Liu Bang, born into an ordinary family, deeply understood the hardships of the common people's lives. After becoming emperor, despite being busy with wars and unifying the country, he didn't pay much attention to internal affairs. However, he lived a simple life; he avoided extravagance and waste, controlling expenses strictly every day. The palace had no luxurious decorations, which allowed for annual military expeditions while keeping the country stable.
Emperor Taizu, also known as Liu Yu, was kind and generous from a young age. He inherited a great legacy, pacified rebellions in the north, and he funded military campaigns from the national treasury, sparing the people from additional burdens. As a result, the country was peaceful, people's lives improved, the population surged over thirty years, and taxes were enough for a year's needs. People worked hard and lived peacefully. Local officials served for six years, and even if they stayed in one place for a lifetime, there was less frequent rotation, instilling a sense of belonging in the people and curbing corruption. Every household lived well; even in times of difficulty, they no longer faced starvation like before. Singing and dancing were common in every village and town, making it the most prosperous period of the Song Dynasty.
In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia, northern nomads invaded the south, which led to more conflicts. Despite the country's efforts, more taxes were imposed, causing discontent among the people. From then on, wars continued until the Xiaojian era. The small Jiangdong region, spanning just a few thousand miles and with a population of less than a million, had to constantly fight wars and face disasters, leading to the eventual decline of the Song Dynasty.
Most of the emperors of the Jin Dynasty spent the majority of their time in the harem, conducting court sessions and banquets solely in the two main halls. It was not until the later years of Emperor Xiaowu that the Qingshu Palace was built for summer retreats. Emperor Gaozu made no changes after ascending the throne, residing in the West Hall without giving it a fancy name; Emperor Taizu continued this tradition, living in a place called the Hedian, which means "Harmony Hall."
When the emperor succeeded to the throne, the situation became drastically different. The palaces were constructed extravagantly and massively, with mountains of food for the dogs and horses. The palace buildings were constructed from luxurious materials, such as brocade and silk. Completely ignoring the previous simplicity, new palaces, including Zhengguang Hall, Yuzhu Hall, and Ziji Hall, were constructed. These palaces featured exquisite decorations, including carved beams, painted pillars, pearl curtains, and jade screens. The emperor's favorite concubines and trusted officials were all generously rewarded, yet even the treasury's riches couldn't satisfy their insatiable desires. The extravagance escalated even further when Emperor Taizong took the throne, neglecting the welfare of the common people, which led to a deterioration in social ethics. Local officials were frequently transferred, making it challenging to perform even basic tasks like cooking. Honest officials like Pu Songling and Zeng Gong were rare in those times, not because officials were less honest or the people less genuine, but primarily due to the emperor's excessive extravagance, which disrupted governance and complicated the country's administration. I will now gather some notable examples and write a chapter titled "Good Officials." Wang Zhenzhi, courtesy name Bozhong, hailed from Langya Linyi and was the elder brother of the renowned scholar Wang Hong. His great-grandfather, Wang Hao, served as the General of Chariots and Cavalry during the Jin Dynasty; his grandfather, Wang Qizhi, served as a Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat; and his father, Wang Suizhi, was the magistrate of Shangyu County. Initially, Wang Zhenzhi served as a military officer under Wang Lang in Langya, and later was appointed as the magistrate of Shan County and Shangyu County, where he excelled and earned a stellar reputation.
Inspector Xie You recognized his abilities and recommended him to be the magistrate of Shanyin County, where he achieved remarkable results. He was later promoted to be a military officer, then the Langzhong, and was also appointed as the General of Ning Shuo. Later, when Huan Xuan assisted the emperor of the Jin Dynasty, he appointed Wang Zhenzhi as the recorder in the General's office. At that time, the Sanwu region was experiencing famine, and Huan Xuan sent Wang Zhenzhi to provide disaster relief. However, Wang Yu, the Neishi of Kuaiji, did not follow the imperial orders. Wang Zhenzhi reported Wang Yu to the court as per regulations and lodged a formal accusation against him. Wang Yu's son, Wang Sui, was Huan Xuan's nephew and had considerable influence at the time, so Wang Zhenzhi faced marginalization. In desperation, he requested a transfer to become the governor of Ancheng due to his elderly mother.
