Li Delin, courtesy name Gongfu, is from Anping, Hebei. His grandfather, Li Shou, served as a household registrar in Huzhou. His father, Li Jingzu, was a Doctor of the Imperial Academy and a general of Zhenyuan. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing of Northern Wei, the emperor ordered esteemed scholars to edit and compile classical texts. Li Jingzu was appointed as an internal editor and also served as an official in the Ministry of Works.
Li Delin was intelligent from a young age. By the age of just a few years, he could recite Zuo Si's "Fu on the Capital of Shu" and memorized it in just over ten days. Gao Longzhi was very surprised when he saw this and told officials in the court, "If given time, he will definitely become a pillar of the country!" People from Ye City flocked to his house to see him, with a steady stream of carriages and horses visiting his home every noon for a month. By the age of fifteen, he could recite the Five Classics and a large amount of ancient and modern texts, reading thousands of characters daily. Before long, he was well-versed in various classics, including astronomy and calendar systems. He excelled in writing, producing articles that were concise and logically sound. Wei Shou once told Gao Longzhi about his father, "Your son will definitely surpass Wen Zisheng (Wen Qiao) in literary accomplishments." Gao Longzhi laughed and said, "Wei Shou, you're too envious of talent. Why compare him to Wen Zisheng rather than to Lao Peng (Peng Zu)?"
At the age of sixteen, Li Delin's father passed away. He personally drove the funeral cart to take his father's body back to their hometown for burial. It was the height of winter, wearing only simple clothes and barefoot. The townspeople admired him even more for this. In Boling, there was a prestigious family with a man named Cui Chen, who was the brother of an official in the court. When he returned home for vacation, he had a grand procession of many carriages and horses. He planned to visit Li Delin's home to offer condolences. When they were still over ten miles from Li Delin's home, the dozens of cavalrymen accompanying him gradually thinned out. By the time they reached Li Delin's doorstep, only five cavalrymen remained, fearing that too many would disturb Li Delin. Li Delin's family was impoverished and struggled to make ends meet. His mother was often sick, and he immersed himself in studying the classics, never considering a career in officialdom. Later, as his mother's health improved somewhat, his family pressured him to pursue a career in officialdom.
The King of Rencheng valued Li Delin's talent and invited him to the capital. They spent time together day in and day out, their relationship was like that of a teacher and friend, without any of the formalities of ruler and subject. The King of Rencheng once said to Li Delin, "I have heard that those who conceal talented individuals will ultimately be punished. It took you so long to be recognized, and yet I am able to enjoy your talent. Even if the court doesn't say anything, I worry that heaven will punish me." So, the King of Rencheng recommended Li Delin to take the imperial examination for scholars, in the eighth year of the Tianbao era. The King of Rencheng also wrote a letter to the Grand Secretary, Yang Zunyan, saying, "The Yan and Zhao regions have always been full of talented individuals, and this is absolutely true. This year, the scholar participating in the examination, Li Delin, naturally excels in his writings and knowledge. Looking at his demeanor and appearance, he will surely become a pillar of the country in the future. When it comes to governing the nation, he can be compared to Jia Yi and Chao Cuo; in terms of sophisticated literary skills, he can be compared to Sima Xiangru and Yang Xiong. Even in a flourishing court like that of Yao and Shun, with abundant talent, when building something grand, would anyone complain of having too many good materials? I once read Kong Rong's recommendation of Ni Heng's writings, where he said, 'When the floodwaters rise, the emperor hopes for peace throughout the realm,' comparing the current emperor to Great Yu; I find this analogy a bit inappropriate. However, when applied to Delin, I feel that previous comparison doesn’t quite fit."
Yang Zunyan immediately asked Li Delin to write a "Letter to the Imperial Secretary." Li Delin picked up his pen and wrote it all in one go, without needing any revisions. Yang Zunyan greatly admired his talent, so he showed the piece to Lu Ang, an official in the Ministry of Personnel. Lu Ang said, "I have fully appreciated his literary prowess. The piece is majestic, like the rushing waters of the Yellow River. The works of young people I've seen recently are merely small streams." Lu Ang also asked his son, Lu Ye, to engage with Li Delin for his studies, advising his son, "You should learn from this person in everything and take him as a role model." At that time, Yang Zunyan was responsible for talent selection and was very discerning. Very few candidates could achieve the highest rank in the scholar's imperial examination. Li Delin passed the examination with five highest marks in policy essays and was appointed as a general in the Imperial Guard. However, he felt that the provincial official position wasn't suited to him, and as it was the late dynasty during the Tianbao era, he resigned due to ill health and returned to his hometown to devote himself to self-cultivation.
In the early years of the Qianming era, Yang Zunyan requested the court to recall Li Delin to serve in the Ministry of Ceremonies. In the early years of the Huangjian era, the court issued an edict to gather talents and once again summoned Li Delin to Jin Yang. He wrote a piece called "Spring Thoughts," which was both magnificent and elegant, gaining widespread circulation. At that time, Prince Changguang was serving as the Chancellor and resided in Ye City. Prince Changguang ordered the recall of Li Delin to the capital to engage in confidential affairs alongside Gao Yuanhai, the Minister of the Guards, and others. Prince Changguang also appointed him as a military officer in the Chancellor's Office. Shortly after, Prince Changguang ascended to the throne, and Li Delin was appointed to an official position, serving in the Bureau of Palace Attendants. During the Heqing reign, he was appointed as an external attendant in the Ministry of Guards, concurrently serving as the Commander of the Imperial Guards while also serving in the confidential ministry. In the early years of the Tiantong era, he was appointed as an attendant in the Censorate, serving in the Imperial Secretariat and participating in drafting edicts. He was soon promoted to the Imperial Secretariat. In the early years of Wuping, he was further appointed as an attendant in the Imperial Guards. He was entrusted with important responsibilities by the emperor, managing confidential affairs together with Song Shisu, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Zhao Yanshen, the Deputy Minister. Later, his mother passed away, causing him immense grief, and he refrained from eating or drinking for five days. Consequently, he developed a high fever, with sores covering his body, and he cried incessantly. His friends Lu Qian, Song Shisu, the renowned physician Zhang Ziyi, and others brewed medicine for him. However, Li Delin refused to take it, causing his body to swell, but after a few days, his condition unexpectedly improved, and he recovered. It was said that his deep filial piety touched the heavens. The Court Astrologer, Ba Shuren, submitted a memorial to the court, reporting this incident, and the court commended him highly. Just a hundred days later, the court reinstated him against the rules, but due to his frail health, Li Delin requested to resign immediately and return home.
