Kong Jing, courtesy name Jigong, was from Shaoxing, Zhejiang. His name shared the same characters as that of the founding emperor’s ancestor, so everyone called him by his courtesy name. His grandfather Kong Yu was the General of Chariots and Cavalry in the Jin Dynasty; his father Kong He was the Imperial Secretariat. Jigong initially served as a well-respected and upright official in the county and later held positions as a scribe, assistant in the Department of History, attendant to the Crown Prince, Marshal of the Garrison, and Left Division Clerk of the Ministry of Works. Before he assumed his position, his mother passed away. In the fifth year of Long'an, while he was still in mourning, the court appointed him as General Who Establishes Might and Magistrate of Shanyin County, but he declined the appointment.
When the founding emperor was campaigning against Sun En in the east, he visited Shaoxing several times. Jigong warmly welcomed him and provided substantial material support. Later, when the founding emperor was once again attacking Sun En, it was clear that Huan Xuan's ambition to usurp the throne was evident, and he wanted to raise troops in Shaoxing to attack Huan Xuan. Jigong believed that Shaoxing was too far from the capital, and since Huan Xuan had not yet formally declared himself emperor, it would be better to wait for his usurpation to be completely revealed and his crimes to accumulate before raising troops from Jingkou, which would increase the chances of success. The founding emperor also agreed with his reasoning. At that time, Yu Xiaofu was the General Who Conquers the East and the Interior Minister of Kuaiji. Jigong initially aimed to be his Chief Clerk but wasn't able to secure the position. After the emperor pacified Huan Xuan, he appointed Jigong as the Interior Minister of Kuaiji and sent someone to deliver the official seal for his formal appointment. This appointment happened just as Jigong was returning home, so he immediately turned back on his ship and rushed back to Kuaiji overnight. Upon returning home, he quickly knocked on the door and told Yu Xiaofu to quickly clean up another room for him to stay in. Yu Xiaofu, who was appointed by Huan Xuan, was frightened upon hearing the news of Huan Xuan's failure and quickly opened the door to apologize. Jigong reassured him, saying he could stay the night and move out in the morning. After taking office, Jigong dedicated himself to serving the people, prohibiting extravagance and waste, and harshly punishing those who were lazy. As a result, theft declined, and the area became peaceful and stable.
He was appointed as the General of the Right Guard and also as a Censor, but he did not accept. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to the position of Chamberlain, concurrently serving as the Chief of the Central Bureau of his own country. Later, he was transferred to serve as the Grand Marshal under the Prince of Langye. He was then sent to Wu Xing as the Governor and also appointed as the General of Champion. Previously, the Governors of Wu Xing always died quickly. It was said that the spirit of Xiang Yu transformed into the King of Bian Mountain, haunting the county office. Whenever an official of the rank of two thousand stones came, he would hide; meanwhile, Ji Gong stayed in the office, and nothing ever happened to him.
Later, he was promoted to the position of Supervisor of the Right and Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, but he firmly declined. In the eighth year of Yixi, he was appointed as the Inspector of the Five Armies, General Who Conquers the Enemies, and the Interior Minister of Kuaiji. He reformed the schools and encouraged students to study hard. Ten years later, he was appointed as the Supervisor of the Right and the Cavalier Attendant, but he declined once again. After some time, he was appointed as the Commander of the Army, the Cavalier Attendant, and also served as the Chief of the Central Bureau of his own province. In the twelfth year of Yixi, he retired and was granted the title of Golden Purple Grand Master of Virtue, while retaining the position of Cavalier Attendant. That year, Emperor Gaozu launched a northern expedition, and Ji Gong requested to join the campaign. He was appointed as the Grand Commandant, Military Consultant, and Rear General. He followed Emperor Gaozu in pacifying Guanzhong and Luoyang. After Emperor Gaozu became the Chancellor, he moved with him.
