Wang Jinghong is a man from Langya Linyi. Because his name is the same as the founder's, he is called by his courtesy name. His great-grandfather Wang Hao was a General of the Jin Dynasty, his grandfather Wang Huzhi was the Inspector of Sizhou, and his father Wang Maozhi was the Prefect of Jinling. Wang Jinghong has always been principled since childhood, starting as the Left 常侍 in his hometown, and later served as a military officer. He is of gentle disposition, loves mountains and rivers, and has served as the Prefect of Tianmen. Wang Jinghong's wife is the sister of Huan Xuan. When Wang Jinghong was the Prefect of that county, Huan Xuan, who was in Jingzhou at the time, sent someone to invite Wang Jinghong to come. When Wang Jinghong arrived in Baling, he told others, "Huan Xuan invited me, but it's just to see his sister; I can't be a son-in-law to the Huan family!" So he sent his wife back to Jiangling on another boat. His wife stayed with the Huan family for several years without being taken back. He had no major responsibilities as an official in the mountainous area, so he made the most of it, often not returning home for several days and feeling quite content. Eventually, he was promoted to Chief of Anxi and Prefect of Nanping under Huan Wei.
After resigning from his government position, Wang Jinghong lived near Tang County. After Huan Xuan seized power and even usurped the throne, he summoned Wang Jinghong multiple times, but he did not go. Later, Gaozu appointed him as a Cavalry Officer, a Historian for Xu Province, and an Adviser to General Dao Gui. At that time, the chief clerk in the prefecture, Zong Xie, was also very talented, so Dao Gui let the two of them work together. Once, they drank together and got drunk. Wang Jinghong lost his composure and was reported by outside officials. Dao Gui immediately invited him back and entertained him again. Afterwards, he was appointed as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and then returned to the capital with his family from Tang County. After a long time, he was promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, but he declined the offer. He was then appointed as a Cavalry Officer of the Grand Commandant and subsequently sent to serve as the Prefect of Wu Xing. He was pleased with this appointment as he had previously lived in Yu Hang County. Shortly after, he was summoned to serve as an Attendant. When Gaozu was on a campaign to the west, Wang Jinghong was ordered to comfort the troops. However, the official Pan Shang fell ill on the way, so Wang Jinghong alone drove a boat to send him back to the capital. His fate hung in the balance, and the relevant authorities requested his removal from office, which the emperor approved. Before he could change out of his court clothes, he received a general amnesty, and his position was reinstated. When the Song dynasty was first established, he served as Secretary of Revenue and later was promoted to Secretary of Ceremonies.
Emperor Gaozu appointed Jing Hong as the Xuanxun Commander and also added the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. In the third year of Yongchu, he was promoted to the Minister of Personnel while retaining the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. Whenever the emperor issued an edict for him to assume his duties, Jing Hong would dutifully go, but as soon as he arrived, he would immediately resign and return home to retire. Emperor Gaozu appreciated his commitment to his principles and refusal to flatter, so he did not force him. Later, the emperor appointed him as the tutor to Prince Luling and added the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, but Jing Hong believed he lacked the moral integrity to serve as a royal tutor, so he resolutely declined the appointment and refused to accept it. Subsequently, the emperor appointed him as the Secretariat Supervisor, Jinziguanglu Dafu, and added the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, while also appointing him as the Zhengzheng official of Benzhou, but Jing Hong still did not accept. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he appointed him as Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, Jinziguanglu Dafu, and also as the tutor to Prince Jiangxia. In the third year of Yuanjia, Jing Hong was appointed as the Supervisor of the Ministry of Personnel. When he took office, he completely ignored the official documents and memorials. Once, he participated in the trial of a case, and the emperor asked him about a difficult case, but Jing Hong could not answer. The emperor's expression darkened, and he asked the people around him, "Why didn't the Supervisor see the case files?" Jing Hong replied, "I really haven't seen the case files, so I can't answer." The emperor was very unhappy. Six years later, the emperor promoted him to the Prefect of the Ministry of Personnel, but Jing Hong declined again and requested to return to his hometown. The emperor could not persuade him, so he appointed him as Shizhong, Tejin, and Left Guanglu Dafu, and equipped him with twenty trusted guards. Jing Hong declined the positions of Shizhong and Tejin again and requested to reduce half of the guards, but the emperor refused his request. When he returned to his hometown, the emperor personally went to Yeting to bid him farewell.
