Lu Ci, also known by his courtesy name Zuogong, was from Wu County in Wu Commandery. He was the sixth-generation grandson of Lu Wan, the Grand Commandant of the Jin Dynasty. His grandfather, Lu Zizhen, had served as the Governor of Dongyang during the Song Dynasty, and his father, Lu Huixiao, was the Minister of Rites in the Qi Dynasty. Lu Ci worked hard from a young age and excelled in writing. He constructed two thatched cottages at home where he refused all visitors, dedicating himself to studying day and night for several years. He could recite everything he read from memory. Once, he borrowed someone else's "Book of Han" and accidentally misplaced four volumes of the "Records of the Five Elements." He discreetly copied the lost volumes and returned them without anyone noticing. He was highly regarded by his maternal grandfather Zhang Dai since childhood, who often told his own children, "This boy is your family's hope!" At seventeen, Lu Ci passed the provincial examination, earning the title of Xiucai. At that time, the Inspector of Jingzhou, Prince Ziliang of Jingling, hosted a banquet for talented individuals at the West Mansion, and Lu Ci was invited to attend. He was later appointed as an official in the Bureau of Review and as a military officer in the Law Office of Prince Luling. In the early years of the Tianjian period, he was appointed as a military officer overseeing the external troops of Prince Ancheng's Right Army and was later promoted to registrar. In this way, Lu Ci steadily climbed up the ladder. Diligent and eager to learn, with an extraordinary memory, he displayed remarkable talent at a young age and earned recognition from his maternal grandfather and superiors. From an ordinary Xiucai to a court official, his career was just beginning.
Chui and Le'an share a close friendship, and Chui wrote "On Self-Awareness" for him. Le'an used the sentences in this article to praise Chui, saying, "Look, truly great people, their friendship is so deep; as a marquis, I am willing to bow down to Mr. Lu Xiang (referring to Chui). In 'On Self-Awareness,' you write of both charm and noble character; you have described magnificent official attire while displaying your noble character. You integrate your experiences into it, like riding three spirited horses, shining brightly. When you wrote about Longjin Ferry, it feels as if I see you racing by in an instant; when you wrote about Fengtiao, it feels as if I see you circling and soaring there. You are like flawless jade and fragrant orchids. You draw from life; your writing defies rigid rules. Your writing is majestic, towering like Mount Tai itself; your style is sharp, profound like autumn frost. You never easily let go of friends over a meal, always offering three copper coins as a sacrifice by the Wei River. You never sigh over simple clothing, nor feel ashamed of poverty. Your writing is profound yet natural, without affectation. In success, you roll up your sleeves and work hard; in failure, you remain steadfast in your principles. Your writing is not overly polished, nor overly plain. You embody many virtues that shape your character; you draw from diverse sources, thus gaining fame in the world of learning. You are as humble as a willow, as noble as a phoenix, unlike the flatterers in the court. You draw from the essence of the 'Book of Songs' from the Hejian region and visit nine teachers in the Huai River basin. Your knowledge encompasses oral traditions and melodious music. You often fall asleep sitting down, yet can wield a pen and strategize. Your writing is both elegant and profound, clear yet grand. Oh, thinking about my life, time passes quickly, nearing the end of the year, feeling overwhelmed with melancholy. Sitting in the hall, watching the setting sun, hearing the bell from Luoyang, I feel even more desolate. Only with you, my younger friend, can we have such intimate conversations. I have gained fame like Tian Su; you have gained vast reputation like the ocean. Though you are impoverished and without property, you will ultimately live longer than those short-lived. Though hungry, you walk steadily; though avoiding responsibility, you act swiftly. You compare me to an uncle, then to a lord. Our hearts are connected, our friendship deep; rumors cannot affect us. We appreciate each other; even miles apart, we feel each other's presence. False words can be discarded; rigid rules can be broken. Though we don't live together, we often travel together. Winter is not warm enough, summer not too hot. We do not pursue delicacies, nor does music bring us joy. I have not left, yet you have already gone back. At lunch, we look at each other, both overwhelmed with melancholy. Different national territories will make it difficult to meet again in the future. You may live in Shanyang in a distant place, and after death, you won't be able to rest beside me. Like glue dripping into paint, even when apart, it becomes hard to tell us apart.
