Cui Huaishen, Wu Xinzhi, Han Xibo, Sun Dan, Hua Bao, Han Lingmin, Feng Yanbo, Wu Dazhi, Wang Wenshu, Zhu Qianzhi, Xiao Ruiming, Le Yi, Jiang Bi, Du Qi, Lu Jiang... These people are, as Confucius once said, "The way between father and son is natural, as is the duty between ruler and subject." Filial piety and righteousness are innate in people; only the degree to which it is expressed varies from person to person, and it is not something learned later. If someone finds an opportunity to showcase their talents later in life, they shouldn't blame themselves for not succeeding sooner; if they lose opportunities due to pride and complacency, they should take responsibility for their actions.
Wholeheartedly serving parents, sacrificing everything for righteousness, and willingly living a simple life without seeking fame and fortune represent the three kinds of happiness described by Mencius, and the spirit exemplified in the story of Zi Lu carrying rice. Connecting with the divine relies on inspiration; it is only in a world marked by indifference and coldness that filial piety and love can truly shine. Therefore, only those with true virtue in their hearts can genuinely express their emotions, and only those with a heart full of love can achieve something. Many unknown individuals have virtues and actions that are rarely recognized by the world, therefore, we should document their stories and ensure they are passed down to future generations.
Cui Huaishen was from Wu City in Qinghe Dong County. His father, Cui Xie Li, held the position of governor of Lu County and was captured by Northern Wei during the Song Yuanjia era. Cui Huaishen shared a deep bond with his wife, Fang Shi. When he heard that his father had been captured, he sent his wife away on the same day, dressing in coarse clothes and eating plain food, as if he were in mourning. Later, his father Cui Xie Li became an official in Northern Wei and urged Cui Huaishen to stop this behavior. Cui Huaishen received the letter and wept even harder. Cui Huaishen's uncle, Cui Mo, had also held the position of governor of Xingyang and was captured by Northern Wei. Although he adjusted his way of life, he did not give up his marriage and career. During the Daming era, Cui Huaishen's cousin, Yuansun, was sent to Northern Wei as an envoy. The Northern Wei officials asked him, "Cui Xie Li and Cui Mo both surrendered, but their family members and descendants behave differently. What accounts for this difference?" Yuansun replied, "Just as one would drive a horse that can travel a thousand miles, much like Wang Yanghui's chariot, it aims to promote loyalty and filial piety, so that officials can fulfill their dual responsibilities."
In the early years of Taishi, the Huai North region was overrun, and many people fled from the border areas. Many people had to choose whether to stay or leave, so Cui Huaishen decided to head north. Upon arriving in Sanggan, his father Cui Xie Li had already passed away. Cui Huaishen was devastated by grief, but eventually found solace. He brought his father's coffin back to Qingzhou, walking barefoot through the icy snow. Despite the freezing weather, his hands and feet remained unscathed. People believed at the time that his filial piety had touched the heavens. After the funeral, since his brother had settled in the south, in the early years of the Jianyuan era, he returned to the south, but by then his brother had also passed away. Cui Huaishen was left alone and in dire poverty, and his clan relatives took pity on him and sent him rice daily. Cui Huaishen passed away during the Yongming era.
Gongsun Sengyuan was from Shanyin County in Kuaiji. After his father passed away, he was very filial and showed great respect to his mother and uncle. During a year of famine when food prices skyrocketed, Sengyuan lived frugally, saving every bit he could to provide for his mother and uncle. After his younger brother died and the family couldn’t afford a funeral, he ventured out to make a living and managed to raise the money for the funeral. He personally dug the soil and planted pine and cypress trees. Since his older brother and sister were still unmarried, he even sold himself into servitude to pay for their weddings. His acts of filial piety became well-known throughout the county. After Emperor Taizu took the throne, he dispatched twelve envoys, led by Yu Yan, to survey the different regions of the country. In the third year of the Jiayuan era, he submitted a memorial to the court to commend twenty-three people, including Sengyuan. The court ordered that chaste archways be erected in front of their homes and exempted them from taxes.