After Huan Xuan's failure, Huan Xuan's general, Fu Hong, instigated a rebellion in the Ancheng County area, and Wang Zhenzhi resisted for a whole year. All five of his sons died in battle. After his mother passed away, Wang Zhenzhi resigned from his post to observe mourning. He was honest and upright during his tenure, but his family was in dire straits, and his wife and children found it difficult to make ends meet. Therefore, he relinquished his property and returned to his hometown of Shangyu to arrange his mother's funeral. Once the mourning period was over, for his son, Wang Biao's sake, he requested the court to appoint him as the magistrate of Shangyu County again to take care of his son. After the mourning period ended, he was appointed as the inspector for the Western Expedition and the governor of Nanping.
Later, Xu Daofu's army approached Jiangling, and the court appointed General Wang Zhenzhi as the General of Jianwei to lead generals such as Tan Daoji and Dao Yanzhi to attack Xu Daofu. However, Wang Zhenzhi believed that he was not experienced enough and firmly declined, but the court did not listen to him. As a result, the frontline army was defeated, and Wang Zhenzhi was temporarily relieved of his duties and put on civilian clothes. Shortly after, he resumed his original position. Because of his achievements in attacking Xu Daofu, he was appointed as a fifth-ranked noble in Huarong County and was also summoned to serve as a court officer. When Emperor Jin Mu and Empress He's tomb was being built, he served as the chief architect for the tomb. Later, he was promoted to Deputy Imperial Historian, where he upheld the law impartially and was respected by all officials in the court.
Wang Zhenzhi was initially appointed as the Governor and Commander of the military affairs of the two provinces of Jianguang, General Jianwei, General of Pingyue, and Governor of Guangzhou. He held several important official positions! Emperor Gaozu once praised him, saying, "Wang Zhenzhi was very accomplished in his youth and will surely inherit the excellent qualities of Wu Yinzhi. Only he can solve the issues in the Lingnan region." During his tenure in Guangzhou, he did not accept a salary, lived a simple life, and harbored no selfish ambitions. On the day he left office, he took nothing with him, just like when he first took office.
Later, when Emperor Gaozu established the office of the Prime Minister, he appointed Wang Zhenzhi as an adviser, responsible for handling official documents. He was very skilled in handling government affairs, strict but not abusing his power, and very fair. He was later promoted to the Minister of the Ministry of Song Tai. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Wang Zhenzhi requested to resign due to a foot ailment and was appointed Prefect of Langye County. He was later promoted to the Guard of Xuanxunwei while also serving as the Chief of Langye County. In the third year of Yongchu, Wang Zhenzhi died in office at the age of sixty-six. His life is chronicled in the "Yinyi Zhuan," which details the life of his brother Wang Hongzhi.
Du Huidu, a person from Jiaozhi of Zhuang descent, originally from Jingzhao. His great-grandfather, Du Yuan, was the Prefect of Ningpu and later settled in Jiaozhi. His father, Du Yuan, who was styled Daoyan, served as the Prefect of Rinnan, Jiude, and Jiaozhi counties. At first, Li Xun, the Prefect of Jiuzhen County, and his son wielded significant power and were oppressive in the Jiaozhi region. Hearing that the governor Teng Dunzhi was coming, Li Xun sent two sons to occupy the water and land routes in an attempt to stop Teng Dunzhi. Du Yuan gathered troops, killed Li Xun, stabilized the situation in the region, and was later appointed Dragon Cavalry General. Teng Dunzhi stayed in Jiaozhi for more than ten years, constantly fighting with the Kingdom of Linyi. When Teng Dunzhi was about to return north, King Fan Hu Da of Linyi broke through Rinnan, Jiude, and Jiuzhen counties, and even surrounded the county seat. By this time, Teng Dunzhi had already left, and Du Yuan and his third son, Du Xuanzhi, fought valiantly to defend, devised numerous strategies, and repeatedly defeated the Linyi army. They even pursued the enemy to Jiuzhen and Rinnan, achieving successive victories and forcing Fan Hu Da to flee back to Linyi. Consequently, Du Yuan was appointed Dragon Cavalry General and Governor of Jiaozhou, and later promoted to Champion General. When Lu Xun rebelled in Guangzhou, he even sent envoys to Du Yuan in an attempt to win him over, but was ultimately killed by Du Yuan. In the sixth year of the Yixi era, Du Yuan passed away at the age of eighty-four, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Right General, while his official position remained unchanged.
