Du Taiqing, courtesy name Shaoshan, was from Quyang, Baoding, Hebei. His father, Du Bi, held the position of Chief of the Imperial Guard in the Northern Qi dynasty, which was a high-ranking official position. Du Taiqing loved studying from a young age, read many books, and was also skilled in writing.
He served as a Court Attendant in the Northern Qi dynasty, and later held positions such as West Pavilion Libationer, Minister of Works, Gentleman of the Imperial Library, and Yellow Gate Attendant, gradually rising in rank. He was known for his integrity, uprightness, and adherence to Confucian principles. After the Northern Qi dynasty was conquered by Emperor Wu of Zhou, he returned to his hometown and began teaching the children in the village the "Book of Rites" and the "Spring and Autumn Annals."
During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui in the Kaihuang era, he was summoned back to court. Du Taiqing once wrote a book inspired by the "Monthly Ordinances" called "The Book of Jade Candles," which comprised twelve volumes and was rich in content. He presented the book to the emperor, who was pleased and rewarded him with two hundred bolts of silk. Du Taiqing later became deaf and felt unfit for official duties, so he requested the court to permit him to compile the national history. The emperor agreed and appointed him as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. Fourteen years later, he petitioned for retirement, and the emperor granted it, allowing him to retire at home while retaining his original rank. After a few years, Du Taiqing passed away at his home. He left behind a fifteen-volume collection and a twenty-volume "Records of Qi," which have been passed down through generations. Unfortunately, he had no sons.
His elder brother, Du Rui, though not as academically inclined as Du Taiqing, was more skilled in dealing with people and situations, and achieved the position of Governor of Kaizhou. Du Rui's son, Du Gongshan, also loved studying from a young age and inherited the family's good traditions, but later died in office as the county magistrate of Anyang. Du Gongshan's son, Du Zhisong, became a Chamberlain in the Imperial Palace during the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui.
Xin Deyuan, courtesy name Xiaoji, was a native of Didao, Gansu. His grandfather, Xin Mu, served as the Prefect of Pingyuan in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Xin Fu, was once the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel. Xin Deyuan was serious and studious from a young age; he was already writing well at the age of fourteen. As he grew older, he was widely read and gained a reputation early on. At that time, the Minister of Personnel of the Qi Kingdom, Yang Zunyan, and the Palace Secretariat Xin Shu were both renowned figures. They both held Xin Deyuan in high regard and recommended him to Emperor Wenxuan.
Xin Deyuan was first appointed as an Attendant of the Imperial Court, then also served as a Cavalry Attendant, and later was sent as a deputy envoy to the Liang Kingdom. He subsequently served as a secretary to the Prince of Fengyi and the Prince of Huashan. The Minister of the Palace Secretariat, Liu Ti, specifically wrote a memorial recommending him, saying: "Xin Deyuan has loved ancient classics since he was young, and as he grew older, he achieved even more. He is well-versed in the Six Classics and has extensively studied the works of various scholars. His articles are splendid and exquisite, with a clear and elegant style. He is respectful and cautious at home, humble and prudent among friends. He is truly an outstanding poet among the younger generation, a rare talent today. He will surely fulfill his duties and make remarkable achievements." And so, Xin Deyuan was appointed as an Attendant Cavalryman of the Imperial Guard, later promoted to a Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel, and also served as an Attendant of the Palace Library. He also went as an envoy to the Chen Kingdom, returned to serve at the Literary Office, and was later promoted to a Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat.
After the fall of the State of Qi, he went to the Zhou Dynasty to serve as a Xuan Na official. Once, he was urgently sent to Xiangzhou and found himself caught up in Wei Jiong's rebellion. Wei Jiong wanted him to be his general, but Xin Deyuan firmly refused and was forced to flee. After Emperor Yang Jian founded the Sui Dynasty, Xin Deyuan was not appointed for a long time, so he withdrew to Linluo Mountain. Feeling frustrated, he wrote a piece called "The Solitude Ode" to express his feelings. Xin Deyuan had a good relationship with Lu Sidao, the Prefect of Wuyang, and they often visited each other. However, the Inspector of Weizhou, Cui Yanwu, wrongfully accused Xin Deyuan of forming secret alliances and engaging in self-serving activities, fearing that he would engage in conspiracies. As a result, Xin Deyuan was demoted and assigned to military service in the south, only returning a year later.
