Sun Qian, courtesy name Yanjü, was from Le'an. In his youth, he was determined to study hard and gradually rose from the position of Censor to the Assistant to the Imperial Academy. Later, Grand Tutor Cui Guang invited him to participate in the compilation of the national history, and he served multiple times as an official in the acting court, gaining fame for his exceptional literary talent. During the rebellion of Cui Zuichi, Sun Qian was also involved, but later sought refuge at Wang Yuanjing's home, only emerging after the imperial amnesty. His clansman Sun Teng had previously recommended him because of their family connection, but he did not receive much attention.
Not long after, when Emperor Gaozu was on his western campaign and reached Fengling, he ordered Sima Li Yishen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Li Shilue from the Ministry of State Affairs to draft a proclamation. Both of them declined and suggested that Sun Qian take their place. Emperor Gaozu summoned Sun Qian into his tent, personally fanning the flames and urging him to write quickly. Sun Qian took up his pen and soon completed the writing, and the document was exceptionally well-crafted. Emperor Gaozu was very pleased and immediately appointed him as the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of State Affairs, specifically overseeing documentation. Sun Qian also spoke Xianbei and was responsible for publicizing and issuing orders, excelling in those busy and important tasks, and was highly regarded. Emperor Gaozu also married him to Wei Shi, who came from a noble family and was also beautiful, making others envious. Not long after, Sun Qian was appointed as the Left Grand Minister of Grace, while continuing to serve as Chief Clerk.
Emperor Shizong initially intended to go to Ye City and planned to take control of the government, but Emperor Gaozu did not agree, citing Sun Qian's youth. Sun Qian made a specific suggestion regarding this matter, and in the end, Emperor Shizong still went to Ye City. As a result, Sun Qian believed he had rendered a service and requested the emperor to promote his official position, but Emperor Shizong only granted him the title of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. At that time, the court was actively conscripting people from Yanzhou, Hengzhou, Yunzhou, Shuozhou, Xianzhou, Weizhou, the two Xiazhous, Gaoping, Pingliang, and other regions to serve as soldiers. Those who had fled and were hiding, as well as their families, village heads, local officials, and county magistrates, were all subject to the death penalty, with their properties confiscated. As a result, many people were captured by the court, and this policy originated from Sun Qian's suggestions.
Sun Qian was lacking in knowledge and displayed insufficient caution. Xing Shao once advised him, "You ought to read more." Sun Qian replied, "I command three thousand elite soldiers, sufficient to withstand your tens of thousands of defeated troops." He had also taken thorn pills at one point, and Li Xie and others joked among themselves, "You must have enough thorns on you already; why do you need to take more?" Everyone present laughed. Later, Sima Ziru and Gao Jishi invited Sun Qian to drink, and he died after succumbing to intoxication at the age of fifty-two. Emperor Gaozu personally attended the memorial service. Sima Ziru kowtowed to apologize, and Emperor Gaozu said, "You have dealt me a grievous blow; you must quickly help me find a suitable replacement!" Sima Ziru recommended Wei Shou, while Gao Jishi suggested Chen Yuankang to succeed Sun Qian. After Sun Qian's death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Yitong Sansi, Minister of Personnel, and Governor of Qingzhou.
Chen Yuankang, known by his courtesy name Changyou, hailed from Guangzong. His father, Chen Zhongde, had served as the Neishi of Jiyin during the Wei dynasty and eventually attained the rank of General Who Pacifies the South and Grand Minister of Golden Purple. After Chen Yuankang achieved success, he posthumously honored his father with the title of Governor of Jizhou and the posthumous name Zhen. Chen Yuankang possessed a strong understanding of history and literature, and he was astute and highly capable in managing affairs.
In the fifth year of the reign of Wei Zhengguang, he followed Chancellor Li Chong to the north to fight in wars, and because of his military achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linqing County. During the Putai period, he was appointed as the chief scribe and promoted to General Wei Lie. In the first year of Tianping, he was responsible for compiling the Annals. The following year, he was appointed as the governor of the Ministry of Works as a secretary and military consultant, gaining the trust and favor of Minister Gao Ang. Later, he was dispatched to Yingzhou as the governor and was also granted the title of General Fu Guo. He performed excellently wherever he went, and when Emperor Gaozu learned of this, he summoned him back to the court.
The Emperor gradually began to rely on him more, appointing him as a military advisor in the Chancellor's office, responsible for managing confidential affairs. Emperor Gaozu's undertakings were vast, with various military matters, and Yuan Kang was adept at grasping his intentions, working with high efficiency. Moreover, Yuan Kang's character was gentle yet cautious, and he was well-versed in affairs of state. Once, Emperor Gaozu became extremely angry in the palace, striking Crown Prince Shizong harshly and cursing at him. Later, the Emperor recounted this incident to Yuan Kang, and Yuan Kang advised, saying, "Your Majesty has established rules and protocols for educating the Crown Prince; you should lead by example. How can you act this way?" He spoke earnestly, and tears welled up in his eyes. From then on, Emperor Gaozu took this to heart and no longer lost his temper easily. Even when he occasionally became angry and scolded someone, he would remark, "Don't let Yuan Kang find out." His deep respect for Yuan Kang, tinged with fear, is clear.
