Zheng Shanguo's mother, a daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe, married Zheng Cheng at thirteen and gave birth to Zheng Shanguo. Later, Zheng Cheng bravely fought against Wei Jiong and died on the battlefield. She became a widow at twenty, and her father Cui Yanmu wanted her to remarry. However, holding Zheng Shanguo, she said to Cui Yanmu, "A woman ought not to remarry. Besides, although Lord Zheng has passed away, he left behind this child. Abandoning a child is unkind, and going against my late husband's wishes is unfilial. I would rather cut off my ears and shave my head to demonstrate my resolve. Going against rituals and being unkind to the child, I dare not obey your command."
Because his father sacrificed himself for the country, Zheng Shanguo became a general at a young age, inheriting the title of Marquis of Kaifeng County, with a fief of one thousand households. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was promoted to Duke of Wude Commandery. At the age of fourteen, he was appointed Inspector of Yizhou, later transferred to Jingzhou, and then became Prefect of Lu Commandery.
His mother was wise and virtuous, of great integrity, well-read, and well-versed in medicine. Every time Zheng Shanguo went to the government office to handle official business, his mother would always sit behind the folding screen, observing him. If she heard that he had made a fair and just decision, his mother would be very happy when he returned, inviting him to sit down and share a laugh with her. But if Zheng Shanguo acted unfairly or lost his temper easily, his mother would withdraw to her inner chamber, pull the quilt over herself, cry, and not eat all day. Zheng Shanguo would kneel in front of the bed, daring not to rise. When his mother calmed down, she would say to him, "I am not angry with you, but ashamed for our family. As your wife, I have fulfilled my responsibilities as a daughter-in-law, just like your father, who was a loyal and honest man, upright and incorruptible in his official duties, never corrupt. He sacrificed his life for the nation, and I hope you can inherit his legacy. You became an orphan at a young age, and I am a widow, with only affection and no authority. If you do not learn etiquette and education, how can you uphold the responsibilities of a loyal official? You inherited your title and land from a young age, elevated to the rank of marquis. Was it truly due to your own merits? How can you act impulsively and indulge in frivolities, neglecting your duties without considering these things? It will tarnish our family's reputation and result in the loss of your title; it will violate the Emperor's decrees and commit crimes. After I die, how will I have the face to meet your ancestors?"
My mother always spins and weaves cloth by herself, often busy until midnight before going to bed. I (Shanguo) asked her, "Mom, I am now a high-ranking official with a decent salary, why do you still work so hard?" My mother said, "Ah! You are already so grown up; I thought you understood some principles, but hearing that, I realized you still don't get it. Where did your salary come from? It was the emperor's reward for the merits of your ancestors serving the country! It should be used to help relatives and friends. This is to repay the kindness of your ancestors; how can you only think of enjoying yourself and getting rich?! Besides, spinning and weaving is a woman's duty; from the empress to the wives of ordinary officials, they all have to do these things. If you neglect this work, it is extravagance and indulgence. Although I don't understand big principles, I cannot ruin my reputation!" Since becoming a widow, my mother has stopped wearing makeup or dressing up, usually wearing coarse clothes. She is very thrifty; except for sacrifices and entertaining guests, she never eats or drinks lavishly. She usually stays quietly at home, rarely going out. Even though she sends many gifts for joyful and sorrowful occasions to relatives and friends, she never visits others. Except for what she makes herself and gifts from the estate, she does not allow any gifts from relatives or friends into the house. When I was in office, no matter where I served, I brought my own food to eat at the government office (yamen), never eating the food provided there, which I used for repairing the yamen or sharing with my colleagues. It was because of this that I was able to be self-disciplined and public-spirited, earning a reputation as an honest official. Emperor Yang of Sui even sent the Grand Secretary Zhang Heng to praise and commend me, saying I was the best official in the world, and then promoted me to Guangluqing. After my mother passed away, I was appointed as the Grand Minister of Justice, and I gradually became proud and indulgent, and I was no longer as upright and honest as I had been.
