Yu Wanzhi, whose courtesy name was Maoyao, was from Yuyao, Zhejiang. His ancestors were officials in the Jin Dynasty, and his father was a Court Attendant. When Yu Wanzhi was young, he was not particularly interested in literature, but instead extensively studied various books and historical materials. When he first entered officialdom, he served as a military aide under the Prince of Donghai, and later became the magistrate of Wucheng County. Once, when an imperial relative named Zhu Renmi committed a crime, Yu Wanzhi dealt with the case according to the law. As a result, Empress Dowager Lu complained to Emperor Xiaowu, resulting in Yu Wanzhi's dismissal. Later, during the Taishi era, he held various official positions such as Langzhongling of Jinxi State, Minister of Personnel, and regular attendant. By the Yuanhui era, he had become the Right Minister. At that time, Emperor Taizu, Sima Rui, began to participate in court affairs and wrote to him, saying, "Zhang Hua has been overworked as the Minister of Finance; his efforts are not in vain. Currently, there is a shortage of money in the transportation and national treasury. With someone as outstanding as you becoming the Right Minister, I believe the national treasury will soon be replenished!" Yu Wanzhi then submitted a memorial, explaining that the expenses of the court's treasury, goods, manpower, and resources were increasing, expressing concerns about future sustainability. After discussions in court, he received generous rewards. He was later promoted to the position of Charioteer and Cavalry Recorder for Prince Ancheng, and then transferred to the role of Privy Treasurer. When Emperor Taizu was stationed in the Eastern Capital, many court officials went to pay their respects, and Yu Wanzhi also went to see him wearing simple and worn-out shoes. Emperor Taizu examined his shoes, noting their black, crooked soles, broken laces, and makeshift grass rope ties. He asked him, "How long have you been wearing these shoes?" Yu Wanzhi replied, "I bought them when I first entered officialdom, when I was a subordinate official in the Northern Expedition General's Office. I have been wearing these shoes for twenty years already. I'm poor and can't afford a new pair." Emperor Taizu admired his frugality and straightforward nature, promoting him to the role of Cavalry Adviser.
When Taizu's mansion was just established, guests flocked, and Taizu attached great importance to the selection and reception of guests. Yu Wanzhi and Ren Xia from Le'an were both highly regarded by Taizu for their appropriate responses, and the two were equally renowned. Ren Xia, whose courtesy name was Jingyuan, was studious, of high moral character, and had known Taizu before. He, like Chu Yuan and Wang Jian, was deeply loved by Taizu. Ren Xia eventually attained the title of Grand Master of Splendor, and he passed away in the early years of the Yongyuan era.
Wanzhi held a prominent official position, initially as a Cavalry General, and later served as a Yellow Gate Attendant, overseeing matters within the central administration. The Emperor felt that the common people were too clever by half and often deceitful, so after he ascended the throne, he tasked Wanzhi and Cavalry General Fu Jian to conduct a thorough investigation of the household registration.
In the second year of Jianyuan, the emperor said to the courtiers, "Household registration, this is a major matter for the common folk and the foundation of national governance. These common folk have been pulling tricks and being deceitful for a long time, even changing titles, altering birthdates, and making all sorts of changes to household registrations, countless in number. Some households still exist, but their registration documents are gone; some are clearly alive, but pretending to be dead; those who should be farming at home claim they're off working somewhere else; those who are fit claim to have six different ailments to evade taxes. There are few who truly live honestly. These are significant threats to good governance and serious deficiencies in education. Although household registrations have been checked and corrected in recent years, we haven't uncovered anything substantial. If we use punishment to restrain them, the common folk will only become more deceitful; if we use kindness to influence them, the results are uncertain. All ministers understand the righteousness, please think of ways to change this trend. Also, the household registration system of government departments is not very suitable; the standards of preferential treatment are not clear, and the procedures for complicated affairs are not established. Before the Song and Yuan dynasties, these household registration positions were always full, but after the Ming dynasty, fewer people were willing to go. Perhaps it is because of constant wars, many military titles were granted, and the common folk all wanted shortcuts, so fewer people were willing to go for household registration. However, the country's system hasn't changed, and the court's regulations have always existed. In comparison, the country's rise and fall have changed too quickly! The chaotic household registration issue is like a deep-rooted illness, a difficult problem that urgently needs to be solved. So, how do we tackle this big problem?"
