Fang Huiyuan, courtesy name Chongru, was born in Zhengding, Hengshan, Hebei. His family had been scholars for generations. From a young age, Huiyuan had aspirations, studying the "Three Rites," "Spring and Autumn Annals," "Book of Songs," "Book of Documents," and "Book of Changes," as well as being proficient in astronomy and calendar systems. He always viewed teaching and educating others as his life's work. He often had thousands of students traveling from afar to study under him.
When King Chuo of Nanyang in the State of Qi became the governor of Dingzhou, he heard of Fang Huiyuan's reputation and invited him to serve as a scholar. Later, when Emperor Wu of the Zhou dynasty conquered the State of Qi and searched for talented scholars, Huiyuan was the first to be appointed, becoming a junior scholar. When Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui dynasty became emperor, Huiyuan was promoted to the position of Taichang Doctor. Niu Hong, the Minister of Rites, often praised him as the "treasury of the Five Classics," meaning that he was well-versed in the Five Classics and had profound knowledge. The Minister of Personnel, Wei Shikang, also recommended him to be a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Shortly after, he collaborated with Zheng Yi to revise musical scores. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to observe the mourning period at home. Several years later, he was appointed as the General for Suppressing Rebellions and returned to his role as Taichang Doctor. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of National University Doctor.
At that time, the court ordered that as long as the students of the Imperial Academy were proficient in one classic, they would be recommended for promotion and use. After the exam, the scholars were unable to assess the students' abilities. Ji Jiu was puzzled and asked them what was going on. Hui Yuan said, "The academic traditions of Jiangnan and Hebei differ, and the scholars cannot be familiar with all of them. The students only talk about what they are good at, conceal what they are not good at, and the scholars began to doubt one another, so they cannot make a decision." Ji Jiu asked Hui Yuan to evaluate, and after looking at the exam papers, Hui Yuan quickly rendered his judgment without hesitation. Some individuals were not satisfied, and Hui Yuan asked them to explain the quoted classics, requiring them to recite the entire context, and then pointed out their mistakes. After that, no one dared to engage in deceit again. He examined around four to five hundred candidates in total and finished the evaluation in a few days. All the Confucian scholars admired his vast knowledge and felt that they could not compare with him. Later, he was appointed to participate in the revision of laws and regulations by imperial decree.
Sui Gaozu Yang Jian once asked his ministers, "Has there ever been female music in ancient times?" The ministers below Yang Su did not know how to answer and all said there was no female music. Hui Yuan stood up and said, "I have heard of 'the charming girls, the drums and music', which is the music in the ancient imperial palace, recorded in the 'Odes' and 'Hymns' of the Book of Songs, so it cannot be said that there was none." Emperor Yang Jian was very pleased to hear this. During the Ren Shou period, Hui Yuan passed away at the age of seventy-two. The court was very regretful and gave him a lavish burial, posthumously granting him the title of honorary cavalier attendant.
Ma Guang, styled Rongbo, was from Wu'an. He had a deep passion for learning since childhood, studying with teachers for decades, day and night without stopping. He read a wide range of books, including those on divination and astrology. He was particularly well-versed in the "Three Rites" and was well-known in the Confucian circle.
During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, the emperor recruited knowledgeable people from Shandong. Ma Guang, along with Zhang Zhongrang, Kong Long, Dou Shirong, Zhang Heinu, and Liu Zuren, went to Chang'an together and were all appointed as Doctors of the Imperial Academy. At that time, they were known as the "Six Scholars." However, they were all rather uncouth and lacked refinement, so the court did not value them. Dou Shirong died shortly after. Zhang Zhongrang soon asked to return to his hometown and even wrote ten volumes of books, boasting that presenting the books to the emperor would secure him a position as prime minister. He often talked about esoteric celestial signs. Local authorities reported his behavior to the court, and he was executed. Kong Long, Zhang Heinu, and Liu Zuren were also swiftly dismissed by the court. Only Ma Guang remained.
During a sacrificial ceremony, Emperor Wen of Sui personally went to the Imperial College, where all the royal officials were present. Ma Guang took the stage to address challenging questions from the "Book of Rites." Afterwards, more than ten students took turns to ask him questions. Although his way of expression was not particularly splendid, his reasoning was very thorough, leaving everyone in awe of his profound knowledge. The emperor was pleased and honored him. Since the time of Xiong Ansheng, Ma Guang was the only one held in high esteem among those studying the "Three Rites" in Shandong. He started teaching in Yingzhou and Bozhou, and he had thousands of students. Many students followed him to Chang'an. Several years later, his mother passed away, so he returned to his hometown, intending to spend his remaining years there. He eventually fell ill and died at the age of seventy-three.
