Cui Zusai, styled Jingyuan, was from Wucheng in Qinghe Dong. He was the seventh great-grandson of Cui Yan. His grandfather, Cui Yin, was the governor of Songzhou, and his father Cui Senghu was a scholar in the province. From a young age, Cui Zusai was ambitious and loved reading history. At first, he was hired as a registrar in the province. One time, he went to Yao Temple to make sacrifices with Governor Liu Huaizhen, where a portrait of Su Jun was displayed. Liu Huaizhen remarked, "Yao is a sage; why is he grouped with the other gods? I think we should remove Su Jun's portrait. What do you think?" Cui Zusai replied, "Su Jun is basically the fifth of the 'Four Villains' now." Liu Huaizhen then ordered the removal of the other gods' portraits.
Later, when Taizu was in Huaiyin, Cui Zusai heard about it and decided to join him, becoming the registrar of Shangfu Guo. Taizu held him in high regard and often included him in major planning. He was later promoted to various positions, including Feng Chaoqing, Ancheng Wang Fuzhongjun Xing Canjun, Yuanwai Zhengyuanlang, and Zhongzheng of Jizhou. At the start of the Song Dynasty, when Taizu was about to be titled Liang Gong, Cui Zusai advised him, "The Book of Prophecies says, 'the golden knife will cut together.' Now it should be called Qi to become emperor; this aligns with the will of heaven." Taizu accepted his advice. Cui Zusai was later promoted to Attendant Cavalry of Xiangguo and then further promoted to Neishi of Qi Guo. In the first year of Jianyuan, he was promoted to Changjian Geishi Huangmen Shilang.
As soon as the emperor ascended the throne, Cui Zusi presented political affairs to him, saying: "Classics like the 'Book of Rites' and the 'Book of Documents' are the foundation of human relationships and the key to effective governance by the emperor. Throughout history, to achieve success, education must be prioritized. If society does not value learning, the people will lack ambition and integrity, resulting in conflict and chaos. Therefore, to foster a positive social climate and ensure national stability, nothing is more important than emphasizing education. We must not let comfort dull our vigilance, nor let wealth change our ambitions. Currently, there are many vacant official positions, yet salaries continue to be paid without performance evaluations for three years, and there is no system of promotion or demotion for nine years. Consequently, the country's reserves are dwindling, and the people's energy is being squandered. We need to establish clear regulations, avoiding the confusion seen between the Jing River and the Wei River. Schools should be set up south of the ancestral temple, and military academies should be established north of the Ministry of Agriculture. Officials in each province and county should be assigned studies according to their interests, enabling them to reach their full potential. Salaries should be disbursed monthly, as promptly as in the past. If anyone becomes complacent, they should be reassigned to their original county. Individuals with exceptional talents should be promoted outside the usual regulations. Diligent scholars will undoubtedly attain various ranks; the populace will recognize the value of education and work even harder."
Once, someone remarked: "Emperor Wen of Han used the cloth bag meant for official documents as palace drapes, wore rough clothing, and secured a sword with a belt. His empress, Lady Sheng, wore garments that didn't touch the ground. He was too stingy to build tall terraces. As for Liu Bei, he melted the copper hooks from the tents to make coins to enrich the treasury. Cao Cao married off his daughter, using only a black tent and ten maidservants. Prince Dong'e flaunted his embroidered attire but was ridiculed for his choice of premium rice. Emperor Wu of Song was notoriously frugal. In the quarters of his Empress Zhang, there were merely green gauze curtains, basic mats, and five plates of peach blossom rice. Someone suggested to Yin Zhongwen that he should hire some musicians, and Yin Zhongwen replied, 'I don't really know much about music.' The person said, 'Then hire musicians who can play without needing guidance.' Yin Zhongwen replied, 'I'm worried they'll play too much, which is why I don't hire them.'"
He continued, "Look at the emperors of the past dynasties; which one prospered because of frugality and fell because of extravagance? I hope Your Majesty will emulate the thriftiness of Tang Yao, learn the simplicity of Yu Shun, and build the palace simply with ordinary wood; pottery utensils will suffice. Let those precious jade hairpins and chopsticks be smashed to powder; let precious fur coats and embroidered clothes be burned to ashes! Only then can we set a noble example and enable the common people to live in peace and happiness. However, even if education deeply affects the people, their bad habits cannot be changed overnight, so laws should be enforced more strictly to rapidly improve the social climate. Upon careful observation of the court officials, those who ride in wooden carts and live in simple houses hold high positions, while those who live in luxurious mansions and ride in magnificent carriages hold low positions. They are addicted to hunting and entertainment, violate the principles of integrity, indulge in alcohol, and do not move up in their positions for a long time. To help them understand the truth, they must feel both fear and receive guidance; only then can customs be changed, and results will follow in a timely manner."
