Wang Yi, the literary king of Yuzhang, courtesy name Xuan Yan, was the second son of Liu Yu, the Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty. He was kind-hearted, benevolent, and elegant, showcasing the qualities of an emperor. His father held a particular affection for him. He initially served as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, then became the magistrate of Changcheng County, and later was promoted to the rank of Left Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. He then became the magistrate of Qiantang County. After his father defeated Xue Suo'er, he was granted the title of Duke of Xiyang and also received the title of Marquis of Jinshou. He was later promoted to the position of Cavalry Attendant Officer of the Imperial Guard, but he resigned due to some minor issues.
During the battle at Guiyang, his father set up camp at Xinting Lei in Jiankang and appointed Wang Yi as General of Ning Shuo to lead the troops to protect him. Xiu Fan led soldiers to attack the south of Xinting Lei, and Wang Yi commanded the battle with the White Tiger flag, successfully repelling Xiu Fan's forces multiple times. After the battle, he was promoted to Gentleman of the Palace Library. Shortly after, he also served as the Protector of Anyuan and the Interior Minister of Wuling.
At that time, Shen Youzhi went to attack the tribes, reaching the territory near Jingzhou and all the way to Wuxi, even prohibiting them from fishing and selling salt. The tribes were very angry. The King of Youxi, Tian Tou, originally wanted to kill the messenger sent by Shen Youzhi. Shen Youzhi demanded a lot of money from him. Tian Tou said he would pay, but he ultimately died of anger. His younger brother, Lou Hou, usurped the throne and became the barbarian king, while Tian Dou, the son of Tian Tou, fled to the Liao tribe. The tribes were completely chaotic, looting civilians everywhere, even reaching the county capital. Wang Yi sent his subordinates led by Zhang Mo'er to fight and defeated them. Tian Dou returned from the Liao tribe wanting to become the barbarian king. Lou Hou, fearing for his life, surrendered. Wang Yi had Lou Hou executed in the county and let Tian Dou inherit his father's position, finally calming the tribes. Later, Wang Yi returned to the court and became a military advisor and court official under Emperor Song Shun, then was promoted to General of the Cavalry and appointed as a court attendant. He visited the Minister of Works, Yuan Can, who told others: "This kid will definitely achieve great things in the future!" Speaking of Liu Yu (Taizu), he was living in the Green Creek Mansion in the Army Commandery, enjoying a peaceful life. One night, the King of Cangwu secretly planned a surprise attack, but Liu Yu had his men dance with knives and guns in the courtyard, making it look like they were ready. The King of Cangwu took a peek through the wall crack, got scared, thinking they were already prepared, and quickly fled.
Later, Liu Yu became the Governor of South Yanzhou, and the Chief of the Military Command, Xiao Shunzhi, was also there. The situation was very dangerous at the time, and Xiao Shunzhi considered simply crossing the Yangtze River and starting a rebellion on the other side. Liu Yu advised him, saying, "The emperor is currently acting erratically, and no one can guarantee their safety. If you go and start a rebellion by yourself, although it may be easy to gain merit, very few rebellions in other places have been successful. People are currently in a state of panic, and if you act first, you will surely face misfortune. We need to think carefully and not make a wrong move in this chess game!" As a result, King Cangwu died, and Liu Yu sent someone to inform Liu Muzhi (Yi), saying, "The critical matter has been settled; please come quickly!" After Liu Yu became emperor, Liu Muzhi was promoted to Palace Attendant, responsible for palace security. Later, when Shen Youzhi rebelled, Liu Yu entered the palace, and Liu Muzhi was assigned to defend the East Palace and was also appointed as the Champion General. On the day Yuan Can rebelled, the Prefect of Danyang, Wang Xun, was the first to report the situation and ran to the East Palace to find Liu Muzhi. Liu Muzhi immediately sent his army commander, Dai Yuansun, to lead two thousand men and rush to Shitou City with Xue Daoyuan to burn down Yuan Can's camp entrance, and Dai Yuansun also achieved significant merit. Earlier, Wang Yun recommended sixty soldiers to help guard the city but actually intended to conspire with the enemy. Liu Muzhi saw through Wang Yun's intentions, did not grant him any command authority, and dispersed his men to other places. When the rebellion broke out, those individuals had already escaped.
Later, Liu Muzhi was promoted to Commander-in-Chief and was also given the official position of Cavalier Attendant. After the rebellion was quelled, Emperor Wen of Song (Emperor Taizu) returned from Xunyang, and Liu Muzhi was appointed as the Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of Military Affairs of Xinchai, Jinxi, Jiangzhou, Yuzhou, Left General, Governor of Jiangzhou, and he retained his position as Cavalier Attendant, and he was also assigned an escort. Because of his great achievements, he was titled Duke of Yong'an, with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Later, he was appointed as the Commander of military affairs of Jingxiang, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, Nan, and Beiqin Eight Provinces, General Who Guards the West, Governor of Jingzhou, Commissioner-in-Chief, and his official position as Cavalier Attendant remained unchanged.
It is said that when Emperor Taizu was assisting in governance, Shen Youzhi wanted to incite rebellion, and many commoners reported him, and many were arrested and forced into labor. When Shen Youzhi came to town, he released more than three thousand people in just one day. Those who had been detained for less than five years and without serious offenses were all released. He also felt that the market taxes were too heavy, so he revised the tax standards, refunded the overpaid taxes to the commoners, prohibited various unauthorized fees and household registration inspections, and officials were prohibited from engaging in business and were required to take turns on leave. The commoners were all very happy.
