Li Xiaozhen, courtesy name Yuancao, was a native of Bo County of Zhao County. His father, Xi Li, once served as the governor of Xinzhou in the State of Qi. Their family had been prestigious for generations. Li Xiaozhen loved studying from a young age and had excellent literary talent. During his time in the State of Qi, he first served as a military advisor in the Situ Mansion. He was a quiet and reserved person, not casually socializing with others, only maintaining close friendships with his cousin Yicao Langzhong Li Sao, Crown Prince's Attendant Li Jijie, Boling man Cui Ziwu, and Fanyang man Lu Xunzhu; their bond was as strong as iron. Later, he passed the imperial examination with top marks and was appointed as a Court Attendant. At that time, Huangmen Shilang Gao Gan wanted to marry his daughter to Li Xiaozhen for a political marriage, but Li Xiaozhen rejected him, which led to animosity between them. Gao Gan secretly slandered Li Xiaozhen, resulting in Li Xiaozhen being sent to the Taiwei Mansion as a military officer. Later, he successively served as the Attendant of the Central Secretariat, the Deputy Prefect of Boling, and the Biejia of Sizhou, while also serving as a Regular Attendant and as a deputy envoy to the Zhou Dynasty. Upon returning to court, he was appointed as a Court Attendant of the Yellow Gate. After Emperor Wu of Zhou defeated the State of Qi, Li Xiaozhen was appointed as Yitong Sanqi and Shaodianxi Xiaodaifu. When Emperor Xuan of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Lidu Xiaodaifu. When Emperor Wen of Sui became the Chancellor, Wei Jiong rebelled in Xiangzhou; Li Xiaozhen followed Wei Xiaokuan to quell the rebellion, and due to his meritorious service, he was promoted to Shang Yitong Sanqi.
During the Kaihuang period, he was appointed as the Prefect of Fengyi. Because he had violated the imperial taboo, people referred to him by his courtesy name "Yuancao." Several years later, he was promoted to the Governor of Mengzhou, and he was well-respected by the local people. From then on, he seldom wrote articles. When asked why, he sighed and replied, "I'm fifty years old now, time passes by so quickly, my hair has turned white, my body has weakened, both my desire for officialdom and my passion for literature have faded, alas, it's really sad!" However, whenever he had time off, he would invite friends over to sing, drink, and enjoy themselves. Later, the court called him to serve as the Deputy Minister of the Interior, to manage documents alongside the Interior Minister, Li Delin. However, Li Xiaozhen wasn't very adept at managing affairs, often mishandling things, which frustrated the emperor. The emperor ordered the Imperial Censor to investigate his faults, and he was then reassigned to Jinzhou as the Governor. Ultimately, he passed away while in office. He wrote many articles, compiled into a collection of twenty volumes, which have been preserved through the ages. He had a son named Li Yunyu. Li Xiaowei, Li Xiaozhen's younger brother, was also quite esteemed and held the position of Senior Clerk of the Grand Court during the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui. Xue Daoheng, courtesy name Xuanqing, hailed from Fenyin in Shanxi. His grandfather Xue Cong had served as the Governor of Jizhou in Northern Wei, and his father Xue Xiaotong had been the Prefect of Changshan. Xue Daoheng became an orphan at the age of six, but he worked hard at his studies. At the age of thirteen, he started teaching the "Zuo Zhuan," and after reading about Zichan assisting the state of Zheng, he wrote a piece called "Guoqiao Zan," which was exceptionally well-written and left everyone impressed.