Twelve years later, the emperor summoned him once more to serve as the Crown Prince's tutor. Jing Hong arrived in the capital and submitted a memorial saying, "I have received the imperial edict appointing me as the Crown Prince's tutor. I feel both joy and anxiety. I am suffering from illness and have been living in a remote, desolate area in the east, with the sole desire to stay away from the court. I never expected to receive such favor from the emperor. The responsibility of being the Crown Prince's tutor is immense, and everyone is watching. My character is lacking, and I really cannot bear this responsibility. There are many talented people in the court now, much more capable than I am. Even in the countryside, there are surely individuals with both virtue and talent. How can someone like me be competent? I only came to the capital to thank the emperor in person for his grace. If I return like this, I will die without regrets." The emperor did not approve his request. Jing Hong repeatedly submitted memorials requesting to decline the appointment, and ultimately did not accept the position, returning to his hometown. Later, when the emperor fell ill, he personally went to visit him.
Sixteen years later, he was appointed as the Left Guanglu Doctor, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and his position as a palace attendant was retained. He went to the capital again to submit a memorial, saying, "I believed I had clearly conveyed my true feelings in my previous memorial. Although the ways of heaven are unfathomable, I still did not receive your forgiveness, which leaves me feeling anxious and restless, as if I were racing a carriage. I have heard that a nobleman acts for righteousness and does not consider personal gain or loss. I have reflected on this repeatedly to motivate myself, but I am old and frail, with a heart full of loyalty yet lacking the strength. According to tradition, one should retire and return home at the age of seventy, and even at home, one can manage the family affairs well, let alone serving in the court. I humbly ask Your Majesty to take pity on my old age and frailty, understand my loyalty, revoke the decree, and let me return home. This would align with the will of heaven, and I would find peace." He returned to his hometown without waiting for the emperor's approval.
After seven years, in the twenty-third year of his reign, the emperor ordered him to resume his post. He submitted another memorial saying, "I am currently tending to my fields in Nanli and do not seek fame. The late emperor promoted me from a remote area and treated me with high regard. Your Majesty has also favored me greatly since taking the throne, for which I am deeply grateful, dedicating my entire being to the court. Despite my loyal heart, I have not made any significant contributions. I am almost ninety years old, my life is coming to an end, and I will soon bid farewell to the sun, vanishing into the mountains and countryside. I humbly submit another memorial, filled with great sorrow."
The following year, he passed away on Sheting Mountain in Yuhang at the age of eighty-eight. The court posthumously reinstated his original official title. In the second year of Shundi's reign, the court issued a decree stating, "He was like an orchid in the deep mountains, whose noble virtues transcend time, his achievements profound and remarkable. The Minister of the Interior, Left Minister of Guanglu, and the Privy Councilor Jing Hong possessed noble character, extensive knowledge, high moral integrity, and a simple lifestyle. He rejected wealth and honor, remained untainted, honest, and upright, setting an example for others. He served in several dynasties, his reputation spread far and wide, but his achievements were not fully recorded, and we still remember his merits. It is fitting to bestow a posthumous title upon him to honor his achievements." Therefore, he was posthumously honored with the title Duke Wen Zhen.