During the Gao Zhongmi Rebellion, Emperor Gaozu knew that Cui Xian was causing trouble and planned to kill him. Crown Prince Shizong secretly interceded for Cui Xian. Emperor Gaozu said, "I plan to spare his life, but he must suffer a little." Crown Prince Shizong then released Cui Xian and warned Yuan Kang, "If you allow Cui Xian to be punished, you should never see him again." Cui Xian prepared for punishment by stripping off his clothes in the court, and Yuan Kang hurriedly ran in, stepping up the stairs, and said, "The Emperor is entrusting the world to the General; can he not tolerate even a Cui Xian?" Upon hearing this, Emperor Gaozu decided to show mercy and pardoned Cui Xian. After Crown Prince Shizong became emperor, Cui Xian, Cui Jishu, and Cui Ang, along with Zhang Liang and Zhang Hui, were all given important positions, receiving treatment similar to that during Emperor Gaozu's time, but their appointments had to go through Yuan Kang. People used to say, "Three brothers from the Cui family and two from the Zhang family can't compare to even one Yuan Kang."
The daughter of Lu Daoqian, the Minister of the Wei State, married the son of General Guo Qiong of the Right Guard. Guo Qiong committed a capital offense and was punished severely, and Emperor Gaozu awarded Lu Daoqian's daughter to Yuan Kang as a wife. Yuan Kang then discarded his first wife, Li, which drew disapproval from many learned individuals. Yuan Kang was very good at pleasing his superiors and currying favor with the powerful, often recommending others, but he could not treat matters fairly and justly, indulging in wealth, accepting numerous bribes, and engaging in widespread business dealings, which drew criticism from the virtuous scholars.
It is said that Emperor Gaozu defeated Emperor Wen of Zhou at Mang Mountain, held a victory banquet, and everyone discussed what to do next. Everyone felt that the grass had turned yellow, and the horses were exhausted, so pursuing too far would not work. As a result, Yuan Kang stood up and said, "The two great leaders have fought for so long and have finally achieved a great victory; this is a golden opportunity from the heavens! This once-in-a-thousand-years chance cannot be missed; we must press the attack while we are victorious!"
Emperor Gaozu hesitated slightly and said, "What if we run into an ambush? What should I do?" Yuan Kang replied, "Back when you fought at Sha Yuan, the Zhou army didn't ambush you. Now they're all fleeing like rabbits; how could they have any grand schemes? If we don't pursue them, it will definitely lead to serious problems down the line!" However, Emperor Gaozu still ignored him. Later on, for this, Yuan Kang was granted the title of Duke of Anping and awarded three hundred households. He was then promoted to General of Pingnan, and served as a court attendant, later becoming the Director of the Grand Council, and ultimately the Right Chancellor.
When Emperor Gaozu fell seriously ill, he told Emperor Shizong, "Back in the battle at Mangshan, I didn't listen to Yuan Kang. Looking back now, this has caused me great trouble! This matter has been weighing heavily on my mind, and I can't find peace!" After Emperor Gaozu passed away, this matter was kept secret, with only Yuan Kang aware of it.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, he reinstated Yuan Kang, appointing him as a court attendant and General of the Central Army, and also granting him the title of Duke of Changguo with a fief of one thousand households. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled, the emperor was pressured by his ministers to kill Cui Xian to appease Hou Jing. The emperor secretly told Yuan Kang about this. Yuan Kang advised, "The world is still not pacified, and the order of the state has just been established. If we unjustly kill innocent people just to please a few generals commanding troops in the field, it would not only be an affront to Heaven but also disturb the peace of the common people. The lesson from Chao Cuo is right before us; I hope you will consider this carefully." After hearing this, the emperor reconsidered his decision.
Gao Yue had been attacking Hou Jing for a long time without success, so the emperor wanted to send Pan Xiangle for support. Yuan Kang said, "Xiangle is relatively slow to adapt. It would be better to rely on Murong Shaozong. Besides, the previous emperor also mentioned that Murong Shaozong could handle Hou Jing. If you sincerely promote him, you won't have to worry about Hou Jing." At that time, Murong Shaozong was quite far from the capital. The emperor wanted to summon him but was worried that he might rebel out of fear. Yuan Kang said, "Shaozong knows that I am highly regarded by the emperor. I sent him gold to show my sincerity. I want to appease him, so I accepted his gift and replied to him, guaranteeing that there would be no problem." The emperor then decided to rely on Murong Shaozong, and he indeed defeated Hou Jing. The emperor rewarded Yuan Kang with fifty catties of gold. Wang Sizheng had taken Yingcheng, and other generals were unable to capture it. Yuan Kang advised the emperor, saying, "You've assisted the court, but you haven't made any significant achievements yet. While you defeated Hou Jing, that was merely dealing with an external threat. Now Yingcheng is about to be captured. I suggest you capitalize on this victory to build your prestige and solidify your position." The emperor ordered Yuan Kang to quickly check the situation. Upon his return, Yuan Kang reported, "Yingcheng is definitely ours!" The emperor then personally led his troops to capture Yingcheng and rewarded Yuan Kang with one hundred taels of gold.
