Liu Qiu, courtesy name Maohe, was from Jie County in Hedong. He was the great-grandson of Shilong, the Minister of Works during the Qi Dynasty. His grandfather was Zupu, the Minister of the Left in the Southern Liang Dynasty, and his father was Liu Ming, a Court Official to the Crown Prince and the Prefect of Yixing. Liu Qiu was smart from a young age, gaining fame early on. He served as a Palace Gentleman and Cavalry Commandant in the Southern Liang Dynasty. Later, when the Emperor of the Southern Liang Dynasty was forced to flee from the Wei army, Liu Qiu was sent to Wei to negotiate peace. Soon after Jiangling fell, Liu Qiu arrived in Guanzhong.
During the reigns of Emperors Zhou Ming and Zhou Wu, Liu Qiu gradually rose through the ranks from Scholar of the Linzhi Academy to Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince and was granted the title of Marquis of Changle County. He later served as a Senior Official in the Ministry of Heavenly Affairs. After Emperor Zhou Xuan ascended the throne, Liu Qiu was appointed as a Tri-Simultaneous Director, promoted to Duke, and transferred to the position of Master of the Imperial Wardrobe. Following the death of Emperor Zhou Xuan, Liu Qiu remained in the palace and conspired with Liu Fang, Wei Mo, and Huang Fuji to persuade Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) to take control of the government. Yang Jian initially declined, but Liu Qiu urged him to seize the opportunity before it was too late, warning of potential consequences if they delayed. Yang Jian eventually accepted his advice.
Liu Qiu was promoted to Senior Imperial Secretary and appointed as Minister of the Interior, with Yang Jian entrusting him with numerous confidential tasks. When Wei Jiong rebelled, throwing the realm into chaos, Li Mu, the Governor of Bingzhou, hesitated. Yang Jian sent Liu Qiu to persuade him. Liu Qiu met with Li Mu, analyzed the situation thoroughly, and successfully convinced him to submit to Yang Jian. In gratitude for his efforts, Yang Jian rewarded him with 300 bolts of brocade and a nine-loop gold belt. At the time, Sima Xiaonan was stationed with troops in Anlu, and Yang Jian sent Liu Qiu to persuade him. However, before Liu Qiu could arrive, Sima Xiaonan had already fled to Chen. Yang Jian then tasked Liu Qiu with pacifying the Huainan region and rewarded him with horses and other valuables.
In the first year of the Kaihuang reign, Liu Qiu was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou. He was known for his integrity and simplicity while in office, and the people loved and respected him. Later, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Caozhou. Emperor Yang Jian recalled Liu Qiu's past contributions and wanted to bestow upon him a higher title, planning to recall him to court. He specifically asked his ministers, "When should the Inspector of Caozhou come to the capital?" Someone replied, "It is winter now." Yang Jian then reconsidered his decision. Shortly after, Liu Qiu died, and Yang Jian mourned his passing deeply, posthumously bestowing upon him the title of "An." His son, Liu Huitong, inherited his title.
Huangfu Ji, whose courtesy name was Gongming, hailed from the An Ding dynasty. His grandfather, Huangfu Mu, was the Prefect of Longdong in the Wei dynasty; his father, Huangfu Dao, held the positions of Inspector of Huzhou and Commander of Yongzhou during the Zhou dynasty. Huangfu Ji lost his father at the age of three and was raised by his maternal grandfather, Wei Xiaokuan. Once, while playing chess with his cousins, Wei Xiaokuan noticed his lack of diligence in studying and sternly urged him to work harder. However, considering Huangfu Ji's orphaned status, he showed special leniency towards him. Huangfu Ji reflected sorrowfully, "Without the guidance of my parents and growing up in a different household, I cannot hold myself to a strict standard of hard work. How can I achieve success in the future?" Overcome with remorse, he ordered his attendants to administer thirty strokes to him. When Wei Xiaokuan heard this, he was moved to tears.
