Xu Zhanzhi, courtesy name Xiaoyuan, was a native of Tan County in Donghai. He was the grandson of Xu Xianzhi, the elder brother of Xu Xianzhi, the Minister of Works, and also a student of Xu Peizhi, the Prefect of Wu County. His grandfather Xu Qinzhi served as the Secretary of the Secretariat, and his father Xu Kuizhi married the eldest daughter of the founding emperor, Princess Kuaiji, and held the position of General Who Establishes Authority, as well as serving as Prefect of Pengcheng and Pei counties. Since the founding emperor's sons were all young, and Xu Kuizhi had ties to the imperial family, the emperor intended to promote him and have him achieve merit first. When he later campaigned against Sima Xiuzhi, he was appointed to lead the army as its vanguard and was provided with elite soldiers and the best weapons and equipment. After a victorious battle, the emperor immediately appointed him as the Governor of Jingzhou. Unfortunately, later on, Sima Xiuzhi sent Lu Gui, the son of Lu Zong, to counterattack, and Xu Kuizhi died in battle. He was posthumously appointed as a Gentleman-in-Attendance.
Xu Zhanzhi lost his father at a young age, but he was greatly favored by the founding emperor, often accompanying Prince Yi Gong of Jiangxia, eating and sleeping together. In the third year of Yongchu, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The eldest legitimate grandson of Princess Yongxing has experienced many hardships since childhood. I have a special affection for her grandson Xu Zhanzhi. With his illustrious family background and good character, I hereby appoint him as the Marquis of Zhijiang County, granting him a fief of five hundred households." When Xu Zhanzhi was young, he and his younger brother Xu Chunzhi were once riding in a carriage when suddenly the ox went mad, causing the carriage to break down. The people nearby rushed to help, but Xu Zhanzhi prioritized saving his younger brother, gaining admiration for his wisdom at such a young age. As he grew older, Xu Zhanzhi was wise and conducted himself with propriety. He was very filial to his grandmother and mother, respectful and prudent in his behavior, and had a good reputation.
In the second year of Yuanjia, the court appointed him as an Assistant Compiler and an Assistant Cavalry Attendant, but he did not accept. In the sixth year of Yuanjia, when the Eastern Palace was just completed, he was appointed as the Groom of the Prince's Horse, later promoted to Scholar of the National Academy, then further promoted to General of the Valiant Forces, Prefect of Nanpengcheng County and Pei County, and then appointed as the Yellow Gate Attendant. When his grandmother became old, he resigned from his official duties in the court and remained at home to care for his grandmother, not taking up any position. Later, the court appointed him as Prefect of Nanpengcheng County and Pei County again, also bestowing upon him the title of Assistant General, then promoted to Chief Secretary, concurrently serving as General of the Right Army, then further promoted to Attendant of the Palace, with the additional title of Valiant Cavalry General. Later, he returned to the position of Chief Secretary, with the additional title of Cavalier Attendant, while continuing to hold the title of Valiant Cavalry General.
Princess Kuaiji was the emperor's eldest daughter, and the emperor held her in high regard. All matters, big or small, in the household had to be approved by her. Once during a western expedition, the emperor sent Xie Hui to lead the troops while leaving the princess in the palace to manage the harem. If the princess was dissatisfied with anything, she would cry and throw a tantrum, which the emperor feared. In his early years, when Gaozu was still a poor boy, poor and ragged, he personally went to Xinzhou to cut reeds, and the clothes he wore—simple cloth robes and padded jackets—were all personally made by the empress dowager. After becoming emperor, Gaozu gave these clothes to the princess, saying, "If anyone in the future becomes arrogant and extravagant, disregarding the rules, these clothes can be shown to them."
