Long, long ago, among the descendants of the Shao Hao Jin clan, there was a man named Mei (昧). He was the teacher of Xuanming (玄冥) and had two sons named Yunge and Tai Tai (台骀). Tai Tai inherited his father's position, governed the basins of the Fen and Tao Rivers, built dams to control the floodwaters, and developed the Taiyuan region. Emperor Zhuan Xu greatly appreciated him and appointed him to oversee the Fen River basin. Later, his descendants developed into four countries: Shen, Si, Ru, and Huang. Shen Guo corresponds to present-day Ruanan Pingyu Shen Ting. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Shen Guo also participated in the vassal alliance! In the fourth year of Duke Ding's reign, the vassals gathered at Shaoling to attack the Chu State. Shen Guo did not go, so the Jin State dispatched the Cai State to attack Shen Guo, resulting in the downfall of Shen Guo and the capture of Shen Zijia, the ruler of Shen Guo.
Afterward, the people of Shen Guo adopted the country's name as their surname. Since then, the genealogy of the Shen clan has been lost. During the late Qin Dynasty, a man named Shen Cheng was summoned to serve as prime minister, but he did not go. In the early Han Dynasty, Shen Cheng's great-grandson, Shen Bao, was appointed Marquis of Zhuyi. Shen Bao's son, Shen Zun, moved from his hometown to Shouchun in Jiujiang and held the titles of Taifu to the King of Qi and Marquis of Fude. Shen Zun's son, Shen Da, served as a General of the Cavalry. Shen Da's son, Shen Qian, served as the Minister of Personnel Affairs. Shen Qian's son, Shen Hong, served as the Governor of Nanyang Province. Shen Hong's son, Shen Xu, served as the Governor of Henan. Shen Xu's son, Shen Fen, served as Deputy Minister of Justice. Shen Fen's son, Shen Ke, served as the Chief Architect. Shen Ke's son, Shen Qian, served as Minister and Marquis of Guannei. Shen Qian's son, Shen Jing, served as Governor of Jiyin. Shen Jing's son, Shen Rong, also known as Wei Qing, served as an official in the province, and he convinced the notorious bandit Yin Liang to surrender. Emperor Guangwu of Han highly valued his contributions and appointed him Marquis of Haihun County, but he declined the offer.
So he moved to Yubuxiang in Wucheng County, Kuaiji, to seek refuge and settled there. In the first year of Han Shun Emperor, Kuaiji County was divided into Wu County, and they became residents of Wu County. In the fifth year of Han Ling Emperor, Wucheng and Yuhang were combined into Yong'an County; in the second year of Emperor Sun Hao, Wu County was divided into Wuxing County, and they became residents of Wuxing County. Although the names of the places changed, they never moved. After Emperor Wu of Jin conquered Wu, in the second year of Taikang, Yong'an County was renamed Wukang County. Historical records indicate that my seventh-generation ancestor, Shen Yan, lived in Yuwu Village, Bolu, in Dongxiang, Wukang County. My father was an official in the capital. In the eleventh year of Yixi, the emperor granted our family a house in Yunxiang Lane, Jiankang.
Rong Zi Feng, styled Shengtong, was the governor of Lingling and also received auspicious items like Huanglong Zhicao. His second son, Rong Xu, styled Zhonggao, served as the magistrate of Anping County. The youngest son, Rong Jing, served as the magistrate of Hejian County, and his descendants include Rong Yan, Rong Qing, Rong Tanqing, and Rong Huaiwen. Rong Xu's son, Rong Luan, styled Jianguang, gained recognition at a young age and was recommended by the state as a talented person; he was appointed as an official historian by the state government. At that time, the Governor of Guangling, Lu Chou, was Rong Luan's uncle, and due to his reputation for righteousness and accomplishments during the Han Dynasty, he married his daughter to Rong Luan. Unfortunately, Rong Luan tragically passed away at just 23. His son, Rong Zhi, styled Boping, was also recommended by the state as a talented person and was well-respected, but he also passed away at the age of 28.
Rong Ziyi, courtesy name Zhongze, was known for his virtue from a young age. His elder brother Rong Yu was ten years old when their father passed away, when Rong Ziyi was just nine years old. During the mourning period, they were both deeply filial and mourned even more intensely than adults. Their maternal grandfather, Shen Xiaozhang, a renowned scholar at the end of the Han Dynasty, was deeply saddened to see them in such a state. He always comforted them, saying, "Both of you are intelligent individuals; you will surely become extraordinary figures in the future. Why be overly sorrowful and bring distress upon yourselves?" After the three-year mourning period, they became so emaciated that they were hardly recognizable, and thus, the brothers gained a reputation for their filial piety. Later, Rong Yu passed away early as well. Rong Ziyi studied diligently, was talented, and based his character on Confucian virtues. During the chaotic times with constant warfare and the decline of scholarly pursuits, few scholars were able to maintain their integrity. However, Rong Ziyi was sincere, profound, patient, and unwavering in his principles, never changing. He had noble character, was selective in his friendships, and was only friendly with Zuzi Zhongshan, Shushan, and his friend Lü Gongji from Wu County. Local officials frequently invited him to take up official positions, and the court also summoned him multiple times, but he always declined. Ultimately, he passed away quietly.
Rong Zixian, styled Yuanli, served as General of the Left, Xindu Commandant, and Dingyang Marquis during the Wu Kingdom period, showing exceptional talent and ambition. His son Rong Jiao, styled Zhonghuan, gained a reputation for his uprightness and served as Colonel of the Lüwu and Adjutant General, was granted the title of marquis, and also served as General Who Establishes Might and Xindu Administrator. During the reign of Sun Hao, Rong Jiao was a renowned military leader. After the fall of the Wu Kingdom, he was appointed as Yulin Administrator and Changsha Administrator, but he declined both positions. He died during the Taikang period. His son Rong Ling, styled Jinggao, was appointed as an aide by Prince Yue of Donghai, the Grand Tutor, and later served as military advisor when Emperor Yuan held the position of General Who Guards the East. When Xu Fu rebelled and killed the Wu Xing Administrator Yuan Xiu, Rong Ling suppressed the rebellion. His son Rong Yan, styled Sichang, served as Anxi military advisor under Huan Wen and Yinchuan Administrator. His son Rong He, styled Zining, served as Nan Middle General Adjutant under Huan Chong and died from illness while besieging Yuan Zhen in Shouyang.
Shen Zijing, styled Shiming, was known for his kindness, ambition, and expertise in the "Zuo Zhuan" text. Coming from a wealthy family, he managed thousands of assets and served as County Registrar. Later, General Xie An appointed him as military advisor and held him in great esteem. Zijing was a well-respected gentleman in the southeast region, but he had no desire for officialdom. When Xie An fell ill and wanted to retire, Zijing also requested to resign. Xie An earnestly persuaded him, saying, "You govern the realm with righteousness, which is why you are respected. I no longer see a purpose in serving the court and just want to live peacefully." He returned home and found contentment in his family's wealth.
Later, Former General and Inspector of Qing and Yanzhou, Wang Gong, stationed at Jingkou, was an old friend of Zijing and invited him to serve as military advisor again. He even wrote a heartfelt letter, but Zijing initially declined and soon resigned from his official position.
Shen Zimu, courtesy name Yanhe, was fond of learning from a young age and was also proficient in the "Zuo Zhuan." Wang Gong appointed him as the chief clerk of the front army and wrote to Zijing, saying, "Since you persist in not wanting to be an official and prefer to live in seclusion in the southeast, that's why I've reluctantly appointed your son to work with me, not to use an official position to constrain him." Earlier, a man from Qiantang, Du Zigong, was knowledgeable in supernatural arts. The prominent families of the east and the dignitaries of the capital all regarded him as their teacher and respected him greatly. Zijing's family had practiced Taoism for several generations, and he also respected Du Zigong very much. After Du Zigong's death, his disciple Sun Tai and his disciple En inherited his Taoist tradition, and Zijing continued to follow them in learning.
In the third year of Long'an, En rebelled in Kuaiji, declared himself the General of Conquest in the East, and various places in Jiangnan responded to him. At that time, Zimu was in Kuaiji, where En appointed him as the front army general, Zhenwu general, and magistrate of Yuyao County. On December 28 of the same year, En was defeated by Liu Laozhi, and General Gaosu captured Zimu in Shanyin. Also captured were the false Wu County Prefect Lu Gui and the Wu Xing County Prefect Qiu Wei, all of whom were killed. Their heads were packed in boxes and sent to the capital, as noted in the "Long'an Stories." Prior to this, Zijing's relative Shen Yu had always been idle, much to Zijing's disdain. When Zijing learned that Zimu was involved in the rebellion and was considering fleeing to avoid trouble, Shen Yu reported them to the officials. As a result, Zijing, Zimu, and his brothers Zhongfu, Renfu, Yufu, and Peifu were all executed; only Zimu's sons—Yuanzi, Yunzi, Tianzi, Linzi, and Qianzi—managed to escape unharmed.
Yuan Zi, whose courtesy name was Jingshen, had aspirations and integrity from a young age. He followed the founding emperor to capture the capital and was granted the title of Marquis of Fanzhi County. He later held various positions, including Commander of the Garrison, Cavalry Commander, Assistant to the Daoist Regulations, Military Advisor for the Western Expedition, and Prefect of Ningshu. Alongside Liu Ji, he killed Cai Meng at Da Bu, and subsequently became a Military Advisor to the Grand Commandant, joining the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi. Ultimately, he fell in battle alongside Xu Kuizhi, at just thirty-five years old.