Wu Xinzhi hailed from Licheng in Jinling. In the later years of the Song Yuanjia period, his younger brother Wu Weizhi was serving in the military in Wujin County and subsequently joined a rebellion led by Wang Dan. During the Taichu era, the court sent General Hua Qin to suppress the rebels. Officials, soldiers, and civilians all fled, with only Wu Weizhi left behind, who was captured and faced imminent execution. Wu Xinzhi rushed to plead with Hua Qin, offering his own life in exchange for his brother's. He cried and pleaded, expressing great sorrow. In the end, both brothers received pardons. In the third year of the Jiayuan era, the court ordered their taxes to be exempted and chaste archways to be erected for them.
In the early years of the Yongming era, there lived a man named Zhang Qi in Guangling. His two sons committed a crime, each trying to take the blame and insisting they would rather die. Magistrate Liu Quan reported this incident to the court.
Han Xibo was from Xiangyang and was deeply devoted to his parents. In Xiangyang, there was a custom where neighbors would plant mulberry trees on the boundary line of their fields as markers. When Han Xibo's mulberry tree branches obstructed his neighbor's land, he moved the boundary a few feet onto his own land. However, the neighbor encroached once more, and Han Xibo repeatedly adjusted the boundary. Over time, the neighbor was touched by his actions and, feeling ashamed, returned the encroached land to him and personally apologized at his doorstep. In the third year of Jianyuan, the court exempted him from taxes and erected a chaste virtue archway in front of his house. He later passed away quietly.
Sun Dan was from Taiyuan and lived in Changsha, being very filial to his mother. When his mother fell ill, he kept vigil by her side day and night, not eating or sleeping until he became weak. His mother was heartbroken for him and later fell ill herself but did not let him know. When the Prince of Yuzhang was appointed governor of Xiangzhou, he appointed Sun Dan as a military officer. In the third year of Jianyuan, the court exempted him from taxes and erected a chaste virtue archway in front of his house. He eventually passed away peacefully at home.
Hua Bao was from Wuxi in Jinling. His father, Hua Hao, served in the army in Chang'an during the late Yongxi period when Hua Bao was only eight years old. Before leaving, his father said to Hua Bao, "When I come back, I will find you a good wife." Later, Chang'an was breached by enemies, and Hua Hao died in battle. Hua Bao lived to be seventy years old, still unmarried. When asked why, he cried for a day and a night, heartbroken and unable to speak.
Xue Tiansheng, from the same county, had a mother who lived in poverty, only able to eat wild vegetables. Xue Tiansheng also ate wild vegetables with her, and as a result, his mother died of starvation before passing away. Xue Tiansheng vowed never to eat fish or meat again. He had a very close relationship with his younger brother, with a deep bond of brotherhood.
Once upon a time, Liu Huaiyin and his younger brother Liu Huaize from the same county suffered the loss of their father when they were just ten years old. They did not wear cotton clothes or eat fine meals, which is truly commendable filial piety! In the third year of Jianyuan, both brothers were honored by the court and had their names engraved on the village gate.
Han Lingmin is from Yan County, Kuaiji. He lost his father at a young age, and he and his brother Han Lingzhen were both very filial. Later, their mother passed away, and the family was so poor that they struggled to even hold a funeral. The brothers planted half an acre of melon field together. Every morning they harvested melons, and by evening, new melons would sprout, truly miraculous! By selling melons, they finally managed to properly bury their mother. Later, Han Lingzhen passed away without leaving a son, and his widow, Zhuo, remained loyal and chose not to remarry. She was worried that her family would affect her determination to remain faithful, so she never returned home. Han Lingmin served her as he would his own mother.
Wu Kang's wife Zhao from Jinling, her father passed away, her younger brother was still small, and they were hit by a famine. Her mother was old and weak, very ill. Zhao went to the village to seek help, speaking with heartfelt sorrow. The villagers sympathized with her, and every household contributed some rice to help her get through this tough time. Later, she married Wu Kang, but not long after, her husband passed away. Her family wanted to remarry her, but she swore she would never remarry.
Jiang Jun's wife Huang from Yixing, after her husband passed away, also refused to remarry. When pressured, she even considered jumping into the river to end her life, but later changed her mind. In the third year of Jianyuan, the court announced a tax exemption, and she was honored as well, with her name engraved on the village gate.