Wei Shou and Yang Xiu discussed the matter of the era (the calendar year) in the "Book of Qi," and the emperor ordered an assembly of officials to discuss the matter. Wei Shou wrote a letter to Delin saying, "The previous discussions have mixed all the meanings together, written too briefly and in a vague manner, making it difficult to understand. Now I plan to list things one by one, hoping you can pay attention to this and consider it carefully. Those so-called 'or' statements represent the views of the opposition; I merely heard others mention it, and I brought it up for discussion." Delin replied, "Regarding the 'era of accession' (the year of accession as the first year), this is a common expression found in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals.' I thoroughly examined the 'Spring and Autumn Annals'; the Lord of Lu did not refer to himself as having 'acceded,' but he also used the first year, so it is not solely the accession that can be referred to as the first year. What you refer to as 'the era of succession' (after inheriting the rule, using its year as the first year) is a term found in the 'Book of Documents.' I thoroughly examined the 'Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals'; Duke of Zhou acted as regent, pacified the rebellion in the first year, attacked the Yin Shang in the second year, moved the capital to Yan Di in the third year, established marquisates and the state of Wei in the fourth year, built the Zhou in the fifth year, established the system of rites and music in the sixth year, and handed over the political power to King Cheng in the seventh year. Some believe that after Shun and Yu assumed power, they were referred to as emperors, so they used their year as the first year. However, Duke of Zhou passed away as a subject, and his reign was also called the first year, so it is not only the act of inheriting the throne that can be designated as the first year. Please show me the manuscript of the discussion. Although I read it while unwell, my understanding is limited, but I have gained some insights. The gentlemen of today will likely have no objections and will only agree with your views. However, I find your first two points quite reasonable, yet they are not reflected in the final document, so I took the liberty of writing this letter to share my thoughts with you."
Wei Shou replied to Delin, saying: "I am very grateful for the two points you pointed out, and I am deeply inspired. Regarding the issue regarding the vassals of Lu, I had some doubts before. Xigu does not mention 'ascension to the throne', and neither Shun nor Yu claimed to have 'ascended to the throne'. However, even though Xigu was a regent, he referred to it as the first year, and Shun and Yu also referred to the first year as regents, which is reasonable. Zhou Gong acted as regent; although it was said that he quelled the rebellion in the first year, it seems inappropriate to refer to it as the first year. Since I do not have access to the 'Spring and Autumn Annals', I cannot verify this in detail. What is the distinction between 'yi' and 'yuan'? If you have any other opinions, I hope you can continue to enlighten me." Delin replied: "The terms 'regency' and 'assisting in governance' essentially refer to the same concept. So when Zhou Gong acted as regent, Confucius said, 'Zhou Gong assisted King Cheng'; when Cao Cao assisted Emperor Xian of Han, Cao Zhi said he was 'like Yu Yi Tang'. Some people say that Liu Bang (Gaozu) had not yet become a regent king himself; this claim is clearly mistaken. Regency denotes the authority to bestow rewards and administer punishments; the contexts of ancient and modern times differ significantly, and we cannot apply the same standards. Lu Ji saw Emperor Shun offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, like a legitimate emperor, so he said that Shun already had the world, and he must adhere to the ancestral norms. He wanted the three emperors of the Jin Dynasty to be different from Emperor Shun's regency. I believe that if Emperor Yao were to die and no one was there to manage the cases, wouldn't that be akin to Yi during the Xia Dynasty? Do we still need to follow the ancestral rules? If we adhere to the emperor's etiquette, it would be regarded as a formal ascension. Then Zhou Gong assisting King Cheng, meeting with the vassals, and Huo Guang emulating Zhou Gong's actions—does that mean they are all true emperors? Certainly not! Thus, it is important to recognize that there is no distinction between Liu Bang's regency and that of Emperor Shun, and we should avoid following the mistaken assertions of Lu Ji."
In short, Shun's regency was tantamount to ruling the world and had to adhere to ancestral traditions, while the author argued that this view was misguided. The author believed that the essence of regency lies in controlling rewards and punishments, and the circumstances of ancient and modern times differ significantly and should not be generalized. Zhou Gong and Huo Guang were not true emperors during their regencies, and the regencies of Gaozu and Shun are fundamentally similar; thus, Lu Ji's perspective cannot be applied indiscriminately.
Some people believe that the recording of the first year of Jianyuan was done at that time, not a later addition. The rise of Northern Qi was actually due to the achievements of Emperor Wu, who humbly accepted the mandate of heaven. This goes beyond what historians can summarize. Many of those discussing this matter are vague when referring to the year of receiving the mandate, simply saying the year of receiving the mandate, and in this way, everyone seems to accept it. It seems that they are afraid of the character "元," just like the story of "changing three for four," allowing "one year" to be said, but not "first year." In the "I Ching," it is stated that "Yellow Garments are Auspicious," and Zheng Xuan commented: "Just like Emperor Shun tested his reign, and Duke of Zhou acted as regent." So there's no real difference between testing a reign and acting as a regent. Although the "Spring and Autumn Annals" does not have the character "元," the meanings of "one" and "元" are essentially the same. "Spring and Autumn" does not write "one year one month" to encourage the ruler to emulate the meaning of "元" and occupy the right position. This is a nuanced expression found in historical texts, not that there is any difference between "one" and "元." After Emperor Xian of Han died, Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor. Chen Shou was from Shu and regarded the Wei kingdom as traitors to the Han dynasty. Could it be said that when the ruler of Shu had not yet proclaimed himself emperor, Emperor Wu of Wei had received the mandate? Shi Heng's respect for his own country reflects a clever idea; he wants the three kingdoms to stand equally and dominate together. Xi Zaochi's "Han and Jin Chronicles" conveys this meaning. It was not until Sima Yan unified the country that he was allowed to proclaim himself emperor. The rulers and ministers of Wei and the people of Wu all regarded them as traitors, so could it be said that there were signs of receiving the mandate during the Jin dynasty? Historical books are written in chronological order, so Lu has the "Chronicles of Lu." Mozi also said, "I have seen the 'Spring and Autumn of the Hundred States.'" In historical books, there are also cases where events are not recorded and only the years are recorded, which is for the purpose of emphasizing the verification of the years. If you want to make Gaozu humble everywhere, then you have to attribute all commands to the Wei family. This amounts to compiling the Wei kingdom's era, recording the affairs of the Wei kingdom; isn't this more of a biography of late Wei dynasty heroes than the official history of the imperial dynasty?