Later, when the abdication was imminent, Emperor Taizu wanted to quickly resolve key issues, and Shen Youzhi hesitated a bit and did not say anything. In the first year of Jianyuan, Emperor Taizu ascended the throne; before the amnesty was decreed, Shen Youzhi first ordered the exemption of taxes owed in his jurisdiction prior to the second year of Jianyuan. Then, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Commander of military affairs of Yangzhou, Nanyuzhou, General of Chariots and Cavalry, appointed Chancellor, Governor of Yangzhou, and retained his former titles. He was also titled Prince of Yuzhang, with a fief of three thousand households.
Wang Jian wrote a letter praising him: "In the past, the Chu region was desolate and bleak, with troubles occurring year after year, forcing the common people to flee and in urgent need of rectification. As soon as you arrived, you showed remarkable wisdom and decisiveness, bringing vitality back to the Jianghan region. The people across the eight provinces hold your virtuous governance in high regard. The Jingchu region hasn't seen such effective governance since Yu Liang. The ancients said that the results of good governance should be visible within a month, and you achieved it in just over ten days, which is truly remarkable!"
Later, the northern nomadic tribes invaded again, and the emperor recognized the need for someone to take charge, so he decreed: "The management of the capital is crucial, and the Jingchu region governs vast lands, with great responsibilities. Recently, both public and private sectors have faced significant losses, so it is especially important to pacify the people." Therefore, Shen Youzhi was appointed as the commander of military affairs across the eight provinces: Jing, Xiang, Yong, Yi, Liang, Ning, South Qin, and North Qin, the Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, the Governor of Jingzhou, and the Governor of Xiangzhou, while retaining other official positions. During the Jin and Song dynasties, governors typically did not oversee the Southern Barbarian territories, which were managed by other high-ranking officials. This time, Shen Youzhi's jurisdiction included two provinces and two prefectures. Jingzhou's annual financial expenditure exceeded thirty million coins, ten thousand bolts of cloth, and sixty thousand hu of rice, along with supplying the garrison in Jiangzhou and Xiangzhou with one hundred thousand hu of rice; the annual financial expenditure of Xiangzhou was seven million coins, three thousand bolts of cloth, and fifty thousand hu of rice; the Southern Barbarian region's financial expenditure reached three million coins, ten thousand bolts of cloth, one thousand catties of cotton, three hundred bolts of silk, and one thousand hu of rice, an unprecedented amount at that time. Later on, he was awarded an extravagant carriage.
In the spring of the second year, Northern enemies invaded Sizhou and Yuzhou. Shen Yue sent Southern Barbarian General Cui Huijing to lead troops north for an offensive, and also sent Captain Xiao Huilang of the Central Army to support Sizhou, stationed at the West Gate. The enemy crossed the Huai River to attack Shouchun and also sent cavalry to prepare to attack Suizhou and Dengzhou, which caused widespread concern. However, Shen Yue said, "If we order Yuzhou and Sizhou to bolster their defenses, secure their critical routes, and demonstrate our strong defensive positions, they will naturally disperse and definitely not dare to cross south of these two provinces." At that time, the court was in a state of tension, and Shen Yue, fearing they might exploit the situation to create unrest, ordered the officials and soldiers in the province to wear casual clothes to signal leniency. As a result, the enemy indeed did not attack Suizhou and Dengzhou, but retreated after their defeat at Shouchun. Shortly after, Shen Yue was granted twenty guards wearing swords.
That summer, Shen Yue constructed a pavilion in the southeast part of the Southern Barbarian Garden, established a school, and reported it to the court. The school enrolled forty students, selecting young men from established clans with a history of serving as officials, aged fifteen to twenty-five; and appointed a military officer, a literary officer, and two academic advisors, and held a ceremony to serve vegetarian dishes. In light of low grain prices, Shen Yue permitted the people to pay their taxes in grain, valuing each bushel of grain at one hundred coins.
Rebel leader Zhang Qun from the Yiyang region, who had been on the run for many years, caused chaos in the counties of Yiyang, Wuling, Tianmen, and Nanping. Shen Youzhi made multiple attempts to capture him but failed, so Shen Yue suggested putting him to use. After Shen Youzhi rebelled, Zhang Qun followed him south to Yingzhou, but he betrayed him along the way, establishing a camp at Sanxi and fortifying his position in a strategic location. Shen Yue sent the army officer Yu Xinzhu as the governor of Yiyang to persuade Zhang Qun to surrender, along with generous gifts. During a banquet, Yu Xinzhu beheaded Zhang Qun, which caused his followers to scatter and flee, thus restoring peace to the four counties.
Later, Shen Yue was promoted to commander of the Yangzhou and Nanxuzhou armies, as well as the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister of Works, and Governor of Yangzhou, while retaining his previous titles and gaining increased military authority and personnel. Officials from the Linchuan Prince Liu Ying's mansion were reassigned to Shen Yue's administration. Shen Yue was about to return to the capital, so he renovated the offices and roads, and ordered that troops returning east could not take any treasury or state property out of the city. Starting from Jiangling, thousands of men, women, and children came to see him off, all weeping as they said their goodbyes. Shen Yue fell ill in Jiangling, and his condition worsened after reaching the capital, which greatly concerned the emperor, prompting him to issue a general amnesty. Shen Yue recovered from his illness, and the emperor celebrated by hosting a banquet in the Eastern Palace, playing music, and granting him passage through all six gates of the palace in a royal carriage.
After the death of the founding emperor, Xie Yi was consumed by grief, weeping until blood streamed from his eyes and ears. When the successor emperor ascended the throne, Xie Yi was promoted to Grand Commandant, assigned military aides, dismissed from his position as Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, and his guard detail was expanded from an unspecified number to thirty men.
During the Jianyuan era, Xie Yi did not receive Emperor Shizu's decree regarding certain issues. At that time, Emperor Shizu was contemplating the idea of deposing Xie Yi as crown prince, yet Xie Yi had consistently shown respect and obedience to Emperor Shizu, never defying his wishes. As a result, Emperor Shizu held a deep fraternal affection for Xie Yi.