In the first year of Yongming, Wu Yi, a resident of Yongxing in Kuaiji, lost her husband at a young age, but she was kind and compassionate. During a famine, she shared her food and clothing with those in the village who were starving. She never refused when neighbors borrowed things from her. When Chen Rang, an orphan in the same village, lost his parents, Wu Yi adopted him and arranged a marriage for him when he came of age. When Wang Li's wife Xu died during the famine, Wu Yi bought a coffin for her and personally buried her. As the Yuanhui period was coming to an end, a heavy snowfall blocked all travel routes, causing hunger in every household in the village. Wu Yi distributed her salt and rice to everyone according to the population. When four members of the Zuo family in the same village died in succession and had no money for funeral arrangements, Wu Yi helped them secure a burial plot and coffins. Three men who were supposed to serve in the military could not do so for various reasons, and Wu Yi stepped in for them. Wu Yi's eldest daughter-in-law, Wang, remained a widow and steadfastly refused to remarry. After the county reported her deeds to the court, the court ordered that Wu Yi's name be inscribed on the village gate and granted her tax exemption. Finally, Xu Lingli's wife from Guangling died in a fire while trying to save their child, and both perished in the flames. Prefect Liu Quan brought this incident to the attention of the court.
Once upon a time in Kuaiji, there was a Chen family with three sisters and no brothers. Their grandparents were quite old and forgetful, their father had suffered a severe stroke, and their mother was always restless. During a famine, the three sisters went together to West Lake to gather water chestnuts and water plants, which they sold at the market every day without fail. The villagers praised them as noble descendants, and many families wanted to marry them, but the eldest daughter felt that they were alone and swore she wouldn’t marry. Later, their grandparents passed away, and the three sisters took care of the funeral arrangements themselves, building a small shrine beside the gravesite to keep vigil.
Continuing on, in Yongxing, there was a girl from the Wang family who became blind due to a serious illness at the age of five. She was very filial, and when she was twenty years old, both her parents passed away. She cried out to her parents' remains, and blood streamed from her eyes. Her sister licked the blood, and astonishingly, her left eye opened! People said it was her filial piety that moved heaven. County magistrate He Tanxiu chose not to report this incident.
Furthermore, in Dongwu, Zhuji, there lived a butcher's daughter. Her father was blind, her mother had a chronic illness, relatives shunned them, and the villagers did not welcome them. The girl moved with her parents to Ziluo, where she would collect firewood and forage for wild vegetables during the day, and spin thread and weave fabric at night to support her parents. After her parents passed away, she personally handled the funeral arrangements and even built their graves. One day, she suddenly heard a voice in the air saying, "You have a kind heart, and the mountain god wants you to work for him. You can heal people and will surely become wealthy." The girl thought it was a demon and did not dare to agree, but she fell ill herself. Some time later, a neighbor was poisoned by a water monster, and the girl attempted to heal him. As a result, she found herself cured of her illness, and her earnings began to grow as she began using shamanic methods to heal others. Many men in the village sought to marry her, but because she had no brothers, she vowed to remain unmarried and protect her parents' graves. She was eventually killed by mountain bandits. County magistrate Yu Lin reported the matter to the authorities, but Prefect Wang Jing chose not to take action.
In the third year of Jianwu, there lived a man named Cheng Gongji in Wuxing. His wife Yao Shi took care of two sons, but both Gongji and his brothers Gongyuan and Ganbo had died. Each brother left behind a son, one named Xinzhi and the other Tianbao. Yao Shi took care of them, sold their land and home to provide for their marriages, and lived with her two sons, renting a room from a neighbor. Later, Emperor Ming decreed weddings for the two boys and restored their family honor and obligations.
Fan Faxun, the wife of Fan Faxun from Wu County, was also a diligent homemaker. During the Shengming period of the Song Dynasty, when Sun Tanguan's rebellion failed and he fled, Fan Faxun told her son Seng Jian, "Sun Yuezhou is the son of your great-grandmother's sister and your father’s half-brother. This bond is even stronger than the loyalty extolled by the ancients! He won’t escape this time; you must hide him." Later, after Sun Tanguan was captured, Fan Faxun had Seng Jian take care of his burial. Fan Faxun passed away in her seventies during the Yongming period. At that time, Seng Jian was in the capital and hurried home upon learning of his mother's illness, but before he could arrive, she had already passed away. While preparing for the funeral, they found they could not lift her body. It was only then that Seng Jian arrived.