Liu Zhuo, courtesy name Shiyuan, is from Xindu Changting. His father was a district official. Liu Zhuo was handsome, with clear features, ambitious, intelligent, and composed, and he wasn't very playful as a child. In his youth, he became sworn brothers with Liu Xuan from Hejian, and they studied the "Book of Songs" with Liu Guisi from the same county, the "Zuo Zhuan" with Guo Maochang from Guangping, and the "Book of Rites" with Xiong Ansheng from Fucheng, but they left before completing their studies. There was a person named Liu Zhihai in Wuqiang Jiajin Bridge who had a vast collection of books, and Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan often went to his home to read. They spent a decade reading there; despite the hardships of life, they remained at peace.
Later, with his solid foundation in Confucianism, he became a state scholar. Governor Zhao Jie recognized his talents, recommended him to take the exam, and he passed the exam and even achieved first place in the policy examination. He worked with Wang Shao, a compiler of national history, engaged in discussions on legal and calendar issues, and also served as an official in the Ministry of Personnel, ready to provide consultation at any time. Not long after, he was promoted to an external general. Later, he and other Confucian scholars reviewed various books in the Secretariat.
Once, he returned home to visit his family, and the county magistrate Wei Zhiye asked him to serve as a county official. Soon after, he returned to the capital and engaged in discussions on controversial topics and unresolved issues with a group of scholars from the Imperial Academy, including Left Servant Yang Su, Minister of Personnel Niu Hong, Grand Master of the National University Su Wei, Grand Master of the National University Yuan Shan, scholars Xiao Gai, He Tuo, and Fang Huiyuan from the Imperial Academy, Cui Zongde, and Jin Wang's literary scholar Cui Ze. Every time he spoke, the debates grew heated, and his peers struggled to counter his arguments. Yang Su and the others were compelled to admire his extensive knowledge.
Six years later, the "Stone Classics" from Luoyang was transported to the capital city, with many of the characters on it worn out and unrecognizable. The court ordered Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan to collate it. Later, during a sacrificial ceremony held by the Imperial Academy, he and Liu Xuan debated and bested other Confucian scholars. As a result, those scholars were jealous and wrote anonymous letters to falsely accuse him, which resulted in his dismissal. Liu Zhuo then leisurely returned to his hometown, dedicating himself to teaching and writing with great diligence. He carefully studied the interpretations of famous scholars such as Jia Yi, Ma Rong, Wang Chong, and Zheng Xuan, discerning authenticity from forgery. He conducted in-depth research on over ten texts, including "The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art," "Zhou Bi Suan Jing," and "The Book of the Seven Luminaries," calculating the movements of celestial bodies and measuring the dimensions of mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas. He wrote works such as "Ji Ji," "The Book of Calendars," and "Discussions on the Five Elements," which have been passed down through generations. Liu Xuan was also very intelligent and knowledgeable, with a reputation only surpassed by Liu Zhuo, so people at the time referred to them as the "Two Lius." Renowned Confucian scholars and later scholars from all over came to seek his advice, even making long journeys to seek his counsel. People said that for hundreds of years, no Confucian scholar had matched his knowledge. However, he was quite aloof and frugal, refusing to teach those who did not pay tuition, which earned him some criticism from contemporaries.
The deposed Crown Prince Yang Yong had heard of his reputation and wanted to summon him. Before he could visit, a decree was issued for him to go to the King of Shu to work, which he didn't want to do, so he did not go for a long time. The King of Shu, upon hearing this, became very angry and sent people to arrest him, escorting him to Shu and making him serve in the military. Later, he worked there editing texts. The King of Shu was eventually deposed, and Liu Xuan, along with other scholars, revised the laws and was appointed as Captain of the Cloud Riders. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Imperial Scholar, but he soon resigned due to health issues. Several years later, he was summoned again to be ready to provide advice at any time. He submitted his own work titled "Historical Records," but it significantly differed from the views of Chief Historian Zhang Zhouxuan and was rejected and not adopted. In the sixth year of Daye, he passed away at the age of sixty-seven. Liu Xuan's request for the court to posthumously confer him with a posthumous title was not approved by the court.
