In the past, those outstanding leaders treated the people with a benevolent heart, guided them with principles of righteousness, educated them with ritual teachings, accommodated their wishes, satisfied their needs, and encouraged them to pursue their interests. Just like parents caring for their children and older brothers caring for younger brothers, they would grieve when they heard about the people's suffering and would feel pity when they saw the people toiling. Therefore, the people respected them, loved them, and were close to them. Just like Zichan governing the state of Zheng, Zijian governing the state of Danfu, Jia Cong governing the state of Jizhou, and Wenweng governing the state of Shu, all were able to provide relief to the people during disasters, guide them to be loyal and kind, benefit them, and extend kindness without adding to the people's burden. Their achievements shine brightly for millennia, their good names passed down for generations; why is that? It's because they used this method! Therefore, the Five Emperors and Three Kings were able to make the people obedient without much effort, thanks to the governance methods they employed. Therefore, there are no officials who cannot govern, and no people who cannot be educated.
When founder Liu Bang was establishing his rule, he suppressed rebellions, dealt with numerous affairs, neglected sleep and meals, single-mindedly wanting to surpass the emperors of the past. However, he did not value poetry and classics, did not advocate for morality, only relied on laws, and strictly supervised his subordinates. Officials only sought self-preservation, rarely encountered lenient and benevolent policies. Those officials who took advantage of the situation to seek personal gain mostly used various means to seek credit and rewards. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he had grand ambitions, wanting to expand the territory. His chariots and horses almost covered the entire country, but the country's laws and regulations were corrupted, and social order was chaotic. Those who were skilled at illegally acquiring wealth, endangering countless lives just to satisfy their own desires, were labeled as "serving the public" and immediately promoted. While those who considered their reputation, upheld laws and regulations, restrained greed, and followed the will of the people, were considered "lower-ranking" and would soon face execution.
Those greedy officials, as long as they can satisfy their own desires, even if strictly prohibited, will still do so; those upright officials, if they cannot fulfill their own desires, even high rewards may not motivate them. Moreover, when corrupt individuals are rewarded from above and those below can indulge their own desires, finding upright officials becomes even more challenging! Yan Guang and others lived in an era of strict surveillance, serving a foolish ruler; they upheld fairness and justice, consistently practicing kindness and generosity. The good reputation and kindness they left behind will endure even after their passing, and their legacy of kindness and generosity will surely be remembered by future generations. Therefore, I will record their deeds and include them in the chapter of "Exemplary Officials." Liang Yan Guang, styled Xiuzhi, was from the An Ding Wu clan. His grandfather Liang Mao served as the Qinzhou Inspector of Wei State and the Huazhou Inspector, and his father Liang Xian served as the Xingzhou Inspector of the Zhou Dynasty. Liang Yan Guang was exceptionally intelligent and kindhearted from a young age. His father often remarked to relatives and friends, "This child has great potential; he will surely bring honor to our family!" At the age of seven, his father fell seriously ill, and the doctor said that Wushi powder could cure him, but they couldn't find any purple fluorite at the time. Liang Yan Guang was anxious and sad, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, he saw something unusual in the garden, took it home, and discovered it was purple fluorite! His relatives were astonished and remarked that this was a testament to his filial piety moving the heavens.
During the end of the Da Tong era of the Wei Dynasty, Liang Yanguang entered the Imperial Academy, where he studied the classics, history, and various other texts in a cursory manner. He was strict in his conduct and placed great importance on etiquette. At the age of seventeen, he became a secretary. After the Zhou Dynasty came to power following the abdication, he was promoted to a junior court official. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he was promoted several times and eventually was promoted to the position of a senior official. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his post to observe mourning, grieving profoundly, surpassing even the customary expectations of mourning. Shortly afterwards, the court restored him to his position, and Emperor Wu, seeing his excessive grief, was deeply touched and offered him comfort on several occasions. Later, he was promoted to the position of a senior official, and during the Jiande period, he was promoted to a senior official. He followed Emperor Wu in pacifying the Qi kingdom, and for his merit, he was granted the title of Kaifu (Minister of State), Count of Yangcheng, with a fief of one thousand households.
After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Liang Yanguang was appointed as the Inspector of Huazhou and was elevated to the rank of Duke of Huayang, with his fief increased to one thousand five hundred households. He passed on the title of Count of Yangcheng to one of his sons. He was later promoted to Grand General, and then to a senior official. He was then appointed as the Governor of Qinzhou and Qingzhou, but he did not assume the position due to the death of Emperor Xuan. After Emperor Gaozu ascended to the throne following the abdication, Liang Yanguang was appointed as the Inspector of Qizhou and also took on the role of palace supervisor in Qizhou, with his fief raised to two thousand households. He governed Qizhou with remarkable benevolence, and auspicious signs began to manifest in the region, symbolizing prosperity and harmony.
In the second year of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor visited Qizhou for inspection and greatly admired Liang Yanguang's abilities. He decreed, "Rewards are intended to encourage good deeds and to educate the people. Yanguang is upright and far-sighted, administering with both grace and authority in Qizhou, earning a reputation for his honesty and integrity that spread throughout the realm. In three years, I will certainly promote him, but considering he might be facing financial difficulties, it is appropriate to commend his achievements now. He shall be rewarded with 500 bushels of grain, 300 pieces of cloth, and an imperial umbrella. I hope he understands my intentions and works even harder in his official duties. All officials in the realm should take him as a model, emulate his noble character, and follow his honesty and integrity." Shortly after, the emperor also rewarded him with fifty thousand coins. A few years later, Liang Yanguang was transferred to the position of Governor of Xiangzhou.
