Yu Yue, courtesy name Zhongyu, was a native of Yanling, Henan. His great-grandfather was the high official of the Jin Dynasty, Grand Commandant Yu Liang; his grandfather was the Interior Minister of Wu State, Yu Xi; his father was the General of the Western Army and Governor of Yuzhou, Yu Zhun. When Yu Yue was young, he first served as a military advisor and a sergeant under General Wei, Prince Langye of Langye. He later became a chief clerk and then rose to the position of Right Chief Historian. Later, when Huan Xuan rose to power as the Governor of Yuzhou, he appointed Yu Yue as his Deputy Historian, and later promoted him to General of Agile Cavalry. After Huan Xuan usurped power, Yu Yue was transferred to the position of Gentleman-in-Attendance. After Emperor Gaozu Liu Yu restored order in the capital, Prince Wuling Liu Zun ordered Yu Yue to be appointed as Military Inspector for Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, Xiyang, Xinchai, Runan, Yingchuan, and Sizhou, as well as General of Establishing Might and Governor of Jiangzhou, to lead the troops from Poyang in the east in resistance. Lu Xun sent General Ying Jiu with over a thousand troops to intercept at Wumiaoqiao, but Yu Yue defeated them, then occupied Yuzhang, disrupting Lu Xun's supply lines.
At first, Liu Yi lived in Jingkou, leading a simple life, often practicing archery with some local scholars. At that time, Yu Yue was the Right Chief Historian, temporarily in Jingkou, and invited the officials from his residence to go to the East Hall. Liu Yi had already arrived, so he sent a messenger to inform Yu Yue, "I usually live a simple life; organizing a gathering is not easy. You are a high-ranking official; you can go anywhere to have fun, why do you insist on taking this spot?" Yu Yue was known for his straightforwardness and went over, completely ignoring Liu Yi's words. Seeing this, the others quickly distanced themselves from him, while Liu Yi continued shooting arrows as before. Yu Yue had prepared a lavish feast, but Liu Yi did not partake. Seeing that Liu Yi didn't leave, Yu Yue was displeased and left shortly afterward. Liu Yi then sent someone to tell Yu Yue, "I haven't had goose this year; how could I possibly serve you leftover roasted meat?" Yu Yue still ignored him.
After Lu Xun was defeated, Xie Yi wanted to serve as the governor of Jiangzhou. He believed that Jiangzhou was located in the interior, whose primary responsibility is to govern the people, so there was no need to establish a military office. He submitted a memorial to the court to clarify the situation. He said, "I have heard that Heaven operates on the principles of gain and loss, and governing a country follows the principles of increase and decrease. If the situation is not good, and the policies are not reformed, the people are impoverished, and the situation does not improve, how can we timely resolve crises and save the people from danger? Since the time of Huan Xuan, Jiangzhou has been in constant turmoil, with the people displaced and homeless, men having nothing to eat, women having no partners, and fugitives everywhere. If it were not for the depletion of family wealth and exhaustion of strength, how could it have come to this? If we do not seriously consider making changes, the lament of destruction will soon follow. While I am honored to hold this position, I am deeply troubled. Establishing official positions, clearly defining responsibilities, focusing on developing production for the people while prioritizing military strategies for problem-solving. Currently, both are being handled at the same time, which is merely a stopgap. Over time, it will become the norm. Jiangzhou is located in the interior, near Yangzhou and Yuzhou, acting as an important barrier. Establishing a military office is redundant. In the past, when the Hu people invaded, the measures to resist the enemy were temporary. Even intelligent individuals like Wen Qiao, who handled this matter themselves, found drawbacks and detailed explanations. In the current Jiangzhou region, with a population of barely a few hundred thousand and land area of less than a few thousand li, the layers of management institutions have not decreased. To put it plainly, this is a national disgrace! Furthermore, Jiangzhou is located in the interior and does not need a military, yet a military office is still established. The costs of civil and military officials are considerable. This is not effectively leveraging advantages to offset disadvantages. In counties and border areas, the population is sparse, and the long distance of relay stations often delays transportation due to fear of wind and waves. This is not truly utilizing advantages to compensate for disadvantages. I believe the military office should be abolished, and the administration should be moved to Yuzhang, located at the center of ten counties, implementing straightforward and effective policies. After a few years, vitality can be restored. Moreover, the struggling subordinate counties should also be supported, and the recruitment and transportation should be appropriately reduced according to the actual situation to save expenses. Since the arrival of the Inspector Yu Yue in Jiangzhou, he has indeed cared for the people, but without changing the system, this cannot be resolved by mere principles alone. Xunyang is near territories inhabited by barbarian tribes and should strengthen defense. We can transfer a thousand soldiers from the prefectural government to assist the county magistrate in guarding the area.
"Thanks for your help with the project!"
Therefore, Xie Yi dismissed Yu Yue from his position as governor and general, allowing him to move to Yuzhang in the capacity of a governor. Xie Yi appointed his trusted aide Zhao Hui to lead one thousand soldiers to guard Xunyang, and all three thousand civil and military officials from Jianwei Prefecture were placed under Xie Yi's command. Xie Yi's orders were very strict, and he humiliated Yu Yue many times. Yu Yue was very dissatisfied, developed a severe carbuncle, and died shortly after arriving in Yuzhang, at the age of thirty-eight. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of General for Conquering Barbarians, and in recognition of his achievements in Guanggu, he was posthumously granted the title of a fifth-rank noble of Xinyang County.
Wang Dan, known by his courtesy name Maoshi, was a native of Linyi in Langye and was the cousin of Grand Tutor Wang Hong. His grandfather, Wang Tian, had served as General of the Central Army, and his father, Wang Hun, had served as Minister of Ceremonies. Wang Dan was talented from a young age. When Emperor Xiaowu of Jin passed away, his uncle, Wang Xun, who served as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, was tasked with writing the elegiac essay but was unable to complete it. He told Wang Dan, "There's still a section missing that describes the scenery of the four seasons." He then showed Wang Dan the part he had written. Wang Dan picked up the pen and added a sentence, continuing after the changing seasons of autumn and winter, writing, "Frost is thick and widespread, and the wind sweeps back to the high halls." Wang Xun highly praised the elegance and refinement of this line of poetry and used it. Wang Dan inherited the title of Marquis of Zhixiang County and was appointed as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, Literary Officer for the King of Langye, and Registrar of the Central Army.