Huidu is the fifth son of Ruan Yu. At first, he was a low-ranking official in the province, responsible for resettling refugees, and later promoted to Governor of Jiuzhen. After his father Ruan Yu passed away, the state ministers were worried about frequent invasions from foreign enemies due to the border location of Jiaozhou. They were concerned that a vacant position could hinder military operations, so they nominated Huidu to act as the interim governor, but he declined. Seven years later, the court appointed him as the Commissioner, Commander of the Jiaozhou forces, General of Guangwu, and Governor of Jiaozhou. Before the imperial decree arrived that spring, Lu Xun led his troops to capture Hepu and headed straight for Jiaozhou. Huidu quickly assembled six thousand troops to confront Lu Xun at Shiqi, defeated him and captured Lu Xun's Chief of Staff, Sun Jianzhi.
Although Lu Xun was defeated, he still had three thousand elite soldiers, all battle-hardened warriors. Li Zixun, Li Yi, Li Tuo, and others fled to Shiqi, joining forces with the local Li and Liao tribes, each forming their own forces. Lu Xun knew that Li Yi and others had grievances with the Du family, so he sent envoys to persuade them to defect. Li Yi and his allies then brought five to six thousand Li tribesmen to Lu Xun's side. On the 9th day of the sixth month, Lu Xun attacked Nanjin early in the morning, ordering his troops to eat only after entering the city. Huidu gathered all his family's wealth to reward the soldiers. His brother, the Governor of Jiaozhi, Huiqi, and the Governor of Jiuzhen, Zhangmin, led the navy and army respectively. Huidu himself boarded a tall warship, fought fiercely against Lu Xun's forces, and launched rockets and torches, while the troops on both banks rained arrows down. Lu Xun's warships were all set on fire, and his forces quickly scattered, and Lu Xun was shot and fell into the water, drowning.
Huidu killed Lu Xun and his father Lu Gu, as well as Lu Xun's two sons and Lu Xun's trusted followers Ruan Jing, Luo Nongfu, and Li Tuo, and others, and sent their heads to the capital. The court appointed Huidu as the Marquis of Longbian County, with a fief of a thousand households. After the emperor ascended the throne, Huidu was further elevated to the rank of Assistant General. That year, Huidu led ten thousand soldiers to the south to attack Linyi, defeating more than half of the enemy forces and reclaiming what had been plundered by Linyi before. Linyi surrendered, offering captives, elephants, gold, silver, shells, and other tributes; therefore, Huidu spared them. Huidu sent his chief secretary Jiang You to report the victory to the court. Huidu lived a simple life, eating plain food and wearing rough clothes. He played the zither and enjoyed reading the Zhuangzi and the Laozi. He prohibited immoral sacrifices and emphasized education. In times of poor harvests when the people were starving, he used his own salary to provide relief for the people. He governed with meticulous care, as if managing his own household, and was deeply loved by the people. Under his rule, crime disappeared, to the point that city gates did not need to be locked and nothing was lost on the roads. In the first year of Emperor Shaodi Jingping's reign, Huidu passed away at the age of fifty years, and the court posthumously granted him the title of Left General.
Huidu appointed his eldest son Hongwen as General Zhenwei and Governor of Jiuzhen. At the beginning, when Gaozu went north to conquer Guanzhong and Luoyang, Huidu let Hongwen serve as General Yingyang, responsible for stabilizing the displaced population, and gave him three thousand soldiers and horses to follow the army northward. By the time they arrived in Guangzhou, Guanzhong and Luoyang had already been secured, so Hongwen returned. Later, the court appointed Hongwen as the Governor of Jiuzhen. When his stepfather became Governor, Hongwen, renowned for his generosity and popularity, inherited the title of Marquis Longbian. In the fourth year of Taizu Yuanjia, the court appointed Wang Hui, the Minister of Justice, as the Governor of Jiaozhou, and Hongwen was ordered to go to Jiaozhou. However, while en route, Hongwen fell gravely ill yet insisted on pressing forward. Relatives and friends, seeing how seriously ill he was, advised him to request a delay in his appointment until he recovered. However, Hongwen said, "Our family has received imperial grace for generations, with three generations serving as officials. I have always wanted to serve the court and repay the imperial grace. Moreover, I am now following the court's orders; how can I just sit back? Even if something were to happen on the way, it is fate!" Hongwen's elderly mother, unable to bear seeing him travel while sick, decided to accompany him. When they arrived in Guangzhou, Hongwen passed away. Before his death, he sent his brother Hongyou to the capital to report his death, causing deep sorrow within the court.
