Wei Shikang, from the Du Ling family in Jingzhao, comes from a prestigious family in the Guanzhong region. His grandfather, Wei Xu, served as the Governor of Nan Youzhou during the Northern Wei dynasty. His father, Wei Xiong, chose to live in seclusion and repeatedly turned down offers to serve as an official during the Wei and Zhou dynasties, which earned him the title 'Carefree Duke.' Wei Shikang was intelligent and composed from a young age, exhibiting strong leadership qualities. At the age of ten, he was appointed as the chief clerk of his county. During Northern Wei, he became a close attendant to the emperor while still very young and was granted the title of Duke of Han'an. He married Princess Xiangle, daughter of Emperor Wen of Zhou, and rose to the position of Yitong Sanqi. In Northern Zhou, he began as a senior official overseeing ancestral rites, eventually becoming the Governor of Mianzhou and Xiazhou. After assisting Emperor Wu in pacifying the Qi state, he was appointed as the Chief Steward of Sizhou. During the pacification of Dongxia, when the people's hearts were still unsettled, Wei Shikang successfully calmed their fears and won their support. Over a year later, he returned to the court, serving as a senior official in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, then promoted to Upper Household Minister, and later transferred to the position of Senior Officer in the Ministry of Works.
During Wei Jiong's rebellion, Emperor Gaozu was very worried and said to Wei Shikang, "Fenzhou and Jiangzhou used to be the boundary between the Zhou Dynasty and the Qi Dynasty. This rebellion started here. I fear it may lead to even greater turmoil. Now I entrust this important task to you, so guard this place well for me." He appointed him as the governor of Jiangzhou, due to his reputation to suppress the rebellion, and soon the situation in Jiangzhou stabilized. Wei Shikang was known for his integrity, simplicity, and passion for ancient texts. He never worried about personal gains and losses. When he was serving as an official in Jiangzhou, he wrote to his children, "In my life, I have been blessed by my ancestors' support. I entered officialdom at a young age and have been working hard for forty years now. I have been trusted by the court and held various local official positions. I have always been cautious and honest, not seeking personal gain. Even in positions of wealth and status, I have never been obsessed. People know these things. Although I am not yet at the age where I cannot move, my prime has passed. Like a wutong tree touched by early frost or a willow shedding its leaves prematurely, my eyesight is failing, making it difficult to read small print, and my legs are not as agile, unable to run anymore. As long as my salary is sufficient, I must be cautious of the saying 'too much can bring harm.' As I am old and in poor health, I should resign. Moreover, my mother is getting old and needs my care. It is my fault for not fulfilling my filial duty. Now, my brothers are all in the military, and my brother and I are both serving in distant places. I miss my parents, and this feeling grows stronger, akin to the sorrow of Huan Shan, as I long for home. I want to request retirement from the court to take care of my mother. I haven't had the chance to tell you, so I'm writing this first. As I write this, I miss my hometown, feeling emotional and unable to express it." His brothers replied that this request would be difficult to fulfill, so Wei Shikang abandoned the idea.
He worked in government service for several years, achieving notable results and consistently ranking among the top in evaluations, and was promoted to the position of Minister of Rites. He lived a simple life, not seeking wealth and status, and never flaunting his position. Hearing of others doing good deeds gives him the same joy as if he had done them himself, and he never calls out others' faults for personal gain. Soon after, he was elevated to the Duke of Shangyong County, with his fief expanded to 2,500 households. That same year, he was appointed Minister of Personnel while keeping his other positions. Four years later, his mother died, and he resigned from his post to mourn at home. After the mourning period ended, the Emperor requested his return to duty, but he firmly requested to retire completely, which the Emperor refused. During his time in the Personnel Department, he selected talent very fairly, and there was no room for favoritism. In the seventh year of the Kaihuang era, when the court needed someone to go south to discuss key local officials, he was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou. Later, he was dismissed for unspecified reasons. Shortly after, he was appointed Administrator of Anzhou, and then promoted to Administrator of Xinzhou. In the thirteenth year, he returned to court and resumed his role as Minister of Personnel. Throughout his career, he promoted many talented individuals, and the court praised him for his integrity and fairness.