Someone once remarked: "The laws and regulations of our country have always been crucial throughout history. Take Cao Shen's departure from the Qi state as an example; he only mentioned the situation of the prison and the market and didn't mention anything else. Lu Wenshu once said, 'The Qin Dynasty had ten major mistakes, and one of them still remains unresolved, which is the officials responsible for judgment.' Therefore, we need to reorganize the Ministry of Justice and select outstanding officials to serve as the Three Officials—namely, the Ministry of Justice, the Imperial Censor, and the Grand Court Justice—as well as the positions of Temple Secretary and Prison Warden, who should be selected with great care. They should thoroughly study the laws and regulations and eliminate unnecessary and harsh provisions. The cases of imperial decrees (cases directly ordered by the emperor for trial) and local county yamen cases should be tried three times a month, carefully observing the expressions of the prisoners and understanding their situations to prevent miscarriages of justice. This is the only way to wisely apply punishments without disregarding the teachings of the Book of Changes; it's better to mistakenly release an innocent person than to wrongfully accuse one, thus adhering to the principles of the Book of Zhou. Since the Han Dynasty, many prominent families have been involved in the legal system, with generations of descendants working in this field, and they would gather for lectures, sometimes with hundreds of students in attendance. Therefore, the Zhang and Yu families gained renown during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing; the Chen and Guo families were also widely known during the reigns of Emperors Wu and Ming. They handled cases fairly, allowing their families to prosper, and their descendants continuously held high positions, carrying on their honor. However, the current officials in the Ministry of Justice are mainly relatives and friends of clerks, and their family backgrounds pale in comparison to prestigious families like Xianyang and Hongnong, and they have not received proper legal education. This explains the current failures in the execution of punishments. We need to carefully select individuals of high moral character, let them study the laws and regulations, assess their abilities, and then promote them to serve as officials in the Ministry of Justice. It is rare for a family in office for generations to fail to achieve good results; if they give up this profession but still want to do things well, it is simply impossible. Just like Liu Lei, who has preserved ancestral skills for generations, their descendants won't have to worry about food and drink; this principle is quite clear."
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Next, he said, "Music can move heaven and earth, influence ghosts and gods, rectify people's emotions, and uphold moral standards. Its role is very significant! Look at the Western Han Dynasty, with a national population of tens of millions; the Court Music had eight hundred and twenty-nine musicians. Later, Kong Guang and others requested the removal of those musicians who did not meet legal requirements, resulting in a reduction of four hundred and forty-one, and ultimately, the Court Music was reduced to three hundred and eighty-eight musicians. Now the national population is under one million, but during the Ya Yue and Zheng Yue periods of the Yuanhui era, there were indeed over a thousand musicians participating in the exams. This represents a significant waste of manpower and resources, and it damages the social climate! If we want to set things right, the best way is to eliminate the miscellaneous performers, and only retain the bells, chimes, feathers, and singing in court music. This way, the country can save on expenses, and the social climate will improve."
It is said that Confucianism fundamentally focuses on moral education, while Legalism emphasizes strict laws and punishments. Moral education is the essential ingredient for effective governance, while laws and punishments are the remedy for troubled times. Therefore, moral education is like spring rain and dew, while laws and regulations are like autumn wind and frost. Only with a sense of shame and self-discipline can one become a respectful cornerstone; only with the enforcement of laws can they become the country's door latch. Therefore, the effectiveness of governance hinges on appropriate rewards and punishments. Rewards should prioritize fairness over mere quantity; punishments should not only focus on severity, but on reasonableness. For example, if person A's contributions are minor and person B's contributions are significant, but person A is rewarded while person B is ignored, then people will surely not strive; if person C's crime is heavy and person D's fault is light, but person D is punished while person C is pardoned, then people will surely not repent. Such inequitable rewards and punishments fail to encourage or restrain. The punished should serve as a warning to the citizens, and the rewarded should serve as an example to the people. Executing one person should instill fear in everyone, while rewarding one person should bring joy to everyone.
Next, he said that although countries with high taxes might appear wealthy, the common people are, in fact, very poor; by expanding farmland and ensuring a sufficient food supply, the country and its people will prosper. Emperor Yao used the resources of heaven and earth to solve the people's food and clothing problems; King Tang relied on the abundant harvest of the land to overcome the powerful forces of the Shang Dynasty. In modern times, the Wei Kingdom appointed agricultural officials, ensuring an abundance of food in the capital; the Jin Kingdom dug the Ru River and Ying River, developing the Bian River water transport, leading to substantial food reserves. Now, we should develop the regions of Xianyang and Huayin, develop the Longmen and northern desert areas, streamline corvée labor, encourage agricultural production, reclaim wasteland, and expand cultivated land. At the same time, we should lift the ban on mountain and pond use, strictly crack down on the actions of the powerful who merge land, ensuring that both the military and civilians are well-fed in order to go to war.
Finally, he also said that in ancient times, the Left Historian was responsible for recording speeches, while the Right Historian was responsible for recording events. Therefore, every action of the monarch should be documented with impartiality and accuracy; the monarch will not act recklessly, knowing that his words and deeds are all recorded. Nowadays, the officials responsible for recording only record daily affairs; those tasked with recording events merely engage in flattery. Nowadays, there are no honest historians akin to Dong Hu, thus, historical records are likely to be obscured; there is a lack of honest historical records similar to those in the Southern History, and instances of impartial and accurate recording have become increasingly rare.
Someone once said, "If we abolish the role of remonstrance officials, no one in the court will be brave enough to speak the truth, and different opinions will not be heard. Although you can urge officials to work hard and solicit public opinion widely, it is still not as effective as selecting honest and outspoken individuals to alleviate the court's concerns. After all, speaking out is often much harder than taking action; it is easy to do things as an official, but difficult to speak up. If no one expects you to speak up, you should feel ashamed. Although the Minister of the Interior is not as famous as Xian and Xuan, the impeachment system shouldn't be completely abolished; although the Minister of Justice is not a figure like Zhang Shizhi, there should still be some form of inquiry and documentation. Therefore, rather than letting others criticize you, it's better to proactively resign from your position, which is the most effective way. In the Han Dynasty, Gong Yu was appointed as a remonstrance official, and he dared to speak frankly; although Xiahou Sheng was upright, he offended the powerful and was imprisoned, but later he was appointed as a remonstrance official. You don't have to look far to find an axe to chop down a tree; just get on with it, and you'll do just fine."
