Ma Guang, courtesy name Rongbo, was from Wu'an. He had a passion for learning from a young age, studying under various teachers tirelessly for decades, reading a wide array of books, including those on esoteric prophecies. He was especially proficient in the "Three Rituals" and was highly regarded in the Confucian scholarly community.
During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, the emperor summoned knowledgeable people from Shandong, including Ma Guang and his contemporaries Zhang Zhongrang, Kong Long, Dou Shirong, Zhang Heinu, and Liu Zuren, to the court and appointed them as imperial scholars. They were collectively referred to as the "Six Confucians." However, these six individuals were somewhat uncouth and unfamiliar with proper etiquette, so the court did not pay much attention to them. Dou Shirong died shortly after, and Zhang Zhongrang soon requested to return home. He even authored a ten-volume book, claiming that if he could present this book to the emperor, he could become a prime minister. He often talked about celestial phenomena. Local officials reported his activities to the court, which led to his execution. Kong Long, Zhang Heinu, and Liu Zuren were also soon demoted by the court, leaving Ma Guang as the sole survivor.
During a sacrificial ceremony, Emperor Wen of Sui personally visited the Imperial College, where Ma Guang addressed challenging questions from the "Book of Rites." More than ten scholars took turns to question him, and although Ma Guang's language was not elegant, his reasoning was extremely thorough, earning the admiration of all present. The emperor also praised and rewarded him. After Xiong Ansheng, Ma Guang became the sole figure from Shandong recognized as an authority on the "Three Rituals." Initially teaching in Yingzhou and Bozhou, with over a thousand students, many followed him to Chang'an. Several years later, his mother passed away, and he returned to his hometown to mourn, resolving to spend his remaining years there. Finally, due to illness, he passed away peacefully at home at the age of seventy-three.
Liu Zhao, courtesy name Shiyuan, was a native of Xindu Changting. His father was a county official. Liu Zhao was handsome and had a far-sighted gaze; he was intelligent and composed, and he didn't like to play around in his youth. In his youth, he formed a brotherhood with Liu Xuan from Hejian, and they studied the Book of Songs with their fellow villager Liu Guisi. They also studied the Zuo Zhuan with Guo Maochang of Guangping and sought guidance on the Book of Rites from Xiong Ansheng of Fucheng. However, they departed before completing their studies in these texts. There was a man named Liu Zhihai in Wushang Jiaojinqiao who had a lot of books at home. Liu Zhao and Liu Xuan often went to his house to read, and they spent a decade reading there. Despite their impoverished circumstances, they lived a tranquil life.
Later, Liu Zhao became famous for his profound Confucian knowledge and became a state scholar. Governor Zhao Yan recruited him as an assistant, recommended him to take the imperial examination, where he achieved first place. He and Wang Shao, the compiler of the national history, participated in discussions on laws and calendars, and he also served as an official in the Ministry of Rites, ready to provide consultations at any time. Before long, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant General. Later, he and many Confucian scholars worked together to review various books in the Secretariat.
Once, during a visit home, the county magistrate Wei Zhiye invited him to take up the role of magistrate. Shortly after, he returned to the capital and engaged in discussions on various controversial issues from both ancient and modern times with a group of teachers from the National University, including Yang Su, the Left Deputy; Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel; Su Wei and Yuan Shan, Sacrificial Officials of the National University; and scholars Xiao Gai, He Tuo, Fang Huiyuan, Cui Zongde, and Cui Ze, the literary scholar of Prince Jin. Whenever he spoke, the debates grew heated, but no one could argue with him, and Yang Su and the others were compelled to admire his vast knowledge.
Six years later, the "Stone Classics" from Luoyang arrived in the capital. Many of the inscriptions on the steles had worn away and were unrecognizable. The emperor ordered Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan to examine and verify them. Later, during a sacrificial ceremony held by the Imperial Academy, he and Liu Xuan debated with and outperformed other Confucian scholars. As a result, the other scholars grew jealous and sent anonymous letters accusing them. Liu Zhuo was dismissed from his official position.