In the fourth year of the Long'an era, the Crown Prince of Kuaiji, Xie Yuanxian, established the Houjun Mansion and appointed Wang Dan as the Chief of Staff. Shortly after, Wang Dan was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel, while continuing as the Chief Historian of the Houjun, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Lujiang, and was appointed as the General of the Frontier. Later, he was promoted to the rank of Dragon Cavalry General and the Interior Minister of Langye, while maintaining his duties as Chief Historian. Wang Dan had a good relationship with Xie Yuanxian's favorite concubine, Zhang Fashun, which earned him Xie Yuanxian's trust. When Xie Yuanxian took a new concubine, Wang Dan personally went to greet her. Following Xie Yuanxian's promotions, Wang Dan was appointed as the Chief Historian of the Cavalry, with his positions as General and Interior Minister unchanged. When Xie Yuanxian attacked Huan Xuan, intending to kill the entire Huan clan, Wang Dan strongly argued that Huan Xiu and others had different intentions from Huan Xuan, so Huan Xiu and others were spared. Huan Xiu was Wang Dan's nephew. When Huan Xuan gained power, Wang Dan faced execution, but Huan Xiu interceded for him with Huan Xuan, explaining the reasons why Huan Xiu and others were spared, so Wang Dan was exiled to Guangzhou.
Lu Xun occupied Guangzhou and appointed Wang Dan as the Chief Historian of Pingnan Prefecture, treating him very kindly. Wang Dan stayed in Guangzhou for a long time and wanted to return home, so he said to Lu Xun, "I have been exiled here and received your special favor, which makes me feel that you appreciate me. I really want to repay you. I am not cut out for military life, and I am of no use here. I knew General Liu Laozhi before, and we had a good relationship. If I can return to the north, I will definitely be able to make a contribution and repay your kindness. It's much better than wasting time here." Lu Xun agreed with him. At that time, the Inspector of Guangzhou, Wu Yinzhi, was also held by Lu Xun. Wang Dan said, "General, detaining Mr. Wu now is not beneficial to you and Mr. Wu. Does Sun Ce not want to keep Hua Xin? It's simply that one place can't have two rulers." So Wang Dan and Wu Yinzhi were both allowed to return to the north.
At the beginning, he was appointed as the Cavalier Attendant of the Imperial Court, but before he could take office, Gaozu asked him to serve as the Adviser to the Grand Commandant, and later he was promoted to Chief of Staff. He diligently assisted Gaozu, working day and night, and Gaozu trusted him greatly.
Later, during the Northern Expedition to Guanggu, he was appointed as the Prefect of Qi Commandery. Lu Xun fled south from Cai Island, and Liu Yi strongly demanded pursuit and attack, but Gaozu was hesitant. At this time, he privately said to Gaozu, "You have already subdued Guanggu. If you eliminate Lu Xun as well, your accomplishments will be unmatched in history, second to none. Such a monumental achievement—how could you let anyone else take credit? Liu Yi and you both rose from common people, supporting each other in the beginning. Now that he has failed, he should not be allowed to achieve merit again." Gaozu accepted his advice.
Seven years later, he was appointed as the Interior Minister of Wu State. But when his mother passed away, he resigned from his post to observe the mourning period. Later, when Gaozu wanted to launch a campaign against Liu Yi, he was appointed as the Assistant General, but he adamantly refused the title of general, dressed in mourning attire while accompanying the army on the expedition. At that time, Zhuge Changmin was acting as the Grand Commandant in charge of the affairs of the mansion, feeling quite uneasy, causing concern for Gaozu. After Liu Yi was pacified, he expressed a desire to return to his hometown first. Gaozu said, "Changmin seems to have some doubts; it wouldn't be wise for you to leave right now." He said, "Changmin knows that I am highly regarded by the emperor. If I now return lightly, he'll feel less threatened, and it will ease his mind." Gaozu smiled and said, "Your bravery surpasses that of Ben and Yu!" So he was allowed to return first.
Nine years later, he passed away at just thirty-nine. Because he had participated in numerous battles between the north and south, he was posthumously granted the title of Fifth-Rank Marquis of Tang County. His son Xu served as the Prince's Attendant in the Song Dynasty, but also met an early death.
Xie Jingren, from Yangxia in Chenjun, is the uncle of General Xie Hui of Wei. He shares the same courtesy name as Liu Yu, the founder, so they both use courtesy names. His grandfather Xie Ju was the younger brother of Grand Tutor Xie An, and his father Xie Yun served as the Governor of Xuancheng. Xie Jingren had a close relationship with Xie An since childhood, and Xie An highly valued him. Initially, he served as a military officer and military advisor. At that time, the favored attendant of Prince Sikong Yuxian, Zhang Fashun, held significant power, and officials and nobles all tried to curry favor with him, but Xie Jingren chose not to. He did not become a Zuo Lang until he was thirty. Later, when Huan Xuan killed Sikong Yuxian and saw Xie Jingren, he admired him and said in front of everyone, "How is it that the Sikong family hasn't been overthrown, and Xie Jingren only became a Zuo Lang at the age of thirty!" After Huan Xuan became the Grand Commandant, he promoted Xie Jingren to be a military officer, and later when Huan Xuan was elevated to Grand General, Xie Jingren was also promoted to be an assistant military officer. When Huan Xuan built the Chu Tower, he promoted Xie Jingren to be the Yellow Gate Attendant. After Huan Xuan usurped the throne, he appointed him as the General of the Valiant Cavalry. Xie Jingren was knowledgeable and adept at elucidating the causes and consequences, so Huan Xuan never found their conversations dull. When Huan Xuan went out, Yin Zhongwen, Bian Fanzhi, and others rode horses, while Xie Jingren accompanied Huan Xuan in his carriage.
Liu Yu (Founder) was a military aide under Huan Xiu's command, who once paid a visit to Xie Jingren to discuss matters. Xie Jingren enjoyed an engaging conversation with him and invited Liu Yu to join him for a meal. Before the meal was ready, Xie Jingren was called away by Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan was impatient, and after a while, several urgent edicts were sent down. Liu Yu considered leaving several times, but Xie Jingren insisted on adhering to protocol, saying, "When summoned by the emperor, one must adhere to the established protocols. I was just about to have a meal with my guest; how could I leave before finishing the meal?" Liu Yu calmly finished his meal before responding to the summons. Liu Yu was deeply touched and often remarked that Xie Jingren was the grandson of Grand Tutor Xie An. Later, after Liu Yu restored order to the capital, stationed at Shitoucheng, Xie Jingren and other officials visited Liu Yu together. Liu Yu turned to Xie Jingren and remarked, "This is a scion of the esteemed Xie family!" He then said to Xie Jingren, "The Ministry of Ceremonies needs a junior officer, so I hereby appoint you." Xie Jingren was then appointed as the junior officer to the Grand General Sima Zun of Wuling, while concurrently serving as an Attendant in the Palace, and later ascended to the position of Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works. Afterwards, Xie Jingren was sent as Liu Yu's Garrison Marshal, concurrently serving as the Inspector of Jinling, and later ascended to the position of Marshal of Chariots and Cavalry.
