Yuantan is a descendant of Emperor Wei Xianwen and the seventh son of King Xi of Xianyang. After his father Xi was killed, his brothers—Yi, Shu, and three others—fled to the south. Therefore, Yuantan inherited the title and was titled King of Fucheng. During the Yong'an period, he restored his original title as the Prince of Xianyang, and his official position eventually rose to the position of Palace Attendant. Emperor Zhuang once remarked to him casually, "Your abilities are not on par with Xun Yu or Cai Yong, and you’ve climbed the ranks so quickly at such a young age, and that’s why you got a special promotion."
In the early years of Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Yuantan's brother Shu was captured. Yuantan worried that his older brother Shu, though talented, might replace him in the future, so he secretly suggested to the court that they execute him as per the law. His brother Shu learned of this and cried as he said, "I couldn’t die in battle because of our family’s misfortunes and could only run for my life, which is how I ended up with this title. I am now coming to you not for any grand cause, just to stay alive; how could I even dream of wealth and honor? How can you suspect me like this and forget our brotherly bond? Although you are tall and strong, you have no commendable qualities!" Yuantan's expression darkened, and he walked away. When Shu died, Yuantan didn’t shed a single tear.
Yuan Tan later became the Minister of State, Grand Commandant, and Grand Tutor, and was additionally appointed as Palace Attendant, Grand Master, Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel, Clan Elder, and Governor of Sizhou. Although his salary was substantial and his official rank was prominent, he was insatiable, selling official positions and abusing his power without any shame. He was later impeached by the censors and stripped of his office, returning home to live in relative luxury. Not long after, he was reinstated and became the Inspector of Jizhou, continuing to exploit the common people. When the people paid taxes, in addition to the regular taxes, he extorted five bolts of silk from every household before he would accept the tax. He particularly enjoyed hunting and fishing, going out almost every day, hunting rabbits and wild chickens in autumn and winter, and fishing and catching crabs in spring and summer, with hundreds of hunting dogs and trained hawks. He himself said he would rather skip three meals than miss a single day of hunting. Later, he returned to court as Grand Tutor. During the reign of Emperor Tianbao, his title was demoted as per the regulations, and he was granted the title of Duke of Xinfeng County, holding the position of Special Advisor with ministerial rank. Because his son Yuan Shibao and the Cavalry Attendant Peng Guiping spoke recklessly after drinking, making outrageous claims about prophecies, the relevant authorities petitioned for their execution, but the emperor ultimately pardoned them. Yuan Tan was then exiled to Beiyingzhou, where he eventually died in exile.
Yuan Bin, styled Shanjiji, was a descendant of Emperor Xianwen of Wei. His father, Prince Gaoyang Yuan Yong, was killed alongside Emperor Xiaozhuang at Heyin. Yuan Bin inherited his ancestral title at a young age and later became Palace Attendant and Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites. He was handsome, gentle in character, and cautious in his official duties, earning the favor of Emperor Wenxiang of Qi. At the beginning of the Tianbao era, his title was reduced according to regulations, making him Duke of Gaoyang County, and he was then appointed as Right Grand Master. Two years later, he accompanied Emperor Wenxuan to fight against the Khitan and, upon returning to Bailanghe, was sentenced to death for his offenses.
Yuan Xiaoyou was a descendant of Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei dynasty. His elder brother, Prince Linhuai Yuan Yu, had no sons, so he designated Yuan Xiaoyou as his heir. He gradually rose through the ranks to become the governor of Cangzhou. He was relatively gentle in his official duties and liked to do small favors, and while he wasn't particularly incorruptible, he never committed any acts that harmed the common people, who generally felt this was a good thing. One time, Emperor Jing of Wei hosted a banquet for Emperor Wenxiang of Qi in Hualin Garden, and Yuan Xiaoyou got drunk and started bragging, saying, "Your Majesty, you promised to reward me with talented individuals." The emperor smiled and replied, "I've always heard you say you're honest!" Emperor Wenxiang of Qi interjected, "Prince Linhuai has been pardoned by decree." Everyone then laughed heartily, and the matter was considered settled.
Yuan Xiaoyou was very knowledgeable about government affairs and once submitted a memorial that stated:
"System: One hundred families form a clan, twenty families form a neighborhood, and five families form a community. Within one hundred families, there are twenty-five leaders, and all are exempt from conscription, leading to unequal hardships and joys. There are few sheep and many wolves, and there is also the problem of encroachment. This has been a long-standing issue. In the capital, there are neighborhoods with seven or eight hundred families but only one neighborhood head and two historians, with no issues in public affairs, let alone in the outer provinces. I propose we keep the titles of the three leaders as they are, while one hundred families form a clan, four neighborhoods, and two communities. Each clan with twelve males would receive twelve bolts of silk fabric. Rough estimates suggest that, with the households under management, there should be over twenty thousand clans, producing two hundred forty thousand bolts of silk in a year. Fifteen males form one unit of soldiers, resulting in a total of sixteen thousand soldiers. This is how to strengthen the country and safeguard the people."
