Liu Yu, whose courtesy name was Youwen, is from Jie County, Shanxi. His ancestor Liu Zhuo, seven generations earlier, migrated south with the Jin Dynasty and settled in Xiangyang. His father, Liu Zhongli, was a general of the Liang Dynasty. After suffering defeat in battle, he sought refuge with the Northern Zhou Dynasty and later returned to his hometown. Liu Yu loved learning from a young age and studied many classics and historical texts. The Prime Minister of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Hu, valued his talent and appointed him as a scribe in the imperial court, later sending him to Ningzhou as a chief aide.
Later, Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty personally handled state affairs. Liu Yu requested an audience with the Emperor to demonstrate his abilities. Recognizing his unique talents, Emperor Wu appointed him as an Officer of Military Affairs. Soon after, he was promoted to become the magistrate of Zheng County. After pacifying the Qi Kingdom, the Emperor wanted to reward deserving officials, but officials who remained in the capital were excluded from the rewards. Liu Yu submitted a memorial advocating that rewards should be distributed based on merit, not location. He emphasized that the achievements were made possible by the Emperor's strategic planning and leadership, and that all officials, regardless of their roles, should be equally recognized. The Emperor agreed with his proposal, allowing Liu Yu to remain in the capital and promoting him as a result.
After the founding emperor Yang Jian of the Northern Zhou Dynasty usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, Liu Yu steadily rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Later, he resigned from his position after his mother's death. Not long after, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of Tuntian, but he firmly declined, and the emperor did not force him. At that time, the court stipulated that only officials of the third rank and above could display halberds (ancient ceremonial weapons) at the gates of their residences. Gao Hongde, son of Gao Feng, the Left Deputy Director, was granted the title of Duke of Yingguo and requested permission to display halberds at his residence. Liu Yu was in charge of reviewing this request and said, "The son of the Deputy Director lives in a place no different from an ordinary household; his father's halberd is already displayed at the gate. There should be a proper hierarchy; the son should defer to his father. How can a halberd be displayed at the father's gate and then again at the son's gate?" Ultimately, this request was denied, and when Gao Feng heard about it, he held Liu Yu in high regard. Later, Liu Yu was promoted to the Imperial Historian, and he was known for his integrity and impartiality in court, earning the respect of all officials. The emperor appreciated his integrity and said to him, "A great man should leave his own reputation in the world; one must not be idle!" He then rewarded him with one hundred thousand coins and one hundred bushels of rice.
At that time, many provincial governors were former military generals, most of them were not up to the task. Liu Yu submitted a memorial saying, "Now that the world is at peace and the people are living in harmony, to govern effectively, we must appoint capable individuals. In the past, Emperor Guangwu of Han was intelligent and wise, rising from the common people, skilled at distinguishing between truth and falsehood. He, along with twenty-eight generals, faced many challenges to pacify the world. Yet, after his achievements, he did not take on any significant roles. But now, I have seen an edict appointing a nearly eighty-year-old man and his son to be the provincial governor of Qizhou. The old man previously held office in Zhaozhou, where he was confused in his duties, letting corrupt officials run the show, bribery was rampant, and the people were full of grievances, with mocking songs about him everywhere, just like the saying goes, 'If the old grain is not harvested early, the good field will be ruined.' As the ancients said, 'Consult the farmer about plowing the fields, ask the weaver about weaving cloth.' This illustrates that everyone has their own areas of expertise. The son excels in horseback riding and martial arts, which is his forte, but governing people and being a provincial governor are not his strengths. Your Majesty, if you truly wish to govern the country well and handle numerous affairs, if you just want to honor this old man, you can reward him with gold and silver treasures. Appointing him as a provincial governor would be a huge mistake. Even if it costs me my life, I must fulfill my duties and won't hold back in giving my advice." The Emperor listened and agreed, and the son was ultimately dismissed from his position.
Later, Tang Junming, the governor of Yingzhou, lost his mother and unexpectedly married the cousin of Kudishiwen, the chief official of Yongzhou. Liu Yu accused him, saying: "I have heard that everything has its place in the world: there are rituals for husband and wife, righteousness between rulers and subjects, respect for seniors and juniors, and teachings for each role. Therefore, filial piety is the foundation of human relations, and etiquette is fundamental to self-cultivation; the governance of the country and family must follow these principles. I believe that the love and respect for parents should come from the heart, and the importance of mourning is fundamental to human relationships. Even though Tang Junming changed his mourning attire, his heart remained unchanged. He forgot the sorrow of losing his loved ones and was preoccupied with marrying a new bride while still in mourning attire. This violates ethical principles. The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' record that such behavior foreshadows a nation's downfall. This breaches etiquette norms, and poets have lamented that such individuals deserve death. Kudishiwen holds a prominent position in Shenzhou, oversees the rectification of customs, and is emulated by many, yet he has abandoned the marriage alliance of two families, violating the norms of the six rituals. I urge the emperor to impose a life sentence on them as a warning to others." Tang Junming and Kudishiwen were ultimately punished for this matter.
