Jiang Xian, courtesy name Shuwen, was a native of Kai Cheng in Jiyang. His grandfather, Jiang Zhan, held the titles of Left Guanglu Daifu and Yitong Sansi during the Song Dynasty. His father, Jiang Ren, was an Academician, and was later executed by Taichu. Jiang Xian's mother was Princess Huaiyang, the daughter of Emperor Wen. When he was young, he was summoned because of his royal connections, and Emperor Xiaowu said to Xie Zhuang, "This child will definitely become a great talent in the future." He had a reputation from a young age. When Prince Xiu Fan of Guiyang was a local official, he wanted to invite him to be his chief clerk, but he refused. Later, he married Princess Linru, the daughter of Emperor Xiaowu, and became a Duke. He then became an Academician, a Prince's Aide, and Danyang's magistrate. At that time, Yuan Can was the magistrate of Danyang, and when he saw Jiang Xian, he exclaimed, "Charming and talented, the Jiang family's good reputation is truly well-deserved!" He and Yuan Can often dined, drank, and enjoyed leisure time together. Later, he was promoted to the Ancheng King's military secretary, the deputy secretary, and a court official. Jiang Xian's grandmother Wang was old and in poor health, so he personally took care of her daily life, tried medicine for her, and went without changing clothes for over seventy days. When he became an official of the court, he often requested the court to allow him to serve his grandmother, and the court granted him permission to be excused from court. Not long after, he was promoted to the Ancheng King's cavalry officer. Earlier, his grandfather Jiang Zhan married the daughter of Chu Xiu, but was later divorced. When Chu Yuan was the guard, he appreciated Jiang Xian's character, first contacted him secretly, and then recommended him for the position of chief historian. Later, Jiang Xian was also appointed as the General of Ning Shuo. After the Shun Emperor ascended the throne, Jiang Xian followed the Ancheng King's promotion, became the Minister of Construction, and also served as the Prefect of Linhuai, while retaining his military title. Finally, he was promoted to Grand Commandant's Attendant. Jiang Xian initially served as a Lang in the Ministry of Personnel at Qitai. After the emperor ascended the throne, Jiang Xian said that his grandmother was old and in poor health, bedridden for years, and he couldn't adequately fulfill his filial duties while holding a high-ranking position, so he requested to resign.
Once upon a time, Emperor Song Ming ordered Jiang Xuan to adopt Jiang Jiu as his son from his great-grandfather's line. Then the Minister of Rites, Wang Jian, submitted a memorial saying, "There is no provision in ritual and law for adopting a child into the main lineage. In recent years, such matters have all been arranged by parents and elders, and I have never heard of orphans being adopted into the clan. While there may be emotional ties between a father and son, this contradicts the principles of propriety. The continuation of the Jiang family line relies solely on Jiang Jiu, and he has no other relatives around him. He should be allowed to return to the Jiang family. If you wish to prevent Jiang Xuan's line from dying out, you can have Jiang Jiu's son adopted as Jiang Xuan's grandson." The Ministers and Councillors believed, "There is no provision in ritual and law for skipping a generation in inheritance. Xun Yi had no son and so he appointed his grandson, which marked the beginning of violating the law; He Qi also mentioned this, but there is no basis in reason." So Jiang Jiu returned to his own family, and the Emperor let him decide his heir. Later, Jiang Jiu was appointed as General of Ning Shuo, Interior Minister of Yu Zhang, then transferred to be the Prince's Attendant, concurrently holding the position of General of Agile Cavalry. Before he could formally take office, one of his retainers was found to be engaged in corruption. The Emperor sent people to investigate, and Jiang Jiu hid the retainer and took responsibility himself. The Emperor's expression darkened. Wang Jian quickly reassured the Emperor, "If Jiang Jiu can govern the region well, that would suffice." The Emperor then calmed down.