Lu Ji believed that there should be a clear boundary for the epoch. Some say it corresponds to the Zhengshi era, while others argue it pertains to the Jiaping era. Shu Xi believes it relates to the legend of the red bird and the white fish. Perhaps the discussions in the Jin Dynasty revolve around the concept of 'Yuan' as it relates to the year of appointment, not just the boundary of dynastic change. Everyone says that Lu Ji did not discuss the word "Yuan"; this reflects a misunderstanding of his intentions, and I hope you will reconsider. Lu Ji recorded examples of engraved wood in the "Book of Documents," and examples of Kan Li were recorded in the classics of the Shang Dynasty to obscure the dispute between the Zhengshi and Jiaping periods of the Jin Dynasty; this is incorrect. Only when two dynasties alternate, and both historical records are made, can we not use the achievements of the later dynasty to define the history of the former dynasty. If that is the case, then both Emperor Shizong and Emperor Gaozu existed before the Tianbao period and can only be included in the annals of the Wei Kingdom, not as the emperor's biography of the Qi Dynasty, can it be done? Since this is not possible, what other evidence is there?
At that time, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Du Taiqing, wrote a eulogy for Emperor Wu Cheng of the Sui Dynasty. Prince Qi felt it wasn't satisfactory, so he asked Linghu Delin to review it and ordered, "Du Taiqing's eulogy did not meet my requirements. You, Delin, are very talented; you should do a proper job of praising the emperor's merits, quickly write a good one and submit it!" Delin then wrote a eulogy of sixteen chapters, with an introduction included; I won't delve into the specifics. Prince Qi was quite pleased after reading it and rewarded him with a fine horse.
Three years later, Zu Xiaozheng was summoned back to the court to serve as the Attendant Minister, while the Left Deputy Minister of Personnel, Zhao Yanshen, was assigned to Yanzhou as the Inspector. Some court officials who had previously received favor from Zu Xiaozheng privately spoke to Linghu Delin, saying that Delin was associated with Zhao Yanshen and should not be allowed to handle confidential matters. Zu Xiaozheng said, "Delin has been in the Ministry of Personnel for a long time, and I have always felt that Yanshen has not done well in promoting talent. Currently, the management of court documents is set to be entrusted to Delin. I will give him a better arrangement in due time, so do not spread rumors." Not long after, Delin was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel and was also ordered to compile national history. The Prince of Qi liked his literary talent and summoned him to the Academy of Literature, where he was put in charge of the affairs of the Academy along with the Chamberlain for Law Enforcement, Yan Zhitui.
Five years later, the Prince of Qi ordered him, along with the Chamberlain for Law Enforcement Li Xiaozhen and the Deputy Minister of Personnel Li Ruo Bie, to oversee public relations. Later, Delin was promoted to be a Special Consultant of the Palace Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Deputy Minister of Personnel. During the Longhua period, he was granted the honorary title of Yitong Sansi; during the Chengguang period, he was once again granted the title of Yitong Sansi.
When Emperor Wu of Zhou defeated the Qi state and marched into Ye City, he sent a junior Marshal named Tang Daohe to Delin's home to deliver an edict to reassure him, saying, "The pacification of the Qi state relied on you! I was initially worried that you might have driven the Prince of Qi to flee eastward, but now I hear that the Prince of Qi is still in Ye City, I am delighted. Hurry and come to see me in the palace!" Tang Daohe then took Delin to the palace and sent for the Minister of the Interior, Wen Ang, to learn about the customs, political education, and the strengths and weaknesses of the people of the Qi state. Delin stayed in the palace for three days before returning. Later, Emperor Wu of Zhou sent for him to be brought to Chang'an and appointed him as Senior Clerk.
Since then, the drafting of edicts and decrees, as well as the appointment of talents in the Shandong region, were all entrusted to him. Emperor Zhou Wu once spoke in the Yunyang Palace in the Xianbei language to his ministers: "I had only heard of Li Delin's great name before, but it wasn't until I saw the edicts and proclamations he drafted for the Qi state that I truly felt he was a person of extraordinary talent! I never thought that I would be able to have him serve me today, helping me write documents. This is simply incredible!" Shenwu Gong Gedou Lingyi replied, "I have heard that wise kings and virtuous monarchs can receive auspicious signs like the qilin and phoenix because of their virtue, not by human efforts. Even though auspicious signs may appear, they can't be practically utilized. Having talents like Li Delin serve Your Majesty is also due to Your Majesty's virtue. He is highly talented and capable of handling any task, which is far more valuable than receiving qilin and phoenix!" Emperor Zhou Wu laughed heartily and said, "You are absolutely right!" Later, during the Xuanzheng period, Li Delin was appointed as the Imperial Censor; during the Daxiang period, he was granted the title of Cheng'an County Baron.
Emperor Xuan was on his deathbed and handed over power to Gaozu. Yang Hui said to Delin, "The court has ordered Gaozu to oversee all civil and military affairs, a heavy responsibility that requires talented assistance. Now, if you want to work with Gaozu, you absolutely cannot refuse." Delin was delighted to hear this and replied, "Although I may not be the most talented, I am absolutely loyal. If you promote me, I will definitely serve you loyally for life." Gaozu was very pleased and immediately summoned Delin for a conversation.