Next, he said, "The heavens and the earth have their own laws of operation; all things grow naturally. How can our generation be the only one that's so desolate? The key is knowing how to recognize and utilize talent. If you have talented individuals but don't know it, know it but don't use them, use them but don't give them important tasks, give them important tasks but don't trust them, these four issues have plagued us throughout history. Now, if we recruit talent like Duke Huan of Qi did with Guo Kui and recommend talent like Bao Shuya did with Guan Zhong, then talented individuals from all over will come to us without needing to be summoned." The emperor was pleased to hear this and issued a decree to express his gratitude.
Not long after that, he was promoted to General of Ning Shuo, Champion of Sima, and concurrently held the position of Prefect of Qi Jun, while retaining his original position. That winter, northern nomadic tribes invaded, and he was promoted to Champion General, military commander, stationed by the Huai River. Two years later, he was promoted to General of Conquering the Barbarians, without any change to his role as military commander. He was then further promoted to Acting Commissioner and Superintendent of the Qing and Ji provinces, without any change to his position as general. Not long after, he passed away. The Emperor sighed and remarked, "I was just thinking of promoting Zu Si again, but I didn't expect him to die so soon. What a shame!" The Emperor also issued a decree granting him thirty thousand coins and fifty bolts of cloth for funeral expenses.
Zuo Sizong, whose name was Ren Wenzhong, started out as a minor official in the prefecture. During the Taishi period, he became the deputy of Xue Andu and returned after successfully quelling a rebellion. During the Yuanhui period, he followed Emperor Taizu to defeat the rebel army in Guiyang at Xinting, achieved significant merit, and was promoted to the rank of guerrilla general. Later, when Shen You rebelled, he helped Prince Yuzhang guard the Eastern Palace and was promoted all the way to the position of Cavalry Consultant, and finally appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. In the first year of Jianyuan, he was granted the title of Marquis of Jianyang County, with a fief of three hundred families. Two years later, when the enemy attacked Zhongli, Ren Wenzhong defeated them. He also sent troops to attack the enemy's Chamei Shu, killing the Shu lord Long Dehou, as well as the pretender Yangping Prefect Guo Duji, Guantao Prefect Zhang De, and Puyang Prefect Wang Ming. At that time, the enemy also killed the Matou Prefect Liu Cong, and the Emperor remarked, "Taking Chamei will compensate for that loss." Ren Wenzhong also sent troops to attack the Zhu Yi Shu lord Bai Zhongdu and sent troops to kill the pretender Huaiyang Prefect Liang E. Three years later, the righteous man Huan Lei from Huainan fought against the enemy at Baodu Gu and achieved a complete victory. Ren Wenzhong promptly reported to the court, and the Emperor said, "There are many people in the north who are rebelling. I am worried that a good opportunity will not come again. Encourage the people of Peixian to act together. If they can act together, I will send an excellent general to support them directly." The people of Xuzhou held him in high regard during his tenure there. Later, he was transferred back to the court as a Chamberlain, concurrently serving as the Yuezhi Colonel, and was also granted the title of Marquis of Suixian County. He once presented Emperor Taizu with a twisted rope, which the Emperor happily accepted. In the first year of Yongming, he became the Left Commander of the Crown Prince, and later was promoted to General of Conquering the Barbarians, Champion Sima, and the Prefect of Ruyin. He passed away in the fourth year of Yongming, and the court posthumously honored him with the titles of General and Governor of Xuzhou, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of Xiangzi.
Liu Shanming is a native of Pingyuan and the younger paternal cousin of General Liu Huaizhen. His father, Liu Huaimin, served as the Prefect of Beihai in the Qi Kingdom during the Song Dynasty. During the Yuanjia era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there was a famine in Qingzhou, and people resorted to cannibalism. Although Liu Shanming's family had a substantial stockpile of food, he chose to eat simple meals himself and opened his granary to provide aid to the villagers, thereby saving many lives. The villagers called his land "Field of Life."
As a child, he enjoyed reading quietly, and even Prefect Du Ji had heard of his reputation and went to visit him, but he politely declined the visit. When he turned forty, Governor Liu Daolong asked him to serve as a junior official, to which his father Huaimin said, "I know how you conduct yourself; now I want to see how you fare in the world of officials." So he accepted the position and even passed the imperial examination. Emperor Xiaowu of the Song Dynasty admired his candidness and integrity.
Later, during the Taishi period, Xuzhou's governor, Xue Andu, rebelled, and Qingzhou's governor, Shen Wenxiu, also responded. At that time, the provincial capital was in Dongyang City, and his family was trapped in the city. His uncle Mizi secretly told Shen Wenxiu that he wanted to be loyal to the court, so Shen Wenxiu let him take Zhang Lingqing and five thousand people to support Xue Andu. After Mizi left, he whispered to his subordinates, "We finally escaped a disaster!" When he arrived in Xiaopei, he raised an army to rebel against Shen Wenxiu. His cousin Huaigong was the governor of Beihai at the time and also responded to the court. He secretly contacted his relatives and subordinates, gathered three thousand people, stormed the city gates at night, and fled to Beihai. His cousin Chengmin also gathered people and horses in Bohai to respond to the court. Later, Mizi was ultimately killed by Xue Andu, and the emperor posthumously named him General of Fuguo and the governor of Qingzhou; while Chengmin was appointed General of Ningshuo and the governor of Jizhou, he was appointed Chief Secretary of Ningshuo, the governor of Beihai, and later promoted to the Supervisor of the Ministry of Finance. After Chengmin's death, he was appointed General of Suiyuan and the governor of Jizhou. After Shen Wenxiu surrendered, he was appointed Colonel of the Tunqi and later served as the governor of Hailing. Hailing, located by the sea, had few trees, so he encouraged the locals to plant elms, oaks, and various fruit trees, ultimately achieving very good results. Later, he was appointed General of the Rear Army and the director of the imperial palace.