During his time in Qizhou, the local people were straightforward and sincere, and he governed with a gentle approach that inspired the entire prefecture to reform, with tax revenue ranking first in the country for consecutive years. After he arrived in Xiangzhou, he continued to use the same governance methods as in Qizhou. However, the people of Yedou had a more complex nature, with many being cunning and unpredictable. Some even wrote songs mocking his inability to govern Xiangzhou. When the emperor heard about this, he was very angry and dismissed him from his position. A year later, he was appointed as the Governor of Zhaozhou. Liang Yanguang said to the emperor, "I made mistakes in Xiangzhou before, and the people called me 'Daimao Tang' (meaning incompetent person). I thought I would be dismissed and would never have the chance to be an official again, but I did not expect the emperor to give me another chance. Please let me return to Xiangzhou, change my governance methods, and hope to change the customs there to repay the emperor's kindness." The emperor agreed and allowed him to once again serve as the Governor of Xiangzhou. When the local bullies heard that Liang Yanguang had asked to return, they all laughed at him.
After Liang Yanguang took office, he immediately cracked down on wrongdoing like a divine being. Those deceitful people all went into hiding, leaving the people of the entire state in shock. After the fall of the Qi state, many scholars moved to Guannei, leaving only technicians, merchants, and musicians in Xiangzhou. Therefore, the people of Xiangzhou had a reputation for being unruly, rumors ran rampant, and lawsuits were frequent. Liang Yanguang wanted to change this situation, so he used his own funds to recruit scholars from Shandong, establishing schools in every village to teach only Confucian classics. He convened student exams every quarter and personally participated in the exams. Those students who studied diligently and achieved excellent results were invited to dine at his table, while those who were lazy and frequently fought were made to sit in the courtyard and eat plain meals. When the students achieved academic success and passed the exams, he would host a farewell banquet for them in the countryside and provide them with assistance. As a result, everyone worked hard to study, and customs greatly improved.
There was a man from Fuyang named Jiao Tong, who had a drinking problem and was disrespectful to his parents, and was turned in to the authorities by his younger brother. Liang Yanguang did not punish him but instead took him to the state school to visit the Confucius Temple. At that time, there was a statue of Han Boyu in the Confucius Temple, showing him crying in front of his elderly, frail mother, unable to strike her with force. Upon seeing this, Jiao Tong was deeply moved and ashamed, feeling utterly embarrassed. Liang Yanguang comforted him and then let him go. Later, Jiao Tong turned his life around and eventually became a good person. Liang Yanguang used morality to influence people; this was his approach. Both officials and ordinary citizens were very grateful to him, and lawsuits dropped significantly. Several years later, Liang Yanguang passed away at the age of sixty. The court posthumously named him governor of Jizhou, Dingzhou, Qingzhou, and Yingzhou, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of Xiang. His son Liang Wenqian inherited his title.
Wen Qian, of refined character, inherited his father's excellent qualities. As the legitimate son of Zhuguo Duke, he was granted the position of Yitong San Si as per tradition. In the fifteenth year of the Kaihuang reign, he was appointed as the governor of Shangzhou. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was transferred to be the governor of Raozhou. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Poyang, and at that time, people said he was the finest prefect in the land. Later, the court summoned him to serve as the Minister of Finance.
During the Liaodong Campaign, he was appointed as General of the Imperial Guards, and shortly after, he also served as the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household and the Junior Minister of the Guard, without any change in rank. The following year, he was once again appointed as General of the Imperial Guards, serving as the Deputy Commander of the Lu Long Dao Expedition. Just as the news of Yang Xuangan's rebellion broke, Yang Xuangan's brother, Yang Xuanzong, who was also a General of the Imperial Guards and previously a subordinate of Wen Qian, fled before the news reached Wen Qian, who had no idea what was happening. Due to this incident, Wen Qian was exiled to Guilin, where he soon died at the age of fifty-six.
Wen Qian's youngest son, Wen Rang, was initially granted the title Duke of Yangcheng and later became the General of the Eagle's Flight. He fought bravely alongside Wei Xuan in the Eastern Capital against Yang Xuangan, ultimately dying in battle and was posthumously honored as a Senior Official.
Fan Shulue was from Chenliu. His father, Fan Huan, served as an official in the Wei Kingdom, rising to the position of Governor of Nanyanzhou and was also titled as the Marquis of Ayang. Later, the Gao clan gained power, and Fan Huan attempted to revive the Wei Kingdom but was killed by the Gao clan. At that time, Fan Shulue was still a child and was subjected to harsh treatment, serving in the palace. He was tall, standing at nine feet, with lofty ambitions, which made the Gao clan wary of him. Unsettled in his heart, Fan Shulue eventually made his way to the Guanzhong region.