In the year 409 AD, Liu Yu, Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty, felt that the internal strife in the country had settled down and wanted to expand externally, preparing to attack the Xianbei. However, the court officials disagreed. At that time, Liu Yi was stationed in Gushu and strongly advised Emperor Wu, saying, "When Fu Jian invaded, even someone as powerful as Xie An did not personally lead the troops into battle. If the Prime Minister goes on a distant expedition, it would undermine the stability of the country!" However, a man named Xie Jingren stood up and said, "Your Majesty, you have inherited the achievements of Huan Wen and Xie An, followed the will of heaven and the people, restored the imperial family's territory, eradicated the treacherous. Even though your achievements are remarkable, your good governance and prestige have not been fully consolidated. It’s the right time to punish their crimes and calm the people. The Xianbei are near our borders, frequently infringing on our territory. After pacification, reorganize the army, then lead the troops to the vicinity of Luoyang to inspect and repair the imperial mausoleum. Are we just going to let the enemy act arrogantly at our borders and cause us harm?" Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty listened to his words.
After the Northern Expedition began, Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty was very worried because Wang Langye, the Grand Marshal, was the Emperor's own younger brother and a candidate for the heir, which was vital for the country. Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty promoted Xie Jingren to Left Marshal, allowing him to be fully responsible for the affairs of the Grand Marshal's Mansion. He also concurrently served as the Right Guard General and an Attendant. Later, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel. At that time, Xie Jingren's cousin, Xie Hun, was the Left Minister. According to regulations, they could not hold important positions at the same time. However, Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty looked to the examples of Wang Biao and Wang Shao and made an exception for Xie Jingren and Xie Hun to serve as officials in the court at the same time. Xie Jingren also promoted the official historian Xing Antai to be the Commandant of Pingyuan and the Prefect of Pingyuan at the same time. Xing Antai, dressed in civilian clothes, went to pay respects at the mausoleum as the official historian, but was reported by the Censor-in-Chief Zheng Xian.
In the year 411 AD, Xie Jingren was promoted to the position of General-in-Chief. In 414 AD, he was promoted to Right Minister, and later to Left Minister. Jingren was someone who paid great attention to cleanliness, and his living quarters were always kept neat and beautiful. If he felt the need to spit, he would turn away first to avoid spitting on the clothes of the attendants beside him. After finishing his daily tasks, he would have his clothes washed. Over time, whenever he wanted to spit, those around him would rush to catch it. The Emperor held him in high regard and even married his daughter, Princess Yizhen of Luling, to Jingren's son. Jingren passed away at the age of forty-seven, a tremendous loss. The Emperor posthumously granted him the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu and also appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant. On the day of Jingren's burial, the Emperor personally attended and wept bitterly. He also wrote a letter to the General of Chariots and Cavalry Dao Lian, saying, "Jingren has passed away, and I am overwhelmed with grief, finding it hard to bear. You must be shocked and saddened upon hearing the news; it is truly unbearable. He was exceptionally talented, and my feelings for him were deep. I had hoped to serve the country alongside him, but he suddenly left. I am truly heartbroken and regretful! Alas, the dead cannot return to life! What should I do? What should I do?" Jingren's son Xun was the Prefect of Poyang. Xun's son Zhi was proficient at playing the sheng and later became the Prefect of Xiyang.
Jing Ren's younger brother Chun, styled Jing Mao, initially served under Liu Yi as the Deputy Prefect of Yuzhou. When Liu Yi was stationed in Jiangling, he promoted Chun to be the Chief of Staff and the Governor of Nanping. Later, Wang Zhen'e led his troops to attack Liu Yi, and the army was at the city gates. At that time, Liu Yi was sick, and his subordinates went in to visit him. After Chun finished visiting, he heard the army approaching, so he hurried back to his residence. The people around him wanted to pull the carriage and escape, but Chun scolded them, saying, "I am an official of the court, why should I run away!" Then he went inside. When Liu Yi was defeated and everyone dispersed, it was already dark. Sima Maoxiuzhi said to Chun, "Just follow me." Chun refused, helped two people out, and was ultimately killed in the chaos. Chun's grandson Shen, during the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Taishi era, served as the Military Officer for Prince Xiu Ruo of Baliang and the Prefect of Shanyin, but was later killed for committing a crime.
Describing himself as Jing Xian, he had aspirations and conduct from a young age, following his brother Chun in Jiangling. Unfortunately, his brother Chun was killed, so he transported his brother's coffin back to the capital. Upon reaching Xisai, they encountered a storm, and his brother's coffin boat was swept away by the wind and waves, not knowing where it had gone. He then took a small boat to search for it.
Passing by his sister-in-law Yu's boat, Yu sent someone to tell him, "Whether the coffin boat sinks or floats, there should be news by now. With such a storm, how can you take such a risk in a small boat? Even if you go, you won't find it. Are you willing to risk your life for this?" He replied tearfully, "If I can safely reach the shore, I will definitely handle the funeral properly. If my brother has met an unfortunate end, I have no desire to live alone." So he braved the storm, and when he saw his brother's coffin about to sink, he cried out to the heavens. Fortunately, he managed to rescue the coffin, and everyone believed that his heartfelt sincerity had touched the heavens.
Emperor Gaozu was very impressed with him after hearing about him. When Emperor Gaozu came to Yuzhou, he hinted to the officials to make Shu the chief clerk and held him in high regard. Jing Ren was very fond of his third brother Kan, but had a strong dislike for Shu. He once held a banquet and invited Emperor Gaozu to eat, hoping Kan could sit beside the Emperor Gaozu, but instead called for Shu. Shu knew this was not Jing Ren's true intention and worried that Emperor Gaozu might have summoned him, so he quickly declined. Emperor Gaozu quickly summoned Shu, and only then did he seem pleased. When Jing Ren fell ill, Shu cared for him devotedly, tasting all the medicine and food before serving it to Jing Ren, not changing his clothes or grooming himself for several days on end. Jing Ren felt deeply touched and guilty.
