Liang Pi, style name Jinghe, was a man of the Wushi clan from Anding. His grandfather Liang Yue served as the administrative governor of Jingzhou, Yuzhou, and Luozhou in the Wei Kingdom, and was also titled as the Duke of Heyang County. His father Liang Mao served as the administrative governor of Cangzhou and Yanzhou in the Zhou Dynasty. Liang Pi was upright and outspoken, with a straightforward way of speaking and a great deal of knowledge. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, he passed the imperial examination and rose through the ranks to become a lower official. In the war to pacify the Kingdom of Qi, he was appointed as the chief military commander and made significant contributions in the battle to capture the Bingzhou region. He was later appointed as a palace attendant and promoted to the position of official of the Three Similarities. During the Xuanzheng period, he was titled as the Viscount of Yiyang County with a fief of 400 households, and later promoted to the position of Wuzang Daifu. After the founding emperor Yang Jian ascended the throne, Liang Pi's title was elevated to Marquis.
In the early years of the Kaihuang period, the imperial court established the position of Imperial Censor. Due to Liang Pi's integrity and uprightness, he was appointed as the Assistant Imperial Censor of the Imperial Academy, and his work was indeed exemplary. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to the position of Daxing Prefect, and later promoted to the position of Zanzhi of Yongzhou. After leaving the supervisory department, Liang Pi managed the administrative affairs of the capital city, performing his duties impartially. This led to him offending many powerful factions, which resulted in his exile to Xiningzhou, where he served as provincial governor, during which time he maintained his integrity. He served as the provincial governor of Xiningzhou for eleven years.
Earlier, the tribal chieftains there all liked to wear golden crowns. The more golden crowns one had, the greater their status. Therefore, they vied with one another, which often led to wars and unrest along the borders. Liang Pi was very worried about this. Later, the chieftains began sending gold to Liang Pi as bribes. Liang Pi set the gold aside and tearfully addressed the gold, "You can't eat it when you're hungry, and you can't wear it when you're cold. You have slaughtered one another countless times over these things! Are you trying to kill me by giving me these things?" He refused to accept any of it and returned everything to them. As a result, the tribal leaders were deeply moved and ceased their attacks on one another. Emperor Yang Jian was delighted to hear about this and summoned him back to court, appointing him as a Cavalier Attendant and Grand Minister of Justice. He adjudicated cases fairly and was praised by the people. More than a year later, he was promoted to Upper Household Minister.
I see that Yang Su wields immense power; everyone is afraid of him. I fear he poses a threat to the country, so I wrote to the emperor to report him. The letter said: "It is said that ministers should not hold absolute power. If a minister holds absolute power, it spells disaster not only for his own family but even more so for the nation. I privately believe that Yang Su, the Left Deputy Marshal and Duke of Yue, is increasingly gaining the emperor's trust, and his power is expanding. All the high-ranking officials must now bend to his will. Those he disapproves of are swiftly suppressed, while those he favors are promoted and rewarded solely at his discretion. He promotes only his relatives, and his relatives are spread throughout the ranks, gaining power and wealth. Now the country is peaceful, but he may be secretly scheming; once there is even the slightest disturbance, he will undoubtedly stir up chaos. The rise of corrupt officials is often a gradual process. Wang Mang accumulated power for many years in the Han Dynasty, and Huan Xuan also built his influence in the Jin Dynasty for a long time, both eventually leading to the downfall of the Han and Jin Dynasties. Jisun monopolized power in the state of Lu, and the Tian family seized the state of Qi; these events are well-documented in history, not mere fabrications. If Your Majesty continues to trust Yang Su, I fear he may not possess the same loyalty as Yi Yin. I hope you will heed the lessons of history and remove him from the center of power; only then can the country enjoy lasting peace and stability, allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity. I sincerely apologize for offending Your Majesty and am prepared to accept any punishment."
