Zhang Maodu, from Wu County, Jiangsu, is a descendant of Zhang Liang. Because his name is the same as the Han Emperor Liu Bang, he is referred to by his courtesy name. Zhang Liang's seventh-generation descendant became the Prefect of Changsha, so he moved to Wu County to live. His ancestors include his great-grandfather Jia and his grandfather Cheng, both Grand Officials of the Jin Dynasty; his father Chang served as an attendant, a secretary, and the Historian of Wu State, and he was a prominent figure.
Zhang Maodu initially served as a clerk, a registrar, and a scribe in the county, but he declined an offer to serve as a historian. He was later appointed as a staff officer in the Prince of Langye's Guard, then as an assistant cavalier attendant, and a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, but he did not take up the positions after his father's death. After completing his mourning period, he became a staff officer for General He Wuzhi in the South. Shortly after, he was transferred to Jin'an as the Prefect. When Lu Xun rebelled, throwing Jiangzhou into chaos, Zhang Maodu and the Prefect of Jian'an, Sun Douzhi, received Lu Xun's orders and were forced to carry them out. After Lu Xun's defeat, they both lost their positions.
Later, he was appointed as the Magistrate of Shixing County. The county had just been ravaged by bandits; the government offices were burned down, and the people were displaced, with only one in ten surviving. Zhang Maodu rebuilt the city walls and temples, comforted the families of the deceased and the injured, gathered the scattered people back together, and gradually, the people began to restore their normal lives. He served as the Magistrate of Shixing County for a year before being summoned to the court to serve as a military officer, then he was promoted to registrar, and later as a historian in the office of the Governor of Yangzhou. Later, when the Emperor wanted to march west against Liu Yi, Zhang Maodu stayed behind to handle all the affairs of the state. After the Emperor returned triumphant, Zhang Maodu was promoted to the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
Afterwards, he was sent to serve under Sima Xiu as the Pingxi Sima, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Henan. Emperor Gaozu was preparing to attack Sima Xiu, but when Zhang Maodu heard about it, he quickly escaped on a small boat. He met Emperor Gaozu on the way, who then appointed him as a Registrar, while still retaining his position as Prefect. After the fall of Jiangling City, General Bieqijiang Daolian was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou, and Zhang Maodu continued to serve as his advisory officer, with his position as Prefect unchanged. Later, he returned to Yangzhou and became an Assistant to the Prefect. When Emperor Gaozu launched a campaign in the north, he stayed in Yangzhou to manage governmental affairs. Later, he was appointed as the Commissioner, Commander of the military affairs of Guang and Jiaozhou, General of Establishing Martial Might, and Governor of Guangzhou. He successfully pacified the unrest in the Lingnan region, restoring stability to the area. Due to illness, he requested to return to court and became Daolian's military advisor. After his stepmother's death, he completed his mourning period and was appointed as the Minister of Justice, later rising to the position of Minister of Personnel.
In the first year of Emperor Yuanjia of the Song Dynasty, Liu Maodu was appointed as the Commissioner, Commander of the military affairs of Yining and Ningzhou, Ba and Xi of Liangzhou, Zitong, Dangqu, Nanhan, Zhong Qin, Huaining, and Angu six counties, Champion General, and Governor of Yizhou, holding a high-ranking position. Three years later, Emperor Yuanjia of the Song Dynasty launched a campaign against Xie Hui, the Inspector of Jingzhou, and ordered Yizhou to send troops to attack Jiangling. Consequently, the issue with Xie Hui was resolved before the Yizhou army arrived at Baidi City. Liu Maodu and Xie Hui had a good relationship, and some suspected him of delaying the deployment of troops. At that time, Liu Maodu's brother Liu Shao was the Inspector of Xiangzhou and also raised troops to support the court. The Emperor, seeing Liu Shao's loyalty and reliability, did not pursue further investigation into Liu Maodu and merely transferred him back to the capital.
Seven years later, Liu Maodu was appointed as Chief Justice, promoted to the rank of Cavalry Commandant, and concurrently served as the magistrate of the province. Later on, he was promoted to the position of Five Armies Secretary and then transferred to the position of Minister of Rites. Due to a leg ailment, he was reassigned as the Prefect of Yixing, with a promotion in rank. Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty once casually said to Liu Maodu, "Stop thinking about the affairs of Western Shu." Liu Maodu replied, "If I had not encountered Your Majesty's wisdom, I would have died in my hometown long ago." Not long after, Liu Maodu resigned from his post and returned home. Later, the court summoned him to serve as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant, but he declined citing illness. Finally, he was appointed as a Grand Master of Ceremonies and was granted the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon.
Liu Maodu came from an affluent family, leading a secluded life. He used his family's wealth to build a house on Mount Hua in his hometown, enjoying a leisurely lifestyle for seven years. In the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, he was appointed as the Prefect of Kuaiji. He was renowned for his administrative skills, and during his tenure, he handled governmental affairs in an orderly manner. The following year, he died in office at the age of sixty-seven and was posthumously given the title "Respectful Son."
Liu Maodu's fellow countyman, Lu Zhongyuan, was the great-grandson of Lu Wan, a prominent Grand Commandant of the Jin Dynasty. Recognized for his abilities, leading to steady promotions, he served as a Qingzi official, Lang of the Ministry of Personnel, Right Guard General, Court Attendant, and the Prefect of Wu County. From Lu Wan to Lu Zhongyuan, their family had served as Court Attendants for four generations, and at that time, people compared their family with the two major families of Jin and Zhang. Lu Zhongyuan's son, Lu Zhen, served as the Prefect of Hailing in the tenth year of Yuanjia. Di Dang, a scholar in the Imperial Academy, enjoyed the Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty's high trust. He lived in Hailing and requested to be buried back in his hometown after his death, but the roads and bridges were in disrepair, making it impossible for the funeral procession to proceed. Hailing County requested civilian labor to fix the roads, but Lu Zhen opposed this. Upon hearing this, Liu Yikang, the Minister over the Masses and Prince of Pengcheng, held him in high regard and invited him to serve as a National Scholar, and later promoted him to Left Western Clerk of the Ministry of Works, Prefectural Prefect, and the Prefect of Dongyang in Linhai.