Five years later, Qingzhou was captured by the enemy, and his mother was taken captive to Sanggan. He wore coarse clothes and ate vegetarian food, mourning as if he were preparing for a funeral. Every time the emperor saw him, he sighed for him, and people at the time praised him for his loyalty. Later, he was promoted to General of Ningshuo and the governor of Baxi and Zitong. But because his mother was taken captive, he wept and pleaded with the emperor to let him stay, and the emperor agreed. The court was deeply sympathetic to his situation. During the Yuanhui period, the court sent envoys to the north, and the ministers suggested he recommend someone suitable to ransom his mother. He recommended Tian Huishao from Beiping, and ultimately succeeded in ransoming his mother.
The young emperor has just ascended to the throne, while the court ministers wield significant power. However, he remains loyal only to the founding emperor, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to serving the dynasty. Two years later, he was appointed as the General of State Affairs, Governor of the Western Sea, and acting Inspector of the provinces of Qing and Ji. Upon taking office, he petitioned to initiate a northern expedition, but the court did not agree.
His younger brother, Seng Fu, was also well-known in the area. When the northern barbarians invaded Huai North, Seng Fu took two thousand troops to seek refuge on an island to the east. The founding emperor, who was in Huaiyin at the time, commended Seng Fu's actions and summoned him, appointing him as the military advisor to Prince Ancheng (a royal of the Liu Song Dynasty). Later, when there was unrest in the Cangwu region, the founding emperor was very concerned and often dispatched Seng Fu to discreetly gather intelligence and gauge public sentiment.
The founding emperor also secretly instructed Seng Fu to inform Shanming and the Governor of Donghai, Yuan Chongzu: "Many people suggest that we defend Beigu Mountain and Guangling (modern-day Yangzhou, Jiangsu). I fear that if we really do this, it will be counterproductive and not a long-term solution. Now that the autumn winds are rising, if you and the Governor of Donghai can join forces to attack those rebels, our plan will succeed." Shanming said, "The Song Dynasty is about to perish, and this is obvious to everyone. So even if the barbarians really want to attack, it will be their disaster. Your wisdom and martial prowess, esteemed emperor, are destined for greatness. We should wait and see, strike when the opportunity arises, and our achievements will naturally be accomplished. Do not stray from the core principles and create trouble for yourself." Shanming then sent dozens of elite soldiers to accompany Seng Fu back to report to the founding emperor, who gladly accepted their advice. After the Cangwu rebellion was quelled, the founding emperor appointed Shanming as the Champion General, military advisor to the founding emperor, Governor of South Donghai, and concurrently the Chief Administrator of South Xuzhou.
Later, Shen Youzhi rebelled, and Taizu was very worried. Shan Ming suggested, "Shen Youzhi controls eight provinces, exploiting the populace, recruiting soldiers, making ships and weapons, and has harbored rebellious ambitions for over a decade. He is hot-tempered and lacks strategy. Although he has been in rebellion for several tens of days, he has not made a move, indicating that he is certainly facing difficulties. We need not wait for him because he has four critical weaknesses: first, he does not understand military strategy; second, people have betrayed him; third, he is being restrained by others; fourth, fate is not on his side. I initially thought he was brave and skilled in battle, fearing he would attack us unexpectedly, but now it seems he is unprepared. Now our six armies are mobilizing, and the vassal states are uniting to confront him. Xie Hui's forces disintegrated without a fight due to command errors; the Lu Long army disobeyed orders, and even if they have more people, it is useless. Furthermore, Yuan Can and Liu Bing are the foundation of Shen Youzhi's rebellion. Once the foundation is uprooted, how long can the remaining branches and leaves endure? It's akin to a bird already trapped in a cage."
After the situation calmed down, Taizu summoned Shan Ming back to the capital and said to him, "Your strategy against Shen Youzhi; even if Zhang Liang and Chen Ping were here, they might not surpass yours." Then, Taizu promoted Shan Ming to Equestrian Attendant, serving as Chief Water Officer, Yellow Gate Attendant, Rear General, and Right Sima of the Grand Commandant.
During the reign of King Qi Jian, he was appointed as Right Guard General, but he declined the position due to illness. Sikong Chu Yuan said to him, "You have always been a noble person; everyone knows this. Now the court needs talents like you; how can you hide in the mountains like Song Qiao?" Shan Ming replied, "I never had ambitions to hold office. Since I have met someone like you, I have worked hard for the court, hoping to fulfill my aspirations. Now that the world is peaceful and the court is full of talent, my wish has been fulfilled, and I no longer dare to pursue wealth and glory."
Later on, Emperor Taizu ascended the throne. Due to his appreciation for Shanming's contributions and loyalty, he wished to promote him. He then summoned him and said, "The Huainan region is close to the capital and is a strategic location for the country. If trusted and talented individuals are not sent to govern there, I would not feel at ease. Please help me govern it effectively!" Therefore, Shanming was appointed as the General of Conquering the Barbarians, while also serving as the governor of Huainan and Xuancheng. The court dispatched envoys to formally appoint him and bestowed upon him the title of Baron of Xingan, along with a fief of five hundred households.