The emperor was very angry after hearing this and ordered the relevant departments to forbid me from making any submissions, personally coming to question me. I argued my case logically, saying, "Yang Su wields immense power in the court and is committing heinous acts, indiscriminately killing innocent people in the army. When the Crown Prince and Prince of Shu were deposed, the court officials were too frightened to speak out; only Yang Su was there, reveling in the situation, hoping for national turmoil to let him rise to power." I spoke frankly and sincerely, and the emperor had no choice but to let me go. Since then, Yang Su's favor gradually declined. However, Yang Su was very powerful at the time, and many people had been suppressed by him. The court ministers all fawned on him, and no one dared to stand up to him. The only ones who dared to challenge him were me, Liu Yu, and the Deputy Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Li Gang. Later, the emperor no longer completely trusted Yang Su, all because he listened to my words.
After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, I was promoted to Minister of Justice and concurrently Grand Master of Imperial Insignia. I reported and accused Yu Wenshu of misusing the army; the emperor wanted to clear Yu Wenshu of any wrongdoing, but I strongly opposed it, which infuriated the emperor. The emperor then had Zhang Heng replace me as Grand Master of Imperial Insignia. I was deeply troubled, and a few months later, I passed away. The emperor sent the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, to offer condolences and presented me with five hundred rolls of silk.
Zijin Zhen, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, served as the Directing Officer of the Court of Judicial Review. At that time, the emperor wanted to convict the Grand Master of the Light Chariot, Yu Juluo, and had Zijin Zhen handle the case. As a result, Zijin Zhen followed the emperor's wishes and framed Yu Juluo, leading to his death. Not long after, Zijin Zhen fell ill and reportedly saw the ghost of Yu Juluo coming to collect his due, and died a few days later.
Liu Yu, also known as Youwen, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. Seven generations before him, there was an ancestor named Zhuo who migrated south with the Jin Dynasty and settled in Xiangyang. His father, Liu Zhongli, was a general of the Liang Dynasty. After the defeat of the Liang Dynasty, he defected to the Northern Zhou Dynasty and returned to his hometown. Liu Yu had a passion for learning from a young age and studied numerous historical texts. Yuwen Hu, the Grand Preceptor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, recognized his talent and appointed him as a scribe in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Later, he was sent to Ningzhou as an administrative officer. After Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty personally took over the government, Liu Yu requested the court to assess his abilities. Emperor Wu thought highly of him and appointed him as an officer of the military, and later promoted him to be the magistrate of Zheng County. After pacifying the Qi State, Emperor Wu rewarded the officials who had made contributions, but those who stayed in the capital were not rewarded. Liu Yu wrote a memorial stating, "Now that peace has just begun in the world, rewards should be clear and the contributions of those who have genuinely served should be prioritized. The conquest of cities and territories are all due to the wise decisions of the emperor, and the slaying of enemy generals and capturing of flags are all due to the emperor's heroic strategies. The soldiers who bore arms, fought valiantly, and defended the capital should be duly recognized. These achievements are the result of collective efforts, not something that one person can achieve alone. The officials who stayed in the capital should also be granted equal rewards, and merits should be treated equally. Officials below the Crown Prince actually bear the responsibility of guarding the ancestral temple. Just like Xiao He who stayed behind to build fortifications in Pingyang, making contributions earlier than the soldiers fighting on the front lines, and Mu Zhi who handled court affairs, and received generous treatment after death. These are merely my humble suggestions, submitted for your consideration." As a result, the officials who remained in the capital also received rewards and promotions.
After Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) ascended the throne, Liu Yu was promoted all the way to the position of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Later, he left his position following the death of his mother. Not long after, he was appointed as Deputy Director of the Tuntian Office, but he firmly declined, and the emperor insisted that he stay. At that time, it was required for officials of the third rank and above to display a halberd at their entrance. The son of the Left Deputy, Gao Hongde, was granted the title of Duke Yingguo, and he submitted a request to have a halberd displayed at his residence. Liu Yu replied, "The residence where the Deputy's son lives is no different from others; his father's halberd is already at his entrance. There is a hierarchy of respect between father and son; the son should defer to the father. How can the father have a halberd at his entrance, and the son needs one too?" This request was ultimately denied, and when Gao Hongde learned of this, he greatly admired Liu Yu. Later, Liu Yu was promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary for Literary Review, and he was known for his integrity and earned the respect of many officials. The emperor admired his straightforwardness and told him, "A true man should make his mark in the world, not fade into obscurity." As a result, he was rewarded with 100,000 coins and 100 shi of rice.
It is said that many provincial governors at that time were former military generals, many of whom were incompetent. Liu Yu submitted a memorial saying, "Nowadays the world is at peace and the people are secure. To govern the people, talented individuals must be appointed! Previously, Emperor Guangwu of Han, wise and intelligent, rose from the common people and was adept at distinguishing truth from falsehood. Together with twenty-eight generals, he cleared obstacles and pacified the world. After achieving success, he did not appoint himself to any official position. This is recorded in the 'Book of Later Han.' I have seen the imperial decree appointing He Ganzhi as the regional inspector of Qizhou. This man is nearly eighty years old, too old to fulfill his duties. He previously held office in Zhaozhou, where he was ineffective in his responsibilities, leaving governance to his subordinates. Bribery ran rampant, and the people were full of grievances. Everywhere there were satirical songs about him, like the old saying goes, 'If old crops aren’t harvested in time, it can hinder the growth of new crops.' The ancients said, 'Ask the farmer about farming, ask the weaver about weaving.' This shows that everyone has their own strengths. He Ganzhi excels in horsemanship and martial skills, but governing the people and managing affairs are not his strengths. Your Majesty, if you truly want to govern the country well and handle numerous affairs, it would be better to reward him with wealth and let him live out his remaining years in comfort, rather than appointing him to a position simply due to his age. If he were to become a regional inspector, the potential losses would be significant. Even if it costs me my life, I must remain loyal and not conceal anything." The Emperor agreed with his words, and He Ganzhi was ultimately relieved of his position as regional inspector.
Later, Tang Junming, the governor of Yingzhou, his mother passed away and he married the cousin of Kudishiwen, the governor of Yongzhou. Liu Yu accused him, saying: "I have heard that everyone has their place in the world, there are rituals governing husband and wife, there are ethics between sovereign and subject, and there is order between superior and inferior. Therefore, filial piety is the foundation of behavior, and rituals are the cornerstone of self-cultivation; the governance of both the country and the family must adhere to these principles. I believe that the love and respect for parents should come from the heart, and the significance of mourning is paramount in human relationships. Even though Tang Junming changed his mourning attire, his heart remained unchanged, forgetting the grief of his mother's death, while he dressed in coarse mourning attire and married a wife in luxurious clothing. This is a violation of ethical principles, and the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' warns that such behavior can lead to the downfall of a nation. Without rituals and a sense of shame, poets wish for the swift demise of such individuals. Kudishiwen held a significant position in Shenzhou and had a prominent status, rectified customs, and imitated all directions, yet he disregarded the intermarriage between the two families, violating the six rituals' norms. I request Your Majesty to imprison him for life as a deterrent to others." Tang Junming and Kudishiwen were both eventually sentenced. After the turmoil of the Sui Dynasty, social morals declined, and Liu Yu took many measures to correct the customs, which earned him the emperor's great appreciation.
