Yuan Tuan, courtesy name Weicai, was from Yangxia, Chen Commandery. His grandfather Yuan Xun served as the Administrator of Wu Commandery, and his father Yuan Ji served as the Administrator of Wuling. Yuan Tuan was known for his good temperament from a young age; he enjoyed writing and discussing metaphysics. He passed the imperial scholar examination and was later appointed as a military officer in various royal households, but he chose not to take up the position. Before his father passed away, he wrote to his brother Yuan Yi, stating, "Shi Gong (Shi Gong is Yuan Tuan's nickname) is very talented and knowledgeable enough to inherit and carry forward our family's legacy." After his father's death, before completing the mourning period, his brother Yuan Yi rebelled in Yongzhou and was killed. Emperor Song Ming even threw Yuan Yi's body into the river, denying him a proper burial. Yuan Tuan disguised himself alongside an old servant and secretly searched for his brother's body. It took him over forty days to find it, and then he secretly buried the body behind a stone outcrop, personally overseeing the burial. He always kept his brother's writings close and never parted with them. After Emperor Song Ming's death, he finally laid his brother to rest. His cousin Yuan Can (Minister of Works) and his uncle by marriage Cai Xingzong (General Who Conquers the West) both esteemed him highly.
Later, Yuan Tuan was appointed as a military advisor, chief clerk, and palace attendant under Prince Ancheng, and later transferred to the position of Governor of Luling, Counselor of Yuzhou, Chief Registrar under Prince Taizu, and Privy Councilor. Once, he participated in the discussion of compiling national history. Tan Chao suggested arranging the records of celestial phenomena in the "Astronomical Records" according to latitude and longitude, and recording the auspicious and inauspicious signs of the era in the "Records of the Five Elements." However, the contents of these two records were contradictory; for example, a solar eclipse was considered a disaster and should be placed in the "Records of the Five Elements." Tan Chao also wanted to add some hermit biographies to national history. Yuan Tuan said, "Only those who have contributed to the country and society can leave their names and deeds in history books. Now those reclusive scholars who reject the court and look down on court officials are engaging in extremist attitudes. This trend should not be allowed to spread, so their biographies are not included in history books, and official history does not record them. Even a little good deed should not be easily ignored; their names and deeds should be recorded, but can be placed in other chapters."
Later, he was appointed as a friend of Prince Shixing, but he declined. Taizu sent the Minister of Personnel, He Ji, to decree his acceptance of the appointment. Later he was appointed as a Lang of the Imperial Library, concurrently as the Prince's Chief Attendant; later he also concurrently served as the Deputy Imperial Censor; then he was promoted to Yellow Gate Lang, still concurrently serving as the Deputy Imperial Censor. Because the memorial he submitted to impeach Xie Chaozong contained contradictions, he was dismissed. Shortly after, he was appointed as a consultant of Anxi, Interior Minister of Nanping. Later he was appointed as Yellow Gate Lang, but before taking office, he was reassigned as Chief Historian, Interior Minister of Nanjun, responsible for the affairs of Jingzhou. Later he returned to the court, serving as the Prince's Chief Attendant and also serving as the Dazhongzheng of Benzhou. Finally, he was appointed as Champion General, in charge of the affairs of Wuxing County.
Yuan Tuan was known for his strong personality and once offended the Emperor by making some unpleasant remarks. One time, while the Emperor was slicing melons with a golden-handled knife in the side hall, Wang Yan remarked, "There are rumors outside that you are using a golden knife, which might not be suitable." The Emperor was taken aback and pressed for an explanation. Wang Yan said, "Yuan Tuan told me." The Emperor was clearly displeased, and it took him some time to regain his composure. Yuan Tuan was dismissed from his post for misappropriating public funds and was sent to Dongye. Later, when the Emperor visited Sunling for a leisure trip, he spotted Dongye in the distance and said, "There is a good official locked up inside!" A few days later, the Emperor personally took the courtiers to Dongye, inspected the warehouse, and hosted a banquet for the inmates, treating them to food and drink. The Emperor specifically called for Yuan Tuan for a conversation and had him released the following day. Shortly after, Yuan Tuan was appointed as the Inspector of Nanxu Prefecture, then became the Minister of the Ministry of War and the Chief Historian of the Guard, and eventually rose to the position of Palace Attendant. Yuan Tuan was overweight and needed help to walk when he accompanied the Emperor on hunting trips. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised by his aunt Wang, whom he regarded as his own mother, and was extremely filial towards her. In the first year of the Longchang era, Yuan Tuan died at the age of forty-eight and was posthumously granted the title Jingzi.
