Liu Zhuang, with the courtesy name Zige, was a native of Xiang County in the State of Pei and was the sixth-generation grandson of Xie Mao, the Governor of Danyang during the Jin Dynasty. His grandfather, Liu Hong, served as an official, and his father, Liu Hui, served as an Imperial Historian. Liu Zhuang was initially appointed as the Chief Ritual Officer in the local government. In the fourth year of the Song Da Ming reign, he passed the imperial examination for scholars; his brother, Liu Xiu, was also well-known and had previously passed the provincial examination. At that time, the Attendant of Prince Yuan Zeng of Donghai wrote a letter to Liu Zhuang's father, Liu Hui, saying, "Your family has produced many outstanding children in recent years, making the pride of both the province and the countryside!" Liu Zhuang was later appointed as a court attendant, but he did not take up the position.
Liu Zhuang had a deep love of learning since childhood and was very knowledgeable in the Five Classics. He often gathered students for group study, often with dozens of students. Later, when Intendant Yuan Can held a gathering in the backyard, Liu Zhuang was also present. Yuan Can gestured towards the willow tree in the courtyard and said to Liu Zhuang, "People say this tree was planted by Intendant Liu (referring to Xie Mao) during his lifetime. Every time I see it, I think of his noble character; now seeing your noble virtues gives me great hope for the future!" Yuan Can recommended Liu Zhuang to be a Secretary, but the recommendation was not accepted. He was later appointed as the Chief Registrar of Prince Shaoling's county, the Grand Preceptor of Prince Anlu's kingdom, and the Military Attendant of Prince Ancheng, but due to his busy schedule, he declined all positions. Liu Zhuang never had any aspirations for officialdom, and he never took on another official position. Later, he was appointed as a Military Attendant of the Chariots and Cavalry, the Magistrate of Nanpengcheng County, and a Gentleman of the Ministry of Rites, but he did not take up any of these positions.
After Yuan Can was killed, Liu Zhuang wore plain clothes to mourn him and sent money for offerings.
After Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he called Zhang Zao to Hualin Garden for a chat and asked him, "Now that I've changed dynasties, what does everyone think about it?" Zhang Zao replied, "Your Majesty, if you can learn from the previous dynasty's mistakes and practice benevolent governance, even if the situation is precarious now, it can be stabilized; but if you repeat those mistakes, even if things look calm now, trouble will surely arise later." After Zhang Zao left, Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Situ Chuyuan and said, "This guy is really blunt! Scholars are just different." The emperor often summoned Zhang Zao, but Zhang Zao wouldn't even step foot in the palace unless the emperor summoned him.
The emperor wanted Zhang Zao to take on the role of Zhongshu Lang, so he had the Minister of Personnel, He Ji, convey the order. He Ji told Zhang Zao, "The emperor wants you to work in Fengchi (the Ministry of Personnel), but feels that your qualifications are still light. He'll give you a different position first, and after some time, promote you to National Scholar, and then let you become Zhongshu Lang." Zhang Zao said, "I have never thought about getting promoted and getting rich in my life. Now that I hear I am supposed to be a Zhongshu Lang, that is not what I had in mind!" Later, because his mother was getting old and needed care, Zhang Zao accepted the position of County Magistrate of Pengcheng. He told Situ Chuyuan, "I believe I do not have the ability to assist the emperor. I just want to serve as the County Magistrate of Pengcheng in peace."
The emperor wanted Zhang Zao to also serve as the Chief Priest of the Zongming Temple and be the Military Secretary of Prince Yuzhang Xiao Ye, while retaining the position of County Magistrate of Pengcheng, but Zhang Zao kept turning it down. Prince Yuzhang Xiao Ye became the Governor of Kuaiji, and the emperor wanted Zhang Zao to teach him, so he appointed him as the County Magistrate of Kuaiji, and more and more people followed him to learn.