Once during a holiday, he said to his descendants, "I’ve heard that stepping back after achieving success is a traditional principle. I will be sixty years old this year, and I am thinking of retiring. What do you all think?" His son Shifu replied, "Father, you are diligent in your governance and love the people. You have a stellar reputation and your accomplishments are well-known, which is highly valued by the sages of the past. If you wish to follow in the footsteps of Ersu, we will all follow your lead." Later, at a palace banquet, he once again requested retirement, saying, "I haven’t really done anything worthy, yet here I am in a high position. Now that I am old, I can no longer serve the court. I worry I might let the Emperor down. Please allow me to retire." The Emperor said, "I am constantly searching for talented individuals, eager to work together with everyone to govern the world and create a peaceful and prosperous era. Your current request goes against my expectations. Even if you are old and frail, I still want you to serve the court." He was then appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou. Back then, there were only four governors in the whole country, with the provinces of Bingzhou, Yangzhou, and Yizhou being governed by princes. Only Jingzhou was entrusted to Shikang, and at that time, everyone thought this was a good arrangement. Shikang managed local affairs efficiently, and the people all loved and respected him. There were no legal disputes in the whole area. He passed away at the age of sixty-seven after serving for seventeen years. The Emperor was heartbroken when he heard the news and bestowed many rewards upon him. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand General and honored with the name "Wen." Shikang was devoted to his family, friendly, and kind-hearted. His brothers all rose to high positions, except for his younger brother Shiyue, whose career was a struggle. The brothers gave him all the land and property their father left behind, and people praised them for their loyalty. The eldest brother, Fuzi, reached the high rank of Sikong Biejia. The second brother, Fusi, became an imperial secretary but was later let go for a mistake. During the rebellion led by Yang Xuanzhang, their army was defeated, and Fusi was taken prisoner by Yang Xuanzhang. Yang Xuanzhang ordered him to write a proclamation, and he wrote it quite harshly. Later, he switched sides and returned to the eastern capital. The youngest brother, Fujiang, served as a chamberlain and died fighting against Yang Xuanzhang in the eastern capital.
My father Guang, style Shimu, had a strong personality and great ability. He was skilled in archery from a young age. He served as an official in the Northern Zhou dynasty, starting from the lowest rank and rising to the rank of Senior Officer in Charge of the Sleeping Quarters. He followed the army into battles multiple times, continuously advancing in rank, reaching the rank of Governor and being titled as the County Duke of Weiguo, with a fief of 1,200 households. When Emperor Gaozu was the Prime Minister, my father followed his uncle Yang Xiaokuan to fight Wei Jiong in Xiangzhou, and for his achievements was titled as a Pillar of the State and later promoted to Duke of Xiangyang, with a fief of 2,000 households. At that time, the Turks invaded the border, and the Crown Prince stationed the army in Xianyang. He ordered my father to lead the troops from Yuanzhou to encounter the Turkish army and defeat them. He was later appointed as the Governor of Jiangling. Not long after, he was summoned back because my mother fell ill. Soon after, he was appointed as the Governor of Anzhou. During the attack on the Chen dynasty, he served as the Commander of the marching army. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, he was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou and led 20,000 infantry and cavalry to pacify Jiujiang. Xu Sheng, the Prefect of Yuzhang during the Chen dynasty, occupied the county city, with both sides at a standoff. My father sent Governor Lu Ang and Chief Historian Feng Shiji to attack consecutively. Upon reaching the city, Xu Sheng pretended to surrender and led 2,000 men to attack Lu Ang that night. Lu Ang and Feng Shiji launched a counterattack together, defeated Xu Sheng, and captured him on the battlefield. The women of Gaoliang, led by Lady Xi, welcomed my father, and the army advanced into Lingnan. The Emperor sent a letter to my father, saying, "Your achievements are great, your reputation is high. Leading the army to pacify the local people, acting swiftly, everyone has submitted. If the people can live in peace and prosperity without the use of force, this is exactly what I hope to see, all thanks to you!" After arriving in Guangzhou, he persuaded the Chen dynasty's Governor of Yuzhou, Wang Meng, to surrender, and the entire Lingnan region was brought under control. The Emperor was very pleased and granted him the authority to make decisions as he saw fit. The area under my father's jurisdiction had twenty-four states, and he was appointed as the General Manager of Guangzhou. Over a year later, Zhong Xuan, the barbarian king of Panyu, gathered his forces and rebelled, besieging my father. My father led his troops to resist but was mortally wounded. He was posthumously elevated to the rank of Pillar of the State, granted ten thousand rolls of silk, and posthumously honored with the title of Jing. His son Yang Xie succeeded his title.
This man, Qin Ren, is a dedicated learner and has a broad-minded perspective. He started as a junior official and was later promoted to secretary of state. During the Kaihuang era, his father achieved notable deeds in Guangzhou, so the emperor sent him with an imperial edict to express condolences. However, before he could arrive, his father had already passed away. Since Qin's father died for the country, the emperor honored him as a pillar of the state. He later served successively as the governor of Dingzhou, Xizhou, and Qinzhou, excelling in each role, and eventually retired from public office.
