Li Shiqian, courtesy name Ziyue, was from Pingji in Zhao County. His father passed away when he was young, and he was extremely filial in serving his mother, earning a reputation for his filial devotion. Once, when his mother vomited and suspected she was poisoned, he knelt down and tasted the contents of his mother's vomit. His uncle Wei Zhang was the Inspector of Qizhou and greatly admired him, often praising him as "the Yan Hui of our family." At the age of twelve, he was appointed as a military advisor by Prince Weiguangping. After his mother passed away, he observed his mourning period and became emaciated. His sister married into the Song family and also died from overwhelming sorrow.
After the mourning period, Li Shiqian transformed his family home into a temple, then left home to study under a master. He studied diligently, reading extensively and mastering various subjects, becoming proficient in astronomy and arithmetic. Xin Shu, the Minister of Personnel during the Qi dynasty, once invited him to be an assistant official, and Prince Rui of Zhao County wanted to recommend him for an official position because of his exemplary character, but he declined, citing illness. He was highly regarded by Shi Kai, who wanted to recommend him to the court as the Grand Scholar of the National University. Li Shiqian firmly declined upon learning of this, thus avoiding any government position. After the establishment of the Sui dynasty, he chose to live in seclusion and refrained from government service. Because he had lost both parents at a young age, he abstained from alcohol, meat, and speaking ill of others.
Even when relatives and friends come to visit, he always sets out food and drinks, sits up straight and keeps them company without feeling tired all day. The Li family has a great influence, and during the spring and autumn sacrificial ceremonies, the family holds grand banquets, where everyone gets drunk and makes a lot of noise. Once, a family gathering was held at his house, with a table full of sumptuous food, but he first served millet, saying to everyone, "Confucius said millet is the head of the five grains, and Xunzi also said we should eat millet first. This is the tradition of the ancients, how can we go against it?" The elders and the younger folks all showed respect and did not dare to be noisy anymore. After everyone left, they sighed to each other, "After meeting a true gentleman, we see just how inadequate we are!" Upon hearing this, Li Shiqian blamed himself, saying, "How could I let people look down on me to this extent!"
His family is very wealthy, but he lives a simple life, often stepping in to help however he can. If a family in the town cannot afford a funeral, he always steps in to help however he can. If brothers quarrel and fight over uneven distribution of inheritance, Li Shiqian will take out money to make sure their shares are equal. The two brothers felt ashamed and grateful, showing mutual respect, and eventually became good brothers.
If a cow strays into his fields, he'll lead the cow to a shady spot to graze, caring for the cow even more than its owner. If he sees someone stealing his crops, he just quietly walks away. One of his servants once stole food, and Li Shiqian comforted him, saying, "It's all because of poverty, there's no need to blame you!" and then let him go. One of his slaves once fought with a villager named Dong Zhen after drinking, and Dong Zhen accidentally killed him. Dong Zhen was terrified and begged Li Shiqian for forgiveness, who replied, "You didn’t mean to kill him, so no need to apologize! However, you should leave here and avoid being caught by the authorities." He was generous and forgiving, always handling things this way.
Later, he lent several thousand shi of grain to his neighbors. That year was a poor harvest year, and the neighbors were unable to repay the loan. They all came to thank him. Li Shiqian said, "My family has surplus grain, and I originally intended to help everyone. How could it be for profit?" So, he gathered all the debtors, hosted a feast for them, burned the IOUs right in front of them, and said, "The debts have been repaid, no need to worry anymore!" Then he sent them all home. The following year brought a good harvest, and the neighbors all came to repay the money. Li Shiqian refused to accept any money from them. Several years later, a severe famine struck, and many people starved to death. Li Shiqian used all his family's assets to cook porridge for the neighbors, saving nearly ten thousand people. He also collected and buried the bodies of the deceased, ensuring no one was left behind. When spring arrived, he distributed grain seeds to poor families. The farmers of Zhao County were grateful to him, stroking their descendants' heads and saying, "This is the kindness of General Li!" Someone said to Li Shiqian, "You've built up quite a bit of hidden virtue." Li Shiqian said, "What is hidden virtue? It's like ringing in the ears; only you can hear it, others don't know." "What I'm doing now, your son is aware of, so why bother talking about doing good deeds in secret?"
