Wang Gui, with the courtesy name Weiming, was a native of Linyi in Langya. His grandfather, Wang Jian, was the Grand Commandant of the Qi Dynasty and the Duke Wenxian of Nanchang; his father, Wang Qian, was a high-ranking official, holding the title of Marquis of Anhou in Nanchang. When Wang Gui was eight years old, his mother passed away, and he demonstrated profound filial piety during his mourning. Grand Commandant Xu Xiaosi was often moved to tears upon seeing him, praising him as a filial child. His uncle Wang Jian also valued him highly, often saying, "This child is the pride of our family!" By the time he was twelve, he had already grasped the essence of the Five Classics. As he grew up, he loved learning and had a way with words. He was recommended for the scholar's examination by the county and was appointed as the chief registrar in the prefecture.
He began his career as a court official in the Secretariat and gradually rose through the ranks, becoming the Prince's Attendant, the chief registrar of the Prince of Nankang, and the Prince's Horse Master. In the twelfth year of Tianjian, when the court rebuilt the Taiji Hall, Wang Gui presented a poem titled "New Hall Ode," which received high praise for its exceptional quality. As a result, he was appointed as the Deputy Secretary. He later served as the Prince's Attendant, the Left Secretary in the Ministry of Works, and an imperial attendant. When Prince Jing'an, Xiao Gang, was appointed as the Inspector of Nanxu Province, he recognized Wang Gui's abilities and appointed him as a military advisor. After some time, he was sent to Xin'an as the Prefect, but he resigned following his father's death. After completing the mourning period, he inherited the title of Marquis of Nanchang and was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant in the Imperial Court. The court ordered him to serve in the Eastern Palace along with Yin Jun of Chen County, Wang Xi of Langye, and Zhang Mian of Fanyang, and they all enjoyed the favor of the Crown Prince.
At that time, Wang of Xiangdong served as the Governor of Jingzhao. He and the officials in the court feasted together and invited Wang Gui to lead a drinking game. Wang Gui calmly said, "There has never been anything like this since the time of Jiang Zuo!" Special Envoy Xiao Chen and Grand Master Fu Zhao of Purple Gold Lu were also present, and they all thought that Wang Gui's words made sense. During the "Ordinary" years, Chen Qingzhi launched a northern expedition, captured Luoyang, and all the officials went to congratulate him. However, Wang Gui stepped back and remarked, "There's a saying in Taoism: 'It is not difficult to achieve things, but it is harder after success.' The remnants of the Jie invaders have been wandering around for a long time. Huan Wen once recaptured Luoyang, but later lost it again. Emperor Wu of Song also ultimately failed. We're deep in enemy territory now, with no reinforcements, no momentum, and tough logistics. This battle may become the beginning of disaster!" Soon after, the army was indeed wiped out; his analyses of situations were often remarkably accurate.
In the sixth year of his reign, Gaozu held a banquet in the Wende Hall to bid farewell to Yuan Jinglong, the Governor of Guangzhou, and then ordered the ministers to write poems, specifying that they should use fifty rhymes. Gui immediately wrote a memorial and presented it, and it was exceptionally well-written. Gaozu was very pleased and appointed him as an attendant that day. In the third year of Datong, he was promoted to Minister of War, and shortly after also served as Colonel of Infantry. In the second year of Zhong Datong, he was sent out again and became General of Zhenwei, General of Cavalry, and Chief Secretary to Prince Jin'an. That year, Prince Jin'an was named Crown Prince, and he was appointed as the Governor of Wu County.
At that time, there was a chief clerk named Rui Zhenzong in Wu County, whose family was very influential in Wu County, and previous governors had all sought his favor. However, at this time, he was treated coldly by the officials. After Zhenzong returned to the capital, he secretly accused them of "neglecting political affairs." Not long after, he was reassigned to the court as the Left Minister, and as a result, over a thousand officials and commoners from Wu County rushed to the capital to petition for his retention, even petitioning three times, but the emperor refused their requests. Later, he was appointed as the Right General, but before he could take office, he was appointed as the Cavalier Attendant, the Prince's Attendant, and concurrently as the Infantry Colonel. He claimed illness and declined the appointments, so he built a house at Zhongshan Zongxi Temple to reside in. In the second year of Datong, he died at the age of forty-five. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of Cavalier Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, awarded him two hundred thousand coins and one hundred bolts of silk, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Zhang."
The Crown Prince personally attended the mourning and said to King Yi of Xiangdong, "Weiming (referring to Wang Gui) suddenly passed away last night, and it is truly heartbreaking! His elegance, integrity, outstanding talent, and literary prowess were like a solitary peak rising into the clouds, pure and unblemished. His writings were exceptional, his knowledge vast, his mind expansive, and his demeanor remarkable. He was truly an outstanding talent! Time passes so quickly, and he has forever left this world, like the edge of a blade losing its brilliance, like the Huai River drying up. Last winter, we lost Liu Zi, and at the beginning of this year, we lost Wang Sheng (referring to Wang Gui). Their loss is truly lamentable!" Gui once compiled various interpretations from different scholars in the "Book of Later Han" and annotated two hundred volumes of the "Continuation of the Book of Han," and authored twenty volumes of his own essays.
Zi Bao, styled Ziyuan, was able to write essays at the age of seven. His maternal grandfather, Sikong Yuanang, liked him very much and told guests, "This child will definitely become a prime minister of our family in the future." In his youth, he passed the imperial examination for scholars, became a secretariat official, and a prince's attendant. Later, he resigned from his post and returned home to observe a period of mourning for his father's passing. After the mourning period ended, he inherited the title of Marquis of Nanchang, became the literary prince of Wuchang, the prince's horse attendant, and also served as the administrator of the eastern palace. He was later promoted to the position of Vice Minister of Works and then Secretary of the Secretariat, and finally appointed as the Interior Minister of Ancheng.