Xu Huo, courtesy name Wantong, was a man from Gu Mu in Dongguan, and the nephew of Grand Master Guang. His father, Xu Miao, was the Left Guard of the Crown Prince's Imperial Guard of the Jin Dynasty. Xu Huo became a Doctor of the Imperial College towards the end of the Long'an period of Emperor An of Jin. When Huan Xuan took power as Commander-in-Chief, Xu Huo once said, "Only military officers, both inside and outside, should pay respect to Huan Xuan; positions like Grand Preceptor and Minister of Works are not military titles, so the Prince of Langye should not bow to him." As a result, Huan Xuan instructed the Minister of State to dismiss Xu Huo from his position. After Huan Xuan's failure, Xu Huo was appointed as a Secretariat Gentleman, and later served as a Gentleman of the Department of Finance, a Military Aide of the Right Army He Wuji, a Military Advisor to the Southern Garrison, an official in the Department of Ancestral Worship, the Prefect of Yongshi County, the Commander of Jianwu, a Military Advisor to the Central Army, and the Deputy Minister of Construction. In the early years of the Yongchu period, he served as the Garrison Commander under Xu Xianzhi, and later as the Deputy Minister of Construction and the Prefect of Shanyin County. He successively served as an official in two Prime Minister's offices and three county magistrates, managing affairs with sharp insight and efficiency, understanding reasoning, and receiving unanimous praise from the people of his time. During the Yuanjia era of the Song Dynasty, I became the Prefect of Shixing County. Three years later, the court dispatched special envoys to conduct inspections across different regions, asking each county to report on the situation, to discuss which areas were performing well and which needed improvement. I took this opportunity to submit three suggestions.
Article 1: First, I want to point out that our county has plenty of land, and those officials responsible for farming have to pay sixty dou of rice at the age of sixteen, and thirty dou of rice from ages fifteen to thirteen. Regardless of the number of people in a family, rice must be paid per person. The issue is that thirteen-year-olds are not capable of doing farm work at all, and they are alone without anyone to help. When it comes time to pay the rice, they all run away, which only facilitates the movements of outsiders and minority groups. Some families even deliberately neglect their children to avoid taxes, or do not raise their children, leading to a declining population each year, all due to heavy taxes. I think the tax standards should be adjusted so that the common people can survive. Even if taxes are reduced now, there may be some short-term losses, but in the long run, the benefits are greater!
Article 2: There are over three hundred households of silver mine workers in our county. They have to dig two to three zhang deep in the mine, which is hard and tiring work, with the constant risk of cave-ins. Many people die in the mines every year. The government is strict in checking, and if they cannot pay taxes, the old and young have to give up farming. With over a thousand mouths to feed, they rely on others for help, which is more complicated than just a farmer going hungry for not planting. So if the harvest is not good in any year, they will be even worse off. In reality, there's little difference between the government collecting taxes in rice or silver. I think they should be allowed to use silver to pay the rice tax, which would be much more convenient.
Article 3: The minority ethnic groups in Zhongsu County have to pay a silver tax, with an adult male having to pay half a liang of silver. The problem is that this county does not produce silver at all, and these minority ethnic groups all live in the mountains, who speak different languages and lack knowledge of trade. Every time they buy silver, they often face significant losses. Moreover, it is easy to cheat when weighing silver, and the people in the mountains are honest and timid, and dare not argue. While the government may not collect much in taxes, the burden still feels heavy for the common people. So I suggest allowing them to use rice instead of silver to pay taxes, which would benefit both the government and the citizens.
