Liu Zhan, courtesy name Hongren, was from Nieyang in Nanyang. His grandfather, Liu Dan, and his father, Liu Liu, both served as Left Minister of Rites and Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Jin Dynasty, which were quite high official positions. Liu Zhan was adopted by his uncle Liu Dan and inherited the title of Fifth Rank Baron of Anzhong County. He was very capable from a young age, had little patience for superficial matters, was an avid reader of history, and was very familiar with ancient laws and systems. At a young age, he showed a talent for governance, often likening himself to famous statesmen like Guan Zhong and Zhuge Liang. However, he did not write much and was not fond of debating with others. The local government once asked him to be the chief registrar, but he refused; the court appointed him as a junior official, but he declined. Later, Emperor Gaozu of the Song Dynasty appointed him as a military officer, bestowing generous rewards upon him. After Emperor Gaozu became General of the West and Governor of Jingzhou, he appointed Liu Zhan as a magistrate and military officer, as well as an official historian. He then served as the chief of staff for the heir apparent (Liu Yifu) for pacifying the barbarians in the western regions. After his father Liu Liu's death in Jiangzhou, the local government sent numerous offerings for the funeral, but he did not accept any of them, earning praise from the people at that time. After his mourning period ended, he was appointed Minister of the Secretariat and later transferred to the position of military officer in the Prime Minister’s staff. Xie Hui and Wang Hong both acknowledged his abilities. After Emperor Gaozu accepted the appointment from the Jin Dynasty, he appointed his fourth son Liu Yikang as Champion General and Governor of Yuzhou, stationed in Shouyang. Liu Zhan was appointed as Liu Yikang's chief of staff and Prefect of Liangjun. Since Liu Yikang was still young and had not yet taken full control, military matters in the prefecture and province were all handled by Liu Zhan. Later, Liu Yikang was promoted to Right General, and Liu Zhan also rose in rank. Liu Yikang was later transferred to Governor of Southern Yuzhou, and Liu Zhan was also reassigned as Prefect of Liyang. Liu Zhan was known for being upright and strict, enforcing the law rigorously. Any official caught embezzling or accepting bribes of more than one hundred coins would be executed by him, causing fear among all officials in the prefecture.
Later, Prince Luling Liu Yizhen was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Governor of Southern Yu Province, with Liu Zhan continuing to serve as the Governor's Chief Clerk. At that time, Liu Yizhen was in mourning for the late Emperor Gaozu of Song and ordered his subordinates to prepare a sumptuous feast, but Liu Zhan stopped him. Liu Yizhen then secretly had his subordinates prepare delicacies such as fish and meat and set up a separate kitchen in the mourning quarters. When Liu Zhan arrived, Liu Yizhen ordered the dishes and wine to be served, including roasted crabs. Liu Zhan sternly said, "You should not be eating these things now!" Liu Yizhen replied, "It's too cold today; what's the harm in having a drink? The Chief Clerk is like family, there's no need to be so formal." As the food and wine were served, Liu Zhan stood up and said, "Since we cannot treat ourselves properly, we cannot treat others properly either."
In the first year of Jingping, the Emperor summoned me and appointed me as the Minister of Personnel, and later promoted me to the General of the Right Guard. Afterwards, I was sent to Guang and Jiao provinces to serve as the chief military officer, with the titles of General of Establishing Might, General of Pacifying the Yue, and Governor of Guangzhou. When my mother passed away, I resigned from my official position. After completing the mourning period, I was appointed as an Attendant to the Emperor.
At that time, Prince Jiangxia Yi Gong was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the Army to guard Jiangling, and the Emperor sent me to serve as his Commissioner, Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, and Chief Clerk of the Pacifying Army, in charge of Jiangling Prefecture's political affairs. At that time, Wang Hong held power, while Wang Hua and Wang Tan were high-ranking officials in the court. I believed that my abilities were not inferior to theirs and did not want to leave the capital to go to a distant place; this assignment felt like marginalization by Wang Hong and his associates, and I was very resentful, often saying, "These two Wang brothers, if it weren't for being old officials of the Crown Prince's residence, how could they have reached this point? It's just luck!"
I am quite ambitious and have always admired people like Ji An and Cui Yan, so I named my eldest son An, whose courtesy name is Zhangru, and my second son Yan, whose courtesy name is Jigui. My second son Yan passed away due to illness in Jiangling, and I requested to personally bring him back to the capital for burial, and Yigong also made a request to the emperor on my behalf. The emperor replied to Yigong, saying, "I have also received your request, Zhan, and I truly sympathize with him. I didn’t want to deny his request. However, you are still young and just starting out in political affairs; the affairs of the eight provinces are demanding, and many important matters require decisions, discussions, and collaboration. I cannot agree to your request at this time. For now, inform Zhan to temporarily halt his funeral arrangements. Recently, many ministers in the court have died, and there are fewer people to rely on. Zhan is a vital asset to the country. I initially wanted to bring him back to the capital, but the responsibilities in Western Xia are significant, so for now, I must postpone this matter. Regarding rewards and punishments, for any matters concerning the country's rise and fall, you need to keep me informed."
Yi Gong is petty and aging, wanting to monopolize power. Every time he is stopped by Zhan, the conflict between the two—one a superior and the other a subordinate—has been escalating. When the Emperor heard about this, he secretly sent someone to confront Yi Gong and asked them to reconcile. Yi Gong said that Zhan lacks respect for his elders and that his opinions are overlooked despite his seniority. Although he outwardly obeys the imperial edict, he feels resentful inside. The Emperor had a good rapport with Yi Gong and wanted to appease him, so he issued a decree stating, "It's unfortunate that things have escalated to this point! There is a lack of talent now, so I am entrusting things to you. You should show mutual tolerance, accept what needs accepting, and let go of what needs letting go. Your mention of 'vast and boundless' in your report is commendable. Zhan is suspicious, so be careful not to let him catch on. You are older and have more experience, and everyone is watching, so you don't have to seek approval for everything like you did as a child. You're now responsible for minor matters. However, you might not always gauge things correctly. His suspicions and resentments might stem from this."
