Donghai native Bao Kai, courtesy name Hele. His elder brother is named Bao Yu, who mastered the "Five Classics." Bao Kai inherited his brother's extensive knowledge. He also studied the "Records of the Grand Historian" and "Book of Han" under Wang Zhongtong, especially excelling in the study of these two historical texts. During the Daye period, he became an assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy. At that time, those who studied the "Book of Han" regarded Xiao (surname unspecified) and Bao Kai as leading scholars. He gathered students for lectures, and he had recorded several thousand students. After his death, his students erected a monument and built a tomb for him.
The Bao brothers, one inheriting the family learning and the other expanding upon it, were both knowledgeable individuals. Bao Kai particularly delved deeply into the study of the "Records of the Grand Historian" and "Book of Han," establishing him as a prominent figure of his time with countless students. His exceptional teaching and significant influence are evident in the stele erected by his students after his death, demonstrating his high moral standing.
Fang Huiyuan, courtesy name Chongru, was from Zhenping, Hengshan in Hebei. His family had a long-standing tradition of Confucian scholarship. Huiyuan was ambitious and principled from a young age, studying the "Three Rites," "Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals," "Book of Songs," "Book of Documents," and "I Ching," and was also proficient in astronomy and calendar calculations. He often attracted over a thousand students from afar to study under him.
When Chuo, the King of Nanyang during the Qi dynasty, served as the Inspector of Dingzhou, he heard of Fang Huiyuan's great reputation and invited him to serve as a scholar. Later, after Emperor Wu of the Zhou dynasty overthrew the Qi dynasty, he searched everywhere for talented Confucian scholars. Huiyuan was the first to respond to the call and was appointed as a junior scholar in the Imperial Academy. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui dynasty proclaimed himself emperor, Huiyuan was promoted to the Grand Master of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Niu Hong, the Minister of Rites, often praised him as the "Repository of the Five Classics," like a treasure trove of the Five Classics. The Minister of Personnel, Wei Shikang, also recommended him to be a scholar of the Imperial Academy, and then he collaborated with a man named Zheng Yi from Pei County to revise musical scores. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to fulfill his mourning duties at home. Several years later, he was appointed as the General for Pacifying Rebels, and then he resumed his position as Grand Master of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Not long after, he was promoted to National Scholar. At that time, the court decreed that students at the National University who understood at least one classic should be recommended for promotion and use. After the exams, the scholars struggled to assess the candidates' merits. Yuan Shan, the Chief Priest, was puzzled and asked them what was going on. Huiyuan said, "The academic perspectives and examination standards in Jiangnan and Hebei differ, and the scholars may not be familiar with both. The students only talk about what they are good at and not what they are bad at, leading to their indecision." The Chief Priest then asked Huiyuan to evaluate, and after looking at the examination papers, he quickly rendered a judgment without hesitation. Some people were not convinced, so Huiyuan asked them to cite the classics and explanations they used. After they recited their explanations, Huiyuan pointed out their mistakes. From then on, no one dared to cheat. He evaluated four to five hundred candidates and completed the task in just a few days. All the Confucian scholars admired his vast knowledge and considered his learning to be profound. Later, he was summoned to participate in the revision of laws and regulations.
Sui Gaozu Yang Jian once asked his ministers, "Since ancient times, have emperors had female performers?" The ministers under Yang Su did not know how to answer and all said there were no female performers. Huiyuan stood up and said, "I have heard of 'graceful and virtuous ladies, accompanied by the sound of bells and drums'; this is the music in the ancient emperor's palace, recorded in the 'Ya' and 'Song' of the Book of Songs. It cannot be said that there were none." Emperor Yang Jian was very pleased to hear this. During the Ren Shou period, Huiyuan passed away at the age of seventy-two. The court was very regretful and held a grand funeral for him, posthumously appointing him as a court attendant.
Ma Guang, styled Rongbo, was from Wu'an. He had a passion for learning from a young age and studied with various teachers for decades, day and night without stopping. He read a wide range of books, from official histories to obscure texts, and he was particularly well-versed in the 'Three Rites.' He was a master of Confucianism, and everyone respected him.