At the beginning, the Wei dynasty appointed the emperor as the Prime Minister and the Prince of Qi, but the emperor repeatedly declined to accept. Later, the emperor secretly summoned several generals and Yuan Kang to discuss the matter. The generals all advised the emperor to accept the Wei dynasty's orders, while Yuan Kang believed the timing wasn't right yet. He also said to Wei Shou, "Look at what these people are saying; they all want to harm the emperor. I have already advised the emperor to accept the Wei dynasty's orders and arrange the official positions. I could get the position of Huangmenlang, but the timing is just not right." Cui Xian seized the chance to sow discord among them, recommending Lu Yuan Gui to serve as the Grand Chancellor, hoping to undermine Yuan Kang's influence. Yuan Kang was greedy for wealth and power, and the emperor slowly began to suspect him, while Yuan Kang himself felt somewhat afraid. The emperor also wanted to appoint him as the Minister of the Central Secretariat, intending to give him a more ceremonial role, but this had not yet been implemented.
When Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei was about to hand over the throne to Shizong, ministers Yuan Kang, Yang Yin, and Cui Jishu were all by Shizong's side. At that time, a large-scale adjustment of officials was about to take place, and the three of them were discussing the personnel changes. In Shizong's household, there was an old servant named Lan Gucheng, who had previously managed the kitchen and was highly trusted. Earlier, Shizong had given Lan Gucheng several dozen lashes; Lan Gucheng was from Wu and had a bad temper. Feeling wronged by his past treatment, he was extremely angry, and thus conspired with another accomplice named A Gai to assassinate Shizong. This A Gai had served Emperor Xiaowen before and often followed him around with a knife, even claiming that if he heard shouting from the eastern study, he would immediately stab the emperor.
It was the day Emperor Wei had just established the Eastern Palace, and all the officials were presenting their congratulations. After the formalities were completed, Emperor Xiaowen exited the carriage of the Eastern Palace and had not yet returned. Lan Guocheng seized the opportunity while delivering food to Shizong to conceal a knife beneath the food tray before killing Shizong. Yuan Kang rushed forward to protect Shizong, sustaining severe injuries and dying that very night at the age of just forty-three. Yang Yin fled in a panic, while Cui Jishu hid in a restroom; only Ku Zhenhe and Xishe Le fought bravely to the death to protect Shizong. At that time, to cover up the news of Shizong's assassination, Yuan Kang's body was laid in the palace, and it was publicly announced that he was on a diplomatic mission to the south, and even posthumously awarded him the title of Zhongshu Ling.
In the second year, the court issued an edict stating: "Master Yuankang's talent surpasses that of his predecessors, reaching the pinnacle of his era. His profound wisdom is like a bottomless abyss, difficult to fathom, and his broad-mindedness is as immeasurable as the vast sea. He is knowledgeable in military affairs, proficient in the ways of governing the country, was involved in the planning of Shaoling, assisted in the alliance of Heyang, strategized, exerted all his efforts, fulfilled his duties faithfully, made up for shortcomings, and even sacrificed his family's interests to defend the country, suppressed the rebellion, and eliminated the enemies in the Jingchu region. His achievements are comparable to Shen Shufu of the Zhou Dynasty and Zhang Liang of the Han Dynasty. Although the times are different, the merits are equally great. It is a pity that his great undertaking was not completed, and he unfortunately met his demise. We are deeply saddened and should hold a grand funeral for him. He is posthumously appointed as the military commander of Jiding Yingyin Cang's five states, the General of the Flying Cavalry, the Minister of Rites, and the Governor of Jizhou, with the title of Wenyi. He is granted 1,200 pieces of silk and fabric, and all expenses for the funeral arrangements will be borne by the court." Yuankang's mother, Lady Li, died from overwhelming grief after his death. The court posthumously awarded her the title of Lady Guangzong and honored her with the name Zhenzhao. As a person, Yuankang was quite good at concealing his abilities, gentle and refined, with great insight and taste. During the Wuping era, he became the Sima of the Yitong and the Attendant of the Yellow Gate. During the Kaihuang years of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites. In the early years of Daye, he passed away while serving as the Zanzhi in Pengcheng County.
Yuan Káng's younger brother is called Yuan Chén, and he held the position of Grand Herald. His younger brother, who is another brother of Yuan Káng, is called Yuan Qú. He first served as the Governor of Julu and later was promoted to the Deputy Prefect of Jizhou. During the suppression of the rebellion led by the Qin king Yang Liang, Yuan Qú upheld his integrity and refused to surrender, which ultimately led to his execution. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Minister of the Imperial Guard and Governor of Zhao Prefecture.
Du Bì, styled Fǔ Xuán, was from Quyang in Zhongshan, and his childhood name was Fǔ Guó. In the family genealogy he compiled, it states that their ancestral home is in Jingzhao, Duling, and their ninth ancestor was Du Ao, who served as a Cavalry Attendant during the Jin Dynasty. He died in Zhao State while on a diplomatic mission, which caused the family to settle in Zhongshan. His grandfather, Du Yàn Héng, served as the Governor of Huainan, and his father, Du Cí, was the magistrate of Fanzhou County. Du Bì was clever and quick-witted from a young age, but his family was poor and he had little opportunity to study. At the age of twelve, he began studying at the county school. His teacher frequently praised him in class. There was a person from the same county named Zhen Chén, who became the Chief Historian of Dingzhou. Zhen Chén once conducted an examination to choose students and, upon seeing Du Bì, asked him some questions. Du Bì's explanations were clear and his answers were quick, which left Zhen Chén greatly impressed. Zhen Chén's son, Zhen Kuān, became good friends with Du Bì. Wang Chéng, the provincial governor of Rencheng, heard about this and summoned Du Bì, praising him and stating that he would one day be able to assist the emperor. Later, both Chéng and Chén returned to Luoyang and praised Du Bì in the court, and many, including Prime Minister Gao Yáng, sought to recruit him.