Liu Xuan, with the courtesy name Guangbo, was from Jingcheng, Hebei. He gained fame as a young man for his intelligence and wit. He and Liu Chao from Xindu studied together in isolation for ten years. Liu Xuan had bright and sharp eyes, could look directly at the sun without getting dizzy, had a strong memory, and few could match his abilities. He could draw squares with his left hand, circles with his right hand, recite, count silently, and listen, all at the same time without making any mistakes. After Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou conquered Qi, the Yizhou Governor Yu Wenkang recruited him as an Official in Charge of Household Affairs. Later, the Governor Li Hui appointed him as a Ceremonial Affairs Officer due to his strong skills and reputation. Over a year later, he was ordered to compile national history with the Director of Writings, Wang Shao. Shortly after, he became a Provincial Officer in the Secretariat, responsible for advisory work. He also collaborated with some astrologers to revise astronomical calendars and served in the Ministry of Interior reviewing various memorials, where the Interior Minister, Li Delin of Boling, respected him greatly.
Although Liu Xuan served as an official in three provinces, he never held a formal post. Instead, he was ordered by the county to perform forced labor and pay taxes. Liu Xuan then appealed to the Ministry of Personnel, which then referred him to the Ministry of Rites. The Minister of Rites, Wei Shikang, asked him about his abilities. Liu Xuan wrote a resume for himself, stating: "I have studied 'Zhou Li,' 'Li Ji,' 'Mao Shi,' 'Shang Shu,' 'Gongyang Zhuan,' 'Zuo Zhuan,' 'Xiao Jing,' 'Analects,' as well as the annotations of Confucius, Zheng, Wang, He, Fu, Du, and others, totaling thirteen schools. Although the interpretations may vary in depth, I can explain them all. I have delved slightly less into 'Zhou Yi,' 'Yi Li,' and 'Guliang Zhuan.' I have memorized historical texts, various collections of writings, notable speeches, and beautiful stories. I have also conducted in-depth research on astronomy and calendars. As for writing official and private documents, I have never needed someone else to write for me." The Ministry of Personnel did not conduct a detailed examination of him, but several prominent figures in the court vouched for Liu Xuan's credibility, so he was appointed as a palace general.
At that time, Niu Hong submitted a request to collect lost books from all over the country. Liu Xuan then forged over a hundred volumes of books, titled "Lianshan Yi," "Lu Shiji," and so on, and presented them to the court, receiving rewards before leaving. Later, he was reported to the authorities, and although he was spared from the death penalty due to a general amnesty, he was dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown, where he made a living as a teacher. When Prince Yong heard about this, he summoned Liu Xuan to the capital and ordered him to serve Prince Xiu of Shu. However, Liu Xuan continued to delay and refused to go. Prince Xiu became furious and had him shackled and sent to Yizhou. He was later assigned to be a gatekeeper, armed with a stick each day. Shortly after, he was released and appointed as a copyist. Liu Xuan then took inspiration from Qu Yuan's "Bu Ju" and wrote a piece called "Shi Tu" to convey his sentiments.
After the King of Shu was deposed, I revised the "Five Rites" with some Confucian scholars and was appointed as a cavalry officer. The Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, made a suggestion, saying that according to ancient ritual systems, the collateral relatives of princes should have their ranks lowered, and the nobles should also be demoted by one level. Although the current high-ranking officials are different from ancient princes, their status is comparable to that of nobles, holding an official rank of second class, so their collateral relatives should also be demoted. Many people thought his suggestion made sense.
However, I took a different stance. I said, "In ancient times, the only person of value in officialdom was the sovereign. Illegitimate sons had no opportunity for advancement. Therefore, ancient monarchs attached great importance to legitimate sons, and there were regulations regarding the distribution of stipends to clan members and legitimate heirs. Even if distant relatives and legitimate sons had a relationship, they had to observe a mourning period of three months because they had all received the grace of the sovereign. Nowadays, promotions are based on ability, without distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate sons, which is different from ancient times. Why should we lower the rank of their relatives? Many officials nowadays neglect their close relatives, and if we further lower the rank of their relatives, this could lead to a weakening of family ties among the common people!" Therefore, Niu Hong's suggestion was ultimately not adopted.
In the twentieth year of the Kaihuang reign, the court abolished the four branches of the Imperial Academy and the schools in the prefectures and counties, retaining only two doctors and seventy-two students at the Imperial University. I wrote to the emperor, saying that schools should not be abolished, and my arguments were compelling, but Emperor Gaozu did not listen to me. As the Kaihuang era was coming to an end, the court and the public were focused on Liaodong. I felt that an attack on Liaodong would be unwise, so I wrote a "Treatise on Pacifying the Barbarians" to advise against such an action, but at that time no one understood my meaning. It was not until the end of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, when the Sui Dynasty's three expeditions to Liaodong were unsuccessful, that my predictions were ultimately validated.