Zhou Taizu recognized his abilities and kept him by his side. Before long, he was appointed as a governor and inherited his father's marquis title. Later, when Yuwen Hu came to power, he promoted Fan Shulue to the rank of lieutenant. Fan Shulue was skilled at strategizing and understood current affairs. Yuwen Hu gradually trusted him, allowing him to manage internal and external affairs. He continued to rise in rank, eventually becoming the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Chief of Palace Affairs. After Yuwen Hu's death, Prince Qi Yuwen Xian put him in charge of the imperial gardens. Yuwen Xian always wanted to expand his territory in the eastern region, and Fan Shulue often provided him with strategies for warfare, earning his admiration.
In the fifth year of Jiande, Emperor Zhou attacked the Qi kingdom, and Fan Shulue led an elite force that consistently led the charge. Due to his military achievements, he was granted the title of Duke of Qingxiang County, with a fief of 1,400 households. He later became the Governor of Bianzhou, renowned for his astute and decisive governance. During the reign of Emperor Xuan, when constructing the capital city in Luoyang, Fan Shulue was appointed as the project supervisor, where he designed the palace styles. Before the project could be completed, the emperor died.
When Wei Jiong rebelled, Emperor Gaozu assigned Fan Shulue to defend Daliang. Wei Jiong's general Yuwen Wei attacked, but Fan Shulue defeated them. In recognition of this achievement, he was promoted to Grand General and reinstated as the Governor of Bianzhou. After Emperor Gaozu declared himself emperor, Fan Shulue was further promoted to Grand General and titled Duke of Anding County. He served in Bianzhou for several years, earning a good reputation. The people of Yedou were notoriously difficult to govern, but Fan Shulue's governance was highly praised. Therefore, the court transferred him to Xiangzhou as the Governor, where his governance was among the most commendable of the time. The emperor even issued a decree praising him, rewarding him with 300 bolts of cloth, 500 stones of grain, and informing the entire nation. The common folk remarked, "Infinite wisdom, Duke of Qingxiang; both above and below are upright, Fan Anding."
Later, the court appointed him as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the officials were so moved to tears that they even erected a monument to praise his achievements. After becoming the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, he developed an innovative approach to agricultural production. When the court encountered difficult problems that the ministers could not solve, Fan Shu Lue could always offer solutions. Although he had not read many books, his methods were sound, he had his own ideas, and they were aligned with sound principles. The emperor trusted him very much, and Gao Feng and Yang Su also respected him. Although he was the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, he frequently engaged in the affairs of the Nine Ministers. He led a fairly lavish lifestyle, with each meal featuring an array of dishes.
In the fourteenth year of his service, he accompanied the emperor to Mount Tai for a sacrifice. When they reached Luoyang, the emperor asked him to oversee the trials of prisoners. He drafted a memorial for submission, but when he got up in the morning to go to the prison gate, he suddenly passed away while riding. He was only fifty-nine years old that year. The emperor was deeply saddened and posthumously honored him with the title of Governor of Bozhou, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of Xiang.
Zhao Gui is from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Zhao Su, was the Minister of Justice during the Wei Dynasty. From a young age, Zhao Gui loved studying and was known for his good character. The King of Cai from the Zhou Dynasty appointed him as a record keeper because of his reputation for honesty and frugality. He was later promoted to be the governor of Wei Prefecture. After the founding emperor took the throne, he was transferred to Qi Prefecture as a deputy magistrate because of his talent and reputation. His eastern neighbors had mulberry trees, and the mulberries occasionally fell into his yard. Zhao Gui had someone collect the fallen mulberries and return them to the neighbors, and he warned his children, "I'm not doing this for fame, but because I believe these mulberries weren't grown by my own hard work, and I do not want to take advantage of others. You should all remember this lesson!" He served as a deputy magistrate in Qi Prefecture for four years, and his performance evaluation was always the best. The imperial envoy, Liang Zigong, reported his achievements to the court, and the founding emperor was very pleased, rewarding him with 300 rolls of cloth and 300 measures of rice, and summoning him to the court. The townspeople who escorted him to the capital all bid him farewell in tears, saying, "During your time as deputy, you never had conflicts with the people, so we didn't dare to send you off with wine. You are as pure as water, please allow us to toast you with a cup of water." Zhao Gui accepted the gesture and drank.
After arriving in the capital, the emperor ordered him to revise the legal codes alongside Duke Qizhang and Bull Hong. At that time, Wei Wangshuang served as the governor of Yuanzhou. The emperor considered Wei Wangshuang too young, and Zhao Gui had a good reputation, so he appointed him as the governor of Yuanzhou. While on his way to take office, his horse ran into a field and trampled someone else's crops. Zhao Gui reined in the horse and waited until dawn to find the owner of the crops to compensate for the damage before leaving. Hearing about this, the officials and people of Yuanzhou all changed their ways. Several years later, he was promoted as the governor of Xiazhou, governing local ethnic minorities and earning the people's deep affection. Soon after, he was transferred to be the governor of Shouzhou. Once, there was a dilapidated dam with five gates in Shaobi. Zhao Gui motivated officials and locals to reopen thirty-six water gates, irrigating over 5,000 hectares of farmland, which greatly benefited the people. Upon completing his term, he returned to his hometown, where he passed away at sixty-two. His sons Zhao Hong'an and Zhao Hongzhi also gained notable reputations.