Shi Qian is particularly skilled at discussing profound concepts. Once, a guest sat next to him and was completely skeptical of the Buddhist concept of karma, thinking that the things mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures were completely unfamiliar to him. Shi Qian gave him an example and said, "A family that does good deeds will enjoy blessings for generations; a family that accumulates evil deeds will suffer misfortunes for generations; high-ranking officials and great wealth are often the result of their ancestors' accumulated virtues; visiting graves and making offerings are often done to honor deceased relatives. Isn't this the consequence of good and bad deeds? Buddhist scriptures state that all beings undergo a cycle of reincarnation through the five realms, life after life without end. This aligns with what Jia Yi said: 'ever-changing, with no end.' No one can say what a person will become after death. Buddhist and Taoist ideas had not yet reached China, but some wise thinkers had already grasped this principle. Look, Gun turned into a yellow bear, Du Yu turned into a cuckoo, Bao Si turned into a dragon, Niu Ai turned into a wild beast, a gentleman turned into a swan, a villain turned into a monkey, Peng Zu turned into a pig, Ru Yi turned into a dog, Huang Mu turned into a turtle, Emperor Xuanwu turned into a turtle, Deng Ai turned into a cow, Xu Bo turned into a fish, Ling Xia turned into a crow, a scholar turned into a snake, and Yang Hu's past life was a son of the Li family... Aren't all these examples of the Buddhist idea of 'changing into different forms'? The guest said, "Xing Zicai once said, 'How could a pine tree become an oak after it dies?'" Shi Qian replied, "That notion is misguided. All transformations in the world stem from the mind. But how can a tree possess a mind?" The guest then asked about the merits and shortcomings of the Three Teachings (Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism). Shi Qian said, "Buddhism is like the sun, Taoism is like the moon, and Confucianism is like the five stars." The guest couldn't argue with that and had to concede.
Throughout his life, Shi Qian had a passion for writing poetry that expressed his emotions, but he always destroyed them after writing and never showed them to anyone. He once discussed punishments; although the writings did not survive in full, the general idea was as follows: "The laws established by emperors of all ages are different and can be adjusted according to the situation; there's no need to overhaul them entirely. Now, the punishment for corruption and bribery is the death penalty, which is too cruel and does not have a deterrent effect. As the saying goes, 'If people do not fear death, they cannot be deterred by the fear of death.' I think for such criminals, corporal punishment should be employed: first, cut off a toe; for repeat offenses, cut off an arm. Exiled criminals should have three fingers of their right hand amputated, and for repeat offenses, the entire arm should be severed. Thieves should be branded on the face, and for repeat offenses, the three fingers used for the crime should be cut off, and if they show no remorse, the arm should be severed, and this pattern should continue. Those rascals should be sent to the border to serve as soldiers, which would only invite foreign invaders, making it an ineffective way to govern. Gambling and amusement are the seeds of theft; if they cannot be stopped, then use branding." Many knowledgeable people believed that his governance philosophy was very reasonable.
In the eighth year of Kaihuang, Li Shiqian finally passed away at home at the age of sixty-six. When the people of Zhaojun heard the news, not a single person failed to cry out, "We are all still alive, why did Li Canjun go first!" More than ten thousand people came to attend his funeral. His neighbors, including Li Jingbo, who were inspired by Li Shiqian's noble character, erected a monument near his grave to commemorate his deeds and even wrote to the Ministry of Personnel requesting the court to posthumously confer him a title, but their request ultimately went unfulfilled.
Li Shiqian's wife, Lu Shi from Fanyang, was also a woman of great virtue. After her husband's death, she did not accept any of the rewards and told the elders of the state, "My husband had a passion for doing good deeds during his lifetime; how could I deny his wishes!" So, she donated five hundred measures of grain to help the needy.