In the early years of Yongming, Jiang Xiu became a counselor to the Grand Commandant of Yuzhang, responsible for handling affairs. He was later promoted to be the Marquis of Nanjun, the ally of the King of Jingling, and the Minister of Works. Jiang Xiu loved literature and was a highly skilled Go player and one of the most formidable ministers at court. He was also appointed as an Attendant and concurrently served as the Chief Justice of the province. Later, he became the Left Chief Historian while retaining his position as Chief Justice. Five years later, he was promoted to be the Minister of Five Armies. The following year, he was appointed as the General of State Assistance and the Governor of Donghai, with his rank rising and also overseeing the affairs of South Xuzhou. Seven years later, he was reassigned as an Attendant, concurrently holding the title of Valiant Cavalry General. Shortly after, he was reassigned as the Minister of Imperial Affairs, continuing to hold the title of Valiant Cavalry General. Wang Yan said to the Emperor, "Jiang Xiu has returned to a high position in the court and is in charge of the military again. Your favor towards him is truly great; he may not be able to handle it. But looking at what he is doing now, it's not much different from other officials. Since Your Majesty wishes to promote his rank, I suggest letting him be an Attendant while also serving as the Valiant Cavalry General, which is dignified and practical, more suitable than letting him speak." The Emperor said, "Jiang Xiu always complains to me about his discomfort in the nose; now He Yin and Wang Ying have returned to the court, that's why he was replaced." After Yulin became emperor, he was promoted to an official position in the Ministry of Personnel. In the first year of Longchang, he became an Attendant and also served as the Grand Sacrificial Official. Later, Yulin was deposed, and the court ministers were called to the palace. As they approached Yunlong Gate, Yulin pretended to be drunk, vomited in his carriage, and then slipped away. After Emperor Ming took the throne, Yulin was reassigned as the Director of the Secretariat and later reassigned as the tutor to Prince Jin'an.
In the second year of the Jianwu Era, Yu Lin passed away at the age of forty-four. In his will, he requested a modest burial and declined any offerings or memorial gifts. The court granted him 30,000 coins and 100 bolts of cloth. His son Qian honored his father's wishes and declined to accept them. The emperor decreed, "Following your teachings of frugality and simplicity in funeral arrangements, and setting an example of thrift and virtue, is both regrettable and admirable. Your request is granted." Finally, the court posthumously appointed him as Cavalier Attendant and Minister of Ceremonies, with the posthumous title of Jingzi.
He Changyu, courtesy name Yanwang, was a native of Qinxian in Lujiang commandery. His grandfather He Shudu had served as Administrator of Wu commandery, and his father He Tongzhi as Minister of Ceremonies. He Changyu was steady and honorable from a young age, earning the appreciation of his uncle Sikong Shang. When Prince Xiu of Jian'an served as Inspector of Yangzhou, he appointed He Changyu as the chief clerk of the commandery. He later rose to the positions of army advisor to the Minister Over the Masses, Master of Writing for the Grand Commandant, Libationer of the Eastern Pavilion of the Minister Over the Masses, and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate in the Bureau of Rites. When Prince Jing of Jianping served as Inspector of Southern Xu Province, He Changyu served as his chief clerk, and he was held in high esteem for his integrity and honesty. His elderly mother needed his care, so he requested a transfer and was appointed Administrator of Xiangdong, with a promotion in rank and a salary of 1,000 shi. He also served as a military advisor to the Grand Marshal. When He Changyu served as Administrator of Xiangdong, Prince Jing was assassinated, deeply grieving him. He then wrote to the emperor:
I have learned of Prince Jing of Jianping, who was naturally ambitious and loyal, earning the title of "Huihe" early in life. He served the country with unwavering loyalty and was deeply loved by the people. Both Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong held him in high regard, and his deeds were known to both court officials and common people, regardless of their social standing.
During the Yuanhui period, the court was in chaos, with unscrupulous people in power. They caused trouble and attempted to overthrow the court. Such treachery had long been denounced by the ancients. Moreover, how could Prince Jianping possibly escape being implicated in such turbulent times? Throughout the year, he faced danger many times, with hardly a peaceful day, walking on eggshells. However, Prince Jianping remained calm, entrusting everything to fate, humble and cautious, wholeheartedly serving the country. There were no guards in his house, no attendants at the door—facts that even children could see, without the need for further explanation.
However, a wrongful conviction shattered his reputation, the injustice felt as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless well, the torment reaching the heavens. As time passed and dynasties changed, the court's blessings were repeatedly bestowed, yet Prince Jianping's injustice remained unredressed. Everyone basked in the imperial favor, while he alone endured the agony of cold and damp.