When the Songtai was first established, someone recommended him for the position of Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat and also appointed him as the Cavalier Attendant, but he declined once again. Finally, he was appointed as the Palace Attendant, Special Consultant, and Left Illuminated Virtuous Gentleman. He resigned and returned home, where Emperor Gaozu bid him farewell at the Horse-Training Platform, and officials in the court composed poems to praise him. When he officially accepted the appointment, he was also appointed as the General of the Guard, but he had been declining for many years and ultimately did not accept. In the third year of Yongchu, he passed away at the age of seventy-six. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Palace Attendant, Left Illuminated Virtuous Gentleman, and General of the Guard.
His son Shanshi held several prominent official positions, serving as Imperial Attendant and Governor of Kuaiji. However, he was dismissed from his post and returned home because his younger brother, Jia Bulaang, forcibly took a commoner's daughter. He passed away in the 27th year of the Yuanjia era.
My younger brother Lingfu was Chief Steward to Prince Xiao Yixuan of Nanqiao and later Governor of Nanjun during the Yuanjia period. He later served as an official in the Ministry of Personnel. In the early years of Emperor Xiaowu's rule, he was promoted from Attendant to General of the Guard and Governor of Yingzhou, and later transferred back to the court as Intendant of Danyang.
Shanyin County is small but densely populated. Lingfu proposed to the court that the poor residents of Shanyin County be relocated to the border areas of Yuyao, Yinxian, and Mouxian to cultivate the wasteland near the lake. The Emperor asked the ministers to discuss this matter thoroughly. Grand Preceptor Prince Yigong of Jiangxia remarked, "Developing agriculture and building a solid foundation is something every country should prioritize. The local peasants are used to their way of life, just like those in the capital who have no fields and have never even thought about moving to other counties. Furthermore, the wealthy landowners in Shanyin County have more than enough land, so the food shortage isn't due to a lack of cultivable land but rather the need to reclaim unused land. Besides, the people living by the lake mainly make a living by fishing and hunting. If they have homes, there's no reason for them to move."
The officials Liu Yuanjing, Liu Xiuzhi, Wang Zanzhi, Gu Kaizhi, Yan Shibai, and Wang Xiaoyu all agree: "Wealthy families living well do not need to move; poor families living poorly should move to better places. Building houses and farming on barren land doesn't require much, but the country can't afford to provide both money and labor; the common people can’t manage to provide the necessary resources. Once they settle into a stable life, their motivation to reclaim wasteland naturally declines. We should recruit fugitives and rebels to help with land reclamation, first improving their current living conditions before relocating them." Shizhong Shen Huaiwen, Wang Jingwen, Huangmen Shilang Liu Ai, and Qi Yong believe: "Even if the common people aren't farming themselves, they have their own means of making a living. If they are forced to farm, they will resist. Additionally, Ning County and three other counties are quite far from Danyang County, and forcing settled families to suddenly relocate, with new houses still unbuilt and old ones already torn down, leaves them stuck and makes life even harder. I believe we should respect the wishes of the common people and let them choose for themselves, tolerate fugitives, help them find work, and only consider relocation if the land is fertile." Taichang Wang Xuanmo said: "Poor families have to travel far to reclaim land, leaving their homes and starting over without food or seeds, making it hard to adapt and even harder to convince them. I think they should receive some support to help them work hard, with clear rewards for the diligent and consequences for the lazy." Guanglu Xun Wang Shengzhi said: "The neglected land must be cleared of thorns and weeds before it can be cultivated, and forcing the poor to reclaim it makes the task even harder. They should first receive assistance to build their living conditions, and then we can gradually proceed with relocation; it’s not too late."
The emperor did not accept the advice of these ministers, but agreed to the suggestion of Lingfu, moved the people, and ultimately achieved good results. Now, let’s talk about Lingfu; he hailed from Danyang. Later, he became the governor of Kuaiji, then was promoted to the position of Chief of Military Affairs in the Prince of Yuzhang's residence. His family was wealthy, with extensive properties, especially in Yongxing where he built a luxurious villa with a circumference of thirty-three li, spanning two hundred and sixty-five hectares of land and water, which included two mountains and nine orchards. Its immense scale caught the attention of the authorities. Although the emperor issued a pardon for him, his explanation was rather vague, and he was ultimately dismissed from office. However, he later regained his original position and was appointed as the Chief of the Right Army in the Prince of Xunyang's residence, retaining the position of governor. Lingfu was known for his integrity and strong abilities, never resorted to deceit, and wherever he served, his achievements were remarkable. Unfortunately, during the reign of the deposed Emperor Jinghe, he offended several powerful figures, was falsely accused by them, and ultimately killed. His two sons, Zhanzhi and Yuanzhi, were also executed in the capital city. Later on, Emperor Taizong took the throne and posthumously honored Lingfu with the title of Grand Master of the Golden Purple Radiance.