I reported to the emperor that the household registration from the 27th year of Yuanjia and the revised registration from the first year of Xiaojian marked the start of widespread falsifications. During the Yuanjia period, the elderly Guanglu doctor Fu Long, who was over seventy, personally checked the household registration, carefully verified, and corrected it seriously. Fu Long didn’t have to be as cautious as Shi Jian or as diligent as Gao Rou because it was a time of peace and prosperity, and people were focused on self-cultivation, which was sufficient. Your Majesty, you are busy with state affairs day and night, neglecting rest and meals, reviewing memorials even at night, and inquiring about even the smallest matters in the most remote places. I humbly offer some suggestions. In ancient times, the key to governing the country lies in selecting excellent officials, and if you want to govern the country well, you must start with diligent and honest county magistrates. Now, the household registration is not thoroughly reviewed at the county level and is directly reported to the prefecture, only to be sent back to the county when issues are discovered. Officials are greedy for bribes, and the public also engages in widespread falsification. The more falsifications, the more returns, the more bribes, and the slower the processing. From the third year of Taishi to the fourth year of Yuanhui, four household registration clean-ups were carried out in nine counties in Yangzhou, resulting in over 70,000 households being returned. It has been eleven years now, and the number of corrected households is still less than 40,000. If this is the case in the Central Plains, the situation in Jiangxi and Hunan is even worse. I believe that the household registration from the 27th year of Yuanjia should serve as the standard. The people have long not complied with the laws, and now, with the household registration being re-registered in the first year of Xiaojian, clear penalty regulations should be established, allowing first-time offenders to reform. If they fail to reform after multiple warnings, they should face execution under the law. Let the officials conduct thorough self-inspections, thoroughly clean up, and then report to the prefecture to be used as a permanent standard. If there is any concealment or deception, both the prefecture and the county should be held accountable. The number of households is now similar to that of the Yuanjia period, but the household registration is riddled with loopholes. What is the root of the problem?
Since the beginning of the Xiaojian era, many people have been granted titles and honors, but probably fewer than one-third of them truly risked their lives for the nation. Those who have received merit certificates often falsify their household registrations, loaf around, and associate with the nobility. The officials have no control over them. Consider that after the suppression of the Su Jun rebellion, Yu Liang requested the merit certificates from Wen Qiao, but Wen Qiao refused to give them because he suspected that many of the merit certificates submitted by Tao Kan were fraudulent. Throughout history, there have always been individuals who have falsified records for personal gain, especially prevalent during the late Song Dynasty, with various schemes constantly arising. In addition, there are many official positions now, and various forms of relief funds are distributed as salaries, but the actual amounts are quite minimal. However, some people receive tens of thousands, leaving most of the populace in service occupied. There are also instances of altering household registrations, impersonating officials, having previously served as subordinates but now commanding others. There are young people who cut their hair short and claim to be Taoists are everywhere. Some live with children without registering their households, moving frequently and violating household registration regulations. There are not enough individuals in service; those who have fled do not return, preferring to die or remain bedridden for extended periods. Laws must be enforced; otherwise, everyone will break them. There are also border garrisons that exist only in name, soldiers are equipped haphazardly, with no distinction made between bravery and cowardice, and positions assigned arbitrarily, with many witch doctors and charlatans all privately contracted. It's easy to buy an official position, so who would enlist when conscription is so challenging? Town officials are short-handed, and there are few people in the counties, and that’s the reason why. Now, as long as the conscription system is clear and reliable, with a set term of service, and the people have no other options, towns will be able to recruit enough soldiers. Governing a country doesn't hinge on the absence of systems, but on their enforcement; and it’s not just about enforcement, but about how long it lasts.