Yuanzi's son, Yuan Zhi, was a calm and experienced individual, with a dignified presence, handsome features, and graceful manners. He enjoyed studying the philosophy of Laozi. He was recruited by the state at a young age. The Grand Master of his family praised him, saying, "He is a rare talent in our family!" Later, he held the position of magistrate in the counties of Shinin, Wushang, and Lousan, and resigned to observe a period of mourning for his mother. After the mourning period, he served as a military officer under Wang Dan in the rear army. While Wang Dan was stationed at Kuaiji, he also participated in Eastern military affairs. In the thirtieth year of the Yuanjia era, the tyrannical emperor was assassinated, and the Jiangdong region was reorganized into Huizhou, with Wang Dan appointed as the governor. When Wang Dan was about to accept the appointment, Yuan Zhi said to Sima Gu Chen, "Such a calamity has never been seen since the dawn of time. Now, using the elite troops of Jiangdong to set an example for the world, like raising a flag, won't people from all directions respond? This way, we can rectify the court's injustices and showcase the loyalty of the ministers. How can we bow to these cruel rebels and allow Your Highness to accept their false kindness?" Gu Chen replied, "Jiangdong hasn't seen battle in a long time, and the soldiers are unaccustomed to military affairs. While loyalty and treachery may differ, strength and weakness are not the same. We should wait for a just cause to arise before responding; it won't be too late." Yuan Zhi responded, "If the world were to become a fatherless realm, then that might hold true. If the world is not like this, how can we bear hatred and shame with a clear conscience, and push the responsibility of justice onto others? Now, due to the heinous acts of regicide, we should not sink to their level. When we rise up, how can we expect to come through unscathed? Feng Yan once said that the prominent ministers of the Han Dynasty were not as esteemed as the common scholars of Jingzhou and Qi! Moreover, Your Highness carries the dual responsibility of a minister and a subject, truly considering the welfare of the country and its people!" Gu Chen and Yuan Zhi persuaded Wang Dan together, and Wang Dan was still undecided at that moment. At this time, the Xunyang rebels launched their uprising, and Emperor Song sent envoys. Wang Dan promoted Yuan Zhi to General of Ning Shuo, leading the army to take over from Liu Jizhi. Wang Dan was later appointed as the Grand General of the Cavalry, and Yuan Zhi became a military officer and was later promoted to Changshui Captain. In the first year of Xiaojian, he was transferred to Qingzhou Licheng to guard, and upon his arrival, he found the Linzi area to be vacant. So he was appointed as General of Ning Shuo and Prefect of Qibei Hai, taking on the significant responsibility of defending the entire Qi region. Before he could assume office, he passed away the following year at the age of forty-three. Yuan Zhi lived a life of luxury and passed away without leaving any wealth for his family.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Yuan Ziyun, and his son was named Yun Huan, with the courtesy name Shiwei. When Yun Huan was young, he became an Imperial Son-in-Law and Cavalry Commander, holding an important official position. Later, during the regicide incident, Yun Huan was also serving as a Zhong Shuzi (a junior official in charge of palace security), and was forced into the palace.
After the usurper declared himself emperor, he wanted Yun Huan to serve as the Yulin Guard, but Yun Huan firmly refused. He was then appointed as an Assistant Cavalry Official, sent to keep watch over the sons of King Yixuan of Nanqiao. This is documented in "The Chronicle of Yixuan." Afterwards, he successively served as a military officer in the Prime Minister's office, an Assistant Cavalry Official, and the magistrate of Nanchang, achieving remarkable political success and a good reputation.
Later, he was transferred to serve as a military officer in the household of Prince Jinping. While his colleagues were busy flattering their way up, Yun Huan stayed true to his principles. Shortly after, his colleagues, including Zhou Jingzu, were dismissed by the emperor, but Yun Huan was promoted to the role of advisory military officer.
In the era of Emperor Feidi Yuanhui, Yun Huan was appointed as the General of Ningyuan and the Inspector of Jiaozhou. Unfortunately, before he could assume his new role, he fell ill and died at the age of forty-five.
Tianzi, with the courtesy name Jingguang, was from Yunyang County. He fought alongside the founding emperor, captured the capital, restored peace to the region, and participated in military campaigns, and was eventually granted the title of the Fifth Marquis of Yingdao County.
In the fifth year of the Yixi era, Gaozu launched a northern expedition against the Xianbei tribe. Tian Zi led the vanguard alongside General Long Xiang, Meng Longfu, charging into the fray. Murong Chao established a defensive position in Linqu to block the advance of the army. As a result, Meng Longfu fell in battle, but Tian Zi fought valiantly and defeated Murong Chao. Later, Lu Xun moved closer to the capital, so Gaozu sent Tian Zi and General Sun Jigao to mount a surprise naval attack on Guangzhou. Tian Zi was promoted to General of Zhenwu. Lu Xun's subordinate, Xu Daofu, returned to fortify Shixing, and Tian Zi, along with General Liu Fan, attacked them. Lu Xun later returned to besiege Sun Jigao in Guangzhou, and Tian Zi, concerned for Sun Jigao's safety, told Liu Fan, "Although Guangzhou is strong, it was originally a stronghold of bandits. Now that Lu Xun has returned to besiege it, there could be traitors inside. Moreover, Sun Jigao's forces are thin and won't last long. If we let the bandits take this place back, their power will grow again. Sun Jigao and I have gone through hardships together, risking our lives to cross the sea and pacify Guangzhou. How can we stand by and watch him in danger without going to his aid?" So he led his troops south, arriving just as Lu Xun had regrouped his scattered soldiers and surrounded Guangzhou. Sun Jigao, holding out alone in a desperate situation, was thrilled to hear that Tian Zi had arrived. Tian Zi positioned his troops along the river, personally leading them into battle, defeating Lu Xun's army. He then pursued Lu Xun and defeated him in Cangwu, Yulin, and Ningpu. Upon returning to Guangzhou, Sun Jigao fell gravely ill and passed away.
After the war, mountain bandits rose up, attacking cities and killing officials. Tian Zi responded by conducting punitive actions and quelled the rebellion within ten days. When the governor Chu Shengdu arrived, Tian Zi returned to the capital. The court appointed him as a military advisor, General of Zhenwu, Governor of Huailing, and granted him the title of Duke of Duxiang. He also participated in military campaigns with the crown prince's army, while retaining his positions as general and advisor. In the eighth year of Yixi, he participated in the campaign against Liu Yi. In the eleventh year of Yixi, he commanded a separate army in the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi, fighting alongside General Zhao Lunzhi, and also serving as a military advisor, General of Zhenwu, and Prefect of Fufeng. Twelve years ago, Emperor Gaozu launched a northern expedition. Tian Zi and the Prefect of Shunyang, Fu Hongzhi, each led a separate army through Wuguan and stationed at Qingni. Yao Hong wanted to personally defend against the army but was also concerned about Tian Zi attacking his rear, so he decided to deal with Tian Zi first before launching a full-scale attack to the east. Leading tens of thousands of infantry, he quickly arrived at Qingni. Tian Zi, with only a few hundred men, intended to create a diversion and planned to attack Yao Hong. Fu Hongzhi said, "They have many men while we have few; it's hard to take them on." Tian Zi said, "The key to winning in war is to outsmart the enemy, not just rely on numbers." Fu Hongzhi still insisted on his opinion, but Tian Zi said, "The difference in our strength compared to the enemy is significant, and the situation is not optimistic. If we allow the enemy to encircle us, morale will plummet, and it will be over. While they are not yet stable, attacking them will surely lead to victory; this is how we seize the initiative." So he alone led his soldiers to charge forward.
The enemy closed in around us, and Tian Zi comforted the soldiers, saying: "Everyone, you have left your hometown and family, left your ancestors' graves, and come to this perilous place of sword and shadow, isn't it for today? The chance to earn titles and glory is right before us!" He then ordered the abandonment of food supplies, the destruction of barracks, personally overseeing the soldiers, and launched a pincer attack from front and rear, relentless in their advance. The Jiangdong warriors, led by him, excelled in using short weapons, shouting as they charged into battle, causing the enemy to scatter like leaves in the wind, killing over ten thousand enemies and capturing Yao Hong's ceremonial equipment and chariots. Gaozu submitted a report to the court, saying: "The military expedition against the enemy, General Zhenwu, and the Governor of Fufeng, Shen Tianzi, led an elite force, attacking fiercely like lightning, leading from the front, fiercely brave, achieving victory against overwhelming odds, invincible in their advance, from morning till afternoon, killing thousands of enemy soldiers. Yao Hong discarded his armor and helmet, leaving his army behind and fleeing back to Baxi; Xianyang City lay in ruins, surrounded on all sides by our righteous forces, completely annihilating the remnants of the enemy, the tide of battle had turned." The emperor comforted Gaozu, saying: "The rebels occupied strategic positions, living in ease and luxury, we broke through the Hangu Pass, intending to suppress the rebels, all the troops worked diligently, enduring extreme weather. You personally took command of the army, striking fear into the enemy; your military prowess is commendable, breaking through the outer fortifications, occupying Xiaoshan and Shanzhou, opening Tongguan and Saiguan. Yao Hong had no way out, surrendered the city, the reinforcements from Lantian were defeated in Baxi, the enemy's corpses piled high like mountains, countless were captured, the rebel leader fled in panic, the Huarong army surrendered one after another; years of rebellion were about to be decisively crushed."