The Secretary, Niu Rengan, recognized Xin Deyuan's talent and recommended him to work with Wang Shao, the Director of Writings, to compile national history. In his spare time, Xin Deyuan authored monumental works, including "Annotations on the Three Commentaries of the Spring and Autumn Annals" in thirty volumes and "Annotations on the Yangzi's Legal Sayings" in twenty-three volumes. When Prince Yang Xiu of Shu heard of his reputation, he invited him to join his court. Xin Deyuan stayed there for several years and was later appointed as a clerk, then promoted to a military advisor. He eventually died in office, leaving behind a collection of twenty volumes of writings and works such as "Political Instructions" and "Internal Instructions," each in twenty volumes. His sons, Xin Suchen and Xin Zhengchen, were also literate and able to write.
Liu Bian, whose courtesy name was Guyan, originally from Hedong, moved to Xiangyang due to the chaos of the Yongjia Rebellion. His grandfather was an official in the Liang Dynasty, and his father was the Minister of the Imperial Clan, coming from a prominent family. Liu Bian was intelligent from a young age, proficient in writing and mathematics, and had a great love for reading, having read nearly ten thousand books! Later, he served as a junior compiler in the Liang Dynasty. After Xiao Cha occupied Jingzhou, he appointed Liu Bian as his attendant and also as the National Teacher and Minister of Personnel, enabling him to rise through the ranks.
After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, he served as Minister of State and Palace Attendant, and soon was promoted to Neishi Shilang. However, he felt that this official position was not suitable, so he resigned and became a military advisor for the Prince of Jin. The Prince of Jin was a cultured individual who recruited over a hundred talented scholars, such as Zhuge Ying, Yu Shinan, Wang Zhou, and Zhu Guang, who all became his advisors, with Liu Bian being the most distinguished among them. The Prince of Jin treated Liu Bian like a teacher and friend, and every time he wrote an article, he would ask Liu Bian to polish and refine it before showing it to others. Once, when the Prince of Jin returned from the capital, he wrote an essay titled "Returning to the Fief" and asked Liu Bian to write the preface, which was exquisitely written. Initially, the Prince of Jin liked to write in the style of Yu Xin, a notable poet, but after getting to know Liu Bian, his writing style changed.
During the Ren Shou period, Liu Bian was appointed as a scholar in the Eastern Palace and was also elevated to the rank of Palace Attendant, concurrently serving as the Overseer of the Imperial Stables. The Emperor treated him exceptionally well, often summoning him to the palace to drink and chat together. Liu Bian had exceptional eloquence, and he was quick and precise in responding to the Emperor's inquiries. He also had a fondness for drinking and was both witty and humorous, which endeared him to the Emperor even more. Because Liu Bian was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, the Emperor asked him to write 'The Lotus Sutra,' which he composed in twenty volumes. The Emperor was very pleased with it, and the rewards were exceptionally generous, far surpassing what others received.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Liu Bian was appointed as the Director of the Secretariat and bestowed the title of Duke of Hannan County. Every day after the emperor returned from the morning court session, he would have Liu Bian enter the palace to chat, drink, and read together until the evening. When the emperor and his concubines were drinking, if they were in a good mood, they would call Liu Bian over to drink together, treating him as an equal. The emperor felt that this wasn't sufficient and wanted to have him around at night as well, so a puppet was crafted with mechanisms that allowed it to sit, stand, and bow, just like Liu Bian. At night, under the moonlight, the emperor would have the palace maids place the puppet beside him to drink and would laugh heartily. Later, when he accompanied the emperor to Yangzhou, he fell ill and passed away at the age of sixty-nine. The emperor was very saddened and posthumously honored him with the title of Grand General and the posthumous name Kang. He wrote "Records of the Northern Expedition of Prince Jin" in fifteen volumes and a collection of essays in ten volumes, which have been passed down to this day.