During the Taiqing period, Hou Jing captured the capital city, and the governor of Jiangzhou, Duke of Daxin, led the entire province in surrendering to the rebel army. The rebel army then attacked the southern region, but Zi Bao steadfastly defended the county city against the rebel army. In the second year of the Dabao period, the Emperor Shizu ordered Zi Bao to Jiangling. After arriving in Jiangling, he was appointed as the General of Loyalty and Valor and the Interior Minister of Nanping, and shortly after, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel and Chamberlain. During the Chengsheng period, he was further promoted to the position of Right Vice Minister of Personnel, continuing to oversee official appointments, and was also appointed as Chamberlain. In the same year, he was promoted to Left Vice Minister of Personnel, still overseeing official appointments. Three years later, the city of Jiangling fell, and he was captured, defecting to the Western Wei.
Zi Bao wrote a book called "Youxun" to instruct his children. One chapter states:
Tao Shiheng said: "In the past, Emperor Yu did not hesitate to part with an inch of jade, but valued an inch of time." Why aren’t scholars studying diligently? Why aren’t warriors training rigorously? If one can study diligently late into the night during the cold winter, persist in studying on sunny days, keep one’s home clean, build high walls around the courtyard, restrict casual entry through the gate, and maintain a quiet household, then with this attitude towards learning, one could be considered a student of Confucius; with this approach to writing, one could be likened to Jia Yi, a master. Inscriptions adorned ancient plates and bowls, and warnings were carved on canes; people adhered to these inscriptions and warnings in their actions and reflected upon them in their thoughts. King Wen stated in a poem: "Nothing that begins well stays good, and few can persist until the end." In one’s conduct, actions, and dealings with others, consistency is key. Confucianism emphasizes hierarchy, the balance of fortune and misfortune, and the rewards and punishments of life and death. The monarch faces south while the subjects face north; this reflects the principle of heaven and earth; ding and zhu are odd numbers, bian and dou are even numbers; this illustrates the principle of yin and yang. Daoism advocates for the abandonment of physical desires, the discarding of intelligence and wisdom, the relinquishment of morality and benevolence, and the transcendence of corporeal wisdom. The essence of Buddhism lies in recognizing suffering, eliminating habitual tendencies, attaining Nirvana, following the Buddha's path, and understanding cause and effect—showing that even ordinary people can become saints. While these teachings may have varying levels, their ultimate goal is self-improvement. I hold in high regard the teachings of Zhou Gong and Confucius, while also studying the philosophies of Laozi and Buddhism. The Jiangzuo region has long been home to this academic tradition, and I aim to pass it on, hoping you will inherit my aspirations as well. Initially, Liu Jue from Pei, Zong Min from Nanyang, and Wang Cheng were all key contributors who assisted the emperor in revitalizing the nation and collaborated in the planning of military affairs.
Liu Wei, courtesy name Zhongbao, was the seventh generation grandson of the Governor of Danyang during the Jin Dynasty. He was known for his integrity and talent from a young age. He studied at the Imperial Academy, excelled in the examinations, and became the magistrate of Ninghai County. He gradually rose to the position of military secretary to the Prince of Xiangdong and later transferred to the Central Office. During the Taiqing period, when Hou Jing rebelled, the Emperor dispatched troops north of the Yangtze River, entrusting Liu Wei with drafting many important documents. Liu Wei worked diligently and was highly appreciated by the Emperor. He was later promoted to the position of Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Deputy Minister of the Imperial Censorate. In the second year of Chengsheng, he was further promoted to Minister of Personnel and Ritual Official of the Imperial Academy, while retaining his other positions.
Zong Min, courtesy name Yuanmin, was the eighth generation grandson of Zong Cheng, who was the governor of Yidu County in the Jin Dynasty. During the Yongjia period, due to the turmoil of war, his descendants moved to Jiangnan and settled in Jiangling. Zong Min was recognized for his intelligence and diligence from a young age and was affectionately called a "child scholar" by the villagers. During the ordinary years, he served as the military secretary in the Prince of Xiangdong's mansion and later held positions in charge of prisons and as a secretary. He served as the magistrate of Linru, Jiancheng, and Guangjin counties, and later as the Emperor's assistant in Jingzhou. After the Emperor's accession, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel, awarded the title of Marquis of Xin'an County, with a fief of one thousand households. He was later promoted to Supervisor of the Ministry of Personnel, Supervisor of the Five Armies, and Minister of Personnel. In the third year of Chengsheng, when Jiangling was captured, he and Liu Wei were captured and brought to Western Wei.