When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Niu Hong recommended Pei Xuan to revise the laws. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian), he believed there were too many corrupt officials, and over time, they all became corrupt due to the nature of power. He also felt that the social atmosphere was corrupt, and women were not adhering to traditional roles. Therefore, strict regulations were enacted, with officials in the states and counties rotating every three years, and wives of ninth-rank officials were prohibited from remarrying. Pei Xuan penned an article arguing against this, but Niu Hong still implemented it. Schools and teachers were established in various counties, and provisions were allocated to students from other regions, all ideas proposed by Pei Xuan. One day, Niu Hong casually asked Pei Xuan, "In the 'Rites of Zhou', there were many scholars but very few officials in the government offices. Now, the number of clerks has increased a hundredfold compared to before, yet efficiency has plummeted. What's the reason for this?" Pei Xuan replied, "In ancient times, officials took responsibility for their duties, their performance was evaluated at the end of the year, cases were not repeatedly reviewed, and paperwork was not overly complicated. Government officials mainly needed to focus on important matters. Now, however, there's a constant fear of errors in paperwork and records, with repeated checks and a fear of not being thorough enough. When issues arise, old cases are meticulously scrutinized, which gives rise to the saying, 'old officials clutching their cases until death'. The past and present differ significantly, and the multitude of complicated matters and chaotic governance stem from this."
Niu Hong asked again, "During the Wei and Qi dynasties, the duties of officials were relatively light, but now there is no time to rest. Why is this?" Pei Xuan replied, "During the Qi dynasty, there were only a few dozen states established, with the three central offices and local administrations supervising one another. The number of official documents issued was only about ten or so. Now, there are over three hundred states, which has increased the workload significantly. In the past, only the states had officials in charge of regulations, the counties had magistrates, and the districts had their own officials. Their subordinates were recruited by the officials themselves and took office upon receiving orders, with each state having only a few dozen officials. Now, things are different, as all levels of officials are appointed by the Ministry of Personnel, and every detail is subject to evaluations by the Department of Assessment. This is another reason. Rather than cutting the number of officials, it's more effective to lighten the workload; instead of reducing the workload, it is better to maintain integrity. How can one expect to have a light workload while official duties remain unchanged?" Niu Hong greatly agreed with his words, but did not adopt them.
The Censor Yang Da recommended Pei Xuan for his broad knowledge, talent, excellent writing, and high exam scores, leading to his appointment as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Over a year later, due to his low official position, Pei Xuan resigned and returned to his hometown of Changping. He later received an imperial decree to return to the capital. Some people criticized his conduct, leading the emperor to dismiss him and send him back to his hometown of Hejian. At that time, banditry was rampant, and food prices were skyrocketing; academic studies were interrupted, and teaching was also suspended. Pei Xuan and his wife were separated by a hundred miles with no word from each other. Feeling frustrated and unfulfilled, he wrote a self-commendatory essay.
Hello everyone, my name is Sima Qian (name omitted here). I am writing these words to record my life. Figures like Sima Xiangru, Yang Xiong, Ma Yuan, and Zheng Xuan have all recorded their life experiences and achievements to be passed down to future generations. I dare not compare myself to them, for fear of being laughed at. As I grow older and closer to the end of my life, old friends pass away one by one, and students go their separate ways. I am like morning dew, soon to vanish. After death, I will be buried in the desolate northern region, unable to be mourned by loved ones, and my deeds unknown to future generations. While I am still alive, I feel compelled to quickly jot down my thoughts for future generations so that future talents will know my aspirations.
From my earliest memories to now, when my hair has turned white, I have always been loved by my parents and have never faced punishment; during my studies, teachers have always respected me and I have never been reprimanded. As I grew up, I made a concerted effort to maintain good relationships with my relatives and friends, always putting others first and myself last. As a child, I enjoyed playing with my elders, and as I matured, I took pleasure in engaging with younger people. I never found studying tedious, and teaching others was never a burden. Although I am somewhat reclusive, my heart has always been filled with ambition.
Upon reflecting on my life, I find four things to be grateful for and one deep regret. Despite being somewhat simple-minded and from a poor family, thanks to the support of my older brothers, I was able to enter the officialdom, have the opportunity to read numerous classics, and understand the rise and fall of history. Although I only did some small good deeds in my hometown, I became famous because of it, which is my first piece of good fortune. My career has been marked by its fair share of ups and downs, and although I did not achieve prestigious official positions or leave behind any remarkable accomplishments, at least I can take comfort in having a clear conscience, which is my second piece of good fortune.
