich, but unexpectedly achieved this. I have done everything I wanted to do in my life. Life is about enjoying happiness; why worry about wealth and status? My reputation is established, and I am thinking of retiring and living in the countryside!" That same year, due to illness, he was promoted to the rank of Grand Master of the Golden Purple and granted the title of Marquis of Liling. He passed away four years later, at the age of sixty-two. The Emperor mourned him personally in plain robes and rewarded him with thirty thousand coins and fifty rolls of silk, posthumously bestowing upon him the title "Xianbo."
When Ren Yan was young, he was famous for his writings, but his creativity waned in his later years, and people at the time said he had exhausted his talent. He wrote over a hundred articles in his lifetime, compiling them into two collections, along with his ten volumes of "History of Qi," which have been passed down through the ages. His son Ren Fang inherited his title, rising from the position of Subprefect of Danyang to Prefect of Changcheng, but later lost his title due to an error. In the year 509 AD, the Emperor remembered Ren Yan's contributions and regranted him the title of Marquis of Wuchang, with the same fief as before.
Ren Fang, whose courtesy name was Yansheng, was from Bochang in Le'an, and was a descendant of the Han Dynasty's Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, Ao. His father, Ren Yao, was the Middle Attendant of the Qi Dynasty. Ren Fang's mother, Lady Pei, once had a dream during a daytime nap of a colorful flag with bells hanging from its four corners, which fell from the sky, with one bell landing in her lap. She was frightened and later became pregnant, who later gave birth to Ren Fang. Ren Fang was seven feet and five inches tall and was passionate about learning from a young age, becoming famous early on. The Prefect of Danyang in the Song Dynasty, Liu Bing, invited him to be his registrar. At the age of sixteen, Ren Fang had a disagreement with Liu Bing's son due to their differing temperaments. After some time, Ren Fang participated in the provincial examination in Yanzhou and was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, and later advanced to the role of Military Advisor for the Northern Campaign.
In the early years of Yongming, General Wei Wang Jian served as the Governor of Dan Yang and invited Ren Fang to serve as his chief clerk once more. Wang Jian admired Ren Fang very much and considered him a one-of-a-kind talent. Ren Fang later rose to the position of Military Officer in the Office of Justice, joined the court as a palace official, and was later appointed as the secretary to Prince Jingling, but resigned following the death of his father. He was extremely filial and devoted himself wholeheartedly during the mourning period. Once the mourning period ended, he suffered the loss of his mother, and he lived next to his mother's grave, where the grass wouldn't grow because he was always crying. After the mourning period was over, he was appointed as the Captain of the Prince's Infantry, responsible for managing the documents of the East Palace.
After Emperor Qi Ming deposed Prince Yulin, he began to promote Xiao Yi, appointing him as the Minister of Court Rites, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, General of the Valiant Cavalry, Supervisor of the Palace Attendants with equal authority to the Three Excellencies, Governor of Yangzhou, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and granting him the title of Duke of Xuancheng County. He also provided him with five thousand troops. The Emperor asked Xiao Yi to draft a letter of thanks, and Xiao Yi wrote a beautifully worded memorial. In the memorial, it was written: "I am originally a mediocre talent with limited intelligence. The late Emperor Taizu was full of fatherly love for his sons and kindness towards his family; the late Emperor Wuzu treated people as if they were commoners, with deep emotions like brothers. When the late Emperor Wuzu was seriously ill, I was commanded to serve him. Although I thought I could see clearly, I was still misled by some unscrupulous courtiers, until I, as dull as I am, barely realized my limited abilities. I really could not bear to stand idly by while the Emperor was in critical condition, not fulfilling my duty to serve faithfully, which is why I accepted the Emperor's trust and assisted him in handling the aftermath. Although the new Emperor's actions were unreasonable, causing me to be accused by the Emperor, it was not the fault of the royal family, but the responsibility of the subjects. Why do I say this? Because the Emperor's relatives are in Dongmou, and the Emperor's important officials are in Bolu, I can only worry about the state like Zimeng, but I cannot avoid being criticized like Changyi. How can I escape the discussions of the people? The Emperor's tomb is not yet dry, the admonitions are still fresh in my ears, and the affairs of the state have come to this point, which is not my fault; who should be responsible for this? How can I solemnly worship the Emperor's resting place and faithfully serve the late Emperor Wuzu? I am in despair, weeping daily. How can I tolerate achieving honor and wealth amidst family disgrace, enjoying peace in the face of national crisis? The achievements of the General of the Valiant Cavalry, the heavy responsibility of the state, the Imperial Secretariat's management of court affairs, the Secretariat's management of the Emperor's words. However, these decorations of honor, used to resist external threats, I know I am inadequate; who can say it is appropriate? My life is as light as a feather, but my responsibility is as heavy as Mount Tai; life and death, honor and disgrace, are all the same to me. Resigning from a position will not relieve my responsibilities; adding a position will only make me more guilty. I should be loyal to the country, not shirk responsibility. As for achievements that can compare to stabilizing the state, rewards that can compare to a thousand households, the privilege of residing honorably near the capital, owning the entire country, these are things I dare not hope for. I only hope that the Emperor can understand my difficulties and listen to my advice."