Previously, Wang Hua had died, and Tan Shou had also died. The leading general Yin Jingren felt that there was a lack of talent in the court, so he suggested to Emperor Taizu to summon Zhan into the court. Eight years later, Zhan was summoned as the Prince's Attendant and was also appointed as an Imperial Secretary and the Grand Central Inspector of Benzhou; like Yin Jingren, he was also highly valued. Zhan often said, "What’s so hard about being a prime minister these days? These political matters are at most equivalent to my role as a county magistrate during the Han Dynasty in Nanyang." The following year, Yin Jingren was promoted to the Minister of Rites, the Chief of Selection, and the Protector General, and Zhan succeeded him as the leading general. Twelve years later, Zhan became the Prince's Attendant again. Zhan and Yin Jingren originally had a close relationship, and it was Yin Jingren who suggested summoning him into the court, so the two had a deep bond. However, as they both gained prominence, conflicts gradually arose. Zhan felt that Yin Jingren was dominating the court's internal affairs and was excluding him.
At that time, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng held significant power in the court, and Zhan used to be under the Emperor, so he leveraged their past relationship to form an alliance with Yikang, hoping to use the prime minister's influence to change the Emperor's mind, suppress Yin Jingren, and take control of court affairs himself. Yikang repeatedly advised Emperor Taizu, but without success. Yikang's subordinates and Zhan's confidants secretly colluded, and no one dared to visit Yin Jingren's home. Liu Jingwen's father, a supporter of Zhan, didn't understand what was going on and went to ask Yin Jingren to arrange an official position for his son. Liu Jingwen quickly apologized to Zhan, saying, "My father was confused and actually went to ask General Yin for a job. It's all my incompetence; I have disappointed my father's expectations. Our whole family is ashamed and has no place to hide." Liu Jingwen's flattery was truly over the top.
Yikang, that kid, wielded immense power, acting high and mighty in court, and everyone feared him. Zhan, however, held him in high regard, not treating him as a subject at all, which left the Emperor feeling a bit miffed.
When Lord Zhan Zhan first entered the court, the emperor entrusted him with significant responsibilities, summoning him daily and showering him with favor. Lord Zhan Zhan was very skilled in governing the country and had a deep knowledge of historical tales. When he spoke about governing and politics, he was so knowledgeable and engaging that it left people wanting more. Every time he entered the palace through the Yunlong Gate, the imperial carriage would come to a halt, and the palace guards and attendants would scatter, allowing him to linger in the palace until evening before leaving, as it had become a habit.
However, later on, Lord Zhan Zhan began to encourage Yi Kang to act arrogantly in the court, oppressing the officials. Although the emperor had his doubts about him, he still treated him as before. The emperor once confided in someone close to him, saying, "When Liu Ban returned from the west, I would look at the sun while talking to him, wishing he would leave. Now that he comes every day, I still look at the sun, wondering when he will finally leave." Lord Zhan Zhan's nickname was Ban Hu, so the emperor called him Ban. Later, Lord Zhan Zhan was promoted to the position of Dan Yang Yin, Jin Zi Guang Lu Da Fu, and was also appointed as the Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, while maintaining his original position as the Minister of Personnel.
When I was seventeen, my mother passed away. By then, my relationship with Yi Kang had already soured, and the conflicts were about to erupt. I understood that I could no longer live peacefully. When my mother's mourning period ended, I told my close friends, "This year, I'm definitely done for. In the past, I got by on my charm to get ahead. Now that I've hit a dead end, I no longer have that hope. When disaster hits, how much longer can I keep this up?"
In October, the emperor issued an edict saying: "Liu Zhan has relied on his family's influence to obtain high-ranking positions at a young age, and his treacherous actions were already notorious during his tenure in Liyang. When Xie Hui got into trouble, he secretly reported it in a bid to claim credit and seek rewards. He should have been dealt with long ago. I recalled that he had previously performed some commendable deeds, so I wished to show leniency, hoping he would amend his ways; that's why I favored him and elevated him above his peers. However, he became increasingly ruthless, arrogant, unrepentant, lacking the loyalty of a subject, and ultimately showed his true nature. He formed factions and stirred up discord, misled the emperor, abused power, elevated his son and relatives, colluded with each other, and those who aligned with him thrived, while the honest were framed and ultimately met their demise. His evil deeds have been ongoing for a long time, and I hoped he would reform. But recently, his behavior has become more audacious, arrogant in his speech and contemptuous of the palace, plotting everywhere, even showing disdain for the imperial palace. This not only corrupts the capital's atmosphere but also impacts the entire nation. In recent years, there have been abnormal celestial phenomena, frequent calamities, including earthquakes and eclipses, all signs of divine warning! The honorable ministers are filled with indignation and outrage. In ancient times, when the politics of the Qi and Lu states deteriorated, the countries quickly perished; only during the reigns of Emperors Zhao and Xuan was the Han dynasty's rule able to continue. Now, I hand him over to the court officials for legal disposal." Thus, Liu Zhan was executed in prison at the age of forty-nine.
My son An is a junior officer in the Grand General's Mansion. An and his two brothers, Liang and Yan, were all executed together. My younger brother Su is a Yellow Gate Attendant and has been exiled to Guangzhou. When I was just arrested, I sighed and said, "Things have really fallen apart now!" I also said, "Even if they accuse me of rebellion, killing me would still be against the law!" In prison, I saw my brother Su and said, "You've been implicated too? It seems that advising people to do bad things never works out, and advising them to do good things leads to this kind of outcome. Look at the situation now!" I had even executed my daughters before, which led to much gossip among the literati.