Xiaonu, the filial daughter of Prince Chun of Zhao, had a strained relationship with her father's cousin, Changxin. When the State of Qi conquered the State of Zhao, Changxin colluded with his wife to murder Prince Chun. At that time, Xiaonu was only seven years old, with two younger sisters: Can, who was five, and Fan, who was two. The three sisters were left without parents and had to depend on relatives for support. Xiaonu took care of her two sisters, and their bond was particularly strong. Xiaonu harbored a desire for revenge, something Changxin never anticipated. When the three sisters grew up, relatives tried to marry them off, but they all turned them down. Xiaonu secretly told her sisters, "We have no brothers, so we can't avenge our father. What's the point of living as girls? I want to take revenge for our father with you two. What do you think?" Both sisters cried and said, "We will do as you say." That night, the three sisters each grabbed a knife and scaled the wall into Changxin's house, and killed him and his wife there. They then went to their father's grave to pay their respects. They surrendered to the county, with each sister vying to claim responsibility as the mastermind. The county and state were at a loss. When Emperor Gaozu heard about it, he was greatly impressed and granted them a pardon.
Han Ji's wife was a daughter of the Yu family in Luoyang, known by her courtesy name Maode. Her father's name was Yu Shi, a high-ranking official in the Zhou dynasty. Yu married Han Ji when she was just fourteen. Despite being born into a wealthy and prestigious family, she exhibited exemplary behavior, lived a frugal life, and earned great respect from her family. When Han Ji died in battle at the age of eighteen, Yu was heartbroken and mourned him profoundly. She personally presented offerings to him every morning and evening. Once the mourning period was over, her father, worried about her youth and childlessness, wanted to see her remarried. However, she vowed never to marry again. Even after her family tried to persuade her, Yu wept through the night and even cut her hair as a solemn vow. Her father, feeling sorrowful, ultimately chose not to pressure her. She nurtured Han Ji's son Shilong with a good education, and he eventually became accomplished. After her husband's death, she visited her family only occasionally and shunned social gatherings. She led a simple life, dressed in plain clothes, adhered to a vegetarian diet, and refrained from music for the rest of her days. The Emperor, moved by her devotion, issued a decree in her honor, erecting a monument at her home in Chang'an. The people of Chang'an referred to her as "The Virtuous Widow." She passed away peacefully at the age of seventy-two years.
Lu Rang's mother is the daughter of the Feng family of Shangdang, kind-hearted and nurturing, embodying the grace of a mother. Lu Rang is her adopted son. During the Renshou period, Lu Rang became the governor of Fanzhou, but he was corrupt, embezzled funds, and exploited the common people, creating a disastrous situation. He was reported by the Sima, who served as the inspector at the time. The emperor sent people to investigate, and Lu Rang's crimes were confirmed. He was arrested and personally interrogated. Lu Rang pleaded his innocence, so the emperor ordered a reinvestigation by the chief imperial censor, with the same result. The emperor then convened the ministers to deliberate on his fate, and they unanimously agreed that Lu Rang deserved death. The emperor approved the sentence. Just as Lu Rang was about to face execution, Feng, looking disheveled and in tears, ran to the court and berated Lu Rang, stating that he had achieved nothing of merit, failed to serve the country with dedication, and instead violated the law by embezzling and exploiting the people. She questioned how the common people and officials could also be lying if the Sima was not. She also challenged why the emperor would send the chief imperial censor to conduct a reinvestigation if he lacked compassion. She asked what kind of loyal subject or filial son he considered himself. Feng wept openly, her voice trembling, pleading with Lu Rang to eat. Feng then petitioned the emperor for mercy, and the emperor was deeply moved by her heartfelt sincerity. The Empress was equally impressed by Feng's actions and pleaded with the emperor. Chief Imperial Censor Liu Yu also remarked that Feng's maternal virtues had resonated with many and that executing Lu Rang would serve no meaningful purpose. The emperor then summoned the citizens of the capital to the Zhuque Gate and had an official publicly read the imperial edict, granting Lu Rang clemency in recognition of Feng's virtuous character. Lu Rang was spared execution but stripped of his official title.
The emperor issued a new imperial edict: "Madame Feng is kind-hearted and benevolent, always observing etiquette and laws. Her adopted son Lu Rang has committed a crime and should face the law. However, she personally came to the palace to plead for her son, prostrating herself repeatedly. I am truly touched, and hereby pardon Lu Rang's death penalty. If all women in the world were like Madame Feng, families would surely be harmonious and society stable! I hold this in high regard. She should be commended and rewarded to promote her virtue. Reward her with five hundred rolls of fabric." The emperor also summoned many noblewomen from the capital to honor her.
Liu Chang's wife is the eldest daughter of the Changsun family in Henan. During the Zhou Dynasty, Liu Chang married a princess and held high positions as the Duke of Peng and a pillar of the state, often leading troops into battle with high status and reputation. He was an old friend of the founding emperor. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he trusted Liu Chang greatly and appointed him as the Left General of the Wuwei and Governor of Qingzhou. His son, nicknamed "Jushi," served guarding the crown prince, building factions, abusing his power, flouting the law, and causing trouble frequently. The emperor, out of deference to Liu Chang, always pardoned him.