In ancient times, nobles married nine wives, while commoners had one wife and one concubine. Historically, according to the Jin Dynasty's regulations, kings could have eight concubines, and dukes and marquesses could have six concubines. According to the "Official Ranks Order," first and second rank officials could have four concubines, third and fourth rank officials three concubines, fifth and sixth rank officials two concubines, and seventh and eighth rank officials one concubine. Therefore, in the past, having many children and grandchildren was valued, and adherence to rituals and laws was emphasized. Having many children and grandchildren was seen as a manifestation of filial piety, and following rituals and laws was necessary for maintaining social order. However, the court has suddenly abandoned this tradition, and over time, it has become a habit. Many high-ranking officials and nobles marry princesses or daughters of royal relatives as their wives, and there are virtually no concubines in the households of lords and ministers; this has become the norm. Those unfortunate women born into this era live in a court that has no concubines, and the world has largely adopted a monogamous system.
If we force everyone to marry multiple wives now, families will definitely be in chaos, life will be difficult, and relatives and friends will laugh at us. Nowadays, people have no real rules. When parents marry off their daughters, they teach them to be jealous; when mothers-in-law and sisters meet, they advise daughters to be petty, viewing jealousy as a woman's virtue and a sign of being dutiful. Women all say they cannot be bullied and fear others will laugh at them. Even nobles and ministers have only one wife, let alone common folks. If jealousy grows stronger, the concubinage system will be abolished; once it is abolished, many adulterous affairs will occur, and that's what I detest. Therefore, I suggest that first-rank officials should take eight concubines, plus one legal wife, totaling nine; second-rank officials seven, third and fourth ranks five, and fifth rank one legal wife and two concubines. This quota must be met within a month. If the number is not reached or if there is disrespect towards the concubines that leads to the wife being jealous and beating them, the official will lose their position. If a wife has no children but does not take concubines, she is cutting off the family lineage and cannot worship the ancestors, and should be deemed unfilial and divorced.
My sincere intention is only to benefit the country and families, hoping that fortune and misfortune are in accordance with propriety, and that everyone, regardless of status, has their own rules. I work hard to train soldiers, stockpile food, set bounties to catch thieves, and issue decrees to regulate the court, hoping that the country can be strong and the people can live in peace and prosperity. I risk proposing an increase in the number of wives and concubines, hoping that the sons of nobles, ministers, and loyal officials will prosper and have many descendants, securing the nation's stability. This is my wish.
As a result, after my suggestion was reported to the court, various departments discussed it, but their opinions were divided.
Xiao You said, "Now, when people are alive, they are like lowly servants, but when they die, they want to throw a grand celebration as if they were nobles or generals. Living and dying are two different matters, and there's no sense of moderation at all. The graves are built high and grand, and the sacrificial ceremonies are made particularly elaborate, with neighbors getting in on the action and praising their filial piety. As for marriage, it is one of the first things emphasized by the state; as long as they can eat together, that's all that matters. But now, wealthy people are becoming increasingly extravagant, with wedding banquets that are even more extravagant than sacrificial feasts, with fish stacked up like a mountain, and trees and phoenixes displayed on top. In the end, after all the hustle and bustle, it all ends up as just a heap of junk, doesn't it? When you think about what Heaven really wants, it probably isn’t meant to be like this. So, from now on, if anyone's wedding or funeral is excessive, they will be treated as if they're defying orders. Officials who do not correct this in time will also bear responsibility!"
Xiao You had been an official in the local area for many years, always acting according to the rules and earning a good reputation. However, he was a bit of a smooth talker and adept at flattering those in power, which brought him some criticism for not being straightforward. During the Qi Tianbao period, he was demoted as per the rules, granted the title of Duke of Linhuai, and appointed as a Grand Minister of Ceremonies. Two years later, in winter, he was summoned to Jinyang Palace and was eventually killed along with Yuan Huiye.
Yuan Huiye, styled Shaoyuan, was the great-grandson of Emperor Jingmu of Wei. In his youth, he was pretty reckless and hung out with some bandits. As he grew up, he changed, began to read historical texts, could write essays, and showed a lot of integrity. He served as Minister of Works and Grand Commandant, and was further promoted to the position of Director of the Secretariat, in charge of the Ministry of Rites. Wenxiang once asked him, "What have you been reading lately?" Yuan Huiye replied, "I have been reading the stories of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, not the bios of Cao Man and Ma Teng."