Wang Cheng, courtesy name Anqi, was the son of the Minister of Works, Wang Jian. At the age of seven, he was able to understand the Book of Changes and was selected as a student at the Imperial Academy. At the age of fifteen, he excelled in the exams and was appointed as a Secretary. He later served as an Attendant to the Crown Prince, a literary official for Prince Nangang, a friend of Prince Shaoling, and another Attendant to the Crown Prince. After his father's death, he resigned from his official position. After completing his mourning period, he served again as an Attendant to the Crown Prince and gradually rose to become a Yellow Gate Guard of the Palace Secretariat, also concurrently serving as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. At that time, noble children valued literature, and few studied the classics, but Wang Cheng alone loved the classics. He taught students at the Imperial Academy, explaining the principles of the Book of Rites and the Book of Changes. In the fifth year of Zhongda Tong, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, and shortly after was appointed as the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. His grandfather Wang Jian and father Wang Jian had both held this position before, and for three generations, they had all served as Libationers of the Imperial Academy, which was unprecedented in history and regarded as a significant honor. After some time, he was sent to serve as General of Rongzhao and Prefect of Dongyang. He ruled with kindness and benevolence, and the people admired him greatly. Not long after taking office, he died at the age of forty-one, with the posthumous title Zhangzi. Cheng was noble and had a distinct style. At that time, the General of the Right Wing, Zhu Yi, held great power, and whenever he rested at home, his entrance was always crowded with carriages and horses, bustling with activity. There was a man from Weijun named Shen Ying who liked to speak dangerous and inflammatory remarks, offending many in power. He often pointed at Zhu Yi's house and said, "Everyone coming and going here is for their own benefit. The only ones who don't come to flatter him are the Wang brothers from Dongyang." "Little Dongyang" referred to Cheng's younger brother Cheng Zhi. At that time, only the Cheng brothers and Chu Xiang refrained from flattering Zhu Yi, so everyone praised them for it.
Chu Xiang, courtesy name Shijǔ, was a native of Yangdi, Henan. His great-grandfather Chu Yuan was the Grand Preceptor of the Qi dynasty, titled Duke Wenjian, and aided the Qi dynasty in establishing its achievements; his grandfather Chu Zhen was the Minister of Rites, titled Mu Zi; his father was Chu Xiang, courtesy name Jingzheng. When Chu Xiang was young, his parents passed away one after another, and his grief was that of an adult, surprising all his relatives and friends. As he grew up, Chu Xiang was calm, elegant, and dignified. After the emperor ascended the throne, he selected Chu Xiang to be a student of the Imperial Academy. He began his career as a Secretariat Clerk, later promoted to be a Gentleman of the Palace Attendants, then appointed as the Governor of Ancheng. Upon returning to the court, he served as the Prince's Attendant and a Palace Gentleman, gradually rising to be the Chief of the Writing Masters, a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and the Chief Clerk of Prince Yuzhang of Zhenyou. Shortly after, he returned to the court as a Chief Palace Attendant. Chu Xiang was imposing in appearance, with clear eyebrows and a handsome face, capturing everyone's attention whenever he was at court. In the fourth year of Datong, he was appointed as the General of the Northern Forces and Chief Clerk of Prince Luling. Three years later, he died while still in office. His nephew Xie Ju wrote an epitaph for him, which includes the lines, "Promoting the glory of the nation, humble compared to Zisong; returning home to drink under the moonlight, playing the qin in the gentle breeze." Everyone felt that this epitaph aptly depicted his character. Legend has it that Xie Xiang initially was a student at the Imperial Academy, excelling in exams. After his father's death, he entered a three-year mourning period. Upon completing the mourning period, he was appointed as a Clerk in the Secretariat, gradually rising to become the Prince's Attendant and the Registrar of Prince Xuancheng. In the fifth year of Datong, the emperor hosted a banquet for his ministers at Leyou Garden and specifically ordered Xie Xiang and Wang Xun to compose a twenty-line poem on the spot, with three hours to complete it. Xie Xiang completed it at the banquet, which impressed the emperor, who immediately promoted him to be the literary officer of Prince Xuancheng. Shortly after, he was promoted to the prince's friend. At that time, the roles of the prince's friend and literary officer were highly prestigious, and Xie Xiang was quickly promoted to these positions, earning praise from everyone. Later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Yixing.
Xie Xiang was very upright in his official duties, easing the burdens of the people, streamlining redundant expenses, and the common people enjoyed a stable life. In Xiting of Yixing County, there was an old tree that had been dead for many years. After Xie Xiang took office, this tree unexpectedly began to sprout new branches and leaves. The common people all felt that this was because Xie Xiang's good governance had moved the heavens. When Xie Xiang's term was over, local officials and the people petitioned the court to keep him, and the emperor agreed. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the capital by the court and appointed as an official in the Ministry of Personnel. When he left Yixing, everyone, young and old, came to see him off, crying as they bid him farewell.
Xie Xiang was renowned for his integrity and fairness, never taking advantage of his position for personal gain, and everyone said he was fair and just. Before long, he was promoted to Imperial Attendant, then shortly after to Cavalier In Regular Attendance, concurrently serving as the commander of the Imperial Guards, attending to the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace. Later, he was sent to Jinling as the Prefect. Before a year had passed, he was dismissed due to official matters. He was soon reassigned as Cavalier In Regular Attendance again, continuing his service in the Eastern Palace. In the second year of Taiqing, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel. In the winter of that year, when the city was besieged by Hou Jing, Xie Xiang's mother passed away while he was inside the city. Overcome by grief, he passed away at the age of forty-four. The court posthumously restored him to his original position. Xie Xiang had always been devoted to his mother. When he was an Imperial Attendant, his mother fell seriously ill, so he invited monks to perform rituals for her health. In the middle of the night, he suddenly noticed an unusual light outside and heard the sound of fingers snapping in the air. The next morning, his mother's illness had improved. Everyone believed that it was Xie Xiang's devotion that had touched the heavens.
Xiao Jie, courtesy name Maojing, was from Lanling. His grandfather, Xiao Sihua, held high positions in the Song Dynasty as an Imperial Grand Secretary and Minister of Personnel; his father, Xiao Huiqian, also held a position as Left Minister of Civil Affairs in the Qi Dynasty. Xiao Jie was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, knowledgeable, well-read in history and classics, and skilled in writing. Towards the end of the Yongyuan era in the Qi Dynasty, he became an Assistant to the Imperial Librarian, officially starting his career. In the sixth year of Tianjian, he was promoted to Attendant to the Crown Prince; eight years later, he became Minister of the Ministry of Revenue; twelve years later, he was promoted to Chief of Guests. He was later appointed County Magistrate of Wuxian County, where he achieved remarkable success in governance.