Kong Zhigui, styled Dezhang, was from Shanyin in Kuaiji. His grandfather, Kong Daolong, served as an imperial attendant. His father, Kong Lingchan, was dismissed from his position as Jin'an Prefect during the Taishi period. Kong Lingchan had a reclusive nature and built a lodge on Yujing Mountain to focus on spiritual cultivation, devoutly worshipping in his quiet room at auspicious times each day, often brought to tears. When traveling east through the northern suburbs of Qiantang, he would bow from the boat to the tomb of Du Zigong, and while traveling from Qiantang to the capital, he would sit facing east, never daring to turn his back. During the Yuanhui period, Kong Zhigui became a Grand Master of the Palace Attendants. He was well-versed in astronomy and astrology, enjoying studying divination. During the regency of the Taizu, Shen Youzhi rebelled, and Kong Lingchan secretly told Taizu, "Although Youzhi has many troops, based on celestial signs and fate, he will not succeed." Taizu verified his words, promoted him to the title of Grand Master of Splendor, invited him to the Lingtai to observe celestial events, and gifted him a white feather fan and a simple low table, saying, "You have a fondness for antiquities, so I am giving you these two antiques."
From a young age, Zhigui explored various fields of study and gained a good reputation. Wang Songqian, the Prefect, valued him and appointed him as his assistant. He was recommended by the province as a scholar. Later, he became a legal advisor in the General's Office of Song Ancheng Wang Chariot and Cavalry General, and later rose to the position of a Chamberlain in the Imperial Library. Later, Gaozu became the General of the Valiant Cavalry, and because of Zhigui's literary talents, he appointed him as a military secretary, responsible for drafting documents alongside Jiang Yan. He was later promoted to a regular member, a Chamberlain of the Imperial Library, and a Deputy Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. After his father's death, he resigned from his official position to observe the mourning period, returning to his hometown with his brother Zhongzhi. Zhongzhi's concubine, Li Shi, was haughty and disrespectful, so Zhigui informed Prefect Wang Jingze about her behavior, who then ordered her execution.
After the period of mourning was over, Zhigui served as the Minister of Personnel, the Prefect of the State, the Attendant, and the Historian, and finally became the Chief Administrator of the local county. In the seventh year of the Yongming era, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry while continuing to serve as the Left Chancellor. He was later promoted to the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, while still retaining the position of Left Chancellor. Later on, he was promoted to the Chief Clerk of the Crown Prince, and finally became the Minister of Justice.
The Jiangzuo region has always followed the "Twenty Volumes of Jin Law" annotated by Zhang Fei and Du Yu of the Jin Dynasty. The Emperor placed great importance on laws and regulations and frequently interrogated prisoners, ordering the prison officials to meticulously review the old annotations. In the seventh year prior to this, Wang Zhi, the Editing Officer of the Shangshu, compiled the laws and regulations and submitted a memorial, saying: "I have carefully studied the 'Jin Law' and found that its text is concise and refined, and its meaning and structure are clear, but certain aspects are difficult to elucidate. The annotations by Zhang Fei and Du Yu on the same chapter yield vastly different conclusions. Since the Taishi era of the Jin Dynasty, it has been selectively used based on balancing interests. Consequently, officials may abuse their power, leading to widespread grievances among the people. This is why Wenshu felt compelled to write a letter of self-defense regarding his mistakes in governance, and Jianghou would express his discontent with a sigh."