Since then, Huangfu Ji studied diligently, extensively exploring the classics. When Emperor Wu of Zhou was Duke of Lu, he summoned him to be his court reader. In the early years of Jiande, he was promoted to Palace Aide. Once, when Emperor Wu was avoiding the summer heat at Yunyang Palace, the reigning Emperor was still the Crown Prince, overseeing the government. Prince Wei La rebelled, and the city gates were closed, as many officials fled. Upon hearing this, Huangfu Ji immediately rushed over and met the Crown Prince at Xuanwu Gate, where the Prince came down the stairs, experiencing a bittersweet moment. Emperor Wu greatly admired his actions and promoted him to Minor Palace Attendant. In the early years of Xuanzheng, in recognition of his past merits, he was appointed as the Baron of Yiyang County and given the position of a Senior Official. Later, he was promoted to Lower Imperial Officer. After the death of Emperor Xuan, Gaozu Yang Jian took control of the government, and Huangfu Ji made significant contributions, as noted in the "Zheng Yi Zhuan." Subsequently, he was further appointed as Upper Prefect, promoted to Senior Interior Officer, then elevated to County Duke, with a fief of one thousand households, and shortly after appointed as Grand General. In the first year of Kaihuang, he was sent as the Inspector of Yuzhou, with his fief expanded to two thousand five hundred households. Later, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Court. A few years later, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Jinzhou. Before taking office, he knelt in gratitude, saying, "I consider myself quite mediocre and have not contributed much to the country. I always think about making achievements to repay the Emperor's kindness. Now that the Chen Kingdom still exists, I see three reasons to conquer it." The Emperor inquired about his reasons, and Huangfu Ji replied, "First, it is natural for a large country to annex a small country; second, it is just for a righteous army to confront an unjust one; third, the Chen Kingdom harbored the traitor Xiao Yan, providing us with ample justification. If Your Majesty could assign elite soldiers and generals, please let me lead them to battle and make achievements!" The Emperor was impressed by his ambition and encouraged him before sending him off to take office. After the fall of the Chen Kingdom, he was appointed as the Inspector of Suzhou.
Gao Zhihui and his followers stirred up trouble in Jiangnan, and Gu Ziyuan led troops to suppress the rebellion, with the two sides remaining in a stalemate for eighty days. Gu Ziyuan, grateful for Yang Su's contributions, sent a gift of cattle and wine to express his gratitude on the winter solstice. Yang Su replied, "The Emperor is mandated by Heaven, possessing divine-like power, inheriting the abdication tradition of Yao and Shun, and emulating the military achievements of Tang and Wu. His influence stretches eastward to Panmu, far beyond the exploratory reach of Fang Shuo; west to the flowing sands, even further than where Zhang Qian reached. Even the distant northern frontiers come to pay tribute; the barbarians beyond Congling and Yuguang all bow down. The previous usurper Chen regime obstructed the court's education, causing suffering for the people of Jiangdong. Heaven aided the righteous court, allowing us to quell the rebellion, which swiftly crumbled. The people of Jinling were revived, and the people of Wu and Kuaiji were able to live in peace. Now we should be grateful and live in peace; how can we still bark like dogs, repaying kindness with ingratitude? You are not my people; why send wine? I am a general of the Sui Dynasty; how can I accept your diplomacy? Even if we were to exchange food, it is not your place to comment, especially since we are well-supplied, strong in soldiers and horses, with high walls and deep moats, and reinforcements on the way, leaving us with no shortage of strength. Why bother with these hypocritical formalities, trying to undermine the resolve of loyal ministers, confusing those with aspirations? I will not accept your gift. You'd better think about how to save yourself, advise the people wisely, repent early, or face the consequences!" After receiving the letter, Gu Ziyuan bowed down at the city gate to apologize. Later, Yang Su's reinforcements arrived, together breaking the rebel forces. Yang Su was appointed as the governor of Xinzhou and commander of the twelve provinces. Soon after, due to illness, he requested retirement, and the court issued a decree summoning him back to the capital, providing him with imperial physicians for treatment, with envoys from the court coming frequently to inquire about his condition. Eventually, Yang Su passed away at home at the age of fifty-two years, posthumously honored with the title "An." His son Yang Si inherited his title and rose to the rank of Chief of the Imperial Clan during the Daye era.
Wei Mo was a native of Jingzhao. He served as the Grand Master of the Interior Affairs during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Sui Gaozu recognized Wei Mo's significant contributions to strategy formulation and promoted him several times, eventually rising to the position of Grand Master of the Palace and Duke of Puan. In the early years of the Kaihuang period, he passed away while serving as the Inspector of Puzhou.
Lu Ben, whose courtesy name was Zizheng, was a native of Fanyang in Zhuo Commandery, Hebei. His father, Lu Guang, was the Grand Master and Duke of Yan Commandery in the Zhou dynasty. Lu Ben had some knowledge of books and music and had a basic understanding of music theory. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, Lu Ben inherited his father's title and became the Duke of Yan, overseeing a fiefdom of 1,900 households. He later held positions such as the Prefect of Luyang, the Minor Palace Attendant of the Crown Prince, and was Equal to the Three Excellencies. For his achievements in subduing the state of Qi, his fiefdom was increased by four hundred households, and he was promoted to the rank of Senior Officer of the Ministry of War. At that time, Yang Jian, known as Gaozu, was the Grand Marshal, and Lu Ben felt that Yang Jian was not an ordinary person, so he took the initiative to befriend him. After Yang Jian became emperor, Lu Ben was promoted and appointed as the Grand Master.