Zhanzhi was deeply loved by Prince Liu Yikang of Pengcheng, had a close relationship with Liu Zhan and others, often conspiring together. Later, Liu Zhan committed a crime, implicating Zhanzhi, which enraged Gaozu, who wanted to execute Zhanzhi. Zhanzhi was extremely afraid and didn't know what to do, so he told the princess. The princess entered the palace that day, saw the emperor, climbed out of bed in tears, and no longer bowed as a servant would. She took out a silk pouch containing the old clothes worn by Gaozu when he was young, threw it on the floor for the emperor to see, and said, "Your family used to be very poor; this is the old clothes my mother sewed for your father. Now that you live in luxury, you want to harm my son!" The emperor also cried, and Zhanzhi thus saved his life. Later, he was promoted to the rank of Zhonghu Jun, and before he could even assume his new role, he was promoted to Taizi Zhanshi, soon adding the title of Shizhong.
Zhanzhi was good at writing letters, with fluent and beautiful writing. He associated with high-ranking officials and wealthy people, with a fortune in the millions. His house, gardens, and ponds were unmatched by wealthy families. His orchestra was among the best of its time. He had over a thousand students, all from wealthy families in Jiangnan, all handsome and elegantly dressed. Every time Zhanzhi went out to play, the streets were always bustling with people; even on muddy rainy days, he would use a carriage to carry his students. The emperor thought he was excessively extravagant and wasteful and often advised him. At that time, Ancheng Gong Hexu was the son of He Wuji; Linru Gong Meng Lingxiu was the son of Wang Chang. They were all very extravagant, and they often competed with Zhanzhi in indulgence—food, drink, clothing, and transportation. People in the capital remarked, "Ancheng Gong is responsible for eating, and Linru Gong is responsible for dressing up." Zhanzhi surpassed He Hexu and Meng Lingxiu in terms of indulgence in eating, drinking, and entertainment. He Hexu was posthumously honored with the title of Huang Gong. Meng Lingxiu was good at playing chess and achieved the rank of Mishu Jian.
Zhan Zhi was promoted to Champion General and appointed as the Governor of Dan Yang, and later given the title of Cavalier Attendant. However, he declined the appointment due to the passing of the princess. After the princess was laid to rest, he was reinstated to his former position, but Zhan Zhi stubbornly refused and even went to the Ministry of Justice to confess. The Emperor instructed the prison officials to disregard his confession, but eventually he accepted the appointment. He insisted on not accepting the title of Cavalier Attendant, which the Emperor allowed.
In the twenty-second year, Fan Ye and others plotted a rebellion. Zhan Zhi initially colluded with them, but later exposed their plot. However, his report lacked detailed information and he was implicated by the confessions of Fan Ye and others, so he went to the Ministry of Justice to admit his involvement. The Emperor comforted him and allowed him to return to his county. Zhan Zhi submitted a memorial, stating:
"The treacherous ministers Fan Ye, Kong Xi Xian, and their accomplices conspired, with Fa Jing, Ni Xuan, and others relaying messages, and colluding with my son Yikang, the Grand General of Yangzhou. These facts have been confirmed in the course of the investigation. My son Zhong Chengzu was the first to know about Kong Xi Xian and others' intentions, and detailed their treacherous behavior. However, my son, being close to them, failed to grasp the larger implications. He did not actively expose them when the matter was first discovered. The reports were similarly vague, mainly because the rebellion had been exposed and the crimes of the rebels revealed. I, too, relied on the Emperor's mercy and did not want to investigate too thoroughly, which is why my statements were vague. My thoughts were not hidden, and the heavens bear witness to everything."
After the rebels were captured, many of their confessions contained false accusations against me; Zhong Chengzu's confession was even more disorganized and particularly outrageous. They said that Yikang and I had long been secretly colluding, making secret agreements in court, passing messages in private, and exchanging information. Ultimately, they claimed that Xi Xian had instructed him to participate in deceiving Fan Ye. Some said I was both intelligent and brave, while others said I was foolish and weak. They praised me as reliable one moment and then said my actions would definitely leak secrets the next. All of this was nonsense—contradictory and baseless. They distorted the truth and failed to investigate the matter's roots, and the individuals they accused were already deceased, making their accusations inconsistent. They took my words of persuasion as evidence of rebellion and my exposure of their actions as a display of resentment towards them. They spoke lies with the aim of framing me. Upon careful consideration, there may indeed be reasons for this.