Now our great enterprise is flourishing, with moral integrity that exceeds that of previous emperors. Your Majesty has inherited the great achievements of your ancestors and ushered in a prosperous era. Your Majesty has heard the people's grievances and feels profound compassion. You also deeply sympathize with the concerns of the civil and military officials. Therefore, Your Majesty has issued a decree to revise and enhance the legal codes, ordering me to organize the annotations of Zhang Fei and Du Yu. I have diligently undertaken this task, eliminating the cumbersome elements while preserving the essence. I have selected 731 annotations from Zhang Fei and 790 from Du Yu; for annotations that offered differing interpretations yet conveyed similar meanings, I have selected 170; for annotations with the same interpretations, I have selected 130. I have compiled these into a book, totaling 1532 annotations, organized into twenty volumes. Please submit it to the relevant departments for thorough proofreading to identify any errors." The Emperor agreed. Consequently, the court officials collaborated in reviewing the old annotations. In cases where determining severity was challenging, Prince Liang of Jingling subtly favored leniency. Cases where court officials were unable to reach a consensus were personally adjudicated by the Emperor. In the ninth year of Yongming, Zhi Gui submitted a memorial saying: "I have heard that in all kinds of craftsmanship, ropes and ink lines are used for correction, and governing the country requires reliance on legal principles as the foundation. Thus, the wise emperors of antiquity, in managing state affairs, consistently sought to prevent evils at their roots, relying on legal principles to govern the world and establishing achievements through clear rewards and punishments. Your Majesty's ascension to the throne has indeed ushered in a complete transformation and renewal! After the relaxation of the Five Rites, they have been reinstated, and after the decline of the Six Musics, they have been revitalized. You have also issued a decree to reduce penalties, enforce rewards and punishments strictly, and ordered me and the court officials to revise the laws together. Following the decree, I consulted with Situ Ziliang, studied and referenced previous laws, and established a new framework. I also enlisted Censor Song Gong and Chancellor Wang Zhi to collaborate on organizing and transcribing, distinguishing different opinions, and making decisions on what to keep. Then the eight ministers discussed in detail, and finally the Grand Marshal Yi made the final modifications. For those particularly difficult issues where there were differing opinions, Your Majesty personally reviewed and made the final decisions."
In the end, we completed the "Laws" in twenty volumes and the "Chronicle" in one volume, totaling twenty-one volumes. Now we present it to you, requesting publication and implementation, so that everyone can be informed.
It is said that Laozi and Confucius remarked: "In ancient times, those who adjudicated cases always tried to find ways to keep the offenders alive; nowadays, those who handle cases always try to execute the offenders." "Rather than wrongly kill the innocent, it is better to let the guilty go." So, handling cases has always been difficult since ancient times. Although the legal provisions have been established now, they must be used; if fairness and justice are lost in the application of the law, then it amounts to having no law at all. Although the legal provisions are very detailed and there are many regulations, many complex and ambiguous issues arise. As long as the fundamental principles of the law are slightly deviated from, numerous wrongful convictions will occur. Judges responsible for handling cases do not understand the law, and errors often occur, while superiors in charge are also not familiar with the law, unable to make correct judgments. In this way, legal provisions end up gathering dust on the shelf, while the wronged souls continue to linger in prison. Now, there are more than a thousand prisons in the prefectures and counties combined. If each prison wrongly kills one person a year, then the number of wrongful deaths in a year will exceed one thousand! The grievances of the wronged souls cry out for justice and will affect the peace of the country. A wise ruler must prioritize this issue and absolutely cannot take it lightly. The reasons for this situation are not only the responsibility of the officials handling the cases but also the county magistrates across the regions who undermine the law. Some officials rely on their military achievements and intimidate others, while some officials, wanting to retire quickly due to their old age, act with arrogance, exploit the people, and engage in corruption, distorting facts and framing the innocent, thus wrongful cases arise. Even if the jailers are well-intentioned, they are powerless to effect change. This leads to officials in the borderlands shedding tears, and faithful wives far away enduring injustices. Even if Your Majesty desires to grant them clemency, they have already paid the ultimate price.
In ancient times, many famous ministers were proficient in law. For example, Shi Zhi and Zhang Cang, whose achievements were well-known during the Han Dynasty; and Yuan Chang and Wen Hui of the Wei Kingdom, whose accomplishments also shine in the history of the Wei Kingdom. Nowadays, scholars are unwilling to engage in legal work, and even if they study law, society looks down on them. The main reason is that they study hard for many years, but do not receive recognition from the court, and the knowledge they have accumulated over the years is ultimately ridiculed by their fellow villagers. There are concerns that this legal classic may ultimately end up in the hands of lower-level officials. If we can now promote and reward talents who are proficient in law, so that they earn the respect of society, and encourage both serving officials and young students to study law; select individuals proficient in law for central government positions, and choose those with talent and virtue to serve as local officials; if local officials select talents who are proficient in law, then Gao Tao's governance strategy can be easily realized; the scholarly achievements of Du Yu and Zheng Xuan will become attainable. In this way, wrongdoers will not be able to evade the law's punishment, and evil officials will not be able to hide their crimes, just as a person's hands and feet work in coordination, like the harmony between a bowstring and an arrow.