Yi, whose given name was Shiwen, studied at the Imperial Academy when he was young. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he achieved military success multiple times and rose to the position of Senior Official of the Imperial Court, being granted the title of Marquis of Xiuwu County with a fief of 800 households, and was also appointed as the Left Travelling Grand Master. Later, he was appointed as the Governor of Wei Commandery. When the Emperor served as Prime Minister, Wei Jiong secretly plotted against him. The court was aware of this and sent Yi's uncle Xiaokuan to investigate Wei Jiong's activities in Ye City. When Xiaokuan arrived in Ye City, he feigned illness and stayed at the post station, allowing Wei Jiong to send him medicine to monitor his movements. Wei Jiong sent Yi to greet Xiaokuan. Xiaokuan inquired about Wei Jiong's intentions, but Yi sided with Wei Jiong and did not tell the truth. Xiaokuan was furious and threatened to kill him. Yi was scared and finally disclosed Wei Jiong's treachery. Xiaokuan then fled to the west with Yi. At each post station they arrived at, they would seize all the horses and flee, informing the station staff, "The Duke of Shu (referring to Xiaokuan) is arriving soon, prepare food and wine!" Wei Jiong then sent cavalry to chase after Xiaokuan. When the pursuers reached the post station, they always found a lavish feast laid out but no horses, causing delays in the pursuit. Xiaokuan and Yi were able to escape because of this. Thanks to Xiaokuan's influence, Yi escaped accountability for his actions and was instead promoted to Senior Minister, and was allowed to join Xiaokuan in the campaign against Wei Jiong. In the campaign against Wei Jiong to pacify Xiangzhou, Yi made notable contributions. Because of his achievements, he was promoted to Shang Dajiangjun, granted the title of Duke of Wuwei County with a fief of one thousand households, and his son was also granted a title in recognition of Yi's achievements. After the Emperor ascended the throne, Yi was further elevated to the Duke of Weixing Commandery. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Inspector of Qizhou. He ruled with simplicity, earning the people's gratitude. After serving in Qizhou for several years, he was reassigned to Yingzhou as the Chief Commander. Yi had a dignified appearance, and whenever minority groups came to pay their respects, he would be dressed impeccably to welcome them, sitting alone on a large seat. The foreigners regarded him with great respect and dared not look up at him. However, he placed a strong emphasis on accumulating wealth, conducting trade with northern ethnic groups, amassing a huge fortune, which attracted criticism from some traditionalists. He passed away in the fifteenth year of the Kaihuang reign at the age of fifty-eight years, and was posthumously honored with the title Huai.
Shi Chong, famous since childhood for his noble lineage, served as a military officer in Wei Gong's household during the Zhou Dynasty. Later, he followed General Yuan Ding to cross the river to engage the Chen Dynasty, but was captured by the Chen forces. Emperor Wu of Zhou paid a hefty ransom for his release. The emperor then sent Shi Chong to the Chen Dynasty with a thousand horses to secure the release of fifty individuals, including Kai Fu He Baohua and Yuan Ding's remains. Shi Chong was eloquent and handled the mission to the Chen Dynasty well, quickly rising in rank to become a junior official and was also granted the title of Yitong Sansi.
At that time, there were frequent disturbances by the Qiang tribes, and Shi Chong volunteered to pacify them, leading to his appointment as governor of Fenzhou. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he summoned Shi Chong back to court as an attendant, promoted him to the position of Kai Fu, and granted him the title of Marquis of Angu County. Over a year later, Shi Chong took over a thousand Hu people from Southern Fenzhou to the north to repair the Great Wall, but they all ran away on the way. The emperor asked Shi Chong what to do, and Shi Chong said, "The nature of these Hu people is very fickle, all because of the local officials' mismanagement. I suggest using conciliatory methods to manage them, which would resolve the issue without conflict." The emperor agreed and allowed Shi Chong to go and pacify the rebellious Qiang tribes. About a month later, the Qiang tribes all returned and went to repair the Great Wall together, and the emperor ordered to offer them support and encouragement. Later, Shi Chong was appointed as the governor of Shizhou and was well-regarded by the Qiang tribes. Due to his mother's death, Shi Chong resigned from his post and returned home to mourn for his mother.
Not long after, he was appointed as the governor of Nanning, holding the emperor's seal to pacify the local people. The emperor also sent King Changshu of Zhu Guo to lead troops to reinforce, but Shichong firmly declined. The emperor issued a decree saying, "The southwestern tribes often have conflicts, killing each other, and I am deeply troubled. I have already sent troops to pacify the border. You, Shichong, have talent and broad knowledge; the military task is significant, which is why you have been entrusted with such an important responsibility. I know you are in mourning, and the time is short, but the war is urgent; this is common sense. You should overcome difficulties and accept my appointment." After Shichong arrived in Nanning, local leaders, including Cuan Zhen, came to pay their respects to him. The emperor was very pleased and praised him in a decree. However, Shichong's nephew Boren, who followed Shichong to Nanning, actually abducted the local people's wives, and the soldiers were running amok, disappointing the border residents. The emperor was outraged upon hearing this and let the King of Shu handle the matter. Yuanyan, the chief historian of Yizhou, was known for his integrity and investigated Shichong's matter without mercy, and Shichong was ultimately dismissed. Shichong's younger brother, Shiyue, the prince's stableman, falsely accused Yuanyan before the prince. The emperor said to the prince, "In ancient times, if someone couldn't sell their sour wine, it was often because a dog had bitten them. What good is Shiyue now? He has only brought you harm!" Shiyue was therefore dismissed from office.