Fan Ye, known by his courtesy name Weizong, was a native of Shunyang and the son of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Fan Tai. He was born while his mother was in the toilet, and his forehead was injured by a brick, so he earned the nickname "Brick." Later, he was adopted by his cousin Fan Hongzhi and inherited the title of Marquis of Wuxing County. He loved learning from a young age, extensively studying the classics, history, and literature, excelling in writing, calligraphy, and music theory. At the age of seventeen, the local government wanted him to take up the position of registrar, but he refused. He later served as the Chancellor under the First Emperor, the Champion General for Prince Pengcheng, Liu Yikang, then he was promoted to the Chancellor of the Right Army within the mansion, and was then transferred to serve as an Attendant Officer in the Ministry of War. Shortly after, he was sent to Jingzhou as a Historiographer. He was soon summoned back to the court to take up the role of Deputy Secretary. After his father's death, he resigned from his official position and returned home to fulfill his mourning duties.
After the mourning period was over, he became Chief of Staff to General Tan Daoji and also served as the Governor of Xincai. Later, Tan Daoji went north to battle, and Fan Ye was afraid to go to war, so he falsely claimed to have a foot problem in order to avoid it. The Emperor disagreed and assigned him to transport military supplies and troops by water. After the war ended, he was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Personnel. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel. In the winter of the first year of Yuanjia, the Empress Dowager of Pengcheng passed away, and preparations for her burial began. On the evening before the funeral, colleagues gathered at the Eastern Residence. Fan Ye's younger brother, Fan Guangyuan, was the Libationer of the Ministry of Personnel and happened to be on duty that day. Fan Ye and Wang Shen, the Left Minister of the Household, lived at Fan Guangyuan's house. That evening, everyone drank together and listened to the funeral music drifting in from the north through the open window. Liu Yikang was very angry and demoted Fan Ye to be the Prefect of Xuan Cheng.
Feeling frustrated in Xuan Cheng, Fan Ye compiled a complete book based on many people's "Book of Later Han." He served as the Prefect of Xuan Cheng for several years and was later promoted to be the Chief Historian of the Military for Prince Liu Yixin of Changsha, and was additionally appointed as General of Ning Shuo. His elder brother, Fan Hao, became the Prefect of Yidu, and their stepmother went with him to Yidu. In the sixteenth year of Yuanjia, Fan Ye's mother passed away. He delayed his mourning period, citing illness, and when he finally set off for the funeral, he brought along singing girls and concubines, which resulted in his being reported by the Chief Imperial Secretary Liu Sun. The Emperor recognized his talent, so he was not punished. After the mourning period, he was appointed Chief Historian of the Rear Army for Prince Liu Jun of Shixing and also served as the Prefect of Nanxia Ping. When Liu Jun became the Governor of Yangzhou, he delegated all administrative matters to Fan Ye, as he was not very engaged in governance. Shortly after, Fan Ye was promoted to the position of General of the Left Guard and the Minister of the Crown Prince.
Fan Ye is under seven feet tall, overweight and dark-skinned, with a bald head and no beard. He is skilled at playing the pipa and can also compose new music. The emperor wanted to hear him play and hinted at this several times, but Fan Ye pretended not to understand and refused to play for the emperor. Once at a banquet, the emperor was in a good mood and said to Fan Ye, "I want to sing, can you accompany me?" It was only then that Fan Ye played upon the emperor's request. After the emperor finished singing, Fan Ye stopped playing.
At first, there was a man from the state of Lu named Kong Xixian, who was quite knowledgeable in various fields such as literature, history, astronomy, and arithmetic. He held a minor official position, but he was undervalued and remained unpromoted for a long time. Years ago, Kong Xixian's father, Kong Mozhi, was a governor in Guangzhou and was caught for corruption and bribery, to face trial at the Ministry of Justice. Fortunately, the general at the time, Prince of Pengcheng Liu Yikang, saved him from death. Later, Liu Yikang was removed from office, and Kong Xixian never forgot this favor, wanting to repay the court but unsure of how to proceed. He believed that Xie Lingyun, who had modest ambitions, could be persuaded. The issue was that Kong Xixian had a mediocre relationship with Xie Lingyun and had no chance to speak with him. Xie Lingyun's nephew, Xie Zong, had a good relationship with Xie Lingyun, so Kong Xixian proactively befriended Xie Zong to get closer to Xie Lingyun.
Kong Xixian became wealthy because his family had made their fortune in Lingnan. He started gambling with the Xie brothers, pretending to be inexperienced and losing a considerable amount to them. The Xie brothers, seeing Kong Xixian always losing money, started playing with him every day, and their relationship grew closer. Xie Zong took the opportunity to introduce Kong Xixian to Xie Lingyun. Xie Lingyun also played with Kong Xixian, who continued to pretend to be inexperienced and lost a lot to Xie Lingyun. Xie Lingyun was both drawn to Kong Xixian's wealth and admired his talent. Kong Xixian, who was quite eloquent, made it his priority to win Xie Lingyun's favor, and they gradually became close friends. At first, Kong Xixian subtly advised Xie Lingyun, but he ignored him. Later, Kong Xixian bluntly advised Xie Lingyun. Xie Lingyun was known for discussing court affairs at home, and although he came from a prominent family, the court had not arranged a marriage for him. Kong Xixian seized on this point to challenge Xie Lingyun, saying, "If you think the court treats you well, why haven't they arranged a marriage for you? Is it because your family is too prominent? Isn't it foolish to sacrifice yourself for something so trivial?" Xie Lingyun fell silent, his heart already swayed.