During the Yan Chang years, this fellow rose through the ranks based on his military achievements. He first became General of Guangwu, then the Mo Department's Military Officer of Hengzhou, mainly responsible for document and archive management. He had a beautiful hand, and many people admired him at the time. In the early years of the Xiaochang era, he was promoted to the title of Imperial Scholar, while also serving as the Legal Advisor of the Guangyang Prince's Cavalry Office and the Deputy Director of the Duzhi Office. Later, he was transferred back to the local area and appointed as the magistrate of Qucheng County in Guangzhou. He was upright and fair in his official duties, always prioritizing benevolence and righteousness, leading to fewer lawsuits and earning him praise from the common people.
At that time, the country was in turmoil, with thieves everywhere. During the conscription, many people deserted on the way, causing problems for the court. Therefore, the court mandated that soldiers' weapons and equipment be transported separately, and the magistrates must personally escort the soldiers to their destination. When conscripting soldiers in Guangzhou, this fellow escorted the soldiers all the way to Beihai County, while soldiers from other regions scattered. Along the way, rebel forces tried to rob them and tempt them to defect, but he courageously resisted alongside his personal guards, refusing to yield, and safely delivered the soldiers to their destination. The military officer Cui Zhong reported this to the court, demonstrating his popularity! During the Putai years, the Ministry of Personnel conducted an investigation into outstanding local officials. Although he had been transferred, Wang Xin, the Governor of Donglai, still recommended him. His father was killed by bandits in his hometown, and he observed a period of mourning for six years. Later, he was transferred to the central government as an Imperial Censor and was also appointed as a former general and Grand Master of the Palace, tasked with reviewing memorials. He drafted many of the court's impeachment memorials. Other memorials submitted by returning Imperial Censors had to be reviewed by him before they could be executed.
Later, he was promoted to the rank of General of the Central Forces, Colonel of Beiyu Province, and Grand General of the Cavalry. Before he could take up his new position, Yitong Dou Tai led troops on a western expedition, and the court appointed him as Dou Tai's military inspector. As a result of Dou Tai's defeat and suicide, he managed to escape with six others and was captured by Governor Liu Gui of Shanzhou and was escorted to Jinyang. Emperor Gaozu asked him, "When Lieutenant Dou went on this expedition, I had already devised the battle strategy, but he disobeyed my orders and brought about his own destruction. Why didn't you advise him?" He replied, "I am merely a lowly scribe who only knows how to write and draw. I cannot manage such military matters." Emperor Gaozu became even more furious, but fortunately, Fang Mo pleaded for him, and he was spared death, ultimately being demoted to Sima in Xiaganzhen.
During the Yuanxiang period, Gaozu (referring to Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei, Tuoba Jun) appointed Gao Bi as the Chief Legal Officer in the Grand Chancellor's Office and had him manage the office's operations. Later, he promoted him to the position of Director of the Grand Council, and shortly after, granted him the title of General Who Pacifies the South. Gaozu had a special trust in Gao Bi, entrusting him with many confidential matters. Sometimes, when things were urgent and there was no time to write orders, he would give Gao Bi a blank piece of paper and have him read out the orders directly, demonstrating the level of trust Gaozu had in him.
Once, Gao Bi privately advised Gao Zu to accept the abdication of the Wei Kingdom, but Gao Zu, furious, chased him away with a stick. But that's not the end of it; there was a legal officer named Xin Ziyan in the Grand Chancellor's Office who, when handling official documents, mispronounced the character "署" as "树"! When Gao Zu heard this, he erupted in anger, shouting, "This kid doesn’t even know about taboos!" and proceeded to beat him on the spot. At this point, Gao Bi stepped up and said, "The 'Book of Rites' states that two names do not need to follow the taboo. Confucius said, ‘If you say '徵', don’t say '在'; if you say '在', don’t say '徵'." The mistake made by Xin Ziyan can actually be forgiven." Hearing this, he got even angrier, scolding, "You little brat, just standing there while someone’s getting beaten and still bringing up the 'Book of Rites' here!" He then directly kicked Gao Bi out as well.
After Gao Bi had taken just a few steps, Gao Zu called him back, and Xin Ziyan was spared as a result. When the Crown Prince caught wind of this in the capital, he said to Yang Yin, "With a person as upright as Gao Bi assisting my father, the common people stand to gain. This is not only advantageous for our royal family!"
As for Lao Li, back when he was in office, honest officials were a rare breed. Some folks reported this to Emperor Gao Zu. The Emperor said, "Lao Li, let me be straight with you. The world’s in a mess, and this bad vibe has been hanging around for ages. Most of the generals' families are in the Guanzhong region, and the rebels are constantly enticing them. People's hearts have not yet settled down. Furthermore, there is an old man named Xiao Yan in Jiangdong who always dresses elegantly and upholds the rites and music. The scholars in the Central Plains all think he is the legitimate emperor. If I were to crack down harshly now without showing mercy, I'm afraid the generals would all defect to the rebels, and the scholars would all run to join Xiao Yan. Then all the talented people would be scattered; how could we possibly run the country? You, wait for now, I’ll keep this in mind!"