Before, Liu Fang and Zheng Yi forged an edict, granting Gaozu the authority to assist the young lord and take command of the national military forces. All the troops accepted Gaozu's control. Liu Fang and Zheng Yi plotted to appoint Gaozu as prime minister; Zheng Yi wanted to be the Grand Marshal, while Liu Fang desired to be a junior chancellor. Privately, Gaozu asked Delin, "What official position should I accept?" Delin said, "You should be appointed as Grand Chancellor, given the Huangyue (symbol of military power), and command all the armies in the country. Otherwise, you won't be able to control the hearts of those people." After the emperor's funeral, he acted on Delin's advice. Zheng Yi was appointed as the Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister's Office, while also holding the title of Imperial Secretary; Liu Fang was only appointed as the Marshal of the Prime Minister's Office. Zheng Yi and Liu Fang were quite disgruntled by this. Delin was appointed as an official of the Prime Minister's Office, with the title of General of the Guards.
Not long after, the three factions revolted. Gaozu consulted with Delin on military affairs. The daily military reports piled up like mountains, with no fewer than a hundred each day. Sometimes, in times of urgency, Gaozu dictated while several people recorded, with varying content that left no time for revision or refinement. Wei Xiaokuan served as the Marshal of the Eastern Route, with the army stationed at Yongqiao, unable to cross the river because of the rising waters of the Qin River. Chief Historian Li Xun confidentially reported, "Generals Liang Shiyi, Yuwen Xin, and Cui Hongdu have all accepted bribes from Yuchi Jiong, leading to a decline in the army's morale, and the situation is very bad." Gaozu received Li Xun's confidential report and grew increasingly concerned, discussing with Zheng Yi the need to replace these three generals.
Delin, however, offered a different perspective: "You and these generals are all important ministers of the country, and you have not fully controlled them. Using forceful measures now will only ensure their surface obedience. Who knows if those sent in the future will be truly loyal, or if the ones sent before have already caused issues? Moreover, it's hard to discern the truth behind bribery. Even if we replace them, they may still fear punishment and flee. This way, the generals under Wei Xiaokuan are bound to have doubts. Furthermore, changing generals in the heat of battle has always been a risky move. I believe we should send someone you trust—someone clever and respected by the generals—to quickly arrive at the military camp and observe the situation. Even if they have other intentions, they will not dare to act rashly." Gaozu suddenly understood and exclaimed, "If you had not proposed this suggestion, the situation would have been lost!" He quickly dispatched Gao Feng to the military camp to rein in the generals, ultimately achieving victory. Many of Gaozu's strategies were like this. Delin was promoted to the role of internal attendant at the Prime Minister's Office.
When Gaozu usurped the throne, all important edicts, announcements, memorials, and imperial seals were drafted by Delin. On the day Gaozu ascended the throne, Delin was appointed as the Minister of the Interior.
At first, when Yang Jian considered abdicating the throne, Yu Qingze advised him to exterminate the Yuwen clan completely, with Gao Feng and Yang Hui also agreeing, though somewhat ambiguously. Only Delin strongly opposed, believing this was not the right way to go. When Yang Jian heard this, he grew furious, his expression darkening, and said, "You, just a scholar, don’t grasp these crucial matters!" He then annihilated the Yuwen clan. Since then, Delin's rank hasn't changed, ranking behind Gao Feng and Yu Qingze, only receiving a ceremonial title, as was customary.
In the first year of the Kaihuang era, the emperor ordered him, Grand Commandant Ren Guogong Yu Yi, and Gao Feng to revise the laws together. After the task was completed and reported, the emperor personally rewarded him with a nine-ringed gold belt and a fine horse. The rewards were indeed generous! After the laws were promulgated, Su Wei frequently sought to amend certain articles. Delin believed that since the laws had already been promulgated, they should be consistent, and provided they did not seriously jeopardize the interests of the state and its people, they should not be constantly changed. Su Wei also proposed a village magistrate for every five hundred households to specifically handle disputes among the people. Delin thought that the previous abolition of village officials judging cases was because they had relatives in the village, resulting in biased handling of cases. Now, establishing village magistrates for every five hundred households could potentially exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, the Ministry of Personnel's selection of officials meant that there were only a few hundred counties in the entire country, and among millions of households, selecting a few hundred county magistrates might not necessarily be suitable, let alone finding a suitable person to manage five hundred households in a village. Moreover, in remote small counties with fewer than five hundred households, it would be impractical to have two counties jointly manage a single village, wouldn’t it?
Therefore, the emperor ordered all officials to gather at the Eastern Palace for a discussion. From the Crown Prince downwards, the majority supported Delin's viewpoint. Su Wei then proposed to abolish the commandaries, but Delin countered, "When we were revising the laws, why didn't you suggest abolishing the commandaries? The laws have just been promulgated, how can we possibly change them again?" However, Gao Feng sided with Su Wei, saying that Delin was too harsh and stubborn. As a result, Emperor Yang Jian ultimately followed Su Wei's advice.
Five years later, the emperor ordered the compilation of the writings of Delin from his tenure as prime minister into five volumes, entitled "Miscellaneous Collection of the Ba Dynasty." The preface states:
It is said that the emperor is wise and valiant, shining like the sun, radiating brilliance. We, the courtiers, all sincerely support him, like a soaring dragon and the clouds colliding with mountains, stirring the hearts of the people. The emperor's wisdom is recognized by heaven, so every household is blessed, and all things are protected. I have followed the emperor since the early days of the dynasty, taking part in the prosperity of this era, serving my country with great honor! Of course, there are countless wise ministers and generals who assist the emperor, emerging one after another like trees shaped into artifacts or rough cloth transformed into vibrant colors. Twenty-two meritorious officials have successfully completed their missions; twenty-eight generals have served the country faithfully. Their accomplishments and virtues may not necessarily surpass the achievements of ancient figures like Ji and Qi, and their military achievements may not necessarily compare to Geng and Jia. Throughout history, talented individuals have always risen in both speech and action, so what’s strange about that?