Fang Gongyi, courtesy name Shenyuan, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, Fang Mo, had served as the Minister of Personnel of Northern Qi. Fang Gongyi was calm and dignified, making him well-suited for a career in government. During his time in Northern Qi, he initially served as an aide-de-camp, and later became the magistrate of Ping'en County and the prefect of Jiyin, achieving remarkable results. After the fall of Northern Qi, he struggled to find a suitable position. Later, when Wei Jiong rebelled, Fang Gongyi got involved, and after Wei Jiong's defeat, Fang Gongyi retired to live a secluded life at home.
During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, the Minister of Personnel, Su Wei, recommended him. He was appointed as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and had the best performance in the Guanzhong and Sanfu regions. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased when he heard about this and granted him four hundred bolts of cloth. Fang Gongyi distributed the rewards among the poor. Not long after, he was rewarded with three hundred stones of rice, which he also used to help the poor. When the emperor heard about this, he forbade him from continuing this practice. At that time, every county magistrate in Yongzhou had to meet the emperor on the first day of each month. Every time the emperor saw Fang Gongyi, he summoned him to his side and asked him about his methods of governing the people.
Su Wei recommended him again, and he was promoted to the position of Sima of Zezhou despite the odds. He achieved remarkable results, and the emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth and a good horse. Later, he was promoted to the position of Sima of Dezhou. Over a year later, Lu Kai reported that Fang Gongyi's achievements were the best in the realm. The emperor was very surprised and rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth. He told the envoys of various states: "People like Fang Gongyi, who wholeheartedly serve the country and care for the people, are the result of blessings from heaven and ancestors. This is something that I, a humble emperor, cannot achieve! I will appoint him as a provincial governor. He should be a model for the entire realm. You should all learn from him!" The emperor also said: "Wherever Fang Gongyi goes, the people regard him as a father figure. If I do not reward him, both heaven and my ancestors will hold me accountable. Officials inside and outside the court should understand my intentions." Therefore, a decree was issued stating: "Fang Gongyi, the Sima of Dezhou, has governed a hundred li of territory, assisted two military governors, and achieved excellent results. He has executed his duties methodically, won the support of the people, and has a good reputation and achievements. He is appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs in Haizhou and the Governor of Haizhou!"
Not long after, the Imperial Scholar He Tuo reported that Fang Gongyi was a supporter of Yu Jiong and should not be elevated. He also claimed that Su Wei and Lu Kai were colluding and recommending one another. The emperor was enraged, and Fang Gongyi was ultimately found guilty and exiled to Lingnan. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the capital, but died of illness on the way to Hongzhou. Later generations believed he had been wronged.
Gongsun Jingmao, courtesy name Yuanwei, was from Fucheng, Hejian, Hebei. He was tall and robust, with a passion for learning from a young age, studying a wide range of classical texts.
During the Northern Wei Dynasty, he was selected as a filial and incorruptible official by the court, ranked first in the imperial examination, and was appointed as an aide to the Prince of Xiangcheng, as well as a military officer. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Scholar of the Ministry of Rites, where he made many improvements and was known for his extensive knowledge. He later served as the magistrate of Gaotang County and the chief justice of the Grand Court, performing exceptionally well and earning a strong reputation in these positions.
After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Zhou heard of his reputation and summoned him to the palace for a meeting. Impressed by him, the emperor appointed him as the Prefect of Jibei. However, upon the death of his mother, he resigned from his position to observe mourning at home.
At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, the emperor summoned him to the capital to discuss his strategies for governing the realm. He was then appointed as the Prefect of Runan. After the abolition of Runan Commandery, he was transferred to be the Sima of Caozhou. After serving in these positions for several years, he requested retirement due to his advanced age and declining health, but the emperor did not grant his request. He was later transferred to Xizhou as the Inspector. He upheld the law impartially and implemented clear policies, and the people were well-governed and educated. During the campaign against the Chen Dynasty, many soldiers fell ill on their way to enlist. Jingmao voluntarily reduced his own salary, preparing porridge and soup for them, bought medicine, and distributed food to assist them, ultimately saving thousands of soldiers. The emperor was delighted to learn of this and issued a decree praising his actions across the realm.
In the fifteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the emperor traveled to Luoyang. Jingmao went to pay his respects, as he was already seventy-seven years old. The emperor ordered him to sit in the hall and asked him how old he was. Jingmao truthfully answered. The emperor expressed sympathy for his age and sighed deeply. Jingmao expressed his gratitude again, saying, "Lü Shang met King Wen at eighty; I have the honor of meeting Your Majesty in my seventies." The emperor was delighted and rewarded him with three hundred bolts of fabric. The emperor also issued a decree, stating, "Jingmao is honest and upright, highly respected, and has outstanding achievements in governing the people and the region. He always excels in the annual assessment and should be promoted to a higher official position and appointed as an official of a fiefdom. He should be promoted to the title of Yitong Sanqi and the Governor of Yizhou."
The following year, he was summoned back to the capital due to illness, and both officials and common folks wept as they bid him farewell. After recovering from his illness, he requested retirement, but the emperor did not approve and instead transferred him to Daozhou as the Governor. He devoted his entire salary to purchasing calves, chickens, and pigs, distributing them to orphans, widows, and those in need. He took pleasure in riding alone to inspect the community, visiting each household, and checking on their livelihoods. If a family made repairs to their home, he would publicly commend them; if there were mistakes, he would address them privately and discreetly. As a result, people showed humility towards one another, and the gap between the rich and the poor began to narrow; men helped each other in farming, and women helped each other in weaving. In larger villages, sometimes comprising hundreds of households, everyone worked diligently together as if they were one big family. Later, he sought permission to manage government affairs, and the emperor granted his request.