Feng Yanbo, courtesy name Zhonglian, was from Bohai. He was knowledgeable and had good moral character, but he was quite reserved and devoted himself to serving his widowed sister-in-law, demonstrating remarkable filial piety. Local officials wanted him to be the chief clerk and recommended him for a scholar position, but he declined both. Eventually, he entered public service. When Yuan Chongzu was appointed governor of Yuzhou, he recommended Feng Yanbo to Emperor Taizu to serve as the chief official and governor of Liangzhou. Later, Feng Yanbo resigned due to illness, relocated to Donghai, and never returned to the capital. Three generations of his family lived together in the same courtyard, sharing their wealth, and were held in high esteem throughout the northern region. Prince Yuzhang sought to appoint him as the commander of his army, but he declined the offer and eventually passed away.
In the third year of Jianyuan, the court dispatched envoys to tour the entire country and discovered that Chen Xuanzi and his family of four generations and 170 people have lived together in Yixing; Shao Rongxing and Wenxianshu in Wuling County have lived together for eight generations; Xu Shengzhi in Donghai, along with Fan Anzu, Li Shengbo, and Fan Daogen in Wuling, have lived together for five generations; Tan Hongbao in Lingling, He Hong in Hengyang, and Yang Heitou in Huayang have lived together for four generations, all of them sharing their lives, food, and clothing. The emperor ordered that their families be commended and exempted from taxes. Wang Xuzu in Shu County and Hao Daofu in Huayang also lived together for several generations, sharing the same stove to eat. In the third year of Jianwu, Emperor Ming ordered that their families be commended and exempted from corvée labor.
Wu Dazhi hailed from Yixing. When his sister-in-law passed away and there was no money for the funeral, he sold himself into servitude to earn money for her coffin and burial plot. His cousin Jiebo and his wife were sold to Jiangbei during a famine, so Wu Dazhi, who owned ten acres, sold his land to redeem his cousin's family and lived with them, sharing the family property. When the county asked him to become the chief scribe, he firmly declined and passed the official position to his brother. He also offered the ancestral land to his younger relatives, but they turned it down, and the land lay fallow. In the third year of Jianyuan, the emperor also ordered that his family be commended.
Xin Puming, a native of Henan, lived in Kuaiji for a while. He used to sleep in the same tent with his older brother. After his brother passed away, he used the tent to cover his brother's spirit tablet. Even with the summer mosquitoes, Xin Puming would rather sleep outside than move the tent. When it was time to bury his brother, the neighbors greatly appreciated his filial piety and sent a lot of money. Xin Puming initially accepted the money but later returned it all. The people who gave him the money were confused, but Xin Puming said, "I initially thought my brother's grave wasn’t arranged well, so I did not refuse everyone's kindness. How can I bear to treat the deceased's remaining wealth as my own property now?" Later, Xin Puming suffered another blow when his mother passed away, nearly causing his family to fall apart. The Prefect of Yangzhou valued his character and appointed him as a secretary. He died at the age of fifty.
There were also the brothers He Boyu and He Youyu, both of whom were very principled. He Boyu raised his brother's son, arranged for him to marry after he grew up, and gave him all the family property. He lived a modest and frugal life, was passionate about teaching the villagers, and was respected as a teacher by the villagers. When the new county magistrate arrived, everyone came to pay their respects. In the eleventh year of Yongming, He Boyu passed away. He Youyu had been interested in Buddhism since he was young, often ate vegetarian meals, recited scriptures, and practiced diligently. He died in the early years of the Liang Dynasty. Both brothers lived into their eighties.