Upon hearing of Xiao Jie's reputation, the Prince of Xiangdong was keen to collaborate with him and requested the court to transfer him. After three years, Xiao Jie was appointed as an Advisory Military Officer to the Prince of Xiangdong. In the second year of Datong, he was promoted to Attendant of the Yellow Gate. In the second year of Datong, when Prince Wuling was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou, Xiao Jie was appointed as the Chief Chronicle Keeper of Prince Wuling's household. In this position, he was renowned for his integrity and received high praise from the court. Emperor Gaozu once said to He Jingrong, "Xiao Jie is quite promising; we can appoint him as a county magistrate." Before He Jingrong could respond, Emperor Gaozu continued, "Shixing County currently lacks a good magistrate, and the residents in the mountainous regions are also experiencing unrest; let Xiao Jie go there." And so, Xiao Jie was appointed as the Prefect of Shixing County. Upon taking office, Xiao Jie exhibited both his authority and moral integrity, quickly stabilizing the region.
Seven years later, Xiao Jie was summoned back by the court and appointed as the Minister of the Household. Shortly after, he was also appointed as the Cavalier Attendant. At that time, the position of Attendant Counselor had become vacant, and the court selected Wang Yun and three others, but Emperor Gaozu was not satisfied. He said, "It has been a long time since I've had a suitable person for this position; Xiao Jie should be the one." Xiao Jie was knowledgeable and well-informed, and skilled in managing governmental affairs. He often rectified errors, and Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard. Later, Xiao Jie was promoted to the Minister of State, and whenever the court faced significant military matters, Emperor Gaozu would always seek Xiao Jie's opinion first. Emperor Gaozu once remarked to Zhu Yi, "Xiao Jie is a pillar of strength!" In the second year of the Datong era, Xiao Jie requested retirement due to illness. Emperor Gaozu issued a decree to retain him, but he firmly refused to return to office. In the end, the court had to send an envoy, Wei Xiang, to bestow upon him the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
During the Taiqing period, Hou Jing was defeated in battle at Guoyang and fled to Shouyang. Emperor Gaozu ordered the commander Wei Mo to apprehend Hou Jing. Upon hearing this, Xiao Jie submitted a memorial advising against the decision, saying:
I heard that Hou Jing was defeated in Guoyang and fled alone. Your Majesty, you have not regretted your earlier mistake and have even ordered his acceptance. I heard that the nature of wicked people is hard to change, and all villains resort to the same vile tactics. In the past, Lu Bu killed Ding Yuan and joined Dong Zhuo, but in the end, he killed Dong Zhuo and became a rebel; Liu Laozhi betrayed Wang Gong and joined the Jin Dynasty, but later betrayed the Jin Dynasty and rebelled. Why? Because the ambition of a wolf will never be tamed, and those who raise tigers will surely be bitten by them. Hou Jing is a heartless and treacherous person, with the same character as those treacherous officials. With his fierce and cunning skills, he gained the appreciation and promotion from Gao Huan, reaching a high position and controlling a region. However, shortly after Gao Huan's death, he turned on him. Lacking the power to stand his ground, he fled to Guanxi for refuge; when Yuwen Tai did not accept him, he came to us. Your Majesty, your earlier plan to use compliant minorities to fight the Xiongnu was merely to secure a victory. Now not only has the army been defeated, but also the territory has been lost, and Hou Jing has become a nameless foot soldier on the border. Your Majesty, you cherish such an insignificant soldier while giving up the great situation of the country, which I believe is a grave mistake. If the country still hopes for him to reform and achieve something by the end of the year, I doubt Hou Jing will ever prove himself a loyal subject by year's end. He abandoned his homeland and country like throwing away old shoes, betrayed his monarch and relatives like throwing away garbage; how could he genuinely revere your grace and become a loyal subject in Jianghuai! The truth is evident, and there's no room for doubt. If this one example is indicative, there's no need to elaborate on similar cases.
I am old and in poor health; I should not recklessly interfere in politics. However, when the minister of the State of Chu, Nang Wa, was near death, he still remained loyal to the capital of Ying; when the minister of the State of Wei, Yu Fu, was on his deathbed, he also offered counsel at the moment of death. As an elder of the royal family, how can I forget the loyalty and patriotism exemplified by Liu Xiang? I hope that the emperor will understand my intentions and consider the urgent words I have spoken.
After reading the memorial, the emperor sighed and ultimately did not accept my advice.
Xiao Jie was a man of noble and unpretentious character, rarely interacting with others, only composing poetry and essays with his clan brothers Xiao Chen, Xiao Shi, Xiao Qia, and his younger cousin Xiao Shu, enjoying poetry, wine, and music. At that time, people compared him to the wandering knights of the Xie clan. Initially, the emperor recruited many talented individuals, more than twenty people, who gathered to drink and compose poetry together. Zang Dun was sentenced to drink a dou of wine for his poor poetry, but he remained unfazed; Xiao Jie wrote smoothly and effortlessly, without any need for revisions. The emperor praised both of them, saying, "Zang Dun's capacity for wine and Xiao Jie's literary talent are both splendid displays!" Xiao Jie died at the age of seventy-three.