Later, Xue Daoheng's reputation grew, and the Governor of Sizhou and Prince of Pengcheng, Xiao Shi, invited him to serve as a military official. At that time, the Left Deputy Minister of Personnel, Yang Zunyan from Hongnong, was a remarkable figure and praised Xue Daoheng upon meeting him. Afterwards, Xue Daoheng was appointed to an official position. The Minister of Personnel, Xin Shu from Longxi, had a conversation with him and exclaimed, "The governance of Zheng will not come to an end here!" Pei Yi from Hedong commented, saying, "Since the capital moved to the Hebei region, I have always felt that it would be difficult for the Guanxi region to produce talents like Confucius again. Now I have finally met Mr. Xue!" After Emperor Wu Cheng of Northern Qi became Chancellor, he appointed Xue Daoheng as a secretary. When Emperor Wu Cheng ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was promoted to be the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of War. Over a year later, Xue Daoheng also served as a Cavalry Attendant, responsible for receiving envoys from the Zhou and Chen dynasties. During the reign of Emperor Wu Ping of Northern Qi, the court ordered him and other Confucian scholars to revise the "Five Rituals," and later appointed him as the Left Minister of Military Affairs. Envoy Fu Zai from the Chen dynasty came to Northern Qi, and Xue Daoheng, in his role as Chief Guest Officer, was responsible for receiving him. Fu Zai presented him with a fifty-line poem, and Xue Daoheng reciprocated with another poem, which received high praise from both the Northern and Southern Dynasties. However, Wei Shou commented, "Fu Zai is like using earthworms to fish for big fish; he is overreaching." Later, Xue Daoheng was summoned to the Wenyuan Pavilion to serve as an imperial secretary, and he had a close relationship with Lu Sida from Fanyang and Li Delin from Anping. He also concurrently served as a provincial official in the Imperial Secretariat, and shortly after was promoted to the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and also served as the Crown Prince's Tutor.
During the reign of Emperor Houzhu of Northern Qi, Xue Daoheng became increasingly important, though some criticized him for being sycophantic. Later, he participated in political affairs with the Imperial Secretary Hulv Xiaoqing, proposing many thorough strategies, which were ultimately ignored. After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou appointed him as an imperial censor. Xue Daoheng returned to his hometown and started as the chief registrar of the province, later rising to the position of a senior officer in the Ministry of Revenue.
When Gaozu served as prime minister, he followed General Liang Rui to campaign against Wang Qian and also acted as the acting governor of Lingzhou. During the Dading era, he was appointed to the position of Yitong Sanqi and also acted as the acting governor of Qiongzhou. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he was dismissed for unspecified reasons. Later, Prince Hong of Hejian went to the north to campaign against the Turks, and Gaozu was summoned to serve as a military secretary, later appointed as an official in the Ministry of the Interior. In the same year, he also served as an imperial cavalier and was sent on a mission to the state of Chen.
During his mission to Chen, Gaozu's advisor Daoheng submitted a memorial, stating that "Jiangdong is merely a small region, yet it has long been illegitimately claiming the title of emperor, all due to the chaos after the Yongjia Rebellion, causing division in the Central Plains. Liu Yuan, Shi Le, Fu Jian, Yao Chang, the Murong clan, and the Helian clan all falsely claimed the title of emperor, and all eventually perished. Northern Wei was advancing southward but had not yet had the chance to conquer. Northern Zhou and Northern Qi successively claimed the title of emperor, preoccupied with consolidating their power, so Jiangdong has not been attacked for many years. Your Majesty possesses extraordinary virtue, having inherited the throne, comparable to the wise rulers of the past three dynasties; how can we allow the small state of Chen to exist beyond the empire's reach for such an extended period? During my mission, I request to order Chen to submit and pay tribute." Gaozu said, "I plan to rest and recuperate first, temporarily ignoring it; do not engage with them; simply understand my intentions."
People in the Jiangdong region love poetry, and Chen Shubao has a particular fondness for poetry; whenever Dao Heng writes a poem, people from Jiangnan eagerly recite it. Eight years later, when attacking the Chen Kingdom, Dao Heng was appointed as the Minister of Personnel in the Huainan Provincial Administration and also managed documents. As the army reached the banks of the Yangtze River, that night, Gao Feng sat in the camp and asked Dao Heng, "Will we succeed in attacking the Chen Kingdom this time? What do you think?"