The emperor received that memorial and approved it. Then, a special institution was set up to specifically manage the records of these "tricks," with dedicated personnel assigned to handle it. Each person was required to report a specific number of "tricks" daily to avoid laziness. As a result, the use of backdoor dealings and bribery increased. Although those records appeared legitimate on the surface, officials still tried their best to report more "tricks" to meet their quotas. By the eighth year of the Yongming reign of the Emperor Shizu, those who had engaged in deceitful practices were all sent to serve on the Huai River border for ten years, leading to widespread discontent among the populace.
Emperor Shizu issued a decree, stating, "The most important thing in distinguishing between the noble and the humble is to ensure that the records in the imperial register are true and reliable. How can we tolerate those who seek vanity and steal honors that do not belong to them through deceitful means? Thus, we must eradicate these false records and restore the original system. However, these issues have existed since the previous dynasty and are not new. Records prior to the Shengming period of the Song dynasty may be re-registered. Those who were sent to serve on the border are allowed to return home. In the future, anyone who repeats these mistakes will face severe punishment!"
As I grow older, my health has been deteriorating. Therefore, I respectfully request to retire and return to my hometown. In my memorial, I wrote: "I have come to understand that carrying heavy responsibilities and traveling extensively naturally leads to exhaustion; serving the monarch with utmost loyalty and exhausting wisdom will inevitably lead to decline, which is only natural. It is customary to start serving as an official at forty and retire at seventy. When young, one should travel far and wide, and when old, one should rest well. I was born during the Jin Dynasty, grew up in the Song Dynasty, and now I am aging in the Qi Dynasty, having witnessed the rise and fall of three dynasties and the shifts in political power. I have served as an assistant in the royal court since the twenty-eighth year of the Song Yuanjia era, totaling thirty years. In recent years, my health has worsened. I have never been lazy, but now I constantly feel fatigued. I used to have sharp senses, but now my hearing is failing, and my vision is deteriorating. I have more than forty siblings; some passed away young while others lived long lives, yet I am the only one still here. Life is like morning dew, fleeting and transient; how can one hope for longevity? I am content with my life. I have lived a simple life, not pursuing wealth and status. Even if I were as wealthy as a mountain of gold, I would have no regrets, for I have long been accustomed to this way of life. I have always conducted myself with integrity, though I have inevitably faced setbacks, but encountering a wise monarch who recognizes my character has been my greatest fortune. I was appointed at the dawn of the dynasty, loyal to the officials, demonstrating my loyalty; I received favor at the beginning of civilization, rewarded during the prosperity of the nation; this is my luck. I never sought high office or wealth, yet I attained the rank of a ninth-rank official. My virtue pales in comparison to that of Li Ling, yet I still find myself honored, which fills me with embarrassment. While Yao and Shun lived for ages, I consider my own lifespan, in my sixties, to be sufficiently long, not short-lived. I have experienced incompetence and turmoil, as well as difficulties and dangers, relying on the benevolence of the wise to preserve myself, and relying on the assistance of the wise to fulfill my duties with loyalty, never tired of fame and fortune, nor afraid of the oppression of the powerful; this has been my unwavering principle. In my youth, I fulfilled my duties without hesitation; now that I am old, I will not seek indulgence."
I hope Your Majesty will show compassion and allow me to retire. I am not asking to retire out of a desire for a noble life or a love for the mountains and countryside, but because I am old and weak, my family is poor, and there is no one to take care of family affairs. I have always worried about what will happen after my death. I hope that heaven will be merciful and give me another two or three years to take care of my ancestors' graves and fulfill my filial duties, so I can truly fulfill my responsibilities." The Emperor read Wang Zhi's memorial and approved his request.
Regarding Yu Wanzhi, he particularly likes to criticize others and is quite merciless in his speech. In the late Song Dynasty, he went on a mission to the northern minority tribes with Yuanwailang Kong Ti. The two of them had disagreements in their speech and developed a grudge against each other. Later, when Yu Wanzhi returned to the court, Wang Jian didn’t even bother to see him off, and no one in the court gave him a farewell. After returning home, he built a large mansion and died a few years later. Later, Yuanwailang Kong Xuan went to Wang Jian to request to be appointed as the magistrate of Kuaiji, but Wang Jian was washing his hands at the time and directly threw the soapberry on the ground, saying, "The customs of your hometown are not good, and Yu Wanzhi is still so annoying after his death!"