Cui Kuo, courtesy name Shi Xuan, was from Anping in Boling. His father, Cui Yuan, served as a Sima in Yanzhou during the Northern Qi period. Cui Kuo grew up in poverty and hardship, as his mother came from a humble background and was not respected by the local elite. Initially a low-ranking official in his village, he endured many humiliations and eventually fled to the mountains in frustration. There, he dedicated himself to reading extensively and became highly knowledgeable, gaining the respect of scholars in Shandong. When he returned to his hometown, he refused the court's summons. He had a close friendship with Li Shiqian, and they were commonly referred to as "Cui Li" by the locals. After Li Shiqian's death, Cui Kuo was heartbroken and wrote a biography in his honor, which he cherished. After Li Shiqian's widow, Lu Shi, became a widow, she always consulted Cui Kuo for advice on household matters. Cui Kuo also wrote a treatise on the theory of criminal justice, but unfortunately, most of the work did not survive. During the Daye era, Cui Kuo passed away at the age of eighty, leaving behind a son named Cui Ze.
Cui Ze, courtesy name Zu Jun, was able to write at the age of seven and had excellent eloquence despite his small stature. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, Prince Xiao of Qin recommended him, and he excelled in the examinations. The court ordered him to revise the rites and music system with other scholars, granting him the position of Copyist. He was later promoted to Assistant to the Imperial Secretary and was highly esteemed by the Minister of Ceremonies, Su Wei. After his mother's death, he resigned from his official position to observe mourning, displaying deep filial piety by abstaining from food and drink for five days. He was then summoned to serve as an attendant to the Prince of Henan and the Prince of Yuzhang, traveling daily between their residences. When the Prince of Henan became the Prince of Jin, Cui Ze was appointed as a Military Aide, thus ending his service to the Prince of Yuzhang. The Prince of Jin held him in great esteem and even wrote him a letter stating:
Speaking of the Western Capital during the Han Dynasty, Prince Liang established his realm, constructed platforms and the Eastern Garden, gathered wise men, creating a scene of flourishing prosperity. Ma Qing abandoned his military position, and Mei Cheng also resigned from his post as the Governor of Hongnong. Every time I read history books, I find it strange why they abandoned their prestigious positions and went to vassal states. Now I understand their noble aspirations. These two gentlemen are truly extraordinary!
You are knowledgeable, possess an exceptional memory, explore issues in depth, and have a broad vision. You are well-acquainted with the 'Three Scrolls' anecdotes of the ministers of the Han Dynasty as if you have journeyed through Mengshan; you are equally well-versed in the 'Five Chariots' anecdotes of Prince Xiaowang of Liang as if you have immersed yourself in the Yunmeng Marsh. You are upright, respect, and cherish talent, and you never tire of it. You follow Guo Kui's example by constructing palaces to attract talent, and you always have fine wine ready to entertain the wise, just like Musheng. Now you are opening up new territories again, making vows once more. Your territory spans an impressive seven hundred li, encompassing Qufu and over seventy cities, including Linzi, with large-scale development in Nanyang, and the construction of Dongge has begun. I envision you riding in a splendid carriage, wearing a long robe, sitting at a magnificent feast, clad in beautiful shoes, reciting praises of the mountain laurel's uprightness, and describing the lushness of the pond bamboo. Your status is incredibly noble, and your demeanor is exceptionally elegant; it is truly wonderful—what could bring greater joy than this?
I gaze up at the Capital, longing for the virtues of my ancestors. My talents pale in comparison to the celestial beings, nor do they match the brilliance of Cao Zhi. This letter cannot adequately convey my gratitude, so I will refrain from saying more.