Shi Ye and Shen Yanzhi both gained the Emperor's favor and were frequently summoned together to the palace. If Shi Ye arrived first, he would wait for Shen Yanzhi to enter together; if Shen Yanzhi arrived first, he would sometimes be summoned alone, which left Shi Ye feeling disgruntled. Shi Ye had served under Prince Yikang on several occasions, and the prince had always treated him well. However, when the position of Governor of Xuan Cheng was granted, their relationship began to sour.
Later, Shi Ye served as an aide in the General's Office of Prince Yikang and followed him to Yuzhang. Upon returning, Shi Ye conveyed the Emperor's intentions to Prince Yikang in an attempt to smooth over past grievances and mend their friendship. However, Shi Ye was secretly involved in a conspiracy, seeking to gauge the Emperor's stance. He said to the Emperor, "I have carefully studied the historical records of the previous dynasties and the history of the Han Dynasty. Those princes who cursed the Emperor and rejoiced in disasters all received severe punishment. Furthermore, Prince Yikang is treacherous and notorious for his crimes, known far and wide, yet he remains unscathed until now. I truly can't fathom this. Moreover, this significant hidden threat has always loomed and may cause even greater turmoil in the future. This is a matter of family strife, a delicate subject to discuss. I am profoundly grateful for your kindness, and that is why I have taken the risk to bring this to your attention." The Emperor did not accept his advice.
Liu Xixian was originally skilled in astronomy and astrology. He said, "The Emperor Taizu will definitely die under abnormal circumstances, because of infighting. Someone from Jiangzhou will ascend to the throne." He believed that Prince Yikang was that person. Liu Xixian's father, Liu Shu, was also favored by Prince Yikang. Liu Xixian's younger brother, Liu Yue, was actually the brother-in-law of Prince Yikang. Therefore, Emperor Taizu sent Liu Xixian to follow Prince Yikang southward, both in response to Liu Xixian's suggestion and as a reward for his loyalty. Zhou Lingfu, who was from Guangzhou, commanded his own army. Liu Xixian gave him six hundred thousand coins to recruit soldiers and procure horses in Guangzhou. However, Zhou Lingfu left and never returned. Zhong Chengzu, the historian at the Grand Marshal's Mansion, had previously earned Prince Yikang's trust. He had been sent to the capital several times and secretly contacted some confidants, conspiring against the state. When he learned of Liu Xixian's sincerity, he discreetly forged an alliance with him. Xu Zhanzhi, the Prefect of Danyang, had long enjoyed the favor of Prince Yikang. Though they were uncle and nephew, their bond was closer than that of a father and son or brothers. Zhong Chengzu befriended Xu Zhanzhi and shared the secret plan with him. After Zhong Chengzu traveled south, he conveyed Xiao Si and Shi Ye's intentions to Prince Yikang, saying, "I had intended to marry into the Xiao family, but that plan fell through. I also had a good relationship with the Fan family, but it was disrupted along the way. This was all caused by outside interference."
There was a monk named Fa Lue who had been supported by Prince Yikang in the past. Although he was given only minimal care, they still had some relationship. In addition, the nun Fa Jing from the Wangguo Temple frequently visited Prince Yikang's residence. They appreciated Yikang's past kindness and planned to assist him in his time of need, secretly contacting Liu Yi (Xi Xian). Later, Fa Lue returned to the secular world. His original surname was Sun, and he changed his name to Sun Jingxuan, and was appointed as an officer under Zang Zhi. Liu Yi was very good at treating illnesses and taking pulses. Fa Jing's brother-in-law, Xu Yao, worked in the court and was responsible for guarding the palace. When he fell ill, Fa Jing asked Liu Yi to treat him. Liu Yi prescribed a medicine, and Xu Yao recovered. Xu Yao personally thanked Liu Yi, and they soon became friends. Liu Yi thought Xu Yao was brave and capable, so he confided in him about the plan to rebel, to which Xu Yao agreed to be the inside man. Hu Zunshi, the Prefect of Yuzhang, was the son of a prince and had a good relationship with Fa Lue. They also secretly conspired together.
Nun Fajing is going back to the south. Liu Yi sent a maid called Caizao to follow her and take a letter containing some prophecies about fortune and misfortune. When Nun Fajing returned, Yikang presented Liu Yi with a copper dagger, copper tweezers, fabric for a robe, a chessboard, and other items. Liu Yi was worried about the matter leaking out, so he decided to poison Caizao. Zhanzhi (Liu Zhan) then spoke to Liu Ye and the others, "Zang Zhi shares a close bond with us. He will understand our intentions, allowing us to recruit hundreds of elite soldiers. Zang Zhi has a close relationship with Xiao Sihua. We can rely on him. Both of them are highly regarded by the Grand Marshal and should have no ulterior motives. Xiao Sihua's network and influence in Sancheng are not inferior to Zang Zhi's. The county's officials and military officers, along with various spies from different regions, total over a thousand. Our military strength will be more than adequate, as long as we seize the right opportunity." They then made rough arrangements for the positions. Liu Zhan was appointed General of the Army and Governor of Yangzhou, Liu Ye became General of the Central Army and Governor of Nanxuzhou, Liu Yi became General of the Left Guard, and others were also assigned positions. Anyone who had not dealt with them normally or did not support Yikang was on another list, added to the death penalty list. Liu Yi asked his brother Liu Xiu to draft a proclamation, the content of which is as follows: "When discussing the rise and fall of nations, there's no such thing as eternal peace. Those arrogant and tyrannical individuals will eventually be dealt with by wise and intelligent people. Just like Xiao Bai, who built a great empire; and Chong Er, who also garnered support to achieve greatness. Since the Jingping era, the royal family has faced continuous troubles. The late emperor was both wise and martial, showing great intelligence, caring deeply for the country and its people, addressing their suffering, so the country was stable and the world was peaceful."