After the pacification of Chang'an City, Gaozu held a banquet in the Wenchang Hall and raised his cup to toast Tian Zi, saying, "The pacification of Xianyang is thanks to you!" He then appointed him as the magistrate of Xianyang and Shiping. Tian Zi humbly replied, "The pacification of Xianyang was due to the wise strategy of Your Majesty and the efforts of all the soldiers. What merit do I have?" He was later appointed as the Deputy Military Advisor of Anxi, General Longxiang, and magistrate of Shiping. When the Fofo invaded, Tian Zi and Anxi Sima Wang Zhen'e went to defend Beidi together. At first, Gaozu planned to return, but Tian Zi and Fu Hongzhi repeatedly advised him, saying that Wang Zhen'e's family was in Guanzhong and could not be trusted. Gaozu replied, "Leave you, civil and military officials, and ten thousand elite soldiers here. If he tries to cause trouble, it will be his own downfall. Say no more." When they marched to Beidi together, someone said that Wang Zhen'e wanted to kill all the people from the south, send Yizhen back to the south with several thousand people, and then rebel in Guanzhong. Tian Zi and Hongzhi discussed and forged an order from Gaozu to kill Wang Zhen'e, and they together defeated the Fofo, pacified Guanzhong, and then headed south to apologize. Tian Zi's kinsman Shen Jingren was brave and skilled in battle. Tian Zi discussed a plan to deal with Wang Zhen'e in Hongzhi's camp, allowing Jingren to kill Wang Zhen'e during a banquet and lead several dozen subordinates to join Yizhen. Chief Historian Wang Xiu killed Tian Zi outside the Chang'an granary gate. It was the fifteenth day of the first month in the fourteenth year of the Yixi era, and Tian Zi was thirty-six years old at the time. Tian Zi should have been rewarded for his achievements, but this incident led to the cancellation of the reward. Gaozu submitted a memorial to the throne, stating that Tian Zi died in a state of mental confusion and was not guilty of a serious crime. Tian Zi had no children, so his younger brother Lin Zi designated his second son, Liang, as his heir.
Zhuge Liang, style name Kongming, was renowned for his integrity, dedication to learning, and writing prowess. Before he even turned twenty, he was called to serve by the local government. At that time, the Governor of Kuaiji, Meng Yi, was involved in misconduct, which resulted in Meng Yi being dismissed after Zhuge Liang wrote a memorial accusing him. Later, he submitted a memorial discussing the natural disasters and was appointed as the Registrar of the Western Bureau. At that time, the Three Wu regions were hit by floods, soaring food prices, and rampant hunger. The Inspector of Pengcheng, Wang Yikang, ordered the development of a relief plan for the people. Zhuge Liang proposed: "In the eastern regions suffering from drought, the people are in distress, food prices are soaring, and the wealthy are hoarding. Orders should be issued to conceal the actual amount of grain in each region, allowing them to hold onto a year's worth of reserves, and forcing them to sell the rest of the grain at a unified price. This is a time-tested approach and a practical solution. Additionally, the Huai River region has had a good harvest this year, with an abundance of wheat already harvested and millet and rice nearly ripe. The taxes on these grains can be converted into cash, traded on the market, loaned to the starving people of the Three Wu regions, and organized to transport food by strong individuals to support the elderly and weak. Moreover, alcohol is more of a luxury than a necessity, so brewing and selling should be banned to cut down on unnecessary spending." His proposal was quickly accepted and put into action.
Later, Emperor Wu (Sima Zhao) went to Liyang, and Zhuge Liang participated in the military expedition. At that time, some people were caught digging graves, and nearby villagers were implicated and punished for not rescuing in time. Zhuge Liang believed: "Digging graves is only a theft, just violating the grave of the deceased, so it is not appropriate to punish with the same severity. Grave robbers are bound to act stealthily, while robbers will be loud. Therefore, it is easier to prevent fierce robbers, but preventing stealthy grave robbers is much harder. Moreover, graves in the wilderness are seldom visited and aren't places people frequent, so prevention and rescue cannot be the same as in villages. The effectiveness of preventive measures is fundamentally different from dealing with robbery cases, so the penalties for soldiers should be less severe. In addition, although the punishment standards have the same restrictions as soldiers, there are no distance limits. Graves aren’t confined by village boundaries, so punishment should be based on the distance from the grave. If the boundaries are not clear, then within a few steps and ten miles away, they should receive the same punishment. We can't just lift the prohibition against crimes by the people all at once, and the punishment for illegal acts should comply with the law. I believe that anyone who fails to report within a hundred steps of a grave should face a one-year sentence, and those beyond one hundred steps should no longer be punished."
Your Majesty, I report once again on the situation in the Western Palace. I found that some soldiers in the Western Palace are already eighty years old and still in service; some are only seven years old and have already been conscripted. The elderly and frail are physically weakened; the young and weak children have not fully developed physically, yet they are forced to work day and night, which is both unreasonable and ineffective. Court regulations dictate retirement at sixty and conscription starting at fifteen. If they don't meet the physical requirements, their workload should be reduced accordingly.
Your Majesty, you had previously ordered my brother to rectify the situation, but he was later transferred, and the order was not carried out at all! Now I report to you again about the situation in the Western Mansion. Currently, the construction of the city and its residence is in progress, with very tight project deadlines. I reiterate that the construction is starting from scratch, with such a large foundation and strict deadlines, without regard for the soldiers' exhaustion, trying to finish in a short time what should take several years. I see the soldiers starting work before dawn and working until late at night, overwhelmed by so many tasks that they cannot complete. Even on their days off, they face various restrictions, and in recent days, with the rain and heat, many soldiers have fallen ill and died, and many have even escaped. I believe that the Western Mansion is, after all, an internal territory, different from the border towns, and does not need to be managed so urgently. If their workload can be slightly reduced, and a better balance struck between lighter and heavier tasks, the soldiers will not be so hard-pressed and will be happier, and the final amount of work completed will not be much different. I’ve heard that those who lack responsibility won’t take care of their duties, just like a chef has his responsibilities, a body stays in its container. I know I’m just a minor official and shouldn’t overstep. However, I have received the grace of the emperor for generations and am loyal and devoted. I’m only speaking out of loyalty and concern.
Your Majesty, isn't my suggestion good? This has been a long-standing issue, and despite several orders for change, nothing has improved, which is unacceptable! Recently, I’ve sent Meng Xiu to deliver a decree, hoping that this time will be different. In the future, you can discreetly monitor their work and see if there’s any improvement. Later, Wang Jun of Shixing was appointed in Yangzhou, serving as the chief clerk and magistrate of Moling. He excels at cracking down on treachery and wrongdoing, and as long as he identifies a criminal, he will surely catch them. The founding emperor appreciates his talent and has appointed him to a court position in the capital.
Xiangyang is located on the border, and there has never been a prince stationed at a position of such importance before. In 452 AD, the Emperor sent him to be the General of the Frontier and the Governor of Yongzhou. The Emperor valued him greatly because Xiangyang is right next to Mount Xiao and Hangu Pass in the north, a strategically important location, and there are many nomadic tribes near Xiangyang, making it a border area. Therefore, the Emperor appointed him as the Prefect of Nanyang and also conferred upon him the title of General of Yangwu.
He intimidated the nomadic tribes on the border, and they obediently paid taxes and offered tributes. Only a few stubborn villages resisted, and he dealt with the resistance. He also sent officials to inspect various counties, ensuring the elderly, sick, and those unable to care for themselves were well looked after. He ensured that the elderly received food during festivals and holidays. During this time, Confucian ideals were thriving, and he established schools to educate students. He strictly prohibited the desecration of graves and illegal marriages.
There was an ancient stone dam in the county that had been abandoned for a long time. He submitted a memorial to the Emperor, who approved the repairs. His memorial stated: "To develop production, we must first teach the people to farm, cultivate good customs, promote agricultural production, and make the country prosperous and stable. The Luoyang area in the north is deserted, the city of Wancheng in the south is in ruins, nomadic tribes are causing chaos everywhere, the border is not peaceful, the distant beacon towers are under threat, and the areas near the border are frequently attacked. The fertile land is not being cultivated, important defense facilities are not being repaired, the common people are unable to farm peacefully, land distribution is unreasonable, resulting in famines and a continuous flow of refugees, which have persisted until now."
To let the influence of ritual and music penetrate deeply into people's hearts, and to strictly enforce laws to deter petty thieves, this is the right moment to tackle theft and boost agricultural production. Now is the perfect time to cultivate wasteland and pacify the border barbarians. I found an old stone weir in the county, with flat and fertile land; it is a good place, but it has been abandoned for a long time, losing its function. From my observations, I believe it should be restored.
When Wenweng was in office, he developed water conservancy, promoted production, comforted the people, expanded territories, and greatly benefited both Shu and the Han Dynasty. While I strive to emulate their political achievements, I still have many shortcomings, and I am worried that I have disappointed the emperor's expectations." He also repaired the Mapen Weir, which benefited the people.
After serving in Nanyang for four years, he was transferred to the position of Military Advisor under King Yixuan of Nanqiao. The court issued a decree saying, "Shaanxi needs talented people like you, so we appoint you to this position." Later, he followed Wang Dan to guard Xiangyang, served as the rear army, and concurrently served as the Yicheng Prefect. He was honest and clean as an official, deeply appreciated by Emperor Taizu, who rewarded him with numerous chariots, horses, clothes, and toys, amounting to a substantial total. Whenever valuable items were presented to the country on the border, the emperor would reward him with a portion. The emperor also rewarded him with two thousand books. In the year 457 AD, he passed away at the age of forty-seven. He left behind one hundred and eighty-nine articles including poems, fu, praises, eulogies, elegies, funeral orations, rain-seeking texts, yuefu, dirges, lianzhu, teachings, memorials, notes, tables, signs, and discussions.