A few days ago, I received your letter, and I was truly honored; I was so excited I hardly knew how to respond. The profound truths you mentioned in your letter, even a divination expert like Guan Lu might not fully grasp; the rich allusions, even someone well-versed in history like Guo Pu might struggle to explain fully. As for the colorful scenes and beautiful music, comparing them to the call of a phoenix or the emblem of a dragon would still fall short, unable to fully describe their magnificence. Even Wu Zha's interpretation of the "Odes of Zhou" might not capture its subtleties; who can truly appreciate the charm of "Yang Chun" as played by the musicians of Yingde? You are a noble highness, blessed with a distinguished lineage and remarkable talent; your moral character surpasses that of the Eastern Ping King, and your literary talent exceeds that of the North Sea King. During the Han Dynasty, there were Sima Qian and Xiao Wangzhi, and during the Jin Dynasty, there were Pei Kai and Zhang Hua, all of whom were renowned and widely known. In comparison, I am merely an unknown figure, worlds apart from them. My ancestors were in-laws from the southern border of Yan State, living a leisurely life in the Hebei region, never thinking of pursuing fame and fortune, much less aspiring to emulate figures like Lin Xiangru. I have never studied diligently; I've only read a chapter of the Analects and a small portion of the Zhuangzi. Moreover, now that I am old, living in poverty, having achieved nothing in my studies, and unable to fulfill my aspirations. I am like a sparrow trying to compare itself to a horse, like Xue Tan wanting to compare itself to a rooster crowing—how could I possibly be so arrogant about my abilities? Trying to repay your kindness with my meager efforts is as daunting as moving Mount Tai to cross the North Sea, and as likely to fail as trying to turn Kunlun Mountain into a pond.
I didn't expect you to appreciate me so much, giving me the opportunity to bring honor to my family. When talents emerge in the family, it flourishes like a garden of peach and plum trees. The true dragon is about to rise, so those who wish to make a name for themselves should step forward quickly, and those who merely boast should stop deluding themselves! Your grace is as vast and boundless as the ocean, nurturing all life, while those hills and mountains cannot compare. If Cao Zhi were to hear your wisdom, he would have no regrets; if Yang Xiu could receive your guidance, he would not have any blemishes. I am deeply grateful and write this letter to express my heartfelt thanks to you.
Yu Zhang sent me a letter, along with fifty sheng of rice, as well as clothes and money. At that time, many of the official documents and letters from Prince Jin (Yang Guang) were authored by him. Wang Shuwen (actually Wang Ji) entered the Eastern Palace, first appointed as the commander of the prince's palace, and soon promoted to be a courtier. After the death of Prince Yuande, he went home due to illness. Later he was summoned and became a courtier.
In the fourth year of Daye, I followed the emperor to Fenyang Palace, and then to Heyang Town. The county magistrate of Lantian, Wang Tan, discovered a jade figure on Lantian Mountain, three feet four inches tall, wearing a large-collared robe and a hat, and presented it to the emperor. The emperor asked the courtiers, but no one recognized it. I replied, "I have carefully studied the historical records prior to Emperor Wen of Han; at that time, there were no hats, so this jade figure should have been made after Emperor Wen. I once read a record of the temple on Mount Song by the Grand Minister of Agriculture from Wei, Lu Yuanming, which mentioned divine figures made of jade, only a few inches in size, appearing intermittently, and when they appear, peace will reign in the world. Your Majesty, by following the will of heaven and pacifying the people, established a regime in Mount Song in Luoyang, and the Mountain God himself appeared. I dare to congratulate you!" After saying this, I bowed and paid my respects, and all the officials followed suit in congratulating. The emperor was greatly pleased and graciously rewarded me with two hundred bolts of silk.