He achieved good results in the county, and Emperor Taizu was very pleased. The emperor issued a decree, saying, "The Prefect of Shixing, Huo, is a person of integrity and simplicity, who is conscientious and responsible in his official duties, managing government affairs in an orderly manner and benefiting the people. The Lingnan region used to be very desolate, especially in Shixing County. He made every effort to help the people, solve the problem of famine, and even outshining the renowned officials of ancient times! He should be honored for his integrity and exemplary governance, and be rewarded with 200 rolls of silk and 1,000 measures of grain!"
Five years later, he was appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs in Guang and Jiaozhou, General Ninghuan and General Pingyuezhong, and Governor of Guangzhou. Before he could take office, he passed away at the age of fifty-one. Emperor Taizu issued another decree, saying, "Huo was honest, diligent, responsible, and had a good reputation, which is why he was promoted to Lingnan to showcase his talents. I did not expect his early passing. I am filled with deep sorrow! Reward him with 100,000 coins and 100 rolls of cloth to cover his funeral expenses."
Lu Hui, styled Xiuyou, was from Wu County, Wujin. He was summoned to serve as the chief clerk in the county, and later appointed as a military officer in the Wei and Qi offices. He then became the chief clerk of Yangzhou and General Wang Hongwei, and later promoted to the rank of Shangshu Duguan Lang, and finally appointed as the magistrate of Jiankang. He was known for his integrity and fairness, without any personal motives, and was highly appreciated by Emperor Taizu, eventually promoted to Left Western Officer in the Ministry of Rites. In the fourteenth year of the Yuanjia era, he was appointed as the Prefect of Shixing.
In the second year, he was appointed as the Inspector of the two provinces of Jiao and Guang, the General of Suiyuan, the General of Pingyue, and the Inspector of Guangzhou. His reputation for honesty and integrity is comparable to Wang Zhen, and he is deeply loved and praised by the local people. He recommended a man named Zhu Wansi in a memorial, writing: "I have heard that the ice and snow of Bao Si and Yingchuan can make upright trees stand taller; noble customs and bestowed grace can highlight the integrity of a person even more. Therefore, the capital will have the glory of returning in glory, and the Eastern Emperor will have the noble act of attracting talented individuals. I have heard that Zhu Wansi, an official in charge of Guangzhou, is fifty-three years old this year, whose courtesy name is Shaoyu. He handles political affairs fairly and justly, and his character is noble and pure. His behavior is praised in private, and he is capable of handling official duties. Although he is not from a hereditary official family and has no powerful background, he has served in the south, rising to the head of the local officials, overseeing the political affairs of nine departments in the province, and managing three key responsibilities within the government. He has repeatedly dealt with border affairs and has successfully safeguarded the frontier. Now he has reached the age of understanding destiny, but his integrity and dedication to public service have only grown nobler. His honest heart stands in fierce opposition to the tide of greed, and his noble character and late-life conduct are flourishing. He once served as the county magistrate of Jinshan, with no gold, silver, or jewels adorning his home; he also managed the affairs of Zhuhai, with no precious jewelry in his home. He firmly guards his aspirations, never chasing after fame or fortune. He is truly capable of rooting out corrupt officials and purifying the greedy populace.
I am fortunate to serve as the Governor of Guangzhou, overseeing a vast territory of ten thousand miles. Although I have diligently selected talented individuals, my abilities are still lacking. I humbly present my opinion and recommend talents I know. If they can be promoted to the court, entering with the purity of a Lingnan breeze, as noble as ice and snow, then the emperor's favor can benefit his subjects and bless the land. With the courage to rely on the protection of heavenly grace, drifting like clouds and nourishing like rain and dew, it is an honor to promote officials from far-off lands every time officials from distant states are selected. Therefore, I offer my ignorant opinion, hoping you will listen.
In the year 221 AD, he was appointed Champion Marshal and Prefect of Changsha by King Shuo of Nanping, responsible for managing the affairs of Xiangzhou Prefecture. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official post. At that time, Zhang Xun and Zhao Guang of Yizhou rebelled, leading to political chaos and suffering for the people.