My abilities are limited, yet I have been appointed as the Minister of Justice, which feels like an error. Your Majesty, you are motivated by your compassionate heart, worrying that the punishment is too severe, reminding us in court to empathize with the struggles of the people. I have carefully understood your intentions and wish to report them to you. If the suggestions I have made in my memorial are reasonable, the laws should be codified, and legal assistants should be established in the National University, following the model of the "Five Classics." If students at the National University wish to study, and their exam results are among the best, they should be directly promoted and appointed to serve as judicial officials, to inspire those scholars.
Your Majesty agreed to my suggestions at the time, but in the end, they were not implemented.
Later I was transferred to the position of Deputy Imperial Censor, and then promoted to Chief of Cavalry and General of Assistance. In the early years of the Jianwu period, I was further promoted to General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Chief of the Western Regions, and Administrator of Nanjun. At that time, barbarians invaded the south year after year, warfare was constant, and countless lives were lost or injured. I submitted a memorial in which I stated:
The Xiongnu have always posed a significant threat, from ancient times to the present. Although the Xia, Shang, Zhou dynasties, and the Han Dynasty all had many wise and brave monarchs and outstanding generals, when dealing with the Xiongnu, there are actually only two methods: either like Emperor Wu of Han, lead troops deep into the desert and fight fiercely; or send envoys to the Xiongnu to establish good relations with them. The pros and cons of these two methods are clear at a glance. Some people now say that we are heroes, how can we tolerate such humiliation? Furthermore, our nation is strong; why should we bow down first? They think that the armies of Wu and Chu are formidable, boasting hundreds of thousands of troops; as long as we send troops, the Xiongnu will definitely be crushed. They advocate for immediate war, believing that showing weakness through marriage alliances isn’t a sustainable strategy.
I believe that the Xiongnu are like wild beasts; they simply do not understand human ethics. They are fierce and cruel, not worth getting angry over. We should deal with them using superior strategies, a long-term perspective to control them, treating them with a broad mind, and treating them like pests to be eliminated. Why should we sacrifice the lives of ordinary people, take huge risks, and fight them fiercely just to vent our anger? Even if we win a hundred battles, it does not make us truly strong; the heaps of bodies on the battlefield do nothing for our country. The Xiongnu are like ants, silkworms, impossible to eradicate, like a herd of horses, impossible to pursue indefinitely.
Although Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty was a formidable figure, he was once surrounded by the Xiongnu; Emperor Wen of Han, despite his efforts to govern and the strength of the country, still faced humiliation at the hands of the Xiongnu; Emperor Xuan of Han adopted a policy of appeasement, but the Xiongnu's warhorses continued to roam the border; Emperor Guangwu of Han adopted a strategy of humility and generosity, but the border remained unsettled. These four emperors were all wise rulers who adopted prudent strategies in dealing with the Xiongnu issue, using treasures and marriage alliances to seek peace and long-term benefits for future generations. They did not shy away from war; rather, they aimed to protect their people’s lives.
Only Emperor Wu of Han, relying on generations of accumulated national strength and the country's wealth, driven by pride and arrogance, rashly launched a large-scale war against the Xiongnu. After years of fighting across thousands of miles, although some victories were achieved, including killing the Xiongnu's king and defeating the fierce Jie tribes, the Han army suffered heavy losses, with nine out of ten soldiers dying. Generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing led expeditions, but tens of thousands of soldiers never returned; General Li Guangli led expeditions, but hundreds or thousands of soldiers surrendered; Li Guang died in battle, and Li Ling surrendered to the Xiongnu, and countless soldiers who managed to escape. This ultimately led to an empty treasury and a significant population decline. What benefits did this war truly bring? The cost of war far outweighs peace through marriage alliances!
Starting from the neglect of political affairs by the court in the late Western Han Dynasty, to the relocation of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, various factions of the Xiongnu emerged, and the Qiang and Di tribes attacked each other, resulting in widespread chaos. Imperial tombs were overgrown with thorns, and wolves and leopards roamed the palaces. The country was in turmoil, with countless people displaced and numerous casualties. This level of chaos had never been witnessed before. I won't delve into the specifics of what transpired during that time.