When Shanming arrived in the county, he presented a memorial to the emperor, expressing his opinions, saying, "The Zhou Dynasty relied on the support of the Three Sages and underwent two changes of monarchs before achieving stability; the Han Dynasty established itself after numerous failures during the warlord era; the Wei Dynasty dominated the court for over twenty years by effectively holding the emperor hostage; the Jin Dynasty deposed emperors and held power for four dynasties. Achieving stability like that of the Zhou, Han, Wei, and Jin Dynasties is no easy feat! Your Majesty, you are naturally wise, with profound wisdom, kindness that encompasses all, and a boundless sense of righteousness. That is why you can enjoy a leisurely life in the palace, with peace in the world, people living in peace and prosperity, without experiencing the hardships of war, without encountering any difficulties, with a vast territory, encompassing rivers and seas, mountains and ridges, with the spirits joyfully supporting you, and the people of the realm submitting to your rule. In just two or three years, you have received the Mandate of Heaven, ascended the throne, and taken control of the court. Since the beginning of time, there has never been such a peaceful era as yours! A general who is always victorious does not worry, and a person who often wins is prone to complacency. Thus, even in times of peace, one must remain vigilant. Ji Dan wrote the "Zhaogao"; do not forget danger in times of ease, as Zhou Gong Ni Fu warned. The dynasty has just been established, everything is just beginning, and it is reminiscent of the decline of the Song Dynasty, marked by political darkness and corruption, leaving the people in hardship, all hoping that you can save them. I was fortunate to receive your grace in my youth and have been determined to serve the country. Although I have worked diligently, yet I have not accomplished anything noteworthy. I am anxious day and night, feeling as though I have tumbled into a deep abyss. I humbly present my modest opinions and respectfully ask for your criticism and correction."
Shan Ming proposed a total of eleven suggestions: First, at the dawn of creation, both humans and gods celebrated this. Envoys should be sent to comfort the distant people and bestow blessings widely. Second, with the large population in the capital coming from all directions, messengers should be sent to deliver medical aid and to understand the hardships faced by the populace. For elderly individuals over ninety years old and those suffering from six incurable diseases who cannot care for themselves, appropriate relief should be provided according to the situation. Third, the amnesty decrees of the Song Dynasty have seldom benefited the common people. I believe that an amnesty order should be issued now and truly implemented. Fourth, the Xiongnu have not yet been vanquished, Liu Chang is still there, and in autumn, strong winds may raise dust; they may come back. Border cities should strengthen their defenses, select elite soldiers to deal with emergencies, and necessary supplies should be prepared in advance. Fifth, all oppressive regulations since the Song Dynasty should be abolished, and simplification should be promoted. Sixth, funding for all civil engineering projects should be temporarily halted. Seventh, members of the royal family should embrace frugality. Eighth, all officials and local governments should be encouraged to offer their suggestions and learn from the good politics of the Tang, Yao, and Shun periods. Ninth, individuals who are loyal and filial should be rewarded with promotions, and those who are honest and frugal should be appointed to civil affairs. Tenth, the revolution is still in its infancy, and both heaven and earth are celebrating this. Talented individuals should be selected in a timely manner, and envoys should be sent to the Xiongnu. Eleventh, Jiaozhou lies in a strategically vulnerable and remote area. The strict politics at the end of the Song Dynasty led to the people's resentment and rebellion. Now that the situation is just beginning to improve, they should be softened. Troops should not be sent temporarily to avoid disturbing the people. Moreover, Jiaozhou only produces jewelry, which is not urgently needed by the court. I suggest that military actions should be put on hold for the time being.
I wrote an article titled "Miscellaneous Notes on the Wise and Holy" and submitted it to the Emperor, with the intention of offering him gentle advice. The Emperor replied, "I have carefully read the 'Miscellaneous Notes on the Wise and Holy' you submitted, which enumerates the wise regulations and policies of sage emperors throughout history and many profound ways of governing the country. Your loyalty and sincerity are evident in how you express your thoughts based on this. I will seriously consider your suggestions and will not forget your words."
Then I suggested that the Emperor build Xuan Yang Gate, submit a memorial to clearly outline the system of rewards and punishments to motivate local officials, establish schools, formulate a unified ritual system, and build inns to accommodate travelers. The Emperor replied again, "I understand your loyal and upright intentions. Clearly rewarding and punishing to manage local officials, building inns to accommodate travelers, these are all wise policies from ancient times that I should also strive to put into practice. However, it may not be easy to create a new ritual system. As for the construction of the National Academy (Guoxue), I have already ordered the ministers to handle it. The construction of Xuan Yang Gate, I am now ordering to stop. I have many shortcomings in my moral character, and I look forward to your continued suggestions."