I hope you can shower blessings upon all, just as the heavens do. If today you cannot clear Prince Jianping's name, he will be forever remembered as a wronged soul. I do not wish to be seen as a passionate hero, but my heart is heavy with righteous indignation. I risk writing this letter, hoping you can see the truth clearly, exonerate Prince Jianping, and grant him the honor of being buried in his ancestral tomb, so he is not lost to history. I would sacrifice everything if it meant achieving this.
I also wrote a letter to Sikong Chuyuan:
There are many things in the world that make people sad, but nothing is more heartbreaking than being wronged after death. Why is that? Because human life is only a hundred years long, as short-lived as the morning dew, fleeting in an instant; what is there to hold onto? Everyone hopes to leave a good reputation after death, to let their achievements pass down through generations, so the ancients were willing to die for justice. However, if a person is falsely accused despite possessing loyalty and righteousness, and no one seeks justice for them after death, their evil reputation is recorded in history books, how tragic that would be!
I secretly inquired about the deeds of King Jianping. King Jianping was virtuous, noble in character, pure in heart, and intelligent. He was carefree, not burdened by worldly affairs, and liked to compose poems and play the zither for self-entertainment. He was both loyal and filial, and his actions were cautious, as two individuals well aware of this fact knew. Previously, the Ruan and Yang factions colluded, causing much turmoil; although exposed in front of the court ministers, it only fueled the resentment of the faction of villains. They observed King Jianping's actions in secret, suspicious and vigilant at every turn, with unscrupulous individuals in power at court, as history often says, clear insight often leads to tears and silence. King Jianping was often worried and filled with sorrow, to the point of shedding tears.
Because he trusted others, he gradually reduced his personal guards, and the mansion became desolate and empty, merely to demonstrate his adherence to regulations. He requested a transfer to Xuzhou, hoping to escape the pressures of a key position at the northern gate, and pleaded to be transferred to Kuaiji, hoping to enjoy a more tranquil official role in Dong'ou. All of this is recorded in historical records. He shared your aspirations, both understanding each other's intentions, hoping to work together for the country, to be loyal to the royal family, but unfortunately, fate was not on his side, encountering so many misfortunes; his loyalty went unrecognized, and he instead suffered various misfortunes.
Time flies, in the blink of an eye, four years have passed. The emperor has issued new policies, granting kindness to the people, yet Prince Jianping still remains wronged and has not been vindicated. His funeral was simple and poor, his spirit has nowhere to rest, the ancestral rites have been thrown into disarray, and even the pine and cypress trees have not been planted at his grave. This situation is truly heart-wrenching, affecting not just the living but also disturbing the spirits. We, as loyal courtiers, weep bitterly, earnestly hoping that Your Majesty will see the truth. Your Majesty's rule is founded on virtue, hoping that all things find their rightful place; how can Prince Jianping be wronged when loyalty and righteousness are not recognized? Tian Shu did not speak for the affairs of Liang State, Yuan Si advised the King of Huainan, avoiding war between the two states, causing the emperor to change his mind; isn't this the very embodiment of "filial piety" and prioritizing integrity? And now Prince Jianping has been executed on false charges; this is utterly unjust! If we can seek justice for Prince Jianping, it will also demonstrate to the world that the court will correct wrongful cases and discern right from wrong.
The rise and fall of nations is a well-established principle of governance and is a significant national concern. In the past, Shu Xiang managed to clear his name with Qi Dafu's assistance; the case of Prince Li was also cleared with Prime Minister Che's support. If the underworld has knowledge, wouldn't Prince Jianping's spirit long for Your Majesty's mercy? We, as loyal courtiers, are willing to lay down our lives without hesitation.
Yuan said, "Following the practices of ancient sages is indeed commendable. However, things have already passed, and right and wrong have two sides. During the Jianping period, you just started to interfere; during the Yuanhui period, you remained silent, but just wanted to push the blame onto Ruan Ji and Yang Xiu, which raises even more doubts. You were also mistakenly involved at that time. If what you say is true, then I truly feel guilty." Taizu greatly appreciated his integrity, so he promoted him to be a secretary, later promoting him to the position of Left Minister, Chief of Staff for Wang Jian, and the Chief Military Officer. Wang Jian said to Shen Changyu, "In the future, who else can handle government affairs besides you?"