During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Song, there were many years of peace without major incidents. However, in the later years, people grew complacent and provoked a powerful adversary. This led to cities being breached, forced relocation of civilians, enemy warhorses drinking from the Yangtze River, and the streets of Qingzhou and Xuzhou being littered with corpses. In the Jianyuan era, northern nomads invaded our borders; in the Yongming era, a peace treaty was signed with them. Over a decade, the border situation temporarily stabilized.
Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have been powerful. However, the barbarian nations on the border have not ceased their raids and have been harassing our borders for five years. Previously, these small nations were like ants, slowly nibbling away at the borders of our Han Dynasty. Now, these pests are continuously eroding our territory. Your Majesty has deployed a hundred thousand troops and spent vast sums of money to pacify the border over the past five years. Just think of how much money has gone down the drain! Your Majesty, why hesitate to part with a few horses, millions of coins, and some imperial edicts? Use these to lure the barbarians, stop their harassment, protect the lives of our border citizens, and allow us to recuperate and observe their movements. If my plan succeeds, it will bring glory for generations; if it fails, we'll only lose one army.
Some people may say that sending envoys to them, if they refuse, would be a loss of face for us. Your Majesty rules over the entire realm; how can you concern yourself with every trivial matter? Even if we were to lose a city, what significance does that hold? If the envoys we send do not return, what is there to be ashamed of? Furthermore, I rely on your favor to obtain this position. If my plan succeeds, what is there to fear about losing face? It's like a caterpillar that must first bend before it can fully extend. I am not saying that sending envoys will definitely solve the problem peacefully, but it is possible, just as not every battle is guaranteed to be won, there is always a chance of victory. We should quickly mobilize our troops, display our strength openly, recruit elite troops from Sichuan, and gather warships from the coast.
From Qingzhou to Yuzhou, the cavalry is deployed across the land, entering the Han River basin along the rivers, creating a formidable formation that stretches for thousands of miles. Occupy strategic positions, deter the enemy, cut off their food supply, strike their morale, set up decoy forces, and make them exhausted and confused. At the same time, we must also be prepared defensively, instilling fear and caution to prevent rash actions. Then, send envoys with a decree, hasten with both reason and emotion, and explain the interests clearly. Those northern barbarians are stubborn and vain, greedy and fond of exotic treasures. They fear our strength and like our wealth. If we present both authority and incentives, they will be inclined to negotiate. Your Majesty, as long as you adopt my suggestion and implement my plan, why worry that there will be no submission from the Hu people outside the Yumen Pass?
Those who advocate for war speak persuasively, while my proposal for peace talks may appear somewhat unclear. I humbly urge Your Majesty to carefully consider the pros and cons, comparing the gains and losses of the two options; with Your Majesty's wisdom, I am certain you will make the right decision. This is my humble opinion, and I hope Your Majesty can discuss it in the court. I am honored by Your Majesty's grace in allowing me to assist and to speak frankly in presenting my suggestions.
The emperor did not adopt my suggestion, summoned the attendant, nor did he carry out my plan, allowing me to remain in my original position.
Xie Zhigui, known for his grace and charm, enjoys composing poems and essays, and is a hearty drinker, often downing seven or eight dou. He shares similar interests with his nephew Zhang Rong and has a deep friendship with Langya King Siyuan and the brothers He Dian from Lujiang. He does not like to get involved in worldly affairs, with his home lush with flowers, plants, and trees, creating a serene pastoral landscape. He often sits alone there drinking, peaceful and carefree, never fretting over trivial matters. Weeds grow at his doorstep, but he does not bother to tidy them up, with frogs constantly croaking in his courtyard. When asked why, he replied with a smile, "I use these instead of two music bands; why bother learning from Chen Fan!"
In the first year of the Yongyuan era, he was appointed as the Minister of the Interior, later promoted to the Prince's Attendant, and also granted the title of Cavalier Attendant of the Imperial Court. Three years later, Xie Zhigui fell ill, and the emperor surprisingly had him carried into the palace on a bed carriage. However, because of the jostling, his condition worsened, and he passed away shortly thereafter at the age of fifty-five. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Grand Minister of Grace and Favor.
Liu Hui, styled Shizhang, was from Pengcheng and the younger brother of Tai Chang Qian. His father, Liu Men, was a powerful figure in the late Song Dynasty, with a steady stream of guests visiting their home. Liu Men would have Liu Hui engage with the guests, and Liu Hui responded with ease and eloquence. Pleased, Liu Men remarked, "If you become an official in the future, you will also be able to converse with guests confidently." Liu Hui initially served as an official in the Imperial Library, later becoming a military officer in the Grand Marshal's Office. Upon seeing him, the Grand Marshal remarked, "Liu Gong, truly a rare talent!"