In the first year of the Yongming era, Xie Yi was appointed as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, relieved of his duties as the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, while all other official positions remained the same. He personally wrote a memorial to the emperor, saying: "Your Majesty, you have wisely and filially inherited the throne, bringing a new era to the world, and all your brothers are in their respective positions. I have been honored with your favor many times and appointed as the head of the Three Dukes, but I dare not accept it. Every day, I am overwhelmed by your kindness, feeling anxious and uneasy, as if I were losing my very soul. Bearing such a heavy responsibility has always been a significant burden. My life has been like floating duckweed, upright in character and pure in nature, but now in a high position, it has already changed my original pace of life. Recently, my old illness has recurred, causing me constant anxiety and unease, which is evident on my face. From my physical condition, I am afraid I won't live much longer, unable to endure Your Majesty's kindness. In addition, there have been frequent unfavorable astronomical phenomena recently. Although the length of one's life is predetermined, I still feel uneasy. I initially considered resigning from my position, but I feared it would sound inappropriate and invite ridicule, so I have not dared to speak up and can only leave it to fate. If Your Majesty were to promote me further, it would only make me more anxious. Moreover, the role of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince is of great importance and not one that just anyone can fulfill. The Crown Prince must see me dressed neatly, and the palace officials must pay their respects to me, which is far too grand for me to bear. Your Majesty has more than ten brothers, and now there is only me left. Your care for your brothers should not be concentrated on me alone! I have also reported my thoughts to the Crown Prince and asked Wang Jian to convey my request to you. I wonder if you already know? The country is currently prospering, and if heaven could grant me a few more years to continue serving the country, I wish to humbly request Your Majesty to lower my official rank, simplify my attire, and serve by Your Majesty's side until my death. This is my wish. Wearing ill-fitting clothes makes me uncomfortable, let alone these high-ranking official garments. Your Majesty's immense kindness towards me; I will surely repay it with my life." The emperor replied, "This matter may not be handled as you have said."
"Thanks so much for your help!"
Since the Song Dynasty, the salaries and various allowances for officials across different regions have been tied to local resources, without fixed standards. Wang Yi wrote to the emperor, saying, "The key to reform lies in appropriate adjustments, increasing or decreasing the use of resources; the key to governance lies in ensuring fairness from the outset, and the key to government orders lies in unified standards. I have examined the salary system of county officials; although there are fixed regulations, other subsidies depend on local customs. The Northeast and Southwest regions have different sources and customs, which everyone has grown accustomed to, so there has been no change. If handled loosely, there would be no unified regulations; if enforced too strictly, it would lead to violations of the law. This is not simply about establishing clear laws followed by punishments. I believe that each region should list out the public expenditures, public fields, grains, and the old customs of welcoming guests beyond the previous provisions, and allow the officials to review these carefully to ensure fairness and reasonableness. As long as the matter is reasonable, it should be approved accordingly; if it harms public interests or encroaches on the rights of the people, it should be prohibited, and clear standards should be established and issued nationwide as a permanent system." The emperor accepted his advice.
Wang Yi did not engage in the day-to-day affairs of the court, but most of his suggestions and plans were adopted. After his mourning period ended, he was promoted to Shizhong. Two years later, the emperor issued a decree stating, "Han Dynasty's Prince Xiao of Liang received special favor from the emperor, and Jin Dynasty's Prince Wenxian also held a higher position than usual. Moreover, Wang Yi's status is equivalent to the virtuous ministers of the past dynasty, and his achievements surpass the previous examples. Although family ties are fundamental, the strengthening of the bond between monarch and minister due to his achievements should be acknowledged. His lands and households should be increased to reflect the court's favor." Therefore, Wang Yi's fiefdom was expanded to include an additional four thousand households.
During the Yuan and Song dynasties during the Jiajing period, those princes who entered the palace to meet the emperor had to wear white clothes and white hats. Only after leaving the Taiji Four Wings (the palace area) could they change into court attire. Since then, this rule was abolished. The emperor and Xie Lingyun were born in the same year and had a good relationship. When banquets were held in the palace, Xie Lingyun was allowed to wear informal attire as he did during the Jiajing period. Xie Lingyun firmly declined, as he did not wish to disobey the emperor's decree. He only wore white clothes and a black gauze hat to the banquet when the emperor visited his mansion.
Xie Lingyun wrote to the emperor, saying: "After I returned to the court, I reduced the number of guards armed with ceremonial swords and hunting knives. Originally, there were more than a dozen; now, they have all been eliminated. Only a few are temporarily brought when traveling out of the city, and even those are saved when entering the palace. The guards I now have with me consist of two horse-drawn carriages and some Bai Zhi (bodyguards), totaling seventy to eighty people. No matter what happens, I always make sure to report to the emperor first. I am worried that Your Majesty may not fully understand the situation yet, and someone may say that I have too many or too few people, not in line with the actual situation. I hope you can issue a decree to clarify this matter."
He also wrote: "The previous Yangzhou governor had six guards carrying white feather fans and two guards carrying white dust brushes. I find this somewhat strange, and I'm unsure how to address it. When traveling through the royal gardens, the carriages sound their horns upon exiting the garden gates. These are old customs that have been passed down, not just in the Shenzhou region. This practice has already begun and cannot be changed arbitrarily."
The emperor replied, "The ceremonial sword and execution guard should not be reduced. The number of carriage guards and white feather guards should be no more than one hundred and fifty; that should be sufficient. I haven't heard anyone talk about this. I don't let any of you princes reduce your guards, especially not you. There’s no issue with riding in a private garden. In the suburbs, there used to be buglers, white feather fans, and dust brushes, but those haven't been in use for quite a while. When officials from other places return to the capital, there used to be musical bands for ceremonies in Guangzhou, and the Ministry of Rites also managed the matters of carriages. These are all subject to change based on the situation, and some practices can be reinstated. If you still have doubts, you can talk it over with Wang Jian and the others, as long as court etiquette is upheld."