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He was highly regarded by his fellow scholars. You see, the position and prestige of Lu Chuan among his friends are so high. Lu Chuan was first appointed as the Eastern Cao Yuan as an official under the General of Chariots and Cavalry for the King of Linchuan. At that time, there were many reforms in the rites and music system. Emperor Gaozu admired his talent and entrusted him with writing the "New Le Ke Inscription," which he composed excellently. Later, he was promoted to be the Crown Prince's Secretary, in charge of the paperwork in the Eastern Palace. He was also commissioned to write the "Shi Que Inscription" and present it to the Emperor. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "The 'Shi Que Inscription' by Lu Chuan, the Crown Prince's Secretary, is elegantly worded and profound in meaning, making it an outstanding piece. In ancient times, Yuqiu was known for his discernment, and Handan's contributions were rewarded. This is a beautiful story in historical books. He should be awarded thirty pieces of silk." Later, he was promoted to be the Crown Prince's Son, the Doctor of the National University, but upon his mother's passing, he resigned to observe the mourning period. After the mourning period, he served as the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, and later as the Official Attendant of the Yellow Gate and the Chief Clerk for General Yunhui, the King of Jin'an, but he requested to resign due to illness. Later, he was promoted to be the Hong Lu Qing, entered the court as the Lang of the Ministry of Personnel, and participated in the selection of officials. He was dismissed due to misconduct in his official duties, and demoted to be the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Crown Prince's Secretary, and the Chief Official of the Court. Later, he served as the Crown Prince's Secretary, was promoted to the Position of Official Attendant, and the Chief Official of Yangzhou. Finally, he served as the Tai Chang Qing, retaining the position of Chief Official. Seven years later, Lu Chuan passed away at the age of fifty-seven. He left behind a collection of twenty volumes of writings that have been preserved through the ages. His fourth son, Lu Zuan, displayed exceptional intelligence from a young age, mastered the classics by the age of ten and served as a young carriage attendant. Tragically, he died young.
Lu Qia, courtesy name Maogong, was a native of Wuyuan in Pengcheng. He was the great-grandson of the Song Dynasty General of Chariots and Cavalry, Lu Yanzhi. His grandfather, Lu Zhongdu, was an official under the General of Chariots and Cavalry, King of Jiangxia, and his father, Lu Tan, was the Imperial Secretary of the Qi Dynasty. At the age of eighteen, Lu Qia took on the role of welcoming the Western Cao in Nanxuzhou. Lu Qia was well-known at a young age for his integrity, outstanding talent, and noble character. At that time, Xie Tiao was renowned for his literary skills and greatly admired Lu Qia, engaging in daily discussions about scholarship with him. Xie Tiao often said to Lu Qia, "You are not only famous, but also talented in both civil and military affairs." Later, Xie Tiao became the Minister of Personnel and wanted to recommend Lu Qia, but he firmly declined, citing the chaotic state of affairs. The court appointed him as the Left Attendant of the Kingdom of Jin'an, which he similarly declined. He subsequently lived in seclusion in Yan'a for several years. Ren Fang from Le'an had a keen eye for talent and had a good relationship with Lu Qia's brothers, Lu Zhao and Lu Gai. He visited Lu Qia in the countryside and exclaimed, "This young man is unparalleled in his abilities!" He then paid his respects to Lu Qia as a junior. During the Tianjian era of the Southern Liang Dynasty, both Lu Dao and Lu Gai were promoted and valued by the emperor, especially Lu Qia, who garnered the emperor's high regard. One day, Emperor Liang Wu inquired of his attendant Qiu Chi, "Is Lu Qia comparable to Lu Hang and Lu Gai?" Qiu Chi replied, "Lu Qia's integrity surpasses Lu Hang, his writing is not inferior to Lu Gai; combined with his clear speech, it would be hard for anyone to match him." Emperor Liang Wu immediately appointed Lu Qia as an attendant to the Crown Prince.
Once, Emperor Liang Wu held a banquet in the Huaguang Palace, inviting Qia Dao, Hong Dao, Chen Xiao, and Fang Ren to attend, and ordered them to compose twenty poems. Emperor Liang Wu believed that Dao Qia's poem was the best and rewarded him with twenty pieces of silk. Emperor Liang Wu said to Ren Fang, "The Dao brothers are truly talented!" Ren Fang replied, "I have always believed privately that the Song Dynasty gained the military power of the Liang Dynasty, while the Liang Dynasty gained the literary talents of the Song Dynasty."