Mao Duzi served as a chamberlain to the Crown Prince. His younger brother Jing was once the Governor of Xin'an. Both of them were well-known figures at that time, but unfortunately died young. They also had a younger brother named Yong. Yong, whose courtesy name was Jingyun, initially served as a county registrar and then as an official at the state level, later promoted to be a military officer in the Ministry of War, then transferred to serve as a county magistrate in Yuyao. He later returned to the court to serve as a clerk in the Ministry of War. The regulations in the Ministry of War were especially complex, so in the 18th year of Yuanjia, the court sought to properly organize these documents and appointed Yong as an editor, specifically responsible for this work. In the 22nd year of Yuanjia, he was appointed as the magistrate of Jiankang. He excelled in every position he held. Later, he was appointed as a military officer in charge of the records of the Prince of Guangling. Yong was well-read and skilled in writing, calligraphy, music, equestrianism, and various other arts. He was exceptionally creative and highly valued by Emperor Taizu. He even crafted his own paper and ink. Whenever the emperor received his memorials, he would read them carefully and praise them, often remarking that the officials in the palace responsible for such matters were no match for him. In the 23rd year of Yuanjia, Yong was entrusted with overseeing the construction of Hualin Garden and Xuanwu Lake. All planning and construction had to align with his directives. He was later reassigned to serve under Prince Yigong of Jiangxia as a military officer, while concurrently holding the positions of Cavalry Colonel and General of Zhenwu, as well as the Prefect of Guangling and Nanpei. In the 28th year of Yuanjia, he was appointed as Cavalry Colonel under Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, while retaining his position as the Prefect of Nanpei as before.
Speaking of Yong, he is indeed capable and puts in a lot of effort at everything he does. Even the Emperor Taizu felt that he was a talented general. In 29 AD, the court appointed Yong as the military commander of three counties: Jizhou, Qingzhou, Jinan, Le'an, and Taiyuan. He was appointed as General Yangwei and Governor of Jizhou. He was tasked with leading Wang Xuanmo, Shen Tan, and other generals to fight in Henan and recapture lost territories.
However, when they laid siege for many days to Qiaoaocheng, they failed to take the city. On the evening of the seventh day of August that year, the enemy suddenly opened the city gates, set our siege equipment ablaze, and came out to fight us fiercely. Many of our soldiers were burned to death or killed by the enemy, leading to significant losses. Seeing the unfavorable situation, Yong quietly withdrew his troops that night without informing the other generals, which caused chaos among the ranks. The enemy took advantage of the situation to chase and defeat them, resulting in devastating casualties. Yong and Shen Tan were captured by the Chief Military Officer Xiao Sihua and imprisoned in Licheng.
When the Emperor heard this, he felt that Yong had suffered repeated defeats in battles and his subordinates were unreliable. He harshly reprimanded Yong, Xiao Sihua, and the others. The Emperor issued a decree, cautioning them against recklessly risking their lives again, with winter fast approaching. He warned them that if they dared to die recklessly, they would have no one to blame but themselves. He also wrote a letter to Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, lamenting that he couldn't just force them onto the battlefield with a sword.
Thirty years ago, he became the mastermind of the power-grabbing uprising. Later, he was appointed as the military commander of Qingzhou, Dong'an County in Xuzhou, and Dongguan County, with the official title of General Deputy of the State and Governor of Qingzhou. When King Yixuan of Nanqiao, the Sikong, rebelled, he was again appointed as the military commander of Jizhou, Qingzhou Jinan County, Le'an County, and Taiyuan County, with the official title of General Deputy of the State and Governor of Jizhou. He sent Sima Cuixun and Middle Army Lieutenant Liu Ze to lead the army to suppress the rebellion. At that time, Xiao Sihua was in Pengcheng. Yixuan was worried that these two would not get along, so he wrote a letter to Xiao Sihua, advising him to maintain a good relationship with him. Yixuan also had his cousin, Changshi Zhang Chang, write to him, saying: "I recently received a letter from the capital, detailing the reasons for your imprisonment. It's evident that despite being imprisoned, you have a clear conscience. Xiao Sihua is known for his fairness and kindness, and there were no prior grudges. After reading your letter, he did not attack you in his words. How can he speak so kindly and pleasantly? Now that the situation in the world is difficult and dangerous, uprisings are breaking out everywhere, and it is necessary for everyone to work together to pacify the chaos. You should follow the examples of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru, who put the country's interests first, and emulate the virtues of Zhou Bo and Guan Ying, who forget personal grudges, put aside minor grievances, and restore old friendships. You should also make sure Xiao Sihua understands your thoughts, exchange information with each other, and commit to this principle together." After the rebellion was suppressed, he was appointed as the Grand Marshal of Jiangxia King Yigong, in charge of overseeing the army.
At that time, the court asked the officials for suggestions. He believed that there should be an official for counsel to create a channel for open dialogue, learn military strategies, maintain constant vigilance, and not forget about potential dangers. In the first year of the reign of Emperor Xiaojian, Zang Zhi staged a rebellion. The court sent him to assist Prince Wuchang Hun in guarding Jingkou. That year, he was also sent to Yangzhou as an assistant historian. The following year, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Left Deputy Minister of Personnel. Soldiers were granted leave three times a year, resulting in chaos on the roads. He suggested, "I have heard that military leaves should align with the agricultural calendar. Ancient emperors also followed this practice of alternating farming and warfare, which is a strategy for governing the country and ensuring peace. Now that the world is peaceful and the seas are unified, we should avoid such burdensome practices. I see that soldiers are granted leave three times a year, with tight schedules and early departures. This results in multiple journeys within a year, some missing spring planting while others delay the autumn harvest, leading to insufficient national reserves and food shortages for households. After careful consideration, this policy should be revised. I believe that the leave period should be set for a year, so that soldiers do not feel too burdened and farmers can harvest peacefully. This will bring stability to the country and allow the people to live in peace and prosperity." His suggestion was adopted.
In the first year of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, he was promoted to the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, and shortly after became the General of the Imperial Tiger Guard and the Chief Justice of his district. Three years later, he was promoted to the Minister of Justice. The emperor said to him, "You share the same surname with Zhang Shizhi, and I hope there are no wrongful cases in the world." He was then further appointed as the General of Ning Shuo, the Minister of Personnel, the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Chief Historian for Prince Fang of Xunyang.