Xie Shu Xian first served as a military officer at the Grand Commandant's residence, then followed Sima Xiuzhi on a military expedition and was appointed as the Marquis of Jiyang. His son Xie Zong also became a military officer in the expedition against the Lu, later promoted to Chief Clerk, and then served as the Attendant of the Ministry of Rites. Xie Zong later became the Chief Clerk of the Central Army, then promoted to the Attendant of the Crown Prince, and finally appointed as the Interior Minister of Changsha, with outstanding achievements. In the second year of Yuanjia, Xie Shu was summoned back to the court to serve as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat. The following year, he was again appointed as the Governor of Wuling, concurrently serving as the Chief of the Cavalry of Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang, and also serving as the Governor of Nanjun. Prior to this, Xie Shu's cousin Xie Yao served as the Chief of Liu Yikang's staff, and after his death, Xie Shu took over his position. Emperor Wen of Song wrote a letter to Liu Yikang saying, "Now let Xie Shu replace Xie Yao. His talent and experience are all written in his resume, so I am sending him to assist you. You have just started handling government affairs, with great responsibilities and numerous matters to deal with. You should communicate more with talented people and make good use of his assistance. I think you should understand, there is no need for me to say more." After Liu Yikang became the Chancellor, Xie Shu served as the Chief of the Left Historiographer, and later was promoted to General of the Left Guard. He was honest and frugal in his official duties, and he didn't even own a house. Liu Yikang thought highly of him. The Minister of Works Yin Jingren and the General of the Army Liu Zhan both had a close friendship with Xie Shu. Xie Shu was handsome and elegant, and Liu Zhan often told others, "I've never met anyone like Xie Dao'er (Xie Shu's nickname)."
Zhang Shao, the Governor of Yongzhou, was brought before the Ministry of Justice on charges of corruption and bribery, facing the death penalty. Xie Shu submitted a petition highlighting Zhang Shao's contributions in the previous dynasty and requested the emperor's clemency. Emperor Wen of Song issued a decree pardoning him. Xie Shu told his son Xie Zong, "The emperor, considering Zhang Shao's previous loyalty, intended to lighten his punishment. My petition happened to coincide with this opportunity, so the emperor granted it as a special favor. If this petition were made public, it would appear as if I were usurping the emperor's favor, which is a very bad thing." So he instructed Xie Zong to burn the petition. Later, Emperor Wen of Song said to Zhang Shao, "You were spared death, thanks to Xie Shu's great efforts."
Xie Shu suffered from heart disease and had an eccentric personality at times. He was appointed as the Prefect of Wu County, but he did not take up the post due to his illness. After recovering, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuxing. He was respected for his integrity and diligence in office and was deeply loved by the people. In the twelfth year of Yuanjia, Xie Shu passed away at the age of forty-six. As his coffin was being transported back to the capital, just a few dozen miles from home, Yin Jingren and Liu Zhan took a boat to meet it, crying uncontrollably on the boat. In the seventeenth year of Yuanjia, Liu Zhan was killed and Liu Yikang was exiled. Before his departure, Liu Yikang sighed, "Xie Shu always advised me to step back, while Liu Zhan always urged me to move forward. Now that Xie Shu is dead and Liu Zhan is still alive, this is why I have made mistakes!" Emperor Wen of Song also said, "If Xie Shu were still alive, Liu Yikang would not have come to this end."
The Yuan family had three sons: the eldest, Zong; the second, Yue; and the youngest, Wei. The eldest Zong was talented and skilled in clerical script, serving by the Crown Prince's side. Later, he conspired with his uncle Fan Ye and was put to death. The second son Yue was also implicated and died. The third son Wei married the fifth daughter of Song Taizu, Princess Changcheng. He had a poor relationship with the second son, so he avoided punishment and was sent to Guangzhou. Later, during the Xiaojian period, he returned to the capital, renowned for his integrity, just like his father. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Song, he rose to the position of a senior official.
Yuan Zhan, courtesy name Shishen, was from Yangxia in Chen County. His grandfather Yuan Dan served as the Governor of Liyang in the Jin Dynasty, and his father Yuan Zhi served as the Neishi of Langye, both of whom were well-known figures. Yuan Zhan received recognition from his maternal grandfather Xie An at a young age, and married the daughter of Xie An's nephew. He initially served as a military officer in the Wei forces and later held positions as an official in charge of cavalry, a staff officer in the Ministry of Works, and a military officer under Huan Xuan. He later entered the court as a Yellow Gate Attendant in the Imperial Secretariat and then served as the Chief of Staff under Huan Xiu.
When Emperor Gaozu of the Song Dynasty rose in rebellion, Yuan Zhan was appointed as a military adviser. The following year, he was promoted to the position of an official in the Ministry of Personnel, and later served as the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works and the Palace Attendant. Due to his achievements in battle, he was granted the title of fifth-rank noble in Jinning County. He was later sent to serve as the Chief of Staff to Emperor Gaozu and then promoted to Left Imperial Secretary, before being transferred to the Ministry of Personnel to oversee personnel matters. He later served as the Prefect of Wuxing, a desirable position, where he governed the region effectively and was beloved by the people.
He later returned to the court as the Prefect of the Interior of Wuguo and the Chief of Staff, both prestigious positions. In the twelfth year of Yixi, he was promoted to the position of Right Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and concurrently served as the Chief Censor of Benshou. At that time, when Emperor Gaozu began a northern campaign, Yuan Zhan served as the Grand Commandant, and along with Fan Tai, who also held the positions of Minister of Works, Attendant Cavalier, and Imperial Secretary, they were tasked with presenting gifts to Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu humbly declined, but Yuan Zhan and the others followed the army to Luoyang and stayed at Baiguwu barracks. Fan Tai felt their mission was unfinished and did not go to pay respects at the tomb of the Jin Emperor, while only Yuan Zhan went to pay respects at the Five Tombs. People praised him for doing the right thing at that time.