However, in recent years, treacherous officials have taken power, misusing their power, and natural disasters and human misfortunes have persisted, leading to chaos in the court and constant crises. The corrupt official Zhao Bofu, harboring resentment and plotting for a long time, finally rebelled, bringing disaster upon the court's senior officials, aiding treachery, and attempting to overthrow the royal family. His crimes surpass those of ancient tyrants. Never has such a wicked person been seen since the founding of the country! People all over the country are worried and anxious, hoping for someone to save the country from disaster.
Generals Zhan Zhi, Ye, Xiao Sihua, Zang Zhi, Kong Xixian, and Kong Xiuxian, loyal and filled with righteous indignation, rose up in rebellion, regardless of their own lives, and finally killed Zhao Bofu and his accomplices. Although the traitors have been eliminated and the royal path can be restored, the realm is now without a leader, and the people have no one to turn to. Prince Pengcheng is a descendant of the founding emperor; he is wise, martial, virtuous, and has outstanding achievements that have shaken the world, but he has remained patient for six long years. The people hope that he can come out and lead everyone, just as the song "The Owl" was sung during the Eastern Campaign; the people of Shaanxi share this expectation as well! Heavenly signs and prophecies point to him as the true emperor. His ascension to the throne aligns with the will of heaven and fulfills the people's hopes. This throne rightfully belongs to him alone!
Oh, now I’m sending General Zang Zhi, along with the emperor's seal, to meet the emperor as quickly as possible. All the officials are ready with the welcoming ceremony, hurrying one after another. At the same time, I have ordered all the generals to stay at their posts and keep order. If those rebels dare to cause trouble, make sure none of them get away! Back in the day when I encouraged you to rebel, Zang Zhi even delivered the emperor's personal decree, warning you not to stir up trouble. I had already seen this coming and passed the word to the court ministers, urging everyone to help avert the crisis. But you ignored my advice, failed to plan properly, missed the best chance, and ended up causing the emperor to suffer and bringing disaster upon us. I feel terrible and full of regret, not knowing where to go to hide. Now all I can do is push you hard, even if it kills me, I have to see this through!
Xi felt this was too serious a matter, so he decided to consult Yikang. He then wrote a letter from Yikang to Zhanzhi and read it to his fellow conspirators: Alas, I have my limitations. I have lived a life of wealth and luxury since I was young, acting on my whims, not caring when I made mistakes, lacking perseverance and being temperamental, and offending many villains. Many talented people are also unwilling to follow me. When things went wrong, I failed to reflect on my actions. Later, upon careful consideration, I realized that it was all my fault. I deeply regret it, but now it’s too late. Although I have always served the emperor with all my heart and sincerity, being cautious and afraid of not doing well enough, I have indeed become somewhat arrogant due to my favoritism. I truly never meant to deceive the emperor. I used to be open-minded and didn’t mind differing opinions, wholeheartedly believing in them without considering others' views. However, those treacherous villains exploited my trust, shifting all the blame onto me. Person A is devious and greedy, hiding many things from me; Person B is foolish and stirs up trouble everywhere; those lackeys only know how to flatter and spy, leading us to turn against each other and resulting in the deaths of innocent people. What evidence exists for these accusations? Why are those being punished treated the same as the ringleaders? This is incredibly unfair; it’s downright outrageous!
Although I am now being detained in great suffering, the days drag on like water dripping from a leaky pot. But I can still receive messages from some like-minded friends. They often tell me about astronomical geography, national events, and the situation outside. It seems that chaos is about to erupt, and it's likely to collapse soon. All this is because those treacherous officials are in power, throwing the country into chaos. I'm so angry that I can't sleep, feeling torn inside. Shouldn't the honorable men at court and the good people recognize what's happening and not just stand by while evil spreads? Eliminating treacherous officials has been a recurring theme throughout history, let alone these arrogant, cruel, and exceptionally wicked individuals today. It's as easy as chopping down rotten wood!
I can share my thoughts with everyone. If everyone can work together to rise up and eliminate these rebels, wouldn't it be a great achievement like the founding heroes to revitalize the Song Dynasty! However, war is cruel and inevitably affects the innocent. Anyone who disobeys orders and breaks the law will face extermination along with their entire family. The specifics will be up to you wise ones. You must strictly follow the orders of the court and seek permission before taking action. Put aside past grievances for now, and I’ll apologize to the court and accept my punishment later. As long as the country is saved, I’ll die without regrets. Come on, come on!
In September 450 AD, General Liu Yiji of Hengyang and General Liu Shuo of Nanping were sent to garrison the north, and the emperor bid them farewell at Wuzhanggang. Fan Ye and his companions had originally planned to launch their rebellion that day, but for various reasons, they ultimately held back.
In November, Xu Zhan submitted a memorial, essentially stating: I had no prior acquaintance with Fan Ye. Later, because we both worked in the same department and our offices were close to each other, we often met and became familiar with each other. In recent years, I found that Fan Ye has become increasingly arrogant and dissatisfied. He feels that the official position given to him by the court is not high enough, and began to voice his grievances. He not only attacked court officials and slandered the current emperor, but even dared to comment on court ministers and princes, forming cliques and spreading rumors. I have detailed all these matters in the memorial. Recently, the Assistant Cavalry Officer Kong Xixian actually incited the officials from the General's Office to contact Fan Ye, Xie Zong, and others, attempting to rally some nefarious individuals to conspire. Kong Xixian said that because he had received the favor of Prince Yikang (Liu Yikang) before, and last year he faced criticism due to the slander of certain malicious individuals, he was very afraid. Fan Ye took the opportunity to persuade him to participate in the rebellion. Kong Xixian also said that people's minds are chaotic now, the opportunity is rare, and various signs and celestial phenomena indicate that the timing is opportune. Fan Ye later found me personally and told me in detail about these things, and said that my relationship with him was not good and his own safety was at risk. So I reported all these matters to the court, and the emperor ordered us to accuse each other and clarify the truth of the matter. Now I have presented Fan Ye's proclamations, plans, list of accomplices, and his handwritten letters. His crimes are extremely serious, rare in ancient and modern times. I usually don't interact much with people, but suddenly hearing this news of rebellion, I am utterly terrified and at a loss for what to do.
