Fang Yanqian, courtesy name Xiaochong, hails from Qinghe. His ancestors seven generations ago served as officials in the Yan State, then followed the Murong clan to Qi State, where they settled. His family has been a prestigious family for generations. His great-great-grandfather, Fa Shou, served as the prefect of Qingzhou and Jizhou in the Wei State and was also titled the Marquis of Zhuangwu. His grand-uncle served as the prefect of Qi County and Pingyuan County. His grandfather, Yi, served as the governor of Anping in the Song State and inherited the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu. His father, Xiong, initially worked as a provincial registrar and later became the governors of Qinghe County and Guangchuan County. Fang Yanqian lost his father when he was young and was raised by his mother and brother, having never seen his father's face.
His brother, Fang Yanxun, was renowned for his integrity and recognized Fang Yanqian's intelligence, taking it upon himself to teach him to read. At the age of seven, Fang Yanqian could recite thousands of characters, impressing the entire clan. At the age of fifteen, he treated his stepmother and stepbrother, Fang Zizhen, better than his own mother and siblings. Zizhen was deeply moved and treated him exceptionally well. After his stepmother's passing, Fang Yanqian did not eat for five days, only drinking water. He served his uncle, the governor of Leling, Fang Bao, with dedication, always being the last to eat the fruits in season. Whenever there was a funeral in the family, he would always adhere to a vegetarian diet to express his filial piety, serving as a role model for his relatives. Later, he studied under the esteemed scholar Yin Lin, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his studies, and ultimately mastered the Five Classics. He excelled in literature, calligraphy, and oratory, exuding the demeanor of a true scholar.
When he was eighteen years old, Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning became the Governor of Qizhou and appointed Fang Yanqian as his chief secretary. At that time, the laws were quite lenient, and state and county officials were rather complacent. However, upon taking office, Fang Yanqian was known for his integrity and adherence to the law, leading to a well-ordered state that earned him the respect of all. Later, when the Zhou army attacked Ye City and the Emperor of Qi fled to the east, Fang Yanqian was appointed as the magistrate of Qizhou. Fang Yanqian was deeply saddened by the fall of his country and wanted to gather loyal and righteous men to secretly devise ways to restore the court, but ultimately failed. After the fall of Qi, he returned home. The Emperor of Zhou appointed Xin Zun as the Governor of Qizhou, and Xin Zun was captured by the bandit leaders' sword-wielding guards. Fang Yanqian wrote a letter urging the guards, who, feeling ashamed, released Xin Zun and sent him back to the state, and the rest of the bandits surrendered as well. Later, after Emperor Gaozu ascended to the throne, Fang Yanqian lived a leisurely life in his hometown, vowing never to be an official again. In the seventh year of Kaihuang, Governor Wei highly recommended him, and after some hesitation, he agreed. After seeing him, Lu Kai, the Minister of Personnel, was impressed by him and promoted him to the role of attendant, and soon he was promoted to the position of censor. Later, he followed Chen Ping and was tasked with pacifying ten states, including Quanzhou and Kuazhou. Because of his outstanding performance, the Emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth, one hundred measures of rice, a set of clothing, and seven servants. He was subsequently promoted to Chief Recorder of Qinzhou.