Kong Ti, styled Shi Yuan, was a fellow villager of Yu Wanzhi, who liked to study allusions and had great knowledge. During the Shengming period, he became the Yicao Lang of the Qitai Shangshu, and the Emperor of the Qizhu praised him, "You are truly a talented Yicao Lang!" Later, when Wang Jian became the prime minister, Kong Ti often participated in discussions with the staff, but sometimes he didn't quite understand the local situation in talent selection. Wang Jian tactfully told the Emperor, "I have a Kong Ti under me, just as Your Majesty has me!" During the Yongming period, Kong Ti became the steward of the Crown Prince's mansion and later died. At that time, Kong Ti and He Xian were referred to as Wang Jian's "Three Officials."
He Xian, styled Zi Si, was from Lujiang. He was recognized by the court for his scholarship. His mother, the daughter of Zhenbei Changshi Wang Fu, was intelligent, capable, and insightful. He Xian once served as a magistrate in his province. In the tenth year of Yongming, he went on a mission to the northern minority tribes.
Liu Xiu, style name Hongming, was from Pei County. His ancestor, Liu Hui, was a Regular Attendant, and his father, Liu Chao, was the Governor of Jiuzhen. Liu Xiu started as the Cavalry Commander, served as an attendant to Emperor Song Ming in the East Palace, and also served as a Regular Attendant. He was exceptionally studious with an outstanding memory, but sadly, Emperor Song Ming failed to recognize his abilities. He inherited his family's title and became the Marquis of Nanxiang. His friend, Xie Yan from Chen County, joined the rebellion led by Prime Minister Yixuan. Liu Xiu was imprisoned in Shangfang Prison for seven years for concealing Xie Yan, until he was released following the death of Emperor Xiaowu. Later, he accompanied his younger brother Liu Qin to Luo County. During the Taishi period, uprisings erupted across the land, but Liu Xiu foresaw that Emperor Song Ming would prevail, so he chose to remain uninvolved and avoided the chaos. After a few years, he joined Wu Xi as a military advisor in the Assistant Military Office. Wu Xi recognized his talents and recommended him to Emperor Song Ming, which enabled Liu Xiu to gain the emperor's favor. Later, he was appointed as the Military Advisor for the Northern Expedition to Prince Guiyang.
The emperor has his own interests, especially when it comes to food and drink. Xiu is quite talented and even knows how to cook. If you ask him anything about food, he can answer. The emperor has people predict whether the concubines in the harem are having boys or girls, and they are always accurate. The emperor was originally overweight but later became weak and unable to be intimate with the concubines. Whenever the concubines of the princes became pregnant, the emperor would secretly bring them into the palace. After each child was born, he would lock the mother away in a remote room, having done this more than ten times. Shun Emperor is the son of King Xiu Fan of Guiyang. Cangwu King is not the emperor's biological child. Chen Taifei used to be Li Dao'er's concubine, so Cangwu King sometimes privately calls himself Li Lang. The emperor despises jealousy in women. Rong Yanyuan, the Right Minister of Personnel, is an excellent chess player and is favored by the emperor. His wife, feeling jealous, scratched Rong Yanyuan's face. The emperor said, "I'll help you deal with it, what do you think?" Rong Yanyuan immediately replied, "I'll listen to you!" That night, the emperor provided him with poison to kill his wife. Xiu's wife, Wang, is also quite jealous. When the emperor heard about this, he gave Xiu's concubine to someone else and ordered Wang to be punished with twenty lashes. Then he had Xiu open a small shop in his backyard, where Wang was forced to sell brooms and soapberries to humiliate him. This is how the emperor showed his 'affection' for him.