After seeing Xu Zhan's memorial, the emperor decreed, "The content of Xu Zhan's memorial is shocking. Fan Ye has always had questionable character, having a checkered past from a young age. It's just because he has some talent that I have always valued his talents and promoted him, giving him important positions. But he is greedy and treacherous, ungrateful, and harbors resentment. I have always wanted to give him the chance to turn over a new leaf, but I never expected him to collude with others in such a brazen manner. He should be arrested immediately and punished according to the law." That night, the emperor summoned Fan Ye and a group of ministers to the eastern pavilion of the Hualin Garden, near the guest hall. The emperor had already apprehended Xie Zong and Kong Xixian, and they had confessed. At that moment, the emperor, in the Yanxian Hall, sent someone to ask Fan Ye, "I promoted you and gave you such a high position, which is already generous according to the rules. I know you may feel unsatisfied and harbor resentment, forming factions. What is going on? Do you have any other conspiracies?" Fan Ye was frightened and speechless, and did not dare to answer immediately. The emperor sent someone to ask again, "You conspired with Xie Zong, Xu Zhan, and Kong Xixian to rebel. They have confessed, and the evidence is irrefutable. Why don't you confess honestly?" Fan Ye said, "Now the foundation of the royal family is solid, like an unbreakable mountain. Even if we manage to succeed in rebellion by chance, the armies from all over will come to suppress us immediately. How long can we hold out? We will be wiped out soon. Besides, my position is already high; I have gained a lot. Why would I risk the lives of my entire family? As the ancients said, 'Holding the world’s map in one hand while slitting my own throat with the other—only a fool would do that.' Although my status is lowly, the court has given me such a high position. If I think about it carefully, how could I have such thoughts?"
The emperor sent someone to ask again, "Kong Xixian is now outside the gate of Hualin Garden. Do you want to confront him directly?" Fan Ye had no choice but to say, "What should I do if Kong Xixian is accusing me?" Kong Xixian heard that Fan Ye still did not confess, so he smiled and said to the general Shen Shao in the palace, "Those official documents, orders, and memorials were all drafted and revised by Fan Ye. How can he deny it now?" The emperor showed him Fan Ye's handwritten letter, and Fan Ye then laid out the whole situation clearly, saying, "I have always wanted to be honest with the emperor, but the rebellion hasn't actually begun yet. I still want to calm things down, so I have been delaying until now. I deserve to die a thousand deaths and am ready to accept my punishment."
That night, the emperor sent the Secretary of the Interior, He Shangzhi, to visit Kong Ye and asked him, "How did it come to this?" Kong Ye said, "What do you think I did wrong?" He Shangzhi said, "You must know in your heart." Kong Ye said, "There's talk going around that Minister Yu dislikes me, but I have no grudges against him. This rebellion, I heard it was brought up by Kong Xixian. I thought he was just a kid back then and didn’t think much of it. Now that I'm suddenly being accused, I realize I've made a huge mistake. You've always stood by the emperor with integrity, ensuring no injustice in the world. After I die, I hope you will uphold this mindset."
The next day, the bailiffs took Kong Ye to the Ministry of Justice prison. Once inside, he learned about Xu Danyang's situation and realized it was Zhan Zhan who had turned him in. Kong Xixian faced the interrogation with a strong and defiant attitude. The emperor admired his talent and sent someone to comfort him, saying, "A talented person like you, stuck in a place like the Imperial Library, must have thoughts in your heart. I owe you an apology!" The emperor also blamed the former Minister of Personnel, He Shangzhi, "Making Kong Xixian wait until he was thirty years old to become a cavalier, isn’t that pushing him to rebel?"
Kong Xixian wrote a letter in prison, saying: "I am arrogant and short-sighted, only concerned with my own impulses, never thought I would violate the law. My younger brother Kong Xiuxian and I conspired and committed crimes against the state, we deserve to die, and I have no regrets about it. Your Majesty, with your boundless generosity and compassion, yet shows mercy to someone insignificant like me; this kindness is truly beyond measure. I never imagined I would receive such grace, yet here I am, honored beyond belief—a rare occurrence in history. Those who steal horses and cut ties, scholars who recommend themselves, though their actions may be humble and faults minor, they show gratitude and loyalty to the country, and they achieved greatness in Qi and Wei and left their mark in Qin and Chu. Though I am imprisoned, my reputation tarnished, in my youth, I admired the courage of martyrs. Now I am like a tree fallen off a cliff, unable to rise again; like water spilled, unable to be retrieved. I am soon to face execution, with no time left for last words; if my soul is aware, it will surely be filled with gratitude. My heart remains pure, staying true to my original intentions; I cherish each day I have left, speaking whenever possible. I have always had a passion for reading and excelled in arithmetic, learning and exploring the mysteries of what I can understand and accomplish. Looking back, I find that many of my actions can stand up to scrutiny. I have briefly written down what I know, as before, hoping you will not discard it, but rather keep it in the archives. If, after my death, my contributions can be recognized, I can rest easier in my grave with fewer regrets." Kong Xixian also mentioned astronomy and prophecies of family conflict in his letter, expressed with sincerity.