Shanming is quite tall, seven feet nine inches. He isn't particularly concerned with his appearance and lives in a very simple place, just a simple thatched hut made of wood. The bed, table, chairs, and everything else are quite rudimentary. When he was young, he had a very good relationship with Cui Zusi. Later, when Cui Zusi was appointed as the governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou, Shanming wrote him a letter, saying, "Remember the days we spent playing together? Now those memories feel so far away. Do you remember how we used to walk in the woods in spring, or walk along the mountain stream in autumn, chasing the breeze in the treetops, or chasing the moonlight in the garden? Ah, those old friends—most of them are gone now. You are now a high official in the north, and I am a low-ranking official in the south. Life feels like a fleeting journey; when will we meet again? I also love reading books; I've gained a broad understanding of thousands of years of history. The situations in different dynasties may vary, but the principles remain the same. Looking at the cycles of history, after chaos always comes peace; this principle remains the same throughout history. Shen Youzhi is commanding troops out there, and Can, Bing, and others all have their own ideas. Only the court in the capital can establish a stable rule. So the court promoted me to a high official, gave me an important state, put me in charge of the Guanzhong region, and allowed me to continue in my position. But I don't have the ability to lead troops like a famous general, nor the talent to strategize. I am just relying on a bit of cleverness to be involved in important court matters. I worry every day that the emperor might one day abandon me and I will disappoint him. The pressure is immense, and the responsibility weighs heavily; I feel overwhelmed when I think about my chaotic life. Although I eat simple food and live in a simple house, I still maintain my hobbies. I dislike flashy things and loud noises; the older I get, the more I am like this. When I go on business trips, I never say goodbye to high officials, and when I return to the capital, I don't socialize with the nobles. I feel like an outsider, without many attachments, just loyal to the emperor, filial to my parents, doing good for the people, living a simple life at home. Now that you have returned to your hometown in glory, the painful days of the late Song Dynasty are behind us, but the challenges in the northern border still require your attention. Send capable people to help you manage your hometown; travel light, go and manage your hometown, let the people on both sides of the Sishui River live and work in peace, let the Jixia Academy flourish again; what could possibly stop you? Think of these words as a small token of my appreciation, a humble gift for you.
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Second paragraph: The letter's words express Shenming's complex emotions. On one hand, he is concerned about his lack of talent and fears failing the trust of the court; on the other hand, he feels comforted by the success of an old friend and expresses longing for his hometown, hoping for its revival to its former glory. His life attitude is also fully reflected in this letter: unconcerned with fame and fortune, loyal to the monarch and his fellow citizens, upright and frugal. This letter is more than just an ordinary letter; it is rich with philosophical insights and poetic reflections. Between the lines, his deep concern for the country and the people, as well as his cherished friendship, are revealed. Despite his high position, he remained clear-headed and modest, a rarity in the bureaucracy of his time. The line "living simply and dressing plainly, he still values his humble tastes" in the letter also reflects his indifferent attitude towards fame and fortune, maintaining simple living habits even in a high position. Reading the entire letter evokes a profound sense of reverence.
In the second year of Jianyuan, he passed away at the age of forty-nine years. He requested a modest burial. The court rewarded him with thirty thousand coins and fifty pieces of cloth. The emperor issued an edict stating: "Shenming was known for his loyalty, integrity, and capability, and he experienced hardships and obstacles, with significant accomplishments. Unfortunately, he passed away at a young age, bringing great sorrow to our hearts. He is posthumously promoted to the rank of Left General and Governor of Yuzhou, with the posthumous title of Liebo." His son, Shandi, inherited his title.
Shenming had no savings at home, only eight thousand volumes of books. When Emperor Taizu heard of his poverty, he rewarded Shandi's family in Getangtun with five hundred bushels of grain.
Shenming's cousin, Shanseng Fu, achieved the rank of General and was granted the title of Marquis of Fengyang, with a fief of three hundred families. In the fourth year of Yongming, he served as Prefect of both Baxi County and Zitong County until his passing.
Su Kan, also known as Xiu Lie, is from Wuyi County. His grandfather, Su Hu, was the governor of the county; his father, Su Duan, was the magistrate of the province. Su Kan was well-versed in various books and initially served as a regular general, and later was appointed magistrate of Changcheng County. Later, Xue Andou rebelled and sought to recruit Su Kan as his military advisor, responsible for handling documents. After Xue Andou surrendered, Su Kan made his way back south alone. He was subsequently appointed as the Archery General. He met the founding emperor along the Huai River and voluntarily pledged his loyalty to him. The founding emperor, stationed in Huaiyin, appreciated Su Kan's meticulousness in his work, so he brought him into his inner circle as a military officer. At that time, after the defeats of Zhang Yong and Shen Youzhi, the northern region of the Huai River had just fallen, and the founding emperor had just been sent to guard the north with less than a thousand soldiers. During the autumn and winter seasons, the border areas and the Huai River region were always restless and chaotic, with everyone living in fear of enemy attacks. The founding emperor widely dispatched scouts, comforted the displaced populace, and intensified the construction of cities and fortifications. Because the founding emperor had been in the army for a long time, many people harbored suspicions about him. Thus, the founding emperor composed a poem titled "The Frontier Guest Song" to convey his aspirations.
"The treasure is in chaos, the nerves are in disarray. Virtue shrouds the river of Jin, while power proclaims the river of Chu. The clouds and thunder are strong, the Tianshan Mountains are martial. Straight to the Qin Pass, concentrate on the Han River. The autumn wind rises, the grass on the border declines, the carved swan ponders, while the border horse laments. Looking back at the plain for thousands of miles, only to see the turning tumbleweed fly. The stars are severe and the sea is clear, the moon is bright and the river shines. The clear light casts reflections on the curtain, the pure liquid solidifies in the courtyard. The golden horn is fierce at night, the feathered whip is morning. Wandering by the clear pool, I lament the Si, mourning the love on the pine island. The orchid embraces the wind and releases its beauty, the chrysanthemum basket springs and scatters the hero. The winding around the head is the sigh of the swallow, the blowing of the qin is the sound of the Han. The garden is lonely with the qin, and the courtyard is fragrant with lingering scents. Gazing back at Qing Pass, the sun dips low in the west. The peaceful source and the beautiful mist, the first ray of light on the ridge. Warning the circling heron, leaping back to the waves, feelings linger and drift, thoughts swirl and multiply. Striking down the fortress in Qin, I sing on the frontier. The song goes: In the morning, the river springs, in the evening, the mountains. The gusts are shocking, the Huai River flows gently. The dust accumulates, the Chu flag hangs. The sorrowful wall, the thoughtful house, the sad and sorrowful words. Reflecting on the tranquil mirror of the world, examining the bewildering spring in the carved tomb. Realizing the occasional entanglement of the bamboo cage, lamenting the far-reaching heart to settle in the mysterious." Su Kan understood the intentions of the founding emperor and worked even harder. The founding emperor entrusted him with all the affairs of the mansion, showing great trust and respect for him.