His son Yuanzhi was appointed as a department official during the Ming Dynasty. At that time, in Anlu Yingcheng County, there was a commoner named Zhang Jiangling, who, along with his wife Wu, scolded his mother, Huang, to death. Huang, unable to bear the humiliation, hanged herself. Coincidentally, there was a general amnesty in place. According to the law, those who injure or assault their parents face beheading; those who curse them face severe punishment; and those who murder their spouse's parents also face severe penalties. However, during a general amnesty, the death penalty could be commuted to exile. Jiangling's verbal abuse of his mother was more serious than physical harm, and if punished for murder, it would seem too severe; if punished for assault and insult, it would seem too lenient. At that time, the law specified that only those who physically harm their mothers would face beheading; even during a general amnesty, there was no provision for exemption from the death penalty for scolding one's mother. Yuanzhi said, "A son's disrespect towards his mother is unacceptable, even to the most virtuous person. Just the reputation alone is despicable, not to mention the actual behavior. Therefore, assault and cursing should not be forgiven by the law, and when it reaches the point of insulting her to the point of death, there is even less reason to forgive. Although the law provides for lenient punishment, this is due to concerns about fairness, not the literal interpretation. Even though Jiangling was granted clemency under the general amnesty, he should still face beheading. His wife acted out of loyalty, and since marriage is not innate, and Wu did not participate in Huang's death, she should be pardoned from the death penalty and sentenced to exile, which aligns with the law." The emperor accepted Yuanzhi's opinion, and Wu was spared from the death penalty.
Yang Xuanbao is from Nancheng, located at the foot of Mount Tai. His grandfather, Yang Kai, held the position of Minister of Works, and his father, Yang Sui, served as a ministerial attendant. Yang Xuanbao initially worked as a Doctor of Rites in Chutai. After the death of his mother, General He Wuji and former General Zhuge Changmin both invited him to serve as a military advisor after his mourning period, but he turned them down. He was subsequently appointed as the magistrate of Lin'an. Liu Muzhi recommended him to Emperor Gaozu as a military advisor, and he later served as an official in the Ministry of Revenue and as the magistrate of Yongshi. He then served as a military advisor to Emperor Gaozu, was promoted to Chief Clerk, and eventually became the Governor of Danyang. In the second year of Emperor Jingping's reign, he entered the court as the Deputy Minister of Works and was later promoted to Deputy Minister of the Left. He then served as the Chief Historian under the Minister of Works. The Minister of Works at the time, Wang Hong, held him in high regard and told Deputy Minister Yu Dengzhi and Minister of Personnel Wang Zhun, "Both of you are intelligent and capable, with broad knowledge, but I believe Yang Xuanbao stands out even more, so we should recommend him collectively." Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
He is an excellent chess player, ranked third in chess. Once, Taizu played chess with him in Du County, and as a result, he was appointed Prefect of Xuan Cheng. Before this, when Liu Shizhi served as the Prefect of Xuan Cheng, he implemented a special policy for capturing fleeing civilians: if one person is not captured, the responsible village head will be sent to the state capital for punishment, and if someone is caught, they can be promoted by two levels. Yang Xuanbao believed that this system was inappropriate, so he wrote a letter stating his opinion: "I have carefully examined the reasons behind the people's flight; they are all compelled to flee. Implementing such a policy will only exacerbate the situation. I have heard that excessively harsh policies are unsustainable, and I am worried that it will have bad consequences. The ancient philosopher Gong Sui likened the people to tangled threads; only by loosening can they be straightened out. Huang Ba governed with leniency as a priority, rather than severity. I believe that individuals who flee should be held accountable solely for their actions, rather than implicating others. Now, if one person is not captured, many people will be punished; everyone will fear taking responsibility and will flee for self-preservation, resulting in more and more people fleeing. Moreover, those who capture fleeing people are mostly not serious and responsible; they are not competent and waste the energy of officials in vain. Official titles and rewards become mere titles, there are many drawbacks, and the official ranks are insufficient for proper rewards, causing the people to lose the motivation to work hard. Furthermore, this system is only applied in Xuan Cheng; if this system is correct, it should be promoted nationwide; if this system is wrong, it should not only be implemented in one county. It is crucial to keep the people free from distress, otherwise the drawbacks will be significant. I am concerned about the challenges of implementing this system in my role, so I respectfully submit my opinion to you." Therefore, this policy was ultimately abolished.