During the Kaihuang period of Emperor Wen of Sui, the emperor summoned knowledgeable people from Shandong. Ma Guang, Zhang Zhongrang, Kong Long, Dou Shirong, Zhang Heinu, and Liu Zuren were all summoned to the capital and appointed as imperial scholars. They were called the "Six Scholars" at the time. However, these individuals were somewhat uncouth and lacked an understanding of proper etiquette, so the court did not value them. Dou Shirong died shortly thereafter. Zhang Zhongrang soon asked to return to his hometown and even wrote a ten-volume book, saying that if this book were accepted, he might have a chance at becoming a prime minister. He frequently spoke of enigmatic divinations and prophecies. The local authorities reported his situation to the court, and as a result, he was killed. Kong Long, Zhang Heinu, and Liu Zuren were also soon demoted by the court. Only Ma Guang was left.
Once during a sacrifice ceremony, Emperor Wen of Sui personally went to the Imperial College, with all the royal officials and ministers in attendance. Ma Guang went on stage to lecture on the rituals, providing a clear explanation. Afterward, about a dozen Confucian scholars took turns asking him questions. These scholars were all famous at the time, and Ma Guang answered their questions one by one, explaining very clearly. Although his style of speaking was not particularly elegant, the reasoning was very thorough, making it hard to gauge the depth of his knowledge. Everyone admired him greatly, and the emperor praised and rewarded him. Among those studying the "Three Rites" of the Zhou Dynasty in Shandong, Ma Guang was the only one respected after Xiong Ansheng. He began teaching in Yingzhou and Bozhou, attracting over a thousand students. When he arrived in the capital, many students followed him to Chang'an. Several years later, when his mother passed away, he returned home to observe mourning rites, planning to live out his days there. Later, he passed away due to illness at the age of seventy-three.
Liu Zhuo, styled Shi Yuan, was a native of Changting in Xindu. His father, Liu Qia, served as a magistrate in the local area. Liu Zhuo had a distinctive appearance, with a high forehead, broad back, far-sighted gaze, and was intelligent and steady, not particularly playful during his childhood. When he was young, he became sworn brothers with Liu Xuan from Hejian, and together they studied the Book of Songs with Liu Gui from the same county, learned the Zuo Zhuan with Guo Maochang from Guangping, and sought guidance on the Book of Rites from Xiong Ansheng from Fucheng. However, they left before completing their studies. There was a man named Liu Zhihai in Wuqiang Jiajin Bridge who had many books at home. Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan often went to his house to read, spending ten years there. Despite their humble living conditions and struggles to afford adequate clothing and food, they maintained a sense of calm.
Later, Liu Zhuo, relying on his profound Confucian background, became a provincial scholar. Governor Zhao Ji recognized his talent and recommended him as a candidate for the scholarly exams, where he achieved first place. He, along with the imperial secretary Wang Shao, edited the national history, participated in discussions on law and calendar, and was also on duty in the imperial study, ready to answer the emperor's inquiries. Before long, he was promoted to the rank of External General. Later, he and other Confucian scholars collaborated in the Secretariat on the collation of various classical texts. He once returned to his hometown to visit his family, and the county magistrate Wei Zhiye invited him to take on the role of magistrate. Shortly after, he returned to the capital, where he debated contentious issues from both ancient and modern times, as well as unresolved difficulties left by previous scholars, with a large group of scholars from the Imperial Academy, including the Left Deputy Yang Su, Minister of Personnel Niu Hong, National Sacrificial Official Su Wei, National Sacrificial Official Yuan Shan, scholars Xiao Gai, He Tuo, and Fang Huiyuan, the Tai Xue Scholar, Cui Zongde, and Prince Jin's literary scholar Cui Ze, among others. Every time he spoke, the debates were vigorous, and no one could refute him. Yang Su and the others held him in high regard for his extensive knowledge.