In the fourth year, he constructed the Mingtang and continued to hold his original official position while also serving as the Chief Craftsman. After the completion of the Mingtang, he was promoted to the position of Right Guard Commander of the Crown Prince. Seven years later, he constructed a temple for the esteemed concubine, Lady Yin, and once again served as the Chief Craftsman. He was then promoted to the position of General of the Right Guard. That year, the emperor went on a southern tour, and he traveled by water along the Houdao from Xuancheng. Due to severe drought and impassable roads, the emperor was enraged and removed him from office. At that time, the emperor favored his son, Prince Luan of Xin'an, and appointed him as the Inspector of Nanxuzhou, transferring Wu County to the jurisdiction of Xuzhou.
In the eighth year, he was appointed as an attendant historian. In the same year, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Chief Censor. In the first year of Emperor Taizong's reign, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuxing, later promoted to Minister of Finance. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed him as Minister of Personnel. Before he could take office, he faced rebellions across the region and was appointed as the Prefect of Wuxing again, promoted to General of the Crown, and granted the power of military command. Before officially taking office, he traveled to Wu County as the Prefect, holding the title of General, leading multiple armies against the Inspector of Xuzhou, Xue Andu. He won multiple battles, defeating Xue Andu, Suolu, and others, with detailed accounts documented in "The Biography of Andu."
He was promoted to the positions of Cavalry Attendant, General of the Guard, and Minister of the Crown Prince, serving as the Inspector of Xu Province. Later on, he was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of military affairs in the provinces of Xu, Yan, Qing, and Ji, as well as Commissioner and Commander of military affairs in the provinces of Nan Yan and Xu, while retaining his positions as Cavalry Attendant and General. At that time, Xue Andu occupied Pengcheng and requested to surrender, but in reality, he did not truly submit. Emperor Taizong sent him and Shen Youzhi to lead a large army to meet Xue Andu and ordered him to lead the vanguard and advance to Pengcheng. Xue Andu lured the Sogdian army to provide reinforcements, but his soldiers dispersed, and he had to retreat in a sorry state while being pursued by the enemy, suffering a major defeat. With heavy snowfall, his soldiers dispersed even more, and he lost his toes to frostbite; he barely managed to escape, losing his fourth son in the process. Over the course of three years, he was reassigned as the military commander of five counties, including Kuaiji, Dongyang, Linhai, Yongjia, and Xin'an, while also serving as the Prefect of Kuaiji. His rank as General remained unchanged. Due to errors in military operations in the north, he voluntarily requested a demotion and was reduced to Left General. He mourned the death of his son deeply, and his sorrow persisted even after the mourning period ended. He set up a memorial tablet and treated his son's needs as if he were still alive. Every time he went out, he would prepare a beautiful carriage and good horse as if they were for his son's servant, telling his attendants to report to the "young master" (his son) for any matters. For defeating Xue Suo'er, he was granted the title of Marquis of Xiaochang County with a fief of one thousand households. During his tenure in Kuaiji, some of his guests, including Xie Fangtong, were imprisoned for corruption and bribery, and later died. He was demoted to Champion General as a result.
Four years later, he was appointed as the military commander, inspector of Yongzhou, Liangzhou, and the Jingling and Sui counties of Yingzhou, North and South Qinzhou, Right General, and Governor of Yongzhou. Before he could take office, he was reassigned as Attendant to the Crown Prince, while also holding the positions of Regular Cavalry Attendant and Governor of Benzhou. Six years later, he was further appointed as the General of the Guard, responsible for military affairs at Shitou Garrison, and was provided with a military band. Seven years later, he was promoted to the rank of Grand Master of Golden Purple Illuminated Virtue, and soon resumed his position as General of the Guard. When the usurper emperor took the throne, he was promoted to Right Grand Master of Illuminated Virtue, appointed as Palace Attendant to the Emperor, serving as the teacher of Prince Ancheng, and was assigned twenty trusted guards. He also served as Grand Central Supervisor, then was transferred to be the Prefect of Wu County, with a rank equivalent to two thousand stones, while retaining his positions as Palace Attendant and Right Grand Master of Illuminated Virtue. In the second year of Yuanhui, he was appointed as the military commander and inspector of Nanyang, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, Jizhou, and Yizhou, General of the North, and Governor of Nan, while maintaining his position as Palace Attendant.
When I was young, I roamed around, eager to contribute to the country. Although I am old now, I still have the same ambition. Despite living a leisurely retired life, I feel unfulfilled. This time, the court entrusted me with a significant responsibility, and I was overjoyed, so I immediately set off back to the capital. Before I could even assume my post, Prince Xiufan of Guiyang rebelled. I led my troops to station at Baixia. Xiufan reached Xinting, and the defending troops put up no fight, with the vanguard launching a direct assault on Nanye Gate. I dispatched scouts to assess the enemy's situation, and the scout returned with the report: "The city has fallen!" My army dispersed as a result, and I deserted my troops and fled back to Nanyuan, my former residence. As an old minister, the emperor spared me from severe punishment, merely stripping me of my position and title. I was filled with deep shame and regret, which led to my illness. Three years later, I died at the age of sixty-six. In the second year of Emperor Shun's Chengming era, the court posthumously honored me with the titles of Privy Counselor and Right Guanglu Grand Secretary. My son, Gui, rose to a high position toward the end of the Chengming Dynasty. My brother, Bian, was similarly favored by Emperor Taizong, serving as a Lang in the Ministry of Personnel, Governor of Guangzhou, and Minister of Agriculture. Dai, Bian's brother, rose to become Minister of Personnel toward the end of the Chengming Dynasty.
Yu Dengzhi, courtesy name Yuanlong, was a native of Yanling in Yingchuan. His great-grandfather was Yu Bing, the Minister of Works of the Jin Dynasty, his grandfather was Yu Yun, the Governor of Guangzhou, and his father was Yu Kuo, the Prefect of Dongyang. When Yu Dengzhi was young, he relied on his own abilities to establish himself. He initially served as a military advisor under the Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Daozi, during the Jin Dynasty. When he raised troops during the Yixi era, he served as a military staff officer under the founder Liu Yu. Due to his contributions in suppressing Huan Xuan, he was conferred the title of Fifth-Class Noble of Qujiang County. He also held positions such as military advisor to the Grand Marshal Langye Wang Sima Dewen, Assistant to the Historian of Yuzhou, Chief Registrar of the Grand Marshal, and an official in the Left Department under the Minister of Works. Although Yu Dengzhi did not have much formal education, he was skilled in handling worldly affairs and had friendships with famous scholars such as Wang Hong, Xie Hui, and Jiang Yi. He was later promoted to Chief Registrar of the Grand Commandant. In the twelfth year of the Yixi era, when Liu Yu launched a northern expedition, Yu Dengzhi actively responded and bravely fought the enemy. Later, he asked for leave from Liu Muzhi, citing his elderly mother and requesting to retire to his hometown. Many scholars at that time were afraid of the expedition, but Yu Dengzhi sought to evade it, which infuriated Liu Yu. He removed him from the list of officials. After the army set out, he was appointed as the Protector-General against Barbarians and Prefect of Xiyang. He later returned to the court and served as the Crown Prince's son, Deputy Director of the Left of the Imperial Secretariat, and was eventually appointed as the Prefect of Xin'an.