At the beginning, Xie Zhong of Chen Jun, the grandson of Wang Hu, was not very respectful to his uncles. Xie Zhong's son, Xie Xuan, who was the nephew of Xie Zhan, once disregarded Xie Zhan on one occasion in public. Xie Zhan sternly said, "You young man, there's been no 'Wei Yang' kind of affection for two generations!" Xie Xuan felt embarrassed at that time. Fourteen years later, Xie Xuan passed away at the age of forty. The court posthumously appointed him as Left Minister of Rites and honored him with the title of Cavalier Attendant. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he posthumously honored Xie Zhan as his father-in-law and appointed him as Attendant, Left Minister of Rites, and concurrently as a Minister of the Imperial Clan, with the honorary title of "Respected Duke."
In the third year of the reign of Emperor Shizu, the Emperor went to his ancestral fields to offer sacrifices and passed by Xie Zhan's tomb. The Emperor decreed, "The late Attendant, Left Minister of Rites, and Minister of the Imperial Clan, honored as Jingong, my esteemed elder of the maternal family, renowned for his integrity and uprightness, as time has passed, his tomb is slowly falling into disrepair. I recently surveyed a thousand acres of land and caught sight of his tomb from a distance, reminiscing about his appearance and demeanor, feeling deeply moved. It is appropriate to send people to offer sacrifices to express my nostalgia for him." The Emperor also added five households to guard Xie Zhan's tomb.
Xie Zhan's son, Xie Chun, and Xie Chun's son, Xie Huan, both passed away. Xie Zhan's younger brother, Xie Bao, styled Shiwei, was also appreciated by Xie An. He was knowledgeable and well-read. Initially serving as an assistant in the Imperial Library, he later served as a secretary under the command of Huan Qian of the Guard. The Grand General Prince Wuling, Sima Zun, ordered him to serve as a secretary. That year, the Prefect of Danyang, Meng Chang, appointed him as the Jianwei Marshal. Over a year later, he was promoted to the Left Western Commandant of the Minister of Works and then served as Liu Yi's military advisor while also acting as a secretary. At that time, Liu Yi proposed large-scale cultivation of fields, and Xie Bao put forth his thoughts in a memorial.
The country takes the people as its foundation, and the people depend on food for survival. Developing agricultural production can promote education; focusing on the fundamentals is essential for managing the details. This is the key to governing the country and educating the people. If the fundamentals are neglected, then trivial matters will proliferate; if the people are suffering from hunger and cold, their sense of shame will be lost. We have just experienced the turmoil of usurping power and encountered serious disasters. Competition for resources has emerged, and the culture of luxury and waste is becoming more widespread. Wealth and status have obscured people's true nature, and heavy taxes have exhausted the people's resources. Fertile land is left uncultivated, and every household struggles with not having enough food or clothing. A series of disasters keep striking, and the people are busy every day, unable to catch their breath. It's only been a year or two since we laid down arms and stopped fighting, and the long-standing problems are difficult to solve quickly. Now is the time for us to show compassion and promote education.
Ah, this situation actually has its reasons. Those in charge are not paying attention, and regular officials just stick to the rules without considering how public sentiment has changed. It's like fixing a dike to hold back floodwaters while ignoring that the river's course may shift; it's like playing the piano with old strings without caring that the tune has changed. Having assessment criteria alone is useless. They don't understand that to govern effectively, we must address problems at their root, just like water needs to be clear; it must be governed from the source, not just focusing on fixing loopholes.
To strengthen the country, we must select talented individuals and appoint them to positions based on their abilities, rather than just looking at their reputation. This way, those who have been wandering will return home to farm; with more farmers, land will naturally be cultivated. Officials should be given appropriate duties so they can fulfill their roles effectively; those without duties should not be assigned. Those officials who need to go should be let go, cutting down on excess personnel, which will allow fallow land to be cultivated.
We must focus on practical matters, develop commercial circulation, and discard the flashy and impractical, without placing too much emphasis on rare treasures. This way, those who profit from speculation will be sidelined, and food will be valued. Farmers toil hard but reap little, while merchants profit easily. Thus, we should raise taxes on merchants while lowering land taxes to decrease speculation and increase the happiness of farmers.
The officials in power are free from corruption, and the common people do not seize land. Rewards are not based on personal relationships, and corvée labor is not siphoned off for personal gain. Idle hands will return to the fields and become industrious; with fewer idlers and more workers, agricultural production will naturally prosper. It is essential to clearly differentiate between the diligent and the negligent, impose strict penalties on the negligent, establish clear reward and punishment systems, and enforce laws strictly. This way, the lazy will have nowhere to escape, and hardworking individuals will have hope. With happy hardworking people and fearful lazy people, farmers will naturally work hard.
These are all critical elements for agricultural development. We must be content, persistent, honest, and cautious, not merely focus on short-term gains but look towards long-term development. In doing so, the social climate will gradually improve, and people's hearts will gradually change.
Bao is good at speaking in a refined and vulgar manner, comparing things past and present, while reciting and singing, causing listeners to forget their weariness.
Now, let's discuss the situation concerning Meng Huaiyu's mother. Meng Huaiyu was promoted and became the Marquis of Poyang County, and his mother was to be appointed as the Grand Lady of the State, a decision that had the authorities' approval. However, a man named Bao stepped forward to object, saying that a woman should enjoy good fortune with her husband, as is only natural. Since Meng Huaiyu's father was already a high-ranking official, why should his wife be promoted just because of her son? Therefore, Bao filed a complaint, accusing officials Liu Liu, Xu Xianzhi, and He Shao of incompetence. Ultimately, these officials were dismissed and fined.
After Meng Chang died, Bao took over as the Governor of Danyang. Later, in the seventh year of the Yuanxi era (公元 405 年), Bao was demoted for embezzlement and began as an advisor to the Grand Marshal, later being promoted to Chief Clerk. After that, he went on to fight against Liu Yi.
Gaozu wanted to send the Yizhou governor Zhu Lingshi to attack against the Shu region, so he asked Bao to write a proclamation. The proclamation stated:
"Those who uphold virtue will prosper, while those who defy it will perish; without benevolence and righteousness, peace is hard to achieve; harboring grievances seldom leads to success."
The rise and fall of the Shu region has been fated since ancient times; Chengdu has never enjoyed lasting prosperity, and Huayang has never produced a prosperous country. Recently, various troubles have arisen, affecting all corners. That Qiao Zong, banking on his minor influence, has been manipulating the common folk and colluding with each other, becoming more and more arrogant, daring to assault local officials and harm the people, leaving the people in the western regions feeling abandoned by the court.