The emperor said again: "I'm not really good at socializing, nor am I good at reading people's cues. In the past, I often saw officials in rough clothes, even in straw sandals when going to court, and I didn't think it was strange. When I visited the king of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the processions and attire followed the old customs of Song Wuling. I brought two parasols with me, and I didn't change them when I got back to the capital. I didn’t think it would raise any eyebrows. My children and servants all wore blue cloth clothes, and there is a servant in my house who also dressed like this. I figured it was pretty much like what regular folks wear, so I didn’t see a problem, unlike those fancy carriages. Thanks to your understanding, I've changed all that. When I was in the borderlands before, I naturally had guards around me. Since returning to the capital, I've let most of them go. The guard of over three hundred people is now reduced to around a hundred around me. I always thought the princes in the capital didn’t need that many guards, only when traveling far from the city. So I didn't think much about it. It's not just me who has guards, so I felt awkward about telling you separately. Besides, Wang Jian has already reported my situation to you. Now, I come and go from court, enjoying some pretty nice treatment, living in fancy mansions and a lifestyle that's a far cry from my old simple one. Even though all this follows the old Song customs and is approved by you, I still feel a bit guilty about it. About the guards, I hope you can understand."
The emperor replied, "Those who deliver the edicts are all palace staff; there won’t be any rumors. As for the parasol, I haven't seen it since I ascended the throne, so I specifically ordered it to be provided. As for your children's and servants' attire, it was never a problem. Now that I know about these matters, how could I not tell you and leave you to deal with those rumors? I have already given the order; you don’t need to cut back on the guards; just carry on as usual. I didn’t have time to address the guards’ situation yesterday; Wang Jian has already updated me, and I have instructed him to reply to you, so there's no need to send another report. In the future, just speak up directly; there’s no need to complicate things."
The emperor said, "I have been serving you in the capital for over a decade, constantly worried, until recently when I finally felt a bit more relaxed. Lately, I have been serving by your side frequently, experiencing a mix of sadness and joy. I drank too much wine to express my closeness to you, to let others know and avoid gossip. What’s the difference between your grace towards your children and this? External things naturally change over time, and voices also vary in thickness. I assume you haven't had a chance to read my memorial yet. When I was in Dongtian before, I drank too much wine out of gratitude for your grace, and I always thought about the slanders against me last autumn, so this memorial is written more earnestly, also to let everyone know, hoping you can understand my intentions. When I served you at Shunzhi's residence before, I rode a carriage to the back gate of the palace as usual. The person in charge of monitoring didn't tell me if I could enter, and they were arguing to report to each other, saying my carriage hit the royal carriage and flags, as if it was intentional. Thinking carefully about their intentions, it's really hard for people. I hope you can see through this situation and issue a decree soon; otherwise, I would never know what unintentional mistake I made. The palace has been heavily guarded recently, which is to be expected, but rumors outside say I seized the imperial knife in Hualin Garden, so it's even stricter. Thinking carefully, it definitely wouldn't be like that, so I am reporting to you again in my memorial. However, rumors spread easily, and reconciliation is too difficult. I hope you still remember the incident of me submitting a memorial at Shitou; don't let me fall into trouble. During this period of serving you, it has been more casual, so I also passed on Ruliang's words to you. Since I came to the capital, I have always submitted memorials, wanting to express my loyalty every time, but due to lack of consideration, there may be some places where I didn't follow the rules. Moreover, at fifty years old, how much time do I really have left to enjoy life? So I can't control myself either. The Beidi old residence was already very magnificent; I just renovated it a bit, with minor changes, and I have already reported it in my memorial. Last year, I collected some miscellaneous materials, and you graciously rewarded me with some old wooden boards. I requested to build a small bedroom in it, and now it's almost completed, all patched up, without violating the palace regulations. The main material is cypress wood, and it looks brand new now. The East Mansion also has a meditation room, which is also a luxurious house. But having two residences at once makes me uneasy. I heard that there is a cypress house in the Xuanpu of the East Palace, with a very ancient style, and no meditation room inside. I want to dismantle it and offer it to the crown prince, not only to abandon my previous efforts but also because there are too many patched up places that are hard to move, and outsiders may gossip. I wonder if you can allow me to move the meditation room from the East Mansion there? I can reside anywhere in the court, so I assure you that I am not implying anything else in this memorial. No one has told me about this, and the crown prince doesn't even know about this room of mine; it's just that there is no meditation room in the East Palace, and it feels inappropriate for me to live there. If you allow it, I would promptly construct that room and settle in. If you don't understand my difficulties, then I will never build it again. I believe this memorial serves not only for my own comfort but also reflects on my past, hoping you can approve it. I saw that you have issued severe decrees multiple times due to the princes' corruption and bribery, and I live frugally, as I have already reported in my memorial. The mansions in the prefectures and counties are not my private property, and all expenses now are public funds; I have no personal savings, and I don't know if I have to figure out a way to make a living after stepping down in the future. These years, I have been in poor health, often reflecting alone, merely living as I wish." The emperor replied, "Ruliang, how can I be indifferent to your hard work and illness as mentioned in your memorial and the other memorial I saw? Why did you write such a long memorial! You can find the general orders in the meaning you are looking for; it's not just for you. I will also speak about the matters that should be decreed, and recently I see you have been handling things in an orderly manner, so there's no need to write so much in letters. As for the matter of houses, don't be so persistent with this idea anymore; Baize (referring to an unclear person) must also not understand your intentions."