In the early years of Yongming, Prince Jingling, Xiao Ziliang, invited me to serve as the secretary of the Ministry of Northern Expeditions. I wrote to Zhang Rong and Wang Siyuan, saying: "Thanks to your teachings, I have respectfully accepted the summons. I should have set aside my current matters to take up the position. However, upon careful consideration of my usual aspirations and character, I have truly let you down. I am naturally not very bright and struggle in the political arena. I previously held a minor position but was dismissed for being incompetent, which everyone knows. I know my own limitations and do not dare to aspire to wealth and glory. I've been poor and somewhat lazy since childhood, and my clothing and grooming have always been shabby. Since my elderly parents need support, I often walk around in simple clothes. This has been my life for over a decade, spanning two generations. The previous dynasty encouraged me to improve and even promoted me, and even provided me with clothing. However, I ultimately failed to change. Since I did not do well before, how could I possibly do well now? As the ancients say, once you take off a hat, you don't put it back on. I believe this reflects a principle of moderation. In ancient times, titles were bestowed based on merit, and some officials retired after completing their term; salaries were given based on merit, and some retired due to illness. I admire the noble qualities of my predecessors; what should I do? Moreover, at my age, I am reluctant to dive into the political scene, neglecting my duties to my parents. The previous dynasty understood my situation, allowing me to turn down official appointments for many years, only receiving a meager salary. I have grown used to this life for many years, and now that I am old and sick, how could I possibly handle such an important position in Hejian and work alongside officials from Dongping? I have no lofty ambitions, nor do I try to come across as aloof. These are matters that wise people should take to heart."
I recently received your invitation. I originally wanted to immerse myself in the beauty of nature, leading a carefree life, but I firmly declined the offer of high office and wealth. Why is that? Because in ancient times, those kings and ministers often used this to attract talents from all over the world; those exceptional talents all flocked to Yan to admire the king's benevolence, went to Wei's capital to follow the virtue of its noble sons, then followed Shen and Bai into Chu, and envied Zou Yan and Mei Cheng as they traveled to Liang. I do not dare to compare myself to those ancient sages; I merely wish to emulate their pastoral life of seclusion. Since I have the opportunity to study the teachings of the sages at Panyu Palace, free from the constraints of an official position, I can serve my parents and manage household affairs, and my ambition lies in this. I was finally appointed as an infantry colonel, but I chose not to accept the position.
This gentleman, named Yan Zhitui, was of small stature, but his mastery of Confucianism was exceptionally profound at that time. Scholars and dignitaries from the capital flocked to him for wisdom. He was modest, kind, and never acted superior because of his fame. When visiting old friends, he would only bring along a student who carried a bamboo bed. He would sit down and discuss scholarly matters even before the host had come out to greet him. He resided in several tile-roofed houses in Tanqiao, all of which leaked. His students held him in great esteem and dared not point out these shortcomings, referring to him as "Mr. Qingxi." Even Prince Liang of Jingling personally visited him. After seven years, the emperor issued a decree to construct a lecture hall for Yan Zhitui and granted him the former residence of the owner of Yanglie Bridge. His students congratulated him, yet he replied, "A fine house can bring misfortune. How can this magnificent residence be my home? Even if I were to convert it into a lecture hall, I fear it would invite trouble!" Before he had the chance to move, he fell ill. Prince Liang dispatched Yan Zhitui's students to prepare meals for him. After Yan Zhitui passed away, his students and those who had studied under him donned mourning attire to pay their last respects. He was fifty-six years old at the time.
Yan Zhitui was known for his filial piety. His grandmother suffered from a carbuncle for several years, and he personally applied medicine to her, causing his fingers to become soaked and raw. His mother Kong was very strict and once told relatives, "Acheng (Yan Zhitui's nickname) is like the Zengzi of this era!" Yan Zhitui was over forty years old and still unmarried. During the Jianyuan era, Emperor Taizu and Minister Chu Yuan arranged for him to marry the daughter of Lady Wang. When Lady Wang accidentally knocked off shoes from the wall, causing soil to fall onto Kong's bed, she was very displeased, and Yan Zhitui divorced her. After his father's death, he observed a three-year mourning period, and his legs became bent, so he could no longer stand without crutches. In the first year of Emperor Wu of Liang's Tianjian reign, the emperor ordered a stele to be erected for Yan Zhitui, posthumously honoring him with the title "Mr. Zhenjian." His writings, which focused on the principles of ritual, were compiled into a collection and passed down through the generations.