Gao Huiye gradually lost his former power as his fortunes declined, no longer pursuing fame and wealth, but instead indulged in food, drink, and pleasure, eating a sheep daily and a cow every three days. He once wrote a poem lamenting: "Once I resided in the royal way, surrounded by the rich and talented; now I now face obstacles in life, with foxes and rabbits running wild." In the early years of Northern Qi, he was demoted to Duke of Meiyang and served as a Grand Official of the Three Departments and a Special Advisor. During this time, he wrote "The Family of the Wei State's Feudal Lords," subtitled "Discourse on the Sect," a forty-volume work which has been handed down through the ages. Although he held a prominent position, his eccentric personality often made him the target of suspicion. In the second year of the Tianbao era, he accompanied the emperor to Jinyang and, pointing outside the palace gate, shouted at Yuan Shao: "You're worse than an old woman, handing the imperial seal to someone else—why not just smash it? I know I'm saying this at the cost of my life, but how long do you think you can live?" Upon hearing this, Emperor Wenxuan ordered his execution, along with that of Duke Gao Xiaoyou of Linhuai. Gao Xiaoyou was in a panic at his execution, while Gao Huiye stayed calm. Afterwards, they were both frozen in ice and their bodies sunk beneath the surface. Gao Huiye's brother, Gao Zhaoye, was very learned and rose to the position of Grand Counselor. When Emperor Zhuang vi
Gao Yuanbi, styled Fuzong, was the son of Wei Sikong Gao Hui. (The following text is his own account.) He was known for his integrity and literary talent, and he rose to the position of Central散大夫. According to the hereditary system, he should have inherited his father's title. However, due to the favor his uncle, the Minister of Personnel Gao Li, received from the emperor, Gao Yuanbi's noble title was revoked and granted to his full-brother Gao Dan. Thus, Gao Yuanbi completely abandoned his official career, feigning illness and returning home. Later, Emperor Xuanwu summoned him to serve as Shizhong, but he resolutely declined the offer. He fled to Songshan, lived in a cave, dressed in simple clothes, and ate vegetarian meals, eventually passing. In the first year of the Jianyi era, his son Gao Huiye petitioned, and his noble title was reinstated. In the third year of Yong'an, he was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of Personnel and given the posthumous name Wenxian. Initially, Gao Yuanbi had a dream in which a figure told him, "Your title cannot be inherited; the one who will inherit your title will be your eldest son Gao Shaoyuan." Upon waking, Gao Yuanbi immediately told Gao Huiye, and ultimately, it unfolded just as the dream had foretold.
Yuan Shao, styled Shizhou, was the nephew of Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei. To escape the chaos caused by Er Zhu Rong, he hid in Mount Song. He had a particular love for learning and was also quite handsome. At first, when Er Zhu Rong was about to enter Luoyang, his father Yuan Shao was deeply fearful and entrusted his son Yuan Shao to Zheng Zhongming, the governor of Xingyang. As a result, Zheng Zhongming was later killed by the townspeople, and Yuan Shao got separated from his nurse amid the chaos and fled alongside Zheng Zhongming's nephew, Seng Fu. On the way, they encountered bandits, and Seng Fu, fearing they would be caught, urged Yuan Shao to get off his horse. Seng Fu said to the bandits, "Even a weary little bird draws sympathy from people; how much more so for a prince? How can you abandon him like this?" Seng Fu raised his knife and forced the bandits to retreat. Later, Yuan Shao met an elderly woman surnamed Cheng, who took pity on him and hid him in her home for more than ten days. Eventually, Emperor Xiaozhuang found him and allowed him to inherit the title of Prince of Pengcheng. Emperor Shenzu of Bei Qi later married his daughter to him. Many treasures of the Wei dynasty followed Yuan Shao to his home. Among them were two jade bowls, one fitting inside the other, which could spin but could not be taken out; there was also an agate wine cup that could hold three liters of wine, crafted with jade. These items were rumored to be crafted by spirits from the Western Regions. Yuan Shao later rose to the positions of Grand Marshal, Palace Attendant, Minister of the Interior, and Governor of Sizhou, and eventually promoted to Grand Tutor. In the first year of the Tianbao era of Bei Qi, his title was downgraded to that of a county duke.
Yuan Shao was gentle and generous, and as the son-in-law of the Gao family, he was favored by the emperor. However, he was humble and cautious, treating others with kindness. He was fond of Confucian teachings, respected the worthy, and loved nature and pastoral life, building residences that were luxurious but not excessive. Later, Emperor Wenxuan even shaved Yuan Shao's beard, put makeup on him, dressed him in women's clothing, and had him follow closely, saying, "I treat King Pengcheng like my concubine." This was a jab at the Yuan family's lack of power, likening him to a woman.
A decade later, the historian noted, "This year we should reform and innovate." Emperor Wenxuan asked Shao (referring to Yuan Shao), "How did Emperor Guangwu of Han restore the dynasty?" Shao replied, "Because he did not completely exterminate the Liu clan." Therefore, Emperor Wenxuan decided to execute the Yuan clan to prevent any future threats.
In May, Emperor Wenxuan ordered the execution of Yuan Shizhe, Yuan Jingshi, and twenty-five other families, while the remaining nineteen families faced strict prohibitions. Yuan Shao was imprisoned in the dungeons of the capital, went on a hunger strike and ultimately starved to death while clutching his sleeves. By July, the large-scale massacre of the Yuan family began, with no one spared, starting from King Zhao Cheng. No matter if their ancestors were princes, they were high officials, or if their brothers were strong, all were executed. Those infants were thrown into the air and then caught on long spears. In total, seven hundred twenty-one people were killed, and their bodies were thrown into the Zhang River. Later, when people cut open fish bellies, they often found human nails, and the entire capital city refrained from eating fish for a long time.
It was said: The Yuan family was powerful, thriving on the merits of their ancestors; however, the dynasty's fortunes had run out, and the Yuan family ultimately faced brutal punishment.