When Yang Jian first came to power, the people's loyalty to him was not yet fully established, so he appointed Lu Ben to be by his side. When Yang Jian wanted to enter the Eastern Palace, he brought Lu Ben along, and the officials were unaware of Yang Jian's destination. Yang Jian secretly instructed Lu Ben to lead soldiers for his protection and then gathered the ministers, saying, "If you want to be wealthy and prosperous, follow me!" The ministers discussed among themselves, some wanting to leave while others wanted to stay. Lu Ben led the troops, and no one dared to move. They left through Chongyang Gate towards the Eastern Palace, but the guards initially refused to let them in. Lu Ben commanded them to open the gate, and it was only after he scolded them that the guards relented. In this way, Yang Jian entered the palace. Lu Ben was in charge of Yang Jian's security all along, and later when Yang Jian asked him what to do, Lu Ben said, "The Zhou dynasty's fate has come to an end; the people and the heavens are all looking forward to you. You should follow the will of heaven and accept the people's hearts! If you don't seize the opportunity bestowed by heaven, you will have to bear the consequences!" Yang Jian wholeheartedly agreed with him.
After Yang Jian declared himself emperor, he put Lu Ben in charge of overseeing the palace cleanup and continuing his duties as a guard. Lu Ben also suggested changing the flags of the Zhou Dynasty. Lu Ben designed the Blue Dragon Flag, Zouyu Flag, Vermilion Bird Flag, Black Tortoise Flag, Thousand Autumn Flag, and Ten Thousand Years Flag. Later, Lu Ben was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, as well as the Left Grand Secretary, Left Leading General, and Right General.
At that time, Gao Feng and Su Wei dominated the court, much to Lu Ben's discontent. When the influential Liu Fang was being sidelined, Lu Ben secretly conspired with Liu Fang, the Grand Preceptor Yuan Xie, Li Xun, and the Provincial Governor of Huazhou Zhang Bin to remove Gao Feng and Su Wei, and assist the emperor together. Because the Prince of Jin was the emperor's favorite son, they planned to oust the Crown Prince and install the Prince of Jin in his place. Lu Ben even privately told the Crown Prince, "I often come to see you, fearing the emperor's displeasure; I hope you can understand my predicament." As a result, their plot was uncovered, prompting an investigation by the emperor. Liu Fang and others laid the blame on Zhang Bin and Lu Ben, and the ministers all said these two should die. The emperor, considering their past loyalty in helping him conquer the world, couldn't bring himself to execute them, so he dismissed them from their positions and allowed them to return home as ordinary citizens. Zhang Bin passed away shortly afterward.
After more than a year, Ben was promoted again, this time appointed as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. Ben discovered that in ancient palace music, the number of suspended notes varied, with some sources mentioning seven and others eight, and there was no consensus among scholars of past dynasties. So he wrote to the emperor, saying: "Before the Yin and Shang dynasties, the pentatonic scale was widely used; when King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang dynasty and received omens from the Junhuo and Tian Si Xing, he changed to the heptatonic scale. After the establishment of the Han dynasty, the yingzhong was introduced, so a set of bianzhong consists of two, eight, and twenty-six pieces. Zheng Xuan's annotation of the 'Rites of Zhou' states that two, eight, and twenty-six make up a bianzhong. It can be seen that the heptatonic or octatonic scale has a long history. However, as times changed, the usage also varied. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, the heptatonic scale was reinstated, using Lin Zhong as the palace music. Music is the foundation of governing a country; nothing is more effective than music. Wu Qi assessed a country's rise and fall by observing its music. Thus, music can move heaven and earth and summon spirits, express human emotions through sound, and respond accordingly to the governance of a country. Emperor Wu of Zhou using Lin Zhong as the palace music is probably a sign that the country is about to perish. Moreover, the tonality of Lin Zhong is actually the note just below Huang Zhong. Huang Zhong represents the monarch, while Lin Zhong is derived from Huang Zhong, clearly symbolizing the royal status of nine-five. Furthermore, the yin number symbolizes the subjects, yet Lin Zhong occupies the position of the monarch, showing even more auspicious signs of the country's ascension. This aligns perfectly with the principles of numerology and is not a human construct. I humbly request Your Majesty to wield the power of the realm, your governance surpasses that of past emperors, and after achieving success, establish new musical laws that complement previous governance strategies. I have heard that the musical laws of the Five Emperors differed, and the ritual music of the Three Kings varied as well, all adjusted according to the changes of the times, yet none have lost their dignity and propriety." The emperor ultimately accepted his suggestion, changing to the octatonic scale, with Huang Zhong as the basis for the palace music. He then issued a decree for Ben and Yitong Yang Qing to collaboratively revise the music laws of Zhou and Qi.