Yang Xuanbao served as the Tingwei in that county for a year, and he was promoted rapidly. Within a few months, he was promoted to Lang of the Ministry of Personnel, Deputy Imperial Censor, Right Chief Clerk to Prince Yiji of Hengyang, Governor of Nandonghai, and was also appointed as General Assistant of Fuguo. Later, he returned to the court and served as the Minister of Court Affairs, Left General of the Guard, and was appointed as Attendant Official. He later became Prefect of Danyang and Prefect of Kuaiji. He was then transferred to Wujun as the Prefect, with a significant increase in his rank and salary. Emperor Taizu believed that Yang Xuanbao was honest, lived a simple life, and had few desires, so he often appointed him to prestigious positions. Although he did not achieve any noteworthy achievements during his tenure, he was fondly remembered after his departure. He never pursued wealth and maintained a frugal lifestyle at home. Emperor Taizu once said, "To serve as an official and a prime minister, one needs not only talent but also luck; whenever a desirable official position opens up, Yang Xuanbao is always the first person I think of."
After the mastermind seized the throne, Yang Xuanbao was appointed as the Minister of Officials, also serving as the Grand Scholar, and was soon promoted to Grand Minister of Rites. Later, Emperor Shizu launched a campaign against the rebels, and many officials in the court fled. At that time, the powerful minister Xiao Daocheng (Shao) summoned the remaining officials, drew out his sword, and shouted angrily, "You all can leave!" Everyone was frightened and dared not speak, only Yang Xuanbao remained calm, calmly saying, "I am willing to die in loyalty to the court." Xiao Daocheng then sheathed his sword. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he appointed Yang Xuanbao as the Cavalier Attendant, concurrently serving as the Commandant of the Chongxian Guard. Shortly after, he was promoted once more to Grand Minister of Rites with the title of Golden Purple. Due to his cautious and respectful nature, he earned the favor of Emperor Shizu and received many rewards. In the early days of the Ming Dynasty, he was promoted to Grand Minister of Rites. Five years later, he was promoted once more to Cavalier Attendant and was granted the honorary title of Special Contributor. From a young age to old age, Yang Xuanbao was very meticulous and serious about sacred rituals, offering sacrifices on time with fresh offerings. He never ate anything that had not gone through the sacrificial rites. Eight years later, Yang Xuanbao passed away at ninety-four and was posthumously honored with the title "Dingzi."
His son Yang Rong was talented but rather reckless and irresponsible. Yang Xuanbao once said, "This child will definitely ruin our family." Yang Rong achieved the rank of Attendant Officer. Later, he and Wang Sengda debated court matters and were executed. After Yang Rong's death, Emperor Shizu summoned Yang Xuanbao, who expressed his regrets, saying, "I lack the wisdom of the Duke of Zhou, and thus I have not lived up to Your Majesty's expectations." Emperor Shizu greatly appreciated his words. Emperor Taizu bestowed names upon Yang Xuanbao's other two sons, one named Yang Xian and the other named Yang Can. Emperor Taizu said to Yang Xuanbao, "I hope your two sons will embody the noble virtues of the reclusive scholars."