Six years later, the "Stone Classics" from Luoyang arrived in the capital city, with many of the characters worn down and barely legible. The emperor ordered him and Liu Xuan to collate the texts. Later, during a sacrificial ceremony held by the Imperial Academy, he and Liu Xuan thoroughly defeated other Confucian scholars in debate, which sparked jealousy and resentment among many. Some lodged accusations against him, and he was demoted to the status of a commoner. He then leisurely returned to his hometown, dedicating himself to teaching and writing; he worked diligently and never slacked off. He carefully examined the commentaries on the classics handed down by Jia Yi, Ma Rong, Wang Chong, Zheng Xuan, and others, distinguishing between authenticity and forgery. He conducted in-depth studies on over ten texts such as "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art," "Zhou Bi Suan Jing," and "Book of the Seven Luminaries," calculating the movements of celestial bodies, measuring the dimensions of mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, and exploring their underlying principles and intricacies. His notable works, such as "Ji Ji" in ten volumes, "Book of Calendars" in ten volumes, and "Five Discussions on the Extensive Meanings," gained widespread recognition. Liu Xuan was equally intelligent and knowledgeable, second only to Liu Chao, earning them the nickname "the Two Lius" among contemporaries. Numerous renowned Confucian scholars sought his counsel, even making long journeys to seek his wisdom. It was said that for centuries, no one among Confucian scholars could rival his vast knowledge and understanding.
However, he was rather aloof and quite stingy. He did not teach students who did not pay tuition, so people at the time had some grievances about him. When the deposed prince, Yang Yong, heard about his reputation, he wanted to summon him. Before he could go to pay his respects, he received orders to serve the Prince of Shu, which was not his desire, so he delayed going for a long time. The Prince of Shu was furious upon hearing this and sent men to arrest him and escort him to Shu, where he was conscripted into military service. Later, he served as a proofreader of texts in Shu. After the Prince of Shu was overthrown, Liu Chao, along with other Confucian scholars, collaboratively revised the rites and laws and was appointed as Yunqi Captain. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was elevated to the position of Imperial Scholar, but soon resigned because of illness. Several years later, he was once again summoned to serve as an advisor. He submitted his own written "Historical Records," which significantly contrasted with the views of the Imperial Historian Zhang Zhouxuan, and consequently, it was rejected and not accepted. In the sixth year of the Daye era, Liu Chao passed away at the age of sixty-seven. Liu Xuan petitioned the court for a posthumous title for him, but the court did not grant it.
Liu Xuan, styled Guangbo, was originally from Jingcheng in Hejian. He gained fame from a young age for his intelligence and quick wit. He and Liu Chao of Xindu studied together in seclusion for ten years without venturing outside. Liu Xuan possessed bright, sharp eyes, could gaze directly at the sun without being dazzled, and had an exceptional memory, unmatched by anyone. He could simultaneously draw squares with his left hand and circles with his right, recite, count, and listen, all at once, without making a single mistake.
After Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified the Qi dynasty, the Yizhou governor Yuwen Kang recommended him as an official in the Ministry of Household Affairs. Later, the governor Li Hui appointed him as an official in the Ministry of Rites, and he gained a reputation for his exceptional administrative skills. Over a year later, he was ordered to compile the national history together with the imperial secretary Wang Shao. Shortly after, he also served in the Ministry of the Interior, responsible for providing advice and consultation. He worked with other scholars to revise astronomical calendars and was responsible for reviewing various memorials in the Ministry of the Interior, where the Minister of the Interior, Li Delin of Boling, held him in high regard. Although Liu Xuan had served in all three provinces, he never received a formal official position and was instead ordered by the county to pay taxes. Liu Xuan then appealed to the Minister of the Interior, who sent him to the Ministry of Personnel, where the Minister of Personnel, Wei Shikang, inquired about his qualifications.
Liu Xuan wrote a self-introduction, saying, "I can discuss the commentaries from the thirteen schools, including the 'Rites of Zhou,' 'The Book of Rites,' 'The Book of Songs,' 'The Book of Documents,' 'Gongyang's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals,' 'Zuozhuan,' 'Classic of Filial Piety,' and 'The Analects,' although the depth of my interpretations may vary. Regarding the 'Book of Changes,' 'The Rites of Zhou,' and 'The Guliang Commentary,' although I have spent relatively less time studying them, I still possess some understanding. I have a strong memory of the insightful remarks and exemplary cases found in historical texts and various literary collections. I have also conducted in-depth research into the intricacies of astronomical calendars. When it comes to composing official and personal documents, I have never required assistance from anyone." The Ministry of Personnel did not thoroughly assess his abilities, but more than a dozen well-known figures in the court vouched for the veracity of Liu Xuan's self-introduction; thus, he was appointed as a palace general.