The emperor sent me to accompany Prince Yikang to offer condolences. I had to visit him every morning and evening for over ten days. Prince Yikang had evil intentions; although there was no concrete evidence, his face and words revealed something unusual. He once gave me a sharp blade, hoping I would act when the time was right. I strongly advised him against it and firmly refused. I believed his resentment had peaked and wasn't worth worrying about, so I politely declined, fearing that a direct refusal would arouse suspicion. I thought it over repeatedly, knowing full well that I did not accept his request, I merely diplomatically deflected it. I also had Fan Ye explain to Prince Yikang, to clear up any misunderstandings, and we chatted about trivial matters. Prince Yikang even lamented his failed marriage, blaming it on bad luck, and didn’t mention it again.
Your Majesty has always valued family affection, a fact known throughout the realm. You treat the princes with kindness and tolerance, personally overseeing court affairs and promoting harmony among the people. I have also enjoyed Your Majesty's favor in the past and dare not easily sever our connection. There have been continuous exchanges of letters between us. Some say that Your Majesty's thoughts run deep, often concealing meanings within your words, making it difficult to understand your intentions from your expressions. Every time I hear these rumors, I feign ignorance and remain silent. Because my heart is clear, I never doubt myself. I always report to you honestly about what is on my mind. As for the conspiracy of Fa Jing and others, I only found out about it only on the day of its exposure and immediately reported it to you. Although I spent the whole night finding out the truth, I still could not escape punishment in the end. I am imprisoned in the Northern Quarters, requesting to submit to judgment. Your Majesty is generous and did not immediately punish me; you have issued orders multiple times for me to return. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness, yet I am utterly consumed by sorrow. I have committed serious crimes and deserve severe punishment. I should have long since retired and bid farewell to this world. Moreover, I have been tainted by treachery, with no remnants of loyalty or filial piety remaining. My wisdom and vigilance are lacking, and I did not detect the seeds of calamity. The scholars fail to grasp my true feelings, and the people believe that I am as guilty as Prince Yikang. Both the court and the populace regard me with suspicion and gossip about me. Everyone believes the hateful words and no longer sympathize with me. Though I may be simple-minded, I am not devoid of compassion. How could I be unaware that I cannot evade my guilt? Taking my own life would be the simplest escape, but I have chosen to endure and live on, not from a desire to cling to this meager existence, but to shoulder the weight of my sins. My sins are deep, calamity is imminent, and I have held onto hope, so I am telling you my grievances, hoping that my loyalty will be forgiven by you. Even if I die in the end, I will have no complaints in the underworld. I am now in an official position, but I have tarnished the court's reputation. How can I continue living with any dignity? I humbly beseech Your Majesty to relieve me of my duties and permit me to await my execution.
The emperor did not approve his request. After twenty-four years, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat and concurrently held the position of Crown Prince's Supervisor. Later, he was appointed as General of the Front Army and Governor of South Yanzhou. He excelled in governance, balancing authority with kindness. The city of Guangling already had some tall buildings, which Xu Zhanzhi renovated, offering a magnificent view of Zhongshan Mountain to the south. To the north of the city, there was a marshy area rich in aquatic life. Xu Zhanzhi also built structures like the Wind Pavilion, Moon Pavilion, Flute Platform, and Qin Chamber, surrounded by lush fruit trees and bamboo forests, with rows of flowers and grasses. He invited scholars and literati to partake in leisurely activities, fostering a vibrant atmosphere. At that time, there was a Buddhist monk named Shi Huixiu, gifted in writing with a magnificent literary style, and Xu Zhanzhi had a good relationship with him. Later, Emperor Shizu ordered him to return to secular life and reclaim the Tang surname, serving as a historian in Yangzhou. In the twenty-sixth year of his service, Xu Zhanzhi returned to the court and was appointed Intendant of Danyang, while also retaining his General position. In the twenty-seventh year, the Suolu forces invaded Guabu, and Xu Zhanzhi led troops to assist, defending Shitou City alongside the Crown Prince. In the spring of the twenty-eighth year, the brothers Lu Shuang surrendered with their subordinates, with Lu Shuang being the son of Lu Gui. Xu Zhanzhi viewed this as a significant matter for the country's long-term strategy, and he paid special attention to them and welcomed them, without letting personal grievances cloud his judgment. He requested to retire and return to his hometown, but the emperor denied his request.