The emperor diligently attends to state affairs, and there are many trivial matters raised by the officials. Liu Yu once more submitted a memorial advising, "I have heard that since ancient times, the wise emperors have not surpassed Tang Yao and Shun, who emulated the ways of heaven and earth, governing and educating the people, and never dealt with trivial matters, which is considered wise. As the saying goes, 'Heaven does not speak, yet the four seasons run on their own.' Thus, it is understood that when a monarch issues commands, they should steer clear of trivial matters. Therefore, Emperor Shun appointed five wise ministers, while Emperor Yao consulted the Four Mountains, established official positions, assigned duties to each, governed by example, and the world was thus peaceful. This means investing effort in selecting talented individuals and assigning responsibilities, thereby easing the burden of governance. It is also said, 'The Son of Heaven is majestic, and the vassals are respectful.' This signifies that there are proper protocols between the ruler and his subjects. Now that the realm is unified and state affairs abound, regardless of size, they all must be decided by the emperor. Your Majesty governs the realm with diligence, sparing no effort, as the officials fear making mistakes and hesitate to make decisions independently, all waiting for imperial decrees. There are so many memorials that even small projects, distribution of small amounts of resources, all must be responded to by the officials within a day, resulting in a hectic schedule, sleepless nights, and the exhausting task of handling documents for the emperor. I hope Your Majesty will consider my advice and reduce some of the trivial state affairs, prioritizing nurturing the mind and body, reflecting on the principles of King Wu's peace and King Wen's diligent governance. For matters concerning major national affairs that cannot be decided by the officials, I urge Your Majesty to carefully consider these, delegating other trivial matters to the relevant departments for resolution, so that Your Majesty may enjoy boundless longevity, while the officials receive Your Majesty's favor." The emperor greatly valued his advice after perusing the memorial. Later, he was dismissed for displeasing the emperor. Shortly thereafter, the emperor reinstated him, saying, "Do not waver in your convictions." As Liu Yu hailed from a humble background, the emperor commanded the relevant departments to construct a house for him, declaring, "Liu Yu is an upright official, a treasure to the nation!" He received such favor from the emperor.
At that time, Yang Su held immense power, and everybody was afraid of him; nobody dared to cross him. One time, he committed a minor offense, and the emperor ordered him to be sent to Nantai for trial. Yang Su, relying on his power and influence, nonchalantly took the interrogator Su Wei's seat. When Su Wei entered from outside and saw how Yang Su was acting, he stood at attention on the steps, holding a tablet formally, and said to Yang Su, "I’m here to look into your misconduct." That’s when Yang Su hurriedly got up from the chair. Su Wei sat behind the desk for the trial, made Yang Su stand in the courtyard, and then began to carefully interrogate him about his offenses. From then on, Yang Su nursed a grudge against Su Wei. Back then, Su Wei had the emperor's full trust, leaving Yang Su with no way to get back at him.
Su Wei discovered that since modern times, the people of the capital have been holding performances like "Jiaodi" on the fifteenth day of the first month, competing with each other and wasting a lot of money. He then submitted a memorial to the emperor, requesting a ban on such activities. In his memorial, he wrote: "I have heard that in ancient times, enlightened rulers governed the country by laws, ensuring that all actions conformed to ritual norms. Anything that does not conform to the law is not allowed, and anything that does not conform to morality is not allowed to be practiced. There are different roles for men and women, which helps prevent wrongdoing and ensures people follow the rules. However, now in the capital and even in other provinces, every fifteenth night of the first month, the streets and alleys are crowded with people, gathering to have fun. Drums and gongs are noisy, torches are bright, people wear animal masks, men wear women's clothes, and various acrobatic performances feature strange and bizarre shapes. They see vulgarity as entertainment and lowbrow humor as a joke, regardless of age or gender, all watching together without any taboo. Tall stages stretch across the roads, huge curtains cover the sky, gorgeous clothes and beautiful makeup abound, and carriages and horses are crowded. The feasts are lavish, and the music is blaring; many people blow their entire fortune just for a fleeting moment of enjoyment. Everyone in the family, regardless of wealth or age, mingles together. Therefore, various unsavory behaviors arise, and theft becomes common. This atmosphere has persisted for a long time, and no one has attempted to change it. Not only does it fail to educate, but it also harms the people's welfare. I request that laws be enacted nationwide to immediately ban such activities. The 'Ya' and 'Song' sections of the Book of Songs are sufficient to extol good morals, and singing with a full belly is the greatest joy. Anyone who violates this law will be punished accordingly." The emperor approved his memorial.