Initially, after finishing teaching the "Monthly Ordinances," Yan Zhitui told his student Yan Zhi, "Since the time of the Jiangnan region, the study of Yin-Yang and numerical principles has declined. Even now, I have not been able to fully grasp their essence." At that time, Cai Zhongxiong from Jiyang was knowledgeable in the study of ritual. He said, "When the musical scale reaches the south, the different soil types have thrown the musical scale out of tune. In ancient times, the five tones associated with metal and stone were originally in the Central Plains region. Now, in the south, the different soil types have thrown the musical scale out of tune." Yan Zhitui also agreed with his statement. Cai Zhongxiong later served as the Anxi Registrar and the Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Yan Zhitui had a younger brother named Yan Jin.
This is Jin Zizi, whose given name is Jing, a person of upright character. During the Taiyu era of the Song Dynasty, he served as a ceremonial attendant to the Ming Emperor. Later, he passed the imperial examination and was summoned by Prince Jingsu of Jianping to take the position of Northern Registrar, and was granted high honors. He was later summoned by Prince Shaoling to serve as a military officer in the campaign against Annan; in the early years of Jianyuan, he served as a military officer under Prince Yeh of Wuling. Once, while drinking with his subordinates, Prince Yeh cut the roast goose himself. Zijin noticed this and remarked, "Your Highness, how can I possibly sit here and watch!" After speaking, he excused himself. He and his friend Kong Che traveled east by boat, but Kong Che couldn't take his eyes off the women on the shore, so Zijin shifted his seat to distance himself from Kong Che. Later, he served as an official in the office of Prince Yuzhang. One night, his brother Yung shouted to him from behind a wall, but Zijin did not respond immediately. Instead, he got out of bed, got dressed, and stood up before responding. When his brother asked why he took so long, Zijin replied, "I was just tying my belt." This illustrates how meticulous and serious he was in his daily affairs! Later, Prince Wen Hui summoned him to serve in the Eastern Palace as an attendant, and he would always draft a memorial before presenting it. He was soon appointed as a military officer, taking on roles such as military secretary, chief of the Grand Marshal's military affairs, and even as a captain of the archery unit, before passing away while still in office.
Lu Cheng, whose courtesy name was Yanyuan, was a native of Wu County in Jiangsu Province. His grandfather, Lu Shao, served as the Governor of Linhai, and his father, Lu Yuan, held a position as a state official. Lu Cheng loved learning from a young age, reading extensively and becoming knowledgeable in various subjects. Whether sitting, standing, sleeping, or eating, he was never without a book. He first served as a lecturer in the Imperial Academy, then as an aide in the Central Military Command, and later as a military officer in the Taizai, deputy in the Ministry of Rites, county registrar, and military officer in the Northern Central Army.
In the early years of the Tai Shi era of the Song Dynasty, he served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, participating in discussions on the title of the Empress, suggesting that the old tradition of using the Empress's surname should be followed. At that time, the Left Minister Xu Yuan cited the viewpoint of Sima Fu, believing that the Empress should not be referred to by her surname, and cited the example of the Queen of Qi from the "Spring and Autumn Annals." Lu Cheng did not use classical texts to argue, but expressed his own thoughts, and as a result, he was dismissed from office and could only wear white robes while in office. Although there were regulations for corporal punishment for officials, they were rarely enforced. Lu Cheng accumulated numerous penalties during his tenure, and one day he was punished with a thousand strokes! Later, he was promoted to the position of Attendant, concurrently serving as a Gentleman of the Palace Library, and soon was promoted to concurrently serve as the Left Minister.