Not long after, Ben was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, and shortly after was transferred to be the Governor of Guozhou. Later, he was promoted to be the Governor of Huaizhou. He dug a channel for the eastward flow of the Qingshui River, named "Benefiting the People Canal," which greatly benefited the people. He also diverted water to irrigate Wen County, naming it the "Moisture Canal," benefiting the people immensely. Several years later, he was transferred to be the Governor of Qizhou. At that time, the people were starving, and food prices were soaring. He prohibited the people from selling grain privately and personally organized the sale of grain. Because of this, he was eventually dismissed from his official position and became a commoner.
Later, when I arrived in Luoyang, I struck up a casual conversation with Ben Xiaoye. I said, "When I first became the Grand Marshal, you were very supportive of me. Later, when I managed the officials, you were often by my side serving, and we had an old friendship. If you hadn’t conspired with those bad folks, you could have held a position as high as Gao Feng’s! Now, because of this incident, you have been dismissed from your position. Thinking about our past relationship, I wanted to reinstate you as an official. Why don't you think about repaying my kindness instead of letting it come to this? I can't bear to kill you; that would be favoritism and injustice!" Ben Xiaoye quickly knelt and apologized, and I ordered his reinstatement to his original position.
After a few days, this brat made another blunder while presenting his memorial, boasting about his accomplishments and whining. I was livid when I heard it and turned to the ministers and said, "I intend to make him a governor of a province to see if he can handle it! This brat is really not capable!" The Crown Prince spoke at that moment, "These people have all played a part in supporting you. Even though they can be a bit reckless and adventurous, we cannot completely abandon them!" I said, "I've been as lenient as I can with him and spared his life. If it weren't for Liu Fang, Zheng Yi, Ben Xiaoye, Liu Qiu, and Huang Fu Ji and others, I would not have come this far today. But these folks are all so unpredictable! Back in the days of Emperor Zhou Xuan, they won the Emperor's favor through their cunning. When Emperor Zhou Xuan fell seriously ill, they suggested letting the royal prince assist in governance, but they pulled a fast one and handed power over to me. I intended to govern the country properly, but they wanted to cause chaos. So Liu Fang had planned a major rebellion before, and Zheng Yi later engaged in witchcraft. Guys like Ben Xiaoye are all discontented. If you promote them, they turn arrogant and overbearing; if you don't use them, they grumble non-stop. They are really not trustworthy! It's not that I won't promote them; it's that they're just not up to the task! Seeing this situation, people might gossip that I don't value my loyal subjects, but that's not the case!" At that moment, Su Wei chimed in, "Emperor Guangwu of Han pacified his loyal subjects by appointing them as marquises and allowing them to receive salaries in the court. Your Majesty, you could also use this approach to calm them down." I said, "Yes!" Ultimately, Ben Xiaoye was relieved of his duties and allowed to retire at home, and the same year he passed away at the age of fifty-four.
Historical records state that Emperor Gaozu founded the Han Dynasty, and Fang and Yi both made great contributions. At that time, they held high positions and great power in the court, and no one dared to speak against them. However, at a critical moment, they failed to consider the overall situation. In order to save their own lives, they ultimately betrayed their moral principles and their loyalty to the emperor. They sought to have it both ways, trying to maintain their wealth and status while enjoying a peaceful life, but how could that be feasible?
Later, the emperor moved the capital to Mingde, which was no simple matter. Fang and Yi eventually found their own place. Looking back on the past, they were filled with dissatisfaction and regret, feeling unworthy of loyal ministers like Wu and Geng, and ashamed to be associated with accomplished ministers like Jiang and Guan. Their loyalty to the emperor was never firm from the beginning, and they even neglected their own family members, which sparked considerable controversy at the time. In the Zhou Dynasty, they failed to demonstrate loyalty and integrity, and in the Sui Dynasty, they did not serve with full commitment. Their previous merits were overshadowed by their immoral actions, and because of past grievances, they sowed the seeds of disaster, hoping to escape punishment and preserve their lives and wealth, which proved to be extremely difficult!
Figures like Liu Qiu, Huangfu Ji, and Lu Ben achieved success thanks to others. They always followed orders, and when the Great Han Dynasty prospered, they were not involved in important decision-making. This reflects a common principle: to win others' favor, one must first be willing to endure criticism. Yanzi once said, "A person can serve many rulers with dedication, but a hundred people cannot serve one ruler with dedication." This saying is aptly illustrated by the cases of Fang and Yi.