Later, when it was time to fight the battle at Shayuan, Old Li spoke to Emperor Gaozu again, saying, "First take care of the internal enemies before fighting the external foes." Emperor Gaozu asked, "Who are the internal enemies?" Old Li replied, "Those noble officials and meritorious nobles who plunder the common people!" Emperor Gaozu said nothing and had the soldiers called over, all holding bows and arrows, raising knives and guns, lining up in two rows by the roadside, and let Old Li walk through the middle, saying, "I assure you, you will be safe!" Old Li was so frightened that he shook uncontrollably, and sweat dripped down his face. It was only then that Emperor Gaozu explained to him, "Though the arrows are pointed at you, they do not shoot; though the knives are raised, they do not strike; though the guns are aimed, they do not stab. You are scared to this extent. Those meritorious officials and nobles, they live on the edge of a knife, having licked blood to survive, risking their lives to get to where they are today. Even if they are greedy, they have acquired a lot; you can't judge them by the standards of ordinary people!"
Terrified, Old Li quickly kowtowed in apology, saying, "I was foolish not to grasp your deeper meaning. Now that you have explained it clearly, I understand how wise you truly are!" Accompanying Emperor Gaozu into battle, they defeated Western Wei at Mangshan. The emperor ordered a battle report to be written, and he wrote it directly without even drafting it first. Because of his merit, he was granted the title of Marquis of Dingyang, with a fief of two hundred households, and was promoted to the titles of Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi and General of the Central Army. Later, he was ordered to go to the capital to meet the emperor. Emperor Wei welcomed him in the Nine Dragon Hall and said, "I just started reading 'Zhuangzi' and came across such a remarkable person as you. It seems you've truly understood the essence of Daoism, 'Xuan Tong Qi Wu' ('Zhuangzi: On Equalizing Things')! I've heard you're well-versed in Buddhism and would like to ask you a few questions. In 'Zhuangzi,' are 'Buddha nature' and 'Dharma nature' one thing or two?" Bi replied, "Buddha nature and Dharma nature refer to the same principle."
The emperor asked again, "Since Buddha Nature is not Dharma Nature, how can it be said to be one and the same principle?" Bi replied, "Nature is everywhere, so it is not considered two." The emperor continued, "Those people say that Dharma Nature is broad and Buddha Nature is narrow. Since broad and narrow are different, how can they not be two different things?" Bi answered again, "In broad places, broadness manifests; in narrow places, narrowness manifests. However, when it comes to its true nature, it is neither broad nor narrow." The emperor asked, "Since you say it can manifest as both broad and narrow, how can you also say it is neither broad nor narrow? If it is regarded as narrow, then it cannot become broad." Bi replied, "Because it is neither broad nor narrow, it can manifest as both broad and narrow. Although the expressions of broad and narrow are different, its true nature remains unchanged." The emperor was very pleased to hear this and praised him repeatedly. He then took Bi into the royal library, rewarded him with a copy of the "Earth Holding Sutra" and a hundred rolls of silk. Later, Duke Pingyang Yan was appointed governor of Bingzhou, and Emperor Gaozu appointed Bi as the chief historian of the Bingzhou Cavalry.
Li Bi is a person who particularly enjoys studying famous teachings and delving into the teachings of Laozi. Even while serving in the military, he always carries his scriptures with him to study. He was destined to write the two volumes of the "Tao Te Ching," and then wrote a memorial to present to the emperor. The memorial reads: "I have heard that one can shoot at birds by riding the wind, chasing flying birds in the sky; by the water's edge, one can fish with a hook, catching sleeping fish in the deep water. If you master the method, you can accomplish tasks well; this is true for all things, and the same principle applies. The 'Tao Te Ching' elucidates the mysteries of the universe, its meaning is profound and subtle, and its application spans both sages and ordinary people. Its actions are pure and gentle, yet its teachings can bring about good governance; it is the ocean of all doctrines and the foundation of all skills. Since childhood, I have loved reading scriptures, particularly having a fondness for the 'Tao Te Ching.' Even while serving in the military, I did not give up on learning. After years of study, I feel I have gained some insight, which differs slightly from previous commentaries, but my understanding is shallow, and it is inevitable that I might misinterpret, like peering through a narrow tube, unable to see the whole picture, and I feel unworthy of this. My commentary cannot adequately address subtle issues, so how can it unravel complex difficulties? Initially, I only intended to leave it for my family and children, as well as for some less knowledgeable people to reference, as a personal memorandum. To my surprise, the emperor appreciated it; this is truly a delightful turn of events! At the end of spring, under imperial decree and with the emperor's favor, I now present my commentary on 'Laozi' along with a preface."
The emperor replied, "Li Jun, your thoughts are profound and mysterious, with a unique insight. Your knowledge connects with the cosmos, reaching the essence of things. Your interpretations are comprehensive and applicable, useful both for oneself and for governing the world, which holds significant importance for the stability of the nation. Your intellect is agile, your extensive scholarship is impressive; you are devoted to Confucianism and well-versed in the thoughts of Laozi and Zhuangzi, capable of both expanding academic knowledge and elucidating Laozi's ideas. Your interpretations are clear and well-argued, combining theory with practice, insights not grasped by the sages of old, nor heard of by previous scholars. Your interpretations are exquisite and easy to understand. I have a keen interest in the "Tao Te Ching" and have grown tired of previous interpretations; after reading your new annotations, I have greatly benefited. Your interpretations are worthy of commendation. I have ordered your annotations to be printed and stored in the palace." Li Bi also presented a copy to Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Shizong.