Once during a court session, Left Chancellor Gao Feng was evaluating officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Feng, "It's stated in the classics that officials' performance should be assessed every three years, rewarding the meritorious and punishing the incompetent. This system has existed since the times of Tang, Yao, and Shun. If evaluations are fair and reasonable, with clear distinctions between rewards and punishments, then those promoted are virtuous talents, and those demoted are incompetent. If evaluations deviate from fairness, then this system becomes meaningless. I have recently reviewed the evaluation results from various provinces, with inconsistent standards and uneven promotion rates. Not to mention that some evaluation results are mixed with personal preferences, resulting in inequitable outcomes. Honest and upright individuals may not necessarily gain a good reputation, while those who engage in flattery and manipulation may receive undue praise. This blurs the distinction between truth and falsehood. High-ranking officials do not conduct thorough evaluations or talent selections. Many of those they promote owe their success to flattery. Those lacking experience in the central government are deemed unqualified and dismissed. Furthermore, officials stationed far from the capital find it challenging to grasp the specific circumstances, resulting in allocations based on numbers, with half deemed qualified and half unqualified. Focusing solely on the number of officials, without regard for their merits, renders it impossible for the evaluation results to be fair and just. You, sir, possess keen insight and a sense of fairness. This evaluation will definitely not be biased. If there were problems in previous evaluations, I would like to know how you intend to address them? I hope you will gather information broadly and conduct thorough investigations, rewarding even the smallest acts of kindness and penalizing minor misdeeds. This will not only clarify governance but also enhance the selection of talent." Yan Qian spoke with conviction, capturing everyone's attention. Gao Feng was touched by his words and held him in high regard. Thus, Gao Feng inquired about the performance of officials in Hexi and Longyou, and Yan Qian responded fluently. Gao Feng then told the governors and governors of other states, "Engaging with you pales in comparison to conversing with the Chief Inspector of Qinzhou (Yan Qian)." A few days later, Gao Feng reported this matter to the emperor, but the emperor chose not to act on it.
Yan Qian, as his term had ended, was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate. He governed with great compassion, and the people all called him a fatherly figure. During the Ren Shou period, the emperor sent envoys to inspect various states and counties, evaluating the performance of local officials. The result was that Yan Qian was considered the best in the realm, and he was promoted to be the Sima of Yuezhou. The people lamented, saying to each other, "Prefect Fang has left, what will become of us now?" Later, the people remembered him fondly and erected a stele in his honor. Yuezhou had long been without a governor, and all the state affairs were managed by Yan Qian, who achieved many noteworthy accomplishments.
Xue Daoheng, a celebrated literary figure, held a high-ranking official position. All his friends were well-known talents nationwide. He had a particularly good relationship with Yang Jiong and respected him greatly. Later, Xue Daoheng became the general manager of Xiangzhou, and they frequently exchanged letters and met often. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to be the governor of Fanzhou. When passing through Yang Jiong's area, he stayed for a few more days and bid farewell to Yang Jiong tearfully. There was also a man named Zhang Heng, an official in the imperial court, who had a good relationship with Yang Jiong as well.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was undertaking massive construction of the Eastern Capital, which was marked by extreme extravagance, leading to widespread disillusionment among the people. In addition, the Prince of Han rebelled, leading to a large number of people being implicated and punished. Yang Jiong realized that despite Zhang Heng's high position, he was powerless to effect change, so he wrote him a letter of advice.
It is said that rewards are given to encourage good deeds, and punishments are given to prevent bad deeds. Therefore, people of low status will definitely receive rewards as long as they perform good deeds, and even noble individuals will definitely be punished if they make mistakes. No one has ever given up punishing relatives to avoid suspicion, or ignored rewarding lower-class people to show favoritism. Now, all provincial governors are tasked with managing the people in their region. The good and bad deeds they do will all be reported to the court, and they do not dare to be negligent. The country has accepted the Mandate of Heaven and loves the people like parents. The fairness of rewards and punishments will be known to Heaven, which is always watching. We should also be cautious. Just as King Wen said, "I must be diligent day and night, in awe of the majesty of heaven." In this regard, although there are differences between provinces and counties, and vast differences in status, the concerns for the people, the cautious enforcement of laws, and the underlying principles remain consistent.
As for the rebellion in Bingzhou, the truth must be thoroughly investigated. If Yang Liang really recruited troops and acquired horses not to rebel, but out of concern for the state's peril due to the court's decree not being communicated properly, then his true intentions should be investigated before deciding his guilt. This would be in line with the emperor's benevolent intentions and would
In the past, Shu Xiang sentenced people to death, and the people of Jin praised him; Shizhi pardoned those guilty of minor offenses, and Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty also thought it was good. Yang Shenning did not harbor ill feelings toward his younger brother, and the Minister of Justice did not intentionally defy the king's orders; they just enforced the law fairly and impartially. Moreover, the great power held by the sage is referred to as a divine instrument, and cannot be obtained at will without the will of heaven. Therefore, although Chi You and Xiang Yu were valiant and skilled warriors, Yi Yin and Huo Guang had immense power, Li Lao and Confucius were exceptionally intelligent, Lv Shang and Sun Wu were proficient in military strategy, Wu and Chu were in dangerous locations, and Chan and Lu inherited the foundation left by the Empress Dowager, they did not align with the will of heaven and ultimately did not obtain the throne. Moreover, Yang Liang is merely a minor figure from a remote region, amassing a group of unruly followers and foolishly desiring the impossible.