Since our righteous army went to war, heaven has favored our dynasty, the old order has been restored, and the world is at peace. We were initially preoccupied with rebuilding our homes, but now, ten years have passed, and Qiao Zong still shows no remorse, seeking opportunities to create chaos, recruiting soldiers, expanding his power, and harassing our neighboring tribes, threatening our borders.
Therefore, we have dispatched troops to deal with them; all those villains have been wiped out, not a single one escaped. Huan Qian and Qiao Fu have died, and the rest are hiding, biding their time until they are caught.
As it stands now, the northern Di tribes have been subdued, and the southern insurrection has been quelled. The court is in good order, the people are living in peace and working happily, and peaceful scenes abound. "The song of Kang Zai is bright, and the prosperity of the house can be sung." I carry the heavy responsibility of overseeing Western Sichuan, reflecting on the achievements of Yu the Great in flood control; I am filled with a strong sense of duty and a desire to serve the country, for I have been ordered to head west. Along the way through Jingzhou and Yingzhou, looking at the land of Bashu from afar, I am overwhelmed with mixed emotions, and feelings of indignation well up within me.
The Qingjiang River flows from its source, the crystal-clear river water is as transparent as a well. Now is the time to pacify the rebellion and soothe distant lands. I have commanded Prefect Kuai En of Hejian and Prefect Liu Zhong of Xiaping to march twenty thousand elite soldiers directly to Chengdu; General Zang Xi of Longxiang to lead twenty thousand troops advancing from Dianjiang; Governor Zhu Lingshi of Yizhou to command thirty thousand naval forces, proudly asserting their presence on the river; and I have also dispatched Auxiliary General Suo Ken to lead the Hanzhong army advancing from Jiange; General Zhu Kezi of Zhenwei to lead the elite troops of Ningzhou across the Lu River.
Now, the four armies are advancing in unison, the heavenly net is expansive, the grand army stretches across thousands of miles, and the sound of drums and gongs fills the air. Soldiers clad in armor wield flashing blades, creating a majestic momentum as people from all ethnic groups rally together. With such a powerful offensive, what enemy could possibly stand against us? Moreover, we fight in the name of justice, aligned with the will of heaven; what is there to fear?
The strategic terrain in the Three Gorges is now within our territory, not as treacherous as it was in Cen Peng's time in Jingmen; as we venture into Shu territory, the roads are well-connected, not as difficult as when Deng Ai captured Mianzhu. The terrain of Shu, compared to before, has not changed much, and the ease of attack and defense is now much greater than before. In the past, the Shu kingdom was powerful, and the people were prosperous; even Ziyang could not stabilize in Yong and Bo, Liu Chan dared not flee to the south-central region, the strategies from Jingzhou and Handan failed, and Boyue's ambitions were also thwarted. Therefore, success and failure are determined by fate, not something that can be controlled by human effort. These are all lessons from the past in Yizhou, and now is a great opportunity for us to recover Yizhou, just like the ancient Yuan Gui, a legendary figure known for his wisdom.
Even those as powerful as Lu Xun and as strong as Rong Chao, although they once dominated the South Sea, controlled Beidai, possessed tens of thousands of warships, and had countless troops sweeping the plains, ultimately in the Battle of Guanggu, the ground forces were utterly vanquished; in the Battle of Zuoli, the navy also suffered heavy losses. Some were killed in the capital, some were beheaded and displayed, their heads sent thousands of miles away. Therefore, success and failure are governed by fate, and human effort is difficult to resist. These are vivid examples before us, with profound lessons worth pondering.
The common people of Liangzhou and Yizhou understand the benefits of righteous governance; although they were temporarily coerced, that was not the intention of the emperor. However, the tyranny and cruelty of those officials have been increasing day by day, with indiscriminate killings, and deaths flowing like water. Faced with the imminent slaughter of the enemy, like the ferocious attacks of wolves and tigers, should we not reflect on the loyalty of Nankai, look up to the hope of Dongyun, let the people of the world experience the blessing of revival, while some of the people harbor resentment towards me?
When the king's army goes to war, benevolence and righteousness are the foundation. It should be approached with gentleness and humility, from the moment the army sets out. One should avoid indiscriminate killing. As long as they lay down their weapons and surrender, they will not be harmed. Those who turn back and surrender, even if they are in armor, will not be pursued. The people live in peace and happiness, carefully discerning between good and bad, praying for blessings. My integrity shines brightly like the morning sun. If they remain lost and refuse to see the truth, then it will be like a fire raging on Mount Mengzhu, burning away the good and the bad together, like the Yellow River bursting its banks, engulfing everything uneven. Even if they want to regret, it will be too late!
He passed away nine years later at the age of forty-one. The following year, for his involvement in the campaign against the Shu region, he was posthumously titled as the fifth-ranked son of Nanchang County.
His son Xun served in prominent official positions during the Yuanjia period. When Prince Luling Xiao Shao held the title of General of the South and Governor of Jiangzhou, Xun was young and did not govern directly, so he served as his Chief Clerk and acted as the Prefect of Xunyang, managing the affairs of the province. In the late Yuanjia period, he served as the Prefect of Wu County. After the usurpation of the throne by the usurper, Xun was posthumously honored as the General of Establishing Might and appointed as an assistant historian. When General Andong rebelled alongside Wang Dan, Xun was called upon as the vanguard and subsequently appointed as the General of Assisting the State. Shortly after the situation was settled, he passed away, posthumously honored as the General of Conquering Barbarians, with the posthumous title of Zhenzi. His eldest son Yi has his own biography. His youngest son Ji was passionate about learning and writing and earned a good reputation in the world, holding official positions as a Langzhong of the Minister of Works and the Interior of Wuling, but passed away early. Xun's younger brother Zuo was a scholar in Yangzhou who also died young. Zuo's son Can, along with others, has his own biography.
Chu Shudu was from Yangzhai, Henan. His great-grandfather was the Grand Tutor of the Jin Dynasty, Chu Pou, his grandfather was the Minister of Works, Chu Xin, and his father was the Golden Purple Chamberlain, Chu Shuang. His brother, Chu Xiuzhi, styled Changqian, served as the Cavalry Commandant of Langye, Chamberlain of the Yellow Gates, and Chief Historian of the Western Army under Emperor Gaozu Liu Yu. Chu Xiuzhi's sister was the Empress of Emperor Gong of Song, and though a relative of the Jin Dynasty, she remained loyal to Liu Yu. Chu Xiuzhi later advanced to the position of Palace Attendant and was subsequently appointed as the Right Army Chief under the Grand Marshal. After Emperor Gong ascended to the throne, he became the Minister of Ceremonies and the Grand Supervisor of the province. After Liu Yu ascended to the throne, Chu Xiuzhi was transferred to the position of Minister of Ceremonies. In the first year of the Yuanjia period, Chu Xiuzhi died at the age of forty-seven.