Wang Wenshu was a native of Wu Xing, Zhejiang. His father was killed by the Hu people, and Wang Wenshu missed his father deeply, crying inconsolably. For over thirty years, he subsisted on wild vegetables and mountain fruits. Magistrate Xie invited him to serve as an official, but he declined. In the eleventh year of the Yongming reign, Magistrate Kong Xiu recommended him, saying: "Wang Wenshu has a noble character, in accordance with the virtues of the Five Constants, and his character embodies the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Because his father died at the hands of the Hu people, he bears a lifelong sorrow, sitting before his father's spirit for years, expressing his boundless grief. He has worn coarse hemp garments for over a year, subsisting on wild vegetables and beans, awaiting death. Marriage has long since become irrelevant to him, and official positions hold no significance for him. I hope the court can bestow special honors upon him and erect a monument in his hometown to commemorate him." The court issued a decree to erect a monument at Wang Wenshu's doorstep and renamed his residence "Filial Piety Alley."
Zhu Qianzhi, styled as Chuguang, was a native of Hangzhou, Zhejiang. His father, Zhu Zhaoyi, was renowned in his hometown for his scholarship. Zhu Qianzhi's mother passed away when he was young, and his father temporarily buried her at the edge of the field. Unfortunately, she was accidentally burned by their relative Zhu Youfang. Zhu Qianzhi's older sister secretly told him about this incident, and even though he was young, he showed profound sadness, as if he were preparing for a funeral. As he grew older, he remained unmarried.
During the Yongming period, Zhu Qian killed Zhu Youfang, then turned himself in at the yamen. County magistrate Shen Lingxu reported this incident, and together with assistant minister Kong Zhigui, recorder Liu Ling, and minister Zhang Rong, wrote a letter to the governor Yuzhang Wang, saying: "Although the law prohibits private revenge, filial piety should also be taken into account. Zhu Qian's killing of his enemy is fulfilling his duty of filial piety; surrendering to accept punishment is abiding by the law. Killing him now would make the court unreasonable; sparing him would make him a true filial son. Killing a criminal does not greatly help the court's prestige; sparing a filial son can better foster a positive atmosphere. Zhang Xu and Lu Cheng are acquaintances from their hometown, who can vouch for him. We do not know Zhu Qian at all, just expressing our opinions. Please forgive any offense."
Yuzhang Wang reported this incident to Emperor Xiao Daocheng. At the same time, Wujun's governor, Wang Ci, minister Zhang Xu, and minister Lu Cheng also petitioned for leniency for Zhu Qian. The Emperor appreciated Zhu Qian's sense of filial duty, but worried about retaliation, so he sent him west with Cao Hu. Before leaving, Zhu Youfang's son Zhu Yun lay in wait for Zhu Qian at Jinyang Gate, intending to kill him. Consequently, Zhu Qian's brother Zhu Xuanzhi killed Zhu Yun, which was also reported to the Emperor. The Emperor said: "These are acts of justice; there's no need to investigate further." And so they were all pardoned.
Shen Yi from Wuxing sighed upon hearing about it: "The younger brother died for filial piety, the older brother perished for righteousness. The bond of filial and brotherly love between these two brothers is truly admirable!" Zhu Xuanzhi, zi Chulin, was a man of principle and determination, and he even wrote "Debate on Appearance." When he was young, Gu Huan took an immediate liking to him and married his daughter off to him. Later, Zhu Xuanzhi became a military officer for the King of Jiangxia.
Xiao Ruiming, from Nanlanling, was the cousin of General Shen, the commanding general. His father, Xiao Xiaosun, was the General of the Left Army. Xiao Ruiming initially served as a general in the palace guard, and he was exceptionally filial and showed profound respect for his parents. When his mother fell ill, he prayed all night without closing his eyes. After his mother passed away, he was consumed by grief and ultimately died himself. In the fifth year of the Yongming era, the emperor issued an edict: "Xiao Ruiming, the filial son of General Longxiang, participating officer of the Middle Army, and Prefect of Songzi, served his parents with all his heart and effort. After his mother's death, he was overcome with grief and passed away. Although he has not reached the status of a sage, his filial piety is truly moving. He should be promoted and honored for his filial piety. Posthumously promote him to Lang of the Ministry of Personnel."