Dao Heng replied, "To assess the success or failure of a significant endeavor, we must first use the most fundamental principles. The Nine Provinces mentioned in the 'Tribute of Yu' were originally the territory of the emperor. During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, warlords emerged, and Sun Quan and his brothers occupied the Wu and Chu regions. After Emperor Wu of Jin unified the country, he quickly annexed them, and after the Yongjia Rebellion, Jiangnan split again. Since then, wars have never stopped; prosperity inevitably declines; this is the way of the world. Guo Pu once said, 'Jiangdong has been peaceful for more than three hundred years, but in the end, it will return to the Central Plains.' The time is almost here. From the perspective of destiny, we will definitely succeed! First, those with virtue prosper and those without virtue perish; the rise and fall throughout history has always adhered to this principle. The emperor is hardworking and frugal, caring for the hardships of the people, while Chen Shubao resides in lavish palaces, indulging in wine and pleasures. With discord among the ranks and resentment from both mortals and deities, this second point also shows that we will definitely succeed!
The foundation of a country lies in its talents; the ministers of the Chen Kingdom are merely figureheads. Chen Shubao relies heavily on the unscrupulous Shi Wenqing to manage state affairs, and the Prefect Jiang Zong only focuses on composing poems and essays; they lack the talent for governance. Xiao Moho and Ren Manna are their main generals, but they are merely brave yet inexperienced soldiers. This third point further confirms our inevitable success! We possess righteousness and robust national strength; they have no virtue and weak national power, and their army numbers merely a hundred thousand. From Wuxia to the East Sea, if we divide their forces, their strength will be fragmented; if they concentrate their forces, they will be vulnerable. This fourth point also shows that we will definitely succeed! We are like a spear thrusting through bamboo; victory is within our grasp!" Gao Feng happily said, "Your analysis of victory and defeat is clear and well-structured; I suddenly see the path forward. I initially thought you were merely a gifted scholar, but I didn't realize your military acumen was so formidable!"
Later on, Xue Daocheng was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Interior. However, due to the promotion of talents, some accused him of forming cliques, favoring Su Wei, and practicing nepotism. As a result, he was dismissed and exiled to Lingnan. Prince Jin was in Yangzhou at the time and secretly sent someone to persuade Xue Daocheng to stay in Yangzhou, wanting to keep him there. However, Xue Daocheng was unwilling to depend on Prince Jin and instead employed a strategy from Prince Han Liang, leaving in the direction of Jiangling. Shortly after, the court issued an edict summoning him back to serve in the Ministry of the Interior. Prince Jin harbored resentment towards him for this, but still appreciated his talent and was relatively polite to him. Several years later, Xue Daocheng was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Interior and promoted to the position of Governor.
When Xue Daocheng wrote articles, he always hid in an empty room, lying against the wall. If he heard someone outside the door, he would get angry, demonstrating the seriousness of his thoughts. Emperor Wen of Sui always said, "Xue Daocheng's memorials are in line with my intentions." However, he also cautioned him against being overly rigid. Later, the emperor greatly appreciated his work ability and told Yang Su and Niu Hong, "Xue Daocheng is old; he has worked for the country for so many years; he should enjoy honor and wealth." So he promoted his official position, made him a Governor, and rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth. Xue Daocheng humbly declined, stating that he felt he had not earned any merits, but the emperor said, "You have worked tirelessly in important positions in the court for so many years, handling national affairs; how can you say you have no merits?" Xue Daocheng held important positions for a long time, and his reputation continued to grow. Princes and nobles sought to associate with him; Gao Feng and Yang Su also greatly appreciated him. His reputation was very prominent, and for a time, no one could rival him.