At that time, Niu Hong submitted a request to collect lost books from across the realm. Liu Xuan fabricated over a hundred scrolls, titled "Lianshan Yi" and "Lu Shi Ji," and presented them to the court, receiving rewards for his efforts before departing. Later, an informant reported him, and although he was pardoned due to amnesty, he was still dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown, where he made a living as a teacher. Upon hearing this, Prince Yong summoned him. After arriving in the capital, the court ordered him to serve the Prince of Shu, but he continually delayed and refused to comply. The Prince of Shu, infuriated, had him shackled and sent to Yizhou. Eventually, he was assigned to serve in the prince's tent, acting as a gatekeeper with a stick in hand each day. Shortly after, he was released and appointed as a copyist. Liu Xuan then drew inspiration from Qu Yuan's "Bu Ju" and wrote a piece called "Shi Tu" to express his own feelings.
After the Prince of Shu was overthrown, I collaborated with several Confucian scholars to revise the "Five Rites" and was appointed as a traveling cavalry officer. The Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, made a suggestion to lower the rank of the relatives of the nobility by one rank according to ancient ritual systems. Although the current high-ranking officials, such as the Prime Minister, differ from ancient feudal lords, their status is comparable to that of a high-ranking official, so their relatives should be demoted by one rank. Many agreed with his reasoning.
However, I disagreed. I said, "In ancient times, officials only cared about one person, namely, the emperor, and the illegitimate sons had little chance of advancement. Thus, ancient emperors placed great importance on their legitimate sons, who had the right to receive stipends. Even when the relationship between relatives and legitimate sons was tenuous, they still had to observe a mourning period of three months as they had benefited from their elders' kindness. Today, officials are promoted based on merit, without restrictions based on legitimacy. This differs from ancient practices, so why should we lower the rank of their relatives? Many high-ranking officials today do not care about their own close relatives. If we were to further demote their relatives, it would only foster a sense of alienation among the common folk!" Thus, this matter was ultimately set aside.
In the 20th year of the Kaihuang era, the court abolished the four branches of the Imperial Academy and the schools in the prefectures and counties, leaving only the Imperial College with two doctors and seventy-two students. I wrote a letter to the emperor, arguing that schools should not be abolished; my reasons were compelling, but Emperor Gaozu did not adopt my suggestion.
In the later years of the Kaihuang era, the national economy flourished, and all levels of society focused their attention on Liaodong. I felt that Liaodong should not be attacked, so I wrote an essay "On Pacifying the Yi People" to advise against it, but at that time no one understood my meaning. It wasn't until the Daye period of the Sui Dynasty that the three expeditions to Liaodong were unsuccessful, which proved my earlier arguments correct.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Niu Hong recommended Pei Xuan to revise the laws. During the Gaozu era, many clerks engaged in corruption and malpractice due to the prevailing circumstances. Moreover, the social atmosphere at that time was corrupt, and women did not conform to traditional roles. Therefore, rules were established, with county officials rotated every three years, and wives of officials of the ninth rank were not allowed to remarry. Pei Xuan wrote an article arguing that this approach was not feasible, but Niu Hong insisted on this approach. Schools and instructors were established in each county, and funding was allocated to schools in distant places, all of which were proposed by Pei Xuan.
One time, Niu Hong chatted casually with Pei Xuan and asked him, "According to the records of the Zhou Rituals, there were many scholars but few officials in charge of records. Now there are a hundred times more record keepers than before, but fewer judges, and this isn't working. Why is that?" Pei Xuan replied, "The ancients emphasized delegation and responsibility, evaluating their performance at the end of the year. Records were not repeatedly checked, and documents were not overly complex. The duties of the record keepers were only to manage important items. Nowadays, documents are always worried about being reviewed too leniently, scrutinized repeatedly, afraid of not being careful enough, even investigating old cases from afar, hence the saying 'old officials die clutching their cases.' The past and present are different, with such a great difference; the overwhelming number of issues and the chaos in governance are all due to this."