In the year 223 AD, he was appointed Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Yining and Ning, General of Ning and Shuo, and Governor of Yizhou. He governed the region with great skill, exhibiting both authority and compassion. Bandits were pacified, and the people lived in peace and prosperity. The Shu region was stabilized, and he is still praised by people today.
In the year 229 AD, he passed away at the age of sixty-two. At the time of his death, he was completely broke. Emperor Taizu deeply mourned his passing and issued a decree saying, "Hui was known for his lofty aspirations, was honest and devoted to public service. During his tenure, he worked diligently and conscientiously, never slackening in his duties. Unfortunately, before we could reward him, he passed away prematurely. I have always remembered him and am deeply saddened. He is posthumously named General of Fuguo, without any change to his official rank." He also bestowed upon him one hundred thousand coins and two hundred measures of rice, and he was posthumously honored with the title "Jianzi." His son Rui was a Yuanwailang, and his brother Zhan served as Chief of Chariots and Cavalry under Zang Zhi and later as the Prefect of Xunyang. However, he was executed after Zang Zhi's defeat.
Ruan Changzhi, courtesy name Maojing, was a native of Weishi in Chenliu. His grandfather Ruan Sikuang was a Grand Minister with Golden Purple Rank, and his father Ruan Pu was a military advisor to the Cavalry. When Ruan Changzhi was fifteen, his father passed away. He was filial, and his grieving appearance moved those around him. After the mourning period, he continued to be a vegetarian for several years. He dedicated himself to studying at home and never slackened.
He initially served as a military advisor in various government departments and was later promoted to be an Assistant Cavalry Officer. When his mother grew old, he requested a transfer to be the magistrate of Xiangyuan County. However, due to a conflict with the postal inspector, he was assaulted and subsequently resigned. He was later appointed as a military officer for Prince Yizhen of Luling, then as the Governor of Dongguan. He later returned to the court as a Gentleman in the Palace Secretariat and then as the Governor of Wuchang. At that time, Wang Hong served as the Inspector of Jiangzhou and had a good relationship with Ruan Changzhi, appreciating and recommending him as a Cavalry Officer.
He returned to the court again as an Attendant Officer of the Crown Prince and a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. Considering his mother's advanced age, he resolutely stepped down from roles that demanded frequent court attendance and instead became a military advisor for Prince Yikang of Pengcheng. In 419 AD, he was appointed as the Governor of Linchuan, but because Linchuan's southern location and humid climate were unsuitable for his mother, he resigned from the position. In 421 AD, he was appointed as the Governor of Linhai. Shortly after taking office, his mother passed away. Devastated by grief following her burial, he died in 424 AD at the age of fifty-nine.
In ancient times, county officials' salaries were settled on Mangzhong. Those who resigned before Mangzhong forfeited a year's salary to their predecessor; those who resigned after Mangzhong forfeited a year's salary to their successor. It was only at the end of the Yuanjia period that salaries began to be paid monthly. When Changzhi left Wuchang County, his successor had not yet arrived, so he left his seal the day before Mangzhong. When he left the capital, some relatives and friends gave him gifts, which he carefully recorded and returned one by one when he got home.
While working in the Ministry of Personnel, one night he accidentally went out with shoes on, so, according to the rules, he was supposed to report himself to the Ministry of Justice. However, they claimed it was too dark to see who he was and refused to accept his self-report. Changzhi insisted that they accept it, saying, "I never want to be someone who does bad things in secret." He maintained a record of good governance wherever he served, and later generations remembered him fondly. Those in the Song Dynasty who prided themselves on good governance regarded him as a model. His son, Shimeng, served as a township magistrate.
Jiang Bingzhi, known by his courtesy name Xuanshu, hailed from Kaocheng in Jiyang. His grandfather, Jiang Yu, was the Grand Minister of the Jin Dynasty; his father, Jiang Zuan, served as a court official. Jiang Bingzhi lost his father at a young age and had seven younger siblings to raise, managing their marriages and upbringing with immense dedication. He began his career as a military officer in the Danyang front army under Liu Muzhi. When Gaozu was the governor of Xuzhou, he was promoted to registrar, and later served as the central army military officer of the crown prince. After the Song Dynasty was established, he was appointed as an external cavalier attendant, and later as the deputy director of the Prince's Councilor. After the young emperor ascended the throne, he entered the court as a court official and later served as the county magistrates of Yongshe and Wucheng, earning a reputation for exemplary governance in the east.