In the year 270 AD, the Emperor issued an edict for the Crown Prince to wear the Nine Chapters Guan Mian for court ceremonies. Cheng and the Imperial Secretary Qiu Zhong discussed, stating, "Wearing the Guan Mian for court ceremonies is a proper ritual system! The Qin Dynasty abolished six types of crowns, which were later reinstated by Emperor Ming of Han. Since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, courtiers were not allowed to wear the Guan Mian, so high-ranking officials were only given the title of attendant. Now, the Crown Prince's status is noble, surpassing other descendants, so he should follow the grand ceremonies of the sage kings' era and change the recent practice." Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Compiler of Imperial Edicts, while retaining his other official positions. Later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Ancheng, then transferred to serve under Liu Yun as the Chief Military Advisor, and was also appointed as the General of Suiyuan and the Prefect of Xiangyang, though he never assumed these positions. He was later transferred to serve under Liu Bing as the Chief Military Advisor of the Rear Army, and then became the Prefect of Donghai. Finally, he was promoted to the Deputy Censor-in-Chief.
In the year 276 AD, Shen Xian, the aide of the General of the Flying Cavalry, and others were accused of robbery due to their servants and guests at home, which also implicated their children. However, Shen Xian and the others remained unruffled. Left Minister Ren Xia lodged a complaint against Deng for not taking the matter seriously and requested his dismissal. Deng defended himself in an official memorial, stating: "The Zhou Dynasty adhered to old regulations, while the Han Dynasty followed established traditions. From the Yellow River in Luoyang to the Huai River and the sea, the court's regulations and actions should first be based on previous standards. If we whimsically violate ancient customs and create new rules, how can we say we are referring to past traditions and selecting excellent regulations?" Oh, this situation is quite a headache. The two brothers, Shen Xian and Shen Kuang, one a military adviser to the General of the Flying Cavalry and the other a son of the Crown Prince, were both dispatched to Jiankang. Shen Xian was officially dispatched, while Shen Kuang took leave, and no issues were found with either of them. I believe that failing to investigate their issues constitutes negligence in itself!
I carefully checked the cases of impeachment of the Left Chancellors of the Jin and Song Dynasties and found that there were many examples of impeachment, but there were very few direct impeachments of the Vice Chancellors. Wang Xianzhi was a senior figure who understood the rules well. When he was the Left Chancellor, he impeached the Minister of Works, Wang Meng, who was so frightened that he voluntarily resigned and was so distressed that he became ill and was seen running around. However, Wang Xianzhi did not impeach the Vice Chancellor. Regarding Huan Mi, he failed to pay his respects at the imperial mausoleum, and Left Chancellor Zheng Xi did not impeach Huan Mi; he only impeached Vice Chancellor Kong Xin, even stating that Kong Xin also served as the Inspector of the Orchid Pavilion, which implied a direct impeachment of the Vice Chancellor. Only Left Chancellor Yu Dengzhi impeached General Tan Daoji, who was in charge of guarding the North, saying that he was ineffective in the northern expedition, leading to the loss of Hulao, resulting in the resignation of ministers at court, but he did not impeach Tan Daoji; he only requested punishment for him, exempting Vice Chancellor He Wansui from his duties. Think about it, the imperial mausoleum is a significant matter, and the northern expedition is even more pertinent to national matters. Huan Mi has a high status, and Tan Daoji has outstanding achievements, so attributing the responsibility to the Vice Chancellor is not entirely appropriate; even so, Huan Mi's case was not impeached to the Vice Chancellor. If we compare these examples now, it could become problematic. People's identities and statuses vary, and so do the importance and urgency of different matters. These rules must be clearly defined and should not be conflated.