Next, Xiu was appointed as an Assistant Minister, concurrently serving as the Deputy Commander of the State, Clerk of the Central Secretariat, and responsible for the administration of Nancheng. Later, he was promoted to Minister of War, Senior Clerk, and retained the positions of Nancheng Ling. He was then transferred to be a military advisor to Prince Ancheng, then appointed as an envoy to oversee capital affairs, and served as the Governor of Nankang. Xiu was adept at local governance, though he lacked notable political achievements in the region. Upon returning to the court, he became a Senior Clerk, then served as the Southern Chamberlain to Prince Shaoling, Jianwei General, and Taishou of Xincai. He was then transferred to the Left Army Division, promoted to Commander of the Frontier Troops, retaining the titles of General and Taishou. He was later promoted to Advisor, Sima, and further promoted to General of Ning Shuo, with the positions of Commander of the Frontier Troops and Taishou still retained. He was then transferred to be the Taishou of Xunyang, with the positions of General and Sima still retained. Finally, he was promoted to Chief of Staff. During Shen Youzhi's rebellion, Emperor Wu stationed his troops in Pencheng with the army of Prince Jinxian and Prince Shaoling. Xiu was tasked with providing military funding, and once the situation stabilized, he was promoted to be the Chief of Staff for Prince Shaoling and also appointed as a Palace Attendant, General of Ning Shuo, Qianjun Changshi, and Qitai Sanki Chamberlain.
In the first year of the Jianyuan era, he became the Deputy Censor-in-Chief. Not long after, he submitted a memorial to the emperor, saying: "I have been promoted from a local official to a central position in the blink of an eye, but I mistakenly listened to slanderous reports from small-minded individuals, impeaching those who have committed no wrongs. Rather than intimidating foreign tribes and instilling fear in the powerful, I have caused those already punished to suffer persecution once more, and even those who should not have been arrested were arrested. Because of these actions, I have lost the harmony in my hometown, and no one in the court pays attention to me anymore. There's endless gossip behind my back, and the generals mock me. Resentment is building up, and this situation is hard to sustain in the long run; everyone is talking about it, who would think my actions are right? I carefully reviewed historical records and found that during the sixty years of the Song Dynasty, there were fifty-three officials who held this position, averaging less than a year in office. I truly am not suited for this position and request to retire." The emperor said: "Your position is related to the governance of the country, and ruling with authority is fundamental. How can you fear the opinions of the world? Since you have already started your official career, how can you easily abandon your integrity in your later years?"
In the late Song Dynasty, the emperor invented the guide cart, and because Xiuqi had expertise in this area, he was appointed to supervise the testing along with Wang Sengqian. During the Yuanjia period, Yang Xin studied the regular script calligraphy of Zijing, and he was greatly admired by the people, while Wang Xizhi's style was considered more archaic and less popular. Xiuqi was very fond of this style of calligraphy, thus, this script has been passed down to this day. Four years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhang and was also bestowed the title of Champion General. He died at the age of fifty-four.
Shen Chong, courtesy name Jingchuo, was from Wukang in Wuxing. His grandfather Shen Xuan once served as the Governor of Xin'an, and his father Shen Huaiwen once served as the Governor of Guangling. Shen Chong started his career as a Guard of the Imperial Guard and was later promoted to the position of registrar in Yangzhou. During the Daming era of the Song Dynasty, his father Shen Huaiwen was famous for his literary talent, and Shen Chong also learned a lot of literary and historical knowledge. He was later promoted to the position of military judge of Prince Xiyang's army and soon after was recognized as a scholar, then returned to Prince Xiyang's army as an assistant while also serving as a secretary. When his father Shen Huaiwen was imprisoned for his mistakes, Shen Chong and his brothers went to plead for forgiveness, and their sorrowful demeanor drew sympathy from onlookers. Liu Yuanjing wanted to save Shen Huaiwen, so he said to the emperor, "Shen Huaiwen's three sons are in dire straits and unable to survive. I hope Your Majesty will investigate his crimes as soon as possible." However, the emperor still executed Shen Huaiwen. Liu Yuanjing couldn't help but sigh over this. As a result, Shen Chong and his brothers gained notoriety.