The younger brother of Chu Xiuzhi, Chu Danzhi, also held many prestigious official positions, such as the charioteer and cavalry officer of the founding emperor Liu Yu, the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Justice, and the general of the Left Guard. After Liu Yu became emperor, Chu Danzhi was appointed as an imperial attendant. Both Chu Xiuzhi and his brother were very loyal to Liu Yu. Every time Emperor Song Gong had a son, Liu Yu secretly found ways to have the child killed, sometimes bribing palace maids, sometimes secretly poisoning them, more than once. After Emperor Gong abdicated and took residence in Moling Palace, he was always afraid of being killed. He lived in the same room as Empress Chu, worried about poisoned wine, so he cooked his meals by the bed. Liu Yu planned to kill Emperor Gong but didn't want to send someone into the inner chamber, so he sent Chu Danzhi to see Empress Chu. Empress Chu came out from another room to meet them, and then soldiers scaled the wall and delivered the poison to Emperor Gong's room. Gong refused to drink it, saying, "Buddhism teaches that those who take their own lives cannot be reborn as humans." Thus, he was smothered with a quilt. Later, when the position of Prefect of Kuaiji County became available, some officials proposed Cai Kuo for the position, but Liu Yu said, "He is just a good boy from the Cai family, with no experience in official matters; we can appoint 'Fo'." "Fo" is Chu Danzhi's nickname. So Chu Danzhi was appointed as the Prefect of Kuaiji. In the second year of the Jingping era, the Sun family in Fuyang County hatched a plot to rebel, with accomplices hidden in Yongxing County, colluding in secret. The county magistrate of Yongxing, Yang Xun, uncovered their conspiracy and quickly reported it to his superior, Danzhi. Danzhi did not believe him at all, instead believing that Yang Xun was making false accusations, so he arrested him and dismissed him from his post.
As a result, Sun Faliang, this fellow, who dubbed himself "Champion General," led Sun Daoqing and others to attack and occupy Fuyang County, and even helped Gu Can, the magistrate of Fuyang County, into a position, bestowing upon him the honorary title of "Assistant General." Then, Sun Faliang sent several so-called generals, Sun Daozhong, Sun Gongxi, and Sun Fasha, to attack Yongxing County. The people of Yongxing County, initially in cahoots with the bandits, later realized their mistake and began to surrender one by one, following Yang Xun in resisting the bandits. Unfortunately, with their numbers few and their strength weak, they were eventually defeated and driven away by the bandits. The bandits put a guy named Xu Zu in charge as the county magistrate, while Yang Xun fled to Jiangtang Mountain to hide, but soon got caught by the bandits, who forced him to continue serving as county magistrate and help them.
The bandits took firm control of Yongxing, promoted one another, and even appointed Sima Wenyin, the county magistrate of Mian County, as "General of the West Expedition," Sun Daozhong as "Chief of Staff of the West Expedition," and Sun Daofu as "Left Sima," along with Sun Gongxi, Sun Fasha, and others, under the guise of banners, beating drums, and aggressively heading towards Shanyin.
Well, this Danzhi fellow went ahead and gave himself the title of "General of the Lingjiang," and he really knew how to save face for himself! Then, he appointed Lu Shao, the county magistrate of Shanyin, as the Sima and promoted him to the title of General of Zhenwu. Former Minister of the Household Cavalry Wang Maozhi was named Chief of Staff, and former National Scholar Kong Xin and former Minister of the Household Cavalry Xie Qin were both appointed as military advisors. He also gathered more than seventy military advisors to join him. Even more impressive is that the son of the former Zhenxi Adviser Kong Ningzi and the son of the Left Guanglu Doctor Kong Jigong, even though they were dealing with family funerals, were also pulled in by him to serve as generals. This web of connections is pretty solid!
Next, he sent Team Leader Chen Yuan and County Councilor Yu Daona with two armies to the other side of Puyang River. However, they were defeated, and the enemy soldiers pursued them, coming within twenty miles of the city walls. Dan Zhi quickly dispatched Lu Shao, along with Jigong and General Lu Yun, to command the navy to intercept the enemy, and also sent Xingcanjun Gong Qi with infantry to fight alongside him. Dan Zhi himself also led his troops to the outskirts of the city to stand by. They engaged the enemy in battle at Keting and achieved a decisive victory, driving the enemy back to Yongxing. He also sent the pretender General Ning Shuo, Sun Lun, with five hundred men to attack Qiantang. However, Sun Lun fought with the defending general of Qiantang County at Qidi, lost the battle, and retreated back to Fuyang in disgrace. Sun Lun was quite adept at playing both sides and, in turn, killed more than ten people, including General Fabu, and sent their heads to the capital to seek rewards.
The court also sent Palace External General Xu Zhuo with one thousand men, and Prince Yikang of Pengcheng sent General Qiu Xian with five hundred men to the east to suppress the rebellion. Minister of Works Xu Xianzhi then appointed Shen Sizhi as the county magistrate of Fuyang, leading five hundred men from Wuxing to the east. However, by the time they reached their destination, the rebel forces had already been quelled. The Prefect of Wu County, Jiang Yi, had a rather easy time, staying in Wu for a night before reaching Fuyang. He then began sorting the good from the bad and sent the remaining families of the enemy soldiers—several hundred households—to places like Pengcheng, Shouyang, and Qingzhou. Two years later, Dan Zhi passed away at the age of forty-five and was posthumously honored with the title "Zhizi."
Uncle Xie, whose name is the same as that of the founding emperor Liu Yu, so he was referred to by his courtesy name instead. Initially, he served as a military advisor under the King of Langya, and later served as a military advisor under the founding emperor Liu Yu, as well as the Left Minister under the Chancellor, a military advisor of the Central Army, in charge of military affairs of the Central Army, and later promoted to General Jianwei. He fought with great effort alongside Liu Yu against the Xianbei. Later, when Lu Xun attacked Chapu, Uncle Xie fought to the death and made significant contributions. Lu Xun fled south, and the founding emperor Liu Yu was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. Uncle Xie was also promoted and became the Commander of Military Affairs of the Two Provinces of Jiaoguang, General Jianwei, Commander of the Central Guard of Pingyue, and Inspector of Guangzhou. Huan Xuan's relatives plotted to create unrest in Guangzhou, but were subdued by Uncle Xie.