During the Renshou period, the emperor sent Yang Ji on a diplomatic mission to Hebei. Seeing Jing Mao energetic and showing no signs of aging, he reported back to the emperor. Therefore, the emperor appointed him as the governor of Zizhou and granted him horses and carriages to assist him in his new role. He held many official positions throughout his career, all of which were marked by good governance, and was praised as a good official by the people. During the Daye period, he passed away at the age of 87 and was posthumously bestowed the title "Kang." On the day of his death, officials and people from several states came to mourn; some who couldn't attend the funeral wept at his tomb before departing after paying their respects.
Xin Gongyi was from Didaoren in Gansu. His grandfather Xin Hui was the governor of Xuzhou in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Xin Jiqing served as the governor of Qingzhou. Xin Gongyi lost his father when he was young and was raised by his mother, who personally taught him how to read. During the Northern Zhou Tianhe period, he was selected as a student at the Imperial College, renowned for his diligence. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was summoned to study Confucian ethics at the Lu Gate Academy in the palace. Every month, he debated before the emperor with the great Confucian scholars and was praised by Emperor Wen multiple times, earning the admiration of his peers.
During the Jiande period, he was appointed as a Xuan Na Zhongshi (a title indicating a certain rank). He followed the army in pacifying the Qi Kingdom and rose through the ranks to become the chief official and general responsible for suppressing banditry. After Emperor Wen of Sui became prime minister, he appointed Xin Gongyi as an official of the Ministry of the Interior, involving him in critical state affairs. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the chief guest attendant, overseeing the affairs of the Ministry of the Interior as well, and was granted the title of Baron of Anyang County, with a fief of two hundred households. Whenever foreign envoys visited, he was always assigned to receive and entertain them. Later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Carriages as an attendant official and was dispatched to Jiangling to stabilize the border.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang reign, he was ordered to inspect the number of horses in various horse farms, and he found over one hundred thousand horses in total. The Emperor Wen was very pleased and said, "Only someone like you, who embodies righteousness, can truly serve the country!" Later, he followed the army to help quell the Chen Kingdom and was appointed as the governor of Minzhou due to his military achievements. In Minzhou, there was a troubling custom where people were very afraid of getting sick. Whenever someone in a family fell ill, the rest of the family would stay far away, completely abandoning the principles of filial piety, which led to many patients eventually dying. Xingongyi was deeply troubled by this and wanted to change the practice.
Therefore, he sent officials to check on the people in the state. Whenever someone was sick, they were carried on a stretcher to the state office and laid out in the hall. During the summer when epidemics were prevalent, there were sometimes hundreds of patients, crowding the hall and corridors. Xingongyi personally laid a bed in the hall, sitting alone among the patients, managing state affairs day and night. He spent his entire salary on medicine, invited doctors to treat the patients, and personally persuaded them to eat. Only after the patients had recovered did he call their relatives and say, "Life and death are predetermined, and it has nothing to do with contagion. It was your abandonment of the sick that led to their deaths. Now I have gathered the patients together, staying with them day and night. If there were any contagion, wouldn't I be dead by now? Look, the patients are all better now! Don't fall for those superstitions anymore." The patients' families left feeling ashamed.
Afterwards, if the locals fell ill, they would rush to the local government. If the patients had no relatives, the local government would stay behind to take care of them. The county became full of compassion, and this unjust practice was changed. The entire county referred to him as the "Mother of Mercy." Later, he was transferred to be the governor of Mouzhou. Upon taking office, he first visited the prison, where he slept beside the cells and personally interrogated the prisoners. More than ten days later, all cases were resolved, and only then did he return to the local government. When handling new cases, he did not file the cases himself but assigned a deputy to sit beside him and conduct interrogations. If the matter was not resolved and the prisoner needed to be detained, Xingongyi remained at the local government, never returning to his home. Some advised him, "There are established procedures for handling cases; why do you work so hard?" Xingongyi replied, "If a governor has no virtue to influence the people and lets them be locked up in prison, how can I be at ease?" Upon hearing this, the prisoners voluntarily confessed and submitted to the law. Later, when someone wanted to file a lawsuit, their neighbors and elders would advise them, "These are all small matters; why bother Governor Xin?" Many cases ended this way. At that time, the Shandong region experienced continuous heavy rain, from Chenzhou and Ruzhou to the coast, all suffering severe flooding. However, Mouzhou under Xingongyi's jurisdiction remained unscathed, even producing gold and silver on the mountains, which he offered to the court. The court sent Lou Ze, an official from the Ministry of Water, to pray to Xingongyi in Mouzhou. It was said that at that time, the sound of gold and stone clashing, along with musical instruments, echoed in the sky. In the first year of Renshou, he was posthumously recognized as the Ambassador of the Yangzhou Road. Prince Yuzhang Yang Jian was worried that the officials under his jurisdiction would break the law, so he sent someone to warn him before he arrived in Yangzhou. Xingongyi replied, "I cannot act with favoritism." After arriving in Yangzhou, he treated all officials equally, showing no favoritism. Yang Jian was very dissatisfied with this.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Wang Hong, the Chief Historian of Yangzhou, went to the capital and spoke ill of Xin Gongyi to the emperor, resulting in Xin Gongyi being dismissed from his position. Many officials and common people went to the capital to appeal, and there was a constant stream of people seeking redress. Several years later, Emperor Yang of Sui understood the truth and appointed him as the Minister of Internal Affairs. Later, when his mother passed away, he returned home to observe mourning. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Grand Master of the Household and concurrently as the Right General of the Imperial Guards. He followed the army on expeditions and passed away in Liucheng County at the age of sixty-two. His son was named Xin Rong.