At first, because his mother was old and the family was poor, Xie Chong obtained the position of county magistrate of Yongxing. Later, he was promoted to aide to the Prince of Baling, then promoted to Lang of the Ministry of Personnel. During the Yuanhui period, he was dispatched as the secretary to the Anxi army under Prince Jin'an. Upon his return, he served as the chief clerk in the Ministry of Works, the magistrate of Shanyin County, and then was promoted to military advisor in the Ministry of Works. Later, when Xiao Daocheng became the governor of Jiangzhou, Xie Chong was appointed chief military officer and magistrate of Xunyang, and Xiao Daocheng highly valued him. After Xiao Daocheng returned to Jiankang, he appointed Xie Chong as acting deputy in charge of prefectural affairs, and later he was promoted to chief military officer. In the early years of Jianyuan, he was appointed military advisor of the Cavalry Consultation, concurrently serving as a recorder. Before he could take office, he was promoted to Yellow Door Lang, and then further promoted to Prince's Privy Counselor. When Xiao Daocheng was in the Eastern Palace, he valued him greatly and treated him like an old friend. After Xiao Daocheng ascended the throne, Xie Chong was promoted to deputy chief of the Imperial Censorate, and then to attendant to the emperor. Later, when Champion Prince Lu Ling, Xiao Ziqing became the governor of Yingzhou, Xie Chong was appointed as his chief military officer, the General Who Upholds the State, and the interior minister of Jiangxia, acting in charge of prefectural affairs. After Xiao Ziqing's reassignment, he was further promoted to chief military officer of Anxi, the interior minister of Nanjun, acting in charge of the affairs of Jingzhou Prefecture, while retaining his military position. In the fourth year of Yongming, Xie Chong was summoned by the court and appointed Minister of War.
Xie Chong and his brothers Xie Dan and Xie Yuan, each with varying levels of reputation, were known as the "Waist Drum Brothers" by the people. Xie Dan and Xie Yuan had both served as the Chief Censor, and the three brothers had all served as officials, a rare occurrence in the histories of the Jin and Song dynasties. The Chief Censor was responsible for handling accusations, so they easily made many enemies. During the Yongming era, Xie Yuan accused the Prefect of Wuxing, Yuan Tuan. By the Jianwu era, Yuan Tuan's brother Yuan Ang became the Chief Censor and accused Xie Kuan, the son of Xie Yuan, just a few days after taking office, claiming his father used a white silk carriage. As a result, Xie Yuan was dismissed and imprisoned. Xie Chong's mother, Kong, lived in the east. When a neighbor's house caught fire and it was suspected to be arson, she shouted, "My three sons are all Chief Censors, how could they possibly have good relations with anyone!"
Xiao Daocheng was planning to reinstate Xie Chong, but he passed away in the southern regions at the age of fifty-one. Xiao Daocheng felt profound sorrow. After Xie Chong's coffin was brought back to Jiankang, Xiao Daocheng issued a decree saying, "The arrival of Xie Chong's coffin fills my heart with great sorrow. He previously served in remote areas in the south, and I feel even greater sympathy and sorrow." Xiao Daocheng personally paid his respects at the coffin and issued another decree saying, "Xie Chong was known for his integrity, meticulousness, caution, and fairness. He achieved remarkable accomplishments during his service in those remote areas, but sadly passed away at such a young age. I am deeply saddened." Xie Chong was posthumously honored as the Grand Master and bestowed with the posthumous title of Gongzi.