It is said that in the early years of the Yuanhui period, a Brazilian named Li Chengming led a rebellion. The emperor planned to send Xiao Kan to appease and comfort him. After returning, he was promoted to the position of Yulin Supervisor and also given the title of General of Jianwu. Later, there was a disturbance in Guiyang, and the emperor appointed Xiao Kan as the Recorder of Pingnan, leading the army and stationed in Xinting, in charge of distributing gold and silver rewards to the soldiers. After the situation was stabilized, Xiao Kan was appointed Colonel of Infantry, then appointed as the General of Suilu and Governor of Shanyang. He was recognized for his integrity, diligence, and dedication to the people, and was greatly missed by the populace. He was later promoted to Longxiang General, then to Frontline General. When Shen You rebelled, Xiao Kan was appointed as the Guerrilla General, then promoted to Chief Advisor to the Taizu, concurrently serving as Recorder. He later served as Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate, and finally returned to serve as Chief Advisor to the Taizu.
After serving the emperor for many years, Xiao Kan was very familiar with the emperor's daily life, and together with Qiu Juyuan, he wrote the "Memoirs of Grand Minister Xiao," recording the emperor's military achievements. Due to his remarkable achievements, Xiao Kan was granted the title of Marquis of Xinjian, with a fief of five hundred households. After the establishment of the Qi Dynasty, he served as Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate and concurrently as Chief of Archery. The emperor had great trust in him and regarded him as a close confidant. After the emperor ascended the throne, Xiao Kan wrote another volume titled "Records of the Holy Emperor's Auspicious Decrees" to present to the emperor. In the first year of the Jianyuan era, Xiao Kan died at the age of fifty-three. The emperor was deeply grieved and posthumously appointed him as Auxiliary General of the State, Inspector of Liangzhou, and Inspector of Southern Qinzhou, with the posthumous title of Marquis Zhi.
Xiao Lie, the younger brother of Xiao Kan, whose courtesy name was Xiuwen. He started out as the county magistrate of Dongguan, later serving in the army under Zhang Yong. He was promoted along the way, eventually becoming the Tai Shou of Shanyang, General Ning Shuo, and Guerrilla General. When Yuan Can rebelled, the emperor first sent Xiao Lie to help defend the city, and he was subsequently granted the title of Lord of Jiyang County after he followed other generals to pacify Shitou City. During the Jianyuan era, he was appointed as Acting General, overseeing the military affairs of Bazhou, the Inspector of Bazhou, and the Tai Shou of Badong, while still holding the position of General Ning Shuo. During the Yongming era, he was promoted to the position of Sima of Pingxi, Tai Shou of Chenliu, and finally passed away while in office.
Yuan Rongzu, whose courtesy name was Huaxian, hailed from Xiapai and was the elder cousin of Yuan Chongzu, the Minister of War. His father Yuan Liangzhi once served as a military officer in the Northern Central Army of the Song Dynasty. Yuan Rongzu learned horseback riding and archery from a young age. Some advised him, "Fighting is dangerous; why not learn to write instead?" Yuan Rongzu replied, "In the past, Cao Cao and Cao Pi could both fight on horseback and discuss important matters when dismounted. Such talents can live up to their clothing and food. You scholars who only read have no means to protect yourselves. What's the difference between you and dogs and sheep?" During the Xiaojian era of the Song Dynasty, he was summoned by the state to serve as the chief clerk, and later became a military officer in the rear army.
My uncle, the son of Inspector Hu of Yuzhou, inherited the family estate and became the Tai Shou of Huaiyang. Later, Emperor Xiaowu of the Song Dynasty transferred him to Lingnan for some reasons, which drove my uncle to refuse food and drink until he died from anger. When the emperor fell gravely ill, he ordered the execution of Xizhu. Before he died, Xizhu wrote to me, saying, "Brother, you always advise me to be careful and humble in my interactions and speech. It seems now that I have failed."
Emperor Ming of Song had just ascended the throne, and rebellions broke out in various places. The court dismissed me from my position as a subordinate official and sent me back to Xuzhou to persuade the governor Xue Andu. I told Andu, "If someone is abandoned by the heavens, who can help them make a comeback? Your situation now is nothing like that of those who once vied with the eight hundred lords. The common folks see everything; your plan simply won't work!" Andu replied, "Heaven has its own plans. Now, even the area within a hundred miles of the capital is lost. Let alone winning by attacking cities and seizing territory, we can just sit back and watch them crash and burn! Besides, I don't want to let down Emperor Xiaowu." I warned him, "Emperor Xiaowu's actions have brought disaster upon himself. Although people all over the world are rebelling now, this is just a fast track to disaster. We have no chance of turning the tide." Andu said, "I don't know what others think, but I am not afraid. The opportunity is right in front of us; let's figure out a way quickly!" I got detained and couldn’t go back, so I gathered my subordinates, became Andu's general, and was falsely appointed as the Champion General.
Andu lured the enemy into Pengcheng, and I took my family and fled south to Qushan. The enemy sent cavalry after us, but they couldn't catch up. I was afraid of being punished for this incident, so I fled to the banks of the Huai River. At that time, Taizu was in Huaiyin, and I sought refuge with him, and he took me in. After Emperor Ming passed away, Taizu wrote a letter for me to see the subordinate official Chu Yuan, and I was appointed General of Ning Shuo and Prefect of Donghai. Chu Yuan said to me, "General Xiao (referring to Taizu) admires your talent and strategy, which is why he appointed you as this county governor."