He was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel, concurrently holding the position of General of the Imperial Guards. At that time, the Minister of Personnel, He Shangzhi, held Xu Zhanzhi in high regard due to his connections to the imperial family and wanted to entrust all political power to him. He did not personally handle any of the appeal cases. Xu Zhanzhi also utilized the "Record of Official Posts" and relevant legal statutes to have the Minister report to the emperor, indicating that he had overarching control over all matters. If there were any omissions on the part of the Minister, he would be held accountable. They then shifted blame onto one another. The Chief Imperial Censor, Yuan Shu, submitted a memorial requesting their dismissal from office. The emperor issued an edict saying, "The Minister and the Supervisor handle political affairs, but the division of responsibilities was unclear, and they pass the blame onto each other. This should be corrected. However, the confusion in the previous system regulations led to this situation of passing the blame, so for now, responsibility would not be pursued, but would be investigated in detail later." Therefore, Xu Zhanzhi and He Shangzhi were assigned to jointly handle the appeal cases. Although He Shangzhi held the title of Minister of Personnel, all major political matters were handled by Xu Zhanzhi. Initially, after the deaths of Liu Zhan and Yin Jingren, Emperor Taizu appointed officials such as Shen Yanzhi, Yu Bingzhi, and Fan Ye. Later, Jiang Zhan and He Yu were also appointed. Fan Ye was killed, Yu Bingzhi was dismissed, and Shen Yanzhi and He Yu passed away. At this time, Jiang Zhan served as the Minister of Personnel and, together with Xu Zhanzhi, held significant power within the court. They became known to the public as "Jiang and Xu."
Every time the emperor fell ill, Zhanzhi always personally attended to him, taking care of his medicine. Later, the dreadful witchcraft incident took place, and the emperor wanted to depose Shao and sentence Jin to death. However, Shizu was out of favor and was always exiled to remote areas, unable to return to the capital city. Both Prince Shuo of Nanping and Prince Hong of Jianping were favored by the emperor, and Shuo's wife was Zhanzhi's sister. She advised the emperor to appoint Shuo as the crown prince. In the later period of the Yuanjia era, the emperor summoned Shuo back to the capital from Shouyang. When he arrived in the capital, the emperor changed his mind and wanted to appoint Hong, but felt that Hong was not of sufficient status, so the matter dragged on without a decision. The emperor shut himself in with Zhanzhi to discuss this matter, sometimes discussing for days on end. Every night, the emperor made Zhanzhi hold a candle and walk around the walls to check for eavesdroppers. On the night that Shao killed the emperor, the emperor and Zhanzhi were locked in conversation until dawn, and the candle had not burned out yet. When Zhanzhi woke up, he rushed to the north gate, but before he could open it, he was killed. He was only forty-four years old that year. After Shizu took the throne, Zhanzhi was posthumously granted the title of Sikong, promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi, and his original official position remained unchanged. He was posthumously honored with the title of Loyal and Valiant Duke. The emperor also issued a decree saying, "The families of Xu Zhanzhi, Jiang Zhan, and Wang Sengchuo were deeply affected, with orphans and widows left homeless and wandering. Reflecting on the past, I feel a deep sadness. Let them return to their original homes and take good care of them." As a result, all three families received support from the court. His three sons, Yuzhi and Qianzhi, were all murdered. Hengzhi inherited the title, married the fifteenth daughter of Taizu, Princess Nanyang, but sadly passed away young without leaving a son. Yuzhi's son Xiaosi inherited the title, but later, when the Qi dynasty usurped the throne, the title was lost.