Yu Gaozhi, courtesy name Jingxing, was a native of Xinye, Henan. His grandfather Yu Shenzhi served as the Inspector of Yongzhou, and his father Yu Can served as a military officer in the Ministry of War. Yu Gaozhi was known for his integrity, principles, extensive knowledge, and wide range of interests since childhood. He initially served as an attendant at court and later became the Military Advisor for Prince Baling. He was recommended as a scholar in Yingzhou, then appointed as a military officer responsible for the western troops under Prince Jinxi. He later served as a military officer in charge of the Imperial Office of Conquest and the Ministry of War. Despite living a frugal life, supporting himself by eating leeks, pickled leeks, and fresh leeks mixed with other vegetables, people joked that he had twenty-seven ways to eat leeks. This was just a joke, as he only ate three different kinds of leeks daily. He later became the Chief Military Clerk of the Central Army under Emperor Wen and was promoted to various positions including Cavalier Attendant, Regular Attendant, and then concurrently served as an official in charge of Jingzhou and Xiangzhou. He was further promoted to the position of Deputy Director of the Left in the Imperial Secretariat, while retaining his duties as a Cavalier Attendant and Chief Official. He was later sent to serve as the Chief of Military Staff under Wang Jian, and his entry into Wang Jian's residence was playfully called "entering the Hibiscus Pond." Wang Jian mentioned that previously, Yuan Gong had wanted him to be the Chief Military Officer, and now it was appropriate to use talents like him. So he brought Yu Gaozhi on board. Yu Gaozhi was later promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, concurrently serving as the Deputy Director of the Imperial Censorate, and soon officially appointed as the Director of the Imperial Censorate. Yu Gaozhi was renowned for his charming demeanor, refined manners, and eloquent speech. The Emperor entrusted him with welcoming envoys from the north and appointed him as an attendant. The Emperor frequently admired his poise and impressive presence. Wang Jian, present at the time, remarked that Yu Gaozhi's talents shone brighter under the Emperor's appreciation and promotion, suggesting he should be promoted to a higher position. However, the Emperor did not adopt this suggestion at that time.
During the Yongming period, the princes were still young and not allowed to interact with others freely. The emperor ordered Yu Gaozhi and Ji Yang Jiang Yan to visit the princes' mansion every five days to allow them to get close to the princes and strengthen their bond. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Chief Military Historian of Prince Luling, then promoted to Assistant Minister of Personnel, where he participated in the grand selection. Later, he was promoted to Commander of the Crown Prince's Right Guard and granted the title of Imperial Secretariat.
Nine years later, he passed away. Before his death, he submitted a memorial saying, "Last night and this morning, my condition worsened. I have been suffering from this illness for a long time, and my life is in danger at any moment. I can no longer lie down. I have held distinguished official positions and received great imperial favor, bringing shame to this glorious era. I sincerely request that Your Majesty relieve me of my duties and allow me to spend the rest of my days at home. I am merely an ordinary person who has been fortunate enough to live in a prosperous era and received immense favor and promotion, a rare opportunity. I have reached the age of knowing my destiny, and whether my life is long or short, it is up to the will of heaven. If heaven can have mercy on my loyalty and grant me more days, I will devote myself to serving the court and never betray the imperial favor. Now, I have to leave the court, and I am filled with deep reluctance! I ask Your Majesty to permit me to resign and return home." The emperor did not agree.
During his lifetime, he served in the Ministry of Personnel, where he was recognized for his literary talent. The emperor built the Chongxu Pavilion and commissioned him to write inscriptions. He passed away at the age of fifty-one, and the emperor mourned his passing deeply, posthumously bestowing upon him the title of "Loyal Son."
At the same time, Kong Guang from Kuaiji, known as Yan Yuan, was also handsome and had served as a county magistrate before his death.
Wang Chen, courtesy name Zhonghe, was from Tan County in Donghai. His grandfather Wang Wanqing served as an imperial attendant, and his father Wang Yuanmin served as a military officer. During the reign of Emperor Song Daming, Shen Tanqing served as the Inspector of Xuzhou and invited Wang Chen to serve as the registrar for welcoming guests. Later, he became the state official responsible for welcoming, a court official of the Xiangdong Kingdom, and a military officer in the Northern Expedition, all appointed by Emperor Song Ming. He was later appointed as a military officer for the Prince of Yiyang, then joined the imperial guard. Wang Chen was knowledgeable and talented, often serving as an assistant to the emperor. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he appointed Wang Chen as a military officer in the Ministry of War, also concurrently serving as an official in the Xue department, as well as a secretary in the Central Secretariat, earning the emperor's trust and favor, and often staying by his side. Wang Chen witnessed some cruel actions by the emperor and advised him several times, but the emperor did not listen. He then requested to resign, which resulted in his imprisonment at Shangfang for a few days before being released. Shortly after, he was appointed as an official in the Secretariat, then transferred to serve as a records officer, a junior officer, while retaining his position in Xue. He later also served as an official in the Imperial Library, a military advisor in the Prince of Jinping's cavalry office, and was later appointed as the Governor of Xiangdong, with the official rank equivalent to 2,000 stones, but was dismissed before taking office due to official business. He was then appointed as a military advisor in the Prince of Guiyang's cavalry office, concurrently serving as an official in the Imperial Library. Emperor Song Ming particularly enjoyed playing Go and established a Go province specifically for this purpose. He appointed Prince Jian'an Xiuren as the Grand Master of the Go province, and appointed Wang Chen, Crown Prince's Right Commander Shen Bo, Secretary of the Ministry of Water Yu Gui, and County Magistrate of Pengcheng Wang Kang as junior Grand Masters. He also appointed Chaoqing Chu Sizhuang and Fu Chuzhi as inspectors for the Go province.