In the eighth year of the Yixi era, Liu Jingdao, a remnant of Lu Xun, was cornered and surrendered to Jiaozhou. The Inspector of Jiaozhou, Du Huidu, reported this to the court, and Uncle Xie believed that Liu Jingdao and his followers were pretending to surrender, and suggested to the court to execute them. Du Huidu was caught off guard, and as a result, Liu Jingdao rallied a group of desperate outlaws, broke through Jiuzhen Commandery, and killed the Prefect Du Zhangmin. Du Huidu eventually brought them under control. Uncle Xie unilaterally demoted Du Huidu to General Who Exerts Valor without prior approval from the court, and was impeached by the court officials. The emperor later granted him a pardon.
Liu Yu, the founding emperor, went to campaign against Liu Yi. Shu Du sent three thousand troops across the Jiaoshan Mountains to provide support, and only returned after Jingzhou was pacified. He served as the governor in Guangzhou for four years, engaging in extensive plunder. His family was very wealthy, but he was ultimately dismissed for corruption and sentenced to life imprisonment. Upon returning to the capital, he gave numerous gifts to anyone he had even a passing acquaintance with. Soon after, he was appointed as the Grand Commandant, military advisor, and Right Marshal of the Prime Minister. After Emperor Liu Yu ascended to the throne, Shu Du was appointed as the General of the Right Guard. The Emperor held Shu Du in high regard, considering him from a noble family but dedicated to his work, and valued him highly. He therefore issued a decree stating: "Rewards should not overlook those who work hard, in order to encourage ministers to work harder; titles must be given to those who have contributed, so that those who have contributed can be recognized. Shu Du often undertook important military tasks in the campaigns in the north and south, and also made great achievements in the Lingnan region. He was specially granted the title of Marquis of Panyu County, with a fief of four hundred households." Shortly afterwards, he was further appointed as the Cavalier In Regular Attendance. In the third year of Yongchu, Shu Du was appointed as the Commissioner-in-Chief, overseeing the military affairs of six counties in the south of Jingzhou in the provinces of Yong, Liang, South and North Qin, as well as the General Conquering the Barbarians, Inspector of Yongzhou, concurrently holding the position of Colonel of Ningman, and Prefect of Xiangyang Yicheng. He was renowned for his integrity and simplicity during his tenure. In the second year of Jingping, Shu Du passed away at the age of forty-four. His grandson succeeded him as Prefect of Nanlangye. After the grandson passed away, his son Zizhao inherited the official position. After Zizhao passed away, his son Zixuan inherited the official position. Later, during the Qi dynasty, the title of the state was abolished. Shu Du's second son Jizhi served as an Assistant Imperial Secretary, but sadly passed away at a young age. His son Ai married the sixth daughter of the Grand Ancestor, Princess Zhenchang of Langye, and also held a military position, but passed away early.
Zi Tian's younger brother Zhan Zhi, courtesy name Xiu Xuan, married Princess Shi'an Ai, the seventh daughter of Gaozu, and was appointed as the Duke of the Imperial Guards and a Gentleman of Letters. After Princess Shi'an Ai passed away, he married Princess Wu Jun Xuan, the fifth daughter of Gaozu. Most of the men who married princesses were from prominent families, not all of them necessarily talented. Zhan Zhi was cautious, practical, and capable, which earned him the appreciation of the Emperor. He rose through the ranks and held various positions such as General of the Flying Cavalry, Governor of Nan and Pei Commanderies, Central Household Gentleman of the Crown Prince, Chief Clerk of the Left in the Ministry of Works, Palace Attendant, General of the Guards on the Left, Minister of the Left in the Ministry of Personnel, and Intendant of Danyang. Later, when the traitor rebelled, he was appointed as Minister of Personnel, then later as General of State Defense, Governor of Danyang, in charge of the defense of Shitoucheng.
During the Song Emperor's campaign against Wei, Shao attacked Xinting Fort on his own and ordered Zhan Zhi to lead the navy in the attack. As a result, Zhan Zhi fled south on a light boat with his two sons, Yuan and Cheng. Yuan had just had a son, who was killed by Shao. After the Emperor's ascension, Zhan Zhi was appointed as the Supervisor of the Right of the Masters of Writing. In the first year of Xiaojian, he was appointed as Prefect of the Palace Secretariat and Intendant of Danyang. Several sons of Prince Yixuan of Nan Commandery were hiding in the commandery, causing Wang Xingzhi, the Prefect of Jiankang, and Shen Daoyuan, the Prefect of Jiangning, to be imprisoned, leading to Zhan Zhi's dismissal and exile to the Chu region. In that same year, he was appointed as Cavalier Attendant and General of the Guards on the Left, shortly after promoted to Palace Attendant, while still retaining his position as General of the Guards on the Left. Due to long-term illness, he was awarded the titles of Cavalier Attendant and Grand Secretary, and bestowed with a gold seal and purple ribbon. After some time, he was reappointed as Intendant of Danyang, retaining the title of Grand Secretary. Later, he served as Supervisor of the Left in the Masters of Writing. In recognition of his contributions during his flight to the south, he was granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang. He passed away in the fourth year of Daming at the age of fifty. He was posthumously awarded the titles of Palace Attendant, Special Advanced, and General of the Flying Cavalry, and he was bestowed with a copy of the Book of Odes, retaining his position as Supervisor of the Left in the Masters of Writing. He was posthumously given the title of Respectful Marquis.
Zhan's son Yuan was a bastard. Princess Xuan, recognizing Yuan's talent, requested that he be recognized as the legitimate son. Yuan served as Minister of Works during the late years of the Sheng Ming period. Historians note that although the founder's family had been based in Jiangnan for generations, his manner of speaking remained unchanged, and there’s no record of any refined romantic escapades. Those literati and famous figures from the past flocked to the founder, eager for official positions and to follow in his footsteps. The historians argue that despite the founder's prestigious background, he remained unaffected by Jiangnan culture, sticking to his old ways of speaking and acting, lacking cultural refinement or a good reputation. These literati and past celebrities rushed to align themselves with him, hoping for his protection. Historians are skeptical of the motives of the founder and his followers.