Linzi, styled Jingshi, was the child of a landlord. He had a noble bearing from a young age, accompanying his father to Jingkou at a few years old. When Wang Gong saw him, he was amazed and remarked, "This child will be a great figure like Wang Zishi in the future!" Once when everyone went to see treasures, they all rushed to grab them; only Linzi walked straight ahead, showing no interest.
When he was thirteen years old, his family faced a terrible calamity. Despite fleeing everywhere, he cried day and night, unable to stop. His mother urged him, "You should endure the sadness, be strong. Why give up on yourself like this?" Linzi said, "My family has been harmed so miserably by our enemies; how can I even think about living a good life? I'm still alive today only because I haven’t had my revenge yet." His family was caught up in a rebellion, and his brothers were all sentenced to death. They escaped to the mountains to hide, constantly fearful of disaster. The powerful enemy, Shen Yu's family, was determined to destroy them.
During the day, Linzi and his brothers hid, and at night they came out to act. They sold their house and buried their father, grandparents, and uncles—a total of six people—in a simple and respectful funeral. By this time, the family's property had been spent. With many elderly and children, famine was raging in the east, and they had reached the point of even considering cannibalism. With officials and soldiers on their trail, and powerful enemies at home, they could only hide in the deep mountains.
At that time, Sun En attacked Kuaiji many times, and generals were sent one after another to suppress him. Liu Laozhi and Gao Suzhi allowed their soldiers to burn, kill, and plunder everywhere. Only Gaozu's army was known for its discipline and did not harm the people. Linzi then sought refuge with Gaozu, saying, "The rebels are wreaking havoc everywhere. My family has been forced into a corner; my father, ancestors, and uncles have all suffered misfortune. The old and the children in my family are left helpless. Today, seeing you fighting against the bad guys and honoring the good ones, you truly represent justice. I have brought my family's elderly and children to seek refuge with you, asking for your forgiveness." As he spoke, he started to cry, his voice breaking, and all the soldiers were touched.
The Emperor greatly admired him and said, "Since you are an enemy of the state and have powerful enemies in your hometown, it is best to come back to the capital with me so that you can be safe." So he sent a separate boat for them, and the Lin family relocated to Jingkou, where the Emperor even provided them with houses. Lin Zibo read extensively and studied diligently. Later, he followed the Emperor to conquer the capital and pacify various regions. At that time, he was only eighteen years old and seven feet five inches tall. Shen Yu, fearing retaliation from Lin Zibo, constantly donned armor and carried weapons.
When the time was right, Lin Zibo and his brother Tianzi returned home to seek vengeance. On the day of the summer solstice in May, Shen Yu was having a feast at home, with relatives filling the hall. The Lin brothers rushed in, cut off Shen Yu's head, and then killed all of Shen Yu's family, using Shen Yu's head as an offering at their father's and grandparents' graves. Afterwards, the local government appointed him as a military champion, but he did not accept it. Due to the misfortune of his family, Lin Zibo did not want to become an official. Despite the Emperor's persistent persuasion, he insisted for several years.
Later, the Emperor became the governor of Yangzhou and appointed Lin Zibo as an official, saying, "Why have you been refusing to become an official? I want the world to see your true potential!" Lin Zibo repeatedly declined, but finally had to accept the appointment and became the magistrate of Jianxi County, being granted the title of the fifth marquis of Zizhong County at the age of twenty-one.
In the year 409 AD, I followed the army to fight against the Xianbei, serving as a military advisor. The army fought the enemy at Linqu, and the enemy sent elite cavalry to attack us from behind. Lin Zibo led his elite soldiers, firing arrows with precision, and decisively defeated them. Murong Chao retreated to defend Guanggu City, and we, alongside Liu Jingxuan, launched an assault on the western side of Guanggu City. After capturing Guanggu City, Lu Xun launched a sudden attack.
Earlier, before Lu Xun attacked the city of Guanggu, he covertly sent envoys to contact Lin Zi and his uncle, in an attempt to win them over. Lin Zi immediately reported this development to Emperor Gaozu (Liu Yu), but his uncle chose not to report it; instead, he took it upon himself to mobilize Lin Zi in accordance with Lu Xun's wishes. His uncle was known for his bravery and resoluteness. Emperor Gaozu temporarily concealed this matter because Murong Chao had not yet been completely pacified. Upon their return to Guanggu, his uncle was executed. Emperor Gaozu remarked to Lin Zi, "During the Battle of Guandu, many from Runan and Yanzhou wavered in their loyalties, but only Li Tong firmly stood by Cao Cao's side. This mirrors our current situation!"
When Lu Xun's army arrived at Caizhou, the officials and nobles were eager to flee back to their hometowns. Only Lin Zi sought to relocate his family to the capital. Emperor Gaozu found this curious and inquired why. Lin Zi replied, "Geng Chun's entire family followed him to battle, and Li Dian's entire family lives in Wei. While my abilities may not match those of the ancients, I have indeed been greatly favored by the court." After hearing this, Emperor Gaozu praised him repeatedly.
Lin Zi commanded a portion of the army in battles around Shitoucheng (near Qingliangshan in modern Nanjing), defeating the enemy multiple times. On one occasion, after several battles yielded no progress, Lin Zi intentionally disseminated a message that all troops would gather at Baishiji (near Xiaoguan in modern Nanjing), while secretly laying an ambush on the southern bank. Therefore, as the main force set out for Baishiji, Lin Zi and Xu Chijiang remained behind to defend Chapu (along the Yangtze River in modern Nanjing).
Lin Zishi suggested, "This claim is too dubious; it might not be true; we should be careful." Gaozu (Liu Bang) said, "The terrain of Shitoucheng is dangerous, and the defense works of the Huai River are also very strong. Leaving you here should be enough to defend this position." After the main force left, the enemy indeed launched an attack, and Xu Chijiang went to meet them. Lin Zishi said, "The enemy claims to go to Baishiji, but they keep challenging us, making their intentions quite clear. The enemy is biding their time, and with less than two regiments, it's going to be tough for us to win. Now, holding this strategic position is enough for our own defense. If the enemy's plan fails, the main force will return soon. What’s there to worry about?" Xu Chijiang said, "Now the enemy has moved all their troops to Baishiji, leaving only the old, weak, sick, and disabled. Using elite troops to fight them, there's no way we can lose." So he charged out with a shout, and the enemy's ambush launched an attack together. Xu Chijiang's army was defeated, leaving the army to escape to the north bank; Lin Zishi led the army to regroup Xu Chijiang's scattered soldiers and then engaged in battle, defeating the enemy.
Xu Daofu sent out elite troops again, stretching several miles along the river. Lin Zishi advised him, "The enemy is lined up along the river, but only a small part is actually engaged in combat. Now we control the river crossing, cutting off their key points; even if they have elite forces stretching several miles, they dare not cross the river to attack east." So they cut off the river and engaged the enemy. After a long time, Zhu Lingshi's reinforcements arrived, and together with Lin Zishi, they surrounded the enemy, who then made a hasty retreat. When the main force returned from Baishiji, Xu Chijiang was executed as punishment, and Lin Zishi was given a role in the central army's military decision-making.
Lin Zi followed Liu Yi on expeditions and later participated in the military campaigns of the Grand Commandant. In the eleventh year of his reign, he also took part in the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi. Every time Emperor Gaozu went on an expedition, Lin Zi always led the charge and marched at the forefront. Even with tents available for rest, in the evening, Emperor Gaozu would order him to return to the inner quarters to rest.
Later, the rebel Guo Liang gathered his forces and occupied Wuling, forcing the Prefect of Wuling, Wang Zhen'e, to flee. Lin Zi led troops to attack Guo Liang, defeating him at Qili Jian, and brought back Wang Zhen'e. After restoring order in Wuling, he went to Shicheng to attack Lu Gui. Lu Gui abandoned his troops and fled to Xiangyang, but Lin Zi pursued him there. After capturing Xiangyang, Lin Zi was stationed to defend Jiangling.
In the twelfth year, Emperor Gaozu was appointed General Who Pacifies the North, and Lin Zi served as a military advisor to the Grand Commandant, taking part in the campaign to pacify the North. That winter, Emperor Gaozu campaigned against the Qiang tribes, and Lin Zi participated in the Western expedition, leading the forces of the Three Prefectures. He was promoted to General Who Upholds Martial Might and granted command to lead troops into battle, entering the Yellow River from Bianzhou.
At that time, Dong Shenhua, a defector from Xiangyi, led over a thousand volunteer soldiers. Emperor Gaozu wanted to appease these new defectors, so he appointed Dong Shenhua as a military advisor to the Grand Commandant and promoted him to General Who Exalts Martial Might, allowing him to lead troops into battle. Lin Zi led Dong Shenhua to attack Cangyuan, captured it, but Dong Shenhua returned directly to Xiangyi to claim his achievements. Lin Zi's army remained in Xiangyi, where he executed Dong Shenhua and reassured his troops.
At this time, the pretender General Jian Wei and the Governor of Hebei, Xue Bo, occupied Jie County. Upon Lin Zi's arrival, he quickly attacked Xue Bo, who abandoned his troops and fled to Guanzhong. Lin Zi seized his military provisions. The pretender Governor of Bingzhou, Yin Zhao, occupied Puban. Lin Zi and Champion General Tan Daoji launched an attack on Puban from Shancheng, while General Wang Zhen'e assaulted Tongguan. Yao Hong heard that the main army was coming and sent the pretender Duke of Dongping, Yao Shao, to contest Tongguan. Lin Zi said to Tan Daoji, "Puban's defenses are strong, with deep moats. A direct assault will lead to heavy casualties, and if we choose to defend, it will only prolong the situation. It is better to abandon Puban and return to support Tongguan. Moreover, Tongguan is of strategic importance, a 'key position,' and Wang Zhen'e is fighting alone, in a precarious situation with limited forces. If Yao Shao takes Tongguan, it will become challenging to manage. We should concentrate our forces to secure Tongguan before Yao Shao arrives. If the battle for Tongguan goes well, Yin Zhao will likely surrender without a fight." Tan Daoji accepted his suggestion.
