Li E, courtesy name Shihui, was a native of Zhaojun. He was particularly fond of learning and excelled in writing. During his time in the Northern Qi dynasty, he served as a secretary in the Central Secretariat, was a skilled speaker, and often debated with envoys from other countries on behalf of the court. After Emperor Wu of the Zhou dynasty conquered Northern Qi, Li E was appointed as a Senior Official of the Heavenly Bureau. He believed that Emperor Wu (Gaozu) would surely achieve great success in the future, so he proactively befriended him. After Gaozu became Prime Minister, he held Li E in high regard and often sought his advice on governing strategies. During a time of continuous warfare and empty state coffers, Li E composed the "Chonggu Lun" to counsel Gaozu. Gaozu greatly valued his advice. After Gaozu became emperor, Li E went on to serve as the Deputy Minister of Personnel and the Deputy Minister of Rites, and was granted the title of Earl of Nanhe. Li E was upright, well-versed in worldly matters, and deeply admired by the people of his time. Later, he was promoted to Imperial Historiographer, and Emperor Wu publicly acknowledged him in front of all the ministers, saying, "When I was the Grand Marshal, I always wanted to serve as an official in a distant place. Li E presented me with twelve suggestions, earnestly advising me not to leave the capital, which ultimately helped me decide to stay at court. Our accomplishments today are all thanks to Li E!" He then rewarded him with two thousand bolts of cloth.
Li E saw that the social atmosphere at that time was in decline. After the high-ranking officials and nobles passed away, their concubines, maids, as well as descendants, were often bought and sold at will, which had become a troubling custom. So Li E wrote a memorial saying: "I have heard that by honoring ancestors and handling funeral affairs with care, the people's morals can become more sincere, and only by observing filial piety for three years without change can one be considered filial. However, I have heard that some ministers in the court, shortly after their parents' passing, due to financial difficulties, sell their parents' concubines. This behavior severely undermines social morals. Although concubines occupy a lowly status, they have also served their masters and should observe filial piety for three years, as is the practice both in ancient and modern times. How can they so quickly abandon their mourning attire, compel them to adorn themselves and weep before the spirit tablet, and then send them off to another household? Witnessing such a situation, bystanders are filled with sorrow, let alone the deceased's children. How can one bear to do such a thing? There are also some high-ranking court officials, with prominent status, who had deep friendships with their friends during their lifetime, like brothers. However, after their passing, their friends treat them like strangers. They learn of their death in the morning, and by evening, they are already scheming to marry their concubines, completely disregarding shame and friendship. Furthermore, the principles of family governance can be applied to the court. If one’s personal morals are not virtuous, how can one expect to serve as a good official?" The emperor was pleased after reading the memorial and henceforth decreed that wives and concubines of officials of fifth rank and above were not allowed to remarry. Li E also noticed that proficient writers were promoting a superficial literary style, imitating each other, becoming increasingly absurd and irredeemable. So he wrote another memorial saying:
I heard that in ancient times, the wise kings first sought to change the thoughts and behaviors of the people, restrain their desires, block their evil and indulgent thoughts, and guide them towards a simple and harmonious path. The Five Constants, the Five Relationships, and the Six Principles are the foundation of educating the people, while the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, and Book of Changes are the door to understanding righteousness. Therefore, every household should respect their parents, love their siblings, and everyone should understand etiquette; only then can customs be rectified and the social atmosphere harmonized, as there is nothing more important than this. In the past, those who wrote essays, memorials, and inscriptions wrote to commend merits, praise talents, explain achievements, and prove principles. Without the purpose of promoting good and punishing evil, these writings would be meaningless.
However, as time went on, the social atmosphere gradually deteriorated. The three emperors of the Wei dynasty preferred ornate prose and essays, neglecting the king's noble path, and only focusing on superficial skills. Those below learned from those above, influencing each other and competing for ornate language, thus forming this trend. During the Qi and Liang dynasties in Jiangnan, this bad trend became even more serious, with both officials and commoners indulging solely in poetry and essays. As a result, they abandoned fundamental truths, pursued empty ideals, merely for the sake of rhyme and clever phrasing. The writings became lengthy and empty, like piles of official documents, full of empty talk. People began to praise one another based on this, and the court also chose talents accordingly.