During the Renshou period, Yang Su held power. Because Xue Daoheng had a good relationship with Yang Su, and Emperor Wen of Sui did not want him to hold onto secrets for a long time, he appointed him as the governor of Xiangzhou. Xue Daoheng had been entrusted with important tasks for a long time, and was suddenly transferred, overcome with emotion and choked up while speaking. Emperor Wen of Sui's expression darkened with sadness as he said, "You are getting old, you have worked hard for me for so long, I want to ease your burdens while also providing comfort to the people. When you leave this time, it's like I've lost an arm." So he bestowed upon him three hundred bolts of cloth, a nine-ring gold belt, a set of seasonal garments, and ten horses as a gesture of comfort. He governed Xiangzhou with integrity and simplicity, and the people were very grateful to him.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as a governor. More than a year later, he submitted a formal request for retirement. Emperor Yang of Sui told the Minister of the Interior, Yu Shiji, "Xue Daoheng is coming; he should be welcomed in the capacity of Secretary of the Secretariat." When Xue Daoheng arrived, he presented a eulogy titled "Emperor Gaozu Wendi Eulogy," which reads as follows:
In the beginning, the world was in chaos; there was nothing, even predating the legendary Heavenly Emperor and Earth Emperor. It was beyond description and could not be perceived by the senses. People at that time lived in caves, drank dew, hardly different from birds and beasts; what nobility or wisdom could exist?
Later, Fuxi and Xuanyuan appeared, followed by Tang Yao and Yu Shun. They established laws in accordance with celestial phenomena, using culture to educate the people, thus making the position of emperors noble, and the teachings of sages were revered throughout the world. In the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, Yu, Tang, King Wen, King Wu, and other monarchs brought benefits to the people, their legacies celebrated in the verses of the "Book of Songs," but ultimately, they all fell into decline, frequently resorting to warfare.
The Qin Dynasty was just a transition, treating severe laws as the foundation of governance; the Han Dynasty, on the other hand, although there were prophecies (图谶), was a mixture of dictatorial rule and benevolent governance. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties period, the country was divided into three factions, each vying for power; by the end of the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, the country was in chaos. Everywhere was filled with rampant bandits; wars erupted everywhere, displacing countless people. Although Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei implemented reforms and promoted sinicization in the Luoyang area, he ultimately could not quell the chaos in the country.
After experiencing such long years and the rise and fall of countless dynasties, only the Sui Dynasty could unify the country and create a prosperous era! It is said that when Emperor Gaozu was born, the room was shining with red light, and as he grew up, he hid his sharpness, with purple energy soaring into the sky. He was born with a dragon's appearance, extraordinary looks, all recorded in historical records and reflected in his demeanor. Emperor Gaozu hailed from a noble lineage with deep roots, just like the ancestors of Bin and Qi who accumulated virtues, not rising suddenly like Feng and Pei. He went through various tests, held important positions, and had great power, similar to the ancient figures of Re Huang, the Grand Commandant, and Wen Ming, the Minister of Works.
When the world was about to fall into chaos, wars broke out everywhere, the war horns echoed across the skies, accompanied by the glint of armor and weapons. Tyrants rebelled, occupying the Hebei region, as well as the Haidai region; nomadic tribes rebelled, blocking the Baima Pass, and then occupying Chenggao. Yong and Shu betrayed the court, relying on the strategic location of Tongliang; Yun and Huang also rebelled, drawing the army from Jinling. The Sichuan region was already in turmoil, and the Nine Ding was about to be taken away.
At this time, Emperor Gaozu rose like a dragon and a phoenix, quickly grasping control of the world, fulfilling the prophecy of the Crimson Emperor, and accepting the talisman from the Xuanhu. He commanded victorious armies, mobilized troops that spanned the heavens and the earth, suppressed the rebellions of Gonggong and Chiyou, and eradicated various demons and monsters. Without using the twenty-eight generals or engaging in fifty-two battles, he quickly quelled the rebellions, lifted the shadow of war, and saved the people from danger. The pillar of heaven, once tilted, was restored to its upright position, and the cracked earth was mended. People from remote regions came to pay homage, and musicians were too scared to play. The people revered him, and even the heavens recognized him.
The altar was prepared, yet Emperor Gaozu remained humble and cautious. The people eagerly awaited his ascension, and he accepted their support from all corners of the world. After ascending the throne, he held a grand sacrificial ceremony, offering sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth, ushering in peace and prosperity. He followed the precedents of his predecessors, changed the era name, and relocated the capital based on the people's wishes.