Jing Hong was small in stature, but he always sat and stood very upright, who referred to him as "Chess Eight Forms." He lived in a place called Dongshan (East Mountain), surrounded by forests and streams, and the scenery was so beautiful that everyone called him Wang Dongshan. The emperor once asked him for his insights on governing the country, to which Jing Hong replied, "When the world is at peace, the common people will keep their opinions to themselves." The emperor greatly appreciated his words. Jing Hong was always accompanied by two elderly female servants, who wore five-strand silk ribbon braids, blue trousers, and short jackets, and wore light makeup. His daughter married He Shuzhi, the younger brother of He Shangzhi, the Minister of Works. One time, when Jing Hong went to visit his daughter, He Shangzhi was not home, so he lay down to rest in the study. After a while, He Shangzhi returned, but Jing Hong had the two elderly female servants stand watch at the study and not allow He Shangzhi to enter, saying, "It's too hot today; I can't stand to see anyone. You should go ahead and leave." He Shangzhi had no choice but to go to another room.
Jing Hong's son, Huizhi, was appointed as a Secretary by the court. In order to help him secure a position as an Imperial Clerk, Jing Hong wrote him a letter saying, "The positions for Secretary are limited, so everyone is competing for them; there are no limits on the number of Imperial Clerks, so no one competes for them. I want you to go to a place where there is no competition." The emperor thought this was a good idea and agreed. Jing Hong rarely saw his grandchildren, only once or twice a year, and each meeting required advance scheduling. One time, when Huizhi took leave to visit his hometown of Dongding, Jing Hong had arranged a meeting time, but Huizhi did not arrive that day. As his vacation was about to end, Huizhi had to ask for leave, and when he arrived at the study, Jing Hong was nowhere to be seen. Huizhi had to bow outside the study to say goodbye, crying as he left.
After Hui became the new Governor and Senior Official, Hui's younger brother Zan became the Minister of Personnel during the reign of Emperor Wenzong of the Ming Dynasty, and was posthumously honored with the title Zhenzi. Zan's younger brother Sheng became the Minister of Personnel. Sheng's son Yan became the Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and the Governor of Jiangzhou in the late years of the Sheng Ming period.
He Shangzhi, styled Yande, was from Lixian County in Lujiang. His great-grandfather, He Zhun, was a man of noble character who refused to enter officialdom. His grandfather He Hui served as the Governor of Nankang. His father, He Shudu, was known for his respectfulness, caution, and strong integrity. He Shudu's aunt married Liu Qu of Pei County and shared a very close bond with He Shudu's mother. After his aunt passed away, He Shudu made it a point to offer sacrifices every month, personally selecting the finest offerings and overseeing the rituals. If he had official duties on the day of the sacrifice, he would first send someone with the offerings, then he would personally select the offerings and bid them farewell with tears. After finishing his official duties, he would go to offer sacrifices, continuing this practice until the end of the three-year mourning period.
In 409 AD, ordinary citizen Wang Yanzu from Wuxing County, Huzhou, Zhejiang, was robbed by thieves, and his father Wang Mu went to report to the authorities. At that time, a new law stipulated that the robbed person would face beheading, and the whole family would be put to death. Wang Mu went to report the case himself, thinking this law was a bit off. At that time, Xie Shang was the Minister of Works, and he believed: "Laws are made to prevent crimes, essentially about reason, and not because one person was robbed, the whole family must die. The idea of implicating the family is to encourage people to snitch on one another and expose the bad guys. The strong bond and loyalty between Wang Mu and his son were evident; they could have escaped together, but they chose to send themselves to the authorities bound together. It's like giving yourself poison and then trying to cut your wrist to escape, really deserving sympathy and a break. This is the only way to make it so the bad guys can't hide at home and have nowhere to run, thus fundamentally eliminating crime. Since Wang Mu has already brought the bandits, there's no need to chase anyone else; just let them go." Later, Wang Mu was promoted to Jinsi Guanglu Dafu and Governor of Wu County, with his rank bumped up two levels. Wang Hong, the Grand Preceptor, praised him for being honest and upright. Wang Mu passed away in 428 AD.