In the first year of Yongming, Prince Jingling Xiao Ziliang submitted a memorial to establish literary and educational officials, appointing Shen Changyu as the literary official of Prince Jingling. The two developed a close bond due to their shared interests, and their feelings were very deep. Later, Shen Changyu was promoted to be the auxiliary of Yangzhou, and Prince Yuzhang also appreciated him. He was then appointed as the Central Chamberlain of the Crown Prince and later appointed as the Interior Minister of Linchuan. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Chief Military Officer of the King of Luling, but before taking office, he returned to the role of Central Chamberlain of the Crown Prince while also serving as the Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry. He was later promoted to the Ministry of Personnel and then to Palace Attendant.
Prince Linhai Xiao Zhaoxiu served as the Inspector of Jingzhou, appointing Shen Changyu as the Chief Military Officer of the West, the General of Fuguo, and the Administrator of Nanjun, overseeing the affairs of Jingzhou. Emperor Ming sent Xu Xuanqing to the west to kill some of the princes of the fiefdoms. Upon arriving in Jingzhou, Xu Xuanqing intended to take matters into his own hands. Shen Changyu said, "I accepted the court's appointment to assist the princes. How can I hand over His Highness to you as an envoy? If the court insists on His Highness's return, it should await the court's decree." Because of Shen Changyu's insistence, Xiao Zhaoxiu was able to return to the capital.
In the second year of Jianwu, Shen Changyu served as a Palace Attendant, also holding the position of Colonel of Changshui, and later promoted to be the Minister of Personnel. He returned to the role of Palace Attendant while also serving as the General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the fourth year of Jianwu, Shen Changyu passed away at the age of 51. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Minister of Ceremonies and granted him the posthumous title of Jianzi.
Shen Changyu is noble and does not associate with cliques. He is gentle and friendly towards others, and wherever he goes, he is upright and incorruptible. Scholars all praise him.
Xie Xu, style name Yijie, was from Yangxia in Chenjun. His grandfather, Xie Hongwei, was the Grand Minister of Rites in the Song Dynasty. His father, Xie Zhuang, was a Grand Master of the Golden Purple Rank. Xie Xu had four brothers: Xie Yong, Xie Yu, Xie Hao, and Xie Zong, who were collectively known as Wind, Moon, Scenery, Mountain, and Water. Xie Hao, style name Renyou, was quiet when he was young. He started his career as a secretary to the court and later became a cavalry officer in service to Emperor Taizu. In the early years of Jianyuan, he became a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and later became a lieutenant to the Grand Commandant. In the early years of Yongming, the court selected outstanding talents to serve as teachers and friends of the King of Jingling, appointing Xie Hao as a friend of the King of Jingling, and later as the Chief Historian of the Northern Army. He passed away in the end.
At the age of seven, Wang Yu felt that this child was different and quickly went to tell Emperor Xiaowu of Song. The Emperor summoned him immediately, and despite the crowded scene, he remained calm and answered questions satisfactorily. The Emperor was so pleased that he ordered him to marry a princess. Unfortunately, after the rebellion of Jinghe (referring to Crown Prince Liu Chang), this matter ended up going nowhere.
Later, the Minister Chuyuan heard that this child was promising and well-behaved, so he arranged for his daughter to marry him and gave him a large dowry. He was first appointed as a cavalry officer, then gradually promoted to become a secretary, the Minister of Rites, the Chief of Danyang, and a military officer. When Song Shizu became the Commander of the Central Army, he also invited him to serve as his secretary.
After Qi Tai was completed, he was promoted to the position of Taizi Zhong Sheren. In the early years of Jianyuan, he was transferred to serve as the friend of Prince Guiyang. Because his mother was getting old and needed care, he requested an external appointment and became the Governor of Ancheng. Later, he returned to the court and became Secretary of the Central Secretariat. General Wei Wang Jian recognized his talent and brought him on as Changshi, treating him exceptionally well. Afterwards, he was appointed as Huangmen Lang, also overseeing the Ministry of Personnel. Not long after, he was promoted to Taizi Zhong Shuzi, serving as the Cavalry General, and also serving as Shizhong. However, he found attending court every morning and evening to be too exhausting, so he resolutely declined and refused to accept. Emperor Song Shizu ordered him to take office quickly and specially exempted him from the obligation to attend court every day.