Since there is a way to get promoted and rich, people are even more enthusiastic about it. As a result, rural children and the offspring of high-ranking officials and nobles start writing five-character regulated verse before they reach adulthood. As for the systems of Fuxi, Nuwa, Shun, and Yu, and the teachings of Yi Yin, Fu Sheng, Duke Zhou, and Confucius, they are simply not interested, much less pay attention to them. They view unruliness as a form of nobility, deceit as accomplishment, Confucian scholars as old-fashioned, and writing prose as the behavior of a gentleman. Therefore, the more they write, the more chaotic political affairs become, all because they have abandoned the standards of the sages and considered useless things as useful. This trend of focusing on trivial matters rather than fundamentals spread throughout the country, passed down from generation to generation, becoming more severe over time. It was not until the Sui Dynasty was established, ushering in the sage's way, that the frivolous and hypocritical atmosphere was eliminated, and the ornate and deceptive literary style was curbed. Without a broad knowledge of the classics, high moral character, a commitment to virtue, and adherence to benevolence, one could not enter the court as an official. In the fourth year of the Kaihuang era, the emperor issued a decree to the whole country, demanding that all official and private documents be written truthfully. In September of that year, Sima Youzhi, the Prefect of Sizhou, was punished for his extravagant literary style by the relevant authorities. From then on, the court officials understood the correct path, began to study the classics, abandoned the ornate and deceptive literary style, and chose to implement the exemplary systems of the ancient kings.
But it is said that in some remote areas, old customs are still being upheld, and when selecting officials, the established guidelines are ignored. Those who leverage family ties to flaunt their filial piety, putting on a facade of righteousness in the village, merely study empty doctrines and do not adhere to any principles in their dealings, will be excluded from consideration; those who do not study ancient classics, pursue fads, write trivial articles, and band together to seek fame and fortune, will be selected as officials and recommended to the court. This is all because the county magistrate and governor have failed to cultivate a positive atmosphere, tainted by personal interests, and have not upheld impartiality. Since I have taken on the position of a constitutional official, I should take responsibility for oversight. If I were to impeach immediately upon discovery, I am afraid that too many individuals could be affected, so I request that all departments conduct thorough investigations. If there are such individuals, prepare a report and submit it to the court. Ah, those officials all love to show off, and I have submitted yet another memorial.
I heard that Emperor Shun admonished Yu, saying: "As long as you are not arrogant and conceited, no one in the world can compete with your abilities; as long as you do not boast, no one in the world can compete with your achievements." Zixia also said: "If you have too many dealings with the ruler, you will be humiliated; if you have too many friends, you will be alienated." These are the famous sayings of ancient sages, the principles followed by emperors throughout history. Therefore, the principle of being a subject is to devote oneself wholeheartedly to serving the country. Even if you work diligently like Dayu, and your achievements are admired like a teacher's, you should not boast excessively to please the monarch. Furthermore, my achievements are trivial, and my hard work cannot make up for my mistakes. I wouldn't dare to boast and interrupt Your Majesty's valuable time! In today's society, morality has sunk to an all-time low, worse than in the Zhou Dynasty. People below have no sense of shame, and those above tolerate them. People get promoted for what they say rather than what they actually do. Those who boast about themselves are easily promoted, while those who are humble and cautious are often forgotten. So they all scramble to write reports, boasting of their accomplishments; when they enter the palace to meet the emperor, they desperately talk about how devoted they are. They boast shamelessly and do not feel ashamed; they insist that being competent is their sole qualification. Since the founding of the Sui Dynasty, this trend has changed. Even ordinary farmers have abandoned this bad habit, so why do court officials still follow it? I heard that some provincial governors come to the capital to see the emperor, boasting about their achievements in handling cases, making a loud commotion at the palace steps, speaking arrogantly and disrespectfully, boasting about themselves, and offending the emperor's dignity, which is unforgivable. I've written reports on these individuals, urging the emperor to punish them severely to restore order.
The suggestions previously submitted by the official have been distributed nationwide, and the entire nation followed suit, correcting many bad practices. During his tenure, the official focused on the overall situation and did not employ harsh and oppressive measures, so he did not earn a reputation for being upright and incorruptible. However, he actually did a lot to correct various issues.