Oh, when the army ventured deep into enemy territory, logistical supplies were extremely challenging, and the soldiers began to hesitate, losing their fighting spirit. Daoji suggested they cross the Yellow River to evade the enemy's advances or even abandon their supplies and return directly to Gaogu's side. Lin Ziba drew his sword and said, "Your Excellency, you are diligent in aiding the king, with high aspirations to bring peace to the realm. Xuzhou and Luoyang have already been pacified, and the Guanzhong region is nearly secured. Now, our success depends on the achievements of our vanguard! We have already achieved victory, success is just around the corner, but to abandon our hard-won progress while the main army is still behind us and the enemy remains strong, is there even a way to go back? I was ordered to lead the charge, and I vowed to fight to the last breath; today's affairs will be my responsibility! However, some may find the task too difficult, and some may feel grateful for the emperor's benevolence. If they retreat because of this, how can they face Your Excellency's banner?"
So, they ordered the blocking of wells and the burning of houses to demonstrate that there was no turning back, and led hundreds of men to charge directly towards the enemy in the northwest. The enemy's morale had plummeted, and Lin Ziba and his men seized the opportunity to pursue and fiercely fought a battle, leading to a decisive victory over the enemy, capturing over a thousand soldiers and a large amount of weapons and equipment. Many generals at the time defeated the enemy and claimed many enemy scalps, but Lin Ziba always reported the true state of affairs. Emperor Gaogu asked him why, and Lin Ziba replied, "Your Majesty, leading troops in battle means overcoming the odds, focusing on outsmarting the enemy rather than just fighting. How can one inflate battle successes and make false reports? Guoyuan was appreciated for reporting truthfully, while Weishang was punished for falsely reporting achievements. These are lessons learned from history." Emperor Gaogu said, "That's exactly what I hoped to see from you!"
At first, Yao Shao escaped back to Baoding City, leaving the pretender General Yao Luan and elite soldiers to guard the strategic location. Lin Zi led the soldiers to quietly attack at night, directly breaking through the city, mutilating Yao Luan, and killing all of his army. Emperor Gaozu praised him in a letter: "You have defeated the enemy many times; I am thrilled! Since you have defeated them repeatedly, I think they won't last much longer."
Yao Shao then sent General Yao Zan to station troops along the river to block the waterway. Before Yao Zan could build a fort, he was attacked by Lin Zi and repeatedly defeated. Yao Zan escaped with just a handful of cavalry, while the others were all defeated. Yao Shao once again sent General Yao Bozi, General An Luan, General Yao Moluo, and General Tang Xiaofang with thirty thousand troops stationed at Jiufen, taking advantage of the Yellow River's natural defenses to cut off our supplies and reinforcements. Emperor Gaozu believed that the Tongjin passage was of utmost importance; our forces and supplies were also tight, so he sent Lin Zi to compete for the river source. Lin Zi, along with General Yan Gang and Zhu Lingxiu, fully armed themselves and set out for battle, achieving great victories by killing General Yao Bozi, General Yao Moluo, and General Tang Xiaofang on the spot. They captured a large number of prisoners, decapitated heads, donkeys, horses, and weapons. Lin Zi returned over three thousand prisoners to Yao Shao to demonstrate the strength of our army. With sufficient troops and supplies, the morale of the troops soared as they marched westward.
Some remarked, "Yao Shao is fighting so far from his capital, his army is formidable!" Lin Zi explained to Emperor Gaozu, "Although Yao Shao has a formidable presence in the Guanzhong region, he lacks real strength. His foreign troops have suffered repeated defeats, and the signs of decline are already quite evident. We are just worried that he will die too soon, and we won't have the opportunity to completely eliminate him." Not long after, Yao Shao suddenly died, truly a form of divine retribution! Then Yao Zan took over the remaining matters, gathered the remnants of his defeated forces, and came to attack Lin Zi. Lin Zi led the army to meet them; before the two sides even clashed, Yao Zan's army fled in disarray, and Yao Zan escaped with only a small number of cavalry.
Because of the consecutive victories in battle, the soldiers, horses, and banners were all quite magnificent. Emperor Gaozu wrote to encourage Lin Zi and also sent silk, food, and wine.
When Liu Bang reached Wenxiang, Yao Hong gathered the local populace and stationed his troops at Yaoliu. At this time, Tian Zi approached from the north of Wuguan, stationed troops in Lantian, and Yao Hong personally led a large army to attack him. Liu Bang felt the forces were uneven and feared that he would not be able to win, so he sent Lin Zi to Qinling to assist. By the time Lin Zi arrived, Yao Hong had already suffered defeat, and the two brothers pursued him together, forcing Yao Hong to flee to Baxi. Tian Zi wanted to catch up and take Chang'an, but Lin Zi intervened, saying, "Taking Chang'an would be as easy as taking candy from a baby. If you capture the enemy's city again, you will be alone in pacifying a country, and such an achievement cannot go unrecognized." Tian Zi stopped at this point. Lin Zi continued to be involved in military affairs, maintaining his previous responsibilities.
Linzi's prestige is growing, and the Sanfu region is all shaken up. The powerful figures in the Guanzhong region are eagerly expressing their willingness to submit. The people from Xizhou, such as Li Yan, are also seeking to prove their loyalty. Sun Da, the Qiang people, and other ethnic minorities, as well as Yao Hong's relatives, are all flocking to Linzi. Liu Bang recognizes Linzi's exceptional skill in pacifying and winning over people's hearts, and has praised him multiple times in letters, instructing him to properly pacify those who surrender. After Chang'an was pacified, over a hundred thousand Qiang people fled to Longshan. Linzi pursued them to the Guawu River, fighting all the way to Huaili, capturing tens of thousands of captives.
As the army made its way back east, Linzi led the navy to meet them at Shimen. Upon returning to the region, Liu Bang held Linzi's talents in high regard and no longer sent him on expeditions. Therefore, since taking office, he has always been in charge of military affairs, rarely leaving the military camp unless the army needed to go to war. Later, Liu Bang's son Liu Bang was stationed in Jingzhou, discussing having Linzi and Xie Hui serve as his deputies. Liu Bang said, "I cannot lose both of these people at the same time. If Linzi leaves, Xie Hui should not be sent out." So Linzi was appointed as the Western Colonel, concurrently serving as the emerging prefect. Linzi approached issues comprehensively and thoughtfully, and whenever he made a suggestion, Liu Bang always praised him.
As the army returned to Pengcheng, Linzi said that the soldiers had been away at war for a long time and all wanted to go home. He then detailed the matter, saying, "A wise king must be cautious, respectful, and serious, not for the sake of showcasing military might, but to govern the country and pacify the people. More barriers should be set up and the palace guard should be strengthened." Liu Bang valued his opinion greatly. Not long after, Xie Yi rebelled, and Liu Bang sighed, "Linzi's foresight is truly remarkable!" Liu Bang's son was appointed as the General of the West, and Linzi was promoted along with him, being appointed as the General of Jiawei and the Prefect of Hedong. At that time, due to the invasion of the Xiongnu, Liu Bang wanted to personally lead the troops into battle again. Linzi strongly advised against it, and Liu Bang replied, "I will not personally lead the troops into battle again."
After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Lin Zi made great contributions in assisting him during the enthronement process. As a result, he was appointed as the Marquis of Hanshou County with a fief of six hundred households. Lin Zi declined, but the emperor insisted. Fu Liang wrote a letter to Lin Zi saying, "Rewards are given according to merit; this has always been the practice. The decision on rewards rests entirely with the emperor. The emperor values you so much because he sees you as outstanding and hopes you will contribute to the country. This is a matter of national importance, and it requires the efforts of ministers like you! Although you are modest, you cannot be selfish!" Therefore, Lin Zi was appointed as a military consultant in the prefecture, while he retained his titles as general and governor.
Soon after, the emperor summoned Lin Zi to temporarily work in the War Ministry, assisting the recording officer Wang Hua. The emperor knew that Lin Zi was honest and frugal, and had given him many rewards, but he had shared them all with relatives and friends, having no savings and neglecting his own well-being, even taking care of his relatives at home. After Lin Zi's mother passed away, he returned to his hometown for the funeral. The emperor personally sent people to offer condolences, and the envoys came in droves. After the funeral, the emperor issued a decree stating, "There are many important matters in the country now, and talents are needed both internally and externally. Shen Lin Zi, former Zhenxi consultant, Jianwei general, and Hedong governor, cannot be allowed to remain immersed in grief. Let him serve as Deputy General of the State!" Lin Zi firmly declined, but the emperor would not hear of it and even granted him a decree, allowing him not to attend court regularly, but whenever major issues arose, the emperor sought his counsel.
At that time, General Xie Hui was leading the court, and whenever Xie Hui fell ill, Lin Zi acted as his deputy. During Lin Zi's mourning period, he exhibited great filial piety, and the emperor sympathized with him greatly. Later, when Lin Zi fell ill, the emperor, recognizing Lin Zi's filial piety, sought to spare him the strain of grief, so he invited him to the palace, offering him comfort day and night, and ordered the ministers to visit him and console him. Lin Zi did not leave the palace until he had recovered. Later, when the emperor fell ill, he ordered Lin Zi to serve in the palace and take care of him, but as the emperor's health deteriorated, Lin Zi eventually returned home.