Liu Jian, styled Daoyue, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather, Liu Yuanzhang, had served as the Grand Inspector of Sizhou in the Wei Kingdom, as well as the Intendant of Xiangzhou and Huazhou; his father, Liu Yu, had served as the County Magistrate of Wenxi in the Zhou Dynasty. Liu Jian was known for his moderation and lived a simple life, earning the respect of the people in his hometown. Even his close relatives and friends did not dare to be disrespectful towards him. He had previously served as a Senior Official of Propaganda and a Minister in Charge of the Capital in the Zhou Dynasty. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he promoted Liu Jian to be the Assistant Minister of Water and bestowed upon him the title of Count of Luadao County. Not long after, he was sent as the Prefect to Guanghan Commandery, where he achieved notable political success and earned a strong reputation. Later, Guanghan Commandery was abolished.
At that time, the founding emperor had just unified the country and was diligent in selecting and appointing talented individuals to serve as local officials. Liu Jian was known for his honesty and benevolence and was promoted to be the Intendant of Pengzhou. He resolved cases immediately without written records, only using verbal instructions to manage his subordinates. He remained calm and composed, and there were never any prisoners in his jail. Prince Yang Xiu of Shu, who was stationed in Yizhou at the time, reported Liu Jian's achievements to the court, leading to Liu Jian being promoted to be the Prefect of Qiongzhou. He served as the Prefect of Qiongzhou for over ten years, and the local minority ethnic groups greatly respected him. However, when Prince Yang Xiu committed a crime, Liu Jian was dismissed from his position due to his association with him. Upon returning to his hometown, he traveled in a dilapidated carriage and rode a thin horse, struggling to support his family, drawing sympathy from those who encountered him.
Emperor Yang of Sui summoned him after ascending to the throne. At that time, officials who held positions as governors and county magistrates due to their achievements were all accompanied by military forces, except for Liu Jian, who started as an ordinary official. Emperor Yang of Sui greatly admired his governance, granted him the position of a court official, appointed him as the governor of Honghua County, and rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth. Liu Jian's integrity and frugality became even more pronounced. In the fifth year of the Daye era, he attended a court assembly in the capital, where officials from across the nation gathered. Emperor Yang of Sui asked Su Wei, the Minister of Rites, and Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel, "Who has the best reputation in the realm?" Su Wei replied that it was Liu Jian. Emperor Yang of Sui then asked who was second, to which Su Wei replied that it was Guo Xuan, the magistrate of Zhuo County, and Jing Su, the magistrate of Yingchuan County. Emperor Yang of Sui rewarded Liu Jian with two hundred bolts of cloth, and Guo Xuan and Jing Su with one hundred bolts each, ordering the officials to have the cloth delivered to their county offices to commend their integrity. People praised him.
In the later years of Daye, banditry was rampant, and Liu Jian was attacked multiple times. However, he pacified the local people and minority groups, preventing any rebellions and successfully maintaining stability in the region. Later, rebel forces entered Chang'an, enthroned Emperor Gong, and Liu Jian, along with Li Can, who remained in the province, wore plain clothes and faced south in tears. He later returned to the capital, where the Prime Minister honored him with three hundred bolts of cloth and appointed him as the Grand General. He passed away at home a little over a year later, at the age of eighty-nine.
Guo Xuan, from Yongji, Shanxi, originally came from a poor family. He started as a low-ranking official in the Shangshu Province, later rose to the position of Yitong Sanji based on his military achievements, and served as a Sima and Changshi in several states, performing excellently and earning a good reputation. When Emperor Yang of Sui had just ascended the throne, the Minister of Punishments, Yuwen Bi, was inspecting Hebei and took Guo Xuan as his assistant. Emperor Yang of Sui was preparing to fight in Liaodong and considered the strategic importance of Zhuozhou Prefecture, so he appointed Guo Xuan as the magistrate of Zhuozhou Prefecture, which delighted the local officials and common folk. Several years later, Guo Xuan was promoted to the military governor of Zhuozhou and also took charge of the garrison. Later, when banditry broke out in Shandong, Guo Xuan led troops to capture many of them. While other regions were in turmoil, Zhuozhou remained peaceful. Subsequently, Guo Xuan led troops to fight against Dou Jiande in Hejian and died in battle. Officials and people mourned him for months on end.