Two years later, he was promoted to the position of Registrar of the Ministry of Rites, working directly in the Ministry of Rites, and was also ordered by the Emperor to transcribe official books. Five years later, he was promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Library. One after another, his brothers and clan members assumed this position, and people at the time envied their family.
Seven years later, he was promoted to the position of Junior Attendant to the Crown Prince, and together with Lu Cui, managed the documents of the Eastern Palace. Not long after, he was appointed as a Reader Attendant, and at the time there were two scholars in the Reader Attendant's Office, and he was selected. Nine years later, he was promoted to the position of Doctor of the National University and was ordered to write the "Tai Xue Stele." Twelve years later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Linchuan, where he excelled in local governance.
Fourteen years later, he returned to the court and served as the Household Manager of the Crown Prince, and later was promoted to the Yellow Gate Official, concurrently serving as a Doctor. In the sixteenth year, he served as the Privy Secretary to the Crown Prince. In the first year of the Puyuan era, he concurrently served as a Doctor in his official capacity. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel, always acting fairly, unafraid of the powerful. He was later appointed as an Imperial Secretariat and once again as a Doctor, but when his mother passed away, he resigned from his position to observe a period of mourning.
Five years later, he once again served as the Privy Secretary to the Crown Prince, concurrently holding the position of Colonel of Infantry. Before he could take up the position, he was promoted to the Yellow Gate Official, concurrently holding the position of Deputy Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He carried out his duties fairly, unafraid of the powerful, and no one in the Ministry of Personnel dared to bribe him. At that time, the Emperor wanted to personally lead a military expedition, and he established many of the ceremonial protocols for state affairs.
Six years later, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Imperial Censor, impeaching and reprimanding without hesitation, earning a reputation for being upright and incorruptible. At that time, the court's integrity greatly improved as a result. He was demoted for official reasons, but he still remained in office. According to the old rules, the Deputy Imperial Censor could not enter the Shangshu Mansion, but his brother, Xiao Hai, served as the Left Minister of Civil Affairs. Xiao Qia believed that brotherly friendship should not hinder official duties, so he went to the Shangshu Mansion to seek approval. The Left Minister, Xiao Ziyun, agreed to allow his brother to enter the Shangshu Mansion because of their deep brotherly bond and the inability to avoid each other.
Seven years later, he was sent to serve as General Zhenwei, Chief of the Cloud Banner, and Prefect of Xunyang. In the first year of the Datong era, he passed away in office at the age of fifty-one. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Attendant, with the posthumous title of "Lizi."
Crown Prince Zhaoming and Prince Jin'an Xiao Gang said in their eulogy: "Minggong (Xiao Qia) and Dao Changshi (Dao Xiu) passed away successively, and we are heartbroken and cannot contain our sorrow. Last year, Tai Chang (Lu Cui) passed away, and this year two talented figures have departed in quick succession. Lu Sheng was loyal, upright, and honest, possessing noble character, profound knowledge, outstanding talent, lofty ambitions, and unwavering integrity. Minggong (Xiao Qia) was knowledgeable and talented, honest and straightforward, upright in his official duties, consistent throughout. Had he lived in Confucius's time, he would have undoubtedly been revered. Dao Zi (Dao Xiu) was elegant and talented, known for his integrity and fairness in office. They were both talents of the country, treasures of the court. We are profoundly saddened by their passing; what more can we say? It is through our interactions with them and their wise counsel that we cannot forget, and to avoid regret is all thanks to them."
Looking back now, it feels like it was just yesterday when their voices and smiles were vivid in my mind. But now, everything feels different, and every time I think of them, I feel an overwhelming sadness. The world has lost such pillars of talent, truly a heartbreaking loss. Recently, Zhang Xin'an (Zhang Rong) passed away as well; his literary talent is deeply mourned. Having served alongside his brothers for many years, this is truly a sorrowful time. Witnessing such talent fade away is profoundly heartbreaking, and I am writing to you today to share this deep sorrow.