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Three years have passed since Prince Wenhui finished teaching the "Classic of Filial Piety." Xie An wanted to resign and return home, but the emperor did not agree. After the wedding of the emperor's grandson was completed, Xie An once again requested to resign. The emperor then issued an edict saying, "Xie An, your moral character is truly noble, and there is no reason to refuse your request. Moreover, who can compare to the wise ministers of the states of Lu and Wei now? Your behavior and style were role models at that time, and your reputation is recorded in history. How can you repeatedly decline and disappoint my expectations?" Xie An was always worried that his achievements were too high, so during a palace banquet, he requested the emperor to allow him to go to Yangzhou to be the teacher of the Prince of Jingling. The emperor ultimately did not agree and said, "Don't bring this up again!"
After Emperor Wen of Song ascended the throne, he issued several commands to appoint Xie An as an official, but Xie An refused to go. Later, the emperor tasked Xie An with paying respects at the tombs. On his way back, he passed by the Temple of the Younger Son of Yanling and took a look at the boiling well. At this time, a water buffalo unexpectedly rushed into the procession. The soldiers caught the water buffalo to interrogate it, but Xie An stopped them. He had someone tie a piece of silk cloth to the buffalo's horns and then let the buffalo go back. Xie An was known for his kindness and benevolence, winning the admiration of both the court and the common people.
Four years into the reign, Tang Yu and his gang of little thieves rebelled. He reported to the emperor, "These little thieves are nothing but brutish and foolish folk. The net of heaven has already been spread; there's no need to waste breath on them. However, Your Majesty, you are wise and enlightened. For the sake of peace in the realm, perhaps you can listen to their grievances; they might have their own reasons. I humbly present my thoughts. I have been blessed by Your Majesty to enjoy peace and prosperity, both personally and publicly. The unification of the Qi state is still recent, and though the benefits have spread among the people, it has not benefited many. The people still harbor much resentment, and many still harbor ill will. Your Majesty has always been very kind, always thinking of the welfare of the people. However, recently, both officials and common people have been flouting the law for petty profits, not considering long-term interests. For example, they are falsifying household and craftsman registrations, as well as land measurements, hiding people, and violating various regulations, all of which have exacerbated grievances. These petty profits are not a sustainable way to govern. If one can't even keep a house clean, how can the entire world be governed? The court is aware that people often try to be clever, and throughout history, governing a country cannot be too strict on everything, which is why they turn a blind eye. However, fewer than one in a thousand truly grasp this principle, not even Your Majesty's brothers, sons, or advisors, let alone the people of the world. Accumulated grievances will give rise to factions, and brutish and ignorant individuals will conspire. If it occurs in one place, it might not raise alarms, but if it occurs in several areas, it could lead to chaos throughout the realm. I've long wished to address this issue, but have found no opportunity to do so. Now, I must speak boldly and earnestly urge Your Majesty to give this serious consideration."
The emperor replied, "How can we tolerate those crafty individuals? Isn't the chaos of the Song Dynasty due to this? What are those little minions worth? They have already been defeated by the righteous army; the official army only arrived yesterday; they should have been wiped out by now. I am furious about the poor execution of my decrees. Which dynasty didn't have fugitives?" Later, the emperor ordered a re-registration of household registration.
Five years later, Tang Yu was promoted to Grand Marshal. Eight years later, the emperor gave him a beautifully decorated carriage. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed as the Minister of the Interior, but he firmly turned it down.
Xie Fei stood an impressive seven feet eight inches tall, with a dignified appearance and extraordinary temperament, outstanding literary talent, held in high regard by the emperor and held a prestigious position in court. Every time he entered and exited the palace, everyone showed him great respect. He himself felt that his position was very high, so he wanted to keep a low profile, and he renovated the old garden and farmland of his northern estate. After seven years, he requested to resign and return home, so the emperor appointed Crown Prince Xie Zilian to succeed him in the Eastern Palace. The emperor often visited Xie Fei's home.
When Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty was building the Changning Tomb, the road conveniently passed right in front of Xie Fei's house. The emperor said, "I am going to find someone in his tomb!" So he had the intricately carved stone qilin and stele moved from Xie Fei's doorstep to Donggang. The qilin and stele were carved very exquisitely, brought by Emperor Xiaowu of the Song Dynasty from Xiangyang. Later generations of emperors imitated it in their tombs, but none could ever match it. During the later years of the Yongming era, the emperor took several outings, and only Xie Fei accompanied him. Once, when the emperor came out from Xinlin Garden, the two of them rode in a carriage back to the palace at night. Upon reaching the palace gate, Xie Fei dismounted the carriage to take his leave. The emperor said, "When traveling tonight, don't let the officials stop you." Xie Fei replied, "In the emperor's carriage, everyone falls under my command, Your Majesty, so there's no need to worry." The emperor laughed heartily.
The emperor planned to conduct a northern campaign and rewarded Xie Mo with the enemy's tribute felt carts. Every time the emperor visited Xie Mo's house, he ordered all the servants to be sent away and without any defenses in place. The emperor even specifically instructed the palace officials to say, "When I go to Grand Marshal Xie Mo's house, it's like going home." The emperor's concubine, Yu Shi, had fallen ill, and after she recovered, the emperor went to Xie Mo's house and set up gold and stone musical ensembles in the back hall, with palace maids all present. Every time the emperor visited Xie Mo's house, he would have a great time, staying late into the night. Xie Mo said to the emperor, "The ancients used to wish Your Majesty a long life like Mount Nan or ten thousand years, but those words sound a bit insincere. What I truly hope for in my heart is for Your Majesty to live to one hundred years old, and that would be enough." The emperor said, "How could one live to one hundred years old? To live to one hundred 'li' (referring to a hundred years) would be good enough, and that would suffice."