When Xie Shang was young, he was somewhat carefree and enjoyed playing dice, but he turned over a new leaf as he matured, becoming upright and principled. Chen Jun Xie Hun admired him and became friends with him. Xie Shang was born into a poor family but later became the magistrate of Linjin County. When Emperor Song Wudi Liu Yu became the General Who Conquers the South, Xie Shang was appointed as the chief registrar of his office. Later, he followed Liu Yu to campaign in the conquest of Chang'an, but was dismissed for a lapse in his official duties and returned to Jiankang. He fell ill due to exhaustion and suffered from it for many years, but later recovered after consuming the milk of a woman. In recognition of his contributions during the campaign with Liu Yu, he was granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang. After Emperor Song Shaodi Liu Yifu ascended the throne, Xie Shang served as the military advisor to Prince Luling Liu Yizhen. Liu Yizhen had a bad relationship with Xu Xianzhi, Fu Liang, and others, who often voiced his grievances. Xie Shang advised him, but Liu Yizhen ignored him. After Liu Yizhen was deposed, Xie Shang was appointed as a Minister of the Central Secretariat. After Emperor Song Wudi Liu Yu ascended the throne, Xie Shang held successive positions as Interior Minister of Linchuan, Minister of the Yellow Gate, Minister of Personnel, and Left Guard General. After his father passed away, he resigned from his position to observe the mourning period. After the mourning period ended, he returned to his role as Left Guard General and concurrently served as the Prince's Attendant. Xie Shang had a passion for literature and was approachable, often participating in literary gatherings, which was greatly appreciated by Emperor Song Wudi. In 424 AD, Xie Shang was promoted to Palace Attendant and continued to serve as the Prince's Attendant. Shortly after, he was later reassigned as the General of the Agile Cavalry.
Thirteen years ago, Prince Pengcheng wanted Liu Bin to be the Governor of Danyang, but the emperor did not agree. Then Xie Shang was appointed as the Governor of Danyang, where he constructed a residence on the outskirts of the city where he taught metaphysics and recruited students. Xu Xiu from Donghai, He Tan from Lujiang, Huang Hui, Xun Zihua from Yingchuan, Sun Zongchang from Taiyuan, Wang Yanshu, and Kong Huixuan from Lu County all came to learn from Xie Shang, a tradition that became known as the "Southern School." Xie Shang's daughter married Liu An's son, Liu An, but Xie Shang and Liu An did not get along. Liu An wanted to be the Governor of Danyang, so he reassigned Xie Shang as the Minister of the Ancestral Temple while also serving as the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy. Xie Shang was quite displeased about this. Later, Liu An was killed and Xie Shang was promoted to Minister of Personnel.
At that time, General Zuo Wei Fan Ye was in charge of confidential affairs. Xie Shang felt that Fan Ye's behavior was very unusual, so he reported to the emperor that Fan Ye should be transferred to Guangzhou. Xie Shang said that if Fan Ye stayed in the capital, he would have to be executed in case of rebellion. The emperor frequently executed ministers, which tarnished the royal image. The emperor said, "I just killed Liu An and others, and I am thinking of promoting new talents. Fan Ye has not made any major mistakes yet, so demoting him would lead people to believe we cannot tolerate talent and that I am easily influenced by slander. As long as everyone understands this principle, major chaos can be avoided." Eventually, Fan Ye did rebel and was executed, and the emperor admired Xie Shang's foresight. After the completion of the Imperial Academy, Xie Shang served as the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy. He also served as the tutor of Prince Jianping, and was later promoted to Minister of the Palace Library and General of the Guards.