Jing Su, courtesy name Hongjian, was from Puban in Yongji, Shanxi. He was known for his integrity and uprightness from a young age and initially served as the chief scribe of the county. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he became the magistrate of Anling County and performed excellently, which led to his promotion to Sima of Qinzhou and later to Chief Historian of Binzhou. In the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he served as the Sima of Weizhou and made notable contributions. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, Jing Su was appointed magistrate of Yingchuan Commandery. In the fifth year of Daye, he went to the eastern capital Luoyang to meet the emperor, who tasked Xue Daoheng, the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, with assessing officials throughout the empire. Xue Daoheng praised Jing Su in his report, stating, "His heart is as firm as iron and stone, becoming more upright with age." At that time, the powerful Left General, Yüwen Shu, whose hometown was in Yingchuan, frequently sent letters to Jing Su. However, Jing Su never opened these letters and had them returned unopened. He strictly punished any of Yüwen Shu's guests who behaved recklessly, without any leniency, which caused Yüwen Shu to hold a grudge against him. In the later years of the Daye era, Jing Su requested retirement, which the emperor granted. On the day he retired, he had no savings. A year later, Jing Su passed away at the age of eighty.
Liu Kuang, whose origins are unknown, was a cautious and kind-hearted man who always handled matters with sincerity and tolerance. At the beginning of Emperor Wen of Sui's reign, he was appointed as the magistrate of Pingxiang County and rode alone on horseback to take up his post. When disputes arose among the common people, he patiently and carefully explained the issues to them, emphasizing their importance and urgency. Instead of imposing harsh punishments, his kindness made them feel ashamed, causing them to leave voluntarily. He used his salary to assist the poor. Moved by his actions, the common people encouraged one another, saying, "With such a good official, how can we do wrong things!"
He served as the magistrate of Pingxiang County for seven years. During his tenure, the local climate underwent a significant change. There were no prisoners in the jail, and lawsuits had disappeared. The prison was overgrown with grass, and the yard was so spacious it could even be used for tennis (the mention of playing tennis is exaggerated, indicating the spaciousness of the yard). When he left his post, officials and commoners from the county, no matter their rank, cried and escorted him on the road for hundreds of miles without the procession ever breaking.
Later, he was promoted to magistrate of Linying County, maintaining a reputation for integrity and good governance, and was regarded as the best in the land. The Minister of Public Works, Gao Feng, reported his deeds to the emperor. The emperor called him in, praised him, and remarked, "There are so many county magistrates in the world, but you stand out. It's truly delightful!" He then told his officials, "If we don't reward him properly, how can we encourage others?" Consequently, the emperor issued a generous decree promoting him to governor of Juzhou.
Wang Jia, a native of Zhangwu in Hebei, served as a low-ranking official in Qizhou during the later years of Emperor Wen of Sui's Kaihuang reign. Initially, he held the position of a junior military officer, which was pretty unremarkable. Later, the governor of Qizhou sent him to escort over seventy exiled prisoners, including Li Can and others, to the capital. At that time, it was the rule that exiled prisoners had to be escorted in chains.
When Wang Jia reached Xingyang and saw how much the prisoners were suffering, he felt really troubled. He gathered them and said, "You've broken the law, disrupted the social order, and are suffering in chains, and that's your punishment. But do you not feel aggrieved having to endure this hardship on the road as well?" The prisoners thanked him, and Wang Jia said, "Although you've broken the law, being in chains is really tough. I want to help you get those chains off. Can you promise to meet up in the capital on time?" The prisoners all knelt down and thanked him, saying, "We won't hold up!"
King Jia helped them all break free from their shackles and stopped the soldiers escorting them. He struck a deal with them, saying, "You must reach the capital by a certain day. If anyone fails to arrive, I am willing to take responsibility for them." Then he let them go. The exiled prisoners were all very happy and arrived in the capital on time, with no one escaping or betraying them.
The emperor was taken aback when he heard about this and called King Jia in for a chat, praising him repeatedly. The emperor then summoned all the exiled prisoners and allowed them to bring their wives and children into the palace, where they were treated to a feast and their crimes were forgiven.
The emperor also issued a decree, saying, "All people in the world, who are flesh and blood, possess a sense of right and wrong. If treated with sincerity and guided patiently, the social climate will improve, and people will lean towards goodness. In the past, due to chaos in the world and moral decay, officials lacked compassion, and the common people harbored deceitful thoughts, resulting in endless lawsuits and making it hard to govern society. I've been tasked by the heavens to bring peace to the people, aiming to follow the teachings of the wise and influence the people with morality. I work hard every day, keeping my mind on this. King Jia deeply understands my intentions and guides those prisoners with sincerity. Li Can and the others were touched and chose to turn themselves in. This shows that people aren't hard to educate; it is just that officials have not properly guided them, which led to their crimes and took away their chance to reform. If all officials could be like King Jia, and all people like Li Can, then there would be no need for punishment. Is that really so far-fetched?"
The emperor then promoted King Jia to magistrate of Yongzhou, where he served with distinction and earned a great reputation.
Wei Deshen hailed from Julu. His grandfather Wei Chong served as the Minister of Justice and the Prefect of Jianzhou during the Zhou Dynasty, which led the family to relocate to Hongnong. His father, Wei Pi, served as the magistrate of Yulin County. Wei Deshen began his career as a minor official under Emperor Wen, later serving as the secretary of Fengyi County and the assistant to the magistrate of Wuyang County. Thanks to his exceptional abilities, he rose in rank and became the magistrate of Guixiang County. He was honest and fair in his official duties, not overly strict, yet managed the county effectively.