After a few years, the emperor appointed Shi Chong to take charge of the affairs of Kuazhou once more. At that time, the bandit leaders Tao Ziding in Dongyang and Luo Huifang in Wuzhou gathered forces to create turmoil, attacking regions such as Wuzhou, Yongkang, and Wucheng, but Shi Chong led his forces to victory over them. Shi Chong was granted the title of Marquis of Yifeng County and was also tasked with overseeing the affairs of Quanzhou. Later, he was appointed as the governor of Yingzhou. Shi Chong was dignified in appearance, generous, and well-respected by the people. He pacified the Mohe and Khitan tribes with great effort, and those tribes were all loyal to him. The Xian and Xi tribes feared him and paid tribute. When Goguryeo launched an invasion, Shi Chong led his troops to defeat them. During the Renshou era, the emperor permitted Prince Yan of Yuzhang to take Shi Chong's daughter as his consort, and summoned Shi Chong back to court to serve as Minister of Civil Affairs. Not long after, Shi Chong passed away at the age of sixty-six. His youngest son, Ting, became the most renowned.
Shouzi came from a distinguished family with a high social standing. His father was filial and honorable, rising to the rank of Grand General and Duke of Yunguo County in the Zhou Dynasty, holding a distinguished position. Shouzi, at a young age, gained a good reputation early on due to his noble birth. He first served as a Senior Right Guard, later promoted to Commander of the Thousand Bulls. When Prince Zhao became Governor of Yongzhou, he recruited Shouzi as his registrar, shortly after promoting him to Junior Imperial Secretary. During Emperor Wu's personal expedition against the Gao clan, he appointed Shouzi as the Governor of Jingzhao, responsible for logistics operations. Due to his father's military achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Yong'an County, with a fief consisting of 800 households. When Emperor Gaozu was Prime Minister, Shouzi's father quelled the rebellion of Wei Jiong, leading to Shouzi being appointed as General of the Guard and later promoted to Duke of Huaguo County, with a fief of 5,000 households. Shortly after his father's death, he resigned from his post. Emperor Gaozu admired him greatly and appointed him to various positions, eventually becoming the Inspector of Hengzhou and Maozhou, with notable achievements and reputation. In the tenth year of the Kaihuang era, he was recalled to the capital due to illness and passed away at the age of forty-two, posthumously honored with the title "Ding." During the Renshou era, when Emperor Gaozu was King of Jin, he also took Shouzi's daughter as a concubine. Later, his son Baoluan inherited the title.
Shouzi's younger brother Ji rose to the position of Assistant Minister of the Taichang, ennobled as Count of Anyi County; his another brother Jin became Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, serving as the acting Minister of Civil Affairs.
Shouzi's cousin Cao, styled Yuanjie, was known for his integrity and dignity. Serving in the Zhou Dynasty, he rose to the rank of Grand Prefect and Inspector of Guangzhou. When Emperor Gaozu was Prime Minister, in recognition of his role in quelling Wei Jiong's rebellion, he was promoted to Grand General, ennobled as Duke of Pingsang County, and later served as Governor of Qingzhou and Jingzhou, passing away while in office. He was posthumously honored with the title "Jing."
Liu Ji, his son, was called Shu; Liu Ji's brother was called Dan; Liu Su; Liu Su's brother was called Xiongliang; Liu Ji's nephew was called Jianzhi; Liu Ji's clan brother was called Ang; Ang's son was called Diao.
Liu Ji, courtesy name Kuangshi, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His father Liu Qing once held the high official position of Left Minister in the Northern Wei dynasty. Liu Ji was tall and imposing, with the air of a leader, and he was well-read, knowledgeable in the classics and histories. At the age of nineteen, during the reign of Emperor Zhou Wu, he caught the eye of the Duke of Lu and was appointed as his secretary. Later, when Zhou Wu became emperor, Liu Ji rose through the ranks, from a common official to a Junior Counselor, Chief Steward to the Prince, and was eventually granted the title of Duke of Pingqi County. Following the Emperor's pacification of the Qi state, he was promoted to the position of Kaifu, and later became a Grand Master of Ceremonies. During the reign of Emperor Xuan, his rank and influence continued to grow as he was further promoted to the position of Senior Imperial Secretary.
However, Liu Ji noticed that the Emperor was neglecting his duties and his morals were declining. Despite his repeated admonitions, the Emperor ignored him. Fearing for his safety, Liu Ji arranged with Zheng Yi to discreetly find a way to leave the court. He was then appointed as the Governor of Huazhou, finally leaving the center of power. Later, when Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he summoned Liu Ji back to the capital. At that time, the old officials of the Zhou dynasty were advising Yang Jian to usurp the throne, but Liu Ji remained resolute and said nothing, clearly stating his position. Not long after, he was appointed as the Governor of Weizhou. When Yang Jian became Emperor, Liu Ji was promoted to Duke of Jian'an County, granted an estate of 2400 households, and recalled to the court as a counselor. Liu Ji was known for his generosity, kindness, and good reputation, commanding respect. However, he did not seek power or profit in his official duties, and he had a particular fondness for drinking, paying little attention to trivial matters. After serving in the court for several years, he was reassigned as the Governor of Huazhou once again, required to visit the palace monthly to meet the Emperor. Later, he was transferred to the post of Governor of Jizhou.