Following the emperor up to Taihang Mountain, the emperor asked me, "Where is Sheep Gut Slope?" I replied, "I consulted the 'Geographical Records of the Book of Han' and found that there is Sheep Gut Slope in Huguan County, Shangdang." The emperor replied, "That's not it." I replied again, "I referred to the 'Book of Lands' by Huangfu Shian, which says there is Sheep Gut Slope ninety miles north of Taiyuan." The emperor said, "Yes, that's the place." The emperor then remarked to Niu Hong, "Cui Zujun's 'ask one, know two' refers to him!" In the fifth year of Daye, I was commissioned to co-author the 'Atlas of the Regions' along with other scholars, totaling two hundred and fifty volumes, and presented it to the emperor. The emperor was somewhat dissatisfied, so he asked Yu Shiji and Xu Shanxin to revise it again, increasing it to six hundred volumes. I resigned from my post due to my father's death, but was soon reappointed and continued my duties.
During the Liaodong Campaign, I was appointed as the Grand Historian of the Eagle Standard, responsible for naming the new counties and districts in Liaodong, all of which were my ideas. I also wrote the 'Eastern Expedition Records' as ordered. In the ninth year of Daye, I was appointed as the Changshi of Yuewang. At that time, bandits were rampant in Shandong, and the emperor asked me to pacify Gaoyang and Xiangguo, with over eight hundred individuals surrendering. In the twelfth year of Daye, I followed the emperor to Jiangdu. Yuwen Huaji assassinated the emperor and appointed me as a compiler, but I claimed illness and did not take up the position. I fell ill during the journey and passed away in Pengcheng at the age of sixty-nine.
Ah, I had particularly close relationships with friends like Yuanshan from Luoyang, Liubian from Hedong, Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Yao Cha from Wuxing, Zhuge Ying from Langya, Liu Zhuo from Xindu, and Liu Xuan from Hejian. Whenever we had the chance, we would gather and chat for hours.
They wrote poems, essays, inscriptions, and more together, amounting to over a hundred thousand words! I also wrote 'Qia Wen Zhi' in seven volumes and 'Biographies of Eight Dynasties and Four Schools' in thirty volumes, but these books had not yet been published before the incident in Jiangdu, which were all tragically lost to the flames, which was such a shame!
Xu Ze is from Tan County, Shandong. He has been calm and had few desires since childhood. He studied under Zhou Hongzheng, excelling in the Three Mysteries, and was skilled in debate, with his reputation echoing throughout the capital. Xu Ze lamented, "Reputation is merely a true appendage; do I really want to be its servant?" Thus, he contemplated seclusion and made his way to Jinyun Mountain, using a cane. Hundreds of students pleaded for his teachings, but he turned them all away. He never married and consistently wore coarse clothing. During the reign of Emperor Taijian, he was summoned to Zhen Guan for a brief visit. A month later, he said his goodbyes and journeyed to Mount Tiantai, where he lived in seclusion and practiced his craft, surviving solely on pine nuts and mountain spring water. Even in the bitter cold of winter, he refused to wear cotton clothing. Grand Tutor Xu Ling had a stone stele erected in his honor.
When he was in Jinyun Mountain, Master of Tai Chi Xu Jun once said to him, "When you are eighty years old, you will become the teacher of kings, and only then can you attain the Tao." The Prince of Jin in Yangzhou heard of his reputation and personally wrote a letter to summon him, stating in the letter, "The Tao contains various profound principles, the Way is natural, encompassing all things in heaven and earth, transforming everything in the world. If one promotes the Great Tao, it will not be in vain. Sir, you cultivate your virtues, your mind is clear, you adhere to mystical philosophy, you discuss the equality of all things, you understand the principles deeply, and you are knowledgeable in the methods. You delight in the profound mysteries, attune your spirit to emptiness, forage for pine nuts, and rest in the mist. You look forward to waiting for changes in the weather at Chicheng, controlling dragons and phoenixes in the Yutang; even if you live in famous mountains and rivers, you can still have an impact on the Jianghuai region. Your virtues and reputation are the stuff of dreams for many. I have long admired your virtue and nobility, and longed to communicate with recluses like you, dreaming of visiting you in a cave. Now the frosty wind is cold, the sea air is freezing; you should rest in the dense forest, and the Tao should also rest and recuperate. In ancient times, the four recluses of Shangshan despised the summons of the Han Dynasty, and the eight recluses of Huainan were also invited by the princes. Although ancient and modern times are different, the mountains and valleys still exist. Recluses in the court market have had precedents; promoting the Great Tao and expounding the holy Dao belongs to no one but you, Sir! So I have sent someone to invite you, hoping that you do not need to prepare, come willingly, do not need to ride in a magnificent carriage, and can leave the empty valley. I hope you can graciously come; I eagerly await your arrival to part the clouds."