Not provided.
Xiao Yi's words were sincere and candid, pointing out the shortcomings of the court and his own lack of ability. Emperor Qiming was very angry after reading the memorial and was very dissatisfied with Xiao Yi. Therefore, during the Jianwu period, Xiao Yi's official position did not get promoted, only held the position of a mere Colonel.
Old Fan, he was quite talented in literature, especially skilled in writing articles, and he had a wealth of ideas. At that time, all the high-ranking officials and nobles sought his help when writing memorials. Mr. Fan could write with ease, requiring no revisions. Even literary giants like Shen Yue held him in high regard! After the death of Emperor Ming, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Towards the end of the Yongyuan period, he was appointed as the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Works.
Emperor Gaozu captured the capital city and established his rule, inviting Master Fan to serve as a military aide. Legend has it that when Emperor Gaozu and Master Fan first met at the residence of Prince Jingling, Emperor Gaozu smiled and said to him, "If I become a senior official in the future, I will definitely make you my secretary." Master Fan jokingly replied, "If I become a senior official in the future, I will definitely make you my cavalry!" This is because Emperor Gaozu was skilled in horseback riding. This time, Emperor Gaozu invited him, bringing their playful banter to fruition. Master Fan expressed his gratitude in a letter, saying, "I heard that you accepted this important position on an auspicious day, your accomplishments are remarkable, your blessings extend throughout the world, and the people now have a place to call home. Moreover, I have had the privilege of learning from you for nearly twenty years; every word and action of yours has made me deeply grateful. I owe my life to you. I have had the honor of dining with you before, and the words you said, your desire to mentor me, are all reflected in those jokes. I never imagined I would be so fortunate; your words have indeed come true. Although my abilities cannot compare to your foresight, my actions may come off as rash, you have been incredibly generous to me, not reproaching me, but sharing in my joy. Your achievements are unparalleled, exceeding those of ancient sages. You will surely have advisors like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou to assist you in the future, people like Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin to support you; your merits will be recorded in history forever, and your blessings will be passed down to future generations. The rule has just begun, talented individuals are plentiful, and I feel out of place, disguising myself among true gems. I know my abilities are limited; I feel truly honored to have encountered such a wise ruler. It's a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, and I find it impossible to repay your kindness. Even when my time comes, I know that my life has not been lived in vain."