Let’s consider some other examples. Zuo Cheng Jiang Ao brought impeachment charges against Duan Jingwen and Pei Fangming; Zuo Cheng Zhen Fachong impeached Xiao Zhen, Du Ji, Duan Guo, and Fan Wenbo; Zuo Cheng Yang Xuanbao impeached Xiao Wang; Zuo Cheng Yin Jingxi impeached Zhang Zhongren; and also the concurrently serving Zuo Cheng He Chengtian impeached Lv Wanling. None of these impeachments involved the Prime Minister, yet they were all serious allegations. These dozen or so examples are similar to the cases of Shen Xian and Shen Kuang, which also did not involve the Prime Minister. Zuo Cheng Xun Wanqiu, Liu Cang, and Jiang Mi impeached Wang Senglang, Wang Yunzhi, and Tao Baodu, without impeaching the Prime Minister. These are the most recent examples, and they are quite clear. The Emperor is aware of the incident that Jiang Mi reported. I have reviewed ten memorials from a distance and two cases up close, and they should all be handled in accordance with these examples. How can we ignore this?
I feel my abilities are lacking, yet I’ve taken on the responsibility of enforcing the nation’s laws. The matters I’m reporting now, though they are only temporary, if I don’t speak up, they could set a bad precedent in the future. If others commit similar mistakes in the future, they will also be held accountable, and I’ll become a sinner who benefits without contributing and harms future generations. Therefore, I must outline all these cases to uphold the nation’s legal code, even though my actions may seem foolish, they are meant to be my best effort. Please take my memorial out and let everyone discuss it thoroughly. If I am correct, may heaven be my witness.
The emperor handed over the memorial to the relevant departments for discussion. The Minister of Personnel, Chuyuan, reported: "During the Song Dynasty, the Left Minister Xun Bo impeached the Pengcheng magistrate Zhang Daoxin and others for failing to apprehend the criminals involved in the robbery case, so Zhang Daoxin and others were dismissed; the Deputy Minister Wang Zhun failed to rectify Xun Bo's erroneous impeachment and was also dismissed. The Left Minister Yang Xuanbao impeached the Governor of Yuzhou, Guan Yizhi, for failing to catch the thieves in the Qiaoliang area, so Guan Yizhi was dismissed; the Deputy Minister Fu Long did not correct Yang Xuanbao's wrongful accusation and was also dismissed. The Left Minister Yang Xuanbao also impeached the Governor of Yanzhou, Zheng Congzhi, for improperly collecting cloth and raising taxes on cotton, so Zheng Congzhi was dismissed; the Deputy Minister Fu Long did not correct Yang Xuanbao's wrongful accusation and was also dismissed. The Left Minister Lu Zhan impeached the magistrate of Jiankang, Qiu Zhensun, and the magistrate of Danyang, Kong Shanshi, for failing to catch the criminals in the robbery case, so Qiu Zhensun and Kong Shanshi were dismissed; the Deputy Minister He Xu did not correct Lu Zhan's wrongful accusation and was also dismissed. The Left Minister Liu Meng impeached the Governor of Qingzhou, Liu Daolong, because Liu Daolong accidentally set fire to the government warehouse, so Liu Daolong was dismissed; the Deputy Minister Xiao Huikai did not correct Liu Meng's wrongful accusation and was also dismissed. The Left Minister Xu Yuan impeached the Right Guard General, Xue Andu, for falling ill and failing to fulfill his duties, so Xue Andu was dismissed; the Deputy Minister Zhang Yongjie was also dismissed as a result. These incidents have caused a negative impact due to poor handling, misled future generations, clouded the emperor's judgment, and muddled the courtiers' perceptions, so I believe that Cheng should be dismissed from his post." The emperor said, "Cheng's memorial contains numerous errors, but they are not sufficient for severe punishment; therefore, let him resign and return home."