That year, Su Wei was tasked with inspecting 52 states in Hebei and requested the dismissal of more than 200 corrupt and incompetent officials. The counties were left intimidated and dared not act recklessly. The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with 200 pieces of silk, 30 fur coats, and appointed him as a Sima official. A year later, Su Wei was once again tasked with inspecting 19 states in Taiyuan. Upon his return, the emperor rewarded him with 150 pieces of silk. Su Wei once received a ten-volume "Zhidao Collection" written by Li Wenbo from Boling, which Prince Yang Xiu of Shu requested. Su Wei gave the book to Yang Xiu, who granted him ten slaves. Later, when Yang Xiu fell into disgrace, Yang Su accused Su Wei of conspiracy with court officials and princes, stripped him of his position, and exiled him to Huaiyuan Town to guard the border. When he reached Gaoyang, the court issued a decree recalling him. Upon arriving in Jinyang, he coincidentally encountered Prince Yang Liang's rebellion. Yang Liang quickly summoned Su Wei to discuss matters. Su Wei was forced to go, not initially aware of Yang Liang's rebellion. When he was about to enter the city, Yang Liang's rebellion was exposed. Su Wei felt that he couldn't escape, so he pretended to have a stomachache and refused to eat, claiming to be seriously ill. Yang Liang was very angry and confined him. After Yang Liang's failure, Yang Su advised Su Wei to avoid offending anyone and to wait and see how the situation developed. While he didn’t openly rebel, he was just as treacherous as the actual rebels, and was therefore exiled to Dunhuang. After Yang Su's death, Su Wei finally made his appeal. The court issued a decree recalling him to the capital, but he died en route. He had a son named Su Shao, who later became the magistrate of Jiexiu County.
Zhao Chuo, from Hedong, was a person of integrity and strong will. Starting as a minor official in the Ministry of Heavenly Officials in the Zhou Dynasty, he was promoted to the Ministry of Summer Officials as a junior official due to his serious and responsible work. Later, due to his strong ability in handling affairs, he was promoted multiple times and eventually became a junior interior official. When his father passed away, he was grief-stricken, emaciated, and praised by all for his filial piety. After completing his mourning period, he was appointed as a junior official in charge of education. When Gaozu became Chancellor, knowing Zhao Chuo's integrity and honesty, he recruited him as a military aide. Not long after, he was promoted to head of the Court Officials and followed the military commander Yun Hui to suppress the rebellious barbarians. For his achievements, he was granted the title of Yitong Official and rewarded with one thousand rolls of cloth. After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed Zhao Chuo as the Chief Justice. Zhao Chuo handled cases fairly and justly, always ranking at the top in assessments, and was later promoted to Chief Justice. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Ministry of Personnel Affairs as a deputy minister and then transferred to the Ministry of Justice. In cases like that of Liang Shiyuan, he received rewards of three hundred rolls of cloth, ten servants, and twenty horses for his outstanding work. Every time Zhao Chuo submitted his judgments, he did so with a serious and diligent demeanor, which the emperor greatly appreciated, resulting in the emperor's growing trust in him.
The emperor felt that thievery was rampant and wanted to increase the punishment. Zhao Chuo advised: "Your Majesty, you are practicing the benevolent rule of Yao and Shun; you should be more lenient. Moreover, the law is the highest form of trust in the world; how can it be easily violated!" The emperor happily accepted his advice and said to him, "If you have any thoughts in the future, be sure to share them with me." So Zhao Chuo was promoted to Dali Shaoqing. At that time, General Xiao Moha of the Chen Dynasty had a son, Xiao Shilue, who had rebelled in Jiangnan, and Xiao Moha should face repercussions. The emperor said, "Xiao Shilue is not yet twenty years old; what could he possibly do? He is just the son of a famous general, forced by others." So he intended to pardon Xiao Moha. Zhao Chuo strongly opposed this, believing that it should not be done. The emperor, however, insisted on his own opinion, wanting Zhao Chuo to step aside so he could pardon Xiao Moha, and even ordered Zhao Chuo to leave the court for a meal. Zhao Chuo said, "The cases I reported haven’t been resolved yet, so I dare not leave the court." The emperor said, "Let the Dali Temple grant a pardon to Xiao Moha!" So he commanded the guards to release Xiao Moha.