Xu Shanxin, courtesy name Wuben, hailed from Gao Yang Beixin City. His grandfather, Xu Mao, held the position of Central Secretariat Scholar under the Liang Dynasty, the Prefect of Shiping Commandery, the Prefect of Tianmen Commandery, and the Cavalier Attendant. His father, Xu Heng, rose to the position of Yellow Gate Attendant Censor in the Liang Dynasty, and later served as the Supervisor of the Imperial Guard, Grand Master of the Palace, and Minister of the Guards in the Chen Dynasty, also concurrently serving as the Grand Compiler. Xu Shanxin lost his father at the age of nine and was raised by his mother, Lady Fan. He was intelligent from an early age, with a strong understanding and the ability to memorize everything he heard. He was praised for his extensive knowledge. With a collection of over ten thousand volumes at home, he read through them all. He began writing essays at the age of fifteen, and when he presented his essays to his father's friend, Xu Ling, Xu Ling was very surprised and said, "This child is exceptionally talented, truly a prodigy!" He was initially appointed as the Law Officer of Prince Xin'an. Later, the Prince's Minister Jiang Zong recommended him to take the imperial examination, in which he performed exceptionally well and was appointed as a Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue, and later promoted to Gentleman of the Household and concurrently appointed as an Imperial Historiographer.
In the second year of Zhenming, he was appointed as a court attendant and then sent to the Sui Dynasty as an envoy. He arrived during the Sui Dynasty's attack on the Chen Dynasty, completed his mission but was unable to return. He repeatedly submitted his resignation, but Emperor Wen of Sui did not allow it and kept him at the guesthouse. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Emperor Wen of Sui sent someone to inform him of the news. Xu Shanxin, dressed in mourning attire, wept bitterly at the western steps, prostrating himself on the ground facing east, crying for three days. Emperor Wen of Sui issued a decree to offer him comfort. The next day, he was summoned to the palace, appointed as a court attendant, and rewarded with a set of clothes. After Xu Shanxin finished crying, he changed his clothes in his room, came out to stand facing north, and tearfully thanked and accepted the decree. The next day at court, he cried uncontrollably, so overcome with grief that he could barely stand. Emperor Wen of Sui looked at those around him and said, "After pacifying the Chen Dynasty, I have gained such a talented person. Since he can remember his former master, he is my loyal subject!" So he allowed him to continue in his original position, serve in the Ministry of Works, and rewarded him with a thousand bolts of cloth and twenty horses. Later, when Emperor Wen of Sui went to Mount Tai, he appointed him as an assistant minister in the Ministry of Justice.
In the sixteenth year, a divine sparrow alighted at the Hanzhang Gate. Emperor Wen of Sui gathered all the officials to celebrate and shared this auspicious sign with them. Xu Shanxin requested paper and ink at the banquet and wrote a "Song of the Divine Sparrow," which went as follows:
...
I have heard that by observing the heavens, one can discern the will of heaven; the unity of Qianyuan harmonizes with the heavenly principles. Observing the laws of the earth reveals the terrain, and the vast expanse of territory showcases its majesty.
Rain nourishes the earth, and clouds drift; the four seasons govern life and death, rivers flow, mountains stand, and all things are thus formed.
You are the ruler of the Zhen and Li hexagrams, the successor of the Yan and Feng, descending with jade hammers and jade measures to pass on your rule. You cultivate the spirits of the people, nurture all living things, shining like a dark pearl in the red waters, and reflecting like a bright mirror in a vacant chamber. No one is untouched by your blessings, as good fortune gathers, your fame resonates throughout the southern regions, your virtues resounding like the music of Yun and Shao. You reign as the emperor, clarifying the grand principles, resisting evil, dwelling in the Phoenix Pavilion, and holding the fate of the nation. Without uttering a word, your actions convey your wisdom; the sounds of your voice and the ringing of bells herald auspicious signs. You pacify the land, restoring the realm of the Xia dynasty, subduing the Shang dynasty, ascending to the esteemed position of Xianchang, showcasing your nobility. Your rule extends across the land, bringing peace to every corner, your achievements and blessings extending to all corners, your glory permeating the palace with majesty, and your unspoken achievements etched into history.
In the retirement academy, you personally inquire about the elderly, showing concern for the people and always keeping their needs in mind.
Under the moonlight and basking in the sun, whether in the heat of summer or the chill of winter, in desolate wilderness or prosperous lands, you care for the people, and they are willing to serve you.
Not only calming the Xiongnu in the north but also pacifying the rebellions in the south, your accomplishments are known far and wide.