The third son was named Yun, initially invited by the State of Wei to serve as a part-time Cavalry Attendant, then returning to become the Prince's Attendant, and eventually attaining the rank of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
His younger brother, Qia, whose courtesy name was Hongcheng, always followed his older brothers. His father, Huiji, was the Minister of Personnel of the Southern Qi Dynasty and was a prominent figure in his time. Hongcheng was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, able to recite the "Chu Ci" at the age of seven, and he was quite proficient at it. As he grew up, he was very studious, had a wide range of knowledge, and was an accomplished writer. During the Yongming period of the Southern Qi Dynasty, he became a student at the Imperial Academy and passed the Mingjing examination. He initially served as an assistant in the Imperial Secretariat, and later was promoted to be a military advisor in the Western Central Army. During the Tianjian period, he became the registrar of the Prince of Poyang's army, then served as an official in a certain ministry, and later was promoted to be the Prince's chief aide. Later he was sent to serve as the magistrate of Nanxuzhou, a strategically important location near the capital, managing thousands of subjects. However, Hongcheng was honest and responsible, refusing all gifts from others, which left his family struggling financially. He was later recalled to the court, serving as an official in the Ministry of Works as a Deputy Minister, then as an official in Jian'an, but was dismissed for minor administrative issues. After some time, he was reinstated and appointed as the Chief of the Army, a military advisor, and later promoted to be the Minister of the Imperial Stables and the Marquis of Linchuan. During the Pu Tong period, he was appointed as a Deputy Censor, but was dismissed again for official matters. Shortly after, he was appointed as a Deputy Censor. Hongcheng showed talent from a young age, and the Emperor commissioned him to inscribe the tablets for Tongtai Temple and Daaijing Temple, which he crafted with great elegance. The following year, he was promoted to the Deputy Chief Censor. He was later sent to serve as the General of Zhaoyuan and the Prefect of Linhai. He ruled with integrity and fairness, winning the admiration of the common people. Upon returning to the court, he was appointed as the Left Chief Historian and was tasked with writing the "Dangtu Dam Stele," which he crafted with great elegance. Six years later, he died in office at the age of fifty-five. The court declared a period of mourning for him and awarded him twenty thousand coins and fifty bolts of cloth. He left behind twenty volumes of collected writings that have endured through the ages.
Chu Qiu, styled Zhongbao, was from Yangzhai, Henan. His ancestors were very prestigious: his great-grandfather Chu Shudu was a general of the Song Dynasty and the prefect of Yongzhou; his grandfather Chu Ai was a military officer in the outer army; his father Chu Hui was a chamberlain of the crown prince; and their family all married princesses of the Song Dynasty. However, Chu Qiu's parents died when he was young, leaving him in poverty, but he studied hard and was very talented. During the Yuanhui era of the Song Dynasty, Princess Jing Su of Jianping was assassinated, leaving only one daughter alive. Chu Qiu was known for his integrity, and the former officials He Changyu and Wang Siyuan arranged for their daughter to marry him, thus helping to enhance his reputation.
Chu Qiu later held various official positions in the Qi Dynasty, starting as a military officer, then becoming a legal officer, and later the registrar of Princess Qujiang. He was later appointed as the magistrate of Liyang County, where he was known for his integrity, accepting only the salary provided by the court. He then served as the registrar of Pingxi. During the Tianjian period, he was appointed as the crown prince's equerry, the attendant cavalier, and also served as the secretary of the Central Secretariat. He later became the magistrate of Jiankang County, but after his mother's passing, he resigned and returned home to observe the period of mourning. The court originally wanted him to continue in his position, but he refused. After completing the mourning period, he was appointed as a military advisor to the Northern Central Army, and later promoted to the Imperial Secretariat, still serving as the secretary of the Central Secretariat. He was then promoted to General of the Cloud Cavalry, and successively held the positions of Minister of Justice, Minister of the Imperial Household, while continuing to serve as the secretary of the Central Secretariat. He was later promoted to the Deputy Chief Censor. Chu Qiu was upright and incorruptible, never bending the law for personal gain, and excelled during his time at the Censorate. In the fourth year of Putong, he was sent to serve as the Chief Military Advisor to the Northern Central Army and the Governor of Nanlanling; he later returned to the court to serve as the Imperial Attendant of the Imperial Guards and to oversee the Imperial Guard. In the seventh year, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Household, and shortly after, he was appointed as the Minister of Justice.
During the Datong period, he was appointed as the Chief Historian to the King of Renwei in Linchuan and the Prefect of Jiangxia, but he did not take up the post due to illness. The court then appointed him as the Grand Master of Splendor, but before he could take up the position, he was reappointed as the Minister of Rites, also serving as the Colonel of the Infantry. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to Palace Attendant (通直散骑常侍), Director of the Secretariat, and concurrently as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. He was later promoted to Left Chief Historian of the Minister of State, while still retaining his positions as Palace Attendant, Director of the Secretariat, and Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. Since Sun Li of the Wei Dynasty and Xun Zu of the Jin Dynasty, only officials serving as Palace Attendants were permitted to wear sable fur, and Chu Qiu was the first person to receive this honor since then. Shortly after, he was appointed as General of Renwei, Chief Historian to the Prince of Donghai, and Prefect of Nanlanling. He later returned to the court as a Palace Attendant, overseeing the infantry. He later requested retirement in a memorial to the court, but his request was not approved. He was then appointed as the Grand Master of Splendor again and also as an Imperial Censor. He passed away in office at the age of seventy.
Liu Ru, styled Xiaozhi, was from Anshangli, Pengcheng, Xuzhou. His grandfather, Liu Men, was the Minister of Works in the Song Dynasty, responsible for engineering projects, and was known as Duke Zhongzhao. His father, Liu Quan, was the Minister of State Ceremonies in the Qi Dynasty, equivalent to the leader of the national religious department today, and was known as Jingzi. Liu Ru was intelligent and clever from a young age, able to write essays at the age of seven. When he was fourteen, his father passed away, and he was so grief-stricken that he became emaciated and could hardly stand, astounding relatives and friends with his deep filial piety. After completing his mourning period, his uncle Liu Zhen was appointed Prefect of Yixing County and brought him to the government office, often telling guests, "This boy is the jewel of our family!"