After the turmoil of the Sui Dynasty, the social climate had deteriorated. Liu Yu implemented many measures to rectify the situation, which earned him the emperor's admiration. The emperor was diligent, listening to daily reports from officials. Liu Yu submitted a memorial advising, "I have heard that throughout history, no wise emperors have surpassed Tang Yao and Shun. They followed the ways of heaven and earth, governed with moral integrity, and never dealt with trivial matters. This exemplifies true wisdom. It is said, 'Heaven does not speak, yet the four seasons operate.' Therefore, the key to issuing orders is to avoid being too frequent. Emperor Shun appointed five key ministers, and Emperor Yao consulted the Four Mountains, establishing official positions, clearly dividing responsibilities, with each performing their duties. They governed by being virtuous and peaceful, resulting in a peaceful realm. This embodies the principle of 'working hard to find talent, resting easy in delegation.' It is also said, 'The Son of Heaven is dignified, the vassals are majestic.' This means that the attitudes and behaviors of superiors and subordinates should be different. Now that the empire is united, government affairs are bustling, and matters big and small all require the emperor's personal attention. Your Majesty, your tireless dedication to governing stems from the officials' fear of making mistakes and their reluctance to make decisions on their own, always waiting for your decree. There are too many memorials; even for small projects and insignificant items, all must be replied to by the officials in a day, to the point of forgetting to eat at night and being unable to sleep late into the night, spending all day managing documents, wearing down Your Majesty's health. I hope Your Majesty can consider my advice, reduce some trivial matters, and focus on cultivating the mind and body, reflecting on the principles of King Wu's peace and King Wen's diligent rule. As for major state affairs, these are decisions that subordinates cannot make. I hope Your Majesty can personally decide on them and leave the trivial matters to the relevant departments, to ensure your health and longevity, and allow your subordinates to receive your grace." The emperor read the memorial and was deeply impressed by his advice. Later, because he went against the emperor's decree, Liu Yu was dismissed from his position. Shortly after, the emperor reinstated him, remarking, "Do not change your true heart." Given Liu Yu's humble background, the emperor ordered the relevant authorities to construct a house for him, saying, "Liu Yu is an honest official, a true asset to the nation!" The emperor's esteem for him was clear.
At that time, Yang Su was incredibly powerful, and everybody was afraid of him; nobody dared to cross him. Once, he screwed up a bit and the emperor ordered him to be sent to Nantai for handling. Yang Su, relying on his high status, nonchalantly plopped down on the interrogator Su Wei's bed. When Su Wei entered from outside and saw Yang Su in this manner, he paused at the steps, straightened his ceremonial tablet and fixed his clothes, and said to Yang Su, "I’ve come to look into your offenses, by the emperor’s order." Hearing this, Yang Su quickly jumped off the bed. Su Wei sat behind the desk, made Yang Su stand in the courtyard, and then questioned him in detail about what he had messed up. Since then, Yang Su held a grudge against Su Wei. However, back then, Su Wei had the emperor's trust, so Yang Su couldn’t do anything to get back at him.
Su Wei observed that in recent years, the people of the capital would hold performances similar to wrestling and acrobatic performances every fifteenth day of the first lunar month, competing with each other and squandering their wealth. So he petitioned the emperor to ban this activity. In his petition, he wrote: "I have heard that in ancient times, wise rulers governed the country according to laws, and all actions were in accordance with the norms of propriety. Actions that violate the law should not be taken, and things that do not conform to reason should not be tolerated. Men and women should be separated on the roads to prevent immoral conduct and bring everything into conformity. But now, in the capital and even in various states, every fifteenth night of the first lunar month, the streets are crowded with people, and everywhere there are crowds of revelers. Drums are deafening, torches are bright, people wear animal masks, men wear women's clothes, and there are all kinds of acrobatics, magic tricks, and oddities. They find pleasure in vulgarity and humor in crudeness, and regardless of high officials or common people, they all watch together without any shame. High stages span the streets, huge curtains cover the sky, lavish costumes and elaborate makeup abound, and carriages and horses are crowded. The music of silk and bamboo fills the air, and many people squander their fortunes for a fleeting moment of pleasure. Every household, regardless of wealth or social standing, men and women mingle without regard to identity. Various lewd behaviors emerge from this, and thieves also emerge. This atmosphere has become ingrained, and no one has realized its harm. Not only does it fail to benefit moral education, but it also harms the interests of the people. I request Your Majesty to order a nationwide ban on such activities. Look at the 'Odes' and 'Eulogies' in the Book of Songs, how beautifully they extol virtue, people singing and dancing, expressing the highest joy. Anyone who defies this ban should be punished in accordance with imperial edict." The emperor approved his petition.