Therefore, heaven does not hesitate to bestow blessings, the earth does not hesitate to bestow treasures, mountains and rivers show wonders, and the realms of the mysterious and the bright reveal wonders.
You enjoy a prosperous life, and your reign is as constant as the changing seasons.
With your benevolence and righteousness, your reign brings blessings and prosperity.
At the grand enthronement ceremony, standing under the Yunting pavilion, the solemn ritual of the white jade tablet signifies your successful governance, and you have achieved great success.
Although the norms are established, the military has prepared documents, yet the emperor humbly declines to take credit.
Such humility and modesty is truly unprecedented! The seventy-two monarchs of history pale in comparison to you!
Therefore, the divine bird appears, the auspicious signs are evident, the white bird symbolizes the wonder of the iron creature, the red jade carries the vermilion book, symbolizing your nobility.
Ban Gu's "Divine Jade" praises, wearing martial arts and literary talents, Cao Zhi's "Praise of the Noble" verses, echoing through the courtyard.
Rather than the flying martial tent, coming to congratulate the literary palm, cleansing the green rushes, preparing to soar above the red silk.
The jade table is placed in the court, you admire and enjoy between the pavilions, the golden gates open daily, revealing the splendor of Yunzhai.
Throughout the ages, unheard of before, blessings are summoned, destined in the dark, all happening today.
This year marks the beginning of the Shangzhang era, the law is harmonious, the Xuanxiao festival, Xuan Ying leads the season.
The supreme has yet to receive garments, rising in the hall of Hanzhang.
An auspicious bird descends from above.
It moves and pauses, gracefully advancing before the hall, gathering and paying respects, looking back at the steps.
The auspicious signs are symbols, the auspicious signs of a wise ruler; the bird represents the sage's greatest treasure.
In the "Kao Yi You," it is stated: "Xuanyuan had a yellow bird with a red head, standing beside the sun." The divination said: "This is the response of the earth spirit." Also in the "Li Ji Ming Zheng," it is stated: "When the sacrifice is appropriate, the yellow bird will gather." (Recorded in "Kao Yi You": during the time of the Xuanyuan clan, there was a yellow bird with a red head standing beside the sun. Divination said: this is the response of the earth spirit. Recorded in "Li Ji Ming Zheng": when the sacrifice is appropriate, a yellow bird will come.)
In the past, the Han Dynasty had the Tai Zhi Palace, the Wei Dynasty had the Wen Chang Palace, and the Yongqiu Shrine was seen once, the Pingdong Mansion was entered three times, and observations were made from the sidelines; the matters were humble and the people were insignificant—what is there to celebrate? As a humble official, I feel truly ashamed compared to those past sages! In this era, it is more prosperous than before, so I take the liberty of presenting this ode:
(Here should be inserted the original text of the ode, which is not provided, so cannot be translated)
This Li Qian and Lu Ji, one in the west, one in the east, are both remarkable individuals. I am far inferior to them as an insignificant person. However, this era is much more prosperous than the past, so I boldly present my ode, hoping everyone will enjoy it.
The beginning talks about the creation of heaven and earth, the growth of all things, boundless virtues, and the nameless great way. The rise and fall of the world all follow the laws of nature, and the prosperity and decline of history are clearly recorded. Our emperor, with his civil and martial achievements, is proficient in everything, governs the country properly, and promotes culture and education. He expands the territory, spreads his fame far and wide, makes the world submit, and ushers in a new era, flourishing like the era of Yao and Shun.
The signs of good fortune are endless, appearing everywhere, in the sky and on the earth, with divine birds soaring and spiritual beasts presenting treasures. Various strange phenomena continue to appear one after another, truly fulfilling the heavenly mandate. All these auspicious signs converge at the imperial palace, signifying national peace, prosperity, and bountiful harvests. Descendants of Confucius offer red sacrifices, while descendants of Xunzi offer white sacrifices; all these signs of good fortune prove the emperor's wisdom.
In the court, there is peace and harmony, destined by the heavens and blessed by the spirits; this era of peace and prosperity is all thanks to the emperor's wise leadership. The officials spare no effort, creating a harmonious melody and singing praises to this prosperous era. These praises hardly suffice to express our gratitude; we bow down and wish Your Majesty eternal longevity!