After Liu Ruzhang grew up, he was dashing and refined, with a gentle personality. Even his family could not tell if he was happy or angry. Later, he was summoned by the provincial government to serve as a chief clerk, equivalent to today's assistant county magistrate. He was then promoted to be a military law officer. At that time, General Shen Yue heard of his reputation and invited him to serve as a chief clerk, often enjoying leisure and composing poetry together. Shen Yue greatly admired him. Liu Ruzhang was later promoted step by step to become the Prince's Attendant, the registrar of the Central Army's Linchuan King, the Prince's Horsekeeper, and the Chamberlain of the Hall of Imperial Audience, all important positions in the court. He was also dispatched to serve as the county magistrate of Tai Mo County, where he was renowned for his integrity and was deeply loved by the people. Upon returning to the court, he was appointed as a companion to Prince Jin'an, and later promoted to be the Prince's Attendant. Liu Ruzhang had loved writing since he was young, and he wrote quickly and well. Once, the emperor asked him to write a rhapsody on Li Bai while sitting on the throne. Upon receiving the imperial decree, he immediately wrote the rhapsody in one go, without needing any revisions, earning high praise from the emperor. Another time, at a banquet in Shouguang Hall, the emperor asked the courtiers to compose verses. Liu Ruzhang and Zhang Shuai were both drunk and had not finished writing when the emperor, playfully, picked up Liu Ruzhang's writing board and wrote with a smile: "Zhang Shuai is handsome in the southeast, Liu Ruzhang is talented in Luoyang. Pick up the brush and you will succeed, why delay any longer?" This illustrates the closeness and affection the emperor had for him.
He was first appointed as Zhongshu Lang, concurrently serving as Secretary of the Zhongshu. Before long, he was promoted to the position of Grand Minister to the Crown Prince, retaining his other official positions. Later, he was transferred and served as the Chief Historian to Prince Xuanhui Jin'an, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Danyang. He was then promoted to the position of Prince's Attendant in the Imperial Library and the Minister of Personnel. Once again transferred, he served as the Chief Historian to Prince Qingche Xiangdong, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Kuaiji. Due to official misconduct, he was dismissed from his position. After some time, he was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant to the Prince, concurrently serving as the Minister of Rites. He then gradually rose through the ranks, becoming the Minister of Finance, the Left Chief Historian in the Ministry of Rites, and the Deputy Director of the Imperial Censorate, with everyone praising his competence. In the second year of Datong, he was promoted to Regular Attendant. In the third year, he was appointed as the Minister of the Left in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, concurrently serving as the Colonel of Infantry. In the fourth year of Datong, he was transferred and served as the Chief Historian to Prince Renwei Linqi, the Governor of Jiangxia, and was also appointed as the General of Zhenwei. In the fifth year, he was appointed as the General of Ningyuan and the Left Chief Historian in the Ministry of Rites. Before he could take office, he was reassigned as the Minister of Personnel, concurrently serving as the General of the Right Army. In the fifth year of Datong, he served as the Minister of Personnel. In the same year, he was transferred and served as the General of Mingwei and the Governor of Jinling. He governed the affairs of the county fairly and was highly praised by officials and the people. In the seventh year, he returned to the court as an Attendant, concurrently serving as the General of the Right Army. In the same year, he also served as the Minister of Personnel, but resigned due to his mother's death. Before the mourning period was over, he died from overwhelming grief, at the age of fifty-nine, posthumously granted the title of Filial Son.
In his youth, he was well-known alongside his cousin Bao and Xiaochuo. Bao died young, while Xiaochuo was dismissed multiple times for mistakes and held low official positions; only he rose to prominence. He left behind a collection of twenty scrolls. His son Chu, who served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library, died young. He also had two younger brothers, Lan and Zun.
His younger brother, named Xiaozhi, read the "Laozi" and "I Ching" at the age of sixteen. He served as a court official, but after his birth mother passed away, he mourned by her grave. Upon completing the period of mourning, he refrained from eating salt and dairy products, and only wore light clothing in winter. Concerned about his health, his family secretly placed charcoal under his bed one night to keep him warm. When Xiaozhi fell asleep from the warmth, he woke up crying and pounding his chest and stamping his feet upon realizing what had been done. The emperor learned of his filial devotion and visited him multiple times. After the mourning period, he was appointed as the Left Minister of the Ministry of Appointments. He was intelligent and could remember the names of over seven hundred officials under the Minister of Appointments after meeting them once. He was upright and honest in his official duties, never indulging in corruption. His brother-in-law, the Chief Imperial Censor Chu Yan, and his cousin, the Ministry of Appointments Lang Xiaochuo, were both found guilty of corruption, and Xiaozhi reported them, leading to their dismissal. Xiaochuo harbored resentment against him, saying, "A dog may bite a stranger, but Xiaozhi bites his own kin." Later, Xiaozhi was appointed as the Governor of Shixing, where he continued to prioritize honesty and frugality. He later returned to the court as the Left Minister of the Ministry of Appointments and passed away while in office.