He selected the capital's location based on astronomy and geography, established the national system, and designed the palace layout in accordance with celestial patterns. He promoted education and moral governance in the court, reformed old practices, and changed customs. However, the border regions continued to face constant warfare, as enemy invasions resulted in Fan Kuai's capture and Li Ling's defeat. The powerful states of Zhou and Qi fought each other, sending princesses north to the Di people but failing to stop their aggression, and sending treasures to Shandong but failing to curb their greed.
Later, Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, unified the world, devised strategies in the court, displayed his might in the border regions, and brought the minority ethnic groups to submission, transforming their lands into part of the empire. Despite the vast expanse of the Jiangnan region and the Yangtze River basin, there were always pretenders trying to usurp the throne.
After five dynasties and three hundred years, the founding emperor took pity on the suffering of the people and resolved to end the chaos of war. Now, the emperor is wise and mighty, inheriting the foundation of the Tang Dynasty and swiftly pacifying the realm with the mandate of heaven. As a result, the world is at peace, and harmony prevails, allowing the people to live in peace and contentment. The emperor ceased warfare and promoted cultural development.
For so many years, China has been in turmoil, with war rampant everywhere, and a culture of hypocrisy deeply ingrained. The wisdom of the sages has been lost, and the rules of the ancient kings have been forgotten. Therefore, the emperor ordered the reorganization of the "Five Rites of Ancestor Worship" and instructed the crown prince to reform the system of the Six Types of Music. Rituals such as jade and silk used in sacrifices, as well as ceremonial vessels, were standardized, and music was distinguished between refined and popular styles.
The emperor is particularly concerned with state affairs, constantly seeking various opinions, attending morning and evening court sessions, neglecting sleep and meals, fearing the suffering of the people and the possibility of something being overlooked. He is determined to follow the path of the ancient kings, juggling daytime responsibilities at night and evening plans during the day, aiming to eliminate the bad habits of past emperors without delay. He shows joy on his face when witnessing good deeds and sighs with a worried expression when hearing bad news. He reduces taxes and labor duties, encourages agriculture, and the national granary is overflowing with food, some of which is even starting to go moldy, so the common people no longer have to worry about going hungry.
The emperor is kind-hearted and compassionate, protecting all creatures, from birds and beasts to their eggs and roe, and not allowing anyone to trample on grass and trees. Of course, rules must be enforced, and punishments must be meted out when needed, without hesitation. However, he also considers individual circumstances, making judgments quickly and decisively, resulting in a well-ordered society where everyone follows the rules.
Those who curry favor with him have no chance to get close to him, and the officials and nobles have no special privileges. He serves the heavens and the earth with great care, works diligently all day long, and is always vigilant against becoming arrogant and complacent. He influences the people with his virtue, creating a positive social atmosphere. From court ministers to local officials, they all feel that this era of unprecedented peace and prosperity is a rare opportunity. The grand ceremony of enthronement is a grand event that only occurs every few hundred years. The emperor's achievements should be recorded in history and praised for generations to come.
But the emperor is not proud or complacent at all. Even after achieving great success, he does not boast about it or take credit. When others advise him to accept praise, he declines. Although he has achieved great success, he still does not dare to slack off. He is humble and cautious, as steady as Mount Tai, and willingly takes on responsibilities. This is what is truly understood: humility, as mentioned in the Book of Changes, is the most important. The ceremonies in which emperors boast of their accomplishments are of secondary importance. The emperor's remarkable virtues are beyond description.
The emperor's sincerity and noble character move the heavens and the earth, and everywhere is filled with a peaceful atmosphere. Blessings from above and auspicious signs all around, the sun, moon, stars, wind, clouds, plants, animals, mountains, rivers, jade, and precious stones - all kinds of signs of good fortune constantly appear in abundance. This unprecedented era of prosperity is not recorded in any history books, and people have never seen or heard of such a sight before. As the ancients said, when a sage takes action, all things flourish, and treasures appear, protected by spirits - this is the effect brought about by a sage!
I was once captivated by the enchanting realm of Mount Gusha, and the desire to break free from worldly affairs grew ever stronger; and while pursuing success at Mount Dingjing, the wish to achieve fame and ascend to immortality became even greater. The common people, merely subjects of the emperor, long for their parents, and sorrow envelops them, as tightly strung as a bowstring. Although Tu Mountain is secluded and perilous, it has long since abandoned its ancient sacrificial rites; and although Changling is desolate and lonely, only visitors paying their respects at the tombs of the honored dead can be seen.