After Xie Hui became the General of the Protectorate and the Prefect of Jingzhou, he recommended Deng Zhi to be the Chief of Staff and the Prefect of Nanjun, while also allowing him to continue serving as the Chief of Staff of the Guards without changing his position as Prefect. Deng Zhi and Xie Hui are both sons-in-law of the Cao family, and their status used to be similar, but now Deng Zhi has become Xie Hui's subordinate, which he resented. When he submitted the official documents he submitted upon taking office, he only wrote "arrived respectfully today," without a single word of thanks. Every time he went to visit Xie Hui, if any boxes, packages, or cushions were missing or incomplete, he would not sit. Xie Hui remained quite tolerant towards him. Later, when Xie Hui opposed the imperial forces and wanted Deng Zhi to stay behind, Deng Zhi refused, as noted in the "Biography of Xie Hui." After Xie Hui's failure, Deng Zhi was placed under house arrest for failing to fulfill his duties.
In the fifth year of the Yuanjia era, Deng Zhi was appointed as the Chief Military Officer in charge of pacifying Hengyang King Liu Yiji. Liu Yiji was young and had not yet taken full control, so he entrusted all matters to Deng Zhi. Not long after, he was also appointed as the Prefect of Nan Donghai. Later, he successively served as the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, the Minister of Personnel, and then the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works again. At that time, the master of the mansion, Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang, took sole control of political affairs and refused to consider his subordinates' opinions. Deng Zhi was straightforward in character and always expressed his thoughts candidly. Liu Yikang was very displeased and sent him to serve as the Prefect of Wu County. Wu County was adjacent to the previous county, and Deng Zhi's style remained unchanged. He was dismissed due to corruption and bribery during his term. His younger brother, Liu Bing, was the Interior Minister of Linchuan at the time, so Deng Zhi accompanied him to Linchuan, where he enjoyed a leisurely life. Not long after, he was appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhang. Upon his arrival in Linchuan, local officials and residents looked down on him. Yuzhang and Linchuan were adjacent, and Yuzhang was a prosperous county; he received a grand reception, which surprised the scholars. In the eighteenth year of Yuanjia, he was promoted to Governor of Jiangzhou. Later, he fell gravely ill, and the court summoned him to serve as the Central Guard, but he passed away before he could take office. In the twentieth year of Yuanjia, he died at the age of sixty-two, and the court posthumously conferred an official title upon him. His son, Chongyuan, had a father, Taizong, who had previously served as the Chief Military Officer in Gushu and later died while serving as the Prefect of Yuzhang, and was posthumously appointed as a Palace Attendant.
His younger brother, Xie Bingzhi, courtesy name Zhongwen, initially worked in the Secretariat and served as an attendant to the Crown Prince. Later, Liu Cui appointed him as the Chief Historian for the Northern Expedition and the Prefect of Guangping. His older brother, Xie Dengzhi, served as Chief Historian under Xie Hui, and Xie Bingzhi went to visit his brother. At that time, Xie Hui held great power, and all the officials in the court showed him utmost respect, but only Xie Bingzhi dared to sit on an equal footing with him, which earned him great respect. Later, the court appointed him as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, but he declined the position. Instead, he was sent to Qiantang to serve as the County Magistrate, where he was highly effective in local governance. He was then transferred as the Chief Clerk of the Cavalry under Prince Yikang of Pengcheng, but before he could take up the position, he was reassigned as the Magistrate of Danyang.
Before Xie Bingzhi arrived in Danyang to take up his new position, the Prefect of Danyang was concerned about how to properly receive him, so he consulted officials from the Ministry of Rites. Pei Songzhi, a deputy in the Imperial Secretariat, remarked, "In the eighth year of Duke Huan of Lu, as recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals, Jie Zhong welcomed the Queen to his state. According to the Gongyang Commentary, 'A woman is called a woman within her own state; why then is she called a queen here? It is because the king rules over all, so this makes sense.' By analogy, since Xie Bingzhi has already accepted the appointment from the court, his official position is confirmed, and the proper etiquette should naturally follow. Moreover, even if those provincial and county officials have not officially taken up their positions, the common people still hold them in high regard because they have accepted the appointment from the court, establishing the relationship between ruler and subject. Just as accepting an appointment from the court is akin to the ritual of bowing to an official, the common people will not neglect them just because they have not met, so how can the officials neglect the proper etiquette before taking up their positions? I believe we should honor him according to official etiquette." Everyone agreed with his words. As a result, Xie Bingzhi was promoted to the position of Left Attendant to the Minister of Works.
General Zuo, Prince of Jingling, Yixuan had not officially taken office yet, but he let Xie Bingzhi serve as his military advisor and handle many matters. Later, General Hou, Prince of Changsha, Yixin, stationed in Shouyang, appointed Xie Bingzhi as his Chief of Staff and concurrently as the Governor of Nanliang. He was later promoted to Chief Historian of Zhenguo, with his position as Governor unchanged. Afterwards, he was transferred to Linchuan as an internal historian. General Hou, Prince of Shixing, Jun stationed in Xiangzhou, appointed him as the military officer (Sima), concurrently holding the position of Chief Internal Historian of Changsha. However, Wang Jun did not want him to serve as the Chief Internal Historian of Changsha, so he transferred him to be the Governor of Nantai Mountain, with his position as military officer unchanged.
At that time, the General of the Army Liu Zhan was allied with the Grand General, Prince of Pengcheng, Liu Yikang, but they had a contentious relationship with the Minister of Rites, Yin Jingren. Whenever court officials visited Yin Jingren's home, Liu Zhan would not let them in. Only Xie Bingzhi could interact with both Liu Zhan and Yin Jingren, and he always secretly remained loyal to the court. Yin Jingren had been claiming illness and not attending court for several years, and Emperor Taizu always sent Xie Bingzhi to convey orders, which Liu Zhan never doubted. Later, Liu Yikang was sent to a remote fiefdom, Liu Zhan was executed, and Xie Bingzhi was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel, participating in confidential political affairs with the Right Guard General Shen Yanzhi.