His older brother Zhongzhang has always been in poor health, and the family's financial situation is very poor. In order to support the family, Shan Bin came out to become an official. Prince Qishi'an Xiao Yaoguang took notice of him and appointed him as a military officer, and later became the magistrate of Guangyang County, but he resigned soon after. When Xiao Yan raised his army, he appointed Shan Bin as a military officer in the Ministry of War. After the establishment of the Liang Dynasty, Shan Bin became the Minister of Rites, later promoted to the Right Army's Secretary, responsible for ceremonial affairs. At that time, the court had just established the position of "Five Classics" scholars, and Shan Bin was the first one selected. He was later promoted to the Military Advisor to the Northern Central Army, teaching the Crown Prince. His official career continued to rise, becoming the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, a National Academy Scholar, the Prince's Chief, and the Assistant Minister of the Interior, while retaining the position of National Academy Scholar. In the fifteenth year of Tianjian, he was appointed as the General-in-Chief, the General Who Conquers Distant Lands, and the Governor of Beiyanzhou. In the second year of Puyang, he was summoned back to the capital by the court, appointed as the Right Guard of the Crown Prince, and later promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of the Imperial Censorate. Due to some official matters, he was demoted to the Yellow Gate Attendant and Minister of Finance. Four years later, he was promoted to the Cavalier in Regular Attendance, also serving as the Grand Supervisor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. When the Eastern Palace established the position of Academician, Shan Bin was appointed as an Academician, and shortly after also served as the National Academy Libationer.
During his time as the Governor of Beiyanzhou, there was a famine in Pinglu County under his jurisdiction, and he took the initiative to distribute food from the warehouse to help the people. Later, the newly appointed governor inspected the accounts of the state government and found discrepancies, claiming that Shan Bin had lost the money. The government wanted to hold him accountable and confiscated his property. Shan Bin remained silent and bought a new piece of land to rebuild his house. When Crown Prince Zhaoming learned that his house was poorly constructed, he ordered, "Even though the Minister of Rites holds a prestigious position locally and wields considerable power, he remains quite poor. I’ll send him some money." He also gave him a poem:
"Ping Zhong was once known for his peculiarity, and Yi Wu was once renowned for her beauty. He made the wise Ting Yi, and Dong Qin had many talented individuals. He built his home away from the roadside, establishing a residence in a community of kindness. Geng Sang has established connections, and his original achievements are now easily replicated. Three worthy individuals will definitely come, and they will attract scholars of the Five Classics."
Shan Bin, a man of great honesty, was once very poor, so poor that he had to sell the ox he used to ride. After selling the ox and receiving the money, he told the buyer, "This ox had a hoof disease before; although it has been treated for a long time, if it happens again, I feel it's only right to let you know." Upon hearing this, the buyer quickly returned the money. The recluse Ruan Xiaoxu, upon hearing this, sighed, "Such words can truly bring people back to simplicity and temper their restlessness!"
Five years later, Shan Bin became a doctor of the Imperial Academy, still serving as the attendant and Zhengzheng. That year, he took a leave of absence from his official duties to serve as the acting governor of Beiyanzhou. In the first year of Datong, he passed away at the age of eighty-five. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Attendant and General of Trustworthy Might, with the posthumous title of "Zhi Zi." Crown Prince Zhaoming personally mourned for him, sending ten thousand coins, one hundred pieces of cloth, and assigning his aide Wang Yu to handle his funeral. The Crown Prince also ordered the former Left Historian of the Ministry of Personnel, Yin Yun, saying, "The messenger from Beiyanzhou has arrived, reporting that the attendant Shan Bin has passed away. Upon hearing this news, I am greatly saddened. This virtuous scholar was knowledgeable and aspirational, gentle and kind, and of noble character. He has been teaching classics for over twenty years. He was upright, loyal, and sincere in his advice, not merely for show, but genuinely heartfelt, built up over many years. He was supposed to return to the court soon after acting in his official capacity, but unexpectedly passed away, leaving us with a profound sense of loss. Remembering the conversations we had, it is all the more heartbreaking; alas, the past is too painful to revisit! Thinking back to our past collaboration, my heart aches even more!"
Shan Bin has been a teacher at the school for many years, with excellent teaching results. He is easy-going and gets along well with the students, and has a close relationship with them. Everyone likes him. He has written 224 volumes of *Ji Li Yi Zhu*, 20 volumes of *Li Yi*, and 15 volumes of *Xiao Jing Sang Li Fu Yi*.