That year, Su Wei was ordered to inspect the fifty-two states in Hebei and requested the removal of more than two hundred corrupt and incompetent officials. The states and counties were all rectified as a result, and everyone felt afraid. The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with two hundred pieces of silk, thirty pieces of felt, and appointed him as a Sima (仪同三司). A year later, he was further appointed as a cavalry attendant, still responsible for managing official documents. In the early years of Renshou, he was ordered to inspect the nineteen states of Taiyuan Dao. Upon his return, the emperor rewarded him with one hundred and fifty pieces of silk.
Su Wei once received the "Zhidao Ji" written by Li Wenbo, a man from Boling, and Prince Yang Xiu of Shu sent someone to request it. Su Wei gave the book to Yang Xiu, who then rewarded Su Wei with ten servants. Later, when Yang Xiu committed a crime, Yang Su accused Su Wei of colluding with the princes and court ministers, stripped him of his rank, and exiled him to guard Huaiyuan Town.
When he reached Gaoyang, the court issued an edict to summon him back. Upon arriving in Jinyang, he unexpectedly found himself in the midst of the rebellion of Prince Yang Liang of Han, who sent someone to quickly summon Su Wei to discuss matters. Su Wei was compelled to go by the messenger, not knowing at first about Yang Liang's rebellion. By the time he was about to enter the city, the news of Yang Liang's rebellion had already broken. Su Wei knew he couldn't escape, so he pretended to be sick and refused to eat, claiming his condition was critical. Yang Liang was very angry and imprisoned him.
When Yang Liang was defeated, Yang Su accused Su Wei of being two-faced, biding his time to see how things would play out, pretending not to rebel while actually colluding with the insurgents, and as a result, he was exiled to Dunhuang. After Yang Su's death, Su Wei finally pleaded his case, and the court issued an edict to summon him back to the capital. However, he tragically died on the journey. He had a son named Su Shao, who served as the county magistrate of Jiexiu.
Zhao Chuo was from Hedong, known for his upright and resolute character. He started as a minor official in the Heavenly Officials' Bureau of the Zhou Dynasty, and due to his serious and responsible work ethic, he was promoted to the Department of Summer Officials as a junior official. Later, because of his strong ability to handle affairs, he was promoted multiple times and eventually became an Imperial Clerk. When his father passed away, he was overwhelmed with grief and became emaciated, earning widespread praise for his filial piety. After completing the mourning period, he was appointed as a junior official overseeing education. When Gaozu became Chancellor, knowing Zhao Chuo to be honest and upright, he recruited him as a military aide. Not long after, he was promoted to Chief Minister of the Court and accompanied the military commander Yuwen Hui in suppressing a rebellion by barbarian tribes. For his achievements, he was appointed as a Triumvir and rewarded with a thousand bolts of cloth. After Gaozu became Emperor, he appointed Zhao Chuo as the Minister of Justice. Zhao Chuo handled cases fairly and justly, always ranking at the top in performance evaluations, and was later promoted to Grand Justice. Shortly after, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of Justice, and then transferred to Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Punishments. He oversaw the cases involving Liang Shiyuan and others, and for his exemplary performance, he was rewarded with three hundred bolts of cloth, ten slaves, and twenty horses. Every time he reported the results of his judgments, he was always serious and earnest, which earned him the Emperor's admiration and growing trust.