Jushi became more and more arrogant, arrogantly proclaiming, "Men should let their hair loose, tie their hands backwards, and perform a barbaric dance on bamboo mats!" He would pick the strong and sturdy sons of officials and nobles, bring them to his home, use a cartwheel to trap their necks, and then beat them with a stick. Those who were beaten nearly to death yet refused to yield, he lauded as true men, and then treated them like brothers. He had over three hundred men under him, with the agile ones called the "Hawk Brigade" and the strong ones called the "Pengzhuan Team." They often rode horses on the roads with eagles and hunting dogs, attacking passersby and stealing from them. In Chang'an City, anyone who encountered them would be terrified and keep their distance, even high-ranking officials and royal relatives did not dare to confront them.
Liu Chang's daughter, who is Ju Shi's sister, often cried while earnestly advising him. But Ju Shi refused to change and eventually wasted all his family's wealth. As Liu Chang got older, his son was quite unfilial to him. His daughter was widowed, and seeing her father suffer such grievances, she personally spun yarn and wove cloth whenever she visited her mother's home, doing her best to make sure her father was well-fed and taken care of. Some people reported that Ju Shi and his associates were loitering in Chang'an City, climbing the ruins of the Weiyang Palace and sitting disrespectfully facing south, often making appointments to say, "We will die anyway!" Some also said that Ju Shi sent people to collude with the Turks to invade from the south, planning to conspire both inside and outside the capital. The emperor asked Liu Chang, "What do you think of this?" Taking advantage of past connections, Liu Chang refused to admit fault and directly said, "Right and wrong are for you to decide!" The emperor was furious, imprisoned Liu Chang, and arrested Ju Shi and his associates for severe interrogation. The authorities also accused Liu Chang of being unfilial to his mother.
Liu Chang's daughter knew that her father would definitely not escape, so she did not eat or drink for several days. She personally prepared meals and brought them to the Dali Temple to feed her father. When she saw the jailer, she knelt and cried for a long time, drawing sympathy from everyone who witnessed it. Ju Shi was sentenced to death, while Liu Chang was ultimately executed at home. The emperor ordered all officials to attend the execution. Liu Chang's daughter fainted several times but kept waking up, and all the officials came to comfort her. She cried out that her father was innocent and only suffered because of his son. Her heartbreaking cries moved everyone who heard them. In the end, she wore coarse clothes, ate simple meals, and lived in loneliness until old age.
After hearing this, he sighed and said, "I've heard about the daughters of fallen families and the sons of wealthy families, and it seems the saying holds true!"
Zhong Shixiong's mother is the daughter of the Jiang family from Linhe. Zhong Shixiong became the Fubo General during the Chen Dynasty. The Emperor of the Chen Dynasty was worried that Zhong Shixiong, who oversaw the minority leaders in Lingnan, might rebel, so he often detained Jiang Shi in the capital. Later, Wang Guangping of the Jin Dynasty pacified Jiangnan. Because Zhong Shixiong was in Lingnan, the Jin Dynasty aimed to win him over with goodwill, so they sent Jiang Shi back to her hometown of Linhe. Consequently, Zhong Shixiong, along with fellow townsmen Yu Zimao, Zhong Wenhua, and others, rebelled, raised troops to attack the city, and even sent people to invite Zhong Shixiong to join the rebellion. Jiang Shi told Zhong Shixiong, "I have suffered a lot in Jiankang (Yangdu) in the past. Now that we are in a peaceful and prosperous era, reunited as mother and son, I can never repay the court's kindness in this lifetime. How could I possibly rebel! If you forget your gratitude like a beast, I will take my own life right in front of you!" After hearing these words, Zhong Shixiong dispelled the idea of rebellion. Jiang Shi also wrote to Yu Zimao and the others, urging them not to rebel and warning them of the consequences. Yu Zimao ignored her advice and was later defeated by the imperial army. Upon hearing about Jiang Shi's deeds, the Emperor was deeply moved and granted her the title of Anle County Lady.
In Yinzhou, there was a widow named Hu Shi, of unknown family background. She was principled and respected by the local elite. During the chaos in Jiangnan, she persuaded her relatives and friends to stay put and not get involved in the rebellion. She was later granted the title of Miling County Lady as well.