In the second year, he was promoted to the position of Counselor, then Secretary of Personnel, and subsequently to the Ministry of Officials. Four years later, he served again as Secretary of Personnel, also serving as a National Scholar. He was later promoted to the Ministry of Justice. He was then appointed as Assistant General of the State, Chief Historian of the Northern Garrison, Chief of the Imperial Guards, and concurrently as Valiant Cavalry General. In the first year of Yongming, he was promoted to Minister of Finance. Soon after, he also served as a National Scholar. At that time, he taught at the National Academy, covering Zheng Xuan's "Book of Changes," Du Yu's "Spring and Autumn Annals," He Xiu's "Gongyang Commentary," Mi Zhu's "Guliang Commentary," and Zheng Xuan's "Classic of Filial Piety." Cheng said to Wang Jian, the Minister of Personnel: "The 'Classic of Filial Piety' belongs to the category of elementary education and should not be part of the imperial canon." So, he and Wang Jian wrote letters to discuss this matter, saying: "The 'Book of Changes,' in simple terms, starts from oneself, then understands it from the perspective of all things in the external world, grasps the principles of heaven and earth, and understands the principles of all things. From Shang Qiu to Tian He, it has been transmitted over five generations, not a long time, with no errors or omissions; even when Qin Shihuang burned books and buried Confucian scholars alive, it was not destroyed. Although there are various schools of thought, they all have the basis of symbolism and numerology. Wang Bi emerged several hundred years later. Wang Ji said that Wang Bi's understanding was very profound, and there's no need to completely dismiss earlier Confucian scholars. If Wang Bi has explained the principles of the 'Book of Changes' clearly, then it deserves thorough discussion; perhaps it is just a difference in perspectives. Furthermore, the principles of the 'Book of Changes' are not fixed and cannot be limited to just one interpretation."
During the fourth year of the Tai Xing era in the Jin Dynasty, Xun Song, the Minister of Rites, proposed the establishment of a Doctorate of the "Zhou Yi" with the annotations of Zheng Xuan, following the system of the preceding dynasty. At that time, the leaders were Wang Dao and Yu Liang, both brilliant individuals capable of discussing profound and esoteric concepts. They decided to set aside Wang Bi's annotations in favor of Zheng Xuan's, a decision that was not taken lightly. During the Tai Yuan period, Wang Su's annotations of the "Book of Changes" were also widely respected, perhaps falling between Zheng Xuan and Wang Bi. When education was first established during the Yuanjia era, both Zheng Xuan's and Wang Bi's annotations were utilized. However, when Yan Yanzhi became the Sacrificial Official, Zheng Xuan's annotations were cancelled in favor of Wang Bi's, aiming to emphasize Wang Bi's mystical thoughts, which ultimately resulted in setbacks for Confucian teachings. If Confucian teachings are not actively promoted today, education will struggle to succeed. While other classics are rooted in Confucianism, the "Book of Changes" stands apart as a mystical text, and neither can be disregarded. Retaining both is essential to uphold the principle that the "Book of Changes" is formless. Furthermore, Wang Bi has already explained the "Appended Judgments" in his annotations; thus, separate annotations on the "Appended Judgments" are unnecessary. If only Wang Bi's annotations of the "Book of Changes" are utilized, the "Appended Judgments" will remain without annotation.
During the Tai Yuan era, the "Zuo Zhuan" utilized Fu Qian's annotations while also incorporating Jia Kui's text, because Fu Qian's annotations lacked the text. If only Fu Qian's annotations are retained without Jia Kui's, the text will be incomplete. Du Yu's annotations of the "Zuo Zhuan" and Wang Bi's annotations of the "Book of Changes" are comparatively later annotations that commend the talents of subsequent scholars. Du Yu's annotations differ from the ancient versions, but they do not go so far as to overturn the ideas of earlier scholars, such as Wang Bi, who, despite respecting his predecessors, diverged from their teachings. The work "Shi Li" extols profound knowledge.
During the Taiyuan period, Mi Xin originally used the annotations of "Guliang Zhuan," while Yan Yanzhi used Fan Ning's annotations. Mi Xin's annotations were still in use. Yan Yanzhi commented on the leap section of Fan Ning's annotations, believing that he only favored those interpretations that aligned with his own views. He has always believed that "Guliang Zhuan" is not as good as "Gongyang Zhuan," and the annotations of "Gongyang Zhuan" are also lacking, and ultimately, it has not reached the level of He Xiu. It seems that the two cannot coexist. If Fan Ning's annotations are good, then Mi Xin's should be removed.