Ten years passed, and the emperor wanted to reward the sons of high official Yi with land and titles. According to previous custom, each family should be granted a thousand households. But Yi felt that this was excessive and requested the emperor to reduce it to five hundred households per family. That year, he fell seriously ill and submitted a petition for resignation, but the emperor did not grant his request and instead rewarded him with one million coins for the construction of temples. Yi then submitted another memorial, saying, "Since falling ill, Your Majesty's favor has been bountiful, with imperial physicians and officials doing their best to treat me. Your Majesty's kindness and favor have reached the highest honor a subject can receive. Now that my illness is getting worse, I fear I may not live much longer. I hope Your Majesty can recruit talents, treat the people kindly, live a long and healthy life, and benefit the people of the world. As for me, my time is short, and I will soon leave Your Majesty's favor behind and bid farewell to this beautiful world." With that, he could not help but cry.
At the age of forty-nine, he died. On that day, the emperor visited him twice, only returning to the palace after he had died. The emperor issued a decree saying, "He was intelligent, wise, and loyal to me, with significant contributions. His career had just begun, his virtues shone brightly in the court and among the people, and his political achievements benefited the realm. Now, he has suddenly passed away; I am heartbroken and can hardly bear this tremendous loss! Oh, what should I do? I will personally mourn for him. In accordance with the Nine Lives Rites, everything should be prepared. He should be dressed in his ceremonial robes for burial, with fine funeral items, and a complete set of clothes. All funeral arrangements should follow the customs of the Prince of Dongping from the Han Dynasty. The Grand Herald will escort the coffin with a ceremonial staff, and court officials will come to pay their respects every morning and evening. The Grand Marshal and officials from both ministries will cease all duties to attend his funeral."
The minister reported: I have heard that the royal family's brothers mentioned in the "Spring and Autumn Annals" were recorded with special reverence. Therefore, their ceremonial ranks and titles differed from those of others. The Prince of Liang during the Han Dynasty received the honor of having guards clear the way and a grand procession on his travels, while the Prince of Qi from the Jin Dynasty was granted special attire and the symbol of the Nine Tripods.
Since the Jiang Dynasty, there has been a decline in the respect for royal relatives, resulting in the loss of those grand ceremonies. This is mainly due to the absence of someone in that role, rather than a lack of the ceremonies themselves. The achievements of the Prince of Qi are quite similar to the current circumstances; both were aimed at establishing the nation, and their merits are equally remarkable. Reforms made in response to changing times reflect varying degrees of favor and merit. If things were done according to the previous rules, the ceremonies would remain unchanged. Furthermore, the late Grand Marshal Ren He, whose benevolence and moral integrity were inherent, had a life characterized by filial piety and respect, and his loyalty and righteousness were evident in his diligent service to the monarch. He served the emperor tirelessly and never harmed the people! He was upright and honest, displaying no outward emotions; he lived a quiet and peaceful life, steering clear of the struggles for fame and fortune. The Book of Songs says, "There are few who start well and can persist to the end." Indeed, it is rare for anyone to persist until the end, and we should do so now, not neglecting his virtues. The Prince of Dongping had a fondness for small acts of kindness, and the King of Hejian loved poetry and books. Their merits were insignificant, and they had not experienced any danger, yet they are still remembered in history, earning them a lasting legacy. Moreover, now he assists the royal family in creating a hegemony, with remarkable achievements, a distinguished reputation, a high status, and noble character. In my humble opinion, there is no historical precedent for this. Generally speaking, people of the same clan get along well, but few can match him. They all rose from commoners to prominent positions together; what differences could there be in their interactions? Sharing joys and sorrows, what valuable experiences wouldn't they share? The emperor has never seen his face but feels delighted, and is even happier upon seeing him.
When it comes to his risking his life in the face of danger, the emperor personally witnessed him gasping for breath at a critical moment. The emperor had been watching over him the entire time, and his cries shook the heavens and earth, moving both gods and spirits. The emperor even stopped eating and sleeping because of this, crying all night, feeling despondent, his appearance haggard within just a few days. Who wouldn't feel sad and fearful upon seeing this? Such an account has never been recorded in history. Since he has such great merit, he really should be given ceremonial garments as a mark of honor. If it were overlooked due to negligence, it would be problematic to grant him a posthumous award, so as not to leave future generations with regrets. Even those with far lesser achievements have been honored with grand rewards; moreover, he is so distinguished, how can such a grand ceremony be missed? I suspect the emperor has already made up his mind.
The emperor issued another imperial decree, stating: "Rewards and titles are to commend achievements, rituals and hierarchical systems are to record merits. Remembering ancestors is a great strategy of past emperors, passed down through generations as a tradition. Therefore, I appoint the bearer of the ceremonial staff, commander of the military forces in Yangzhou and Nanxu, Grand General, simultaneously serving as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Governor of Yangzhou, and newly appointed Minister of the Palace Secretariat, Prince Yuzhi of Yuzhang. He is of noble character, exceptional wisdom, rooted in benevolence and righteousness, gaining fame at a young age and showing extraordinary talent early on, playing a role in the early establishment of the empire, assisting in consolidating the royal foundation, renowned for his filial piety and harmonious relationships within the community, loyalty and integrity evident in the court. When he took power, governing the region, benefiting all seven areas of governance, managing all six departments efficiently, his administration was transparent and attuned to the needs of the times, caring for the people, aiding disaster victims, always with a compassionate heart. His demeanor is elegant, appearance dignified, highly esteemed, revered by all. Our bond is deep, like family; I was planning to bestow upon him the symbol of supreme power, allowing him to enjoy the highest sacrificial honors, participating in ceremonies for heaven and earth, accompanying me in worshiping the Five Sacred Mountains. Unfortunately, fate envied his talent; he suddenly passed away, and I am profoundly saddened, my heart weighed down with grief. Now, in accordance with auspicious funeral dates, I have decided to posthumously bestow upon him higher honors to recognize his contributions. He is posthumously appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the national military, Prime Minister, and Governor of Yangzhou, bestowed with a green silk ribbon, and funeral rites will be conducted in accordance with the standards of the Nine Mourning Garments, while the titles of Palace Attendant, Grand Marshal, and Grand Tutor remain unchanged. For the funeral, the Luan Lu chariot adorned with nine banners, the yellow pavilion with left flag, accompanied by one hundred elite Tiger Guards, and feathered canopy drums and trumpets both front and back, the funeral proceedings will follow the standards set for the Duke of Dongping."