Niu Hong asked again, "During the Wei and Qi periods, the duties of the officials in charge of history were relatively light, but now there is no time to rest. What is going on?" Pei Xuan replied, "During the Qi dynasty, there were only a few dozen prefectures, and the three offices and the county offices oversaw each other, with only about ten official decrees issued. Now there are more than three hundred prefectures, which is one reason for the increased workload. In the past, the prefectures had only officials in charge of discipline, the counties had magistrates, and their subordinates were all selected by the senior officials themselves. After receiving the imperial edict, they would take up their positions, with only a few dozen people in each prefecture. Now it's different; officials of all sizes are appointed by the Ministry of Personnel, and even the smallest matters are assessed by the Censorate, which is the second reason. Fewer officials mean less trouble, and less trouble means peace of mind. If the workload doesn’t decrease but you still want to enjoy some leisure time, how can that be?" Niu Hong greatly appreciated his words but did not adopt them.
Yang Da, a remonstrant official, recommended Pei Xuan as a learned and talented scholar, with excellent writing skills and top exam results, and he was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Over a year later, due to his low rank, he was dismissed from office, returned to his hometown of Changping, and was ordered to go to the emperor's place of residence again. Some people claimed he had poor character, so the emperor dismissed him and sent him back to his hometown of Hejian. At that time, bandits were rampant everywhere, food prices soared, academic research was interrupted, and teaching activities also stopped. Pei Xuan and his wife were separated by a hundred miles, with no news from each other, feeling frustrated, so he wrote a self-praise:
I know famous scholars such as Sima Xiangru, Yang Xiong, Ma Rong, and Zheng Xuan, who have all recorded their life experiences and noble virtues, leaving a lasting legacy. I dare not compare myself to them, lest I be laughed at. As I see my age getting older, my life about to end, old friends passing away one by one, and students going their separate ways, I am like the morning dew about to disappear quickly. After death, I will be buried in the desolate north, unable to convey my feelings to my relatives and friends, and future generations will not know my deeds. While I'm still alive, I need to hurry and write down my thoughts and leave them to future generations, so that the elders in my hometown will know my aspirations.
From the day I was born until now, my hair has gone white. My parents were very loving towards me when I was young, never scolding or hitting me. Teachers valued me during my school years, never punishing me. As I grew up, I worked hard to maintain good relationships with relatives and friends, always putting others before myself. I enjoyed playing with elders when I was young and continued to connect with younger folks as I got older. I studied hard and never grew weary, and put my heart and soul into teaching others without feeling tired. Although I have a somewhat reclusive nature, I often feel melancholy.
Looking back on my life, there are four things that I am grateful for and one regret. I was originally dull-witted and came from a poor family, but thanks to the help of my older brothers, I was able to enter officialdom, have the opportunity to read extensively, understand history, perform some small acts of kindness, and gain some renown. This is the first thing I am grateful for. I experienced the ups and downs of officialdom, held some meaningless positions, and dealt with trivial matters. I did not leave behind any remarkable achievements, but I can feel at peace that I acted with integrity. This is the second thing I am grateful for.
With my modest abilities, I earned the Emperor's favor several times. Although my status was lowly, I got to step into the court several times, worked alongside distinguished individuals, left some records in the court, and received kindness from the court. This is the third thing I am grateful for. Now that I am old and have retired to live a peaceful life at home, reading, enjoying the scenery, taking leisurely walks, and enjoying my golden years. This is the fourth thing I am grateful for.
I lived in a peaceful and prosperous era, but saw Confucianism fade away. I studied the thoughts of the sages diligently, but encountered many fallacies and heresies in society. I worked to sort out the classics and fix errors, but ultimately fell short. My dream never came true, which is my greatest regret. The times were difficult, and education was neglected. My knowledge was not promoted during my time, and it will not be passed down after my death. It really breaks my heart.
