Wei Deshen hailed from Julu. His grandfather Wei Chong held the positions of Minister of Justice and Governor of Jianzhou during the Zhou Dynasty, and the entire family subsequently relocated to Hongnong. His father Wei Pi was the magistrate of Yulin County. Wei Deshen started as a minor official under Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, later serving as a clerk in Fengyi County and a clerk in Wuyang County. Thanks to his exceptional capabilities, he was promoted to the county magistrate of Guixiang. He was known for his honesty and fairness in office; while not overly strict, he effectively managed his responsibilities.
At that time, there was a war with Liaodong, with a multitude of taxes and levies imposed everywhere, and officials were sent to collect them, putting pressure on the counties. The court was in chaos, corruption was rampant among officials, and there were excessive taxes and levies, inflicting severe hardship on the populace. Only in Guixiang County under Wei Deshen's jurisdiction was the situation strikingly different. There were ample supplies of goods, no excessive exploitation of the people, necessary supplies arrived on time, and the people enjoyed peace and prosperity. Everyone praised his governance. At that time, bandits were rampant, and many cities near Wuyang were breached, but Guixiang County remained unscathed.
County magistrate Yuan Baozang was tasked with pursuing the bandits but suffered defeat in every encounter, exhausting his weapons and equipment, and compelled the populace to surrender their belongings, frequently resorting to martial law, repeating this several times. Other counties built defense works, concentrating the populace in government buildings, with officials urging each other, noisy day and night, but still failed to complete the task. Wei Deshen, on the other hand, asked everyone for their input on how to proceed and then allowed them to construct as they saw fit. The government office remained quiet, as if nothing was amiss. He merely imposed restrictions on officials at all levels, mandating that the constructed defenses not surpass those in other counties, so as not to make the people suffer too much. Nevertheless, the officials under him worked diligently, and the defenses in Guixiang County consistently stood out as the best.
Later, Wei Deshen was transferred to Guantao County as the county magistrate. When the officials and people of Guixiang County heard about this, they all talked about his deeds, crying uncontrollably, at a loss for words. When Wei Deshen was about to leave, the entire population came out to bid him farewell, the wails echoing far and wide. Upon arriving in Guantao County, all the people treated him as if he were one of their own.
There was a villain named Zhao Junshi, an official from another county, who had a close relationship with the county magistrate Yuan Baozang. Previous county magistrates were often at their mercy. After Wei Deshen arrived in Guantao County, Zhao Junshi hid at home and dared not go out. Those who had fled also returned, as if they were flocking to a festival. The people of Guixiang County, undeterred by the long and perilous journey, went to the capital to request the court to keep Wei Deshen, and the emperor agreed.
The people of Guantao County went to the county office to lodge a complaint that the documents from Guixiang County were fake. The county office was unable to reach a verdict. Later, the court sent envoys Wei Ji, Du Zheng, and others. Both counties presented their grievances to the envoys, and the envoys ultimately ruled in favor of Guixiang County. The officials and people of Guixiang County celebrated joyfully together. However, the people of Guantao County wept openly in the streets, and hundreds of families chose to leave as a result.
Yuan Baozang harbored deep jealousy towards Wei Deshen's talents. Later, King Dong of Yue ordered Wei Deshen to take a thousand soldiers to the eastern capital. Shortly after, Yuan Baozang surrendered to Li Mi. The soldiers led by Wei Deshen were all from Wuyang, and they were Li Mi's fellow villagers. Thinking of his relatives and friends, Wei Deshen left the city gate, wept in the direction of his hometown, and then returned. Some bystanders advised him, "Li Mi's army is near Jinyong City, only more than twenty miles away from here. If you want to go back, no one can stop you. Why make it so difficult for yourself?" Those soldiers cried and said, "We came here with County Chief Wei and can't bear to abandon him. We don't care about the long journey!" This is how Wei Deshen won the hearts of the people. Later, Wei Deshen died in battle against bandits, and the people of Guixiang County and Guantao County have long cherished his memory.
At that time, the county magistrate of Liyang was Gao Shiheng from Bohai, the county magistrate of Xiaoxian was Liu Gao from Pengcheng, and the county magistrate of Chenggao was Liu Chi from Hongnong. These three officials were exceptionally virtuous and did many good deeds for the people.
By the end of the Sui Dynasty, many officials were corrupt, but Gao Shiheng, Liu Gao, and Liu Chi remained honest and incorruptible. They became even stricter with themselves, and the local atmosphere improved remarkably, with virtually no prisoners in the jails. The people praised them.
Historical records say: Ancient wisdom teaches that those adept at managing water will direct it to gentle slopes, and those who are good at educating the people will pacify them and make them settle down. When the water is level, it will not break the embankments, and when the people are peaceful, they will not violate the law. Therefore, to change customs and move with the times, to make people follow education and justice, strict enforcement alone is insufficient. We need more virtuous officials like them.
Gao Shiheng and his colleagues all uphold the right path in their hearts and minds, sincerely treating the people. Therefore, the places they governed flourished. After they left, the people missed them dearly. As for Jing Mao fighting against wrongdoing and promoting good, Gongyi caring for and looking after the sick, Liu Kuang bringing good customs to the places he governed, and Deshen deeply loved by the people, the virtues of these individuals are unmatched by those famous officials in history such as Xincheng, Du Shi, Zheng Hun, and Zhu Yi. The Book of Songs (Shijing) says, "A gentle and kind gentleman is like a father and mother to the people." This saying holds true! Unfortunately, those officials with high moral character, although recognized by the emperor on numerous occasions, were all eventually exiled for having made some minor mistakes in the past, which is truly regrettable! There is also Liu Jian, who faced difficulties in life after resigning from his position; and Zhao Gui, who was bid farewell by the people when he completed his term, a testament to his integrity!