Later, the court appointed him as the magistrate of Jiankang. He governed strictly and took a firm stance against illegal activities, leading to the entire city of Jiankang becoming orderly. When Yin Jingren led the army, he also asked him to be the military commander. He was subsequently appointed as the magistrate of Shanyin County, which had thirty thousand households, with complex administrative matters and a mountain of pending cases. The county office often had hundreds of people litigating. However, Jiang Bingzhi had a knack for simplifying complex issues, often maintaining a record of no incidents. During the Song Dynasty, only Gu Ji matched his level of administrative efficiency. Although others could also rectify the government, none could simplify matters like him. Due to his accomplishments as a magistrate, he was promoted to Prefect of Xin'an.
In the twelfth year of the Yuanjia era, he was reassigned as Prefect of Linhai, also known for his simplified governance. He distributed all his salary to relatives and friends, often leaving him and his wife struggling to make ends meet. When advised to cultivate land, he sternly said, "How can someone on the court's payroll compete with farmers for their livelihood?" In the county office, he had just one desk, which he donated to the official warehouse upon his departure. In the seventeenth year of Yuanjia, he passed away at the age of sixty years.
There was a man named Zihui, who had previously served as a court official and as the magistrate of Wuxian. Later, he was wrongly accused and subsequently executed due to his involvement in the murder case of Xu Zhan. His son, Zimi, rose to the position of court official during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of the Song Dynasty.
During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Song, the emperor sent special envoys to inspect various places. The envoys, including Kong Mozhi, Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Wang Xinzhi, and others, reported: "General Xuanwei, Li Yuande, the Prefect of Chen County and Nandun County, is upright, hardworking, fair, and just in his duties, and has effectively dealt with all the wrongdoers and thieves. Wei Gongzi, the Interior Minister of Pengcheng, is honest, upright, dedicated to the public good, never seeking personal gain, and leading a simple life. Over time, his reputation for integrity has only grown stronger. Former County Magistrate of Song County, Cheng Pu, ruled with kindness and compassion, and the common people all praised him. Former County Magistrate of Taoyang County, Li Xiguo, was methodical in his duties, and the common people all admired him. County Magistrate of Shansang, He Dao, has been principled since childhood and has held himself to even higher standards as he aged. These individuals should all be generously rewarded to serve as examples for future generations!" Therefore, the emperor promoted Li Yuande to Ning Shuo General, rewarded Wei Gongzi with fifty rolls of silk and five hundred bushels of grain; Cheng Pu, Li Xiguo, and He Dao were each rewarded with thirty rolls of silk and two hundred bushels of grain.
Wang Xinzhi, styled Shudao, was from Hedong. His great-grandfather, Wang Qianqi, was famous during the Jin Dynasty and served as a Colonel of Southern Barbarians. His grandfather, Wang Xunzhi, held the title of Grand Master of Splendor. His father, Wang Zhaozhi, served as the Magistrate of Yuzhang County. Wang Xinzhi was greatly valued by Emperor Wen of the Song, rising to the position of Minister of the Left and Grand Master of Splendor, and eventually passed away in office. In the ninth year of Yuanjia, the Inspector of Yuzhou, Prince Yixin of Changsha, reported: "The General Weiyuan, Prefect of Beiqiao County and Liang County, Guanzhong Hou Shen Jili, has been in office locally for five years. He has shown kindness to the people and earned their respect, governed the area effectively, and brought the bad people under control. The common people are living in peace and contentment, taxes are fair and reasonable, social order is well-maintained, and even the more remote areas have enjoyed his benevolence. He deserves a promotion and reward to motivate others!" Therefore, Shen Jili was promoted to Ning Shuo General.