During the Wuding years, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Imperial Guard. At that time, the Liang Kingdom sent the Marquis of Zhenyang, Yuanming, to invade Pengcheng, and the grand commander Gao Yue, along with the acting governor Murong Shaozong, led the army to suppress the invasion. The court appointed him as military commissioner, serving as the left minister to the acting governor. Before his departure, Emperor Shizong gifted him a fine horse, saying, "This is the second-best horse in my stable, which I usually ride myself. Now that you are going on a long journey, I will give it to you." The emperor also asked him to summarize one or two points regarding which matters in the court could serve as references. He directly stated, "The most important matters in the world are the clear distinction between rewards and punishments. Rewarding one person can bring happiness to everyone, while punishing one person can earn the trust of all. As long as these two matters are handled well, everything else will naturally follow." Emperor Shizong was very pleased to hear this, saying, "Your points may be few, but they’re really important!" The two shook hands to bid farewell.
Later, he defeated Xiao Ming at Hanshan and, alongside General Pan Le, captured Tongzhou in the Liang Kingdom. Afterward, he also worked with Gao Yue and others to pacify the troops and care for the common people, earning their strong trust.
On the eighth day of the fourth month in the sixth year of his reign, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei invited many famous monks to give a talk on Buddhist teachings at the Xianyang Palace. He attended the Buddhist gathering along with Minister of Personnel Yang Yin, Chief of the Secretariat Xing Shao, and Secretary Wei Shou. The emperor ordered that he be given the lion's throne to publicly explain Buddhist principles. At that time, well-known monks such as Master Dafashi from Zhaoxuan and Master Daoshun, along with many luminaries from the Buddhist community, questioned him. They debated back and forth for dozens of rounds but couldn't outsmart him. The emperor sighed and said, "If only this talent had appeared in Confucius's time, how wonderful that would be!"
Old Wang Sizheng holed up in Yingzhou, and Gao Yue and others led troops to attack. At that time, I was in charge of affairs in Yingzhou and also served as the Left Minister of the Executive Council. The army was stationed here, and logistics were quite a hassle. I tried my best to be fair and reasonable, taking into account both the needs of the government and the interests of the common people, and the folks in Yingzhou praised my efforts. After Yingzhou was captured, the emperor asked me, "Why do you think Wang Sizheng was captured?" I said, "Wang Sizheng failed to see the situation clearly, couldn't figure out what was important, and misjudged strength and weakness; he had all three wrong, which is why he was captured." The emperor said, "There is an ancient saying about 'taking the reverse and keeping the order.' The state of Wu was defeated by the small state of Yue, and the weak state of Yan also defeated the powerful state of Qi. How do you explain these three points?" I said, "If one is only obedient but not strong, or strong but not obedient, or obedient but not strong enough, then there is a bias in reasoning. According to your decree, all three situations are possible. But Wang Sizheng had all three wrong, which is why he failed." The emperor said, "You should have a central idea in your speech; you can't just throw everything in and use many aspects to find reasons for yourself, can you?" I replied, "You have high prestige and great achievements, and you speak of many principles, so I have much to say as well; this is not nonsense." The emperor said, "If that's the case, why was Yingzhou not taken for over a year until I arrived?" I said, "This is just heaven showing off your accomplishments!"
Later, the emperor appointed me as the Chief Historian, promoted me to General of the Guards, and then to Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, while I continued to serve as the Chief Historian. I was granted the title of Marquis of Dingyang County, with my fief expanded to five hundred households. I always wanted to serve the court and did my utmost in all legitimate matters. The emperor wanted to accept the surrender from the Wei state, and from Jinyang to Pingcheng, he ordered me and Sima Ziruo to hurry to assess the situation. After ascending to the throne, the emperor ordered all items from the left and right chests to be moved to the Baige Pavilion. Because I had formulated a strategy in advance, I was promoted to General of the Cavalry and Minister of the Guards, and I was additionally granted the title of Count of Chang'an County.
I went out to enjoy the scenery at Dongshan with Xing Shao, and we discussed some philosophical ideas about life. Xing Shao believed that once a person dies, they cannot come back to life, comparing it to drawing feet on a snake, which is pointless. I replied, "So what you're saying is that once a person dies, there's nothing left, and it's not that some power can bring them back to life. However, before anything is born, it does not exist either; from nothing to something, we don’t find it strange. Since we can go from nothing to something, why should we find it strange to think about resurrection after death?"
Xing Shao said, "The sages originally established their teachings to guide and reward the people, which is why they instill fear of the consequences to come, hoping everyone can develop according to their nature." I said, "The sages can align with the virtues of heaven and earth and follow the principles of the four seasons. Their words become classics, their deeds serve as models, yet they enlighten the world with illusions and guide the people with clever methods, just like letters in a fish's belly or inscriptions carved on pillars. How can they make the North Star dim or reveal the treasures of the Dragon Palace? If blessings can shape a person's spirit and promote learning, then this benefit is the greatest, and there's nothing greater than that. This is true education; how can anyone claim it’s not real?"