From the dawn of time, historical records document the rise and fall of emperors throughout the ages, which can be thoroughly examined. Without accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, who can earn the people's support and the blessings of heaven? Therefore, wise ancient monarchs were diligent and responsible from dawn till dusk, always cautious and careful, working diligently and never daring to slack off. When future monarchs become arrogant and indulgent, without any sense of restraint, cruel to the people, indulging in wine and women, engaging in excessive debauchery, their crimes are far too numerous to detail.
Let’s talk about the States of Qi and Chen. These two countries occupy significant positions and think they are aligned with the virtues of heaven and earth, as radiant as the sun and moon. They don’t worry about troubles or care about laws and governance. The courtiers are all favored, knowing only how to praise and cover up mistakes, while the historians distort facts and conceal shortcomings, recording only virtues. Therefore, the common people voice their complaints, but their cries are ultimately silenced. The courtiers revel in false glory, constantly flattering the emperor. While the laws are strict, punishments keep increasing, leaving the common people—young and old—exhausted.
In the past, the State of Zheng had Zi Chan, the State of Qi had Yan Ying, the State of Chu had Shu Ao, and the State of Jin had Shi Hui. Even these smaller states had their share of talented ministers. With the vast territories of Qi and Chen, is there really no wise talent to assist them? It is only because the rulers are foolish and selfish, forgetting about the safety of the country. They seem united, but in reality, they are jealous of one another. If there are upright and capable individuals who can take on significant responsibilities, they are marginalized and suppressed. Those who flatter and act despicably are quickly promoted if it serves the rulers' interests. How can true talent be discovered through such methods? True talent doesn’t come from brute force or mere literary skills, but from upright character, like pillars steadfastly supporting the nation. Just like a house’s pillars or the bones of a body, these are what we call the talents that support the nation!
The states of Qi and Chen do not use these upright talents, but instead believe in those flattering sycophants. The Heavenly Emperor looks down upon their excesses and ultimately revokes their power, submitting to our great Sui dynasty. If these two states could revere the heavens, show compassion to the people, appoint upright talents, abandon superficial pretenses, cultivate humility, and take compassion as their mission, then even if the Hebei region is prosperous and the rivers and lakes are treacherous and remote, they could each fulfill their responsibilities, the people would not rise in revolt, and the nation would stand as firm as Mount Tai, unshakable. However, indulging in pleasure and complacency, ultimately leading to the nation's downfall, they are only left sighing with regret! As the ancient verse wisely states: "Before the downfall of the Yin and Shang dynasties, they were still able to offer sacrifices to the heavens and receive their blessings. You should heed this as a warning: do not easily forsake the mission bestowed by heaven!" When it comes to managing national affairs, which matters do not require careful thought?
Your Majesty, you are renowned for your benevolence and filial piety, with great virtues and accomplishments. The people are eagerly looking forward to your grace. Your governance of the Huaihai region has been outstanding, with achievements that are constantly improving. Everyone admires you. Although your time in office has been short, your benevolent governance has already spread throughout the land, making the common people extremely happy. The rebellion in Bingzhou erupted unexpectedly, all due to Yang Liang's cunning schemes. The people did not truly want to rebel, nor did they join the rebels out of resentment towards the court. However, the officials and generals claim that they wanted to rebel, which not only wrongs the innocent but may also affect the Emperor's wise decisions. You have always been trusted by the Emperor, holding great importance in the court. Since your time in the fiefdom, you have been valued and considered a pillar of the court. You deserve to be remembered in history, leaving a lasting legacy like the virtuous ministers of the past. How could you be any less than them? Now that you are in a prosperous era, you should dare to speak frankly and offer advice, setting a precedent for future generations and becoming a role model. How can you sacrifice justice just to please the Emperor? We must not let those who were forced to participate in the rebellion be implicated! I am bold to write these heartfelt words, a simple villager with limited knowledge. If I have offended, please forgive me.