Xin Dan, the Vice Minister of Justice, once wore red trousers. At that time, it was believed that this indicated promotion and wealth, but the emperor considered it witchcraft and wanted to kill him. Zhao Chuo said, "According to the law, he should not be put to death; I dare not carry out the order." The emperor was furious and retorted to Zhao Chuo, "You pity Xin Dan, but do you not pity yourself?" He ordered Gao Feng, the Left Minister, to execute Zhao Chuo. Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty may kill me, but you cannot kill Xin Dan!" In the court, he stripped off his clothes, preparing for execution. The emperor sent someone to inquire, "What do you mean by that?" Zhao Chuo replied, "I am committed to upholding the law and will not spare my life." The emperor stormed off, only granting him a pardon much later. The next day, the emperor apologized to Zhao Chuo, encouraged him, and rewarded him with three hundred rolls of cloth. At that time, the emperor had banned the use of counterfeit coins. Two people were caught exchanging counterfeit coins for good ones in the market, and Wu Hou arrested them and reported to the emperor, who ordered them to be executed. Zhao Chuo remonstrated, saying, "These two should receive a beating; executing them is unlawful." The emperor said, "This is none of your concern." Zhao Chuo replied, "Your Majesty, do you not think that I am foolish and ignorant, which is why you placed me in the law department? If you want to kill people at will, how can you say it does not concern me?" The emperor said, "Those who disturb the tree should step back." Zhao Chuo replied, "I hope to touch Your Majesty's wise heart, no matter the consequences!" The emperor said, "If the soup is too hot, put it down. Are you trying to defy the emperor's authority?" Zhao Chuo fell to his knees, more determined than ever, refusing to back down. The emperor eventually retreated to the palace. The Imperial Historian Liu Yu also submitted a memorial strongly advising against it, and the emperor finally relented.
The emperor often summoned Zhao Chuo into the palace because of his honesty and sincerity. Sometimes the emperor and empress would lie on the same couch as Zhao Chuo, or they would sit together and discuss the successes and failures of the court. Countless rewards were given to him. Later, Zhao Chuo was promoted to be a Governor, and the emperor posthumously granted his father the title of Governor of Cai Zhou. At that time, Xue Zhou from Hedong held the position of Grand Minister of Justice, and both were known for their fairness and integrity. Xue Zhou was more flexible in his judgments, while Zhao Chuo strictly adhered to the law, and both were recognized as competent. The emperor often said to Zhao Chuo, "I have no reservations about you, but your appearance is not suitable for high office." Zhao Chuo passed away during the Ren Shou era at the age of sixty-three. The emperor wept for him, sent condolences through envoys, and the Honglu Temple took charge of the funeral arrangements. Zhao Chuo had two sons, named Yuan Fang and Yuan Xi.
Pei Su, styled Shenfeng, was from Wenxi, Shanxi. His father, Pei Xia, was a minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs during the Zhou Dynasty. Pei Su was known for his uprightness and resoluteness from a young age, and he was very judicious. He served as an official during the Zhou Dynasty, beginning as an attendant, and gradually rose to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies. Later, he joined Wei Xiaokuan in the campaign in Huainan. After Sui Wendi became prime minister, Pei Su sighed and said, "Emperor Wu unified the country with remarkable talent and strategy, and before his tomb even had grass grow over it, the dynasty has already changed; is this the will of heaven?" When Sui Wendi heard about this, he was very displeased, so Pei Su found himself idling at home.