Later, he was promoted to Left Changshi of Situ, then transferred to serve as the Prefect of Wuxing. Once, a family called Lu Daoyou in Changcheng County was robbed, and he falsely accused four individuals, including Yin Xiaoti from the same county, of being bandits. He arrested them and interrogated them at the county office. Yin Xiaoti's mother, Luo Shi, ran to the court to complain, saying that her son had been wrongfully accused by Lu Daoyou, and 173 people came forward to testify that Yin Xiaoti had never done such a thing, but the county authorities refused to take action. Upon hearing about Yin Xiaoti's mother's appeal, he sent officials to Jiankang to conduct a reinvestigation, and the investigation revealed that Lu Daoyou had made false accusations and was executed according to the law. Consequently, the higher authorities sought to dismiss him from his position.
He was also punished by the emperor for causing a fire while preparing medicine, which burned down five houses near the county government, and for unlawfully beating his subordinates. Despite this, during his time as Prefect of Wuxing, he accomplished many good deeds, and the local people praised him. After his mother's passing, he resigned and returned home to mourn. Once the mourning period ended, he was appointed as the Minister of Personnel.
Emperor Gaozong deposed the Prince of Yulin, personally led the troops into the palace, and the attendants were so terrified that they scattered in all directions, running to report to Xie Mo. Xie Mo was playing chess with guests at the time, muttering to himself with each move, "This move must have a deep meaning." After finishing the game, he returned to his room to rest, completely unconcerned with the happenings outside.
When Emperor Ming succeeded to the throne, Xie Mo fell ill and rarely dealt with government affairs. Later, at a banquet held by the emperor, the meritorious officials raised their glasses in toasts, and the Shangshu Wang Yan and others were drinking merrily, while Xie Mo sat alone without moving, saying, "Your Majesty's ascension to the throne is in accordance with the will of Heaven and has the support of the people. Wang Yan, you attribute all this credit to yourself, which is quite presumptuous!" The emperor laughed heartily, diffusing the tension. After the banquet, Wang Yan wanted to take a carriage back to the Shangshu Province with Xie Mo, hoping to have a good chat with him and enhance their relationship. However, Xie Mo replied with a stern expression, "Where are you hiding after all?" Wang Yan had just been appointed to carry a sword, and Xie Mo said to him, "In the Xie family, we have only cultivated six outstanding talents in total. How did you suddenly rise to this position?" Wang Yan was quite intimidated by Xie Mo's momentum.
Later, Xie Mo was promoted to the position of Right Army General. His brother Xie Mo served as an official in Wuxing. When the official report was delayed, Xie Mo helped his brother write the memorial. The emperor noticed that the handwriting of the memorial was not that of Xie Mo's brother and asked what was going on. After understanding the situation, he did not pursue it further. Xie Mo was later promoted to the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat, concurrently holding the positions of Prince's Chief Steward and Zhongzheng of Yuzhou. In the first year of Yongtai, he was further promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi and Prince's Attendant. In the same year, Xie Mo passed away at the age of forty-five years. The court posthumously granted him the title of Jinxizi Guanglu Dafu and bestowed him the posthumous title of "Jian."
When Xie Pu was young, his brother was serving as an official in Wuxing. Xie Pu bid farewell to his brother at Zhengluzhu. His brother pointed at Xie Pu's mouth and said, "You've got the perfect mouth for drinking!" During the Jianwu period, Xie Pu had a particular fondness for drinking, often drinking heavily with Liu Zhi, Shen Zhaolue, and others, each of them could easily drink several dou of wine.
Emperor Shizu once asked Wang Jian, "Who can write good five-character poems now?" Wang Jian replied, "Xie Pu inherited his father's talent; Jiang Yan is quite a gifted poet." After the Emperor ordered the building of the Chanling Temple, he specifically commanded Xie Pu to compose the inscription.