Before long, Xie Bingzhi was promoted to be the Palace Attendant, concurrently serving as the Grand Central Secretary of his province. Later, he was further promoted to be the Minister of Personnel, concurrently leading the army of Prince Yiyang. Both internal and external officials pledged their allegiance to him, and his influence was very strong in the court and the public.
Wow, this Xie Bingzhi really has a quick temper, no patience at all. If someone asks him for something even slightly unreasonable, he immediately loses his temper, starts scolding and arguing, his face turning red. He doesn't have much real talent, so most people don't have much respect for him. He does seem to be quite clean though; when officials visit his home, before they even step inside, he has the tables wiped down and the bed sheets cleaned.
Yin Chong of Chen County is also quite particular about cleanliness. If his servants don't bathe and change into clean clothes, they can’t even get close to him. However, he can overlook officials who are just a bit unkempt. Geng Bing's obsession with cleanliness is quite different from Yin Chong's, and Yin Chong often pokes fun at him for it. Geng Bing, who is an official, has no public support and accepts bribes. In his haste to get home, officials Qian Tai and Zhou Boqi from the Ministry of Personnel dropped by his place to ask about something. Qian Tai plays the pipa, Zhou Boqi sings, and Geng Bing ended up inviting them to stay the night.
As per the old rules, officials are not allowed to stay overnight when handling business at someone else's home, even if it's by the emperor's order. This incident was reported to the emperor. The emperor had a soft spot for Geng Bing and wanted to let him off the hook, so he asked the Minister of the Right Shu He Shangzhi what was going on. He Shangzhi listed Geng Bing's strengths and weaknesses. He even discreetly informed the emperor, "Your Majesty, whether it's the country or a family, one must adhere closely to ancestral rules. Now, just for Geng Bing, breaking the rules isn’t the mark of a wise ruler. What Geng Bing did is no small matter. I have heard about it for a long time, and I have seen many things with my own eyes. The evidence is as solid as a rock. If you indulge him like this, how can you govern the country? Even though Emperor Wu of Jin wasn’t considered a wise ruler, he had a knack for making sharp judgments, and that’s how he managed to govern effectively. Although Hua Hao was highly regarded by the emperor, he was demoted for years and ended up as just a city gate captain.
You said Geng Bing is loyal to the country, but what acts of loyalty has he actually done? He has a good relationship with Yin Jingren and Liu Zhan; can we really overlook what happened with Yin Jingren back then? The court ministers all support them; what should we do about this? Even if Geng Bing is somewhat good, it cannot cover up his wrongdoings. Jia Chong has made significant contributions. He is a minister of the Jin Dynasty, and although his contributions are not as great, there's no evidence of him committing any major crimes. The ministers all suggest exiling him to a remote area. Your Majesty is both wise and valiant; why are you hesitating on this matter? Geng Bing's crimes are already very obvious; he is still forming cliques, spreading rumors, and causing trouble, corrupting the social atmosphere. His wrongdoings are even more than Fan Ye's; he is just short of rebellion.
I earnestly request Your Majesty to carefully consider this matter, send someone to investigate, and ask those who are worth consulting. Let everyone see that Your Majesty values this matter, so they will not cover up for each other. During the investigation, he should face severe condemnation for his crimes. If this isn't done, uncovering the truth will be very challenging. I am but a humble subject, perhaps presumptuous in speaking out, only wishing to fulfill my duty faithfully. If Your Majesty does not accept my suggestion, please forgive my offense.
Shang continued, saying: "Shi Bing had the two minor officials stay overnight. The officials went to ask Luozai, the official in charge, who said it was against the rules. The officials explained the situation to Shi Bing, saying they couldn't let them stay, but Shi Bing completely ignored them. It's not that he doesn't understand the rules; he deliberately chose to let them stay! Everyone outside knows about this, but falsely accusing him of being overly trusting. Your Majesty, you don't need to make excuses for him. Even if they are just minor officials, allowing them to stay without permission is a serious violation of the court's regulations. How can this possibly be seen as a trivial matter? Xie Hui was dismissed from his position as a court official for failing to handle matters properly; Wang Xun, a talented man, was demoted to commoner status for a minor infraction. And Huan Yin was also demoted for a mistake in the spring search. Furthermore, Shi Bing has violated the court's regulations. Can we demote him to commoner status as well, like we did with Wang Xun and Huan Yin, so as not to affect his career prospects and serve as a warning? Kong Wanshi, in the position of Left Minister, also did not consider the seriousness of the matter, saying to Luozai: 'Shi Bing's status is noble, different from other officials, let's just overlook this small matter.' He even said, 'Don't be deaf and dumb, don't be a family man.' He actually dares to say this, which is absolutely outrageous!"