There was a man named Su Wei, who served as an official in Pei County. He felt that the roadside shops were only there to make money, dirty and disorderly, not proper businesses. He petitioned Emperor Gaozu, suggesting that these shops be forced to return to farming, and if anyone wanted to keep doing business, they should register at the local market in the county, then demolish the original shops and move to a more distant location, with a deadline. As it was very cold in winter, no one dared to say anything. The official was away on a trip and, seeing the situation, felt that the common people all had their own livelihoods and should be allowed to manage their own livelihoods. Inns and roadside shops have always been different, so it didn't make sense to have them register at the market! Moreover, inns were places for travelers to rest; how could they just be told to stop? This would only create problems without any advantages, so he decided to allow those shops to keep operating, and then he would report to the Emperor. Emperor Gaozu was very pleased and said, "A minister who thinks for the country should act like this!" Later, because he was getting old, he was appointed as the magistrate of Tongzhou, where he performed very well and was well-respected by the people. Three years later, he sadly passed away, leaving behind four sons.
His two sons, Datie and Jun, both served as Shangshu Lang. His eldest son, Dafang, inherited his title and was very talented. During the Sui Dynasty, he became an official in the Imperial Library. The Emperor intended to promote him, but he sadly passed away.
Bao Hong, courtesy name Runshen, was from Tan County, Shandong. His father, Bao Ji, was famous for his talents and served as an official in the Liang Dynasty, eventually reaching the position of Imperial Secretary responsible for editing. Bao Hong became an orphan at the age of seven, but fortunately, his brother Bao Quan raised him. By the age of twelve, he was already writing articles and even composed poetry with King Xiao Yi of Xiangdong. Xiao Yi greatly admired him and appointed him as an Assistant, later promoting him to Advisor in Zhen Nan Prefecture and then as an official in the Ministry of Water. Eventually, he rose to the rank of Cavalier Attendant. After the pacification of Jiangling, he returned to Northern Zhou. Emperor Ming of Zhou highly respected him and appointed him as a Scholar at the Linzidi Hall. He gradually rose to the rank of a Lower Official of Suibo. He also embarked on a mission to the State of Chen alongside Du Zihui to discuss attacking the State of Qi. Consequently, Chen dispatched troops north of the Yangtze River to invade Qi.
Emperor Ming of Zhou once asked Bao Hong how to conquer the State of Qi, to which Bao Hong replied: "We are strong and Qi is weak; our strength is simply incomparable. The Emperor of Qi is close to petty people, and the politics are becoming more chaotic, while our Emperor is kind and lenient, with strict laws and regulations. It's like a tower built with tiles, stable and solid; there's nothing to worry about. It's just that during previous campaigns to Luoyang, Qi was already prepared, so we couldn't win quickly. In my opinion, the best approach is to send troops straight to Fenzhou and Luzhou, then suddenly attack Jinyang to catch them by surprise." Emperor Ming of Zhou accepted his advice. After pacifying Shandong, Bao Hong was appointed Junior Imperial Secretary, granted the title of Count of Pingyao with a fief of six hundred households, and conferred the title of General of the Household.
After the founding emperor Yang Jian became prime minister, he sent Bao Hong on a diplomatic mission to the southern regions. While passing through Tongzhou, Wang Qian launched a rebellion in Shu, and Bao Hong was captured by Wang Qian's general, Da Xiji, and was forced to be sent to Chengdu. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast. After Wang Qian's failure, someone promptly informed the court. Emperor Yang Jian highly valued his loyalty and bestowed upon him a golden belt. When Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Bao Hong as Minister of Works, appointed him governor of Lizhou, elevated him to the rank of duke, and later appointed him governor of Qiongzhou. After his term ended, he returned to the capital.
At that time, there was a man named Wei Yichen. His father, Wei Chong, refused to surrender to Wei Jiong and later died in battle against the Turks. The emperor was very moved and wanted to give him the surname Jin. Bao Hong said, "In the past, Xiang Bo refused to surrender to Xiang Yu, so Emperor Gaozu gave him the surname Liu; Qin Zhen's father sacrificed himself for the country, so Emperor Wendi gave him the surname Cao. In my opinion, he should be given an imperial surname." The founding emperor Yang Jian said, "Good!" and granted Wei Yichen the surname Yang. Later, Bao Hong was appointed governor of Junzhou, but retired due to vision issues and passed away at the age of ninety-six. In his earlier years, Emperor Wu of Zhou commissioned Bao Hong to compile a genealogy of the imperial family, which was divided into three parts: "Imperial Lineage," "Branches," and "Surnames." Bao Hong also wrote a collection of essays in ten volumes, which have been preserved through the ages.