Currently, there is a book titled "Xiaojing" that is attributed to Zheng Xuan, but its wording differs from Zheng Xuan's other annotations. Checking Zheng Xuan's own preface, he does not include "Xiaojing" among the works he annotated.
Jian stated: "The Yi Jing is profound and extensive, encompassing all classics, with differing interpretations from Shi and Meng, and distinct interpretations from Zhou and Han. How can we completely dismiss it based solely on Xiao Wang's opinions? It would be wise to retain both Zheng Xuan's and Gao You's annotations. Yuan Kai's annotations on 'Chunqiu Zhuan' surpass those of previous Confucian scholars. If they aren't part of the official curriculum, it would be a real shame. Jia Kui's annotations on the Yi Jing are rarely studied by the world. Since the 'Guliang Zhuan' is relatively brief, it doesn't need two sets of annotations. It is sufficient to retain the annotations of Mi Zhu and Fan Ning and continue with the traditional approach. These opinions align with what everyone thinks. I don't think Zheng Xuan actually annotated the 'Xiaojing,' but I believe this book explains the fundamentals of human relationships and is foundational to ethics. The 'Qilue' and 'Yiwen Zhi' both include it in the six arts, unlike works such as 'Cangjie Pian' and 'Fanjiang Pian.' Previous generations did not find Zheng Xuan's annotations problematic, and I believe they should also be retained and continued."
Jian considered himself more knowledgeable than Wang Cheng. Wang Cheng said, "I had little else to do but read since I was young. And I am twice your age; you were busy with royal affairs when you were young. Even if you can read ten lines at a glance, you still may not have read more books than I have." Jian gathered scholars, including He Xian, for a discussion. After Jian finished speaking, Cheng pointed out hundreds and thousands of details that Jian had missed, all of which Jian had never seen. Jian was impressed. While serving in the Ministry of Personnel, Jian took out boxes, desks, miscellaneous items, and clothes to distribute among the assisting scholars. Those with more responsibilities received more items, with each person getting one or two things. Later, Cheng took out other items unknown to others, giving several to each person, and then took back everything.
He was later promoted to Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Zhongzheng of Wu Commandery, and Grand Master of Ceremonies. He was also appointed as a Supervisor, with his position as Zhongzheng unchanged. Shortly after, he became the National Preceptor. When Prince Liang of Jingling obtained an ancient artifact with a small opening, a large body, and a flat base, capable of holding seven to eight liters, he asked Cheng about it. Cheng said, "This is called 'funi' in the north, and it was once given to Su Wu by the Chanyu." Later, Liang carefully examined the bottom of the object and found faintly discernible inscriptions, exactly as Cheng had described. In the first year of Longchang, due to old age and frail health, he was appointed as Grand Master of Ceremonies and Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. However, he passed away before assuming the position, at the age of seventy, and was posthumously honored with the title Jingzi.
During that time, Wang Cheng was regarded as a distinguished scholar. He spent three years attempting to grasp the meaning of the Book of Changes but never finished writing the History of the Song Dynasty. Jian jokingly said, "Lu Gong, you're nothing but a walking library!" His home was filled with many rare books that few others had the chance to see. His geographical writings and miscellaneous notes were discovered only after his death.
Cheng Di Xian, because he committed a crime, was sentenced to death by the Song Dynasty. Cheng met his friend Wang Daolong on the road, knelt and kowtowed until his head bled, begging Wang Daolong to help plead for his brother's life. Gu Ce, the registrar of Yangzhou, offered two servants as collateral to secure a ransom, but Xian ultimately met his death. Xian's son, Zhao, falsely accused Gu Ce of selling his debt note. Later, Cheng was appointed as a minister, and he and Gu Ce exchanged letters in which they accused each other. Cheng then wrote a letter to the magistrate Xiao Mian saying, "Cheng wishes to shield his brother from the consequences of his crimes, which contradicts the principles of righteousness and moral education. Even common merchants would not stoop to this, let alone people like us who hold important positions and have extensive knowledge." Cheng's actions ultimately stifled Gu Ce's career, and as a result, he was looked down upon by others.