This imperial decree expresses the importance of commending merits and honoring ancestors, a longstanding tradition among emperors. Prince Yude of Yuzhang was both virtuous and talented, with remarkable achievements, and held in high regard by me. I had planned to bestow greater honors upon him, but sadly, he passed away at a young age. I am deeply saddened by his passing; therefore, I posthumously promoted him to a higher official position and conducted a funeral ceremony with the highest honors to convey my sorrow.
Before the old man passed away, he called his sons Zilian and Zike and said with deep emotion and sincerity: "Life is full of uncertainties, and now that I’m old, I don’t know how much longer I have left. The place I’m living now isn’t what I had originally hoped for. I’ve never been one to chase after money; this has been my belief since I was young. It’s just that the burdens you brothers carry have weighed on my mind in my old age. After I’m gone, you brothers must encourage each other; sticking together as brothers is what matters most. Abilities vary, career paths have ups and downs, and fate has wealth and poverty; these are all natural laws, so don’t belittle or insult each other over these things. If there’s a higher power and you all put in the effort, things will turn out differently. Study diligently, uphold the family business, manage the household well, live simply, and you won’t have worries. The emperor, crown prince, and other virtuous people won’t change their feelings towards you because of my passing. During the first three days of mourning, all you’ll need is incense, a water basin, dry rice, wine, and betel nuts. On the first and fifteenth of every month, just set out a plate of vegetarian dishes and some fruits, and that’s all you need. After the burial, besides the spirit tablet, you can place my usual carriage, fan, and umbrella. On the first and fifteenth of every month, just sit on the floor with incense, a water basin, wine, dry rice, and betel nuts being sufficient. Although my talents can’t compare to those of ancient scholars, I’ve put thought into this, and I won’t leave too much trouble for you with excessive wealth. The clothes I have left, since my younger brother isn’t married yet and my sisters haven’t married either, can be used as their dowries; you can figure it out among yourselves. There are many things, so I won’t go into detail. Don’t put extra stuff in the coffin or grave to avoid any issues later. Other than the mourning clothes, just leave the iron sickle. Stick to the rules and don’t dig too deep. You can put up Buddha statues in the back hall and provide for the two foreign monks; keep everything else as it is. The boat I used to play with in the back hall, and the cattle and horses I rode, give them to the Second Palace and Situ; my clothes and fur, use them for merit." Zilian and the others wept and promised to carry out his wishes.
Emperor Shizu was deeply saddened by the death of the old official. It wasn't until winter that he finally held a banquet for the courtiers, with tears in his eyes. He also ordered that the princes were forbidden from building tall structures that overlooked the palace. Later, the Empress Dowager went up to Jingyang Tower and saw those tall buildings from afar, feeling a deep sadness. So Emperor Shizu ordered all those tall buildings to be torn down. After the old official's death, the family was left without cash, so Emperor Shizu ordered the sale of miscellaneous items and clothing, raising millions to build the Jieshan Temple. He also allocated a monthly offering of one million coins to the old official's residence until he passed away.
He was a big-hearted guy, especially hated hearing bad things about others. If someone wrote a letter of accusation, he would stuff it in his shoes and burn it without a second thought. Once, a warehouse he managed caught fire and burned down all the funds of Jingzhou Prefecture, totaling over thirty million. The officials in charge only got a few dozen lashes, and that was that.
His closest officials were Yue Ai from Nanyang, Liu Hui from Pengcheng, and Zhang Ji from Wu County. Yue Ai wrote a letter to Prince Liang of Jingling at that time, saying, "Morality can endure for ages, and reputation grows ever louder with time. While recording on bamboo slips may last for generations, it cannot compare to the eternity of jade and stone. How can grand words ever match the beauty of exquisite carvings? Prime Minister, you possess noble character, a pure heart, profound wisdom, and keen insight into worldly affairs. Thus, the greater your merits, the wiser you seem; the higher your achievements, the more wisdom you display. Your grace is profound, your achievements are hard to describe; we are filled with gratitude and emotion, yet we can never fully repay your kindness. I have admired your integrity since childhood and am deeply grateful for your kindness, hoping to express my condolences for your passing. I intend to lead officials from Jingzhou, Jiangzhou, and Xiangzhou to erect a monument at your tomb, in hopes that your achievements will be eternally remembered and your spirit will live on. Consider this: in the past, Zigong erected a stele for his teacher Confucius, creating a beautiful legend; the accomplishments of Marquis Ju Ping, Zhang Liang, also brought tears and nostalgia to the people of southern Han, let alone your profound grace and enduring kindness! I am about to return to the capital to report on my duties, and I cannot personally handle this matter. Once the funds are raised in Xizhou, I will entrust this matter to Minister Liu Hui of the Central Secretariat."