The emperor is wise, and with the help of many talented individuals, those who once held lowly status, whether commoners or hermits, can all be promoted to nobility and positions of power, and this is all due to the emperor's wisdom and fairness! Even children can feel a sense of shame about their own accomplishments because of the emperor's achievements; even the arrogant can be transformed into virtuous individuals because of the emperor's virtues. This is also why talents flourish in a prosperous era! Just as smoke clings to objects, even powerful pythons and dragons will eventually find a place to rest; while flies may be small, they can reach their destination just as quickly as a galloping horse. Therefore, as long as we find the right people, it's not hard to achieve great things. From this perspective, even if I'm not exceptionally gifted, serving a wise ruler and dedicating myself to this cause, and being able to work with many talented individuals to help the world and create a lasting legacy, why must I be like Cangjie who created characters, Yi Yin who issued decrees, the Duke of Zhou who wielded the brush, or Laozi who chronicled history to take part in the affairs of emperors and kings and discuss the strategies of men and spirits?
But as for me, I am, in fact, quite mediocre, having neither merit nor virtue, yet I find myself in a high position. I lack both knowledge and talent, yet here I am in a civil role. If it were not for the current prosperous era and the emperor's grace, who is incredibly generous, knowledgeable, and skilled in both civil and military matters, with officials who are all exceptionally gifted, I would have long been dismissed back to the countryside to farm. How could I possibly enter the court and serve beside the emperor, participate in national decision-making, and enjoy wealth and glory? I recall the year when Jupiter aligned with the Dragon constellation, and the fire of fortune was on the rise, all officials gathered. It exemplified the eight handles of power from the Zhou Dynasty and the grand ceremony of officials paying tribute during the Sui Dynasty. I was involved in processing documents from both dynasties. Back then, the world was in turmoil, and rebellions were widespread, with countless military and state matters to deal with day and night. Documents piled up high, and battle reports flooded in, some requiring urgent attention, others of great importance, some involving a myriad of daily tasks, and some nearly requiring the handling of thousands of matters. The emperor's domestic policies were effective, foreign relations were stable, strategies were devised, and victories were secured from a distance, while the balance of yin and yang was skillfully managed for the benefit of everyone. The emperor conferred with ministers on state matters in the court, issued decrees to officials, educated the populace, and quelled rebellions. The soldiers followed orders and achieved numerous victories; all nations submitted, leading to a peaceful world. The emperor adhered to ancient rituals while rewarding his ministers, balancing both traditional customs and practical considerations.
The emperor handles state affairs, ever-changing, like the flowing river; the emperor values time, like gold and jade, attending to everything from the vastness of the world to the tiniest blade of grass. The emperor is well-versed in both ancient and modern events; the emperor has keen insight, with the achievements of all the kings clear in his mind. The emperor's words and actions are as intricate as a finely crafted piece of writing, while I merely serve as the recorder. In ancient times, even the elders struggled to fully grasp the teachings of Yao and Shun; Confucius' teachings were not necessarily grasped by all his disciples. My clumsy reports are bound to have errors. Furthermore, I deal with a large number of memorials and documents every day, with piles of documents stacked high. I am completely focused, writing tirelessly, sometimes even forgetting to eat and sleep, toiling day and night, compensating for my shortcomings through hard work. Any errors in the documents are rectified under the emperor's guidance. The emperor strategizes and anticipates; those who heed the emperor's commands will find safety, while those who disobey will be punished. The emperor can predict events from afar as if he had witnessed them himself, truly a remarkable gift. The emperor pacifies rebellions, restoring peace to the realm and integrity to society, all due to the emperor's efforts, and these laws and systems are beyond my understanding.
The oath of Emperor Yu, the oath of Emperor Cheng Tang, the edict of Emperor Guangwu of Han, the "Essentials" of Emperor Wei Wu - all of these are for the purpose of saving the people of the world, and there is nothing greater than this. Now, the sacred treasures are about to be handed over, and the will of Heaven and the people's hearts are all aligning with virtue. The Emperor sits facing south, frequently issuing commendations, and the officials in office are all loyal and dutiful, submitting memorials to express their thoughts. I am merely one of the countless souls on this land, and I wholeheartedly support the Emperor and gladly accept His orders without hesitation. Compared to Pan Xu advising the King of Wei, or Ruan Ji advising the Jin dynasty, my abilities pale in comparison to theirs, and I cannot sleep at night, constantly reflecting on myself. Some of these proclamations and memorials are my own work, while others I have revised. These are all my humble opinions, not personally drafted by the Emperor. Although the wording may not be elegant, the reasoning is in line with the Emperor's sacred intentions - the wording may be overlooked, but the substance cannot be ignored. The documents I collected and organized by decree, from the beginning of the mission until now, are numerous and are now compiled into five volumes.
After reading the book, Emperor Gaozu said to Delin the next morning, "Since ancient times, whenever an emperor rises, there must be extraordinary individuals assisting. I read the 'Collection of Hegemony' yesterday and only then did I grasp the principle of resonance. I regret that the night was too long yesterday and I could not meet you earlier. I will ensure you serve the nation with honor for the rest of your days." He then posthumously appointed Delin's father as the governor of Hengzhou. Not long after, the Emperor said, "I originally wanted to honor him more grandly." So he posthumously appointed Delin's father as the governor of Dingzhou and the Duke of Anping County, with the posthumous title of 'Filial,' allowing Delin to inherit the title.