The emperor was still indecisive, so he asked the Ministry to further elaborate on his opinions. The chief secretary then detailed all of Bing's various faults, saying, "The twenty additional staff members that were added to the Ministry previously, because the two assistant ministers Yuan and Kai pretended to be sick, Bing often reassigned ten people without authorization to work on tasks, inquiring about vacant positions but failing to fill them promptly. Recently, with the support of the Wang army, he still hesitated to let them go back, so I sent someone to inform them, 'First, assign people to work; I've been uneasy about this. Now that we have enough manpower, they shouldn't be held back any longer.' After they received my letter, he let them go back. Bing tends to be quite casual, and his work is often chaotic, which not everyone can comprehend. I remembered what Zhang Liao said: although Guan Yu is Cao Cao's brother, did Cao Cao and his son never talk to each other? Nowadays, there are very few people who worry about the country, so I feel I must stay silent. Even the light of the sun and moon can sometimes be obscured. However, those who do not understand me, would they not think that I am competing for power and profit, and feel regretful? Bing and I have a close relationship, both receiving favor from the emperor; we shouldn't concern ourselves with each other's status. The Grand Marshal told me a few days ago that Bing's faults are not just one; near and far all fear him, shaking the whole country. Someone like him should be commended even more. Yu Xiu's disciples serve him by regularly bringing him delicious food, along with many other tributes that are too numerous to list. Bing's family, large and small, all ask Zhang Youxu for money and goods, which Zhang Youxu cannot bear. Bing used to have a bad relationship with Liu Deyuan, who played the pipa very well. After Bing gave him a pipa, Liu Deyuan became very friendly to him. The district magistrate Sheng Fu offered hundreds of pieces of wood to build his mansion; fearing that others would find out, he made false purchase certificates. Liu Daoxi suddenly gave him a lot of things, spending half of his salary. Liu Yong felt that he had received his help, serving him like a father, even sending him sugarcane in the summer, as if it had just been shipped from the province. Officials transport firewood, never stopping along the way. If they see others with something, they rarely hesitate to ask for it. It is said that Liu Zunkao is talented, so he asks him for his talent; when he sees a good candlestick, he asks for the candlestick. The selection of talent is unfair, with countless examples. The Grand Marshal also said that Bing does not have a cooperative attitude towards others; all talent selection is done according to his wishes, and the Grand Marshal knows all about it. Regarding Yu Xiu's actions as the Yellow Gate Attendant, the Grand Marshal did not give a clear answer, so this matter was shelved. Recently, the Grand Marshal and Bing have been exchanging letters, wanting De Yuan's son to be the deputy of the western prefecture, but Bing appointed him as the main clerk and even told Liu Deyuan, who declined the Grand Marshal's offer. Leaking imperial favor is simply excessive; even if his crimes are not punished, he should be transferred. The people resent him, not merely due to the tragic defeat of Xiang Yu at Chu. Since the punishment of Pei and Liu, the soldiers have worked even harder; today's situation can be inquired about. If Your Majesty can strive to strengthen and clarify the laws, you can live peacefully in the palace without any worries.
No content available.
Second paragraph:
Your Majesty, think about it. After Pei and Liu were punished, the generals under your command have worked even harder than before. You can ask them about the situation. If you can get your act together and clarify the laws, then you can relax in the palace without a care in the world! This Bing is completely out of control, shaking down everyone from high-ranking officials to ordinary folks. He is totally uncooperative, and he has to approve all appointments. Your Excellency, you know very well that what he's been up to is just outrageous! The people are up in arms; this is serious business! Think about how much the people despised Xiang Yu when he was defeated, with the songs of Chu ringing out everywhere! Now this Bing is getting close to that level! Therefore, for the sake of the people and the country, you must punish him severely! Stop dragging your feet! Otherwise, you won't believe the mess it could cause!
The Emperor wants to transfer Bingzhi to Danyang and has come to ask Shangzhi's opinion. Shangzhi replied, "I do not have the eloquence of Jia Yi or the courage to speak bluntly like Ji An. While serving you, I often struggle to provide satisfactory answers to your questions. After being reprimanded by Your Majesty a few days ago, I reflected on my own shortcomings. Now, Bingzhi's behavior has sparked widespread discussion, and his misdeeds are already clear, though the full extent of his crimes has not been uncovered. This alone constitutes a crime, a betrayal of Your Majesty's favor, and there is nothing more to say. Furthermore, it is unprecedented for an official to make such mistakes. Your Majesty, by showing leniency towards him, has already been exceptionally merciful. If this leniency persists, it may become excessive. Allowing him to continue holding important positions in the capital will discourage those who are loyal to the country and embolden the corrupt. This will not only tarnish the country's reputation but could also incite chaos. From what I know, Bingzhi's misdeeds have been accumulating for a long time, with no achievements. Sending him to Qu'a may seem like a demotion, but it will only strengthen his power, which is utterly absurd! As the ancients said, 'Without rewards and punishments, even the legendary Yao and Shun could not govern effectively.' How can you jeopardize the royal authority for the sake of an ordinary person? If there were any room for negotiation, I would hesitate to voice my concerns. But now Bingzhi's crimes are clear, and if you still do not understand, it would be a great sorrow for Jia Yi and Liu Xiang if they were alive today. When I advised Fan Ye before, I feared angering you, but for the country, I had to take the risk, even if it meant risking my life. If Bingzhi can repent and prove himself in a new position after being transferred, it is not impossible for him to regain trust, thus restoring some of the country's reputation and reducing criticism. His crimes have reached monumental proportions, yet he remains unpunished. If he commits even greater crimes, who will dare to report to you? Moreover, without special merits and achievements, how can his current sins be redeemed? Throughout history, no one has made so many mistakes, accepted bribes of millions, and still received such high positions and rewards. It pains me deeply to see such things happening in a wise and bright court. If individuals like us were to act as he has, what would our fate be? Recently, Jia Chong was also sent to a distant place, similar to Bingzhi's situation. Transferring him to another location might be a prudent course of action. I know you may not accept my opinion, so I can only humbly offer my thoughts for your consideration."
Many people are currently in favor, so why do I have to plead so earnestly for this issue? This is solely to uphold the emperor's dignity and ensure the country's long-term stability!
Second paragraph:
"I know Your Majesty may not heed my words, so I cannot fully express my humble thoughts. Now there are many who have received favor and honor; why should I care so much about this? It's really just because I want to see Your Majesty happy and the country thrive."
"I kindly ask you to think it over again" is a formal phrase in ancient Chinese, meaning "kindly ask you to reconsider." When translated into modern Chinese colloquial language, it can be flexibly adjusted based on context, such as "please think about it again" and "could you take another look?" Without more context, it's tough to find the best way to say this.
Rumor has it that Liu Bochong was very generous to Yu Bingzhi. Someone gave gifts to Zhang Youxu, and Zhang Youxu told others, "Although I’m still in debt for three hundred thousand coins!" Yu Chongyuan gave gifts to Bingzhi, and when they arrived in Xinlin, they were still bound, but he somehow managed to get someone to untie him. Xun Wanqiu once visited Bingzhi and happened to meet a guest surnamed Xiahou. The host asked him, "Do you have good cows?" He said "no"; then asked "Do you have good horses?" He said "no, only good donkeys." Bingzhi immediately said, "That’s exactly what I want!" When the guest left, Bingzhi sent someone to get that donkey. Liu Daoxi said it was Bingzhi's idea and asked for dowry items and sacrificial utensils worth millions from Liu Daoxi; and that’s just the beginning! The historian Zhang Long told me that Bingzhi took too many bribes, noting that "he did receive dowry items, four bronze stoves that required four strong men to lift, and countless other items." In the Ministry of Personnel, he even sent servants to buy Longjiu, making a hundredfold profit; this is something we’ve never seen in the imperial court! I wonder if Your Majesty might consider ignoring some of these slanderous words? It may damage your holy wisdom; I sigh for him in private!