Xu Ze said to his students, "I am eighty-one years old this year. King Jin summoned me, and Xu Jun's prophecy has come true." Thus, he set off for Yangzhou. King Jin wanted to learn the Tao from him, but Xu Ze declined, citing that the timing was not convenient. That evening, he asked the attendant to prepare incense and fire, and conducted the usual rituals. At the fifth watch of the night, he passed away, his body remaining as soft as if he were still alive, and it remained unchanged for several months. King Jin wrote a letter saying, "Mr. Xu, a hermit from Mount Tiantai by the East China Sea, possessed profound cultivation, noble character, and an upright demeanor, transcending the mundane world. He wore coarse clothes, subsisted on pine nuts and herbs, and lived in Ling Mountain for more than fifty years. He was extraordinary, possessing a remarkable demeanor and unfathomable depth. I have long admired his Taoist style and respected his virtues, having sent people to invite him numerous times, hoping to learn the Tao from him and establish good karma. Unexpectedly, shortly after he arrived, in less than ten days, he transformed into an immortal and returned to the spiritual realm. His body was soft, his appearance unchanged, just as the ancient texts say, 'a body that transforms into a celestial being.' Though I could not pay my respects in person, I continue to hold him in high regard. I am still filled with sorrow. I will take care of all the funeral arrangements. Since he has ascended to immortality, there is no need for a coffin or grave! Only his cane should be left as a gesture of worldly propriety. Someone should be dispatched to return him for burial at Mount Tiantai."
On the way from Yangzhou to Tiantai, many people saw Xu Ze walking on foot and said he had been set free. When he returned to his old residence, he took out his scriptures and teachings, distributed them to his disciples, and had them tidy up a room, saying, "If guests come, they should be invited to this room." Then he crossed the stone bridge and walked away, his whereabouts were unknown. Shortly after, the coffin arrived, and it was only then that they knew he had ascended to immortality. At that time, he was eighty-two years old. When Prince Jin heard about it, he was even more amazed, sending a thousand pieces of cloth and silk, having a painter draw his portrait, and inviting Liu Bian to write a eulogy for him: "The way that can be spoken is not the eternal Way; the name that can be named is not the eternal Name. The highest virtue is beyond virtue itself, and that is why it is virtue. The profound darkness is the fan, and there is the Master. The early refining of gold liquid, the serene spirit of jade purity. The stone marrow is soft, and the cloud elixir is about to take shape. Words follow Ge Zhi, and will accompany the grass. My king is far away, and I feel the sincerity of the spirits. The pillar temporarily opens, and the river sinks into the essence. Leave symbols to tell the truth, transform the staff into a flying sound. Forever thinking of the spirit, what good is it to suppress feelings? Sometimes don plain clothes, as if they were in the Red City."
At that time, there was a man named Song Yuquan from Jian'an; there was also a man named Kong Daomao from Kuaiji, and Wang Yuanzhi from Danyang. They were all practicing dietary fasting, eating things from pine trees and drinking mountain spring water to struggle to make ends meet, living a tough life, but they were all valued by Emperor Yang of Sui.
Zhang Wenxu was from Hedong. His father, Zhang Ju, served as the magistrate of Huanshui County during the Kaihuang era for his honesty and integrity. The family had several thousand volumes of books, and Zhang Ju used these books to educate his children and nephews, who all passed the imperial examinations and became officials. Zhang Wenxu was well-read across a wide range of texts, especially in the "Three Rituals," "Book of Changes," "Book of Songs," "Book of Documents," and the "Spring and Autumn Annals." He particularly liked the annotations of Zheng Xuan, considering them both profound and insightful, and he diligently explored the varying interpretations of other Confucian scholars as well.