This Mr. Zun, named Xiaoling, was refined and knowledgeable from an early age, with a good character and talent in writing. He initially served as a palace scribe and a companion to the Crown Prince, later rising to become a secretary in the households of Prince Jin'an, where he was highly respected. He was then appointed as the magistrate of Nanxu Prefecture. When Prince Jin'an later became the Governor of Yongzhou, he summoned Zun to serve as a military advisor for Anbei and also as the magistrate of Xian County. In the second year of Datong, Prince Jin'an was named Crown Prince, and Zun was promoted to the position of Mid-level Imperial Secretary. Zun was greatly favored by Prince Jin'an, first while accompanying him in the fiefdom and later in the Eastern Palace, due to their prior relationship. In the first year of Datong, Zun passed away. The Crown Prince was deeply saddened and expressed his sorrow alongside Zun's elder brother, Xiaoyi, the magistrate of Yangxian County.
Alas, the virtuous Zhong, the virtuous Zhong Shuzi has passed away so quickly. How can one possibly express this pain! He was filial, loving, and of noble character—upright and honest. With a pure and beautiful heart, he had a clear and calm demeanor. His good reputation spread among his colleagues and friends, and his words and actions were always in harmony. He was well-read and regarded the classics as his lifeblood; his writings were elegant and rich with wisdom and talent. He was humble and modest, never seeking to ingratiate himself with the powerful or to befriend the wealthy. Therefore, those who sought to curry favor did not understand him, and those who pursued fame and fortune did not know him. Since he held the position akin to Ruan Fang and served under the Prince for over five years, some colleagues have been promoted, and many newcomers have also risen in ranks, yet he remained calm, unconcerned with promotions. Such unwavering determination is not easily come by, just as the treasures of the West River and the feats of the East River are not overstated in historical records.
When I was in Hannan before, I worked with him on official business, and later in Zhufang, we worked together again; he always took the lead. During those beautiful times, on nights with gentle breezes and bright moons, riding a small boat and listening to the calls of the egrets, I spent nearly every day and every moment with him. We drank and chatted together, talked about ambitions, wrote poetry, discussed loyal and virtuous individuals, and explored literature and history together. The three of us encouraged each other; he was such a person. Later, he served in Hongdao County. Although he did not achieve any remarkable political accomplishments, he made the people miss him, and the wild chickens in the fields flourished, like a phoenix feather—enough to attest to his virtue. When he served in Chunfang, we often met for heartfelt conversations; he never pursued fame and fortune and handled official business seriously. He relied on old friends and occasionally crossed paths with others; but he suddenly passed away, and it's truly a great loss! "Only with good people," this saying feels hollow; is this really how the heavens repay us? I can only imagine how profound your sorrow must be. Alas, everything has passed; I can only set down my pen, overwhelmed with grief.
Yesterday, I thought about writing my own epitaph and perhaps compiling a collection of my writings. But my life has been plain and unremarkable; there's nothing worth boasting about, and I feel I haven't fully realized my potential. What good would writing an epitaph and a collection of writings do now? Thinking about all this really pains me, and I can't help but want to express my feelings.
Liu Qian, courtesy name Xiaoyi, was Liu Xiaochuo, the Minister of the Household's younger brother. He lost his father when he was young and, with the encouragement of his brothers, worked hard in his studies and excelled in writing. Liu Xiaochuo often talked about the "three brushes and six poems," with the "three brushes" referring to Xiaoyi, and the "six poems" referring to another brother, Liu Xiaowei. In the fifth year of Tianjian, he passed the imperial examination and became a xiucai. Initially, he served as a judicial officer in Zhenyou, serving under the Prince of Shixing Wang, and went with the prince to Yizhou, where he also served as a historian. Later, when the Prince of Shixing returned to the court to serve as the General of Central Pacification, Liu Qian was promoted to Registrar, and later to Palace Attendant in the Ministry of Personnel. He was tasked with writing the "Yongzhou Equality Golden Statue Stele," which featured a beautifully elaborate inscription. Later, Prince Jin'an Wang moved to Xiangyang and appointed him as the Assistant Clerk of the Anbei, but he resigned to observe mourning for his mother. After Prince Jin'an Wang was later named the Crown Prince, Xiaoyi completed his mourning period and was reappointed as the Master of the Imperial Stables, and later promoted to Middle Attendant. He was then sent to serve as the General of Rongzhao and the Magistrate of Yangxian County, where he made significant achievements and was promoted to the Magistrate of Jiankang County. In the third year of Datong, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library, but due to official duties, he was demoted to the Consultation Officer of Anxi, while also serving as a Cavalier Attendant. After returning from a mission to the Wei Kingdom, he was once again appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. Shortly after, he also took on the roles of the Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works and the Chief Clerk of Ningyuan, overseeing the affairs of Pengcheng and Langye counties. He continued to climb the ranks, eventually becoming the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and also served as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Censorate. He boldly criticized officials during his tenure, earning praise from his contemporaries. Ten years later, he was sent to serve as the General of Fubo and the Prefect of Linhai. During his time in office, the government's decrees were quite lenient, and many common people did not adhere to the laws. Upon his appointment, Xiaoyi enforced the laws and regulations, working diligently to calm the people, resulting in a stable environment and significant improvement in customs. In the first year of Datong Zhongyuan, he returned to the court to serve as the Minister of Justice. In the first year of Taiqing, he was sent to serve as the General of Mingwei and the Interior Minister for Yuzhang. The following year, when Hou Jing besieged the capital, Xiaoyi sent his son Liu Li to lead three thousand county soldiers to assist the then Governor of Hengzhou, Wei Can, in the rescue effort. In the third year, the palace was captured, and Xiaoyi was pressured by the Governor of Liyang at the time, Zhuang Tie, and lost control of Yuzhang County. In the first year of Dabao, he passed away at the age of sixty-seven years.