Jiang Zhan, courtesy name Huiyuan, was a native of Kaocheng in Jiyang. His father was the Governor of Xiangzhou. He was known for his filial piety during his period of mourning. He had a love of literature, enjoyed playing chess and the guqin, and was proficient in arithmetic. He initially served as an Assistant Imperial Secretary, later rising to the position of Military Advisor to Prince Yi Kang of Pengcheng, and then serving as the Left Army's Military Officer under Prince Yi Xuan of Nanqiao. He later returned to serve as the Chief Clerk for Prince Yi Kang, and then became a Gentleman Attendant to the Crown Prince. Sikong Tan Daoji wanted to marry his daughter to Jiang Zhan, but he refused; Yi Kang also wanted him to be by his side, but he refused and requested to be reassigned. He was then appointed as the Prefect of Wuling, and later returned to the office of the Prince as a Consultant Gentleman, before being promoted to the Crown Prince's Household Steward, and later becoming the Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel. He served as the Northern General and the Inspector of South Xuzhou under Wang Dan, who entrusted him with all political matters as the Chief Secretary and the Administrator of South Donghai.
In the year 448 AD, I was summoned by the court to serve as an Imperial Attendant, responsible for some confidential affairs, and also served as the Grand Central Inspector of my region. Later, I was promoted to the General of the Left Guard. At that time, the court wanted to appoint some officials in the education sector, and appointed the Grand Tutor, Prince Jiang Xia of Wang Yi Gong, as the National University Libationer. He You and I served as professors. In 450 AD, I was promoted to the Minister of Personnel. My family was very poor and modest, never pursuing wealth. Although many people offered gifts, I never accepted them, not even extra clothing or food. One time, the Emperor summoned me while I was washing clothes; I pretended to be ill and postponed the meeting until I had finished my laundry. One time my ox was hungry, and the cart driver went to find fodder. After a long hesitation, I said, "You can give it water." I faced criticism for being too strict, but I always remained fair and just, never showing favoritism or corruption, and people praised me for it.
The emperor planned a large-scale northern campaign. Almost all the ministers in the court opposed it, with me as the sole supporter. When the Northern Wei army reached Guabu, General Liu Zunkao led the troops into battle after leaving the river. The emperor appointed me as the commanding general, and all military decisions were entrusted to me. The Northern Wei sent envoys to seek a marriage alliance. The emperor summoned Crown Prince Shao and other ministers to discuss. Everyone believed we should accept, but I countered, "Those barbarians are not trustworthy; agreeing to them is useless." Crown Prince Shao was very angry and said to me, "Now all three kings are in trouble; how can you be so obstinate?" His tone was very harsh. After the meeting, everyone came out together. Crown Prince Shao even sent someone to threaten me with a sword and even attempted to push me down. Crown Prince Shao addressed the emperor, "The failure of the northern campaign is a disgrace. Several provinces have been breached. Only by executing Jiang Zhan can we restore our honor." The emperor said, "The northern campaign was my initiative. Jiang Zhan just expressed a different opinion." After that, Crown Prince Shao hosted a banquet and excluded me from the guest list. He frequently warned the emperor, "Jiang Zhan is very cunning; you should not be close to him." To ease the tension between them, the emperor betrothed his eldest son's daughter to my youngest daughter.
The higher-ups wanted to eliminate Shao, so they had Zhan draft the edict. When Shao was killed, Zhan was working in the province at the time and heard a commotion, so he quickly took refuge in a small room nearby. Later, when Shao's men came to arrest him, the gatekeeper deceived them, claiming that "Zhan is not here!" Consequently, the soldiers killed the gatekeeper on the spot and then apprehended Zhan. Zhan was tortured while pinned against a window, remaining completely composed. At that time, he was 46 years old. Zhan's five sons, Ren, Shu, Jing, Tang, and Fashou, were all killed. Odd occurrences had taken place in Zhan's household prior to the incident; not long before, several liters of blood inexplicably appeared on his bed. After the emperor ascended to the throne, Zhan was posthumously honored with the titles of Left Guanglu Dafu, Kaifu Yitong San Si, and was additionally granted the title of Sanqi Changshi. His original position remained unchanged, and he was given the posthumous title of Zhongjian Gong. His eldest son, Ren, married Princess Huaiyang, the ninth daughter of the Taizu, and became a Zuo Lang at the Imperial Library.
