Hangzhou native Lu Shida, during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, served as a teaching assistant at the Imperial College and wrote a book called "Explanations and Annotations of the Book of Songs," consisting of forty-two volumes, which has been preserved through the ages. Speaking of Lu Shida, let's talk about Zhang Chong from Wu County, whose courtesy name was Shuxuan. He served as the Left General during the Chen Dynasty, but it was not his calling. He preferred to study classical works and wrote "Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals," which had over seventy differences from Du Yu's version. He also wrote "The Rites of Mourning" in three volumes, "The Classic of Filial Piety" in three volumes, "Analects Annotations" in ten volumes, and "Explanations of the Sounds of the Former Han" in twelve volumes. He eventually rose to the position of attendant reader to the King of Han. Prince Xiaoji of Pingyuan, who loved studying from a young age, read a wide range of books, studied the Five Classics comprehensively, and was very eloquent. He was close friends with Liu Xuan from Hejian, sharing similar aspirations. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was called to the Secretariat to assist Wang Shao in compiling the national history. However, Wang Shao showed him little respect, and despite spending many years there, he was still required to pay taxes, which left him feeling quite frustrated. Feeling undervalued for his talents, Xiaoji grew increasingly melancholic and wrote a memorial to the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, voicing his frustrations.
I was bitten by a poisonous insect, and I can't sleep at night, hungry and cold, living a miserable life all year. Why is that? Because pain is unbearable, and poverty is even more distressing. Not to mention, my heart feels like it's burning and freezing, and my body is eroded by wind and frost. How can I just sit back and take it? I really can't bear this pain! I sincerely beg you, Lord Shangshu, to show me mercy and help me. Your kindness is like bringing a dead fish back to life, making a bird fly again. Your care is like fragrant herbs and warm fabrics; I hope you'll grant my request and listen to my story. Although the mountains are high and the road is long, the gods and ghosts are watching, everything I say is true, with no falsehood, but I worry that help will come too late. If I have to wait for ships from Yue or the ladders from Lu, then I'll either die hanging from a branch or drown in despair. As a poor man, I've been an official in the province for seven years, always being dispatched, without any reward. I've had to sell my land just to get by and support my young children, with no other brothers to rely on at home. To make matters worse, my elderly mother is at home, and her health is getting worse as she ages. The journey is long, and I find it difficult to take care of her. I fear I might end up like Sima Xiangru, unable to serve as an official due to illness; or like Mei Fu, being exiled for being unruly. My worries are scarier than any ghost; life is as hard as gold and stone. I'm afraid my spirit will be lost, and no one will know of my fate after death, dying with regrets and wasting your kindness. This is just like what happened to Wang Ji, which made Ying Hou uneasy. My pain runs deep inside me; even Ziyi can't hear it, and Zhu can't see it. I'm just a nobody in Dongguan, recorded in the Southern History, but never recommended, eventually dying in obscurity. My family hasn't served in three generations; although peaceful, there has been no promotion in ten years, and indeed, no confidant. Only a wise ruler can accomplish great things, and only wise ministers can assist the ruler. As an ordinary person, it's truly lucky for me to meet a wise minister like you. You hold a high position, wield great power, yet you are humble, not pursuing glory and wealth; that's what I really admire about you.
Once upon a time, before the jade of Mount Jing was discovered, Bian He had his foot cut off; before Baili Xi was promoted, he was nearly killed. I now have the chance to share my predicament with you, and you have the power to help me. You can see my talents and relieve my difficulties, but you have yet to take action, which I find difficult to comprehend! Sometimes official positions do not reflect a person's abilities, and scholars cannot always express their grievances. Once someone criticizes, it spreads throughout the world. If my efforts have gone unrewarded, how can I not hold onto hope? If my illness has not reached the point of death, I can still recall these experiences. I will record my pain and sorrow, so that future generations will know of my experiences, feel sympathy for my misfortune, hold accountable those responsible, and seek justice for me. Even if I die, my grievances will not disappear, and my sins have not been absolved. I hope you can show me some mercy, pay more attention, and not forget me!
Hong, knowing he was knowledgeable, was never reassigned. Later, he returned to his hometown, making a living as a teacher, until he eventually died at home. He also annotated the "Book of Documents" and the "Book of Songs," but unfortunately, these works were lost amid the chaos that ensued.
The historians say: "The ancient saying goes, 'Appearance is not important, bravery is not enough, family background is not worth mentioning, ancestral glory is insignificant. What truly earns someone fame and renown for generations, if not through learning?' This statement is so true! Individuals like Hui Yuan and Rong Bo, who devoted themselves to their studies without ever slacking off, through their hard work and dedication to learning, eventually became well-known and respected. Some could gather thousands of students, some could wear official robes, ride in carriages, and be valued in prosperous times, all thanks to their unwavering dedication to the study of ancient classics!"
Jiang Yang is calm and elegant, very graceful, with refined speech and profound arguments; he became very famous during that time. Yan Zhi diligently studies the classics and historical texts, is of upright character, follows rules in his actions, and has lofty aspirations. He Tuo has quick thinking, rapid reactions, excellent eloquence, and is good at writing, but he is too straightforward in his interactions, lacking some of the refinement typical of a Confucian scholar. Liu Zhuo is highly respected among officials, proficient in astronomy and calendrical sciences, knowledgeable and well-versed in astronomy, geography, history, and other fields; his knowledge is profound and far-reaching, and for centuries, there has been no one quite like him. Liu Xuan is also a Confucian scholar who is talented and well-learned; he has explored a wide range of disciplines. Although he may not delve as deeply into complex subjects as Liu Zhuo, his articles are more elegant in organizing and explaining principles than Liu Zhuo's.
These people are all very talented, but unfortunately, they were born in the wrong era. Some could only be minor officials, and some even ended up destitute; it's truly a shame! Zixia once said: "Life and death are fated, and wealth and status are in the hands of destiny." They were bestowed with intelligence and wisdom by fate, but not with high positions and wealth; even sages are not exempt from this fate. What options did Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan have?