Xuan Bao and He Shangzhi were both exceptionally talented chess players. Chu Yin, a native of Wu County, reached an impressive level of chess skill by the age of seven, and as he grew older, he outshone his peers, unmatched by anyone at that time. Chu Yin's father, Rong Qi, and Zang Zhi rebelled together, and Chu Yin was destined for execution. However, He Shangzhi pleaded for him, arguing, "Chu Yin's chess skills have surpassed those of the ancients, reaching an unparalleled level. There are numerous instances of talented individuals, like Wei Chou, being spared the death penalty, even when their fathers were guilty. I urge that his life be spared, so this exceptional skill does not fade into obscurity." Unfortunately, the request was denied, and everyone at the time lamented his fate.
Xuan Bao's nephew Xuan Xi, courtesy name Taiwen, was talented from a young age. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, he served as the Left Chancellor. At that time, the Governor of Yangzhou, Prince Shang of Xiyang, submitted a memorial stating: "Although there are old regulations regarding the prohibition of burning mountains and enclosing lakes, the common people have become accustomed to it and have largely ignored it. They view burning mountains and enclosing lakes as their own interests. In recent years, this phenomenon has become increasingly serious, with wealthy and powerful individuals occupying the mountains, leaving the poor unable to even find firewood, and even fishing areas being seized. This is a significant governance issue that needs to be addressed thoroughly. The old regulations should be revised, and new systems should be established." The relevant authorities reviewed the edict from the Renchen year, which stated: "Those who occupy mountains to protect lakes shall be punished for robbery, and those who occupy more than ten feet shall face the death penalty." Xuan Xi believed: "The Renchen year's regulations are too harsh to enforce, and the actual situation has already changed. The issue of occupying mountains and sealing waters is worsening, with this behavior becoming a hereditary practice. If these practices are suddenly abolished, it could easily lead to resentment. We now need to revise and establish five new regulations. For all mountains and wetlands, if they were previously burned and cultivated, planted with bamboo, trees, or fruit trees, or if fish weirs were built in lakes, rivers, and seas through hard work, they should be allowed to continue to own them without any further investigation. First- and second-rank officials can occupy three hectares of land; third- and fourth-rank officials, two hectares and fifty mu; fifth- and sixth-rank officials, two hectares; seventh- and eighth-rank officials, one hectare and fifty mu; ninth-rank officials and common people can occupy one hectare. All according to the specified quantity, registered accordingly. If the mountain was previously occupied, it cannot be occupied again; if it was previously occupied less, it can be supplemented according to the regulations. If it is not an established practice, it is strictly prohibited. Violators occupying more than one foot of land shall be punished for robbery and have their land confiscated. The Renchen year's regulations from the second year of Xiankang have been abolished." The emperor accepted his proposal.
Liu Yu, formerly the General of the Right Guard, was on bad terms with Sima He Jimu in the mansion. Sima He Jimu had a close relationship with the Minister of Works, Prince Jianping Wang Hong, and constantly tattled on Liu Yu to Prince Jianping. Later, Liu Yu was sent to Yizhou as the Inspector, where he snatched a commoner's wife to be his concubine, prompting Prince Jianping to send Yang Xi to report on him. As a result, Liu Yu lost his position and developed a strong hatred for Yang Xi.
One of Liu Yu's students, named Xie Yuanbo, often associated with Yang Xi. Liu Yu asked him to find out the specific reasons for his dismissal. Yang Xi said, "This was not my idea." That day, Liu Yu went to Prince Jianping's house and wrote a letter of thanks, saying he had heard from Yang Xi. For leaking the information, Yang Xi was also dismissed.