After hearing these reports, Emperor Taizu dismissed Yu Bingzhi from his official position. That year marked the twenty-fifth year of the Yuanjia era. In the twenty-seventh year, Yu Bingzhi passed away at home at sixty-three. Taizu, recognizing his past contributions, restored his original position. He had two sons, named Ji Yuan and Hong Yuan.
Xie Fangming, from Yangxia in Chen County, was the cousin of the Minister of Works Xie Jingren. His grandfather Xie Tie served as the Governor of Yongjia, and his father Xie Chong served as the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He lived in Kuaiji, and due to illness, he was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant by the court, but he declined the offer. Later, he was murdered by Sun En and was posthumously appointed as a Cavalry Attendant.
Fang Ming followed his uncle, Wu Miao, the Prefect of Wu Xing, in Wu Xing County. Later, Sun En rebelled and attacked Kuaiji, and many places rallied to his cause. Two commoners from Wu Xing, Hu Jie and Gao Biao, captured Dongqian County. Fang Ming urged Wu Miao to take cover quickly, but Wu Miao did not listen. Eventually, the bandits came, Wu Miao was killed, and Fang Ming escaped and did not die.
At first, Wu Miao's brother-in-law, Feng Sizhi, a native of Changle, and a scholar from the north, Feng Yichou Xuanda, both fled to Wu Xing to seek refuge with Wu Miao. Wu Miao settled them in the county school, but treated them quite coldly. They were both quite displeased and secretly colluded with Sun En. Sun En once secretly entered the county city with Feng Sizhi and others for several nights, but upon seeing the large number of Wu Miao's supporters, they fled without learning anything. Sun En initially intended to raise an army in Wu Xing, but his plans fell through, so he went to Kuaiji. When Hu Jie and others attacked Wu Xing County, Feng Sizhi and Xuanda also participated in the planning. Later, Liu Laozhi and Xie Yan went to attack Sun En, who fled to the sea, while Feng Sizhi and his group did not pursue him. Eventually, they regrouped.
Fang Ming enlisted the help of his uncle Wu Miao's former students and friends to assemble a group of over a hundred men to capture Feng Sizhi and his associates, capturing them all and executing them.
At that time, the world was in turmoil, and many rules were abolished. Fang Ming's family encountered a great disaster, and their family wealth was completely wiped out, yet he still devoted himself fully to managing the funeral. In a few months, the funeral was completed, as grand as one during a time of peace; it left one truly speechless. After some time, Sun En attacked Kuaiji again, and Xie Yan was killed. Sun En was frantically searching for Fang Ming everywhere. Fang Ming took his mother and sister, fled from Shangyu to Dongyang, crossed Huangye Mountain to Poyang, then boarded a boat back to Jiankang, and stayed at the National University. He endured numerous hardships and faced many dangers along the way, but his integrity remained unchanged.
In the first year of Yuanxing, Huan Xuan captured Jiankang. Bian Fan, the Governor of Danyang, was very powerful at the time and wanted to marry his daughter to Fang Ming, even sending Wang Teng, the Minister of Personnel, to persuade him, but Fang Ming refused. Huan Xuan admired him and immediately appointed him as a Zuo Lang of the Imperial Secretariat and as the Registrar of the Minister of Works, Wang Mi.
My brother Jingren was appointed by the Emperor as the Registrar of the Central Army. He was upright, loyal, and dedicated to his work. The Emperor once said to him, "I feel quite ashamed that I haven't been able to reward you generously yet, but I will definitely let you share the salary of Yuzhang State." He rewarded him on numerous occasions. My brother was meticulous and serious, good at understanding his situation, never slacking off, even when in a dimly lit room. He possessed no extraordinary talents, but naturally exuded an elegant temperament. My other brother, Hun, despite his considerable reputation, only dropped by during the holidays.
At that time, the powerful official Liu Muzhi of Danyang was visited by many court officials, except for my brother Hun, myself, Chi Sengshi, and Cai Kuo. Liu Muzhi was quite upset about this. Later, Cai Kuo and I went to visit him, and Liu Muzhi was very happy. He reported to Gaozu, "Xie Fangming is truly a person of noble birth! Even without considering his talent, just based on his background, he is qualified to be among the court's important ministers." Shortly after, I was promoted to the position of Lang and appointed as the Chief Historian under General Dao Lian. I was responsible for all the major and minor affairs in Gaozu's household. I was later promoted to Chief Historian of the Central Army. Then I was promoted to Jinling Prefect and once more took on the roles of Chief Historian of the Cavalry and Magistrate of Nanjun, with responsibilities similar to those I held before.
At the end of a year, the prisoners in Jiangling County prison, regardless of the severity of their crimes, were allowed to go home and return in three days. Among them, more than twenty people were likely to be sentenced to severe punishment, and the prison officials and guards were filled with fear and anxiety. The former registrar Hong Jisheng and Xu Shouzhi, who were also present in the west at that time, urged me, stating, "Although there have been such incidents in ancient times, they may have been recorded inaccurately or exaggerated. Moreover, the people's morals today are hypocritical and lacking, and cannot be measured by ancient standards." However, I disregarded their advice and allowed the prisoners to return. The prisoners and their families were both shocked and happy, crying tears of joy, feeling that even if they died, they would have no regrets. When the deadline arrived, only two serious offenders failed to return, and I chose not to order their arrest. One of them did not return because he was drunk and came back two days later; the other prisoner did not return for ten days, and Wuanguan Qianqi requested an audience with me to plead for an arrest order. I understood it was a matter concerning the prisoners, so I had my subordinates reject Wuanguan's request, saying that the prisoners would come back on their own. The prisoner hid in the village, too afraid to return on his own, and the villagers scolded him and brought him back, but unexpectedly, not a single person fled. People from all around held me in high regard. Later, after my mother passed away, I resigned from my official post. Once the mourning period was over, I took on the role of Lang in the Song Dynasty's Ministry of Personnel.
The Emperor appointed him as a palace attendant, akin to the chief secretary at his side. In the third year of Yongchu, he was dispatched to serve as the magistrate of Danyang, a region known for its prosperity at the time, and he performed excellently. Later, he was promoted to the position of Taishou of Kuaiji, which was also a prosperous area at that time.