After the performance, the Emperor Gaozu was greatly pleased, saying, "I saw that divine bird with my own eyes, and even watched it with the Empress! I summoned you here this morning to share this with you. Shàn Xīn, you were sitting there, understood immediately, and wrote this hymn without hesitation. I had only heard of such things before, but today I have seen it with my own eyes!" He then rewarded Shàn Xīn with two hundred bolts of fine silk. In the seventeenth year, Shàn Xīn was promoted to the position of Secretary. At that time, the palace library was in disarray, so Shàn Xīn cataloged Ruan Xiaoxu's "Seven Records" and compiled his own work, "Seven Forests," including a general preface at the start. He also provided detailed annotations and categorized the contents. He recommended over a dozen scholars like Li Wenbo and Lu Congdian to collaborate on correcting errors in the classical texts.
In the first year of Renshou, Shanxin served as the acting Chamberlain. In the second year, he also acted as the Taichang Shaoqing and discussed the systems of rites and music with Niu Hong and others. The positions of both the Secretariat and Chamberlain were retained. In the fourth year, Shanxin stayed in the capital. When Emperor Gaozu died in Renshou Palace, Emperor Yang kept the mourning secret, first replaced the officials in the capital, sent Shanxin away, and appointed him as the Governor of Yanzhou. At the time when Prince Han Liang rebelled, Shanxin did not take up the position.
In the first year of Daye, Shanxin was promoted to the position of Shilang in the Ministry of Rites. He recommended the Confucian scholar Xu Wenyuan as the Imperial Academy Professor and promoted Bao Kai, Lu Deming, Chu Hui, and Lu Shida to positions as teachers. That year, Vice Chancellor Yang Da was sent as an ambassador to Jizhou and was rewarded with five hundred bolts of cloth for his satisfactory service to the emperor.
Every morning, General Yu Wenshu of the Left Guard borrowed dozens of soldiers from his unit to perform personal tasks, usually completing them in half a day. Censor Liang Pi lodged a report against him. The emperor initially trusted Yu Wenshu and handed the matter over to the judge for investigation. Over a thousand soldiers stated they had been borrowed by Yu Wenshu. After more than twenty days of investigation, the judge, sensing the emperor's intent, stated that while many soldiers were involved, the work time was less than a day and could not be considered as a collective offense, and even if it was true, it was not illegal. The soldiers then asserted that they had not been borrowed at all. The emperor wanted to pardon Yu Wenshu, so he asked the ministers to discuss whether it was true. Most ministers believed it was false.
However, Shanxin believed that even if the soldiers were borrowed for less than a day, it violated the rules of garrison duty and was completely different from normal official duties. The soldiers were originally on rotation and had all left, and now they were being chased to provide differing accounts. It had been almost a month, and the truth was evident. How could he possibly be let off? Su Wei, Yang Wang, and over twenty others agreed with Shanxin, while others argued for his pardon. In the end, the emperor ultimately pardoned Yu Wenshu.
A few months later, Yu Wen Shu falsely accused Shan Xin, saying, "When Chen Shubao died, Shan Xin, Zhou Luohou, Yu Shiji, Yuan Chong, and Cai Zheng went to his funeral together. Shan Xin even wrote a funeral oration, addressing him as 'Your Majesty', daring to give Chen Shubao a posthumous title at this time!" The emperor summoned Shan Xin for questioning, and after confirming the situation, Shan Xin cited ancient examples to defend himself. Although the matter passed, the emperor was very unhappy. Later, the court historian noted that the year of the emperor's ascension coincided with that of Emperor Yao. Shan Xin contended that the nation was in a period of mourning, making celebrations inappropriate. Yu Wen Shu instigated the censor to accuse Shan Xin, resulting in Shan Xin being demoted to a lower position.
In the fourth year of Daye, Shan Xin presented "Records of Customs" to the emperor. In the seventh year of Daye, Shan Xin followed the emperor to Zhuo County, where the emperor personally led the troops eastward. Shan Xin submitted a memorial to the emperor, expressing different opinions, and was subsequently dismissed. That same year, Shan Xin was summoned again and became an Assistant Censor. In the ninth year of Daye, Shan Xin served as acting Chief of the Left Guard and crossed the Liao River with the emperor, being appointed as Jian Jie Wei. The emperor once mentioned the tokens bestowed upon the founding emperor and inquired about ghosts and spirits, ordering Shan Xin and Cui Zujun to compile a ten-volume book called "Records of the Strange and Supernatural."