Delin has had a reputation for talent since childhood, coupled with his illustrious family background; his writings quickly gained widespread acclaim upon publication. Some believed they were penned by ancient scholars! Because people like Liang Shiyi and Yuan Xie often harbored rebellious thoughts, the region south of the Yangtze River was in defiance of the court. Delin authored the "Theory of Heavenly Mandate" and submitted it to the Emperor, stating:
"Guangdong, like ancient times, marks the establishment of the universe by the Yellow Emperor, the emperor's sacred artifacts, and a history of succession." Since ancient times, when the heavens and earth first opened, the power of emperors has always had its historical context. "Virtue is bestowed by the heavens; those who align with the times are fated. It is certain and unchangeable, beyond human control." "Many dragon maps, bird seals, and the emperor's posthumous names and relics are fraught with uncertainties, difficult to believe, with incomplete records that are hard to clarify." "In the classics, shining in yellow and white, none have praised virtue as highly as Tang Yao and Yu Shun, leaving behind long-lasting strategies, none surpassing King Wen of Zhou and King Wu of Zhou." "The Sui Dynasty's achievements were built upon the legacy of King Wen; the heavenly mandate revealed in Tang Shu." "In the past, Yi Jiang was pregnant and dreamed that the emperor spoke to her: 'My destiny is to have a son named Yu, who will inherit Tang and cultivate his descendants.'" "When he was born, he had the character 'Yu' in his hand, so he was named accordingly. King Cheng conquered Tang and granted lands to Taishu. Regarding the grant of land to Tang Shu, Jizi said: 'His descendants will surely prosper.' The Book of Changes says: 'The greatest honor and wealth, nothing surpasses the emperor.' Laozi said: 'Among the four great territories, the king occupies one.'" This indicates that Yu and Tang combine the virtues of two generations of sage kings, foreshadowing that their descendants will surely prosper, ultimately reaching the golden age of Tang Yao and Yu Shun, prospering with countless descendants and enjoying boundless blessings.
Legend has it that when our country was first founded, it was called Daxing, and all the prophecies of Jizi have now been fulfilled. The heavens have favored us, entrusting the nation to the wise court. The tales of Chong'er are hardly worth mentioning! Legend has it that the Shennong clan gave birth to the Xuan Niao, which led to the rise of the Shang Dynasty; Jiang Yuan stepped on the footprint of a giant, which led to the rise of the Zhou Dynasty; Yi Jiang dreamed of the emperor, which led to the rise of the Sui Dynasty. Throughout ancient and modern times, it is all a divine mandate bestowed by the heavens, dependent on the virtues accumulated by our ancestors to thrive for generations.
Our great ancestor assisted Emperor Gaozu in the defeat of the Chu Kingdom and then established Emperor Xuan, laying the foundation of the Han Dynasty. Before his death, he was honored as the Confucius of the western region, with schools of fish coming to pay their respects during his reign and giant birds mourning his death. He accumulated virtue and did good deeds, and the heavens especially favored him. After his birth, he protected the people and assisted the monarch, establishing merits in the Wei Kingdom and building a flourishing enterprise in the Zhou Dynasty. He expanded the territory of the Yi and Zhen Kingdom, ushering in the era of the Yanjing, accepting the will of the heavens, and ultimately ascending to become a god.
When the emperor was born, the room was filled with divine light, signifying that he would be a monarch destined to prosper the nation and possess great talents. Sometimes it manifested as auspicious signs, sometimes it was auspicious clouds enveloping the palace; sometimes it was like the sky, sometimes it was like the sun, shining on the imperial palace. His domestic policies were fair and just, and his foreign relations were harmonious, and he was able to find peace in times of danger, all thanks to the blessings of the heavens, with fortune and prosperity surrounding him.
By the end of the Zhou Dynasty, chaos was rampant in both the court and the realm. With humility, he restored peace and safeguarded the realm. Touched by his virtue, heaven entrusted the people to his care. He vanquished the wicked and extended his benevolence across the land. At that time, Wei Jiong occupied the capital of Qi, taking advantage of the chaos of the new dynasty to cause trouble everywhere, uniting various forces, resulting in the loss of one-third of the Nine Provinces' territory, and leaving six or seven out of ten people displaced. Wang Qian relied on the strategic location of Shu to rebel, disrupting the country, poisoning the people in the Ba and Yong areas, and encroaching on the states of Qin and Chu. These two rebels, notorious for their cruelty, not only wanted to control the land and close the Jiange Pass, but also sought to threaten imperial power with their strong military force.
They fought from the Zhang River to the sea, from Mount Tai to Huayang, threatening the Jingman region and controlling the Jianghan region. They fought against each other, vying for power and profit, creating a chaotic environment akin to a tangle of hedgehogs; people were displaced, corpses lay strewn across the fields, a sight that was unbearable. Then, the emperor was ordered to suppress the rebels, using clever strategies to command troops without leaving home, quickly pacifying the three rebellions, and within a few months, restoring order to the entire country. The speed and brilliance with which he restored order had never been witnessed in history.
After quelling the rebellions, the world returned to peace, the winds shifted and the clouds darkened, the mountains and rocks changed color, and the three celestial spirits descended to witness, all things were affected. The emperor achieved fame and success, but humbly abdicated the throne and passed it on to the heir. Officials and the people, guided by prophecies and the will of the people, begged him to continue to rule. They prayed fervently, yearning for the emperor's consent. The emperor's reign was as steadfast as a star, passing the throne to the heir and ushering in a new dynasty.
He renamed the era, changed his clothing, established a new capital, restored social order, reduced taxes and labor services, administered punishments with caution, showed compassion for the people, eliminated cumbersome and oppressive decrees, encouraged a tranquil social environment, removed redundant officials, and streamlined institutions. Many talented individuals emerged, ushering in a prosperous era of peace, with the stars and clouds gathering in the court, and mountain deities and sea spirits coming to aid the emperor.
The country's territory extended from the east where the sun rises to the west where the moon sets, from the north to the North Sea, and to the south to the South Sea. The vast deserts stretching for thousands of miles saw many barbarian tribes submitting to him. The people who remained uncivilized during the era of the Five Emperors, and the barbarian tribes that could not be conquered during the time of the Three Kings, all bowed down to him. Distant tribes from foreign lands, who could not communicate through writing, traveled from afar to present treasures, bringing joy. Those who lived in tree hollows took up residence in palaces; those who did not know how to cook learned culinary skills.
The systems of rites and music were refined, aligned with the natural order, the calendar was precise, reflecting the seasonal changes, surpassing Yao and Shun, simple and natural, exceeding Shen Nong. The emperor was well-versed in literature, astronomy, and geography, possessing remarkable insight and astute calculations. The people were well-fed, living in peace and prosperity, enjoying the emperor's benevolence, unknowingly leading happy lives. Crimson birds served as messengers, black turtles carried letters, sweet dew fell from the sky, and nourishing springs flowed from the earth. Various rare birds, exotic animals, strange flowers, and rare herbs all came to pay homage to the emperor, fulfilling auspicious omens. These auspicious omens were chronicled in the annals of history, ensuring the emperor's merits would be forever remembered.