Xiaoyi is a person who is especially generous and devoted to his brother's widow after his second brother Xiaoneng passed away early. He always seeks his sister-in-law's opinion on all matters big and small at home. He and his wife serve his sister-in-law every day, always showing her the utmost respect. He is highly praised by everyone! He even wrote a collection of twenty volumes of essays, which have been passed down through the ages.
His fifth younger brother Xiaosheng served as a legal officer to the Prince of Shaoling, the chief scribe for the Prince of Xiangdong, and the left assistant minister of Personnel. Later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Xinyi, but was dismissed from his post due to official duties. After some time, he was appointed as the right assistant minister of Personnel and concurrently served as a cavalier attendant. After returning from a mission to the Wei Kingdom, he became the Grand Historian of the Prince of Wuling in Anxi and the Prefect of Shu County. During the Taiqing era, when Hou Jing seized the capital, Ji (referring to Jizhou) declared himself emperor in Shu, appointing Xiaosheng as the Minister of Works. During the Chengsheng period, he followed Jizhou out of the pass, but was defeated in battle, captured, and imprisoned. Later, the emperor quickly pardoned him and appointed him as the right chief historian of the Minister of Works.
His sixth younger brother Xiaowei initially served as a legal officer for the Prince of Jin'an in the north, later rising to chief scribe. He resigned from his position after his mother passed away. After completing his mourning period, he was appointed as a stableman for the crown prince, gradually rising to middle chamberlain, gentleman of the imperial court, chief of staff, and in charge of records. In the ninth year of Dading, a white bird appeared at the Eastern Palace, and Xiaowei wrote a particularly excellent poem. During the Taiqing era, he was promoted to middle gentleman of the imperial court and also served as a secretary for general affairs. When Hou Jing rebelled, Xiaowei escaped before the city fell, fleeing west with the provincial governor Liuzhongli to Anlu, where he ultimately succumbed to illness.
The seventh younger brother, Xiaoxian, served as a legal advisor and registrar for the Prince of Wuling. When the Prince of Wuling moved to Yizhou, he followed the royal household and was promoted to the position of Secretary of Anxi. During the Chengsheng period, he and his older brother Xiaosheng followed the Jizhou army to Xia Gorge, but were defeated in battle and ended up in Jiangling. The emperor appointed him as a Yellow Gate Attendant, and later he was promoted to the position of Palace Attendant. Both brothers excelled in composing five-character poems and were quite renowned during their time. Unfortunately, their literary collections were lost during the wars and are no longer available.
Yin Yun, with the courtesy name Guanshu, was from Changping in Chen Commandery. He was known for his bold and straightforward personality and was not one to fuss over trivial matters. However, he was selective about his friends and kept idle company away from his home. He studied diligently and was well-read and knowledgeable. When He Xian from Lujiang met him in his childhood, he held him in high regard. During the Yongming period, he served as a military advisor to Prince Yidu. In the early Tianjian years, he served as the registrar for the Western Central Army and the registrar for the household of Prince Linchuan. Seven years later, he was promoted to the position of Palace Librarian while also serving as a Gentleman of the Palace Library. Ten years later, he eventually rose to the position of National Scholar, Tutor to Crown Prince Zhaoming, Chief Historian to Prince Yuzhang of the Western Central Army, and was appointed Intendant of Danyang. He continued to be promoted to Palace Librarian, Chief of the Secretariat, and Chief Historian to the Left Minister of Works. In the sixth year of Putong, he served as an Academician at the Eastern Palace. He passed away in the third year of Datong, at the age of fifty-nine years.
Xiao Ji, whose courtesy name was Dexuan, was the son of Xiao Yaoxin, the Qujiang Duke of the Qi state. He was able to write essays at just ten years old. He lost his parents at a very young age, with nine younger brothers, all still quite young. Xiao Ji was very caring towards them, and their strong brotherly bond became a well-known story both in the court and among the common folk. He had a gentle disposition and avoided conflicts with others. Though he lived in poverty, he was self-sufficient. He loved learning and was skilled in cursive and clerical script. Yang Gongze, the former Governor of Xiangzhou, had served under the Qujiang Duke. Whenever he encountered Xiao Ji, Yang Gongze would remark to others, "This son of Kang Gong (Xiao Yaoxin) can be regarded as the reincarnation of Huan, Ling, and Bao (referring to Huan Wen, Ling Jun, and Bao Zhi)!" After Yang Gongze's death, Xiao Ji wrote a eulogy for him at just fifteen years old. Shen Yue was astonished when he read it and said to Xiao Ji's uncle Cai Zun, "Yesterday I read the eulogy written by my talented nephew for Yang Pingnan (Yang Gongze), and it is no worse than the works of Xi Yi (referring to Tao Yuanming). This is a testament to Kang Gong's accumulation of virtue and good deeds!" Xiao Ji later held positions such as Zuo Lang in the Imperial Library, the Prince of Luling's literary officer, a Chamberlain for the Crown Prince, in charge of records, and then rose to become a Shushi, a Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and a Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel. In his later years, he dedicated himself to Buddhism. He served as the Administrator of Xin'an, a place known for its beautiful scenery, which suited his tastes. He often explored the mountains and enjoyed the rivers, and even penned travelogues about his experiences. He eventually passed away while in office.
Xiao Ji's son, Xiao Zhiwei, whose courtesy name was Yuanzhuan, also had literary talent. He rose to positions such as Chamberlain for the Crown Prince and Prefect of Yongkang. Historians note that individuals like Wang Gui had illustrious reputations. They thrived in a prosperous era, fully showcasing their talents, which was truly remarkable! Xiao Qia's piece "Dangtu" displayed his exceptional literary talent; the Liu Xiaoyi brothers were both famous for their writings. It's well known that the Liang Dynasty was a period rich in talent!