When King Yu of Zhang appointed Liu Hui as the Governor of Jiangzhou, he accompanied him to garrison at Jiangling. Later, he was transferred to the position of Military Officer for the Western Garrison, and then became the Chief Clerk of the Cavalry Corps. Liu Hui was intelligent and witty, possessing literary talent and skilled in the clerical script. He was often appreciated and summoned by the emperor, speaking eloquently before the emperor and highly respected among his colleagues. As a result of his talents, Prince Langye Xun was promoted, and King Yu of Zhang told his subordinates, "Although I cannot obtain outstanding talents like Chen Fan, you already have two exceptional talents here." Later, Liu Hui was appointed as the Recorder of the Ministry of Works, then promoted to the Imperial Stablemaster, Grand Marshal's Advisor, and concurrently as a recorder. At that time, there were discussions due to the age and differing official positions of King Yu of Zhang and Crown Prince Wenhui, suggesting tensions between the court and the mansion. Liu Hui earnestly requested a transfer, and was thus appointed as the Prefect of Nankang. In addition to managing county affairs, he dedicated himself to studying diligently. Court officials Chen Hong and others requested to return home on leave and inquired about Liu Hui's performance there. After some time, Chen Hong asked Liu Hui again, "Nankang is a vital passage for the three provinces and must be managed well. How can a young man teach there?" He was subsequently summoned back to court and appointed as the Marshal of Prince Anlu's Guard, later promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, tasked with drafting imperial edicts. He was also ordered to assist the National Preceptor He Yin in revising ritual systems. As the Yongming era drew to a close, people in the capital had a particular fondness for discussing literature and ethics, gathering at the residence west of Prince Jingling's mansion. Liu Hui was seen as a leader among the younger generation, intelligent and versatile. At that time, Zhang Rong and Zhou Yong had excellent literary skills, with Zhang Rong's writing noted for its smoothness and melody, and Zhou Yong's being elegant and fluent. Liu Hui's speech was powerful and rhythmic, full of momentum. People of that era said, "Liu Hui has established his own style and created his own school," indicating that his style differed from those of Zhang Rong and Zhou Yong.
After the Marquis of Yu's son, Xiang, was killed, Prince Yuzhang wanted to give him a dignified burial, so he asked Liu Hui to write a eulogy. Liu Hui quickly took up paper and pen and finished writing. Prince Yuzhang only glanced at the first eight characters: "Guiding and nurturing, witnessing maturity," and exclaimed, "Even Mi Heng's writings can't compare to this!" Later, envoys from the north arrived, and Liu Hui used his excellent eloquence to negotiate with them, being responsible for receiving the envoys from the north. After the matter was settled, he needed to write a record of the meeting. Liu Hui told others, "It's not just difficult to polish an article; it's even harder to accurately write down what I said back then!"
His brother Liu Quan was respectful, and when Liu Hui spoke to others, they addressed him as "Sir." During the Longchang period, Liu Quan committed a crime and was to be executed. Liu Hui rushed to the palace gates, asking to take his brother's place in execution. At that time, Emperor Gaozong was serving as regent and ultimately spared Liu Quan. Later, Liu Hui was appointed as the Military Records Officer and subsequently promoted to the Yellow Gate Attendant. After Emperor Gaozong was appointed Grand General of the Vanguard, he appointed Liu Hui as the Assistant General, enabling him to participate in military and political affairs while being responsible for documenting official records. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Liu Hui was promoted to the Central Attendant of the Crown Prince, and later exiled as the General of Ning Shuo and Military Records Officer.
Prince Baozhen of Anlu served as the Inspector of Xiangzhou, appointing Liu Hui as the Chief Military Officer and the Interior Minister of Changsha, acting as the Inspector of Xiangzhou while maintaining his military position. Baozhen's concubine was the daughter of Liu Quan, Liu Hui's brother. Baozhen favored one of his maids, but Liu Hui took her away and reported it to the court. As a result, Baozhen developed a deep resentment towards Liu Hui, and their relationship soured from then on.