Ah, thinking about our father emperor, and all the people of the world, managing everything diligently and meticulously, considering the scale and the span of time—seventy-four emperors—how can they be compared or even mentioned in the same breath?
This is simply incomparable! The merits and faults of an emperor have been debated by later generations for centuries, not to mention seventy-four? How many stories, how much controversy, how many merits and faults must be written to complete it? So, you simply can't compare at all, and you can't put them together to discuss.
You can't just take the most prestigious position in the world! Look, Xu You in the time of Emperor Yao, Bo Yi in the time of Yu the Great, they were both very moral and capable people, but when others wanted to pass the throne to them, they declined. The four emperors before the Yellow Emperor and the six feudal lords after the Zhou Dynasty all tried to become emperor by taking advantage of the situation and their existing resources, but they all failed. Mencius praised Confucius for his virtues surpassing Yao and Shun; Confucius wrote about emperors in his books, and his students were all excellent talents who assisted emperors, but even so, Confucius never became an emperor, lamenting instead that his talents went unrecognized. Chi You confronted the Yellow Emperor, Gong Gong confronted Zhuan Xu, Xiang Yu destroyed the Qin Dynasty and then confronted the Han Dynasty, seizing power and wealth, using all their tricks, but in the end, they all failed. There are countless others who rebelled and caused chaos!
The reason these rebels revolted is that they do not understand the will of heaven, do not understand human relationships and the ways of the world; they are confused by misguided and unrealistic beliefs, just like thinking a wild duck could be a cooking pot is absurd. If those troublemakers could be as sincere as the wise ministers of ancient times, have a common goal, be proficient in the art of emperors like Han Xin and Peng Yue, have insight into the secrets of heaven like Sun Shu and Wei Xiao, be supported by the people like Yu Jiong, and win the hearts of the people like Wang Qian, how could they ever run out of achievements and wealth? But they go against the ways of heaven and the laws of nature, ultimately provoking the heavens and the earth. Alas! These are all lessons we can learn from history!
Executed, boiled, and chopped into meat paste, there have been examples throughout the ages; those cruel and evil usurpers always keep the jailers busy. Isn't it worth heeding as a warning? If a person accumulates too many evil deeds, his heart will stray from goodness; birds of a feather flock together, and in the end, they will inevitably face retribution and slaughter. This is because heaven strips them of their essence and spirit, and the deities and spirits also abhor their greed. If an emperor is wise and astute, and his ministers are upright and loyal, able to understand the world's affairs in a timely manner, reward and punishment clearly, and assist the monarch while caring for the people, how could those who enjoy the state's salary, revel in the state's glory and wealth, yet harbor ill intentions and plot freely? Even if the law hasn't had a chance to punish them, heaven will erase their names from the book of life and death. Since ancient times, wise and astute individuals possess foresight, taking preventive measures. They are single-minded, adhere to their moral principles, make achievements, and work diligently; even in high positions, they stay humble; even with generous salaries, they remain frugal; even if they are highly favored, they still hold reverence; even if their morals are noble, they remain respectful. They continually engage in self-reflection to ensure that villains and evildoers cannot take advantage. Such individuals revere heaven, transcending mere love for rituals; their humble light radiates outward. They know how to seize opportunities; they hold their own fortunes, and malevolent forces cannot act independently.
Many stars gather together in the sky, forming various scenes. Look, the Kingdom of Su Sha, although the ruler may be incompetent, the common people still remain loyal to him; the Miao tribe, initially proud and overbearing, eventually bowed to his authority. The southern states of the Han Dynasty, whenever the emperor makes an appearance, all submit; the general in Hexi surrendered to the Han Dynasty with the people of five counties. Therefore, winning over loyal subjects can maintain peace in the country. However, as for the Chen country, it behaves recklessly south of the Yangtze River, with a population reduced by an entire county, and its territory halved. With a good emperor and in a peaceful era, it could have willingly paid tribute and requested to join the territory of the Great Han, sharing the peace and prosperity. But instead, it insists on harboring those outlaws, following the path of destruction, wavering between Wu and Yue, continuing to be a bandit. Although the world was at peace at that time, with weapons put away and music and dance flourishing, the momentum for national unification was already in motion. The fall of the Chen Dynasty in Jinling was a foregone conclusion; it was fated and inescapable. Fang Xuanling killing Chen Shubao was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel; Sun Hao's surrender was as difficult as waiting for a rabbit to hop by. Chen Shubao never realized his mistakes until his death, which is truly a pity! Therefore, he failed to grasp the will of heaven and ignored the counsel of wise men.
Li Delin had been formulating a strategy to pacify the Chen Dynasty since the Sui Dynasty. Eight years later, when the emperor arrived in Tongzhou, Li Delin was unable to attend due to illness. The emperor sent someone to fetch him and personally wrote on the back of the imperial edict: "The strategy to pacify Chen should come from Li Delin." At that time, Gao Ke was ordered to enter the capital, and the emperor said to him, "If Li Delin is too ill to move, send someone to his home to bring his strategy." Gaozu entrusted this matter to Prince Jin Yang Guang. Later, Li Delin returned to the court with the entourage. On the way, Gaozu pointed south with his horsewhip and said, "After pacifying the Chen Dynasty, I will use treasures to decorate your mansion, make you stand out, and make the people of Shandong unable to compare to you." After the pacification of the Chen Dynasty, Li Delin was appointed as a Pillar of the State and a Duke of the County, with a fief of 800 households, and rewarded with 3,000 rolls of cloth. Prince Jin Yang Guang had already read the imperial edict. Someone said to Gao Feng, "The strategy to pacify the Chen Dynasty originated with the emperor, and it was also the result of the efforts of Prince Jin and the generals. Now all the credit is given to Li Delin; the generals would surely be dissatisfied, and future generations will think that Li Delin is hypocritical." Gao Feng reported this to Gaozu, and Gaozu dispelled the idea. In the beginning, when the Sui Dynasty was about to perish, Yang Guang granted a rebel's house to Pei Delin. The imperial edict was issued, but when it arrived at the local authorities, Yang Guang suddenly changed the reward to Cui Qian. Yang Guang told Pei Delin, "The lady of the house desires this property and plans to give it to her uncle. This won't affect you, so there's no need to dispute it; you can select a suitable house for yourself. If you are not satisfied, I will have another one built for you and find some shops as compensation." Pei Delin then requested to use the eighty shops owned by the rebel Gao Anagong in Weiguo County as compensation for Wang Qian's mansion.