Initially, my father, with a kind heart, started writing the "History of the Liang Dynasty," but unfortunately passed away before completing it. I took on his unfinished work and carried it forward, fulfilling my father's wishes and compiling his letters. At the end of the preface to the biography, I wrote about the intention behind writing this book.
Think about it carefully; in the beginning, the world was a formless chaos, and then it slowly took shape. The movements of celestial bodies dictate the flow of time, the earth nurtures all living things, and everything begins to grow. Once humans appeared, rulers emerged, and a hierarchy was established to maintain social order. Rulers favored by heaven and backed by the people practice benevolent governance, encourage open discourse, attract talents, and govern the country. Some unified through military might, while others gained power through humility, but the eventual result is the unification of the world and the adoption of common rituals. Starting from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, the historiographical system gradually evolved, recording history and documenting speeches, which became their responsibility.
Before the era of the Yan Emperor and Huang Emperor, while their names were recognized, few specific records of their deeds exist; starting from the Huang Emperor, although the written accounts are somewhat vague, their achievements are quite evident. From mountains and rivers to palaces, various teachings and regulations existed, spanning from astronomy to calendars, as they continued the calendar of the Xia dynasty and the sacrificial practices of the Yin dynasty. Eventually, people began to distinguish between directions and titles, with distinct names for east, west, south, and north; even negative figures like Taowu were documented. Even if a country tries to conceal its misdeeds, the actions of rulers are bound to be recorded, so future generations will remain wary of those treacherous officials, much like looking into a clear mirror.
From the Three Dynasties through the Five Dynasties, rulers from each dynasty proclaimed themselves as the "Sons of Heaven," and their duty was to govern the world. Which dynasty hasn't accumulated merits?
During the reign of the Liang Dynasty, the country was peaceful, and the Jiangnan region was thriving, a truly unprecedented era of prosperity! Starting from Emperor Wu, the Liang Dynasty had a total of four emperors and ruled for forty-eight years, followed by an additional fifty-six years. Emperor Wu, who came from a humble background, later ascended to the throne, saved the people from disasters, ended the chaotic era, and embarked on a unique prosperous path. At that time, the court was filled with talented individuals, and no talent among the common people went unnoticed. The system of rites and music was well-established, and the laws and regulations were well enforced. Emperor Wu was kind and compassionate, never engaged in the indiscriminate killing of innocents, embodied great tolerance, and rarely resorted to punishments. His rule was so magnanimous and truly commendable!
However, later on, the invasion by northern ethnic groups led to chaos and turmoil, and the situation became dire, with the entire country facing a huge crisis. The officials of the court were all killed, slaughtered like mere animals, and the treasures were looted, destroyed like dogs and sheep. This is truly perplexing—doing good deeds but attracting disasters, practicing benevolence but leading to the downfall of the country. Is this the will of heaven, or is it a result of human actions? I have conducted a thorough analysis of this matter, detailed in the volume "Prelude."
My father had always wanted to write a book. He wrote a total of fifty volumes of "The Qi Book." He also wrote "Liang Shu" in the style of historical records, but unfortunately, he could not finish it for various reasons. The catalog lists a total of one hundred and eighty volumes. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, many books were lost, tombs were destroyed, manuscripts were stolen, and even the book bags were destroyed. Where am I supposed to find them now? During the Qin Dynasty, books were burned and scholars were executed, putting the classics of former kings at risk of being lost. Officials in the Han Dynasty only passed down knowledge orally without leaving written records. Many of my father's manuscripts were also lost during that time. Later, after the Chen Dynasty was established, the court appointed me as a historian and tasked me with filling in the gaps in historical records. I had to rely on my memory and oral traditions to complete this task. Following the original catalog, I reorganized and revised the work, eventually completing the book. I have now written six volumes and fifty-eight chapters, and have submitted them to the court archives.
I have always been kind since I was young, but I have no special talents or background. During the Taijian period, I repeatedly petitioned the court, and finally, in the Zhide period, I was appointed as a historian. I aimed to diligently conduct interviews and keep records, hoping to fulfill the wishes of my ancestors. Unfortunately, my abilities were limited, and I lacked connections. I rarely socialized and made little progress. I've only read Ban Gu's works and heard him lecture, and I've read Wang Yin's books but never met him personally. In addition, I was just average in my qualifications and had limited knowledge, and I had to write "Chen Shi" as a court official, so this book has taken a long time to finish and is still not complete.