Later, he was summoned back to the court because his son, Liu Shu, married Princess Lanling, so the emperor treated him even more favorably. In earlier years, during the Zhou Dynasty, Liu Ji held high positions, and he and his clan brother, Duke Wencheng Liu Ang, both served as provincial governors. At that time, Yang Su was the Grand Secretary, wielding significant power. Once, Yang Su hosted a banquet for them and jokingly said to Liu Ji, "The two Liu trees have fallen, while the solitary Yang tree stands tall." Everyone present burst into laughter, but Liu Ji did not say a word. Not long after, he returned to his province. He held various local official positions and was renowned for his kindness and generosity. Several years later, he was summoned back to the capital due to ill health and eventually passed away at home at the age of fifty-six. He was posthumously appointed as Grand General and Governor of Qingzhou, with the posthumous title of "Jian." His son, Liu Shu, inherited his title. Liu Shu, whose courtesy name was Yelong, was a clever and talented man, with some knowledge of literature and the arts. When he was young, he used his father's connections to become a personal bodyguard to the Crown Prince. Later, due to marrying a princess, his official position grew, and he became the Palace Attendant Supervisor and Minister of the Interior. Among all the emperor's sons-in-law, he was particularly favored and respected. Not long after, he served as the Minister of War. After his father's death, he stepped down from his post. Soon after, he was appointed Acting Supervisor of the Yellow Gate Attendants and inherited the title of Duke of Jian'an County. During the Renshou period, he also served as Minister of Personnel.
Although Liu Shu handled his duties in an orderly manner and was praised by everyone at the time, he was unable to see the big picture. He was harsh with his subordinates, arrogant and overbearing, and did not show respect to anyone, relying on the emperor's favor. At that time, Yang Su was extremely powerful, and the ministers in the court both feared and respected him. However, Liu Shu always deliberately made things difficult for him and often spoke ill of Yang Su in front of the emperor. If anything did not meet Yang Su's expectations, he would make Liu Shu change it, but Liu Shu would tell the person executing the order, "Tell Prefect Yang that I, the Minister Liu, refuse to change it!" This caused Yang Su to hold a grudge against him.
Not long after, Yang Su was also marginalized and was no longer in power. Liu Shu's power grew, and he was appointed as the Minister of War, also involved in handling confidential matters. Feeling undeserving of such a high position, he felt guilty and requested to resign. The emperor agreed and allowed him to continue as the acting Minister of War. Later, when the emperor fell ill in the Ren Shou Palace, Liu Shu, Yang Su, and Chamberlain Yuan Yan all attended to him. At that time, the Crown Prince was disrespectful to Lady Chen, which greatly angered the emperor. He ordered Liu Shu to summon Prince Fangling. When Liu Shu and Yuan Yan went out to write the decree, Yang Su found out and conspired with the Crown Prince to forge an imperial edict, arresting Liu Shu and Yuan Yan and placing them in the custody of his subordinates.
When Yang Guang ascended to the throne, Liu Shu was eventually dismissed and investigated, and he was divorced from the princess. He was exiled to Longchuan County. The princess wished to share in his demotion, but the emperor did not agree. This incident is documented in the "Biographies of Exemplary Women." Liu Shu spent a few years in Longchuan before being exiled to Ningyue, where he died of malaria at the age of thirty-nine.
Kuang De, style name Dan, was skilled in horseback riding and archery from a young age, and also studied many books. He initially served as a left attendant in the Zhou Dynasty and gradually rose to the rank of a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War. Not long after, the Governor of Yizhou, Wang Qian, rebelled, and he was appointed as the chief military historian to accompany Liang Rui to pacify the rebellion. Due to his contributions, he was granted the rank equivalent to that of the Three Excellencies. In the first year of Emperor Wen of Sui's reign, he was also granted the title of marquis and appointed as the Lord of Xincheng County, and later promoted to command the cavalry. He successively served as the governor of Luozhou, Xizhou, and Luzhou, achieving notable success in each role. In the early years of Emperor Yang of Sui's reign, he was appointed as the Governor of Longchuan. The people of Longchuan lived in caves and often fought with each other, so Kuang De established schools to improve local customs. Emperor Yang of Sui was pleased to hear about this and issued a decree praising him. In the fourth year of Daye, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as the Junior Minister of Rites and concurrently as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. He eventually died in office at the age of sixty-one. His son, Kuang Xie, achieved the position of a county official in Henan.