In the fifth year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Two years later, he was promoted to the position of Chief Historian of Shuozhou, and then transferred to Beizhou as Chief Historian, excelling in both positions. During the Renshou era, Pei Su saw that Crown Prince Yang Yong, Prince of Shu Yang Xiu, and Minister of Works Gao Feng were all deposed. He wrote a letter to the Emperor saying, "I have heard that serving the monarch requires speaking the truth and not concealing anything. I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Privately, I believe that Gao Feng is a person of exceptional talent, a founding contributor to the state, and Your Majesty has already shown him great favor. However, even the wisest monarchs will have people picking apart the shortcomings of talented individuals. There are too many people focusing on the shortcomings of others! I hope Your Majesty will remember his great achievements and overlook his minor faults. I have also heard that in ancient times, wise emperors would educate rather than simply execute. Your kindness has reached an extreme, surpassing the previous wise rulers. These two princes (Yang Yong and Yang Xiu) have been making mistakes for a long time. Have they not shown any desire to repent? I hope Your Majesty will show your paternal kindness, consider their human nature and relationships, grant them a small fiefdom, and see how they perform. If they can repent and improve gradually, that would be the best outcome. If they still do not repent, it wouldn't be too late to demote them. By directly cutting off their chance for repentance, they will not have the opportunity to regret. Doesn't this make one feel sad?"
The letter was delivered to the emperor, and the emperor said to Yang Su, "Pei Su worries about my family affairs; that's truly sincere!" So, Pei Su was called back to the court. When Crown Prince Yang Yong heard about this, he asked the Left Privy Councillor Zhang Heng, "How can I improve myself?" Zhang Heng replied, "Pei Su wants you to be like the Duke of Wu and the King of Donghai from the Han Dynasty." Crown Prince Yang Yong was quite displeased. Soon after, Pei Su arrived in the capital and met the emperor in the Hanzhang Hall. The emperor said to Pei Su, "As the emperor, with the whole world under my control, the favored concubines in the palace are only a few. From Yang Yong downwards, they are all born of the same mother, not because of hatred or love, that they are easily deposed." The emperor then remarked that Yang Yong was beyond saving. After that, Pei Su was dismissed. Not long after, Emperor Wen passed away.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Pei Su was not appointed for a long time, so he withdrew from public life. Later, those in power deemed the Lingnan region to be remote and desolate, so they secretly flattered the imperial decree and appointed Pei Su as the magistrate of Yongping County. He was well-loved by the local people and ethnic minorities. Over a year later, Pei Su passed away at the age of sixty-two. The local ethnic minorities fondly remembered him and erected a temple for him by the Zhang River. He had a son named Pei Shangxian.
Historical records state that when fierce beasts dwell in the mountains and forests, the surrounding grass and trees will not be picked by people; upright ministers in the court will defeat the treacherous. These individuals are focused on national affairs and are both righteous and resolute, which affects not only the rise and fall of the country but also the survival of the nation! Prince Jin and Prince Shu are both the emperor's beloved sons, relying on the emperor's favor, they do as they please, ignoring the laws. It’s no easy task to get them to behave respectfully!
When Yuan Yan and Wang Shao served as prime ministers, everyone respected and held them in awe. No one dared to act out of line. Their fearless candor is truly commendable! Zhang Xingben from Fangling and Liang Pi from Yangsu both dared to speak out and offer advice. Their uprightness and fortitude are truly admirable. When Zhao Chuo was the Minister of Justice, there were no wrongful convictions in the prisons. When Liu Yu was the Grand Master of Remonstrance, the corrupt elements all straightened up. These people were not afraid of the powerful, especially Liang Pi, and to some extent, Zhang Xingben and Liu Yu as well. Pei Su was always punctual at court, never attended banquets, and was loyal and magnanimous. Even if he offended the emperor, he did not hesitate. Therefore, it's no mere empty talk when widows fret over the fall of the Zhou dynasty, and young girls grieve over the early death of the crown prince. Looking back at history, Yan Zuan was cut from the same cloth!