Wang Siyuan, a native of Langya Linyi, was a cousin of the Yan family, who held the position of Minister of Personnel. His father, Wang Luoyun, had previously served as the Changshi in Pingxi. When Wang Siyuan was eight years old, his father passed away. His grandfather Wang Hongzhi and maternal grandfather Yang Jingyuan were both very virtuous and upright people, so Wang Siyuan never aspired to become an official from a young age. Later, Song Jianping King Jing Su invited him to serve as the Chief Clerk of South Xuzhou, who valued him highly. Unfortunately, Jing Su was later assassinated, and his followers scattered. Wang Siyuan personally handled Jing Su's affairs and even personally planted pine and cypress trees. He, along with He Changyu from Lujiang and Liu Lin from Pei County, submitted a petition to the court seeking justice for Jing Su, which touched the court. Jing Su's daughter was demoted to a commoner, and Wang Siyuan even shared his own food and clothing to support her. When Jing Su's daughter grew up and was about to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony, Wang Siyuan sought out the perfect gifts and went all out to send them to her.
Later, Wang Siyuan was appointed as a military advisor to Prince Jinxi, and then served as a military advisor to Prince Ancheng. In the early years of Jianyuan, he served as the chief clerk of the army for Prince Changsha, then as a palace official, and was later appointed as a military officer for Prince Jingling's Northern Campaign. After the Jingling Prince's residence was relocated to the SITU Mansion, he served as a military scribe. He was later promoted to be the Prince's Chamberlain. Prince Wenhui and Prince Jingling's son Liang both favored scholars, and Wang Siyuan was therefore appreciated and employed by them. Later, Wang Siyuan requested to be transferred to a remote area and was appointed as the Governor of Jian'an. After his brother Wang Sixuan passed away, Wang Siyuan was very sad and requested to resign and return home to observe the mourning period, but the court did not approve. After his brother's mourning period ended, he requested again, and Emperor Xiaowu finally agreed. He was then appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library and an Advisor to the Grand Marshal. Emperor Xiaowu recommended talents, and Prince Jingling's son Liang recommended Wang Siyuan, Gu Haozhi from Wu County, and Yin Rui from Chen County. Prince Zheng of Shaoling was appointed as the Prefect of Wu County, and Emperor Xiaowu appointed Wang Siyuan as the Vice Prefect of Wu County, allowing him to act as the Prefect. Later on, Wang Siyuan resigned from his position due to illness and returned to court as an advisor to the Minister of Works, also serving as a recorder, and was later promoted to be a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Hall. He was then sent to serve as an Imperial Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in the Three Provinces of Guangzhou, Guangxi General, Middle General of Pingyue, and Governor of Guangzhou. After assisting in governance during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he was not assigned to his new post but was instead reassigned as Deputy Imperial Censor. At that time, the Prefect of Linhai, Shen Zhaolu, was corrupt and involved in bribery, and Wang Siyuan formally impeached him based on the evidence. Emperor Gaozong, as well as Wang Siyuan's cousin Yan and Shen Zhaolu's uncle Wen Ji, all urged Wang Siyuan to halt the impeachment, but Wang Siyuan remained steadfast in his decision and processed the matter according to protocol.
During the Jianwu period, Siyuan was promoted to the position of Official of the Ministry of Personnel. Because his elder brother Yandu was appointed as the Grand Secretary, Siyuan did not want both brothers to hold power in the court at the same time, so he firmly declined the appointment. In his memorial, he said, "Recently, I have frequently submitted memorials to Your Majesty, and I feel quite uneasy. Your Majesty's favor toward me is profound and rare throughout history. If I alone enjoy favor, who else would dare to wholeheartedly serve the country? I have long vowed to disregard my own life and not treat being in danger as a trivial matter. Because my brother Yandu and I are close relatives, both of us should not hold prominent positions at the same time. My heart is as pure as a child's, and I am willing to die for this. I am, in truth, mediocre in talent and lacking in virtue, and not worthy of Your Majesty's promotion and trust. Your Majesty likely intends for me to accomplish something. If I cannot use reason to uphold my position, I would be failing to live up to Your Majesty's wisdom. If I make a serious mistake, I alone should bear the blame; if unfair rewards are given because of me, I humbly ask Your Majesty to investigate. Considering the pros and cons, I would rather maintain a humble and cautious attitude. Furthermore, it is Your Majesty's virtuous governance that allows me to act with proper etiquette. I earnestly request Your Majesty's mercy and forgiveness, and plead that I not be cast down. If I accept this position now, even if I were to become one of the Three Excellencies, I may not necessarily be safe. Once I offend the powerful, even if I were to die and descend into the underworld, I cannot escape blame. Yet I seek wealth and glory, willing to risk execution, which a foolish person would not dare to do, so I should avoid it. My intentions and aspirations deserve both pity and praise. If Your Majesty insists on me accepting this position, then I shall accept guilt, which is unjust. I beg Your Majesty to demote me and keep me away from the center of power. In my self-pity and sorrow, tears flow freely. In the face of the threat of execution, I earnestly implore Your Majesty. When I am left with no other choice, I can only cry out to the heavens, begging for Your Majesty's mercy." The Emperor understood his meaning and appointed him as the Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works.