In the third year of Yongchu, Lin Zi passed away at the age of forty-six. The court ministers were aware of the emperor's high regard for Lin Zi, and fearing that revealing the truth might cause the emperor further sorrow, they would always say that Lin Zi was recovering at home when asked about his condition. Lin Zi was completely unaware of the emperor's passing. The court bestowed upon him a set of ceremonial artifacts, court attire, clothing, twenty thousand coins, and two hundred pieces of fabric. The emperor decreed: "The late Deputy General Shen Lin Zi, of noble character and remarkable achievements, passed away prematurely, and I feel profound sorrow. He shall be posthumously honored with the title of General Conquering the Barbarians." This was carried out in accordance with court traditions. In the twenty-fifth year of Yuanjia, he was posthumously named Huai Bo.
Lin Zi Jian, a man of integrity, remained detached from worldly affairs. His humble virtues were evident in his household. Even in the military, he did not discuss military matters. He wrote a total of 121 poems, essays, praises, three-line poems, maxims, ritual texts, yuefu poems, proclamations, letters, memorials, announcements, essays, and annotations of Laozi. Later, the emperor read his collected works and remarked, "If this man were in office, he should have succeeded Prime Minister Wang!" His son, Shen Shao, succeeded him in his title.
Shen Shao, styled Daohui, was very handsome and well-read, with extensive knowledge. He inherited his title, rising to the rank of General of the Imperial Guard and serving as a court official. The Emperor Taizu summoned him due to past favors. When Shen Shao went to pay his respects to the Emperor, he unexpectedly burst into tears, and the Emperor Taizu, also moved by the scene, couldn't help but shed tears. At that time, the position of General of Strong Crossbows had become vacant, so the Emperor issued an edict to the Minister of State, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng, asking, "Shen Shao is a good man, and I had a good relationship with his father Lin Zijian. Consider appointing him to this position." (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) Thus, Shen Shao was appointed as General of Strong Crossbows. Later, he was transferred to serve as the Prefect of Zhongli, where he did many good deeds, gaining the admiration of the people living along the Huai River. People from near and far flocked to him. Zhongli County previously lacked a market, but when Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was appointed as the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, he suggested to the Emperor to establish a market. (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) Yigong also suggested to the Emperor, "The Prefect of Xuyi, Liu Xianzhen, requested to resign. Shen Shao has shown remarkable achievements in his position, loved by the people. If he is appointed as the Prefect of Xuyi again, he will definitely become an outstanding official of the second rank." The Emperor declined, stating, "He requested a transfer just a year ago, and now you want to move him again. Such frequent transfers would be too unfair to him." (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) The Emperor also ordered the province to appoint Shen Shao's younger brother Shen Liang as an official. Shen Shao requested the Emperor's permission to appoint his cousin Shen Zheng as an official, as Shen Zheng had lost his father at a young age. The Emperor happily agreed. After six years of service in Zhongli County, Shen Shao returned to the court and became a Military Officer in the Right Army of Prince Yiji of Hengyang. Later, when Prince Jun of Shixing established the Rear Army Office, he also served as a Military Officer in the Rear Army Office. The position of Military Officer in the Middle Army at Anxi Prefecture in Jiangling had long been vacant, and he recommended Shen Shao for the position to the Emperor. The Emperor replied, "Talented individuals who fit the bill are rare. Although Shen Shao lacks military experience, he is reliable. He performed excellently as Prefect of Zhongli County and managed his work in the Rear Army Office efficiently. Perhaps we can consider sending him there." However, this ultimately did not materialize. (This is recorded in the "Imperial Decree of Emperor Wen of Song".) In the end, Shen Shao was appointed as a Palace Supervisor.
The emperor often visited his residence, sometimes even in the middle of the night. Shao Fang presented political matters, and the emperor immediately dismissed him. He repeatedly reported important political matters to the emperor, who valued his suggestions and held him in high regard, and was always by the emperor's side. Every time the emperor went out, he ordered Shao Fang to ride in the same carriage with him. Once, when the emperor was performing a sacrifice in the southern suburbs, he specifically ordered Shao Fang to also serve as a palace attendant, responsible for safeguarding the emperor's jade seal, replacing the actual official accompanying the emperor. At that time, Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang was appointed as Grand General, stationed at Yuzhang, and Shen Mo was appointed as a military advisor, in charge of city defense; Prince Luling Liu Shao was appointed as the Inspector of Jiangzhou, and the emperor appointed Shao Fang as a military advisor in the Southern Commandant's Office, overseeing the office's affairs. Before this appointment was finalized, Shen Mo died, and Shao Fang replaced Shen Mo as the military advisor of the Grand General's office, and was subsequently promoted to the title of Ning Shuo General. (This incident is recorded in Emperor Wen of Song's decree.) After Shao Fang took office in the south, the emperor entrusted him with important tasks, no longer replacing him, and still had him concurrently serve as a military advisor, managing city defense affairs. Later, Liu Yikang was deposed, and Shao Fang was appointed as the Southern Commandant's military advisor under Prince Luling Liu Shao, with his military position unchanged. Liu Yikang was relocated to Ancheng, and Shao Fang was appointed as the magistrate of Ancheng while retaining his original title. He was known in the county for his gentleness, honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness, and was deeply loved by the local people. There was a man named Wang Fu in the county, who was very knowledgeable and of high moral character, who was well-respected in the region. Shortly after Shao Fang took office, Wang Fu passed away. Shao Fang posthumously honored him with the title of Filial and Incorruptible, and penned an announcement: "Former Master of Studies Wang Fu, with upright conduct and profound knowledge, not seeking fame, devoted himself to learning and cultivation, and became more diligent as he grew older. He was about to be awarded an official position when he unfortunately passed away suddenly. He is posthumously awarded the title of Filial and Incorruptible, and special sacrifices are made in his honor. Remembering the noble intentions of the gentleman of Yanling." Shao Fang often comforted widows and elderly people, encouraged agricultural and sericulture development, and received rewards from the emperor on many occasions. When Shao Fang was ill, the emperor sent people to visit him multiple times, as well as imperial physicians with the best medicines, an array of precious treasures, gold and silver treasures, clothing, and fur coats, in a continuous stream. In the twenty-sixth year of the Yuanjia era, Shao Fang passed away at the age of forty-three. The emperor mourned deeply for him.
His son Shao Kan inherited the title, serving as a Cavalry Officer for Prince Liu Xiuyou of Shanyang and the Prefect of Nanpei County. After Shao Kan's passing, his son Shao Zheng inherited the title, but his title was revoked after the abdication of the Qi dynasty. Pu, styled Daozhen, was the youngest child in the Lin family. He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, unlike other children; he had a meticulous mind. The founding emperor heard about the remarkable son of the Lin family and wanted to meet him. Lin sent Pu to meet the emperor, who was struck by his eloquence and remarked, "This is no ordinary child!" By the age of ten, Pu had already demonstrated extraordinary intelligence, a passion for learning, impressive writing skills, and an exceptional memory. He was inquisitive about everything, and once he had seen or heard something, it was hard to deceive him. At home, he kept household affairs running smoothly and helped relatives and friends. At the age of twenty, the Prefect of Wuxing, Wang Shao, twice invited him to take a position, but he declined. Later, Zhang Shao became the county magistrate and offered him the position of chief clerk, then promoted him to be the Left Attendant of the Prince of Nanping. The founding emperor summoned him and entrusted him with the Wang family's affairs, emphasizing his abilities and advising him not to let integrity and honesty hold him back in the political arena.
In the seventeenth year of Yuanjia, Wang Jun, the King of Shixing, held Pu in high regard, appointing him as the chief scribe. At that time, Fan Ye from Shunyang was the chief historian responsible for the province's political affairs. Fan Ye was somewhat lazy, so Emperor Taizu summoned Pu and said, "The political affairs of Yangzhou are not easy to manage. Jun is young and has become the governor. He relies on you to understand everything and make careful decisions regarding rewards and punishments. Fan Ye is lazy and definitely has different opinions from Jun. I’m entrusting this matter to you; you need to keep a close watch on it for me. Although it seems that Fan Ye is in charge, in reality, it all depends on you." Given the emperor's high regard for Pu, he worked tirelessly. He would share his thoughts with the emperor discreetly and mediate before every decision was made. Fan Ye thought the emperor was observing in secret, acting very cautiously, unaware that everything was actually under Pu's control. Pu served in Yangzhou for eight years, governing it effectively, with the people expressing no complaints, and Pu making a significant contribution.
In 222 AD, Fan Ye was executed for his offenses. Although King Sima Jun of Shixing claimed to manage the political affairs himself, all the matters in the province were actually handled by Shen Pu. The emperor (Sima Yan) casually said to Wang Sima Jun, "Shen Pu is diligent and responsible, without any errors, filial and friendly at home, with a good reputation, outstanding talent, excellent writing skills, and a calm and modest personality. He does not seek fame or fortune; he is truly a rare talent. You can confidently entrust him with responsibilities, and it would be wise to communicate with him more." Wang Sima Jun already appreciated Shen Pu, but after hearing the emperor's words, he respected him even more.
Shen Pu once wrote a "Poem on the Old Palace," but he never finished it. King Shixing wrote a letter to him, saying, "You usually write articles quickly; I'd like to know how your writing is coming along." Shen Pu replied in a letter, explaining the reasons, with beautifully crafted prose. After King Shixing finished reading it, he replied again, saying, "You have been working on this for so long; I was just asking casually back then. I didn't expect your reply to be so long, with such elegant and fluent wording. It really makes me very pleased. I am very happy to have such outstanding talent to assist me, but I feel my own character doesn’t measure up to yours. I will write a few more words to express my admiration for you and also let Gu Mai and Kong Daocun know my intentions." (The original of this letter is still preserved.)