Upon receiving the letter, Heng let out a long sigh but did not dare to bring it to the court's attention. Yan Qian, seeing the decline of court discipline, resigned and retired, planning to construct a home at the foot of Meng Mountain to pursue his ambitions. Later, the court established the role of Sili Official and recruited talents from all over the country. The court believed that Yan Qian was upright and highly respected, so they summoned him to serve as the Sili Inspector. Yan Qian, with ambitious plans, aimed to reform the customs of the world, recommending only individuals of high moral character. Those he accused had no complaints. The assistant Sili Official, Liu Yu, was arrogant and full of himself, claiming to be upright. Even the inspectors feared him and treated him with great respect. Only Yan Qian stood by his principles, staying upright and fair, earning praise from the discerning individuals.
Liu Zha did not dare to hold hatred in his heart towards him. In the ninth year of the Daye era under Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Yan Qian followed the emperor to cross the Liao River and oversaw military affairs along Fuyu Road. Later, as the political situation in the Sui Dynasty grew increasingly chaotic and corrupt, many people defected and joined the enemy. Yan Qian, however, stayed true to his principles, always maintaining his noble character. He stood alone and appeared out of place, which aroused the jealousy of the ruling officials and led to his demotion to the position of Jingyang Prefect. Shortly after, Yan Qian died while in office at the age of sixty-nine.
When Li Yanqian was at home, whenever his nephews visited, he would always teach them, encourage them to strive for progress, and talk endlessly, never tiring. His family was well-off, and he had previously used his official salary to support relatives and friends, leaving the family with little to no spare money. Even his mounts, clothes, and daily necessities were quite modest. From youth to old age, he was always upright in his words and actions, never engaging in corrupt practices for personal gain. Even though this often left him financially strained, he remained content with his situation. Once, he smiled leisurely and said to his son Li Xuanling, "Others become wealthy because of their official positions, but I become poor because of mine. The only legacy I leave for my descendants is a clean reputation."
His writing style was expansive, elegant, and effortless, reaching a high level among ancient literati. He was also skilled in cursive and clerical script, and those who received his letters cherished them as treasures. Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Gao Gou from Beihai, Li Gang from Xiaoxian, Liu Yu and Xue Ru from Hedong were all renowned literati celebrated for their integrity and modesty, and Li Yanqian was friends with them all. Although high-ranking officials often visited him, he never hosted uninvited guests at home. He had an elegant demeanor, was well-versed in government affairs, and astute observers believed he was destined for greatness.
In the beginning, during the Kaihuang period, after pacifying the Chen dynasty, the realm was unified, and everyone believed we were on the verge of entering a golden age. Li Yanqian confided in his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The emperor is suspicious by nature, and he is stubborn and does not accept advice from others. The crown prince is weak, the princes wield too much power, and the court only implements harsh and cruel policies, without any policies of leniency. Even though the realm is stable, I fear that chaos will soon follow." Li Shaotong initially disagreed, but by the time of the Renshou and Daye periods, Li Yanqian's predictions had all come to pass. After the Great Tang Dynasty unified the realm, he was posthumously appointed as the governor of Xuzhou and was posthumously honored with the title "Ding."
Historians note: A grand palace cannot be constructed from a single piece of wood; an emperor's achievements cannot be realized through the plans of a single individual. Each has its own purpose, and nothing can be overlooked. Individuals like Li E can articulate principles in their writings, while others can provide valuable assistance to their contemporaries; their talents and contributions were evident during their time, and their deeds are recorded in history books. Many talented individuals of the Sui Dynasty were able to forge careers and accomplish great deeds, and served as pillars of the state, much like the stars surrounding the North Star.