At that time, there was conflict with Liaodong, with a multitude of taxes and levies being imposed everywhere, and officials sent to collect them, passing the buck to the counties. The court's governance was lax and chaotic, with many officials corrupt, extorting taxes from the populace, who were suffering tremendously. Only in Guixiang County under Wei Deshen's jurisdiction was there an ample supply of goods, no exploitation of the people, and everything due to them was provided, allowing the people to live in peace and prosperity, which was considered a prosperous era at that time. Banditry was rampant, and many cities near Wuyang were attacked, yet Guixiang County remained unscathed. The county magistrate Yuan Baozang was ordered to capture the bandits, but he was defeated in every encounter, ran out of weapons and equipment, resorted to conscripting labor, and frequently used military law, repeating this several times. Other cities tried to build defense works, but the efforts were concentrated in the government offices, officials blamed each other, creating chaos around the clock, and still couldn't complete the construction. In contrast, Wei Deshen inquired about the needs of the people, how they wanted to do it, and then allowed them to proceed as they saw fit. The government office was quiet, as if nothing was amiss. He merely restricted the county officials from constructing defenses that surpassed those of other counties, to prevent placing too much burden on the populace. Nonetheless, everyone put in great effort, and the defensive structures in Guixiang County consistently turned out the best.
Later, Wei Deshen took up the position of county magistrate in Guantao County. When the officials and people of the county heard about it, they all spoke highly of him, weeping uncontrollably, speechless with emotion. When Wei Deshen was about to leave, the whole town turned out to send him off, their wails echoing far and wide. Upon arriving in Guantao County, the locals treated him like family. There was a corrupt official named Zhao Junshi, a Yuanwailang, who was well-connected with the previous county magistrate, Yuan Baozang. Previous magistrates had to bow to their influence. After Wei Deshen arrived in Guantao County, Zhao Junshi didn't dare to show his face. Those who had fled all returned, turning the place into a bustling fair. The elders and villagers weren't deterred by the dangers and traveled to the capital to plead with the court to keep Wei Deshen, and the emperor granted their request.
The people of Guantao once again went to the county government to complain, saying that the documents from your village were forged. The county government was unable to reach a decision. Later, the court sent envoys Wei Ji, Du Zheng, and others. Both counties went to the envoys to complain, and in the end, the envoys ruled in favor of your village. The officials and villagers of your village were overjoyed and celebrated together. The people of Guantao wore long faces, and several hundred households relocated as a result. Yuan Baozang was very jealous of Wei Deshen's talent. Later, King Dong of Yue recruited soldiers from the county, and Yuan Baozang sent Wei Deshen with a thousand soldiers to the eastern capital. Not long after, Yuan Baozang surrendered to Li Mi. The soldiers led by Wei Deshen were all from Wuyang, the same hometown as Li Mi. Thinking of his relatives and friends, he wept as he left the city and made his way east. Some advised him, "Li Mi's army is near Jinyong City, just over twenty li from here. If you want to go back, no one can stop you. Why torture yourself like this?" The soldiers all cried and said, "We came out together with County Magistrate Wei and can't bear to leave him behind. Why would we care about the distance?" Wei Deshen won the hearts of the people this way. Later, Wei Deshen died in battle against bandits, and the people of both your village and Guantao still remember him fondly to this day. Legend has it that at that time, there was a magistrate in Liyang County, Gao Shiheng from Bohai; the magistrate of Xiaoxian was Liu Gao from Pengcheng; and the magistrate of Chenggao County was Liu Chi from Hongnong. These three officials were exceptionally virtuous and did much good for the people. By the end of the Sui Dynasty, many officials fell into corruption, but Gao Shiheng, Liu Gao, and Liu Chi stood firm in their integrity. They held themselves to even higher standards than ever, and the local atmosphere was particularly good. Not a single person languished in the county jail, and the common people praised them.
The historical records say: The ancients said it well, "Those who are good at managing water will guide it to calm waters; those who are good at educating the people will make them peaceful and harmonious." When the water flows gently, it will not damage the levees and dams; when the people live in peace and harmony, they will not violate the laws. Therefore, to change customs, reform habits, educate the people, and encourage them to follow the law, it is not enough to rely solely on strict punishment. The real key is these upright and honest officials. People like Gao Shiheng adhere to the right principles and sincerely treat the people, so wherever they go, the people hold them in high regard. Even after they leave, the people remember them fondly.
Those who, like Jing Mao, stop evil and promote kindness; those who, like Gongyi, care for and sympathize with the people's suffering; those who, like Liu Kuang, bring good practices to the areas they oversee; those who, like Deshen, are deeply loved by the people - their contributions far exceed those of even the most renowned officials in history such as Xinchun, Dushi, Zheng Hun, and Zhu Yi! As the Book of Songs says, "The gentle and kind gentleman is the father and mother of the people." This saying is absolutely true!
Unfortunately, officials with noble character like Gao Shiheng are often mistrusted by the emperor. Because of minor past mistakes, they are exiled to desolate backcountry, which is truly a pity! And then there is Liu Jian, who faced difficulties in life after resigning from office; when Zhao Gui's term was up, the people sent him off with heartfelt respect - truly exemplary officials of integrity!