After twenty-three years, Xie Shang was promoted to the position of Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and was appointed as an Attendant of the Cavalry. In that year, construction of Xuanwu Lake began. The Emperor wished to construct three divine mountains - Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou - in the lake. Xie Shang strongly counseled against it, and the Emperor eventually gave up the idea. At the same time, construction of the Hualin Garden was underway. The heat was intense, and many laborers were being overworked. Xie Shang once again advised the Emperor, suggesting that the workers should be given more rest. However, the Emperor disagreed, saying, "Those common folk are always ruining their own bodies; this hardly counts as labor." The Emperor often returned to the palace very late after outings. Xie Shang submitted a memorial advising, "Emperors should be cautious when traveling; their noble status should not be taken lightly. This is a principle that Your Majesty should understand; why should it be left to your subjects to remind you? Your Majesty returning to the palace late at night multiple times causes anxiety among the populace, and instability still exists. Selecting the right time for travel is a lesson learned from past emperors. Always be mindful of potential dangers, even in times of peace; do not forget this. If faced with people like Ji An and Xin Pi, they would certainly speak up and offer their counsel, but we are rather unremarkable and tend to remain silent. I humbly urge Your Majesty to consider my humble opinion; do not abandon talent for personal preferences; only then can you pacify the people." The Emperor responded favorably to his advice and adopted it. Initially, because the copper coins were too light, four zhu coins were minted. As a result, many people in the common folk secretly counterfeited coins and even chiseled open old coins to extract copper. The Emperor was greatly troubled by this issue. After twenty-four years, the Emperor accepted the suggestion of the Imperial Secretariat Jiangxia King Yigong to replace two small coins with one large coin to prevent the chiseling of old coins. Most ministers were in agreement with this decision.
In the memorial, the Minister of State said, "I have carefully considered your intentions and thought about changing the currency system. Without the need to re-mint coins at great expense, the value of the currency can be doubled. This is truly a clever solution to the problem and a good way to increase the circulation of currency. However, from a superficial perspective, this method may not be entirely sound. The purpose of producing currency is fundamentally to facilitate transactions, not about quantity. A scarcity of coins leads to low value, while an abundance leads to high value. Although the quantities are different, their functions are the same. Furthermore, exchanging one coin for two merely creates an illusion of inflated prices! Any new system or method must align with public sentiment. Policies that go against public opinion rarely succeed in the long run. The rapid changes in the abolition and implementation of currency have caused chaos. The previous dynasty's red, white, and gold coins were quickly abolished, leading to distress among the common people. This is all due to constantly changing policies that are difficult to implement. Policies should aim for long-term effectiveness unless in emergencies. Complicated policies are often hard to achieve. Unequal circulation of currency causes suffering for the common people. Therefore, ancient sage kings established the equal-field system, keeping the rich from excessive luxury while ensuring the poor are not plunged into extreme poverty. While this system has been long abolished and cannot be reinstated immediately, we should strive to approach it and follow it to some extent. If this system were implemented now, the wealth of the rich would double while the poor would become even poorer, which I doubt aligns with your intention of equalizing wealth. Additionally, coins come in various shapes and sizes. Merely referring to 'large coins' fails to specify their exact denominations. If they are still the ancient four-zhu or five-zhu coins with seal script characters that common people cannot recognize and may be worn and illegible, this will likely lead to an increase in disputes and lawsuits, which is my primary concern. Your Majesty, you are increasingly worried about the situation of counterfeiting old coins, to the point where copper coins are nearly depleted; I believe this concern may be unwarranted. Even if the common people are clever, they will leave traces. Moreover, coins are made of copper, making them easily traceable. This is primarily due to lax management and ineffective enforcement by the relevant authorities that there have been few cases detected since the new system was implemented. While reward regulations exist, they have yet to be enforced. If the old reward and punishment system is clarified again, rewarding those who catch counterfeiters, people will fear the law and desire rewards, quickly resolving the situation. These are my humble suggestions. You can adopt as much as you see fit. I have done my best to share my thoughts with you."
Not provided.