Xing Shao said, "'Death' means extinction, and the spirit also vanishes entirely." I said, "What you refer to as 'extinction' is akin to finishing a bow shot, and the arrows in hand are gone. The 'Xiao Ya' states, 'No grass does not die,' and the 'Yue Ling' similarly states, 'No grass dies.' Although plants and animals are different, the principle is the same. Even lifeless grass can be revived; why can't all sentient beings be revived? If the grass has seeds after it dies, then consciousness should also exist after a person dies. It's just that the seeds of consciousness remain unseen, which is why people think it doesn't exist. The divine within the physical form cannot be perceived directly; even the sharp-eyed Li Zhu cannot perceive it. Although Jiang Ji can observe people's gazes to discern the wise from the foolish, and Zhong Ziqi can listen to the sound of the guqin to understand the feelings of mountains and rivers, these are all functions of the divine, not its essence. This is like how jade and silk are not the rituals themselves, and bells and drums are not the music itself; thus, the reasoning becomes clear."
Xing Shao said, "Ji Zha once said, 'there is nothing that does not reach,' and also said 'scattered to the end.' If after death one can still gather to become all things, then it cannot be said to 'reach everywhere.'" I said, "The bones and flesh of a person return to dust, while the soul 'reaches everywhere.' This is the physical form perishing, while the soul wanders; it goes away but does not completely disappear. It's like a bird flying out of its nest or a snake slithering out of its hole. Because the soul still exists, it can 'reach everywhere.' If the soul does not exist, then where can it go? Yanling Jizi possesses the wisdom to perceive subtle things, knowing that the soul does not depend on the physical form; Confucius expressed admiration for the separation of the soul and body. If everyone were as open-minded as Jizi, then everyone would be Jizi. This isn't merely lofty talk; it's a stubborn adherence to the belief that the soul does not exist."
Xing Shao said, "The spirit is within the human body, just like the candlelight is within the candle. When the candle goes out, the light disappears; when a person dies, the spirit also perishes." I said, "In the old teachings, the earlier Confucians often expressed this idea, leading to many doubts. This is because the analysis lacks detail, and the thinking lacks depth. I have some incomplete thoughts that could serve as a basis for exploration. The candlelight depends on the body of the candle to produce light; the larger the body, the greater the light. The spirit of the human body does not depend on the physical form; even if the form is small, the spirit is not small. Therefore, Confucius's wisdom certainly cannot be inferior to that of Chang Di; Cao Cao's great talent and strategy must surpass that of Cui Yan. The relationship between the spirit and the body is akin to that between a ruler and the state. The state is governed by the ruler, but the ruler is not produced by the state. The two do not arise together; why must we say that they also perish together?"
Xing Shao said, "Putting aside this and discussing that, life continues endlessly, always happening. Should the Duke of Zhou and Confucius agree with Zhuang Zhou beating a drum and Sang He singing?" I said, "Even when sharing the same bed, there is still the sorrow of separation; even when traveling far together, there will be sighs along the way. Moreover, when the body is connected, and the breath is shared, transforming into different entities, expressing emotions through clothing, what could possibly hinder the sages?"
Xing Shao said, "An eagle turns into a dove, a mouse turns into a kestrel, a weasel turns into a turtle; these are examples of transformations in nature. Biological changes give rise to one another, just like light leaving one candle to ignite another." I said, "The eagle has not yet turned into a dove, so the dove does not exist. A mouse cannot exist in two forms at once; how could it? Light leaving this candle can ignite that candle; the spirit leaving this physical form can also reside in another physical form. What is there to be confused about, really?"
Xing Shao said, "To turn soil into people and trees into creatures with eyes and noses requires the divine power of creation; it should not be this way." I replied, "If decayed grass can transform into fireflies and rotting wood into scorpions, then who can do what the god of creation cannot?" Later, I wrote to Xing Shao again, saying, "When presenting ideas, one should back them up with texts as evidence. To contradict Confucius while considering oneself a gentleman is misguided. If one ignores the teachings of the sages, everything will act according to its own will. If a horse wants to head east, who can stop it? Why pursue compromise? Why cherish only the one correct viewpoint? Your insights might be impressive, but your understanding is still limited." We debated back and forth many times; Xing Shao was at a loss for words and ultimately ceased the debate. There were many specific texts, but I will not record them all here.
Because I was still in Zhengzhou on official business, my family reported me for treason, and I was thrown into prison. Eventually, they found out it was a wrongful accusation, and I was released. Since then, I hardly ever went to court. Later, because of my second son, who was the Chief Judge, the case he was working on got delayed, and he was reported along with the officials from the temple by Lang Zhong Feng Jingzhe. This matter reached Emperor Xianzu, who was furious and demoted me to serve as an official in Linhai Town.
At that time, Dongfang Bai from Chuzhou rebelled, and various places responded. Linhai Town was besieged by the rebel chiefs Zhang Chuo and Pan Tianhe. I rallied the people of Linhai and successfully defended the city. Xianzu was really pleased with this and allowed me to manage affairs in Haizhou, which was where I had been demoted. While in Haizhou, I repaired the Tongling Road and the former path of Han Xin. I also constructed a long dam along the eastern coast of Haizhou to block the salty tide from the sea and bring in fresh water. The emperor gave the green light to my petition. Later, I was moved to Jiaozhou as the Inspector, but before I even started, I was reassigned to Jiaozhou as the Inspector.