As the Ming Dynasty neared its end, Yang Xi became the Commander for the Conquest of the True Prince of Shi'an, and later held positions as the Yellow Door Gentleman and the Chief Imperial Censor. In the third year of Taishi, he was sent to serve as the General of Ning Shuo and the Inspector of Guangzhou. Initially, he recommended his son-in-law, Xiao Huihui, as his Chief Clerk and concurrently as the Prefect of Nanhai, but the Emperor did not agree. He then recommended Xiao Huihui as the Prefect of Dongguan. After Yang Xi took office in Guangzhou, both the Chief Clerk and the Prefect of Nanhai, Lu Fazhen, passed away, and he recommended Xiao Huihui as their replacement. The Emperor decreed, "Yang Xi comes from a humble background, with generations of obscurity. He is reckless and has made numerous mistakes, failing in various roles. It was only because of his integrity and diligence that he was promoted to a position in Lingnan, but he acted recklessly there, constantly seeking promotions for his allies. He is demoted to Hengye General!"
At the beginning, Li Wanzhou and Liu Sizu were probably from near Guangzhou, as noted in the "Biography of Deng Wan." Emperor Taizong appointed Li Wanzhou as Colonel of Infantry and later promoted him to General of Ning Shuo, allowing him to manage affairs in Guangzhou. After Li Xi arrived in Guangzhou, he found that Li Wanzhou and others had other plans, so he had them killed. Li Xi appointed Liu Sidao, a native of Pei County, as the Prefect of Jinkang, and led troops to fight against the barbarians. As a result, Liu Sidao defied orders, lost the battle, and Li Xi sent troops to arrest him. Liu Sidao refused to surrender and attacked the city with his men. Li Xi sent Zou Yang, the Chief of Pingyue, to set up defenses at Chaoting to defend against the attack, but the army was defeated and Zou Yang died in battle. Liu Sidao continued to assault the city, and Sima Zou Sizhi resisted at the west gate, but he too was defeated and killed. Li Xi scaled the wall to escape but was caught and killed by Liu Sidao. The Prefectural Officer Zou Man led a small force to confront Liu Sidao, and although they entered the city, they were outnumbered and ultimately failed. Meanwhile, the Prefect of Dongguan, Xiao Huihui, led over a thousand civil and military officials from the county to attack Liu Sidao, but they were ultimately defeated and killed. At that time, General Long Xiang, Chen Boshao, led his troops against the barbarians, and after returning, defeated Liu Sidao and quelled the rebellion. Later, the court posthumously honored Li Xi as the Assistant General of Fuguo, Xiao Huihui as the Gentleman of the Central Secretariat, and Zou Sizhi as the Cavalry Colonel of Yue.
Li Xi's son, Li Chong, styled Boyuan, was the Master of Ceremonies at the Ministry of Personnel. After his mother passed away, he was overwhelmed with grief, exceeding the bounds of customary mourning. When he heard news of the rebellion in Guangzhou, he immediately ran barefoot out of Xinting, but he could walk no further and collapsed by the riverbank. Neighbors used a small boat to ferry him across. After his father's funeral, he died from overwhelming grief.
Shen Tanqing was from Wukang, Wuxing, and was a relative of Huaiwen, the elder Chamberlain for Law Enforcement. His father, Shen Fa, previously served as an Attendant Cavalry Gentleman but he passed away at a young age; the Prefect of Wuxing, Wang Shao, wrote an elegy in his memory.
Tan Qing started as a principal clerk, then served as a county official, chief clerk of the Western Department, and finally became the chief clerk of the military command under Changsha's Wang Yixin. When his mother passed away, he was extremely grief-stricken, and his health deteriorated. Fortunately, the county magistrate of his hometown, Zhuge Chan, wrote a letter to the court to explain the situation. After the mourning period for his mother, he resumed his position as principal clerk. Yixin recommended him for the position of military advisor. He was later dispatched to Yuhang as the county magistrate, then promoted to the chief clerk of Personnel, and then served as the military recorder for General Wang Yigong of Jiangxia, eventually rising to the high position of Deputy Minister of Personnel. At that time, there were frequent floods and droughts, and Tan Qing suggested setting up a granary for disaster relief, which the emperor agreed to, but unfortunately, it was not successful in the end.
Later, he also served as the local magistrate, treasurer, and historian in Yangzhou, as well as the chief military officer of King Jun of Shixing. Later, a tragic regicide occurred, and the Emperor brought troops to suppress the rebels, with the rebel leader Shao sending Tan Qing east to recruit soldiers and procure horses. However, General Andong, along with Wang Dan, captured Tan Qing and imprisoned him in Yongxing County for an extended period before releasing him.