Liang Taijian, this guy, started off as an official quite high up, directly involved in drafting the abdication documents, which was quite significant! Later, when the founding emperor ascended the throne, he promoted him to Huangmen Shilang, then further promoted him to Li Bu Langzhong, and tasked him with overseeing the compilation. In the second year of Tianjian, he was sent to serve as the Governor of Yixing. He was known for his integrity and honesty in office, and his family survived on little more than wheat. His friend Pengcheng went to Gaixi, and even his younger brother went to Qia; they all went out together to enjoy the mountains and rivers. Later, he was transferred from Yixing, and when he set sail, he brought five bushels of rice. When he arrived at the new place, he didn't even pack any clothes, but General Shen Yue of Zhenjun kindly sent him a robe and a shirt. Later, he was appointed as Li Bu Langzhong again, participating in the selection of officials, but he struggled in this role. Then he was promoted to Yushi Zhongcheng, Mishu Jian, and also concurrently served as the former military general. Since the first year of Qiyong, the royal library was cluttered with books; he personally organized and cataloged them, bringing clarity to the book list.
In the spring of the sixth year, he was sent out again as the General of Ningshuo and the Governor of Xin'an. When he was in office locally, he was completely unconcerned with formalities, often dressed casually, strolling through the city with a cane, and addressing the people's grievances directly on the street. He ruled with integrity and simplicity, and the townspeople collectively supported him. After serving as the governor for a year, he died in office, at the age of only forty-nine. The whole city mourned for him, and the townspeople collectively built a shrine for him in the southern part of the city. When the founding emperor heard about it, he immediately declared a period of mourning and was deeply saddened. He was later posthumously appointed as Tai Chang Qing and given the posthumous title of Jing Zi.
He loved making friends and promoting talented friends, all of whom he helped were promoted. Therefore, many high-ranking officials and nobles sought to befriend him, and his home was often bustling with dozens of guests. People admired him in those times, calling him "Renjun" and likening him to the Three Lords of the Han Dynasty. Chen Jun Yin Yun wrote to Jian'an Prefect Dao Ji, "A wise man has passed away, and his admirable presence has vanished forever. Where has a person like Yuan Gui gone? Who can inherit his aspirations?" This shows how much respect his friends had for him. He did not pay much attention to managing his family's wealth, and he didn't even own a house. Some people laughed at him for frequently borrowing money from others, but he would then give that money to relatives and friends. He often lamented, saying, "Those who understand me will see me this way; those who do not will also see me this way." Despite his family's poverty, he amassed over ten thousand volumes of books, most of which were rare and unique editions. After his death, Gaozu asked scholars He Zong and Shen Yue to inspect his collection, taking any books that the court did not have. He authored hundreds of thousands of words in articles that were quite popular at the time. Initially, he held a high position among scholars, promoting many individuals and vigorously promoting the reputations of those who treated him well. However, after his passing, his sons were still quite young, and few people looked after them. Pingyuan Liu Xiaobiao wrote a commentary on this...
A guest asked the host, "Is Zhu Gongshu's 'Theory of Breaking Off Relations' right or wrong?" The host asked, "Why do you ask?" The guest said, "Look, when a small insect chirps, the locusts begin to leap; when a hawk roars, a gentle wind stirs. Therefore, all things interact with each other; the mist rolls and the clouds rise; birds chirp to each other, stars shine, and lightning strikes. So when Wang Yang is promoted, Gong Gong rejoices; when Han Sheng dies, Guo Zi is sad. Furthermore, people with similar aspirations have emotions as harmonious as a zither, words as sweet as orchids, friendships bonded like glue, and ambitions as beautiful as the melodies of a xun and chi. The sages engraved these on gold and stone, wrote them on jade slips, and cast them on bells and cauldrons. Just like skilled craftsmen making musical instruments, Boya played beautiful music. Fan Li and Zhang Liang had deep friendship in their seclusion, and Yin Jifu and Ban Gu had a harmonious friendship in their old age. Their interactions were intricate and unpredictable; their clever strategies were unpredictable, and their intentions were inscrutable. However, Zhu Yizhou abandoned these beautiful relationships, cut off his friends, viewed the common people as prey for hawks and falcons, and compared human relationships to those of jackals, wolves, tigers, and leopards. I find this perplexing and would appreciate your insight."