Minister of Personnel, Yu Bingzhi, Left Guard Commander of the Crown Prince, Xiao Sihua, Deputy Commander Zhao Bofu, Deputy Imperial Censor He Chengtian, and Minister of Ceremonies Xi Jingshu were all discussing this matter together. General Shen Yanzhi said, "Turtle shells were used in ancient times, and bronze coins have been in use since the Zhou Dynasty, all to make the country wealthy and allow the common people to have money to spend. Although it has been a long time, these things have always been quite useful. But now, coin minting hasn't been done for a long time, coupled with continuous wars, coins have been lost and damaged; the extent of the loss is hard to quantify. After the Jin Dynasty moved south, the territory hasn't fully stabilized yet; some places may still retain old customs, and bronze coins have always been small in quantity, so the problem is not considered serious. Now our country has vast territories, the king's prestige is far-reaching, and currency circulates to various places; places that couldn't use money before can now do so. More money is in circulation, but there are fewer goods available, and many people are secretly clipping and forging coins, causing more and more damaged coins. Although the punishment is severe, bad people always find ways to evade it; as a result, money becomes more valuable while the poor get poorer, and those who work hard cannot support themselves no matter how hard they try. This is all due to the high cost of goods and money; if we don't consider reform, the problem will only get worse. Now is the perfect time for reform; we should seize the opportunity to make some changes. I believe that if one large coin is exchanged for two small coins, the country can preserve precious wealth, and the common people can earn twice as much money without additional punishment measures. Those cheating methods will naturally no longer be used; once this order is issued, there will be plenty of benefits, and there is no better way than this, without having to spend extra money to produce new coins!" The Emperor adopted Shen Yanzhi's suggestion and implemented the policy of one coin for two. After a period of implementation, it didn't work out well for the country or the common people, so it was canceled.
At the age of twenty-five, he was promoted to Left Chancellor and also served as the teacher of the King of Ruyin, while still retaining the position of Court Attendant. In the twenty-eighth year, he was promoted to Minister of Rites and also served as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor. By the twenty-ninth year, he retired and wrote a poem titled "Ode to Retirement" in Fangshan to express his thoughts, but many believed he had strayed from his original intentions.
The Crown Prince's Left Guard Commander, Yuan Shu, wrote to him, saying: "A few days ago, I sent someone to visit you and heard that you have retreated to the countryside to enjoy a simple life. Though you're getting older and should observe the norms of retirement, it's really not that simple! Look at those such as Shu, Ban, Bing, and Wei; their achievements are etched in history. Then look at Gong, Gong, Shan, and Wei; they fade into obscurity. You are now planning to retire, clear your mind and seek some joy, hoping to enjoy the happiness of seclusion. But you, with your proud and aloof personality and a rather dull temperament, if you really retire, you may get lost in pleasure and forget to come back. People are saying that your talent and reputation are still there; if you can come out and continue to serve the court, make contributions to the country, and give up your current retired life, that would be the best path forward! I've always looked up to you and hope you can reply to me soon." He lived next to Nanzhan Temple, so the letter mentioned "Nanbin," just like the line about "picking apples by the southern bank" from the "Book of Songs."