Lao Ye was imprisoned in a different prison from Zong and Xi Xian. He feigned illness and requested a transfer to the examination hall in hopes of being closer to them. Surprisingly, his request was granted, and he truly became their neighbor. Lao Ye called out to Zong across the wall, "When you were first arrested, who did you suspect betrayed you?" Zong said, "I don't know." Lao Ye said, "It was Xu Tong." This Xu Tong is the nickname of Xu Zhan, who is also known as Xiantong. Lao Ye also wrote a poem in prison:
"Fortune and misfortune are unpredictable, life and death have their limits. It must come at a predetermined time; who can delay a moment? In life, it can be known; the causes of our fate are beyond our understanding. Good and evil share the same hill; what's the difference between good and bad? Whether it's the East Tomb or the First Mountain, it's better not to make distinctions. Even without the Qin of Qin Shi Huang, it resembles the hue of Xiahou. I pass these words to the surviving son: this path is a cycle."
Lao Ye originally thought he was doomed to die in prison, but after the authorities conducted a thorough investigation of his case, after more than twenty days, Lao Ye began to regain hope of survival. The prison guards teased him, "It's rumored outside that Sir Zhan, it seems you might be in for a long stay!" Lao Ye was overjoyed when he heard this! Zong and Xi Xian chuckled at him from the side, "Sir Zhan, when you used to work with us, you were so imposing, rolling up your sleeves, glaring, and full of energy. Riding a horse at the West Pond Shooting Range, you looked like a real hero. Now? Things have come to this, and you're so afraid of death? Even if you're released now, if you dare to conspire again, how could you ever face yourself?" Lao Ye said to the guard escorting him, "What a shame for someone like you!" The guard said, "There’s no sympathy for disloyal folks." Lao Ye said, "General, you're right."
About to head to the execution ground, Xie Ye walked at the forefront. When they reached the prison gate, he turned to Xie Zong and said, "Shouldn't we arrange ourselves according to our ranks today?" Xie Zong replied, "The leader of the rebellion should take the lead." They joked and laughed all the way without pausing. When they arrived at the execution ground, Xie Ye asked Xie Zong, "Is it almost time?" Xie Zong said, "It should be soon." After he finished eating, Xie Zong urged him to eat, saying, "It's like being seriously ill; why force yourself to eat?" Xie Ye's family also arrived at the execution ground. The executioner asked, "Do you want to see your family before it happens?" Xie Ye asked Xie Zong, "Since my family is here, should I say a few words to them?" Xie Zong replied, "Whether or not to say goodbye doesn't really matter. Meeting them will surely lead to tears and will only upset you." Xie Ye said, "What does it matter if others see me in tears? Being able to see my relatives and friends on the way is better than not seeing them at all. I just want to see them." So Xie Ye called for his family to come forward.
Xie Ye's wife came down first, holding her son, turned back, and scolded Xie Ye, saying, "You don’t even care about family matters a hundred years from now, nor do you appreciate the emperor's favor. Your death won’t even atone for your sins. Why do you still want to involve your descendants?" Xie Ye chuckled awkwardly and replied that the blame had gone far enough. Xie Ye's mother wept and said, "The emperor's favor to you is extremely profound, but you can't be grateful, nor do you think about my old age. What’s wrong with you today?" She even slapped Xie Ye on the neck and cheeks. Xie Ye's face was calm, without a trace of shame. His wife said, "You criminal, don’t make her sad." His sister and concubines came to bid farewell; Xie Ye was heartbroken, tears streaming down his face. Xie Zong remarked, "You’re nothing like your uncle or Xiahou Xuan." Xie Ye stopped his tears. Xie Zong's mother stayed at home alone because her son was involved in the rebellion. Xie Ye told Xie Zong, "My sister didn’t come today, and that makes her stronger than most." Xie Ye and his son Xie Ai got drunk; they picked up dirt and fruit peels and hurled them at Xie Ye, shouting "Don't drive" dozens of times. Xie Ye asked, "Do you really hate me?" Xie Ai replied, "Why would I hate you today? It's just that father and son are dying together; I'm really sad." Xie Ye always thought of death as the extinguishing of a lamp, wanting to write a book titled "The No Ghosts Theory"; at this time, he wrote a letter to Xu Zhanzhi, saying, "We will meet in the underworld court." This was the nature of his absurd remarks. He also told people, "Tell He Puye, there are no Buddhas or ghosts in this world at all. If there are gods, they will naturally repay me." They seized Xie Ye’s family possessions—musical instruments, clothing, toys—each one precious and exquisite. The concubines were dressed to the nines, while Xie Ye’s mother lived in a rundown place, with just a kitchen piled high with firewood, and in winter, Xie Ye’s son had no quilt to cover him, and his uncle was dressed in nothing but a single piece of cloth.
Xie Ye and his sons Xie Ai, Xie Yao, Xie Shu Luo, and Kong Xixian, as well as his younger brothers Xie Xi Xian, Xie Jing Xian, Xie Si Xian, and Xie Guifu, Xie Guifu's son Xie Baimin, Xie Zong and his brothers Xie Yue, Zhong Chengzu, Xu Yao, and all those implicated, were executed. Xie Ye was forty-eight years old. Xie Ye's brothers, sons, and father who were already deceased, and Xie Zong's brother Xie Wei, were exiled to Guangzhou. Xie Ai's son Lu Lian, who was the grandson of Princess Wuxing Zhao, requested to be spared from death and was also exiled, but later returned after the reign of the Emperor.
Zhang Ye was a meticulous and thoughtful person, with a keen mind and diverse talents. He improved the design of clothes and utensils, and everyone learned from him. He also wrote a book called *He Xiang Fang*, in which the preface reads: "Musk tends to cause issues when overused; however, aloeswood is easy to blend and can be used in any amount. Lingling incense and huoxiang are relatively dry, while zhan tang and tang xiang are more moist. Sweet pine, suhe xiang, anxi xiang, yujin, muxiang, and luo xiang are all precious imports from foreign countries that we do not have domestically. Jujube paste is too cumbersome, and jia jian xiang is too ordinary, instead of enhancing the fragrance, it adds unpleasant odors."