After Liu Hui's mother died, he resigned from his official position and returned home to mourn. He was very filial, mourning in front of his mother's grave for three years and living on simple meals. After the mourning period ended, he was appointed General of Ning Shuo, Chief of Staff for Prince Jin'an's Northern Expedition, Prefect of Southeastern Sea, and Acting Governor of Southern Xu Province. Although Liu Hui had a straightforward personality, he was not fond of fighting, though he was skilled in archery and never rode horses. After his brother Liu Quan passed away, the court wanted to honor him posthumously as General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Yongzhou. The edict was already issued, but Liu Hui requested the Minister of Works, Xu Xiaosi, to modify this order.
As Prince Liang's army rebelled, the court appointed Xie Hui as the military commander overseeing Jingling, Yong, Liang, and the North and South Qin regions, with the titles of General Assisting the State, Commander of Ningman, and Governor of Yongzhou. Xie Hui flat-out refused this appointment. At that time, everyone felt that the court was in disarray, and Xie Hui ultimately did not accept the position, so the court reassigned Zhang Xintai. Later, Xie Hui was reassigned as the Chief Clerk for Prince Jian'an's cavalry, responsible for the mansion's affairs.
As Prince Liang's army surrounded Jiankang City, Zhang Ji, the Governor of South Yanzhou, was in charge of the military inside the city. He was particularly close to Xie Hui, and the two often plotted to replace the ruler, chatting for several nights in a row. After Xiao Baojuan died, Xie Hui and others sent Xiao Baojuan's head to Shitou City to present it to Prince Liang. Afterwards, Xie Hui was appointed as an Attendant Cavalry Commander. In the second year of the Zhongxing era, Xie Hui passed away at the age of forty-five. Xie Hui also authored a book titled "The Art of Writing Names," claiming to be skilled in the flying white script and fond of showing off in conversation and actions.
His younger brother, Xie Tian, whose courtesy name was Shiwen, had a passion for writing, led a lavish lifestyle, drank heartily, spent money freely and without a second thought. Maohuiyuan from Yingyang was skilled at painting horses, while Xie Tian was renowned for his paintings of women, and both were regarded as leading experts in their respective fields at the time. Xie Tian later served as a Lang in the Ministry of Personnel, and died before his brother Xie Hui.
The historian said: The criminal law and rituals inform one another and play a role in admonition. Superficial understanding of governance fails to distinguish between priorities, so the challenges of governing the populace have become apparent. Emperor Duanjian prioritized uniform standards, but the frequent changes in priorities left people bewildered. The essence of laws and regulations lies in concise wording, and the meanings should be broad, with punishments executed according to the classics with careful consideration. The intentions of leniency and severity are different, and the benefits of each are also distinct. The statements may vary, and the meanings may increase or decrease. The actions of the former magistrate do not have only one method of governance, but the succeeding emperors believe that what is right should be applied as is. Accumulating differences between relaxation and strictness will gradually lead to deviations and errors. Therefore, the criminal law has opened two doors; the law has two paths, the skills of the pen and the sword are growing more sophisticated, and the culture of power manipulation is thriving. Seizing the opportunities of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, holding on to huge private interests, even minor issues, like leeks that can regrow, would rather kill the guilty; even people who are obviously innocent, like someone holding a piece of wood hiding in a cell, may still be wronged. Lower officials report to higher officials, clerks handle official business, observe and listen, and do not judge based on personal likes and dislikes. They must uphold justice, and the key is not to personally intervene; cases should be handled according to the law, as long as there is no regrettable mistake. County officials, when first engaging with the public, often overlook faults out of sympathy, without waiting for reports to reach the prison, and if they convict according to the law, there is no trivial matter that isn't considered a fault. This is all because of the dense legal network, the complicated laws and regulations, and the contradictions between articles and principles. The punishment and humiliation are never-ending; thieves always exist. Wanting to pursue severity often leads to unpredictable situations. Sweeping graves and worshipping the wealthy and powerful, what's off-limits in the pursuit of profit? Therefore, Emperor Yongming established laws, mostly using lenient methods, governing the realm without concern for compassion, but often burdening oneself due to leniency. The key to effective law-making is consistent enforcement, rather than being troubled by contradictions.
It is praised: Yuan Xun went to great lengths for his relatives, as if a child moved by emotion. Zhi Gui, stationed far on the border, submitted memorials urging an end to the war. Shi Zhang was perceptive and quick-thinking, making his mark in the world, sharpening his reputation.