The emperor felt that thievery was rampant and wanted to punish it severely. Zhao Chuo advised, "Your Majesty, you should embrace the principles of Yao and Shun and show more leniency. 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, do speak up." So Zhao Chuo was promoted to the position of Dali Shaoqing. Xiao Mohe, a general of the Chen Dynasty, had a son named Xiao Shilue who rebelled in southern Yangtze, and Xiao Mohe should be punished. The emperor said, "Xiao Shilue is still under twenty; what could he possibly do? He is just the son of a famous general, forced by others." So he considered pardoning Xiao Mohe. Zhao Chuo strongly opposed this, leaving the emperor with no choice but to ask him to step out and then pardon Xiao Mohe, so he ordered Zhao Chuo to leave the court for a meal. Zhao Chuo said, "The cases I reported haven't been decided yet; I cannot leave the court." The emperor said, "Let the Dali Temple grant a pardon to Xiao Mohe on my behalf!" He then instructed the guards to release Xiao Mohe.
Xin Dan, the Minister of Punishments, once wore red shorts. Folklore said this foretold a promotion, but the emperor saw it as witchcraft and wanted to kill him. Zhao Chuo replied, "By law, he should not be executed, and I cannot comply with the decree." The emperor, furious, said to Zhao Chuo, "You pity Xin Dan but not yourself?" He ordered the Left Deputy Gao Feng to behead Zhao Chuo. Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty may choose to kill me, but you cannot kill Xin Dan!" In the court, he stripped off his outer garments in preparation for execution. The emperor sent someone to ask Zhao Chuo, "What should we do?" Zhao Chuo replied, "I will uphold the law wholeheartedly; I do not fear death." The emperor stormed off in anger but later granted him a pardon. The next day, the emperor apologized to Zhao Chuo, encouraged him, and granted him three hundred bolts of fabric. At that time, the emperor prohibited the use of inferior coins. Two individuals were caught using inferior coins to exchange for good ones in the market. Wu Hou reported them to the emperor, who ordered them all to be beheaded. Zhao Chuo remonstrated, saying, "These two individuals should be punished with flogging; executing them would violate the law." The emperor said, "This is none of your concern." Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty, do you think so little of me as to consider me foolish and ignorant? You put me in the Ministry of Justice. If you intend to kill at will, how can you claim it has nothing to do with me?" The emperor said, "Those who disturb the tree without moving it should step back." Zhao Chuo replied, "I hope to touch Your Majesty's compassionate heart; why speak of shaking the tree?" The emperor then said, "If the soup is too hot, you can put it down. Are you seeking to challenge the emperor's authority?" Zhao Chuo bowed down, persisted in his firm counsel, and refused to back down. The emperor ultimately retreated to the palace. The Imperial Historiographer Liu Yu also submitted a strong memorial advising against it, prompting the emperor to relent.
The emperor often summoned Zhao Chuo into the palace because of his honesty and sincerity. Sometimes the emperor and empress would share the same bed as Zhao Chuo, and he would be invited to sit down and discuss the successes and failures of the court. He received countless rewards. Later, Zhao Chuo was promoted to the position of Kaifu, and the emperor posthumously appointed his father as the governor of Caizhou. At that time, Xue Zhou served as the Grand Minister of Justice in Hedong, and both were known for their integrity and fairness. However, Xue Zhou was more flexible in his rulings, while Zhao Chuo adhered strictly to the law, and both were competent. The emperor frequently told Zhao Chuo, "I have no reservations about you; it's just that your appearance isn't suited for a high official." During the Ren Shou period, Zhao Chuo passed away at the age of sixty-three. The emperor wept for him, sent eunuchs to offer condolences, and the Honglu Temple took charge of the funeral arrangements. He had two sons, named Yuanfang and Yuanxi.
Pei Su, styled Shenfeng, was from Wenxi, Shanxi. His father was a minister of the Ministry of Personnel in the Zhou Dynasty. Pei Su was recognized for his integrity and sense of responsibility from a young age and had a particularly good relationship with Liang Pi from Anding, who was a close friend. He began his career in the Zhou Dynasty as an assistant and gradually rose to the position of Grand Master of the Palace. He also accompanied Wei Xiaokuan in military campaigns in Huainan.
Later, when Yang Jian became the prime minister, Pei Su sighed and remarked, "Emperor Wu unified the country with great talent and strategy; the soil on his tomb is hardly dry yet, and the dynasty has changed. Is this really the will of heaven?" Yang Jian was displeased by this and sent Pei Su back home. In the fifth year of the Kaihuang era, Pei Su was appointed Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Two years later, he was promoted to the position of Chief Historian of Shuozhou, and later transferred to Beizhou as Chief Historian, where he excelled in his duties.