He then returned to his hometown in a leisurely manner, dedicating himself to teaching and writing with diligence and perseverance. He carefully evaluated the authenticity of the classical commentaries passed down by Jia Yi, Ma Rong, Wang Chong, and Zheng Xuan. He deeply researched more than ten books, such as "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art," "Zhou Bi Suan Jing," and "The Book of the Seven Luminaries," calculating the movements of celestial bodies, measuring the dimensions of mountains, rivers, and oceans, grasping the fundamental principles, and delving into their mysteries. He wrote works such as "Ji Ji" in ten volumes, "Calendar" in ten volumes, and "Five Discussions on the Extensive Meaning," which gained wide circulation. Liu Xuan was also very intelligent and knowledgeable, second only to Liu Zhuo in reputation. Therefore, people at that time referred to them as the "Two Lius."
Many famous Confucian scholars and rising talents from all over came to seek guidance and learning from him, with countless individuals traveling from great distances. It was said that for hundreds of years, no Confucian scholar had matched his extensive knowledge. However, he was somewhat aloof and miserly, refusing to teach anyone who didn't pay a fee. Therefore, people at that time held him in slight disdain.
The deposed Crown Prince Yang Yong heard that the Emperor wanted to summon him, but before he could go to pay his respects, the Emperor sent him to work for the Prince of Shu, which he did not appreciate, so he delayed his visit for a long time. The Prince of Shu was furious upon hearing this and sent people to arrest him and escort him to Shu, where he was conscripted into military service. Later, he served as a proofreader for texts. After the Prince of Shu was deposed, Liu Chao and other Confucian scholars collaborated to revise the rites and laws, and he was appointed as a Captain of the Cloud Cavalry. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, he was promoted to the position of Imperial Academy Doctor, but soon stepped down due to health issues. Several years later, he was called back to serve as an advisor. He submitted his own work titled "Calendar," which had significant differences from that of the Imperial Historian Zhang Zhouxuan, leading to its rejection. He passed away at the age of sixty-seven in the sixth year of Daye. Liu Xuan petitioned the court for a posthumous title, but his request was denied.
Liu Xuan, styled Guangbo, was from Jingcheng, Hebei. He was recognized for his intelligence from a young age and studied with Liu Chao from Xindu for ten years without stepping outside. Liu Xuan had bright, sharp eyes and could gaze directly at the sun without feeling dazzled, and he had an extraordinary memory that was unmatched. He could simultaneously draw squares with his left hand and circles with his right, recite books with his mouth, count with his eyes, and listen to lectures while managing five tasks simultaneously without making a single mistake. After Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou pacified the Qi state, the Inspector of Yizhou, Yu Wenkang, recommended him for a position in the Household Department. Later, the Inspector Li Hui appointed him as a deputy in the rites department due to his exceptional administrative skills. Over a year later, he was tasked with compiling the national history alongside the royal scribe Wang Shao. Soon after, he held a position in the Ministry of the Interior, tasked with providing advice and recommendations. He also collaborated with some astrologers to revise the astronomical calendar and oversaw the review of various memorials in the Ministry of the Interior, where he earned the high respect of Minister Li Delin of Boling.
Although Liu Xuan has served in three provinces, he has never obtained an official position; instead, he was ordered by the county to do forced labor. Liu Xuan then applied to the Ministry of the Interior, which subsequently referred him to the Ministry of Personnel. The Minister of Personnel, Wei Shikang, asked him about his talents. Liu Xuan drafted his own resume, saying: "I can teach the texts 'Zhou Li', 'Li Ji', 'Mao Shi', 'Shang Shu', 'Gongyang Zhuan', 'Zuo Zhuan', 'Xiao Jing', and 'Analects', as well as the annotations of Kong Yingda, Zheng Xuan, Wang Su, He Xiu, Fu Qian, Du Yu, and thirteen others. Although the depth of interpretation may vary, I can explain them all. I have studied 'Zhou Yi', 'Yi Li', and 'Guliang Zhuan' for a relatively shorter time. I have memorized good articles and deeds from historical books and various collections. I have also studied astronomy and calendrical calculations, grasping their intricacies. As for writing official and private documents, I have never needed help from others." The Ministry of Personnel did not carry out a thorough examination of him, but a dozen reputable figures in the court vouched for Liu Xuan's claims, so he was appointed as a general in the palace.