With my modest contributions, I have received the Emperor's favor and trust on numerous occasions, being able to enter and leave the palace, socialize with officials and nobles, and participate in major events at court. This has been an honor for me, marking my third piece of good fortune. Now that I am old, retired, and back in my hometown, living a peaceful life, reading books, enjoying the scenery, taking leisurely walks, and relishing my twilight years. This is my fourth stroke of good luck.
However, a profound regret weighs on my heart: I have lived during a time of peace and prosperity, yet I saw the decline of Confucianism, as many people display hypocrisy and possess shallow knowledge. I hoped to organize the classics and correct some mistakes, but before I could complete my work, misfortune struck. Times were tough, schools were closed, and my teachings could not be shared during my lifetime, nor would they endure after my passing. This truly pains me deeply!
Now, let’s talk about Mr. Liu Xuan from Hejian. When he was in the county town, the supply lines were severed, and many of his students joined the bandits. Mr. Liu Xuan found himself destitute and had no choice but to seek help in the county town. The county magistrate then provided him with food. However, on his way past the fortress outside the city, Mr. Liu Xuan was captured by the bandits. Before long, the bandits were defeated by the authorities, and Mr. Liu Xuan was cold and hungry, with nowhere to turn, so he had to return to the county town. But the county magistrate suspected him of collusion with the bandits and shut the gates, refusing him entry. It was a bitterly cold night, and ultimately, Mr. Liu Xuan succumbed to the cold and hunger at the age of sixty-eight. In later years, his students would honorably refer to him as "Mr. Xuande."
Mr. Liu Xuan has a rather impatient temperament, is competitive, loves to joke, especially loves to boast about himself, and has a tendency to look down on others. As a result, he offended many people in power, and his career did not go smoothly. He wrote many books, including "On the Analects" in ten volumes, "Attacking Obscurities in the Spring and Autumn Annals" in ten volumes, "Correct Names of the Five Classics" in twelve volumes, "Discussions on Filial Piety" in five volumes, "Discussions on the Spring and Autumn Annals" in forty volumes, "Discussions on the Book of Documents" in twenty volumes, "Discussions on the Book of Songs" in forty volumes, "Annotations on the Odes" in one volume, and "Arithmetic" in one volume, all of which were popular at the time.
Chu Hui from Wu County, known by his courtesy name Gaoming, became famous in the south for his study of the "Three Rituals." During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, the court summoned scholars from across the country to gather at the Ministry of Interior for lectures. Chu Hui was known for his exceptional debating skills, and no one could out-argue him. As a result, he was promoted to the position of Imperial Scholar and wrote a hundred volumes of "Ritual Commentaries."
Gu Biao from Yuhang, with the courtesy name Zhongwen, had a deep understanding of the "Book of Documents" and the "Spring and Autumn Annals." During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he became a Secretariat Scholar and wrote twenty volumes of "Ancient Texts Commentary on the Book of Documents."
Lu Shida from Yuhang, during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, was an assistant teacher at the National University and wrote forty-two volumes of "Annotations on the Poems of Mao," which also gained popularity.
Zhang Chong of Wu County, known by his courtesy name Shuxuan, served as a General of the Left in the Chen Dynasty, but he did not enjoy it. He had a greater passion for studying the classics and wrote "Essence of the Spring and Autumn Annals," which differed from Du Yu's version in more than seventy places. He also wrote "Etiquette of Mourning" in three volumes, "Etiquette of Filial Piety" in three volumes, "Essence of the Analects" in ten volumes, and "Etymology of the Former Han" in twelve volumes. Later, he served as a reader for the Han Prince.
Lord Xiaoji of Pingyuan, who had a passion for learning from a young age, was well-versed in the Five Classics and had great literary talent. He was good friends with Liu Xuan from Hejian. During the Kaihuang period, he was summoned to the Secretariat to assist Wang Shao in compiling national history. However, Wang Shao did not value him, and he spent many years in the Secretariat, even having to pay his own taxes. Lord Xiaoji felt very frustrated and wrote a memorial to the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, voicing his frustrations.