Le Yi, styled Wende, was from Nanyang Nieyang and had been a resident of Nanjun for generations. He was always dignified and steady in his speech and behavior from a young age, and later became a military officer in the capital. When his father fell ill and passed away in Yingzhou, Le Yi wept uncontrollably upon hearing the news and quickly asked for leave to return home for the funeral. On the way, he received the news of his father's death. Le Yi ran barefoot, crying and shouting, all the way to Taojiahouzhu, where he came across a merchant ship heading west, enduring days without food or water. Once he fell ill and lived next door to his mother, he endured the pain without a sound, biting down on the blanket, fearing his mother would worry. The Governor of Xiangzhou, Wang Senqian, recruited him as his aide, but Le Yi resigned because he disapproved of his colleagues' behavior. Yuguozhi of the Ministry of Personnel once visited him, and Le Yi hosted a banquet featuring just a few simple pickled vegetables and dried fish. Yuguozhi said, "I can't eat this." Le Yi's mother personally served several dishes, including fish soup that she usually wouldn't eat. Yuguozhi said, "You are even more filial than Mao Jiwei; I cannot hold a candle to Guo Linzong!" Le Yi later became the governor of Yingzhou and eventually passed away.
His younger brother, Le Yu, was also very filial. Before his father passed away, he held his hand and entrusted him to Wang Huan, the Prefect of Yingzhou. Le Yu was heartbroken, fainted, coughed up several liters of blood, and later fell ill. He later became the Cavalry Registrar. During the Longchang era, Le Yu told the Prefect of Danyang, Xu Xiaosi, "There are many rumors circulating outside, as if there is going to be a regency like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou. You have received special favor from Emperor Wu and bear great responsibility. I'm afraid you cannot participate in this matter with everyone else. People still mock Duke Chu's actions from back then!" Xu Xiaosi agreed with him. During the Jianwu period, Le Yu served as the Eternal Prefect, and the people remembered his kindness. He eventually passed away during his term. An old woman carrying a basket of vegetable leaves heard of Le Yu's death and set her basket down, starting to cry.
Jie Zhonggong from Yanmen also moved to South County. His family lived in harmony, dividing any money they made among their brothers. His mother had been sick for a long time, so he went to the mountains to gather herbs. He encountered an old man who said to him, "Find Dinggong Vine, and the illness will be cured right away. This vine hangs down from the tall trees on the mountain ahead." After saying this, the old man suddenly disappeared. Following the old man's instructions, Jie Zhonggong found the Dinggong Vine, cured his mother's illness, and she recovered. Even today, the people of Jiangling still recognize this vine.
Jiang Bi, courtesy name Shiqing, was a native of Jiyang Kaocheng. His father, Jiang Liangzhi, was an Assistant to the Minister. Jiang Bi was very poor when he was young. He made straw shoes during the day and studied at night. He would climb onto the roof with a book under the moonlight to read. He was kind-hearted. When his clothes were torn, he was concerned that the lice would perish, so he put the lice back into his clothes. After a few days, he never had lice again thereafter. After his mother passed away, he used his salary to support her. He couldn't bring himself to eat salmon. When eating vegetables, he refused to eat the hearts of the vegetables because he felt they had life. Later, he became a military officer in the Nanzhong region. When one of his recruited soldiers fell ill, no one else cared, but the soldier approached Jiang Bi leaning on a cane. Jiang Bi personally took care of him. When the soldier died, Jiang Bi even purchased a coffin for him. There were no servants in his home, so his brothers helped carry the coffin to the burial site. Later, he became an assistant lecturer at the National University. Once, he was traveling by carriage to gather aconite when he saw an old man walking. He got off the carriage to let the old man on and walked himself. Later, the Emperor appointed him as the reader for Prince Lin of Nankang. During the Jianwu period, many kings were killed by the Ming Emperor. Jiang Bi was worried about Prince Lin, so he went to consult Zhi Gong Dao about the fate of the prince. Zhi Gong showed him the ash in the incense burner and said, "It has all burned out, nothing is left." After Prince Lin was killed, Jiang Bi went to mourn him. He wept until his tears ran dry, then cried blood. He personally oversaw the funeral arrangements before departing. At that time, Wang Yanhuan, the reader for Prince Guanghan, also wept bitterly for Prince Lin. Jiang Bi passed away shortly after. A relative of Jiang Bi, also named Jiang Bi, was the Zhongzhong of Yanzhou. To differentiate him from others, later generations referred to Jiang Bi as "Filial Jiang Bi."