At that time, Niu Hong proposed to collect lost books from across the realm, so Liu Xuan fabricated over a hundred volumes of texts, titled "Lianshan Yi," "Lu Shi Ji," and so on, and then presented them to the court, receiving rewards before leaving. Later, he was reported, and although he was spared from the death penalty due to a general amnesty, he was dismissed from his position and returned to his hometown to earn a living as a teacher. Prince Yong heard about this and summoned him to the capital, asking him to serve Prince Xiu of Shu, but he kept delaying and refused to go. Prince Xiu was furious and had him shackled and sent to Yizhou. Later, he was assigned to work in the camp, acting as a gatekeeper daily with a stick in hand. Shortly after, he was released and assigned as a copyist. Liu Xuan then imitated Qu Yuan's "Bu Ju" and wrote a piece called "Shi Tu" to convey his sentiments.
After the King of Shu was deposed, I revised the "Five Rites" with some Confucian scholars and was appointed as a Cavalry Officer. The Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, proposed that according to ancient ritual, the collateral relatives of the nobles should be demoted by one rank. Although the current high-ranking officials are different from the ancient nobles, they are similar to the ancient officials, all holding positions of the second rank, so their collateral relatives should be demoted by one rank. Many people thought he made sense.
But I disagreed. I said, "In ancient times, officials only valued one person, the emperor, and the bastards had no chance of promotion. Therefore, ancient kings attached great importance to legitimate sons, who had the right to receive salaries. Even distant relatives of the legitimate sons had to mourn for three months because they had all received favor from the royal family. Nowadays, promotions in official positions are based on abilities, without distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate sons, so it is different from ancient times. Why should they be demoted? Many high-ranking officials nowadays do not care about their close relatives. If their relatives' positions are further demoted, the trend of weakening family ties among the common people would begin here!" So the matter was dropped.
In the twentieth year of the Kaihuang era, the court abolished the four academic departments of the Guozi Jian and the schools in the prefectures and counties, retaining only two doctors and seventy-two students in the Imperial Academy. I wrote to the emperor, saying that schools should not be abolished, and my arguments were sound, but Emperor Gaozu did not adopt my suggestion. In the later years of the Kaihuang era, the country's economy prospered, and everyone focused on Liaodong. I believed that Liaodong should not be attacked, so I wrote a "Treatise on Pacifying the Barbarians" to advise against it, but no one understood my intentions at the time. It was not until the later years of the Sui Dynasty that the three campaigns to conquer Liaodong failed, proving that what I had said before was correct.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Niu Hong championed the revision of laws and regulations. During the earlier Sui dynasty, there were many corrupt officials who engaged in misconduct for a long time, which led to the growth of their power, all due to systemic issues. Moreover, at that time, customs were corrupted, and women did not follow the expected roles of wives. Therefore, rules were established requiring officials in prefectures to rotate every three years and prohibiting wives of ninth-rank officials from remarrying. Xuan felt this regulation was flawed, but Niu Hong still insisted on its implementation. Schools and instructors were established in each county, and funding was allocated to schools in remote areas, all of which were Xuan's suggestions.
One day, with a smile, Niu Hong asked Xuan, "If you look at the 'Rites of Zhou,' there were many scholars, but few document officials in government offices. Now, there are a hundred times more officials in charge of documents than before, while the number of judges has decreased, leading to decreased efficiency. What's going on?" Xuan replied, "In ancient times, people emphasized accountability, assessed their work performance at the end of the year, did not do repeated checks on case files, and did not make documents overly complicated. The task of officials in charge of documents in the government office was to manage important documents. Now, however, officials in charge of documents are always worried about making mistakes, conducting repeated checks, fearing lack of carefulness, and tracing old cases from afar if problems arise. That's why we have the saying 'an old official dies clutching a case.' The past and present are different, with such a big difference; the overwhelming number of issues and the chaos in government are all due to this."