Wang Sengchuo, a man from Linyi in Langye, was the son of Wang Tan, the Left Guanglu Daifu. He showed remarkable character from a young age and was regarded as a promising talent for the nation by everyone. He was studious and thoughtful, well-versed in court regulations. At the age of thirteen, Emperor Taizu summoned him. When Wang Sengchuo knelt down and cried uncontrollably, Emperor Taizu was also deeply saddened. He inherited the title of Marquis of Yuzhang County and married the eldest daughter of Emperor Taizu, Princess Xiang of Dongyang. He initially served as Chief Military Advisor under King Yigong of Jiangxia and later rose to the positions of Minister of Education for King Wenxue of Shixing, Chief of the Secretariat, Chief of the Left of the Ministry of Education, and Prince Zhong of the Crown Prince. In the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia, he was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel of the Imperial Secretariat as a Senior Official, participating in the selection of officials. He had a good understanding of the ranks and backgrounds of officials and was adept at selecting talent. In the twenty-eighth year of Yuanjia, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, responsible for some confidential matters. Sengchuo was calm and restrained, never arrogant or complacent despite his talents. Previously, his father Tan and Wang Hua were both highly valued by Emperor Taizu, but Wang Hua's son lacked ability and held a low position. Sengchuo once said to the Minister of the Imperial Library, Cai Xingzong, "My official position should be equivalent to that of the Marquis of Xinxin. My current achievements are entirely due to my family connections." He became a Palace Attendant when he was just 29. When King Jun of Shixing asked him about his age, Sengchuo felt embarrassed because of his young age and high position, hesitating for a long time before answering, demonstrating his remarkable humility.
In the later years of the Yuanjia era under Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Liu Yifu, who was still quite young, began to consider the future. He felt that, being young, he wanted to delegate many responsibilities to his ministers, allowing him to be involved in both major political matters and minor affairs. His cousin Liu Hui, known for his integrity, worried that the emperor wielded too much power and advised him to restrain his power appropriately. At that time, there was a minister named Seng Chuo who requested to be transferred to Wu County or Guangzhou, but the emperor refused.
Later, a significant incident occurred in the palace involving someone practicing witchcraft, and the plot was uncovered. The emperor first summoned Seng Chuo and detailed the matter to him. When the time came to depose the new prince, the emperor asked Seng Chuo to find precedents from the past dynasties. Crown Prince Liu Shao was secretly hosting a feast for soldiers in the Eastern Palace, and Seng Chuo secretly informed the emperor about this. The emperor then asked Seng Chuo to gather historical records of deposed kings since the Han and Wei dynasties. Once Seng Chuo completed the report, he submitted this information to Jiang Zhan and Xu Zhanzhi. Xu Zhanzhi proposed that Prince Sui, Liu Dan, be made emperor, while Jiang Zhan wanted to establish Prince Nanping, Liu Shuo, as emperor. Emperor Liu Yifu himself wanted to establish Prince Jianping, Liu Hong, as emperor. Everyone had different opinions and debated for a long time without reaching a conclusion. Interestingly, the emperor's consort was Xu Zhanzhi's daughter, and the consort of Prince Nanping, Liu Shuo, was Xu Zhanzhi's sister, which made the relationships quite intricate.