He was first appointed as the Governor of Linchuan and later became the Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Not long after, he also served as the Eastern Sacrificial Wine Supervisor in his official capacity—a position established by the Ming Emperor. He was then promoted to the Yellow Gate Gentleman, followed by the position of Chamberlain, then Assistant General of the State, later the Right Army Chief of Staff for Prince Jiangxia, and finally the General of Champions. He was then transferred to the Imperial Censor, followed by the Minister of Justice, although he never assumed this position. During the Jianyuan period, Prince Wuling Ye was appointed as the Governor of Kuaiji County, and he followed along, serving as the Chief Clerk of Military Affairs while also serving as General of Champions. In the early years of the Yongming era, he was promoted to the Grand Commandant for Prince Yuzhang, while retaining his position as General of Champions. Emperor Shizu knew him during the Song Ming period, appreciated him, and subsequently appointed him as Assistant General, Southern Langya Chief of Staff for Prince Jin'an, and Governor of Huainan, responsible for overseeing the affairs of the prefectures and states. Five years later, he was appointed as the Yellow Gate Gentleman, while also serving as General of the Agile Cavalry, and later promoted to the Central Attendant of the Crown Prince, while retaining the position of General of the Agile Cavalry. He was known for his integrity, honesty, caution, and meticulousness, praised by both the court and the people as a good person, and he had many friends. Eight years later, he was transferred to the General of Champions, Chief of Staff for Chariots and Cavalry under Prince Changsha, and later transferred to the Chief Clerk of the Central Army of Prince Luling, while retaining the position of General of Champions. Prince Ming of Xiyang served in Nanyan Prefecture, and when Chief Clerk Shen Xian left his post, he was transferred to serve as the Chief Clerk of Military Affairs, responsible for overseeing the affairs of Nanyan Prefecture while retaining the position of General of Champions. He was very poor when he was young, once spinning and weaving his own cloth. When he became prosperous later on, he often shared this experience with others, so people admired his ambition. Nine years later, he passed away at the age of sixty-nine.
Historians commented: When he was young, he lived in poverty, like a fledgling bird, struggling to find sustenance. When he first started his official career, he was tasked with managing trivial matters. At that time, there was no clear civil system, which allowed him to understand the significance of caring for the people and addressing their hardships. However, in the later period of the declining dynasty, the rulers relentlessly exploited the people, plundering their wealth to sustain their own lavish lifestyles. The people below were impoverished, while those above turned a blind eye; moral standards deteriorated, and political affairs grew increasingly chaotic. As a result, cases of impersonation, oppression, false reporting of identities at birth, and concealment of truths at death began to surface, with various means emerging constantly to evade legal sanctions. This culture of false reporting, lying, and deception has persisted for decades, where deception and concealment coexist, involving both officials and the populace. The governance of the country truly needs reform. If labor and tax burdens are reduced, these deceptive practices will naturally diminish; if corrupt officials can be strictly punished, these false behaviors will not exist. Simply poring over past literature will only foster a false sense of security among the people. Thus, when Cui Yan criticized Cao Cao and Xie An criticized the capital, was the challenge of governing the people only a phenomenon of the Zhou Dynasty?
Praise: Enjoyment is fleeting, and the discussion remains unfinished. Liu Xiushan was good at divination, resting peacefully in the southern Xiang. He gained fame at a young age, shining like a precious jade. He upheld the old order while also supporting the new king.