Liu Su, courtesy name Kuangren, was intelligent and clever from a young age, skilled at handling various situations. He initially served as a literary official in the court of the Prince of Qi during the Zhou Dynasty. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was impressed with him and appointed him as an official responsible for ceremonial affairs. After Emperor Yang of Sui became the Prime Minister, he brought Liu Su to his side as a military officer in the Ministry of Guests and Hospitality. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, he was appointed as the Prince's equerry. When the envoy Xie Quan from Chen came to pay tribute, Liu Su's talent and learning spread far and wide, and Emperor Wen of Sui ordered a banquet to entertain Xie Quan, and everyone praised Liu Su's eloquence. Later, he was promoted to the Prince's personal attendant and then to the Prince's attendant. After the Prince was deposed, Liu Su was demoted to commoner status due to his connections. During the Daye period, Emperor Yang of Sui and Duan Da discussed the crimes of the deposed Crown Prince, with Duan Da remarking, "When Liu Su was in the palace, he faced great rejection." The Emperor asked for the reason, and Duan Da replied, "The scholar Liu Zhen had once recommended Zhang Qiu Taiyi to the Crown Prince, saying he knew witchcraft. Liu Su advised the Crown Prince, 'Your Highness is the Emperor's legitimate son, with a noble position; you should be cautious and not commit unfilial acts or arouse suspicion. Liu Zhen is just a scholar who only knows how to use flowery language, easily misleading Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will not believe his words.' The Crown Prince was displeased and later said to Liu Zhen, 'Why did you leak this matter, letting Liu Su know and accuse me to my face?' Since then, the Crown Prince no longer believed Liu Zhen's words." The Emperor remarked, "Liu Su's demotion was not due to any fault of his own." He then summoned him back to the court, appointing him as the Vice Minister of Rites, and later promoted him to the Vice Minister of Works, earning great trust from the Emperor. Every time the Emperor went on an inspection tour to Liaodong, he would appoint Liu Su to stay in Zhuo County. He passed away at sixty-two.
Xiong Liang, courtesy name Xincheng. His father, Wang Gui, was the Prefect of Huayang during the Zhou Dynasty. When the rebellion led by Huang Zhongbao broke out and captured Huayang City, his father was killed by the rebels. At that time, Xiong Liang was only fourteen years old, overwhelmed with grief and secretly vowed revenge.
When Emperor Wu came to power, Huang Zhongbao surrendered to Chang'an with his followers, and the Emperor treated him well. Xiong Liang seized the opportunity to kill Huang Zhongbao in the city, and then went to the palace to confess. The Emperor showed him mercy and did not hold it against him. Not long after, he was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou, then promoted to the magistrate of Hucheng County, gradually rising to the rank of Grand Master of the Interior, and was granted the title of Lord of Ruyang.
Later, when Sima Xiaonan rebelled north of the Yangtze River, Emperor Gaozu sent Xiong Liang to Chen Kingdom to establish friendly relations between the two countries. After completing his mission and returning, he coincided with Emperor Gaozu's ascension to the throne and was appointed as the Minister of Rites and Yellow Gate Attendant. Whenever there were memorials submitted to the Ministry of Rites, Xiong Liang dared to raise objections and correct errors, causing high-ranking officials to fear him. Before long, he was appointed as the Left Imperial Tutor of the Crown Prince, and his rank was elevated to Count. When Prince Qin Li Jun was stationed in Longyou, Xiong Liang was sent to serve as the Governor of Qinzhou, also concurrently serving as the Left Deputy of the Shannan Circuit, and he eventually died in office at the age of fifty-one. He had a son named Wang Zan.
Cai Jian, courtesy name Gongzheng. His father, Cai Nian, served as the Inspector of Shunzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Cai Jian was tall and mighty, standing seven feet five inches tall, with a dignified presence and exceptional demeanor. When he was young, Prince Xian of Zhou met him on the road and found him exceptional, so he struck up a conversation and was impressed by his talent. Therefore, Prince Xian recommended him to the court for admission to the National University. Later, Cai Jian passed the civil service examination and was appointed as a Master Sergeant, quickly rising to Temple Guard Junior Officer.
Once Emperor Wu went to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices, Cai Jian was responsible for reading the prayer text. His voice was clear and elegant, captivating the audience. Emperor Wu admired him and promoted him to be an official responsible for proclamations. When Gaozu became prime minister, he brought Cai Jian to his side, appointing him as a military officer in the Department of War and assigned him to manage official documents. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as an official in charge of communications, later promoted to a senior official in the imperial archives, and subsequently held positions as Deputy Minister of War and Deputy Minister of Civil Service. The court considered Cai Jian to be prestigious, eloquent, and was known for his remarkable tolerance for alcohol, never getting drunk no matter how much he drank. Therefore, whenever envoys from the Liang and Chen dynasties visited, the court always sent Cai Jian to receive them. Later, he was promoted to a Junior Official.
He held this position for more than ten years, frequently engaged in processing memorials. When the Tuyuhun tribe surrendered to the court, the court arranged the marriage of Princess Guanghua to the Tuyuhun king and appointed Cai Jian as an imperial attendant to accompany the princess to the Western Regions. Not long after, the Turkic Qimin Khan requested a marriage alliance, and the court once again sent Cai Jian to escort Princess Yicheng to the Turks. Cai Jian embarked on two missions to these regions, receiving thousands of horses and many valuable items, all of which he distributed to relatives and friends without keeping any for himself. During the Ren Shou era, he was sent to Sui Zhou as governor, and later transferred to Xi Zhou as governor, achieving significant accomplishments during his tenure. Two years later, he resigned from his position to observe a period of mourning for his mother.