It is said that Mr. Liu Xuan from Hejian, while in the county town, military supplies had been cut off, and many students followed the bandits. Mr. Liu Xuan was poor and hungry, so he went to the county town to beg for food, and the county magistrate gave him some. Unfortunately, Mr. Liu Xuan was captured by the bandits while passing by the fortress outside the city. Not long after, the bandits were defeated by the official troops, and Mr. Liu Xuan was hungry and cold with nowhere to go, so he had to return to the county town. However, the local official suspected he was associated with the bandits, feared he would cause trouble in the future, and closed the gate, refusing him entry. That night was cold and icy; Mr. Liu Xuan died of cold and starvation at the age of sixty-eight years. Later, his students gave him the posthumous title of "Mr. Xuande."
Mr. Liu Xuan had a rather impatient temperament; he enjoyed joking, especially loved to show off, and liked to look down on the celebrities of the time, which led him to offend many in power, resulting in an unsuccessful official career. He wrote many books, including "Explanations of the Analects" in ten volumes, "Interpretation of the Spring and Autumn Annals" in ten volumes, "Corrections of the Five Classics" in twelve volumes, "Discussions on Filial Piety" in five volumes, "Interpretation of the Spring and Autumn Annals" in forty volumes, "Interpretation of the Book of Documents" in twenty volumes, "Interpretation of the Book of Songs" in forty volumes, "Preface to the Book of Songs" in one volume, and "Arithmetic" in one volume, all of which have been passed down through the ages.
Chu Hui from Wu County, styled Gaoming, was very famous in the Jiangnan region for his expertise in the "Three Rites." During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, the court summoned scholars from across the realm to the Ministry of Interior to take turns lecturing. Chu Hui was exceptionally eloquent, and no one could counter his arguments, so he was promoted to the position of Imperial Scholar. He also wrote a hundred volumes of "Ritual Commentary."
Gu Biao from Yu Hang, styled Zhongwen, was proficient in the "Book of Documents" and the "Spring and Autumn Annals." During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he served as a scholar in the Secretariat and wrote twenty volumes of "Ancient Texts of the Book of Documents."
Lu Shida from Yu Hang, during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, was an assistant teacher at the National University and wrote forty-two volumes of "Interpretation of the Book of Songs," which have also survived through the ages.
Zhang Chong of Wu County, courtesy name Shuxuan, served as the Left General during the Chen Dynasty, but this was not what he enjoyed. He preferred studying classics and wrote "Spring and Autumn Rites," with over seventy differences from the Du family's explanations. He also wrote three volumes of "Funeral Rites," three volumes of "Filial Piety Explanations," ten volumes of "Analects Explanations," and twelve volumes of "Qian Han Phonetics." He later became the royal reader for the Han Emperor.
King Xiaoji of Pingyuan loved learning from a young age, read many books, was well-versed in the Five Classics, and was a skilled writer. He was good friends with Liu Xuan from Hejian. During the Kaihuang period, he was called to the Secretariat to assist Wang Shao in compiling national history. However, Wang Shao held him in low regard, and he spent many years in the Secretariat and even had to pay his own taxes. King Xiaoji felt deeply frustrated, so he wrote a memorial to the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, saying:
Alas, I am covered in painful sores, unable to sleep at night, cold and hungry, and having no good days all year round. Why? Because the pain is unbearable, and poverty brings mental anguish. Moreover, my heart is in turmoil, and I am suffering greatly; the cold wind pierces my body. How can I possibly endure this pain in silence? I hope Minister Niu can show me some pity and leniency; just a few words from you could save my life, and your encouragement could help me succeed. Your kind words could comfort me like soothing balm; please grant my request and listen to my plea! Although the mountains are high and the waters are far, the gods are watching; everything I say is the truth; there are no lies here. But I fear the rescue may come too late; by the time others come to save me, the opportunity would have passed me by. If I have to wait for people from Yue to row a boat to rescue me, or craftsmen from Lu to build a ladder to save me, I would have long since perished in the branches or sunk into despair.