His son, Shan Zhen, styled Xing Dao, also inherited his father's career. He has held positions such as doctor of the Imperial Academy, a prince's attendant, a minister of the Ministry of Rites, and magistrate of Yuyao County.
Yin Jun, styled Ji He, is from Changping, Chen County, and is the eighth generation grandson of Tai Changrong of the Jin Dynasty. His father, Yin Rui, was particularly eloquent and famous in the Qi Dynasty, serving as a supervisor of the imperial household. His mother was the daughter of Wang Huan. Wang Huan served as the Inspector of Yongzhou and the General Who Guards the North, and recommended Yin Rui to the court to serve as the Chief Clerk of the North and the Governor of Henan. Later, after Wang Huan was killed, Yin Rui also faced dire consequences. Yin Jun was only nine years old at the time and gained a reputation for his filial piety.
As he grew older, Yin Jun was very quiet and did not interact much with others, but he loved learning and was known for his logical thinking. He was especially skilled in clerical script, and his calligraphy was highly regarded by contemporaneous masters, such as Fan Yun from Nanxiang and Ren Fang from Le'an. The emperor and Yin Jun's father had known each other before, so the emperor bestowed his daughter, Princess Yongxing, in marriage to him.
During the Tianjian period, Yin Jun was appointed as Prince Consort, then served as secretary to the crown, attendant to the crown prince, chief registrar of the Ministry of Works, and deputy secretary of the Secretariat. While working in the Secretariat, he was responsible for organizing and proofreading the four classic texts in the secret archives, as well as reorganizing the catalog. He was also tasked with inspecting the legal texts and historical artifacts stored in the Western Province, and reclassifying and cataloging them. Later, he was promoted to the post of Cavalry Officer, Gentleman of the Imperial Library, Prince's Steward, responsible for managing the documents and records of the Eastern Palace. Before long, he was further promoted to the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, Grand Attendant, Ministry of Personnel, and Left Cavalry General, and eventually became a Palace Attendant. Later, the Eastern Palace established scholarly ranks, and he was appointed as one. Due to official duties, he was dismissed from his position. He later returned as the Grand Attendant, also serving as the National Scholar and Left Cavalry General, with the position of National Scholar remaining. He was later sent away to serve as the General of Mingwei and Governor of Linchuan. The Emperor's health was poor, and he often fell ill, so he shut himself away from visitors and stayed home to recuperate. However, the people were moved by his virtue, and bandits and thieves fled to neighboring states. Once, he apprehended a bandit leader, and rather than resorting to torture, he persuaded him with kind words and criticism. The bandit leader bowed down, pleading for a chance to turn over a new leaf. The Emperor released him, and the bandit leader genuinely reformed. Previously, the region frequently experienced malaria outbreaks in the summer, but since the Emperor assumed the throne, there had been no more cases of malaria in the region.
The emperor's mother died, and he mourned deeply, longer than the prescribed time. Prince Zhaoming was very worried about him and wrote a letter to comfort him, saying, "I know you are filial, but excessive grief is not good. You are not eating anything, which is excessive, and it makes me very worried. You are alone, and it is your duty to mourn for your mother, but excessive grief will harm your body, which is contrary to the teachings of the sages. You should control your emotions a little, follow the rituals, eat some porridge, vegetables, fruits, and try to eat something. I know you are deeply saddened, but also pay attention to your health. I have instructed Miudao Zhen to convey my words to you."
The emperor replied, "I have received your handwritten letter and heard Miudao Zhen convey your intentions. After reading it, I was moved to tears; my heart was shattered. I often lack common sense, often acting improperly, weak by nature, young in age, having made many mistakes, and always sick. Recently, I have been weak, barely holding on; my vision is blurred, and my mind is in chaos. I just want to help those who are suffering, but I struggle to control my emotions with deep reasoning. I know that ginger can nourish the body, as recorded in ancient books, but I hesitate to eat meat, which I fear may disappoint your concern. For someone like me to receive your care, I am sincerely grateful. I will take care of myself according to your teachings. If I can recover my health, it will be thanks to your grace."