In this preface, he used spices as metaphors for the court ministers. "Musk tends to cause issues" refers to Yu Bingzhi; "Lingling incense and huoxiang are dry" refers to He Shangzhi; "Zhan tang and tang xiang are moist" refers to Shen Yanzhi; "Jujube paste is cumbersome" refers to Yang Xuanbao; "Jia jian xiang is ordinary" refers to Xu Zhanzhi; "Sweet pine and suhe xiang" refer to Huilin Dao Ren; and "aloeswood is easy to blend" is, in fact, referring to himself.
Zhang Ye wrote a letter to his nephews in prison, saying, "I have made a big mistake this time, causing my reputation to be in ruins. You can think of me as a criminal and ignore me. But in my life, there are still a few things about how I've lived that you might find worth learning. As for whether I’m successful or not, and what I truly think, you might not fully grasp. When I was young, I was too lazy to study and didn’t find success until later in life. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I started to show some promise. Since then, my thoughts have continued to improve; even in my old age, I continue to make progress. I often have insights, but I struggle to express them clearly. I don't enjoy studying hard, I’m impatient, and I get frustrated when I have to think too much; my eloquence isn't good, so I haven't achieved much. What I understand, I’ve figured out on my own. Although my writing skills have improved, my thoughts are lacking, so every time I pick up my pen to write, the finished work is always unsatisfactory, and I feel embarrassed to even call myself a writer. The hardest part of writing is making everything clear, overly fancy emotional expressions, forced associations, and lack of harmony in rhythm. Although some writers can do it well, most cannot avoid these flaws, just like exquisite crafts and paintings that ultimately lack soul. I have always believed that writing should express emotions and ideas, so the focus should be on the meaning, and the language should convey the meaning. By focusing on the meaning, the main idea can be expressed clearly; by conveying the meaning through language, the language won’t come off as empty. This is the only way to refine the essence of the piece and convey its momentum. The emotions and intentions behind this, though varied and complex, have their own underlying logic. I believe I understand these aspects fairly well, but when I talk to others, many don’t seem to get it, maybe because we think differently."
Gender determines the pitch of music, both high and low; this is a natural principle. When looking at literati from both ancient and modern times, most of them are lacking in this regard; even those who grasp it often lack a fundamental understanding. I say all this based on practical experience, not just empty words. When I was young, Xie Zhuang was quite talented in this regard; his writing style was quite informal, and his works were not bound by strict rhythm. My thoughts do not have a fixed pattern; I can adapt to various situations and navigate them appropriately, but I fear my innate talent has yet to be fully realized. Most of my writings are formal statements, lacking the vision and insight to rise above the mundane, which I find regrettable, especially since I never sought fame.
I didn't intend to write a history book at first, but I found many history books hard to grasp. It was only after writing the "Book of Later Han" that I was able to clarify the historical context, carefully studied both ancient and modern writings and critiques, but very few of them satisfied me. Although Ban Gu has a great reputation, his writing is haphazard and lacks a clear structure, making it hard to make comparisons. Most evaluations of him by later generations missed the point and could only roughly speculate on his thoughts. His writings are vast and profound, which I find difficult to emulate, but my editing work is not bad either. The assorted essays and critiques I've written carry subtle meanings and profound insights, carefully considered, resulting in relatively concise sentences. As for the prefaces to "Xun Li" and "Six Barbarians," the writing is bold and truly exceptional, with highlights that often do not fall short of "Discourse on Salt and Iron." I once compared my works with Ban Gu's works; not only did I not fall short, but I even surpassed them. I originally wanted to write all the biographies of the characters in the Former Han; though there weren't many events, I aimed to express their significance fully. I also wanted to publish comments based on historical facts in the volumes, to assess the successes and failures of an era, but unfortunately, this wish was not realized. The praises I composed are the highlight of my writing, with hardly any superfluous words, unpredictable shifts, and a blend of various styles that even I do not know how to describe. After this book is published, there should be those who appreciate it. The annals only summarized the main content, and I left out many details. Since ancient times, there has never been a work of such grandeur and intricate design. I am afraid that people cannot fully understand my writing, as many people romanticize the past and look down on the present, leading them to label me as arrogant and conceited.
I appreciate music less than I can play it, but I'm not well-versed in classical music, which I regret. But having reached such an extreme state, does it really make a difference? The charm in it is hard to describe, the sound beyond the notes, the elusive voice, I don't know where it comes from. Although it's just a small detail, the artistic concept is boundless. I have also taught others, but no one among the scholarly elite has grasped even the basics. This art will be lost to time. Although I have some understanding of calligraphy, my brushwork lacks fluidity, and I ultimately failed to achieve a career; I often regret it.
I've preserved Ye's "Preface" and his story, so I decided to write them down. Ye has always been very clean and tidy since he was young, and his clothes were always spotless. He passed away at the age of twenty. When Ye was young, his brother Yan once said, "This child is too ambitious; he will definitely make a name for himself in the future." And it turned out just as Yan predicted.
Historians have noted: The ancients often said, "Greed for profit will make people lose their reason." Alas, the interplay between profit and harm is all too easy! Liu Zhan had insight and talent; his talent could completely assist the country. Wasn’t he aware that placing his younger brother in the court as a minister could uphold the ruler-minister relationship; and that supporting his older brother to a higher position would destroy brotherly love? Yet Yi Kang always entertained devious plans, blindly believing in flattery, even going so far as to take up arms in rebellion. How does this differ from those treacherous rebels?