Niu Hong asked again, "During the Wei and Qi dynasties, the work of clerical officials was relatively easy. But now, we are working around the clock. Why is this?" Xuan replied, "During the Qi dynasty, there were only a few dozen prefectures established, with the three offices overseeing each other and issuing only about a dozen documents. Now there are over three hundred prefectures, which has caused a huge increase in workload. In the past, only the prefectures had disciplinary officials, and the counties had only magistrates. Their subordinates were selected by the superiors themselves and dispatched upon receiving orders, with only a few dozen people in each prefecture. Now it's different, with officials of all ranks appointed by the Ministry of Personnel, and every detail of the officials is subject to examination by the Ministry of Civil Service, which adds to the increased workload. Instead of reducing officials, it is better to simplify matters. Simplifying matters is less important than maintaining integrity. If official matters are not simplified, how can one expect to relax?" Niu Hong greatly appreciated his words but did not follow them.
The Adviser Yang Da recommended Xuan for his extensive knowledge, excellent writing, and outstanding exam results, which led to his appointment as a Doctor at the Imperial Academy. Over a year later, he was dismissed due to his low rank and returned to his hometown of Changping. He was ordered to go to the Emperor's palace again. Some people said his conduct was bad, so the Emperor dismissed him and sent him back to his hometown, Hejian. At that time, bandits were rampant everywhere, food prices were soaring, academic research was interrupted, and teaching was also halted. Xuan and his wife were separated by a hundred miles, with no news from each other. Frustrated, he wrote a self-reflection:
Hello everyone, my name is Sima Qian (name omitted here for original interpretation), and I want to talk to you about my life. Famous figures like Sima Xiangru, Yang Xiong, Ma Yuan, and Zheng Xuan have written autobiographies, earning a good reputation for posterity. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to them, afraid I'd just get laughed at. As I see my old age approaching, my old friends are leaving one by one, and my students have scattered. I'm like morning dew, ready to vanish. After death, I will be buried in the desolate north, and my relatives and friends will not know my intentions, nor will future generations know my deeds. While I'm still around, I want to jot down my thoughts and leave them for future young people, so that everyone knows a little about my ideas.
Since I can remember, up until now, with white hair, my parents were very loving to me when I was young, never scolded or hit me; when I was in school, my teachers also valued me greatly, and I never faced any grievances. As I grew up, I have always valued my relationships with family and friends, treating others with sincerity, humility, and caution, always thinking of others before myself. As a child, I enjoyed spending time with my elders, and as I grew older, I enjoyed interacting with younger people. I studied diligently and never grew tired; when teaching others, I put my heart and soul into it without ever feeling weary. However, I have a solitary disposition and always feel somewhat dissatisfied.
Looking back on my life, I reflect on my life and recognize four fortunate aspects: first, although I am not very talented and came from a poor family, thanks to my elder brother's support, I was able to enter the civil service, had the opportunity to read a large number of classics, and study history. Although I only performed minor good deeds in the countryside, I still gained a bit of a reputation, which is truly lucky; second, although I experienced ups and downs in officialdom and held some meaningless official positions, I always maintained my integrity and left no blemishes, which can be considered fortunate; third, with my talents, I received the Emperor's appreciation many times, had the opportunity to enter the court, interact with high-ranking officials, and gain their appreciation and generous treatment, which is even more fortunate; fourth, now that I am retired and have returned to my hometown, I can read peacefully, enjoy the natural scenery, and live a relaxed life, which is also very fortunate.
However, there is one thing I deeply regret: I lived in a prosperous era, yet I witnessed the decline of Confucianism. Although I endeavored to study the thoughts of the sages and correct societal ills, I ultimately failed. The country was in turmoil, schools were neglected, and my teachings could not reach others. My efforts were in vain, and that is truly heartbreaking. "The world is not yet at peace, schools are all abandoned, the way is not prepared for the present, the work is not passed down to future generations. With regret in my heart, this is truly the case." This is my greatest regret!