Emperor Gaozu summoned renowned Confucian scholars from across the nation, such as Fang Huiyuan, Zhang Zhongrang, and Kong Long, to the position of Doctor of Philosophy. Zhang Wenxu was studying at the Imperial Academy at that time, and Fang Huiyuan and others greatly admired him, with the entire Imperial Academy holding him in high esteem. Many students came to him for advice on difficult problems, and Zhang Wenxu was always able to draw on extensive texts and explain in great detail. The Imperial Censor Huangfu Dan, a famous minister in the court at that time, treated him with the utmost respect, akin to that of a teacher. Once, Huangfu Dan went to the South Pavilion for official business and specially groomed his horse and personally rode to invite Zhang Wenxu. Each time, Zhang Wenxu walked there with his horse, fully aware that he preferred self-reliance over depending on others.
The Minister of Works Su Wei, upon hearing of Zhang Wenxu's reputation, summoned him for a conversation, was delighted, and encouraged him to accept an official position. However, Zhang Wenxu did not want to become an official and firmly refused. By the end of the Ren Shou period, the Imperial Academy had fallen into neglect, and Zhang Wenxu returned home with a cane, earning a living by cultivating vegetables. Local officials repeatedly sought to recruit him for various posts, but he always declined. He was renowned for his filial piety towards his mother, often inspiring others through his virtuous conduct, thereby improving the local customs. Once, someone tried to steal his wheat in the middle of the night, but when the thief saw him, he was so moved that he abandoned the wheat. Zhang Wenxu offered him comfort, promised to keep it a secret, and allowed him to take the wheat. It was only after a few years that the thief told the villagers about this incident, which eventually became widely known in the village.
The neighbor repaired the wall, feeling it was unfair; Zhang Wenxu took it upon himself to tear down his old wall to help his neighbor. Zhang Wenxu once suffered from back pain and happened to have a doctor who claimed to be skilled at treating it. Zhang Wenxu let him treat him, but ended up being injured by the doctor's scalpel and was left bedridden. The doctor pleaded for forgiveness on his knees, but Zhang Wenxu sent him away, even kept the truth from his wife, saying, "I felt dizzy yesterday and fell into a pit." He always covered up other people's shortcomings like this. The local authorities noticed his family's poverty and offered him assistance, but he refused. In his free time, he would often sigh and say, "I worry that my reputation won’t live on after me!" He used a ruyi to tap on the table, creating a rhythmic sound, and people at that time compared him to Min Ziqian and Yuan Xian. He eventually passed away at home at the age of only forty. The village erected a monument in his honor, referring to him as Mr. Zhang. The history books say that ancient hermits didn't isolate themselves or stay silent, nor did they hide their intelligence and wisdom. In fact, what they sought in their hearts was a state of calm and contentment, not confused or blinded, content with their circumstances, and going with the flow, maintaining a fair and selfless outlook on everything.
Like Shiqian and his companions, they do not care about official positions and fame, focusing solely on living a secluded life. They live in seclusion while honoring their filial duties to their parents; they uphold their integrity while still engaging with the world; they do not actively preach to others, yet they can influence others through their actions; they may appear elusive, yet they accomplish real achievements. They treat the common people as if they were their own parents, and their neighbors like relatives. Who could accomplish this without an inherent purity and nobility of character? Speaking of Shiqian, he remains unfazed by praise and does not get angry when wronged. Xu, in contrast, possesses lofty ambitions and remains untouched by worldly concerns, treating everyone equally without distinctions of rank, all with a simple and pure heart.
Cui Kuo expressed his dissatisfaction by living in seclusion after being humiliated, becoming a famous recluse; Zu Jun inherited the outstanding literary talent of his ancestors, surpassing them, and despite their different lifestyles - one active and one reclusive - both father and son ultimately achieved success, and that’s really something!