Du Xi, styled Mengshan, was from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and was the son of a prominent scholar in the capital. He was good friends with his fellow townsman Zhang Rong and the local gentry, often engaging in scholarly discussions while Du Xi listened attentively. Zhang Rong once pointed at Du Xi and said, "In the past, when Chen Taiqiu summoned Yuan Fang, his response was lacking. Comparing him to the ancients, what noble qualities did they truly possess?" Du Xi left the capital and studied under the Confucian scholar Liu Zhuang. He excelled in conversation, played the qin, and drank wine, gaining the respect of many renowned scholars and officials. The Imperial Secretary Zhou Yong wrote to Du Xi's father, saying, "Your wise son is excelling in his studies and is a rising star. My admiration for him is difficult to express. His talent is as if it were my own." Prince Yuzhang heard of his reputation and appointed him to a position in the court, later promoting him to a higher position. Prince Jingling showed him great respect. The Master of the National University, He Yin, who was an expert in rituals, also valued Du Xi and appointed him as a scholar in charge of wedding ceremonies. However, due to his father's old age, Du Xi returned home to care for his aging parents and embraced a pastoral lifestyle. Originally tall and stout with fair skin, Du Xi grew thin and frail within days of his father's illness. After his father's passing, Du Xi mourned intensely for seven days, refusing to eat even salted vegetables, crying day and night. Whenever he bought offerings for sacrifices, he personally inspected them, crying uncontrollably. His sorrow would temporarily subside during new moons and festivals, only to resurface, which even led him to vomit blood. At that time, He Yin and Xie Ju were in seclusion on Dongshan and wrote to console Du Xi, urging him to maintain his dignity in mourning. It wasn't until the completion of the sacrifices that Du Xi dreamt of his father at night, crying out in despair and fainting. Earlier, He Dian, He Yin's brother, had met Du Xi and remarked, "You are so elegant and graceful, yet despite your many honors, your life will be short." Du Xi passed away at the age of thirty-six, leaving those who knew him filled with sorrow.
In the second year of the Jianwu era, there was an eight-year-old child in Shan County who, along with his mother, contracted measles. When his mother passed away, the family was afraid to tell him, worried it would upset him. The child felt that something was wrong and asked, "My mother used to ask me about my illness often. Yesterday, I felt her voice was very weak, and now I can't hear her voice. What’s happening?" After saying this, he rolled off the bed, crawled to his mother's body, and fainted, and he died. The villagers reported this incident to the county magistrate Zong Shancai, requesting a tombstone for his mother, but their request was ultimately denied.
Lu Jiang, with the courtesy name Weiqing, was from Suzhou. His father, Lu Xian, with the courtesy name Xiaye, was a dignified man who never treated people casually. When he was young, Lu Xian was valued by Zhang Xu from the same county and later rose to the high position of Yangzhou's assistant. After the emperor’s death, Lu Xian told his close associates, "The emperor has passed away, and all officials must follow the arrangements of the prime minister. Now the young prince is inexperienced and weak; he will definitely not govern the country well, and chaos will ensue!" After that, he fell gravely ill and stopped concerning himself with local matters.
Later, the governor Shi An Wang Yaoguang rebelled, and the rebellion was uncovered. Because Lu Xian was a high official in the province, he was summoned to the home of Du Mao. The Minister of Personnel, Xu Xiaosi, had intended to speak on behalf of Lu Xian and prove that he was not involved in the rebellion. However, before he could make his case, Xu Shibiao ordered his execution. At that time, Lu Jiang followed his father, pleading to take his father's place, clinging to his neck, but tragically, both father and son were executed.
Historians commented that society is in decline, and morality and ethics are in decay. Even with good teachings, it is hard to see any effect, since there are too few individuals as pure as jade. If this situation continues, loyal and righteous individuals may take action, but what good would it do? Just like ginger and cinnamon, both sharp and bitter, it is difficult to change their nature. Honoring loyal and righteous individuals and aiding the poor and needy at court is merely a way to commend a few lonely elders and encourage diligent workers. Its impact on promoting and upholding social morality is indeed quite limited.
It is said: Filial piety and brotherly respect are the highest virtues, loyalty arises from the heart. Lu Xian and his son are like pure white flowers, upright and just, like trees standing together in the cold winter, their hearts intertwined.