During the reign of Ren Shou, Pei Su saw that Crown Prince Yang Yong, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu, and Minister Gao Feng had all been deposed. He wrote a letter to the emperor, saying, "I have heard that one should speak what needs to be said when serving the king, and not hide anything. I, being foolish and straightforward, dare not withhold my thoughts. Privately, I believe Gao Feng is a natural talent and a founding hero of the state. Your Majesty has already shown him great favor. However, people fear fame as pigs fear being fattened. People always like to endlessly search for their faults! I hope Your Majesty can recognize his great achievements and overlook his minor faults. I have also heard that wise emperors of antiquity preferred education over execution. Your Majesty's kindness surpasses that of previous wise monarchs. These two commoners have erred for quite some time. Do they not have repentance in their hearts? I hope Your Majesty can show paternal mercy and take human nature into account, granting them each a small state to see their performance. If they can truly repent and gradually improve, that would be good. If they still do not repent, it is not too late to demote them. By cutting off their path to repentance now, they won't even have the chance to feel regret. Is this not sad?" After the letter was sent, Yang Jian said to Yang Su, "Pei Su is worrying about my family. This is truly loyalty!" He then summoned Pei Su to the capital. When Crown Prince Yang Yong heard this, he turned to Zhang Heng and asked, "If I were to repent, what do you think I should do?" Zhang Heng replied, "Based on Pei Su's intention, he wants you to be like Duke Tai of Wu or Prince of Donghai of the Han Dynasty." Crown Prince Yang Yong was quite displeased. After some time, Pei Su arrived in the capital and met with Yang Jian in the Hall of Hanzhang. Yang Jian said to Pei Su, "As the emperor, I possess the four seas, and there are only a few favored in the harem. From Yang Yong downwards, they are all born of the same mother, not because of hatred or love that they were deposed." He then made it clear that Yang Yong was beyond saving. After that, he sent Pei Su away. Not long after that, Yang Jian passed away.
After Yang Guang ascended the throne, Pei Su remained reclusive for a long time. Later, the authorities considered the Lingnan region somewhat remote, so they quietly appointed Pei Su as the county magistrate of Yongping. He was well-loved by the local populace and ethnic minorities. Over a year later, Pei Su passed away at the age of sixty-two. The local ethnic minorities greatly missed him and erected a temple in his honor by the Zhang River. He had a son named Pei Shangxian.
Historians say: when fierce beasts dwell in the mountains, the wild vegetables and grasses there remain untouched; upright ministers in the court will defeat the wicked. This is because they are wholly dedicated to the public good, and their upright character is evident, which not only relates to the rise and fall of court discipline but also to the survival of the country! Prince Jin and Prince Shu, both favored sons of the emperor, do not abide by the law at all; it is truly difficult to expect them to be respectful and cautious! Yuan Yan and Wang Shao, when they served as prime ministers, commanded great respect, and no one dared to do evil; their integrity and steadfastness are truly commendable. Xing Ben, known for his integrity in Fangling, is resolute, and Liang Pi dared to remonstrate with Yang Su; their upright words and resolute temperament are admirable. Zhao Chuo, when he served as the Minister of Justice, ensured there were no wrongful cases in the prison; Liu Yu, when he served as an official in the Imperial Censorate, saw the wicked all restrain themselves. Those unafraid of power include Liang Pi, and upright officials like Xing Ben and Liu Yu are very similar to him. Pei Su never attended court meetings or banquets; he was loyal and generous, unafraid to challenge the emperor's authority. Thus, those widows feared the downfall of the Zhou dynasty, and those young girls mourned the premature death of the crown prince; this is not without reason! Looking back at the history books, Yan Zuan was also such a person.
The Prince of Jin and the Prince of Shu are the emperor's biological sons, but taking advantage of the emperor's favoritism, they have no regard for the law at all. It is really difficult to get them to behave themselves! On the other hand, Yuan Yan and Wang Shao, after taking office as prime ministers, everyone fears them, and no one dares to misbehave. Their integrity is genuinely commendable! Xing Ben served as an official in Fangling, known for his uprightness and incorruptibility; Liang Pi dared to confront Yang Su, and his words were straightforward and tough—that's impressive! Zhao Chuo, when he was the Minister of Justice, there were no wrongful convictions in the jails; Liu Yu, when he was an official in the Imperial Censorate, even the wrongdoers straightened up. Liang Pi wasn’t intimidated by the powerful; in that regard, Xing Ben and Liu Yu were just like him. Pei Su never showed up for court meetings or banquets, loyal and brave, willing to stand up to the emperor. Therefore, those widows worrying about the fall of the Zhou Dynasty, and those young girls mourning the death of the crown prince, aren't just being dramatic! Historically, Yan Zuan was another one like that.