After Sui Yangdi ascended to the throne, he appointed him as the Junior Minister of Rites. In the early years of the Daye era, Qimin Khan personally came to pay tribute, grazing in the Dingxiang and Mayi areas. The emperor sent Cai Jian to convey the court's orders and to allow him to cross the border. After returning, Cai Jian reported back to the emperor, who was pleased and promoted him to be the Huangmen Shilang. At that time, Prince Yuande had just passed away, and the court and the people were all worried about who would succeed the late prince. Everyone believed that Prince Qi should ascend to the throne. The emperor was considering which prince to choose. In the third year of Daye, after the emperor returned to the capital, he appointed Cai Jian as the Chief Advisor to Prince Qi.
The emperor sat in the hall in sacrificial attire, and the ceremonial procession was lined up perfectly. He ordered Prince Qi to stand in front of the West Hall, facing towards the north. Then, the emperor sent Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel, Yang Yue, the Minister of the Interior, and Yu Wenshu and others from the hall to bring Cai Jian in front of Prince Qi, facing west. Niu Hong read the emperor's decree to Prince Qi, stating, "I was honored by the emperor and was appointed as the King of Jinyang when I was only twelve years old. The late emperor had me stand before the West Hall and then ordered Gao Feng, Yu Qingze, and Yuan Min to bring my then chief minister Wang Zixiang to me. At that time, the late emperor cautioned me, saying, 'You are still young and do not understand the world. Now I have Zixiang to assist you; you can trust him with both major and minor matters. Avoid getting close to untrustworthy people and keep Zixiang close. If you listen to me, it will benefit the country and your reputation. If you do not listen to me, both the country and your life will be in danger.' I took the late emperor's advice to heart and have been carefully following his guidance, not daring to be negligent. Without Zixiang's help, I would not have achieved what I have today. In the future, you should work alongside Cai Jian, just as I did with Zixiang back then."
Then, the emperor said to Cai Jian, "Now I want you to assist Prince Qi. You should think carefully about how to help him and not disappoint my expectations. If Prince Qi can cultivate his moral character and make a name for himself, your family will also gain wealth and status. If he does something wrong, you will also be held responsible." At that time, Prince Qi was favored, and those around him were indulgent, with people like Qiao Lingze having close relationships with him. Although Cai Jian knew that Prince Qi had made mistakes, he was unable to give him effective advice. Later, after Prince Qi fell from grace, Cai Jian was dismissed from his post. The emperor went on an expedition to Liaodong and summoned Cai Jian to take charge of Yan County's affairs. When the emperor returned to the capital after the expedition, passing through Yan County, Cai Jian was exiled to Lingnan due to his failure to prepare sufficient military supplies. Ultimately, Cai Jian passed away at Huangkou at the age of sixty. His son was named Cai Weiming.
As for this person, his name is Yang Ang. His ancestors were quite illustrious for generations. His father, Yang Min, was a prominent figure known for his emphasis on etiquette, diligent study, and meticulous household management. His father served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty and held a high-ranking position. During the Sui Dynasty, he even became the Prince's Grand Guardian. His son, Yang Ang, was also exceptionally talented and far more capable than the average individual.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, he became the Grand Historiographer and was enfeoffed as the Duke of Wencheng County. His official position rose to that of the Governor of the Capital and the Three Excellencies, making him a highly influential figure whom all court officials had to heed. Later, when Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, Yang Ang experienced some neglect, yet his position remained unchanged. When Yang Jian became the Prime Minister, Yang Ang proactively cultivated a good rapport with him. Yang Jian was particularly satisfied with him and appointed him as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. However, on the very day Yang Ang assumed office, he suffered a stroke and could not see properly or perform his duties.
Later, Yang Jian became emperor, and Yang Ang's health improved as well. The emperor promoted him to the position of governor of Lu Province. Yang Ang saw that the world was peaceful; it was an opportune moment to promote education and rituals, so he submitted a memorial to the emperor that contained the following:
I have heard that when an emperor receives the Mandate of Heaven, establishes schools, and formulates systems of rituals, he can change past customs and create new trends. However, since the decline of the Wei Dynasty and the division of the world into nine regions, the Guanzhong and Shandong regions have long been embroiled in constant warfare, with various feudal lords fighting for power and profit, engaging in conspiracies and tricks, dying in battles, burdened by heavy taxes and forced labor, and subjected to extremely harsh laws. In short, everyone is preoccupied with putting out fires. There is no time to slowly govern the country. This is not a situation anyone in the court desires, yet it has unfortunately come to this. Subsequent generations merely imitated their predecessors, and the social climate deteriorated progressively. People became increasingly indulgent and neglected to amend their ways. Had it not been for the timely emergence of wise and visionary sages, the teachings of Confucianism, the systems of rituals, and appropriate attire would likely have gone unheeded. This is why the world is in chaos and social order has declined to such a degree.