When Gaozong was overthrown, Siyuan chatted with Yan and said, "Brother, you have received the grace of the Emperor, but now you are getting involved in this abdication affair. They may temporarily align with you out of power interests, but how will you deal with it in the future? If you make a firm decision now, you will not lose your reputation later." Yan ignored the advice. Later, Yan was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry. He gathered his nephews and said to his brother, Siwei, "During the Longchang period, Arong advised me to take my own life. If I had listened to him, would I be here today?" Siyuan immediately replied, "From Arong's perspective at that time, it's not too late to do that now." Later, Yan failed, so Siyuan was able to escape unscathed.
Wang Siyuan was meticulous about cleanliness and simplicity in his life. His clothes, bedding, tables, chairs, and benches were all kept neat and tidy, with no hint of sloppiness. If guests arrived, he would send someone to check quietly if the guest's clothes were clean. If they were dirty, he would hardly pay attention. Only when the guest was dressed neatly would he warmly engage in conversation. Even after the guest left, he would have two people meticulously sweep the area where the guest had sat. His younger brother, Wang Jixi, had a straightforward personality and did not pay much attention to these things. Wang Siyuan disapproved of his ways and advised him, "You should learn more from Wang Siyuan."
Later, after the Emperor killed the Yan brothers, Wang Siyuan was promoted to be an attendant, tasked with managing documents and drafting the Emperor's daily records. In the second year of Yongyuan, he was promoted to Minister of Revenue, but sadly, he passed away before he could take office, at the age of forty-nine. The court posthumously awarded him the title of Minister of Ceremonies and the posthumous title of "Zhenzi."
Wang Siyuan had a very good relationship with Gu Hao. After Gu Hao passed away and his family became poor, Wang Siyuan took in Gu Hao's son and cared for him with great attention.
Gu Hao, whose courtesy name was Shiming, became an orphan at a young age, but he was diligent in his studies and of noble character. He initially passed the imperial examination and became a xiucai, and later held several official positions in the court. In the later years of the Yongming era, he became an official serving the Crown Prince and also held the position of Deputy Left Secretary of the Secretariat. In the early years of the Longchang era, he was appointed as a military advisor for the Anxi region and also held the title of Master of Writing, just like Wang Siyuan, both of whom were outstanding in literary talent. In the early years of the Jianwu era, he resigned from his official position due to illness and returned home, which led Emperor Gaozong to issue a decree to Wang Siyuan stating, "What a pity for this man!" Later, Gu Hao was appointed as a Senior Official. When he passed away, he was only forty-nine years old.
Wang Siwei, who served as the Chief Historian of Jiangzhou during the Yongyuan era, was later killed by Chen Bo.
Historians note that moral cultivation is fundamental to being a good person, and talent is only secondary. Look at the conduct of these gentlemen; they not only focused on their own integrity and elegant character to achieve a high status and reputation, but their every word and action also adhered to propriety and righteousness, making them role models for everyone. A true gentleman lives in this world, and that is the true model of excellence!
Praise: The Jiang family has been serving as officials for generations and has a strong reputation; the He family remained loyal to their former lord, resigning from their positions out of loyalty; the Xie family presented longevity wine, receiving both praise and criticism; Wang Siyuan was upright and self-restrained, with an open and honest heart.