After the mourning period ended, the emperor was appointed as the Minister of Military Affairs, but due to his ongoing poor health, he could not take up the position. He was then appointed as a Court Attendant, leading the Infantry Colonel, serving in the Eastern Palace. Shortly after, he was appointed as a Palace Attendant. After Prince Zhaoming passed away, court officials returned home to mourn, and he was appointed as the Right Commander. Later, he was appointed as the National Teacher while continuing to hold the position of Court Attendant. In the fourth year of the Datong era, he passed away at the age of forty-nine, posthumously named Zhenzi. He had two sons named Gou and Wo.
Lu Xiang, courtesy name Shi Qing, was a native of Wu County, Wu Commandery. His father, Lu Xian, served as a government official during the reign of King Shi'an of Qi when Xiao Yaoguang was the Yangzhou Zhizhong. Towards the end of the Yongyuan era, when Xiao Yaoguang staged a rebellion and seized control of the Eastern Palace, some advised Lu Xian to flee. Lu Xian said, "As an official, how can I escape death?" Consequently, when the imperial army stormed the city, Lu Xian was captured and sentenced to death. His second son, Lu Jiang, requested to die in his father's place, but was unsuccessful. In the end, Lu Jiang used his own body to shield the blade, and both father and son were killed. Lu Xiang was overwhelmed with grief over the tragic deaths of his father and brother, and held their funerals with even greater solemnity than customary. After completing the mourning period, he continued to live a life of mourning as if he were still in mourning.
In the third year of Tianjian, the Minister of Justice, Fan Xiu, recommended Lu Xiang to the emperor. Lu Xiang then began his official career, being promoted to the position of Zuo Lang (Assistant Librarian) of the Imperial Library, and later serving as the magistrate of Yongning County. After completing his term, Lu Xiang was promoted several times, eventually becoming the Legal Officer of the Prince of Linqian's army, and later serving as a military secretary for the Prince of Luling. Crown Prince Zhaoming learned about Lu Xiang's abilities and upright character, and requested the emperor to permit him to associate with Lu Xiang. Subsequently, Lu Xiang was appointed as the Crown Prince's equerry, then promoted to Junior Attendant, and entrusted with managing the documents and archives of the Crown Prince's residence. Later, Lu Xiang was sent as the Zhizhong of Yangzhou, a position his father once held. Lu Xiang requested to resign, but the emperor disagreed and instead had him exchange offices with the magistrate of the residence. Crown Prince Zhaoming held deep respect for the elderly, and as Lu Xiang's mother was nearly eighty years old, the Crown Prince often sent Xiao Chen, Fu Zhao, Lu Gao, and others to visit Lu Xiang's mother monthly, bringing numerous valuable foods and garments.
Once, Lu Xiang's mother suddenly suffered from heart pain. The doctor's prescription required three sheng of millet porridge. It was winter at the time, and it was getting dark. The family couldn't find that much millet. Suddenly, an old man suddenly appeared at the door selling millet porridge, just enough for their needs. Lu Xiang was about to pay, but the old man disappeared. Everyone believed it was a sign from heaven, moved by Lu Xiang's filial piety. Lu Xiang was later promoted several times, becoming a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, the Prince's Household Officer, and once again in charge of managing documents and archives. After his mother passed away, Lu Xiang resigned from his official position. At that time, Lu Xiang was already fifty years old, physically frail from overwhelming sorrow. Prince Zhaoming was deeply concerned for him and sent someone to comfort him daily. After the mourning period ended, Lu Xiang was appointed as the Prince's Assistant, once again in charge of managing documents and archives. In the third year of the Zhongda Tong era, Prince Zhaoming passed away, and the officials of the Prince's Mansion were all dismissed. The Prince's Consort Cai moved to Jinhua Palace, and the court appointed Lu Xiang as the Grand Official of the Central Dispersion, the Commander of Infantry, and the Household Officer of Jinhua Palace, in charge of all affairs of Jinhua Palace. Seven years ago, Lu Xiang was appointed as the Prefect of Poyang County. Earlier, there was a local commoner named Xianyu Chen from Poyang, who was obsessed with the idea of immortality and alchemy. Once, while collecting herbs in the mountains, he found a colorful flag and a stone seal buried in the ground, which he found strange. Xianyu Chen and his wife slept in separate rooms, and she could see strange lights emanating from his room from a distance, making her believe he had become an immortal. In the first year of Datong, Xianyu Chen gathered a group of followers, killed the county magistrate Wang Yun of Guangjin, and declared himself as the "First Year of the Supreme Vow," setting up his own bureaucratic structure. His followers scammed people far and wide, amassing over ten thousand. They planned to attack the county seat, but Lu Xiang had already fortified the city walls with the help of the locals and officials, preparing for defense. When the bandits came, they were defeated in multiple skirmishes, and Xianyu Chen was captured, while the others scattered and escaped.