Your Majesty, you are the wise monarch chosen by Heaven, inheriting the will of Heaven, seizing the moment, and guiding the nation's destiny for a millennium. In ancient times, during the decline of the Zhou Dynasty and chaos in the world, you, with your wise strategies and swift actions, sat in the court, pacified all directions, and brought prosperity to the realm. You have drawn upon the systems of past dynasties, embracing what is good and rectifying past wrongs. For instance, you have developed even more comprehensive ceremonial systems tailored to current circumstances than those of previous dynasties. However, many common people still struggle to fully adhere. I am fortunate to have your appreciation and serve as an official in the local area. I have observed that many people's behaviors do not align with the norms of etiquette, the influence of Confucianism is waning, and moral education is still weak, so the people's mindsets cannot be transformed overnight. I hope Your Majesty can carefully consider the needs of the common people, gently guiding them towards a simpler way of life to ultimately achieve social harmony. My concern is that if we proceed slowly and delay too long, it may affect the long-term stability of the country. If we actively promote ceremonial systems, encourage learning, and guide them through moral education, the people will gradually accept it, and we will soon witness positive results. If every household follows etiquette and everyone understands righteousness, we can achieve peace in the world, which is certainly an attainable goal. Upon reading the memorial, the Emperor expressed his agreement and issued a decree stating:
What should a nation prioritize in its establishment? The most important thing is education! To safeguard the people, etiquette is paramount! Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, various countries fought against each other, like the Zhou and Qi dynasties, dragging the common people into wars, which drained both nations' resources, with one nation strong and the other weak for many years. Everyone was focused on cunning tactics rather than valuing cultural refinement; only fixated on warfare, neglecting the importance of etiquette. The common people saw no benefits, only hearing about wars. Both the court officials and the people in power viewed cunning schemes as models of learning, and officials treated scheming and calculation as their guiding principles. The social atmosphere declined, and the once simple and honest nature of the people had been lost. While schools were established and various educational institutions opened, education was not a societal priority at that time, and it was challenging to promote the right principles. Of course, there were a few who remained committed to studying Confucianism, but they were ultimately in the minority and unable to shift the broader social climate. Nevertheless, they managed to uphold certain social ethics and morals, contributing modestly to the social climate, which was no small feat.
The emperor receives the mandate of heaven, and the rise and fall of a nation is closely tied to its social climate. With proper etiquette, good fortune will follow; without it, misfortune will arise. Everyone has a sense of morality, but temperaments vary. With etiquette, one's yin and yang can be harmonized; without etiquette, people will become like beasts. Governing a country and cultivating moral integrity cannot be separated from etiquette. I have received my mandate from heaven, and in order to govern the country well and bring peace to the world, I must rectify this chaos and enhance the social climate. I must lead by example, promote frugality, reduce taxes, and hope to be generous to the people. However, bad habits are hard to break, and many have not been corrected. Common folks disregard rules and fail to follow customs in ceremonies like weddings and funerals. Law enforcement officials seem to turn a blind eye, and those managing the people also ignore it. Changing this situation won't be easy! In ancient times, people balanced study with farming. Now, when the common people have idle time, if we can motivate them to learn and encourage adherence to etiquette, every household will embrace the right path and everyone will seek noble virtues. It’s more than just understanding courtesy, knowing right from wrong, and being filial and respectful. It should begin in the capital and spread to every state and county. Everyone must earnestly carry out my directives, striving to learn and follow etiquette. From then on, scholars were appointed to teach etiquette across all counties. During Ang’s time as an official in the state, he enacted numerous policies that benefited the people before passing away a few years later.
Liu Zidao initially served as a Secretary Lang and later was promoted to the position of Imperial Censor. Once, when the Left Minister Yang Su saw Liu Zidao in court, he muttered, "This kid has such a weak constitution, swaying there as if blown by the wind." Upon hearing this, Liu Zidao immediately adopted a stern expression and said, "Whether I, Liu Zidao, have any shortcomings, you shouldn't judge me by the standards of an Imperial Censor; even if I have shortcomings, you shouldn't say it like that. You are now a senior minister of the court; how can you speak so recklessly?" Yang Su at that time thought he was quite impressive.
Later, when Yang Guang became emperor, Liu Zidao was promoted to the position of Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, court discipline was quite lax, and many officials were corrupt, but Liu Zidao remained honest and upright, steadfast in his principles, and everyone praised him. However, dealing with political affairs was not exactly his forte.
Historical records say that the Wei family, starting from their residence in Jingzhao, has had outstanding figures for generations. The Wei brothers, with accumulated virtues from their ancestors, had descendants who all excelled, some serving as officials in the court, some as local officials, coming forth one after another to serve, their achievements loomed large, overshadowing all. In the Zhou and Sui dynasties, they made significant contributions, truly impressive! Wei Jian'an was graceful and cultured, highly respected at the time. His son Wei Shu, basking in his father's favor, grew arrogant and ultimately brought ruin to the family. Wei Dan implemented policies to benefit the people multiple times, while Wei Su always faithfully and honestly advised. The two brothers: one distinguished by his great talent and noble character, the other known for loyalty and integrity, Wei Jian was cheerful and carefree. Wei Wencheng served in both dynasties and garnered respect from everyone; he once presented a memorial to the emperor, suggesting the establishment of schools; truly, "words can promote virtue; how far-reaching and beneficial!"