As a poor man, I have spent seven years serving in the province, constantly ordered about without receiving any rewards. I’ve had to sell my land just to make ends meet and support my young children. There are no strong brothers to rely on at home. To make matters worse, my elderly mother is at home, toiling day and night, while I am far away, having to endure and persevere. The future looks grim, and my mother waits for me to come home each day. Like Sima Xiangru, falling ill without an official position means not being able to exempt from labor; like Mei Fu, going insane is not something that can be avoided by becoming an immortal. My sorrows are more terrifying than any ghost; life feels softer than stone. I fear that my soul will scatter, and there will be no one to worship me after death. Dying with regrets—wouldn't that be a waste of your kindness? This is akin to Wang Ji’s words, which displeased Ying Hou. My troubles are hidden in my hair, just between my brows; Zi Ye did not hear, Li Zhu did not see. I am buried in history, ultimately not recommended, only to die in obscurity.
No talents have emerged in three generations; despite being poor and lonely, I haven’t been promoted in ten years and truly lack a confidant. Truly outstanding talents are only encountered by wise monarchs; truly rare talents are only discovered by loyal and virtuous ministers. Talents like me are rare, and so are ministers like you; that's why I believe you, Lord Shangshu, would not dismiss me. You hold a high position, wield power, yet wear simple clothes, not pursuing luxury. In the past, before the beautiful jade on Jing Mountain was discovered, Bian He's feet were cut off; before Baili Xi was promoted, Qin Xi was killed. I finally have the chance to share my plight with you, and you have the power to help me. You can help me see the situation clearly and overcome my difficulties, but you have not taken action. Do you have any idea what that feels like?
Official positions sometimes do not match one's abilities, and talents sometimes cannot express their grievances. When one talks behind closed doors, the word will spread far and wide. If my hard work goes unrecognized, how can I not have hope? If my illness has not reached the point of death, and my mind is still clear, I will write down my pain and worries, record them in history, let future generations know about my experiences, hold those responsible accountable for their mistakes, and clear my name of any false accusations. This way, even if I die, my grievances can be redressed, and my sins will not be forever recorded.
I hope you can find it in your heart to show me a bit of kindness, pay more attention, and please do not neglect me!
Hong, everyone knows that he is very knowledgeable, but he has never been valued by the court. Later, he returned to his hometown, made a living by teaching, and eventually spent his old age there. He annotated the "Book of Documents" and the "Book of Songs," but sadly, they were lost in the turmoil of war.
Historical records say: The ancients said, "Looks aren't worth admiring, strength isn't worth relying on, family background isn't worth boasting about, ancestors aren't worth praising, but those who achieve fame worldwide and whose legacy endures, are they not based on learning?" This statement is so true! People like Huiyuan and Rongbo, who focused and persevered, relied on their hard work and learning, eventually becoming well-known and respected. Some attracted thousands of students, while others donned official robes, rode in carriages, and earned respect in their time, all thanks to their profound accumulation of knowledge!
Jiang Yang, with a calm demeanor, impeccable manners, broad knowledge, and well-known at the time; Yan Zhi, diligent in studying classics, upright in character, principled in actions, and well-mannered in speech; He Tuo, quick-witted, quick to react, excellent in eloquence and writing, but too straightforward in speech, not quite fitting the image of a Confucian scholar; Liu Chao, highly renowned among scholars, well-versed in astronomy and the calendar, with extensive and profound knowledge that is immeasurable and has been revered for centuries, almost unique in his caliber; Liu Xuan, Liu Chao's brother, also a learned scholar of classics, talented with a wide range of knowledge, though not as deep in his scholarly pursuits as his brother Liu Chao, his writing is better in organizing and explaining knowledge than his brother.
However, these talented individuals were not fully utilized due to the constraints of their time. Some held only minor official positions, while others fell into poverty and destitution; it's such a shame! As Zixia wisely noted: "Life and death are destined, wealth and honor are bestowed by heaven." While the heavens granted them intelligence and wisdom, they were denied high positions and wealth; even sages don’t always have it easy; what options did Liu Chao and Liu Xuan have?