Aigai, the Right Chancellor Shen Yue, wrote a letter saying: "The achievements that have endured, even if written on bamboo slips, may sometimes decay over time; and the records of virtues and achievements, even if engraved on gold and stone, will not always be passed down forever. Prime Minister, you are an outstanding figure among the people, shining like the sun and moon, illuminating all around. You have shown noble virtues and loyalty in the countryside; in the court, your remarkable achievements have helped the king govern the country. Your achievements cannot be described in words; your virtues are noble and brilliant. Even though you lead a very low-key life, appearing to have little merit, your contributions throughout the year are immense. I heard that the people of Guizhou want to establish a monument to commemorate you, and the people of Jingnan are equally touched and unsure how to express our respect. You have governed the Jianghan region, laid the foundation for the country, and ensured that the customs of clothing, headwear, rites, and music benefit future generations. According to local customs, if a monument is erected in your honor, the entire city will pause its activities to pay their respects, reflecting the traditional virtues of the Jingnan people, hoping to express our gratitude for your merits and let your achievements last forever. Many people in Jingzhou, Jiangzhou, and Xiangzhou want to participate in this matter and contribute their efforts to express their admiration for you. This matter requires someone with exceptional writing skills to compose the inscription, and we are currently unable to make a decision. We must find a person of high reputation and integrity to undertake this task; only then can it be accomplished. Besides someone as reputable as you, who else can handle it? I fear I cannot write an inscription worthy of expressing our respect and may disappoint everyone's expectations. I am merely an unknown individual from the West, blessed by your grace, with no worries about food and clothing. I always remember your kindness, which endures like the sun and moon, and whenever I think of your achievements, I am deeply moved and heartbroken. I have always believed my fortune is as abundant as the Nanshan Mountains, and my lifespan as long as Ren Shou, but we humble individuals are merely dust. I never expected to receive such great kindness from you."
Shen Yue replied, "Chancellor, your exalted virtues and illustrious accomplishments make you an unparalleled and distinguished figure among the populace. Your achievements are as monumental as those of Yi Yin and Zhou Dan, and your passing has plunged the court and the common people into deep sorrow. I am deeply honored that you have entrusted me to compose an epitaph that commemorates your achievements, ensuring that your name will be immortalized. This requires a brilliant piece of writing to showcase, and I am very willing to discuss this matter with you. Guo Youdao of the Han Dynasty was just an ordinary person; only Cai Bojie could stand alongside him. Xie Anshi, a prime minister from a prestigious family, did not receive the lavish praise he deserved at the time, and in the end, his inscription was not completed. Furthermore, your esteemed status and virtuous character are well recognized, and your illustrious image is known far and wide. Only the most distinguished scholars of our time are worthy of penning your epitaph. As for me, Shen Yue, I am merely a humble villager, unknown and unworthy. It is truly beyond my capacity to accept such an esteemed commission, and upon hearing your request, I am already drenched in sweat."
During the Jianwu period, the second son, Zike, entrusted Shen Yue and the Crown Prince's Minister, Kong Zhigui, to compose the epitaph.
Zilian, styled Jingai, was initially designated as the heir by his father Yili Yufu Hou Zixiang, and was granted the title of Marquis of Yongxin with a fief of a thousand households. Later, Zixiang lost his status as heir, and Zilian ascended to that position. He was then promoted to General of Ning Shuo, Prefect of Huaili, Attendant of the Crown Prince, and General of the Front Army, and was exceptionally adept at pacifying his subordinates. He passed away eleven years later and was posthumously appointed as an attendant, with the posthumous title of Ai Shizi.
His third son, Marquis Zicao of Quanling, was a notable figure. At that time, there were no fixed standards for the sons of kings and nobles to hold official positions; only those from prestigious families, such as the eldest sons of the Three Excellencies, could hold positions like that of a junior official. During the Jianwu period, Zicao began his career as a commoner and eventually rose to the position of Chief Censor. This set a precedent for the late Qi dynasty. In the first year of Yongtai, Marquis Zike of Nankang served as the Governor of Wu Commandery but had to flee back to the capital to escape the pursuit of Wang Jingze. Consequently, the court appointed Zicao as General of Ningyuan and Governor of Wu Commandery. During the Yongyuan period, he was promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant. Later, during a siege by loyalist forces, Zicao and his younger brother, Marquis Ziguang of Yiyang, were killed in battle.
His fourth son, Zixing, was the Marquis of Taoyang and passed away early.
Zi Yuanlin inherited the marquisate. After the emperor's abdication, a decree was issued stating: "To honor the merits of our ancestors and uphold this glorious tradition, I am pleased to implement this measure to uphold the example set by our ancestors. Prince Yuzhang, Yuanlin, and the descendants of the late Prince Zhao of Baling belong to the Qi clan, direct descendants of the founding emperor and the martial emperor. They should inherit their titles to continue the ancestral sacrifices. Prince Yuanlin was granted the title of Marquis of Xingan County, with a fief of five hundred households."
Historians noted that Chu Yuanwang, the younger brother of the founding emperor, had no achievements yet enjoyed a title in the Han dynasty; Dongping Xianwang abdicated the throne and did not participate in the founding of Emperor Guangwu; Prince Xiaowang of Liang was misled by his victories and cunning; Prince Anping was separated from the fate of the Jin dynasty. Those who aligned themselves with the powerful and enjoyed temporary prominence, despite their noble status, often found themselves in precarious situations, as their arrogance frequently led to their downfall. Prince Yuzhang Yuanlin possessed the qualities of a prime minister; he was intelligent, upright, and sincere, and his behavior adhered to proper etiquette, which allowed him to bring glory to his ancestors and prosperity to his family, much like in the early years of the Zhou dynasty. Since the time of the Duke of Zhou assisting King Cheng, no one has been able to compare to him.
Praise: The great and virtuous ancestor, exemplifying virtue. Transforming loyalty into filial piety, nurturing friendship with reverence. The emperor established the foundation, and our king diligently toiled. When the nation faced difficulties, our king stitched them up. The path is deep and pragmatic, and the people thrive. Love is bequeathed to future generations, and the legacy resonates through time.