The emperor also issued several decrees urging Shang Zhi to return from retirement, and even said to Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, "There aren't many capable people like him these days. Even Yang Xuanbao and Meng Yi haven't had the opportunity to retire yet. He is so outstanding; how can we easily let him retire?" Yigong replied, "Shang Zhi is loyal, upright, and honest. Although he is old, he is still very healthy. Let him stay retired; that's what everyone agrees on." So, he started working again. Yang Xuanbao and Meng Yi mentioned in the letter, Meng Yi's courtesy name was Yanzhong; he was from Chang'anqiu. His older brother Meng Chang was very prominent, but he himself did not respond to the call. After his brother's death, he was appointed Prefect of Dongyang, and later served as the Prefect of Wujun, Kuaiji, Danyang, Zhongshu, Pushe, Taizi Zhanshi, and finally the Prefect of Kuaiji. He was posthumously granted the title of Left Guanglu Doctor. His son married the sixteenth daughter of Emperor Taizu, Princess of Nangong, and his daughter married Prince Yikang of Pengcheng and Prince Xiuruo of Baling. Xie Shang, the Chancellor, earned the emperor's favor after returning to court. At that time, the court was gearing up for a northern campaign, and he was responsible for all logistical support. Later, there was a political upheaval; the emperor was killed, and a new emperor ascended the throne. Xie Shang was promoted to Minister of Works while also serving as Chancellor. At that time, there were uprisings in various regions, and many generals' families were in the capital. Xie Shang wanted to eliminate them all, but he did his best to persuade the emperor, and in the end, he managed to spare them all.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, Xie Shang became the Minister of Personnel again, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel. He was later promoted to Imperial Attendant, Left Chief Minister, and also held the position of General Protector. Not long after, he resigned from his position as General Protector. The emperor granted him the honorary title of "Specially Advanced" and then allowed him to continue as Minister of Personnel. Later, the Chancellor, Prince Yi Xuan of Nanyang, and General Zang Zhi of Chariots and Cavalry rebelled. The brothers Zhu Chaomin and Lu Zhan, the Chief Clerk of Zang Zhi, also participated in the rebellion and were sentenced to death. Xie Shang presented a memorial to the emperor, saying, "The severity of punishment is crucial to the country's stability, a principle that has always been upheld by wise rulers throughout history. We must not be careless. Zhu Chaomin has fled after the rebellion, and he can be caught as long as someone is sent to find him. If he remains unrepentant, it is not too late to kill him. This approach not only helps avoid mistakes but also allows for rewards. However, his lack of such intentions demonstrates his benevolence. Moreover, he has been diligent in his duties since taking office, diligently protecting the city and warehouses while patiently awaiting capture. Now, to kill his entire family, how is this any different from those who never participated in the rebellion? Lu Zhan's situation is different; his involvement in the rebellion is undeniable, and his culpability is significant." Thanks to his words, Xie Shang managed to save Zhu Chaomin's life.
At that time, the court wanted to divide Jingzhou and establish Yingzhou. Discussions were underway regarding the location of Yingzhou. Prince Yigong of Jiangxia proposed that it be established in Baling, but Xie Shang, however, disagreed. He said, "Xiakou is located between Jingzhou and Jiangzhou, facing Miankou, connecting Yongzhou and Liangzhou. Its geographical position is crucial; it has always been a military stronghold boasting a strong historical foundation. Now, Jiangxia, Wuling, Tianmen, Jingling, and Sui, these five counties are separated to form a province, with the provincial capital established in Xiakou. Existing cities and a sufficiently large port can accommodate large ships. Departing from Jingling to Jingzhou, although it is a water route, the distance is comparable to that of traveling to Jiangxia. The other counties to Xiakou are all downstream, making it very convenient. The eleven counties under the jurisdiction of Xiangzhou include Baling, which is close to the Yangtze River and very near to Xiakou. Since Xiangzhou has already been separated, then Baling should be allocated to the new province, which would be more appropriate." The emperor accepted his suggestion. Jingzhou and Yangzhou together account for half of the country's population. Since ancient times, Yangzhou has been the foundation of Jiangzuo. The court placed Jingzhou in a region far from the capital, and now Jingzhou and Yangzhou have been separated, which aimed to weaken the power of local officials, but it has led to the decline of both Jingzhou and Yangzhou. Xie Shang proposed merging these two provinces, but the emperor declined.
In the second year of Daming, Xie Shang, the Minister of Personnel Affairs, was appointed as the Left Guanglu Daifu, the Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and his position as the attendant (equivalent to the prime minister) remained unchanged. He typically wore a casual deer skin hat at home. When he officially took office as the Kaifu Yitong Sansi, the emperor was in the hall, with all the officials in attendance. Shen Qingzhi joked in the hall, "Why aren’t you wearing your deer skin hat today?"