I was bitten by a venomous insect and couldn't sleep all night, hungry and cold. I haven't had a single good day this entire year. Why? Because the pain is unbearable and poverty breeds anxiety. Moreover, my heart feels like it's caught in a battle of ice and fire, and my body feels worn down by the harsh winds and biting cold. How can I remain silent, endure this, and not groan or complain about my suffering? I humbly ask you, my lord, to have mercy on my plight and offer your help. Your kindness can save a fish on the verge of death, and your encouragement can help a bird that cannot fly. A kind word from you could warm my heart like a fragrant balm. Please grant my request and listen to my plea. Though the mountains are high and the road stretches far, the gods are watching, and everything I say is the truth, without a hint of falsehood. Yet I fear that help may arrive too late. If I must wait for the boats of the Yue and the ladders of Lu, then I will only be left to die on withered branches or sink to the depths of despair.
As a poor man, I have served in the provincial government for seven years, constantly burdened by heavy responsibilities but never rewarded. I had to sell my land to pay various expenses and support my young children, and my brother is unable to offer any assistance. To make things even worse, my elderly mother is at home, and I cannot often return to take care of her. The long journey fills me with anxiety. I am like Sima Xiangru, who could not resign even when ill due to his obligations, and like Mei Fu, unable to escape reality or become immortal. My sorrows are more frightening than any ghost, and my life is as fragile as glass. I fear my spirit will be lost, and no one will seek justice for me after death, entering the afterlife filled with regrets, failing to repay your kindness. This mirrors the fate of Wang Ji, causing distress to Ying Hou. My inner struggles are hidden deep within, like secrets tucked between eyebrows and eyelashes, unheard by Ziyi and unseen by Zhu. I am lost in the annals of history, ultimately unknown and unrecognized after death. Three generations have lived in obscurity, quiet for ten years without promotion, truly without a confidant. Only a wise monarch can achieve extraordinary feats, and only loyal and virtuous ministers can achieve immortal accomplishments. As an unknown person like me, encountering a rare virtuous minister like you is my fortune. You hold a high position, wield great power, and remain incorruptible, not seeking glory and wealth, and that's why I hold you in such high regard. In the past, when the beautiful jade of Jing Mountain was still hidden, Bian He's feet were cut off; when Baili Xi was not valued, Qinxie's head was cut off. You have the ability to help me now, see my predicament, yet hesitate to act, which I find quite puzzling! Sometimes officials' talents are not valued, and sometimes scholars' grievances are not addressed; once discussed, it will be known to all. How can I not feel despair if my hard work goes unrecognized?
If my illness has not reached the terminal stage, and my mind remains clear, I will record my pain and worries, leaving them for future generations to understand my experiences and condemn the unjust. Even if I eventually die, my sufferings will be remembered by future generations, and my sins will also be washed away.
I hope you can show me some pity, pay more attention, and not overlook me!
Hong, although everyone knew he was knowledgeable, he ultimately never secured an official position. Later, he returned to his hometown, making a living by teaching until he died in his hometown. He also annotated the "Shangshu" and the "Shijing," but sadly, these works were lost in the subsequent wars.
Historical records say: the ancients said it well, "Looks are not to be valued, military strength is not to be relied upon, family background is not to be boasted about, ancestral achievements are not to be bragged about. However, those who become famous worldwide and leave a lasting reputation for future generations, are they not relying on learning?" This statement rings so true! Huiyuan, Rongbo, and others, who devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their studies, eventually became renowned and respected by people. Some gathered thousands of students, while others donned official robes and rode in carriages, and were esteemed during the Ming Dynasty, all thanks to their dedication to the study of ancient classics!
Jiang Yang is calm and elegant, with graceful demeanor, refined speech, and sharp insights, and he was quite famous at the time; Yan Zhi is diligent in studying classical texts and history, upright in character, determined to abide by rules and regulations, and behaves in accordance with propriety; He Tuo is clever and lively, quick-witted, has good eloquence, and is skilled in writing, but is too straightforward in personality, lacking the refinement expected of a Confucian scholar; Liu Chao is revered among scholars, deeply knowledgeable in astronomy, with vast and profound knowledge, the origins of which are hard to trace; he has been unmatched for centuries. Liu Xuan is also a talented Confucian scholar, widely read across various disciplines; though not as deep in his scholarly pursuits as Liu Chao, he is more elegant in the organization and expression of his writings.
These talented individuals, due to the circumstances of the times, some only achieved low-ranking official positions, and some even ended up impoverished; it's truly a shame! Zixia once said, "Life and death are predetermined, and wealth and honor are in the hands of heaven." They were given intelligence and talent by heaven, but not high positions and wealth; even sages sometimes cannot avoid this. What options did Liu Chao and Liu Xuan have?