The Jiangdong region had a large population and a developed economy, but the people were tough, and social tensions ran high. The strong exploited the weak, and corrupt officials were rampant. Whenever official documents were issued, all kinds of documents and official letters followed one after another, with far-reaching consequences. If one person committed a crime, the whole village would be unlucky, leaving everyone anxious, with dogs barking throughout the night.
Fang Ming was well aware of the principles of governance. He did not rigidly adhere to every rule and regulation, but instead relaxed some strict provisions and focused on key issues. He promptly handled the official documents from the state and court, giving the common people more time to handle their affairs at a relaxed pace. County officials were not allowed to issue unjust orders, and even high-ranking officials dared not violate the law. He abolished collective punishment and freed many long-detained prisoners. In the past, during wars, laborers were conscripted and only allowed to return home after the war ended. He promoted those who had suffered under harsh policies to official positions.
Previously, officials were often unreasonable, with unfair rewards and punishments, making it difficult for common people to navigate bureaucratic processes, as they would be restricted by various rules and regulations. Fang Ming, on the other hand, streamlined processes, striking a balance where everyone could carry out their duties. Even those who had served ten years of corvée labor could quickly find resolution. The people of Jiangdong still praise him to this day.
He was especially generous and rarely criticized others, upholding his predecessors' policies without making hasty changes. If changes were truly necessary, he would make gradual adjustments so that people hardly noticed the changes. In the third year of the Yuanjia era, he passed away in office at the age of forty-seven.
Xie Huilian was smart and clever from a young age; he could write essays by the time he was ten. His cousin Xie Lingyun admired him a lot, which is noted in "The Biography of Lingyun." Later, the local government offered him a position as a registrar, but he turned it down. Previously, Xie Huilian had a crush on a minor official named Du Deling in Kuaiji County. After his father passed away, he wrote over ten five-character poems to him, which gained considerable fame at that time. Later, he was exiled to the frontier due to some issues, leaving him with little opportunity for advancement. The Minister of Works, Yin Jingren, held his talent in high regard and once told Emperor Song Wu, "I've seen some truly great writing in my time, and everyone said it was written by Xie Huilian, but it was not." Emperor Song Wu replied, "In that case, he should be rehabilitated." In the seventh year of the Yuanjia era, Xie Huilian was finally appointed as the legal officer for Prince Liu Yikang of Pengcheng. At that time, Liu Yikang was building the East Palace City and discovered an ancient tomb while digging the foundation of the city wall. He had the tomb reinterred and asked Xie Huilian to compose a eulogy, which turned out exceptionally well. He also wrote a piece called "Ode to Snow," which was also quite impressive. His writings have been preserved. In the tenth year of Yuanjia, Xie Huilian passed away at the age of twenty-seven. He died young and had a somewhat carefree nature, which rubbed many people the wrong way, which meant he never held a high official position and died without leaving any sons. His younger brother Xie Huixuan later served as the Attendant Cavalry for Prince Liu Dan of Jingling and as the Interior Minister of Linchuan.
Jiang Yi, courtesy name Maoyuan, was from Kaocheng in Jiyang. His grandfather, Jiang Lin, was the Guard General of the Jin Dynasty; his father, Jiang Ai, was a military advisor to the Cavalry. Jiang Yi worked hard to improve himself from a young age and stood out among the young elites of his time. When the province asked him to be the chief clerk, he declined the offer. During the usurpation of Huan Xuan, he was appointed as a literary official for Prince Yuzhang. During the Yongxi period, Emperor Wu of Song, Liu Yu, rebelled, and Jiang Yi was appointed as a military advisor, later participating in military operations with the Grand Marshal Langye Prince Liu Daogui, and was dismissed from office for official reasons. After some time, he was appointed as the chief clerk. He distinguished himself in the campaign against Huan Xuan and was granted the title of Marquis of Wuling County in Southern County. Later, he served as the Marshal of Mengchang, Deputy Director of the Central Secretariat, Military Attendant of the Central Army Marshal, Chief Historian of the Grand Marshal Liu Daogui, Governor of Southern County, and then promoted to Military Advisor of the Grand Marshal, concurrently serving as a recorder, then promoted to Chief Historian, and ultimately appointed as an attendant to the Grand Marshal. He followed the Grand Marshal's office in a northern expedition, paid respects at the imperial tombs in Luoyang, and went all the way to Tongguan. Upon his return, he served as General of Ningyuan, Intendant of Langye, and Grand Central Supervisor of his home province. Emperor Wu of Song entrusted him with the affairs of the Grand Marshal's office and the Langye Kingdom.
At first, Song Tai served as the Minister of War, similar to a Minister of Defense. Later, when the founding emperor ascended the throne, he was reassigned to the finance department and became the Minister of Finance. He was then sent abroad to serve as the Prefect of Yixing, with a promotion and an annual salary of two thousand shi, similar to a senior civil servant. However, due to illness, he resigned from office. Shortly after, he was appointed Minister of Personnel, similar to a Minister of Human Resources, and later served as the Prefect of Wu County, equivalent to a mayor. When the King of Yingyang was murdered in Wuxian, he went to mourn and organized the funeral with the utmost respect. He resigned from office once again due to his brother's illness.
Later he became the prefect of Danyang, equivalent to a mayor, and then returned to his position as Minister of Personnel, also holding the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. His official position was elevated once more, and he became the Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, a very high position within the court. Song Tai was known for his good looks, elegance, and reputation for being mild-mannered and unpretentious during his time in office. Later, he was dispatched as the Inspector of Xiangzhou, with the additional title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, but he fell ill and died before assuming the position. He was just forty-eight at the time. Before his death, he asked his family for a simple and frugal burial. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of General, while keeping his original rank. His son, Song Zhan, also has a separate record.
Historians have remarked: When it comes to serving the country, honesty is more important than just filling your belly; in being a person, character is more important than talent. Scholars and gentlemen should build their foundation on strong character, stick to principles as a core value, and then cultivate talents and practice ritual and music. If balancing all of these is tough, it is better to have slightly less talent but noble character. So, one must be careful and vigilant to serve the greater good; those who just talk without action will eventually find themselves in trouble. As the Book of Songs puts it, "Gentleness and elegance form the bedrock of virtue." This is truly correct! People like Jiang Yi, Xie Fangming, Xie Hongwei, Wang Hui, and Wang Qiu have good knowledge and character, but they haven't made a name for themselves yet; however, their integrity and elegance are qualities that few court officials can match. The Book of Songs says, "Gentle and respectful people are the foundation of virtue." That's for sure!