After the emperor ascended to the throne, Tan Qing was appointed as the Chief of Staff for East Sea King Yi, and later returned to the court, becoming the Minister of Personnel. He later served as the Grand Marshal and Chief Historian for King Yi of Jiangxia, the Prefect of South Donghai, and the General of the Left Guard. In the first year of Daming, he was appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs for the regions of Xuyan, Liangjun, and Fuguojun, the Assistant General, and the Governor of Xuzhou. At that time, the Deputy General of the Imperial Guard, Pei Jingren, was stationed in Pengcheng to assist the military. Pei Jingren was a northerner who was well versed in border affairs. Tan Qing asked him to write a book called "Qinji," which detailed the rise and fall of the Fu clan's usurpation of power, a book that later became widely circulated. The following year, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the General of the Left Guard and also served as Censor, while concurrently acting as the Grand Supervisor of the province. Three years later, he was promoted to the Minister of Ceremonies. In the same year, he passed away at the age of fifty-seven. His original title was restored posthumously. Tan Qing was known for being cautious, honest, upright, and clean, and he was successful in all his endeavors. He often admonished his descendants, saying, "I have no exceptional talents; I was just a high-ranking official." Later generations praised him as a venerable figure. Historical records state: Jiangnan was really thriving! Despite its vast territory, stretching from Xiangpu in the south to Qiongshan in the west, and the need to pay taxes and tributes to fill the national coffers, the actual area under control only reached Jingzhou and Yangzhou. Since the Han Dynasty, the population had been decreasing continuously, and the Jingchu region was a battleground and a vital transportation hub, with towns and cities in ruins, leaving only one out of ten still standing. From the rebellion of Sima Xiuzhi in the eleventh year of Yuanxi to the end of Yuanjia, a period of thirty-nine years, there were no wars, no extra burdens on the people, and the taxes and corvée were relatively light. The population grew rapidly, with food overflowing in the fields, and every household did not need to lock their doors. This was arguably the most prosperous period for Jiangnan. At that time, the area actually controlled in Jiangnan was only as large as Danyang and Kuaiji counties during the Han Dynasty. From the relocation of the capital during the Jin Dynasty to the Taiyuan period, over a hundred years, there was no war, and the region was peaceful.
Until Sun En's uprising and rebellion, the casualties were severe. Over the next sixty years, the population returned to its previous level. The land is vast, the resources are abundant, and the common people are diligent in farming; the harvests are good, and several counties do not have to worry about hunger. Located by the sea and near a lake, there are tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, each acre worth one gold, much better than the Hu and Du regions. Jingzhou has the richness of Southern Chu, while Yangzhou boasts the fertile fields of the entire Wu region, abundant in resources like fish, salt, and timber, supplying the entire country. Silk and cloth production is immense, meeting the clothing needs of the whole nation. However, farmers' lives are very hard; labor is heavy, and income is meager. They work in the fields all year round without a day of rest, and all taxes and living costs are borne by the farmers. In years of good harvests, food prices drop, yet farmers work hard and struggle to make a profit; in years of poor harvests, food becomes expensive, while merchants reap substantial profits.
During the Han Dynasty, the constant grain reserve system was established. In the thirteenth year of Yuanjia, there were floods in the eastern region, and the people's lives became challenging. Song Taizu was frugal and opened the grain warehouse to help the disaster victims, preventing the disaster from escalating, all thanks to him. In the late Ming Dynasty, there were consecutive years of drought. Although droughts had occurred before, the relief measures were not as effective as in previous years, so the severity of the disaster was less than in previous years, but the death toll doubled. Many families lost more than half of their family members. If the constant grain reserve system had been implemented in the middle of the disaster and timely relief provided to the victims, perhaps the outcomes might not have been as dire. Although purchasing grain at a fair price would cause losses to the government and benefit the people, this proposal was not implemented at the time, and the reason for that is evident.