At that time, Wang Chi of Donghai, also a well-read and knowledgeable person, had served as the Left Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. One time, Prince Liang of Jingling questioned all the scholars, and only Chi answered every question correctly. During the Yongming period, a yellow light suddenly appeared in the sky, illuminating the earth, and no one knew what was going on. Chi declared it a symbol of good fortune, a sign of glory. Emperor Shizu was delighted and appointed him as the magistrate of Yongyang County.
The history books say: Confucian thought has been passed down through the ages to guide people on the right path in life; the profound sayings of sages serve as teachings that have transcended generations. Although Confucius' school of thought has faded into history, its principles differ from those of the seventy disciples (Confucius' students); while the various schools of thought at Jixia Academy engage in debates among themselves, they ultimately all submit to Confucius' ideology. Subsequently, the emergence of Confucian schools specializing in the study of the classics arose, with many Confucian scholars devoted to this study. The factional disputes at the Shiqi Pavilion, debates on the classics at the White Tiger Pavilion, and interpretations of the "Six Classics" and "Five Classics" each adhere strictly to their own teachers' interpretations, clinging to the texts and striving to avoid errors. The Confucian scholars of the Western Han Dynasty did not dominate alone; the intellectual landscape of the Eastern Han Dynasty was dominated by Zheng Xuan and Jia Kui.
Kang Cheng, known as Zheng Xuan, was born in the late Eastern Han Dynasty; his interpretations of the classics were both profound and insightful, and at that time the entire Confucian school took him as the standard. The older Confucian scholars regarded him as a sage, while younger scholars dared not voice any dissent. In contrast, Wang Su held differing views from the esteemed Confucian Zheng Xuan in classical debates, which led to the publication of the book "Holy Evidence," citing "Family Sayings" as evidence. At that time, the influence of aristocratic families was substantial, and many followed Wang Su's teachings. The Confucian schools in the Jiangnan region during the Eastern Jin Dynasty exhibited considerable doctrinal differences; although not entirely severed, few experts in classical studies emerged. The Jin Dynasty favored metaphysical discourse, while the Song Dynasty treated literature as a pastime. Although they respected the system of rites and music, this environment was not conducive to purity, and as a result, two generations later, Confucianism began to decline.
During the Jianyuan era (reign title of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei), when the country was just beginning to unify and the chaos of war had not yet subsided, the young emperor studied Confucian classics with a strong desire to revitalize Confucianism. Once the chaos was subdued, he ordered the establishment of schools. During the Yongming era (reign title of Emperor Wu of Southern Qi), the court vigorously promoted education, with Wang Jian serving as the chief minister, well-versed in Confucianism and rituals. The court held his knowledge in high regard, and scholars looked up to him as a role model, leading to households studying Confucius' teachings, reciting Confucian classics, and enthusiastically studying books, resulting in a resurgence of Confucianism. During the Jianwu era (reign title of Emperor Wu of Southern Liang), although following past practices, literary standards were not prioritized at that time, and the ministers assisting the emperor lacked talent. Although schools continued to be established, it was difficult to match the past glory. Liu Zhuang inherited the teachings of Ma Rong and Zheng Xuan, and was regarded as a teacher by scholars at the time. When the Tiger Gate (Emperor Wu's secondary palace) was just completed, the emperor personally went there, lacking the etiquette of waking up before dawn for those who came to ask questions. The palace was filled with the sound of wheels rolling over the ground. Despite Liu Zhuang's low official position after his death, his teachings were passed down, demonstrating the significance of nurturing talented individuals. Most other Confucian scholars either held low-ranking positions or chose to live in seclusion in the mountains, as noted in other historical records. Praised as follows: The profound teachings of the Confucian masters are as intricate and complex as intertwined threads. They entered schools to receive education, with their contributions recognized throughout the Guanzhong region. Even in dimly lit rooms, they remained steadfast in their principles. Scholars such as Yanyuan (Confucius' disciple Ran Yong, also known as Yanyuan) diligently explored the uncertainties in the classics.