The master said happily, "What you said is like tuning a harp, thinking about the nuances of sound before it is even heard; casting a net in the marsh to catch fish, imagining the flight of swans and geese before they are seen. In fact, the sage is like holding a mirror to illuminate the changes of wind and clouds, dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, bending and stretching freely, adapting to the changes and developments of things. The sun and moon illuminating one another, inspiring awe with their grandeur; clouds racing and lightning flashing, revealing profound truths. This is like the various changes in music, coming together into a beautiful symphony. Zhu Sheng is akin to discovering precious pearls in the Red River, eloquently expounding his views. As for cultivating benevolence and righteousness, honing morality, sharing happiness, helping each other, cherishing friendship deep within our souls, leaving marks of friendship in the world, no storm can hinder the expression of friendship, no blizzard can alter the essence of friendship; such noble friendships are rare, occurring only once in many millennia. But in the era of Zhu Gongshu, the world was in decline, and deceit was rampant; even the valleys could not contain the spread of deceit, and even the gods could not fathom its changes. People were competing for trivial pursuits, chasing insignificant benefits. As a result, sincere friendship disappeared, while the pursuit of profit-driven interactions flourished, deceiving the people of the world, filling people's hearts with panic and fear, like birds startled by thunder." "However, while profit-driven interactions may stem from the same root, they diverge in their paths. In simple terms, there are five methods:
If a person has unfathomable power, like Dong Zhuo and Shi Chong, with power surpassing that of Liang Ji and Dou Wu, then he controls all the resources of the country, can summon the wind and rain, and everyone bows and fawns over him. Every morning at cockcrow, there is a constant stream of people outside his mansion, eager to be seen by him, willing to sacrifice everything, even if it means burning their own wives and children, in a desperate attempt to emulate Jing Ke's assassination of the Qin, ready to face annihilation. This is the essence of power and influence.
If a person is wealthy enough to rival that of a nation, like Tao Zhugong and Bai Gui, with vast wealth comparable to Cheng Zheng and Luo Yang, owning mines in Tongling, hiding gold in their homes, with a grand cavalry unit at their command and the sound of bells resonating at home. Then the poor and lowly will try to flatter him, hoping for a favor, like fish swimming upstream and bees swarming around, eager to sacrifice anything for a share. They will try to please, show loyalty, compare their loyalty to evergreen pines, and their integrity to clear water. This is the essence of financial exchange.
Doctor Lu commands respect in the western state of Yan, while Guo Youdao is revered in the eastern country; the nobles envy their fame, while scholars admire their talent. Their eloquence and debating skills can warm a chilly valley or cause vibrant flowers to wither in an instant. Their words sway the fortunes and misfortunes of others. Therefore, young noble sons and wealthy heirs, even those who are not well-known, seek their advice, hoping to bask in their brilliance, like riders following a renowned steed, eager for their guidance. This is the essence of intellectual exchange.
In life, joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, sadness, and separation are all part of life. Fish sigh because the spring water dries up, and birds mourn because they are dying. Those who share the same plight will sing lamenting songs together, and fearful people will pray together. Therefore, true emotions are revealed in times of hardship, as they share life and death, much like Wu Zixu seeking refuge with Zai Xi and Zhang Yi receiving aid from Chen Zhen. This is the essence of friendship in adversity, and it is all the same.
Ah, the current social climate has made human relationships very materialistic. Who doesn’t wield some power? Who doesn’t possess a bit of cleverness? Weighing the pros and cons is like using a scale to determine what’s light or heavy; those subtle gestures are like using a piece of cotton to gauge the other person's breath, to see what kind of person they are. If you lack power or influence, it’s like being a weight that can't be lifted, and the cotton can’t soar. Even if you are a saint like Yan Hui or Ran Geng, a talented person like Zhuge Liang or Sima Yi, with noble character like Lan Zhi or Xue Tao, talented like Shu Juan or Xiang Xiu, or have a prominent status like Qing Yun or Fu Fu, in their eyes, you’re just dust—nothing of value. If you encounter someone of similar status, they won’t even spare half a bean, let alone offer any benefits.