In the second year of the Zhenming era, I was sent as an official envoy by the court, but encountered the devastation of my hometown due to war. I was left stranded in a foreign land, delaying my journey and failing to complete my mission. I wept bitterly at the Wangduting, then moved to a different residence and began to provide medical assistance. The old manuscripts of my family's history were later destroyed by fire. Now, only sixty-eight scrolls remain, though many pages are missing or disordered. Since returning to the capital, I have managed to organize them into what is now probably seventy scrolls. Among these, the "Records of the Four Emperors" comprises eight scrolls, "Consorts" one scroll, "Records of the Third Prince" one scroll, totaling ten scrolls; "Biographies of Royal Princes and Dukes" ten scrolls, "Biographies of Ministers" twenty scrolls, "Biographies of Imperial Relatives" one scroll, "Biographies of Filial and Virtuous Officials" one scroll, "Biographies of Loyal Officials" one scroll, "Biographies of Literary Figures" two scrolls, "Biographies of Confucian Scholars" two scrolls, "Biographies of Recluses" one scroll, "Biographies of Mathematicians" one scroll, "Biographies of Border Officials" one scroll, totaling ten scrolls; "Biographies of Those Who Stood Still" one scroll, "Biographies of Women" one scroll, "Biographies of Favorites" one scroll, "Biographies of Barbarian Rebels" two scrolls, "Biographies of Treasonous Officials" two scrolls, "Biographies of Rebel Officials" two scrolls, "Discourses on Biographies" one scroll, totaling ten scrolls. All the records about the historians were what my father said before, and the well-known records were those I endeavored to supplement and improve. I also composed an additional essay titled "Discourses," placed at the end of "Discourses on Biographies." Ten years later, he was sent to Huaiyuan Town, promoted once more, becoming a court gentleman. Later, the Turks surrounded Yanmen Pass, and he temporarily served as the left personal guard, Wu Ben Langjiang, leading the soldiers from Jiangnan to guard the imperial palace. When the emperor went to Jiangdu for inspection and remembered his previous merits, he was promoted again and appointed as a Grand Master of Counsel. However, not long after, the emperor demoted him back to his original position, appointing him as an assistant.
Fourteen years after Emperor Yang of Sui was killed, on the day all the officials of the Sui dynasty rushed to the court to congratulate the new emperor on his accession to the throne, only Shanxin stayed behind. Xu Hongren hurried to urge him: "The emperor is already dead, General Yuwen (Yuwen Huaji) has taken power, and all the civil and military officials in the court have gone to congratulate. This is all fate, the times are changing; why are you still hesitating?" Shanxin became angry upon hearing this and refused to go with him. Xu Hongren had no choice but to mount his horse and weep, saying, "General, you have no ill will towards Yuwen Huaji; why do you have to seek death? This is too heartbreaking!" Then he went to tell Tang Fengyi, reported the situation to Yuwen Huaji, and sent someone to forcibly bring Shanxin to the palace. Yuwen Huaji ordered his release, but Shanxin didn’t even acknowledge him and walked away. Yuwen Huaji watched him depart and remarked, "This person is really arrogant!" So he ordered him to be arrested and rebuked, "I originally wanted to let you go, but you dare to be so disrespectful!" Shanxin's associates were also arrested, and in the end, Shanxin was executed at the age of sixty-one. Later, Li Yuan, the King of Yue, ascended the throne and posthumously conferred upon him the title of Left Guanglu Daifu, Duke of Gaoyang County, with the posthumous title Wenjie.
Shanxin's mother, Lady Fan, was the daughter of Xiaocai, a prince of the Liang dynasty, and she was young and widowed, raising her child alone. She was highly knowledgeable and virtuous. When Emperor Gaozu learned of this, he ordered the imperial kitchen to send her fresh food regularly and often bestowed rewards upon her. Once, the emperor even decreed that she enter the palace to serve the empress and study, and conferred upon her the title of Lady of Yongle County. After Shanxin's death, Lady Fan was ninety-two years old. She did not cry in front of Shanxin's spirit, but merely touched the coffin and said, "He sacrificed himself for the country; my son is amazing!" After uttering these words, she lay down and refused to eat, and passed away ten days later.