At that time, the governors of Yuzhang and Ancheng counties nearby were also investigating Xianyu Zhen's accomplices. As a result, they all took bribes and failed to uncover any real evidence. Some good people even lost their fortunes to avoid disaster. Only the Poyang County governed by Lu Xiang enforced the law impartially, without any wrongful convictions. The common people sang songs in praise of him, saying: "After the chaos caused by Xianyu Zhen, right and wrong are clear, and no innocent people died, all thanks to Sir Lu!" There were also the Peng and Li families, who had previously fought due to conflicts and mutual accusations. Lu Xiang called them to his room, did not criticize them, but advised them kindly. Both expressed deep gratitude and regretted their behavior. Lu Xiang also invited them to feast, allowing them to eat and drink to their heart's content. After the feast, they shared a carriage home and became good friends from then on. The common people sang another song: "Sir Lu in charge, no enemies, fights end, enemies ride in the same carriage!"
Lu Xiang served as the governor of Poyang County for six years, achieving remarkable success, and the people lived in peace and happiness. Li Yan and over 420 others from the county submitted a petition to the court, praising Lu Xiang's merits and requesting to erect a monument in his honor in the county, which the emperor granted. They also requested the court to keep Lu Xiang in the county, but Lu Xiang firmly requested to return to the court. The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him as a Langzhong (a title in the Ministry of Personnel), and he was later promoted to the position of Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Grand Supervisor of Yangzhou (a title). During the first year of Taiqing, he was promoted to Minister of Revenue, while still retaining his role as Grand Supervisor.
In the year 552 AD, Hou Jing launched a rebellion, surrounding the imperial palace in Jiankang with his troops. At that time, Lu Xiang served as an attendant in the palace, tasked with palace security duties.
In March of the year 553 AD, the city of Jiankang fell, and Lu Xiang fled to Wu County (present-day Suzhou). Hou Jing's army subsequently attacked the eastern part of Wu County, and Lu Xiang was drawn into the turmoil. Meanwhile, Hou Jing sent the general Song Zixian to attack Qiantang (modern-day Hangzhou). At this time, a man named Lu An in Haiyan County led a rebellion, gathering a few thousand followers. They launched a night attack on Qiantang County, killed the usurper governor Su Danyu, and then installed Lu Xiang to oversee the county's administration. Coincidentally, the Huainan Prefect, Marquis Wencheng Xiao Ning, also fled to Wu County to escape Hou Jing's army. Lu Xiang sent envoys to welcome Xiao Ning and invited him to lead the resistance against Hou Jing. Lu Xiang then sent Lu An and his nephew Lu Ying to lead the troops to resist Song Zixian. When Song Zixian heard that Qiantang had rebelled, he withdrew his troops. As a result, he engaged Lu An in battle at Songjiang, was defeated, and retreated, leading the remaining troops in Wu County to disperse. Lu Xiang hid in a tomb and, overwhelmed by worry and anger, passed away overnight at the age of seventy. Lu Xiang had experienced misfortune in his family at a young age, lived a life of vegetarianism, wore rough clothing, never listened to music, and avoided discussions of violence for decades. Later, after Hou Jing was pacified, Emperor Xiao Yi posthumously appointed him as an Attendant and Yunhui General, and posthumously conferred the title of Marquis of Yugan County on him with a fief of five hundred households. The Minister of Personnel of the Chen Dynasty, Yao Cha, once remarked, "Lu Cui was knowledgeable, upright, and strong-willed; Ming Shan was gentle, generous, and honest; Yin Jun was calm and peaceful; Lu Xiang was sincere, filial, and dutiful. Though they held different official positions and faced various circumstances, they were all distinguished ministers!"