However, if you have immense power and clever means, even if you are a cunning villain of humble origins, like the mythical figures Gong Gong and Huan Dou, who are overbearing and unreasonable, or like Nan Jing and Dong Ling, who are arrogant and oppressive bullies, people will still bow and scrape before you, grovel, flatter, and try their best to please you. Therefore, those who mingle with the powerful are certainly not the honest and upright; those who accept bribes are certainly like Zhang Tang and Huo Guang. They carefully weigh the pros and cons before doing anything and will not make any mistakes. This is what is called the concept of "measured exchange," probably with five types.
These five ways of interaction are actually similar to doing business, so Huan Tan compares it to market transactions, while Lin Hui compares it to sweet wine. In this world of alternating fortune and misfortune, rise and fall, some people go from rich to poor, some from glory to decline, some exist at first but are eventually destroyed, some were poor in the past but are now wealthy; the changes are as unpredictable as the ebb and flow of waves. This shows that people's pursuit of interests has never changed, and the ways of change will never be just one. From here, we can see why Zhang Tang and Queen Chen ultimately met a tragic end, why Xiao He and Duke Zhu eventually failed; the reasons become evident. But Zhai Gong is still there, dutifully guarding his home and advising guests, isn't that a bit late?
However, these five ways of interaction will bring three evil consequences: corrupting morals, extinguishing justice, becoming beastly; this is the first of the three consequences; unstable relationships, easily turning against each other, leading to lawsuits; this is the second consequence; tarnishing reputation, being greedy and shameless, causing honest individuals to feel shame; this is the third consequence. The ancients knew the dangers posed by these three consequences and were afraid of the rapid deterioration brought about by these five ways of interaction. So Wang Dan and Wei Zi used wine glasses to warn others, while Zhu Mu directly severed relationships; their actions were indeed significant!
Once upon a time, there was an extraordinary figure named Ren Fang, from Le'an, who was truly remarkable! He had a great reputation from a young age, and everyone praised him. His writing was exceptional, on par with Cao Zhi and Wang Can, bursting with talent, comparable to Xu Yun and Guo Pu. He especially enjoyed making friends with talented individuals, just as Tian Wen cherished his guests, and Zheng Zhuanggong valued virtuous talents. He would get excited at the sight of something good, and meeting a talented person would fill him with joy. His comments and critiques were always insightful and accurate, and high-ranking officials and nobles vied for his favor. His home was a constant hub of visitors, almost like a pilgrimage to Confucius' temple, or as if he had ascended to the Dragon Gate. Those who wanted to flatter him would go to great lengths to gain his appreciation; even high-ranking ministers would compete to get close to him. Ren Fang managed his relationships with these people very well; everyone helped each other, like Hui Shi and Zhuangzi, lofty and pure, and like Yang Xu and Zuo Bo Tao, full of love and righteousness.
Unfortunately, after Ren Fang passed away and was buried in Luopu, although the mourning cloth was still hanging, very few literati came to pay their respects; the grave had not even grown grass, and no one came to visit. The few orphans he left behind faced immense hardship, drifting southward to a place thick with miasma. Thinking about his close friends in the past, no one extended a helping hand; it's truly heartbreaking. Alas, the unpredictability of life and how it has all turned out! Life can be as treacherous as the Mengmen Pass in the Taihang Mountains! Therefore, those upright souls who can't bear the harsh realities of life have chosen to retreat from the world, seeking solitude in the mountains, living alongside deer, as a way to express their discontent and fears.
Ren Fang wrote 247 volumes of "Miscellaneous Biographies," 252 volumes of "Geographical Records," and 33 volumes of essays. His fourth son, Ren Dongli, also inherited his father's talent and became the Minister of External Affairs. Yao Cha, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel of the Chen Dynasty, said: "In the Han Dynasty, the selection of talents was mainly based on academic achievements; now, the selection of talents emphasizes literary achievements." The literary works of the father and son Ren are elegant and truly fit the current era. Ren Fang was a steady and reserved person. With his reputation and status, he was able to achieve a fulfilling legacy, which is quite admirable! If it were not for Jiang Zongxian's earlier support and his longstanding friendship with Ren Fang, the court would likely not have conferred a posthumous title upon him.