If one can conquer demons and monsters, be listed among the immortals, establish a prosperous era, and build a dynasty, this is the highest virtue; if one can quell rebellions, save the country, bring peace to the land, and unify the culture, this is divine achievement; if one can sincerely worship heaven and earth and honor their ancestors, this is great filial piety; if one can stop wars, implement benevolent governance, and make the people live in peace and contentment, this is the pinnacle of governance. To govern the world and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, surpassing not just the Zhou and Han dynasties, but greatly exceeding the Wei and Jin dynasties! Although the dance of the five elements is often performed in the Qing Temple, and the song of the nine virtues has never ceased in the music hall, my accomplishments extend far beyond these formalities; my grand undertaking goes far beyond what these praises can express.
I have a fragile fate, yet have unexpectedly found myself in fortunate times, able to serve in the palace, shuttling between the court and the hall. However, once I step outside the palace, it feels like a different world, only able to cling to dreams of pursuing greatness, left with aspirations as small as ants trying to move Mount Tai. Thus, I dare to take up my brush and sing your praises! Just as birds filling the sea do not expand the land, and the tears of a river do not make it swell any more, I simply do my best to express my thoughts and convey my feelings. And so, I have written a hymn:
(The original poem is transcribed)
In ancient times, countless emperors ruled over the four corners of the world. After three generations, rituals and music collapsed, and during the Warring States period, a myriad of conspiracies and schemes arose. The Rong and Di peoples invaded the Central Plains, various riots broke out, power was seized, and more than a dozen small countries declared themselves kings. They ruled with force, disregarded rituals and laws, destroyed morals, and caused chaos in the world.
Later, the founding emperor rose from a remote area, unified the world, and dominated one side. He ruled for more than two hundred years, continuing the legacy of previous emperors, but the world remained unstable, with separatist forces still active in various regions. States like Wu, Yue, Minyue, and the area north of the Yellow River were divided into many small pieces, fighting each other.
Wars continued to erupt, and although the eastern rebellions had been quelled, turmoil still gripped the world. After generations of efforts, it finally came to the era of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of Han, who gained the support of the world. He was wise and brave, made decisive decisions, rewarded the good and punished the evil, and pacified the rebellions.
The court established rituals, historians recorded dates, played the music of the bamboo flute and the se zither of Yunhe, and held grand sacrificial ceremonies to pray for divine blessings. He adjusted the boundaries of the country based on astrological divination, governed the country, and consolidated his rule. Border regions, such as the Xiongnu and Western Regions, were often invaded by ethnic groups.
But the fame of Emperor Gaozu of Han spread far and wide, and his virtues were celebrated. These ethnic groups all submitted and pledged allegiance to the court. Although places like Wu and Yue had their own fiefdoms, they all recognized the rule of the Han Dynasty. Some stubborn factions persisted but were eventually subdued by Emperor Gaozu one by one.
The world was peaceful, society was stable, rituals and music were popularized, and the social atmosphere greatly improved. Emperor Gaozu of Han inherited the achievements of Xia Yu and Yu Shun, using rituals and music to stabilize society and educate the people. He was diligent in political affairs, loved and cared for the people, ensuring the people could live and work in peace.
He is humble and cautious, reverent towards the heavens, following the laws of nature, and the world is marked by a scene of peace and prosperity. He declines honors, does not take credit for his achievements, and his virtuous character shines even more brightly. His way of governing is similar to that of King Wen of Zhou and Emperor Guangwu of Han, carrying on the legacy of the wise former kings.
He is far-sighted, insightful into worldly affairs, and has strengthened the foundation of the Han dynasty, making the country more prosperous and thriving. He once sought enlightenment at Mount Kongtong and practiced archery by the Fen River; his eloquence and noble character command great respect.