Tan Shi is the daughter-in-law of the Zhong family from Shangjun. Her husband died shortly after their marriage when she was only eighteen years old. She was very filial to her mother-in-law and was well-respected in the community. Within a few years, her mother-in-law, uncle, and aunt all passed away. Tan Shi's family was impoverished and couldn't afford the costs of the funerals. So she lived a frugal life, spinning and weaving day and night. After saving money for ten years, she was finally able to arrange funerals for all eight of them, and the people in the village admired her. When the emperor learned of her deeds, he rewarded her with one hundred shi of rice and erected a stele in front of her house to honor her.
Yuan Wuguang's mother, a daughter of the Lu family from Fanyang, loved reading since she was young and conducted herself with grace. After her husband died, she raised several young sons alone. The family struggled financially, and the children had no money for education. Lu took it upon herself to teach them to read and instilled in them the values of good character, and everyone praised her. During the Ren Shou era, Han Wang Liang rebelled and sent General Qi Liang to Shandong to attack the area. Qi Liang asked Wuguang to be his secretary. Later, Qi Liang was defeated, and the governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, searched Wuguang's house. When he saw Lu, he harbored malicious intentions and attempted to force himself upon her. Lu resolutely refused. Shangguan Zheng, known for his cruelty, became enraged and burned Lu with a lit candle. Lu's resolve only grew stronger, and she never gave in.
Pei Lun's wife, from the Liu family of Hedong, was well-educated from a young age and very refined. As the Sui Dynasty was coming to an end, Pei Lun became the magistrate of Weiyuan County. During Xue Ju's rebellion, the county was overrun by bandits, and Pei Lun was tragically killed. At that time, Mrs. Liu was forty and had two daughters and a daughter-in-law, all of whom were beautiful. Mrs. Liu said to them, "We are facing this chaotic world, your father has already died, and I know I can't fully protect you. Our family has always been upright and cannot be dishonored by thieves. I intend to die with you. What do you think?" The daughters and daughter-in-law wept and replied, "We will do as you say, Mother." So Mrs. Liu jumped into the well to take her own life, and her daughters and daughter-in-law followed her, all perishing in the well.
Zhao Yuankai's wife was a young woman from the Cui family of Qinghe. Her father, Cui Ao, is mentioned in "Literary Biography." Their family has always upheld a strong family tradition, and their children all adhere to etiquette norms. Zhao Yuankai's father was a high-ranking official, wealthy, and valued family background. He married Cui, offering a generous betrothal gift. Zhao Yuankai respected Cui very much; even at private banquets, he refrained from speaking out of turn, and his behavior, speech, and clothing all complied with etiquette norms. When chaos erupted, Zhao Yuankai followed the court to Hebei, preparing to return to Chang'an. When they reached Fukou, they were attacked by bandits, and Zhao Yuankai barely saved his life. However, Cui was taken captive by the bandits, who intended to force her into marriage. Cui defiantly told the bandits, "I am the daughter of a scholar-official, the wife of a high-ranking official's son. Today, my family is destroyed and people are dead. I would rather die than become your wife!" The bandits tore her clothes, exposing her completely, binding her to the bed, and prepared to insult her. Fearing humiliation, Cui cleverly deceived them, saying, "I have no strength to resist now. I will obey your arrangements. Please untie the rope." The bandits quickly released her. Cui quickly donned her clothes, took the bandit's dagger, stood by a tree, declaring, "If you wish to kill me, then do it with your sword. If you want me to die, come and force me!" The bandits were furious and fired arrows at her. Later, Zhao Yuankai found the killers of his wife, dismembered them, and used their remains to honor Cui's spirit.
The historian said, when discussing women's virtues, many believe that being gentle and obedient is merely a moderate level, not yet attaining the highest realm. To possess true foresight, wisdom, unwavering will, and steadfast goals solely for justice, if you flip through history books, which era hasn’t had such women! Princess Lanling's qualities are more resolute than the frigid pine, Princess Nanyang's determination is firmer than a rock; the loyalty and bravery of Lady Xi and the devoted daughters, the sincerity of mothers Cui and Feng, are enough to make the brave feel ashamed and the virtuous feel inadequate. Princess Xiangcheng, Lady Huayang, the wives of Pei Lun and Yuan Kai, they have all experienced hardships and adversity; when things did not go as planned, they willingly faced life and death alongside their husbands, enduring hardships while remaining true to their initial intentions, their will as resilient as frost, and their words and actions as honest and radiant as the sun. Even the oaths of love in the Book of Songs or the accounts of Lady Boji's chastity in the Book of Rites pale in comparison to them!