Shen Qingzhi had previously declined official positions several times, and the court earnestly advised him to accept. Xie Shang replied, "The Emperor treats me with such humility; how can I refuse again?" Shen Qingzhi said, "You are not like He Chengtian, resigning from office and returning." Xie Shang felt somewhat embarrassed by this. Xie Shang had a passion for literature and, even in his old age, did not take a break, frequently engaging in discussions about literature with Yan Yanzhi from the Ministry of Rites, and their debates were passed down through the generations. He lived a simple life, with ordinary mounts and clothing, did not remarry after his wife passed away, and did not have concubines. Despite his high status and importance in the court, he stayed away from power struggles, never promoting any relatives or friends, which may have offended some but earned him praise from others. Later, he also took on the role of Minister of the Central Secretariat.
In the fourth year of the Ming Dynasty, Xie Shang fell seriously ill, and the Emperor ordered the Grand Preceptor Shen Huaiwen and the Yellow Gate Attendant Wang Zhao to visit him. Xie Shang passed away in office at the age of seventy-nine. The court posthumously appointed him as Minister of Works, equivalent to Prime Minister, while his roles as Grand Preceptor and Minister of the Central Secretariat remained unchanged, and he was posthumously honored as the Duke Jianmu. His son Xie Yan also has a biography.
Xie Shang's younger brother, Xie Youzhi, served as the Governor of Yixing, Grand Preceptor, and Minister of Rites. He had a good relationship with Prince of Langya, Sima Hui. After Xie Youzhi's death, Sima Hui wrote to Xie Shang's son, Xie Yan, saying, "My interaction with Xie Youzhi was a regret that we met too late; only a true gentleman can truly comprehend me. As for those who praise my insignificant virtues and pity my shortcomings, only your wise uncle (referring to Xie Youzhi) understood." Xie Shang's other younger brother, Xie Yuzhi, once served as the Governor of Xin'an; another younger brother, Xie Yizhi, once served as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Xie Shang's grandson, Xie Yezhi, married the fourth daughter of the founding emperor, Princess Linhai Hui. By the time of Emperor Taizong, he had risen to the position of Palace Attendant in Regular Attendance.
In historical records, it is said that since the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the power base in the Jianghuai region has been in Yangzhou and Jingzhou. Yangzhou's territory stretches from Lujiang and Danyang in the north all the way to the sea, covering a vast area; Jingzhou includes the Xiangjiang and Yuanjiang river basins, spanning Wushan all the way to Dengzhou and beyond, with a population and territory that together exceed half of the country.
During the Jin Dynasty, the emperor was young, and power was in the hands of the ministers. The governors of Jingzhou and Yangzhou were comparable in power to the governors of the two capitals of the Western Han Dynasty (Chang'an and Luoyang). After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, the emperor's authority was significantly curtailed, and these two important regions of Jingzhou and Yangzhou were controlled by the emperor's relatives. Therefore, Xiao Yixuan took advantage of the wealth and strength of the Western Chu, and based on the foundation laid over ten years, he intended to contend for hegemony. As a result, he established his capital in Yingzhou, divided Yangzhou, overreacted to the situation, and the emergence of regional separatism had already taken place, with bandits rampant, the court's military forces were weak, and the court's control over the regions was thus completely lost.
If the emperor could personally visit the south and wield military and political power, even if relatives held military power outside, there would not be any major problems. However, if the country's fortunes fluctuated and faced difficult times, and the emperor was young and incompetent, even if close ministers harbored rebellious intentions, they would still have reservations and dare not act rashly. During the time of Empress Dowager Lu, the imperial family did not vie for power, in fact, because the states of Qi and Chu were powerful, it was able to avoid internal strife. The rise and fall of a nation is closely tied to these factors. The Minister of Personnel's suggestion to merge Jingzhou and Yangzhou is a notably insightful strategy for governance!