His benevolence reaches across the land, his teachings lasting for centuries; we should always remember his accomplishments and learn from his virtue. May there be peace in the world and harmony among all things; this is the highest tribute we can pay to Emperor Gaozu of Han.
The emperor was very displeased and turned to Su Wei, saying, "Dao Heng was very talented in the previous dynasty, just like the symbolism in 'Fish and Seaweed'." So he promoted him to be the Chief Officer of the Imperial Guards and was preparing to take action against him. Dao Heng himself was unaware of what was happening. The Chief Officer of the Imperial Guards, Fang Yanqian, shared a close relationship with Dao Heng and, knowing that this situation would likely lead to serious trouble, advised Dao Heng to quickly cut off ties with those guests, lower his attitude, and be more courteous in his speech, but Dao Heng did not listen to him.
There was a meeting to discuss new laws, but after a long discussion with no results, Dao Heng said to the courtiers, "If Gao Jiao hadn't died, this law would have been implemented long ago." Someone reported this to the emperor, who was furious and handed Dao Heng over to the officials in charge of law enforcement for investigation. Dao Heng didn't think he had done anything wrong, so he pressed the law officials for a swift judgment. On the day of the report, he thought the emperor would pardon him, so he had his family prepare food and drinks, expecting guests to visit him. However, the report was submitted directly to the emperor, who ordered him to take his own life. Dao Heng was taken completely by surprise and didn't react in time to kill himself. The officials reported back, and he was eventually hanged. His wife and children were also exiled to Qiemu. He was seventy years old that year, and everyone believed he had been unjustly treated. He left behind seventy volumes of writings that have been passed down through the ages.
He had five sons, with the youngest, known as Shou, who became the most renowned, adopted by his uncle Ru. Ru was upright and proud, refusing to associate with the common folk, well-versed in history and literature, talented in poetry and prose, often imbued with profound themes. During the Sui Kaihuang period, he served as an imperial historian and a military officer in charge of the Yangzhou Garrison. He always stuck to his principles, so many of his colleagues in the government did not like him. After his term was over, he served as the magistrate of Qingyang County and the county officer of Xiangcheng, eventually dying in office. He was able to make a mark in governance wherever he served. He had a good relationship with Dao Heng, who had taken him in as a child, so much so that he hardly recognized his own biological parents when he grew up. The Minister of Ceremonies, Hu Zhongcao, once asked Ru to borrow a knife to cut his nails, but Ru felt that Hu Zhongcao was not a gentleman and refused to lend it to him. His reluctance to forge friendships and his aloof and proud demeanor were shaped by such experiences.
Deyin, Dao Heng's nephew, was very talented and initially served as a cavalry officer. Later, he assisted Wei Dan in compiling the "Wei History," and after completing the book, he was promoted to Associate Editor. When King Dong of Yue took control in the Eastern Capital and Wang Shichong usurped the throne, he was responsible for writing all the military documents. After Wang Shichong was defeated, Deyin was executed due to his involvement. His writings were also very popular at the time.
According to historical records, Li Bai, Xue Tao, and their group were all talented individuals from the late Qi dynasty, who became famous for their exquisite prose. From the Zhou dynasty to the Sui dynasty, they were highly praised. Li Bai was the most outstanding talent of that era, while Xue Tao was the most respected female poet of the time. They were like two radiant stars, radiating brilliance and exceptional talent. Their writing style was elegant and unrestrained, striking and melodic. Lu Lun's talent was even greater than that of Li Bai and Xue Tao. Although Li Bai and Xue Tao were talented, Lu Lun's career was more tumultuous, which may have been partly due to their lack of attention to details.
In summary, Li Bai, Xue Tao, and their contemporaries were all remarkable literary talents who were highly esteemed from the Zhou dynasty to the Sui dynasty. Li Bai was the most remarkable talent of his time, while Xue Tao was the most famous female poet of that era. Their talents were on par, their writing style free-spirited and unrestrained, and their articles were both pleasant to read and resonant. Lu Lun's level of skill surpassed that of Li Bai and Xue Tao. However, while fate played a role, it may also be linked to their lack of attention to details.