I was skilled with a slingshot, able to knock the feathers off birds, but I couldn't kill the birds. Once, a flock of seagulls flew in the sky, and I climbed the tower on the west side of the city and shot them with a slingshot. The seagulls I hit all broke their wings and fell.
It is said that Prince Jingxi was the cavalry commander of Prince Ancheng, the left army general, all of which were positions he had previously held. As the Yuanhui era was coming to an end, Emperor Taizu wanted to cross the Yangtze River to Guangling. Rongzu cautioned him, "If you depart from the mansion, everyone will know you have left within a hundred steps. If you only bring a small number of cavalry and travel lightly, what will you do if the people of Guangling suddenly shut their gates and turn you away? As soon as you set off, someone will come knocking on the mansion's door to complain, and your official position will not be guaranteed!" Later, Cangwu County was disbanded, and he was appointed General of Ning Shuo, the Governor of Huainan, and was later promoted to Fuguo General. He later became the Guerrilla General, the Advisor to Emperor Taizu, Fuguo General, the Sima of the Western Commandery, the Governor of Ruyin, and finally became the Champion General, an official, and the Valiant Cavalry General. He participated in assisting the emperor in achieving great accomplishments and was granted the title of Count of Jiangle, with a fief of three hundred households, inherited from his ancestors. He was later sent to serve as the Commissioner, the Inspector of Qing and Ji Provinces, while he retained his position as Champion General. He was further promoted to the Yellow Gate Attendant. In the second year of Yongming, he served as the Champion General, the Magistrate of Xunyang, and the Governor of Nanshencai. At that time, he had an oversized coffin made to hold his belongings and asked the locals Tian Tiansheng and Wang Daoqi to help transport it to the north bank of the Yangtze River. One of his slaves committed an offense, and someone reported it. The authorities requested his dismissal, removal of his title, and banishment to Dongye. Later, it was found that the allegations were unfounded, and his official position was restored. He later served as the Advisor to Prince Anlu, concurrently serving as the Magistrate of Jiangling, and was then promoted to the Sima and the Interior Minister of Hedong. He was later promoted to the Commissioner, the Inspector of Military Affairs in the Huai Region, the Champion General, the Inspector of Yanzhou, concurrently serving as the Magistrate of Dongping and the Grand Secretary of Yanzhou.
When Prince Badong Xiang caused trouble, local officials from all over submitted memorials charging Prince Badong Xiang with rebellion. However, Rong Zu said, "This is inappropriate. It should be noted that Liu Yin and others have betrayed the court's grace, forcing Prince Badong Xiang, which led to this incident." At that time, other memorials were not accepted by the emperor. After the situation had stabilized, the emperor finally read the memorials and came to believe that Rong Zu's opinion was indeed correct, praising him for his insightful words. Nine years later, Rong Zu passed away at the age of fifty-seven.
My grandfather, Liu Hong, served during the Song Xiaojian period as the General of Weiyuan Command and the Prefect of Runan Xinchai. He resisted the rebellion led by Prime Minister Yixuan at Liangshan and achieved great success, being granted the title of Viscount of Xidu County. His official rank continued to rise, eventually attaining the positions of Dragon Cavalry General and Governor of Sizhou. During the Yijia era, a rebellion broke out, and Emperor Song Ming sent my grandfather to guard Xuyi, leading troops north to defeat Xue Daobiao. Consequently, my grandfather was granted the title of Viscount of Lexiang County, with a fief of three hundred households. In the early years of the Song Shengming era, he became an Attendant Cavalier, concurrently serving as the Colonel of Changshui, serving the emperor in the palace, and was later promoted to Right Guard General. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he retained his original title and appointed him as an Imperial Censor, concurrently serving as a Valiant Cavalry General. Ultimately, he reached the rank of Jinzi Guanglu Daifu, and he passed away at the age of seventy-six in the fifth year of Yongming, being posthumously honored with the title "Ding."
My grandfather's cousin, who was named Liu Lisheng, was also a Valiant Cavalry General. During the Song Taishi era, Xue Andou led a rebellion, and Liu Lisheng's son-in-law, Pei Zulong, was appointed Prefect of Xiapi. At that time, Liu Lisheng happened to be on leave in the north, and he plotted to assassinate Pei Zulong and then surrender to the court. The plot was uncovered, forcing him to flee. Later, he was appointed Right Commander of the Crown Prince. He was known for his violent temper and propensity for violence. Later, he conspired with Prince Shi'an Xiao Yaoguang to rebel, resulting in his execution.
The historical records state: Emperor Taizu laid the groundwork in the Huainan and Yanzhou regions, exercising both benevolence and power, which resonated throughout the entire Qi region. The influential figures in Qingzhou and Jizhou, the prestigious families such as the Cui and Liu clans, quickly recognized Emperor Taizu's extraordinary qualities and pledged their loyalty to him. Emperor Taizu's strategy in conquering Jiangdu was akin to Ren Guang's advice back then; although not his sole idea, the final decision was very much in line with his opinion, thus becoming a close advisor to Emperor Taizu. Praise: The stability of the northern provinces and the defense of Huainan owe much to the assistance of the Cui and Liu families; through presenting memorials and offering counsel, the Emperor took note of his loyal strategies; through dedicated service and silent contributions, he embodied the royal family's blessings; having achieved success and fame, he retired from military life and returned to his land, liberated from the burdens of hollow fame.