Later, when King Shixing was old, Shen Pu requested to resign from his official position. Although the emperor agreed, he was very unhappy. So, the emperor appointed Shen Pu as the chief agrarian officer of Shixing and soon transferred him to serve as the magistrate of Moling County.
It is said that the country was peaceful, the treasury was overflowing, and all regions were contributing to the court. However, the two counties surrounding the capital had a notorious reputation for being hard to govern. After Shen Pu took office, he governed with integrity and fairness, treating everything impartially. The corrupt officials began to think twice, and the unruly citizens started behaving more respectfully.
Previously, the young people in the neighborhoods, as well as the gamblers and drunkards, often got into fights over money, falsely accusing each other, and the lawsuits dragged on forever without resolution. Shen Pu, however, was well aware of these individuals and their schemes. He could always investigate the details of the matter, find evidence, infer the motives based on one person's testimony, and deduce the truth of the matter on the west side based on the situation on the east side. No one could slip past his watchful eye. Everyone respected him, feeling as if he were some kind of deity. Later, he resigned from his official position due to illness. Emperor Taizu personally sent someone to check on him, rewarding him with many gifts.
After Shen Pu resigned from his official position, Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty sent Shen Jun to take up a post in Nanxuzhou and specifically told Shen Pu, "Shen Jun is taking up an official position this time, so I’m counting on you to look after him." Then, Emperor Wen issued a decree to Shen Jun, saying, "Shen Pu has been a chief secretary for many years and has also served as a state minister. Although he has not served as an assistant, should he be appointed as a regular military officer this time? If so, let him also oversee the remaining positions; if not, let him serve as an assistant, responsible for military affairs in the main office; otherwise, it may not be in line with the selection system." (This passage is recorded in the edict of Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty.) Finally, Shen Pu was appointed as a regular assistant.
I was transferred to Xuanwei General and the Prefect of Xuyi. At that time, the imperial army was advancing north, and the Pengcheng and Bianliang areas were relatively safe. However, I believed that formidable enemies could appear, and the situation was unpredictable. Xuyi, situated by the Huai River, was a strategic location that military leaders had to defend. So I strengthened the city defenses, deepened the moat, collected wood and stones, stored food and salt, and prepared for long-term resistance. Many people disagreed, and even the imperial decree suggested I was going overboard.
Not long after, the enemy launched a full-scale invasion. Tuoba Tao led tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry, sweeping through six provinces. The people in the capital were in a panic, and the local generals and cities were scared and fleeing everywhere. Some people advised me to return to the capital, but I said, "If the enemy has a large army, they will not care about our small city at all, so there is no need to be afraid. If they truly decide to attack, we’ll be sitting ducks. Generals, have you ever seen tens of thousands of troops come together without being routed? The battles of Kunyang and Hefei serve as cautionary tales! Now is the perfect opportunity for us to serve the country and for you generals to earn your promotions and accolades!" Seeing my calm demeanor, the common people also began to feel at ease. We recruited 2,000 elite soldiers and capable commanders, and I said to the commanders, "That's enough; I doubt the enemy has that many troops."
After the enemy crossed the Huai River, generals Mao Xiazuo, Hu Chongzhi, Zang Chengzhi, and others were all defeated by the enemy; the entire army was decimated. Only the Assistant General Zang Zhi broke through the encirclement and brought over a thousand survivors to our city. Everyone advised me, saying, "If we don't fight, we won't be able to appease the soldiers; if the enemy attacks, the space in the city is limited, and too many people will cause chaos. Moreover, the enemy is strong and we are weak; everyone is aware of this. Although offense and defense are different, we also need to consider the actual strength of the enemy and ourselves. Knowing when to retreat is also a strategy of war. If our current forces can repel the enemy and protect the city, we won't be credited with the victory. We should avoid the enemy and return to the capital to prepare ships; otherwise, everyone crowded together will only lead to trouble. Isn't it better to just stay behind closed doors now?" I sighed and said, "No! If the enemy can't breach the city, we can protect everyone. As for the plan to prepare ships, it has long been abandoned. The enemy's brutality is unprecedented, killing civilians, as everyone can see. Even if we survive, it will only be as slaves driven to the north. Although they are a rabble, wouldn't they fear this? The so-called 'we're all in this together; the Hu and Yue people will not have different intentions'! Now, the more people we have, the faster we can retreat; the fewer we have, the slower it will be. I would rather concentrate our forces and gradually wear down the enemy's strength!" So I ordered the city gates to be opened and welcomed Zang Zhi's army. Zang Zhi saw the strong city defenses, the people's calm demeanor, the abundant food supplies, and weapons piled high; he was very happy, and everyone cheered.
The enemy arrived, attacking the city from all sides. Zang Zhi and I responded flexibly, defending against the enemy's attacks. After a month of defense, we eliminated most of the enemy forces, and Tuoba Tao had no choice but to flee. Some suggested we pursue them, but I replied, "Now we have few soldiers, and they are not the usual troops we train. Although we are more than capable of defense, we cannot guarantee victory in battle. If we prepare the ships and pretend to be ready to cross the river, we can accelerate their escape without actually crossing the river." Everyone thought my idea was good.
Zang Zhi handed over the position of defender of Puzhou City to Pu and retreated to the background. Pu was modest and attributed all the credit to Zang Zhi. Since he did not directly participate in defending the city, Zang Zhi was not promoted. Later, Emperor Taizu deeply appreciated Pu's contributions and sent envoys to reward him. Emperor Taizu also issued a decree stating, "The recent battles have been urgent, and the common people, especially the elderly and children, must have felt very afraid and anxious. Think about the situation when you defended the city; it truly wasn't easy! The people have gradually returned to their homes; I've sent people to deliver supplies; please arrange relief for them based on the actual situation!" Prince Jin of Shixing also wrote a letter to Pu, saying, "The brutal enemy has surrendered voluntarily, the leader of the enemy forces has been killed, and the enemy chief has also suffered heavy casualties. This is all thanks to divine protection, as well as the result of your loyalty and bravery in battle! When I was governing the border, due to my insufficient ability, the people were displaced and the land was barren. I feel deeply guilty; the responsibility is mine. I previously offered my resignation as an apology, but the emperor did not approve, so I'm writing this letter to express my gratitude!" Wang Sengda, the Prefect of Xuan City, also wrote to Pu, saying, "How are you now? I hope you're doing well in the city. Are the soldiers and horses safe? It's been a while since we last heard from each other; I am very worried and have been thinking about you all this time. During this period, the barbarians have been raiding everywhere; the border areas have been looted, the postal routes have been disrupted, making it impossible to send messages. Looking at the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, it feels like you're so far away. I heard that Jingyang, Yihua, and other places have also been invaded by the enemy, with refugees everywhere; the situation is dire; it hasn't been this serious in history. I know that you previously defended the city against the enemy; the soldiers trained day and night, ready for battle at any time, and the beacons on the towers were constantly lit, arrows were raining down, and the battles were very intense."
But you were able to unite the soldiers, boost morale, lead everyone bravely into battle, and the people followed you wholeheartedly. In the end, you successfully defended the fortress, defeated the enemy, turned peril into safety, and achieved victory. This is truly a feat that even the ancient Tian Dan and Sun Tzu cannot compare to! The passage to Shangyi has now been opened, and I have a rough understanding of what happened. I sincerely admire your courage and bravery; it's truly remarkable! Recently, due to the calming of the war, I requested retirement from the court and returned to the capital. Now that the barbarians have retreated and the border has returned to peace, I will continue with my former responsibilities. Seeing the border stabilized, I am also very happy, as this was my initial wish! However, because of the distance, we are unable to meet, which brings me great sorrow. I've been feeling unwell lately, confined to bed and filled with worry, so I am writing to express my thoughts of missing you.
After the expedition, Shen Pu was appointed as the Prefect of Huainan, and the court rewarded him generously, with the Emperor hosting banquets for him every night. Some court officials believed that Shen Pu had performed great deeds and should be properly rewarded. The Emperor said, "Zang Zhi is Shen Pu's relative, and his official position is higher than his. The credit for the achievements in Xuyi should primarily go to Zang Zhi. Shen Pu has always been modest and cautious, fearing that he would be rewarded first. He is truly a loyal and honest man, much like Shi Xie!" At that time, the position of the Gentleman of the Palace Library was vacant, and the Secretary-General He Shangzhi was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. He recommended Shen Pu, Xie Zhuang, and Lu Zhan to take on the role, but this proposal ultimately fell through. (This incident is recorded in the Imperial Edict of Emperor Wen. All the Imperial Edicts of Emperor Wen are now preserved in the Taige, just like legal texts and records.)
Thirty years later, a tragic incident of regicide and usurpation took place. Shen Pu wept bitterly and lamented, "Our whole family has received the special grace of the royal family, but now we have encountered such misfortune. Oh heavens, what’s going on?" He worried and sighed around the clock, to the point of falling seriously ill. Later, two killers pressured him to send the elderly and vulnerable back to the capital. Shen Pu was filial, and when he heard that his elders were imprisoned, he was overcome with emotion, and his health deteriorated, unable to personally welcome them. It was only when the Emperor's loyal army arrived at the border town that he was able to escape. Earlier, a man named Yan Jun from Langye sought to befriend Shen Pu, but Shen Pu did not respond to his kindness, which made Yan Jun resentful. When the Emperor was about to enter the capital, someone maliciously slandered Shen Pu, saying he welcomed the Emperor too late, resulting in Shen Pu suffering an undeserved fate. He was only thirty-eight years old at the time. His essays, poems, praises, elegies, seven-character poems, condolences, four or five-character poems, letters, and documents were all lost in the chaos of war, leaving behind only twenty poems and miscellaneous writings. Shen Pu had a son, whose name was... (original text missing).