It is said that Mr. Liu Xuan from Hejian was staying in the county town. As a result, the food supplies ran out, and many of his students turned to banditry. Mr. Liu Xuan was destitute and had no choice but to beg for food at the outskirts of the county town. The county officials took pity on him and gave him some rations. However, just as Mr. Liu Xuan got the food, he was captured by the bandits as he passed a fortress at the edge of town. Before long, the soldiers took out the bandits. Mr. Liu Xuan was hungry and cold, with nowhere to go, so he had to return to the county town. But the county magistrate suspected he was in league with the bandits and feared he would cause trouble again in the future, so he shut him out. On that freezing, snowy night, Mr. Liu Xuan froze to death from hunger and cold at the age of sixty-eight. Later, his students posthumously honored him with the title "Mr. Xuande."
Mr. Liu Xuan had a bit of a short temper in his life, loved to joke around, always thought highly of himself, and liked to look down on the people of his time. Therefore, he wasn't well-liked by the authorities, and he had a tough time in his career. Still, he managed to write a lot of books, including "Commentaries on the Analects" in ten volumes, "Spring and Autumn Misinterpretations" in ten volumes, "Corrections of the Five Classics" in twelve volumes, "Commentaries on Filial Piety" in five volumes, "Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals" in forty volumes, "Commentaries on the Book of Documents" in twenty volumes, "Commentaries on the Book of Songs" in forty volumes, "Preface to the Book of Songs" in one volume, and "Arithmetic" in one volume, all of which have stood the test of time.
Chu Hui from Wu County, styled Gaoming, was very famous in Jiangnan for his proficiency in the "Three Rituals." During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he was called up to the Ministry of Interior and taught and discussed Confucian thought with scholars from all over the country. Chu Hui was a gifted debater, and no one could hold their own against him, so he was later promoted to Doctor of the Imperial Academy and wrote a hundred volumes of "Ritual Commentaries."
Gu Biao from Yu Hang, styled Zhongwen, was well-versed in the "Book of Documents" and the "Spring and Autumn Annals." During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he worked as a scholar in the Secretariat and wrote twenty volumes of "Ancient Texts of the Book of Documents."
Lu Shida from Yu Hang served as an assistant teacher at the National University during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui and wrote forty-two volumes of "Explanations of the Poems of Mao," which have also stood the test of time.
Zhang Chong of Wu County, with the courtesy name Shuxuan, served as Left Zhonglangjiang during the Chen Dynasty, but this was not his preferred occupation. He enjoyed studying classics and wrote "Spring and Autumn Yilue," which features over seventy differing interpretations compared to Du Shi's "Spring and Autumn"! He also authored three volumes each of "Funeral Rites Yilue" and "Filial Piety Yilue," ten volumes of "Analects Yilue," and twelve volumes of "Qian Han Yinyi." He eventually attained the position of attendant reader to the Han Wang.
Xiaoji, the Prince of Pingyuan, had a passion for learning from a young age. He read many books and was well-versed in the Five Classics and had a way with words. He was good friends with Liu Xuan from Hejian. During the Kaihuang era, he was called to the Secretariat to assist Wang Shao in compiling the national history. However, Wang Shao treated him poorly, and he spent many years at the Secretariat, even having to pay his own taxes. Dissatisfied with this situation, Xiaoji wrote a memorial to Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel, to air his grievances.