Later, Guo Qixuan, Prefect of Jinshou, was also known for his integrity and uprightness, and died while in office. In the 28th year of the Yuanjia era, the Emperor issued a decree saying: "The late General Suiyuan, Prefect of Jinshou, Guo Qixuan, who had been sent on a mission to the Xiongnu, always maintained an upright and incorruptible character. During his tenure in Baishui County, he was diligent and responsible, never slacked in his duties, never accepted bribes, lived a simple and extremely frugal life. Therefore, I have specially promoted him to honor his integrity and service. He always maintained noble character and steadfast integrity, never changing. On the day of his death, his wife and children were all suffering from hunger and cold. His ideals were extraordinary, which is truly regrettable! His family is hereby granted five hundred bushels of grain."
At that time, Fu Sengyou from the Northern Region, Chen Min from Yingchuan County, and Zhang You from Gaoping were all known to the court for their outstanding talents. The deeds of Fu Sengyou are recorded in the "Zang Tao Biography." Chen Min served as the magistrate of Wuxian County, excelling in solving concealed cases of wrongdoing, and the locals revered him as if he were a deity. Zhang You's grandfather, Zhang Zhan, held the positions of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Prefect of Guanglu during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of the Jin Dynasty, recognized for his exceptional talent. Zhang You served successively as the magistrate of Lin'an, Wukang, and Qiantang, all of which he made remarkable political achievements. During the Song Dynasty, these three individuals were always regarded as the top magistrates. In the Yuanjia era, Pan Ci, the Prefect of Gaoping, was renowned for his integrity. His son, Pan Liang, served as the magistrate of Changlu County, where he was also known for his integrity, and during the Ming Dynasty, he was recommended by the Governor of Xuzhou, Liu Daolong. During the reign of Emperor Shizu, Lu Fazhen from Wu County was recognized for his integrity and uprightness throughout his official career, and he once served as a military advisor to Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty. Yang Xi from Mount Tai wrote to Sun Shen, a military advisor in Northern Anxi, stating, "Your colleague, Lu Lushi, who resides in a renowned southeastern area, is the grandson of Zhang Xuan and is known for his exceptional honesty and integrity. Although he is elderly and holds a low-ranking official position, he has consistently upheld noble principles. I intend to have a meaningful conversation with him soon." In the early years of Emperor Taizong's rule, Lu Fazhen served as the Prefect of Nanhai, where he passed away in office.
During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Wang Yue, the Prince of Langye, was known for his honesty and integrity in his official duties. Wang Yue, whose courtesy name was Shaoming, was the great-grandson of Wang Xizhi, the Right General of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His father, Wang Jingzhi, held the position of Left Chief of Staff. Wang Jingzhi had a good relationship with Liu Muzhi and had repeatedly asked him for help in securing a position as an attendant. Liu Muzhi said, "If you don't pursue it yourself, it will eventually come to you." So Wang Jingzhi never got the position. During the Taishi era, Wang Yue first served as a Yellow Gate Attendant and later became the Deputy Imperial Censor. Due to his honesty and integrity, the emperor rewarded him with five hectares of prime farmland. He was later promoted to the Minister of Personnel, serving diligently by the emperor's side. Five years later, Wang Yue passed away while in office and was posthumously honored with the title of Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
Initially, when Wang Yue was an attendant, he was responsible for inspecting the imperial household, treasury, physicians, and various other departments, uncovering many cases of corruption and bribery. After Wang Yue's death, many believed that the officials in these departments had cursed him. The emperor then arrested more than a dozen officials in charge, placed them in shackles, escorted them to Huaiyin, and secretly ordered them to cross the Guabu River and drown them in the middle of the river.
Officials in historical texts noted: Good governance is like a skilled craftsman shaping pottery, requiring less effort while yielding many results. During the Han Dynasty, with a large population and clear and lenient laws, county and commandery governance was free from extortion, with clear distinctions between rewards and punishments, and many issues could be addressed decisively. Decrees seldom reached the local level, and the governance styles of Gong Su and Huang Ba facilitated success. In later dynasties, the situation became more complex, with fewer people than before but more issues to manage. Achieving political success and leaving a lasting legacy became a hundred times more challenging. If ancient governance methods were applied to today's society, or modern officials were tasked with governing ancient societies, it would resemble Xian Ge's governance in Wucheng, which might not even have the time to be fully realized; or akin to Wo Zhi's governance in Huaiyang, which might still be feasible. This isn't to suggest that today's people are inferior to those of ancient times, but rather due to the differences in societal values of simplicity and decadence.