Speaking of this person, he was called Boyu, with the style name Derun, a child from a family in Qianzhou. He was gentle, respectful, talented, and skilled in writing. In his youth, he was appointed as the Attendant of the Wuling Kingdom under Emperor Shizu (referring to Emperor Wu of Song), and later promoted to Right Regular Attendant and Army Officer of Nanzhong. Rising from a national official to a regional official, his exceptional writing skills caught the Emperor's attention, with many of his works included in Emperor Shizu's literary collection. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he appointed Boyu as an Attendant Cavalryman, but he chose not to take the position.
Later, General Zuo Wei recommended him to be his military advisor, but he did not go; instead, he was sent to serve as the county magistrate of Jurong, where he excelled and earned a strong reputation. After that, he was appointed as the military advisor to Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, and he proofread books alongside Xie Chaozong and He Fasheng at the Eastern Palace. He later served as the county magistrate of Yuyao for a time and ultimately became the Deputy Guard Commander. Most of the old officials and staff of the previous emperor enjoyed good relations and became wealthy, but Boyu has always held onto his small official position, not even bothering to greet the emperor during festivals. Figures like Yan Shibai and Dai Faxing had good relationships with the emperor, but Boyu never greeted him, so his official position has never been promoted. The emperor thought Boyu resembled the Confucius in the portrait and often called him "Kong Qiu." According to previous regulations, the Deputy Guard Commander was required to wear armor on duty. Zhang Yong said to Boyu, "This duty doesn’t seem to align with your ambitions!" Wang Jingwen was quite familiar with Boyu and once accompanied the emperor on an inspection tour, pointing at Boyu and telling the emperor, "Kong Qiu looks really special!" Upon hearing this, the emperor permitted Boyu to wear black civilian clothes while on duty. Later, Boyu was sent to Prince Zhixun of Jin'an, where he served as the military advisor for the vanguard, responsible for accompanying Prince Zhixun in his studies and following his movements, and ultimately became the Deputy Garrison Commander.
Once upon a time when the 废帝 was in power, Wang Jingwen was in charge of selecting officials. He said to Shen Guangzu, who was in charge of documents, "Deng Wan suddenly became the Chancellor. Shen Boyu had previously assisted the late emperor in the regional command, and now it is still the same. The lives of the common people will surely be difficult." When Dai Faxing heard what Wang Jingwen said, he transferred Shen Boyu to a military position. Shen Boyu was the magistrate in the household when Shen Zixun first raised an army. After Shen Zixun became emperor, Shen Boyu was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat. Earlier, Shen Boyu served as the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and at that time, Taizong was the commander of the Guard; they had a very good working relationship. After Shen Zixun failed, Shen Boyu was incarcerated. Although he was later released, because everyone felt that he had not been loyal in the south, he was punished and demoted to the position of an imperial censor in Nantai, then transferred to be a registrar in the state of Wuling, and later transferred to the Great Agricultural Temple in charge of finance. He resigned from his position to care for his elderly mother.
He lived in extreme poverty and, when he could bear it no longer, he stayed at home, rarely going out except to visit relatives and friends. The Minister Yuan Can and the Minister Chu Yuan admired him and appointed him as the permanent county magistrate, and later transferred him to Yongxing, where he made notable contributions to governance. Later, in the third year of the 废帝 Yuanhui, he passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. Shen Boyu was known for his exceptional filial piety and devotion to his parents. He never coveted what belonged to others and always shared things with acquaintances. He was gentle and refined, had an admirable demeanor, was smooth in his dealings with others, was adept at discerning right from wrong, and could forge deep friendships with anyone he collaborated with.
His younger brother Shen Zhongyu, during the late years of the Taishi period, served as the Chief of Ningshuo and the Prefect of Shu County. After the death of the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Liang, Shen Zhongyu took over the affairs of the prefecture. When Li Chengming in Baxi rebelled, Shen Zhongyu sent Sima Wang Tiansheng to suppress the rebellion. The deposed emperor issued a decree appointing him as the Military Advisor of Prince Ancheng and promoted him to the rank of General of Jianwei. Shen Youzhi requested him to serve as the Advisor for the Western Expedition, but before he could take office, he died.
This historian became an orphan at the age of thirteen, and from a young age, he enjoyed studying. Though his studies sometimes yielded no results, he remained persistent. He often said that there was not a single complete history written during the Jin Dynasty. In his twenties, he had the idea of writing a historical book. In the early years of Taishi, General Cai Xingzong was crowned as Emperor Qiming, and the court ordered rewards for him. From then until now, over twenty years have passed, and he wrote a total of 120 volumes. Although the content was extensive, the collection lacked comprehensiveness. In the early years of Yongming, he was robbed and lost the fifth volume. Before the fourth year of Jianyuan ended, he was ordered to write the national history. In the second year of Yongming, he was appointed as the concurrently Assistant Literary Official, responsible for compiling the daily records. From then on, he was busy with official duties and had little time for additional writing. In the spring of the fifth year, he was ordered to write the "Book of Song." In February of the sixth year, he completed it, submitted it, stating:
Let me say this: I have heard of the story of Da Yu's water control engraved on wood, recorded in the "Book of Yu"; King Wen of Zhou's accomplishments in pacifying the Li tribe are also recorded in the "Book of Shang." Your Majesty, your foundation is solid, and your achievements are far-reaching, inheriting the divine mandate of previous dynasties and creating the merits of past generations. One cannot grasp the virtues of Empress Dowager without examining the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty; without looking at the aftermath of the Qin Dynasty's fall, one would not understand how Emperor Gaozu of Han unified the realm. Therefore, before I could record these events, I felt it necessary to report to Your Majesty first, and I specifically ordered the historians to search and organize relevant historical materials. My abilities are limited, and my understanding of historical classics is not extensive, so I am truly filled with fear. In order to respond to Your Majesty's decree, I have been worrying day and night, neglecting sleep and food.
I bow once more to seek Your Majesty's forgiveness: I privately believe that the Song Dynasty emperors faced south in court, inheriting the divine mandate. Although there were only eight emperors and the dynasty lasted less than a hundred years, the nation was plagued by constant wars and crises, resulting in a wealth of historical records and accounts. Wise monarchs who laid down foundations, and virtuous officials and generals who achieved great merits by saving the nation in peril, all these deeds are worthy of being inscribed on bells and cauldrons, and recorded in the annals of history. As for tyrannical emperors and incompetent dynasties, though few in number, they caused national turmoil and brought disaster to their families; such deeds have gone unrecorded throughout history and should serve as a cautionary tale for future generations. "I have heard that Da Yu carved wood, with his deeds shining brightly in the Book of Yu; the Western Duke subdued the Li tribe, with his achievements illuminated in the Book of Shang." "Regarding the wise rulers who laid the foundations and the virtuous officials who achieved great merits, their deeds in saving the world from adversity, in harmony with heavenly blessings, are equally worthy of being inscribed on bells and cauldrons, illuminating the strategies of the realm."
During the Song Dynasty, the scholar He Chengtian was the first to begin writing the "Book of Song," drafting biographies of important figures, but only wrote about the achievements of Emperor Wu's ministers, and it was incomplete. He only wrote the "Astronomy" and "Calendar" sections, and entrusted the remainder to the courtier Shan Qianzhi for completion. During the Xiaojian reign, Shan Qianzhi received an imperial decree to continue writing, but later fell ill and passed away. Therefore, the courtier Su Baosheng was tasked with continuing the biographies of famous officials from the Yuanjia period. Later, Su Baosheng was assassinated, and in the Daming period, the court ordered Xu Yuan to finish the earlier works. Xu Yuan compiled these materials into a historical account based on the works of He Chengtian and Su Baosheng, starting from the Yixi period to the end of the Song Daming period. As for the biographies of figures like Zang Zhi, Lu Shuang, and Wang Sengda, they were authored by Emperor Xiaowu. Events from the Yongguang period to the abdication were left unrecorded for over a decade, and the beginning and end of a dynasty's classics were not complete. Many recorded events from that time were not accurate, and the criteria for including and excluding biographies were inconsistent, sometimes catering to the current intentions and sometimes considering secular views. This makes it hard for later generations to accept. For caution, I have begun rewriting and have completed this new historical account, starting from the Yixi period to the third year of Shengming. Huan Xuan, Qiao Zong, Lu Xun, Ma, Lu, and others were all insurgents from the Jin Dynasty and have no relation to the later Song Dynasty. Wu Yin, Xie Hun, and Chi Sengshi, their deeds belong to the previous dynasty and should not be included in the history of the Song Dynasty. Liu Yi, He Wuji, Wei Yongzhi, Tan Daoji, Meng Chang, and Zhuge Changmin were all determined to restore the Jin Dynasty and have no relation to establishing the Song Dynasty. I have excluded them, and their actions are now recorded in the history of the Jin Dynasty.
I am nowhere near the renowned ministers of the Southern Dynasties, and I fall short compared to Qian and Gu today. I am merely an ordinary commoner, with my limited abilities to document the grand events of a dynasty, writing accounts and recounting events. I feel deeply ashamed in comparison to ancient historians. I am trembling with trepidation and feel utterly ashamed. The official history and biographies have been completed, comprising seventy volumes, and I now respectfully submit them to you. The remaining records still need to be finalized, and then I will compile the table of contents and personally come to report to you. I am genuinely trembling with fear and bowing my head! I am truly deserving of death!