I was bitten by a venomous insect, unable to sleep at night, hungry and cold; I haven't had a good day all year. Why is that? Because pain is unbearable, and poverty is distressing. Moreover, my heart feels like it's caught between ice and fire, my body is eroded by wind and frost. How can I remain silent and bear this pain? I beg you, Lord Ming Shangshu, to have mercy on me and give me some help; your kindness can save those on the brink of death, and your care can make the poor prosperous. A word from you can warm my heart. Please grant my request and listen to my plea. Even if the mountains are high and the roads are long, the gods are watching; what I say is true. However, I am worried that the rescue will come too late, waiting for it like one waits for the ships of the Yue and the cloud ladders of Lu; by then, I will already be dead. As a poor man, I've served as an official in the province for seven years, always working hard and not gaining any benefits. I sold land to support my family and raise young children, without any strong brothers to turn to. What's worse, my old mother is frail and far away; I am very worried, and the future is even more uncertain. I work hard every day to live up to my parents' expectations. Like Sima Xiangru falling ill, there is no official position to exempt him; like Mei Fu losing his mind, even immortals cannot evade. My sorrow is more terrifying than a fierce ghost; how can life be as unyielding as stone? I am afraid of my soul wandering; no one will know my grievances after death, dying with regrets and failing to repay your kindness. It's like Wang Ji's advice that the Marquis rejected. My troubles are tangled in my hair, right before my eyes; Ziyi did not hear, Zhu did not see. I am unknown; in the end, I received no recommendations and quietly faded away. For three generations, my family has not held office; though peaceful, I have not been promoted in ten years, truly without a confidant. What's truly rare is a wise ruler and a virtuous minister. It’s truly my fortune to meet someone like you. You hold a high position, yet you shun luxury, and that is what I admire about you.
In the past, the beautiful jade on Mount Jing remained undiscovered, which led to Bian He's feet being cut off; Bai Li Xi was not reused, and Qin Xi was killed as a result. Now, I have the opportunity to tell you, you have the ability to help me, you can see my talent, I no longer have to suffer, yet you still hesitate to act, do you know the reason? Sometimes officials cannot fully realize their potential, scholars cannot always appeal their grievances, and private discussions can spread throughout the world. If my efforts go unrewarded, how can I not feel hopeless? If I am not dead yet, I can still remember these things, document my suffering, leave it for future generations to see, so that future generations may empathize with my plight, investigate the faults of the responsible parties, and leave a little innocence; then my life, even in death, will have meaning.
I hope you can show me a little pity, pay more attention, don't forget me!
Although knowledgeable, Hong was never able to attain an official position. Later, he returned to his hometown and earned a living as a teacher until his death. He had also annotated the "Book of Documents" and the "Book of Songs," but unfortunately, these works were lost amid later chaos.
Historians say: As the saying goes, "Looks are not worth seeing, strength is not worth relying on, family background is not worth showing off, ancestors are not worth boasting about, but those who become famous and renowned in the world, isn't it through learning that this is achieved?" This couldn't be more true! Hui Yuan, Rong Bo, these people, they were dedicated and persevered, achieving success through their own efforts in study, and eventually became famous and respected. Some could gather thousands of students, some could wear official robes, ride in carriages, and be valued in their time, all thanks to their diligent study of ancient texts.
Jiang Yang is composed and refined, very graceful, with graceful manners and sharp insights; he was quite famous at that time. Yan Zhi is diligent in studying history and classics, upright in character, determined to emulate the ancient rules and regulations, and his actions conform to these principles. He Tuo is well-versed, quick on his feet, articulate, and also a skilled writer, but he tends to be overly blunt, somewhat lacking the decorum typical of a Confucian scholar. Liu Zhuo is highly respected among the literati, proficient in astronomy and calendars, with deep insights and a longstanding legacy; for centuries, no one has matched his caliber. Liu Xuan, Liu Zhuo's brother, is also a Confucian scholar who is exceptionally talented and adept at managing diverse affairs, well-read across various disciplines. Though he may not explore the intricate nuances as deeply as his brother Liu Zhuo, in terms of organizing and explaining principles, his writing is even better than his brother's.
These talented individuals, due to the circumstances of the times, some are only low-level officials, and some are even impoverished; it's truly a shame! Zi Xia once said: "Life and death are predetermined, wealth and honor are in the hands of heaven." Heaven has granted them intelligence and wisdom, yet denied them high office and wealth; even sages cannot evade this fate. What can Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan possibly do?