The emperor said to Sengchuo, "These people only think of themselves, never considering the country!" Sengchuo replied, "Who should be emperor is ultimately up to your wise judgment. I believe a decision should be made promptly. Not making a decision when it’s needed will only lead to greater chaos. For the greater good, it's even necessary to sacrifice some feelings; don’t hesitate over small issues. Otherwise, you should handle it calmly like before, without getting tangled up. As the Huainanzi says, 'When stones are thrown into water, all the good things in Wu and Yue sink and cannot be retrieved.' Though the matter is secret, it spreads easily. We must not leave anything for future generations to mock us over." The emperor said, "You are indeed a decisive person! This matter is very important and must be carefully considered. Moreover, the common people have just died; people will say I lack compassion." Sengchuo said, "I worry that future generations will say Your Majesty only knows how to manage relationships between brothers, but struggles with the father-son relationship." The emperor fell silent. Jiang Zhan was also present at the time; after leaving the palace gate, he said to Sengchuo, "Do you think your words were a bit too blunt?" Sengchuo replied, "I wish you had been more direct."
When Jiang Zhan was working in the Ministry of Personnel, he heard that Shao (the son of Sima Daozi, the usurper) had rebelled. He sighed and said, "If only I had heeded Monk Chao's advice, we wouldn't be in this situation today!" After Shao usurped the throne, he promoted Jiang Zhan to the Minister of Personnel, giving him a lot of real power. This is all recorded in the "Biography of the Two Villains." Some time later, Shao went through the possessions of Emperor Taizu (Sima Rui) and Jiang Zhan's family letters, and found the recommendations previously submitted by Monk Chao, which included rewarding soldiers and abolishing several princes. Shao subsequently arrested and executed Monk Chao, who was only thirty-one at the time. As a result, he implicated many nobles from the Northern Court, accusing them of colluding with Monk Chao. They were all executed, including Monk Chao's associates like the Imperial Scholar Jia Feizhi, the Court Attendant Sima Wenyin, and the Regular Attendant of Jianping State Sima Zhongxiu. Later, after Emperor Wenzu (Sima Yuanxian) ascended the throne, Monk Chao was posthumously granted the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and Senior Grand Master of the Palace with the posthumous title of the Marquis of Min.
To the west of the Taishé, there was an empty plot of land that had once belonged to Ding Feng of the Wu Kingdom. During the time of Sun Hao, Ding Feng and his family were banished. During the Jiangzuo period, this land first belonged to Zhou Yi and Su Jun, then to Yuan Yue, and later to Prince Zhangwu Sima Xiu. None of the residents ever met a good fate. Later, this land was given to Zang Tao, who also faced many disasters, causing people to believe it was cursed. Monk Chao prided himself on his integrity and insisted that there were no good or bad omens associated with the house, so he requested to make it his residence. However, before he could settle in, disaster struck.
Monk Chao's son, Monk Jian, served as the Right Supervisor of the Ministry of State in the Qi Kingdom during the reign of Emperor Song Ming.
The historical records say: Alas, the affairs of the Song family are indeed quite troublesome! They have incurred too much hatred, bringing misfortune upon their loved ones, even to the extreme. Although they held power in the court, their methods were ruthless and unforgiving, and on the surface, it seemed like they left no evidence behind. Yet the signs of disaster had long been apparent, and evil forces were constantly growing stronger. They had strayed from the righteous path, their sense of kinship and reverence had vanished. They were as greedy as a hawk and as fierce as a bear, and this did not come without consequences. Was their suspicion and caution not enough? The young Emperor Shizu was brimming with youthful energy, having never been favored by the court since his youth, constantly stationed on the border and never having served in the court. He valued Bi (referring to Sengchuo), wanting him to assist him, but mutual suspicion between ruler and subject was never resolved in time. If he had persisted in employing people and not replacing them so easily, then the conspiracies and troubles would have naturally faded away, and crises would have been avoided. Could the teachings of the sages really mislead us? When Shan Tao recommended Yang Hu as the Crown Prince's Grand Preceptor, he intended to entrust future affairs to him, but Yang Hu passed away at a young age. Sengchuo served Emperor Shizu, hoping he would shoulder the nation's heavy burdens, but Emperor Shizu unexpectedly passed away. Both of these ministers were well-known for their moral integrity and humility, their legacies enduring for two generations. Neither of them lived to see middle age, and their accomplishments came to a halt, which is truly a shame!