Li Wenbo, from Boling, is a person of integrity who particularly enjoys studying. He is especially diligent in studying the classics of Confucianism and the principles of governance. When he reads, he repeatedly ponders stories about the rise and fall of dynasties, loyal ministers, and righteous scholars, contemplating deeply. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he became a Captain of the Imperial Cavalry and was highly regarded by the Minister of Personnel, Xue Daoheng. Xue Daoheng often had him read historical texts in the audience chamber and observe his behavior. If he encountered effective governance strategies, Li Wenbo would transcribe them; if he encountered errors in selecting officials, he would analyze the pros and cons. Xue Daoheng was always happy to adopt his opinions.
Later, Li Wenbo was transferred to the Secretariat and was responsible for proofreading classics. He was a person of integrity, living a modest life but feeling content. Even in times of hardship, his integrity only deepened. He never entertained guests casually, always strictly adhering to rituals and etiquette. His colleagues both admired and feared him. Xue Daoheng knew of his financial struggles and often invited him to meals at his home, providing financial assistance. Li Wenbo was well-versed in the rise and fall of governance in history, but he struggled to advance in his official career. He slowly rose to the position of Proofreader, then was sent to be a county magistrate, but he failed the evaluation and remained stagnant for several years.
Later, Xue Daoheng became the Chief Minister and met Li Wenbo in the Ministry of Personnel in the Eastern Capital. He was very impressed by Li Wenbo's talent and therefore petitioned the court to appoint him as an official. Xue Daoheng happily told King Qi Li Gang, "Today I finally met Li Wenbo, and I recommended him to the court!" This shows Xue Daoheng's appreciation for Li Wenbo. When in Luoyang, Li Wenbo once visited Fang Xuanling, who saw him off at the crossroads. Fang Xuanling asked him, "You have pursued righteousness all your life; now that you are an official, you should be able to make a difference, right? What have you done lately to address the issues?" Li Wenbo excitedly replied, "To govern rivers well, you must first govern their sources; to govern the end well, you must first rectify the fundamentals. Now the roots are in chaos; even if ten corrupt county magistrates are removed every day, what good would it do?" He was upright, despised wrongdoing, and never shied away from anything, reflecting his character. At that time, the court was becoming increasingly corrupt, with many people embezzling and taking bribes. Only Li Wenbo maintained his integrity, and people respected him even more because of it. Later, he faced the turmoil of war and displacement, and his fate remains unknown. Initially, Wenbo served as a palace librarian, with the son of Yu Shiji also there, dressed up flamboyantly and unrestrained. Wenbo calmly asked the flamboyantly dressed young man how old he was, and he replied, "Eighteen." Wenbo said to him, "When Jia Yi was eighteen, he was discussing national affairs. You, on the other hand, are busy dressing up all day. What's the meaning of this?" Another time, when the Queen of Qin Xiaowang gave birth to a son, Emperor Gaozu was delighted and rewarded the courtiers, each receiving a share. Wenbo's family was always poor, and when someone said he was happy to receive the reward, he said, "The reward and punishment system is for measuring merits and demerits. What does the prince's birth have to do with us officials? Why should we receive rewards for nothing?" He always conducted himself with integrity according to the rules, assessing merits and demerits, ensuring clear rewards and punishments, with complete transparency.
Wen Bo originally studied the classics of Confucianism, but later also read historical texts, becoming well-versed in the teachings and discussions of various schools of thought. He had a natural inclination for contemplation and was also skilled in writing, producing a ten-volume work titled "The Collection on Governance," which became widely circulated in society.
Historical records mention figures like Ming Kerang and Wei Dan, who were both knowledgeable and eloquent writers, regarded as talents from the Yan and Zhao regions, as well as distinguished figures from the southeast. Wherever they went, they earned respect and secured official positions. Though not everyone's career was smooth sailing, they all upheld their own moral principles. Wei Dan's "Book of Wei" was lauded for its conciseness and clarity, making it worthy of being passed down through generations. The achievements of others were also documented, and while their accomplishments varied, they all committed themselves to writing and scholarship, which is truly remarkable!