I am an elegant and generous person, especially skilled at handling government affairs. Wherever I go, I can govern the local area cleanly and am deeply loved by the people. I have an interest in metaphysics, which has grown stronger with age, and I annotated the "Zhuangzi: Huishi Chapter" and the "I Ching" with commentaries, naming it "New Annotations on the Meaning Garden," which has been handed down through the generations. I have a fairly upright character; during the reign of the Ba Dynasty, I often spoke frankly to advise them not to yield their official positions. When Xianzu was Prime Minister, I held a high official position, and at that time, when I heard someone discuss yielding their official position, I advised them not to. Xianzu once asked me, "What kind of people should be used to govern the country?" I replied, "The cavalry and chariots of the Xianbei ultimately still need to be Chinese." Xianzu thought my words were a jab at him.
At that time, Gao Dezhen held a high position of power. Xianzu wanted to bring him down but could not find an opportunity, so he publicly criticized him, stating, "The Yellow Gate serves beside the emperor; how can they not be happy to hear good suggestions and only enjoy putting others down and undermining them!" Dezhen hated me deeply in his heart and often spoke ill of me in front of Xianzu. He even had the chief scribe, Du Yongzhen, secretly inform Xianzu that I had accepted bribes while serving as a long-term official and had been lavishly handling weddings and funerals. Xianzu always remembered this. Relying on my past friendship with him, I frequently submitted memorials to present matters and request action. In the summer of the tenth year, the emperor drank too much and brought up all the mistakes I had made in the past, demoting me to the prefecture where I was to be executed; I was sixty-nine years old at that time. Later, the emperor regretted his decision and sent someone to pursue me, but it was already too late. My eldest son, Rui, and my fourth son, Guangyuan, were sent into exile in Linhai Town, while my second son, Taiqing, was initially exiled to Dongyu Prefecture. In the early years of the Qianming era, they all returned to Ye City. In the fifth year of Tiantong, I was posthumously awarded the title of Envoy with Authority, Military of Yangzhou and Yingzhou, Opening the Office of Three Departments, Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Governor of Yangzhou, and received the posthumous title of Wensu.
Sun Rui and Sun Taiqing, the brothers, were both outstanding and highly educated. Especially Sun Taiqing, whose writing was exceptional and widely recognized at the time. His elder brother Sun Rui, with the courtesy name Zimei, served as the Deputy Minister of Ceremonies during the Wuping years of the Northern Zhou dynasty, and also served as an Attendant Official while acting as an envoy to the State of Chen. In his later years, he served as a Senior Official in the Ministry of Personnel. By the time of the Kaihuang period of the Sui dynasty, he eventually became the Prefect of Kaizhou. Sun Taiqing, with the courtesy name Shaoshan, held various positions, including Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat and Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate, while also serving as the Grand Writer and in charge of compiling the national history. During the Wuping years of the Northern Zhou dynasty, he became the Ritual Official at the National Academy and concurrently served as the Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites. When Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed the Qi state, he ordered eighteen prominent officials, including the Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites Yang Xiuzhi, to accompany him into the pass, but the Sun brothers were excluded. Later, even though Sun Taiqing was also summoned, he was sent back home because of his deafness. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui dynasty, he was summoned once more as a Grand Writer, and after over a year, he requested retirement because of his old age. The court approved his request, granting him special privileges that included a lifetime salary, but shortly thereafter, he passed away.
The historian commented: Sun Qian worked by the side of the prince, handling documents, and although he had not been in the court for long, he had developed deep feelings. When he suddenly met with misfortune and passed away, it felt like losing my right arm; although the battle flag had not yet been put away, the founder of the dynasty still valued talent. Otherwise, how could he have achieved the great achievements of a conqueror? The Grand Historian once said: "It is not the dead that are truly feared, but those who face death." "Some burdens weigh heavier than Mount Tai, while others are lighter than a feather." This is the principle behind it. Yuan Kang, with his intelligence and talent, dedicated himself to the rule of the hegemon, strategizing within the inner court and shouldering important responsibilities. When faced with danger, he unhesitatingly sacrificed himself for a just cause, which reflected his life’s true value. Yang Yin thought of himself as a genius, surpassing all ordinary people, but when the regicide and rebellion occurred, he hid away, illustrating that it is not just those who face death who suffer, but also those who have died! The illustrious ancestor was both young and talented, and the ministers at the time did not recognize him. When the turmoil occurred in the Northern Palace, due to his age and status, everyone began to pay attention to him, so there was no consensus at that time on whether he should be executed. Du Bi was knowledgeable, had clear insights, and spoke straightforwardly and uprightly; during the abdication, he was the first to harbor ulterior motives. Before the emperor's anger had subsided, he was executed. Many people spoke frankly and offered advice, but who could escape a fate like his?
Praise: Yan Ju rides swiftly, with exceptional talent and conduct. Yuan Kang was loyal and courageous, sacrificing himself for a just cause. Ang Ang assisted the profound, pondering deeply and engaging in profound discussions; in times of decline, his name may have faded, but his integrity endured.