Nine years later, Yang Guang arrived in Jinyang, and the shopkeepers filed a complaint, saying, "This land belongs to the common people. Gao Anagong forcefully took the land and built houses to rent out." Yang Guang ordered the relevant departments to assess compensation. Just then, Su Wei returned from Chang'an, reporting, "Gao Anagong is a treacherous official during chaotic times, relying on flattery to gain the emperor's favor, seizing land from the people, and building shops to rent out. Pei Delin also got involved, submitting frivolous reports for personal gain." Li Yuantong, Feng Shiji, and others also reported, "The income from these shops is equivalent to thousands of households. Your Majesty, please calculate the days and recover the stolen money." Yang Guang then scolded Pei Delin, who requested to examine the documents of the rebels and the circumstances surrounding the house exchanges. Yang Guang refused and returned all the shops to their original occupants. From then on, Yang Guang grew increasingly frustrated with Pei Delin.
Ten years later, Yu Qingze and others returned from their inspection in Guandong and jointly reported, "The five hundred township officials handle lawsuits, which makes things very difficult for ordinary folks. They engage in favoritism, pervert the law, and openly take bribes." Yang Guang then ordered the abolition of this system. Pei Delin once again reported, "I originally thought this was not right. But just setting it up and then abolishing it, changing the rules on a whim, is not the way to govern like an emperor. I hope Your Majesty, if you want to amend the laws, use military law to deal with those involved. Otherwise, this kind of chaos will not stop." Yang Guang exploded with anger when he heard this and shouted back, "Are you trying to make me the next Wang Mang?"
At first, Pei Delin falsely claimed that his father was a Grand Councilor in order to seek promotion. Li Yuancao and Chen Mao secretly reported, "Pei Delin's father was just a junior official, yet he claimed to be a Grand Councilor." Yang Guang was furious. By this time, Pei Delin had again clashed with Yang Guang in court, and Yang Guang scolded him: "As my secretary, in charge of my secrets, some matters should not be discussed in advance; you lack the necessary broad-mindedness. Surely, you must know this? I am governing the world with filial piety, concerned about the decline of this virtue, so I have instituted the Five Teachings to uphold filial piety. But you say filial piety is innate and does not need to be established; then Confucius should not have talked about the 'Classic of Filial Piety'? Also, you wrongfully seized a shop and lied about your father's official position; I have long been angry, but have yet to unleash it. Now I will send you to be a governor in a state!" So, Yang Guang demoted Pei Delin to be the governor of Huzhou. Pei Delin thanked him and said, "I no longer dare to aspire to the position of secretary; please allow me to retire. When Your Majesty ascends the throne and holds a grand ceremony, allow me to witness it, then I will retire to the countryside and die without any regrets." Yang Guang did not agree and transferred him to be the governor of Huaizhou. He encountered a severe drought in Huaizhou and ordered the people to dig wells for irrigation, which ended up being a waste of labor and money, with no benefit, and he was criticized by the inspection department. A year later, Pei Delin passed away while in office, at the age of sixty-one. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Grand General and governor of Lianzhou, with the posthumous title of "Wen." When it was time for the burial, Yang Guang ordered a hundred Imperial Guards and a music band to organize the funeral for him, and offered three hundred bolts of cloth and one thousand measures of rice for the sacrificial rites.
Deli is a charming speaker and quite handsome. He held an important position in the Northern Qi Dynasty, holding the title of Qi Tianzhong, and also held the position of Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat. He once received foreign envoys at the inn and received their official letters. At that time, the envoy of the Chen Kingdom, Jiang Zong, watched him leave and remarked, "This is an outstanding talent from the Hebei region!" He was a calm and introspective individual, hard for most people to read. Only a few important figures such as Prince Rencheng Xiao Ji, Zhao Yanshen, Wei Shou, and Lu Zhe admired him greatly and praised him endlessly.
Deli lost both parents at a young age and did not have a courtesy name. Wei Shou gave him a courtesy name, saying, "You are so talented, you will definitely assist the emperor in the future. I will give you this courtesy name!" After becoming an official, Deli was responsible for handling confidential matters. He was cautious and careful, and once said a famous quote: "Ancient people do not discuss the seedlings in the greenhouse. What is there to praise?" He became famous for his talent when he was young, but as his rank rose, he became a bit arrogant. Those who were after fame and fortune conspired against him and spread rumors. Despite his significant contributions to the prosperity of the Northern Qi Dynasty and the success of the emperor, his official rank barely improved over the ten years. He wrote many articles, which were compiled into eighty volumes, but sadly, most were lost in the wars, and only fifty volumes have survived. He was commissioned to compile the "History of Qi," but sadly did not finish it.
He had a son named Baiyao, who was likewise talented and an excellent writer. Baiyao served as a court official in the Crown Prince's Office, and later was promoted to Crown Prince's Attendant, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, inherited the title of Duke of Anping County, and also served as the Sima of Guizhou. Emperor Yang of Sui initially disdained him for not currying favor, so he was demoted to Infantry Commandant. As the Sui Dynasty was crumbling, he was promoted to Chief of Jian'an County.
Historical records describe Delin as follows: Delin exhibited noble virtues from a young age, was knowledgeable and exceptionally talented, enjoyed a great reputation in Ye City, and his fame spread far and wide across the Guanzhong region. He assisted the emperor, participated in planning, and battle reports came in like a flurry, with imperial edicts issued continuously. The documents he drafted were unparalleled at that time. He maintained a close relationship with the emperor and eventually attained a high-ranking position, which is no mere empty talk!