Pei Zheng, styled Debiao, was from Wenxi, Shanxi. His great-grandfather was the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Song, and moved to Shouyang with Emperor Wu. He served as the Chief Military Historian and the prefect of Lujiang. His grandfather Pei Sui was the Attendant Minister of the Liang Dynasty, the left guard general, and the grand governor of Yuzhou; his father Pei Zhili was the Prefect of Justice. Pei Zheng was intelligent and well-educated from a young age, with exceptional memory and a deep understanding of the political situation at the time, earning praise from his contemporaries. At the age of fifteen, he was invited to serve as a military advisor in the Prince Shaoling's mansion in Shaoling, and later promoted to the rank of Lang of the Ministry of Rites and magistrate of Zhijiang. When the Prince of Xiangdong arrived in Jingzhou, he summoned Pei Zheng to serve as a secretary in the Xuanhui Mansion, and soon after he was promoted to the position of Cavalry Attendant.
During Hou Jing's rebellion, Pei Zheng was appointed as the General of Zhuangwu, leading troops alongside Prince Wang Lin to suppress Hou Jing. He captured the rebel leader Song Zixian and presented him to Jingzhou. After quelling the Hou Jing rebellion, he led the vanguard troops into Jianye and was granted the title of Marquis of Yiling due to his outstanding military achievements. He was later summoned to serve as an attendant yellow gate official, and then once again led troops to assist Wang Lin in resisting Xiao Ji, defeating him at Xiaokou. He was further appointed as the General of Pingyue and the Chief Historian of Zhen Nanfu. Later, as the Zhou army besieged Jingzhou, Wang Lin rushed from Guizhou to rescue, marching towards Changsha. Pei Zheng requested to take a secret route to inform Emperor Yuan. However, he was captured by the Zhou army at Bailing Island. Xiao Cha said to Pei Zheng, "I am the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Northern Wei Dynasty; can I not be your emperor? Why sacrifice yourself for that ruler of the seven surnames? If you follow my advice, your descendants will be wealthy and noble; if not, I will have you executed!" Pei Zheng pretended to agree, saying, "I will follow your orders."
Xiao Cha imprisoned him, escorted him to the city gate, and ordered him to tell Emperor Yuan, "Wang Sengbian has declared himself emperor upon hearing that Taicheng is under siege. Wang Lin's forces are weak and cannot come to the rescue." Pei Zheng complied. Then he said to the people in the city, "Reinforcements are about to arrive; everyone must remain resolute! As an envoy captured, I must use death to serve the country!" The guards struck him, but he never changed his statement. Xiao Cha was furious and ordered him to be executed immediately. Cai Daye urged, "He is the hope of the people. If he is killed, Jingzhou will not be taken." So Pei Zheng was released. After the fall of Jiangling, he and the city officials were escorted northward. Emperor Wen of Zhou, upon hearing of his loyalty, appointed him as an Attendant Cavalier, permitting him to engage in political matters. Emperor Wen also had him and Lu Bian establish the Six Ministers according to the system of the "Rites of Zhou," establishing official positions, including public ministers, grand officials, and scholars, and compiling court rituals that specified the use of chariots, attire, and utensils, largely adhering to ancient rites while abolishing the outdated laws of the Han and Wei periods, all of which were implemented. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, and later promoted to junior judge. Pei Zheng was well-versed in the laws and systems, and also participated in the revision of the "Laws of Zhou." He could drink a lot of alcohol without getting drunk. Despite the overwhelming number of case files, he could handle them quickly, administering justice with both leniency and firmness, ensuring there were no miscarriages of justice. For prisoners sentenced to death, he allowed their wives to visit them in prison. When it came time to execute the death penalty in winter, the prisoners all said, "Master Pei sentenced me to death; I die without regrets." This exemplifies his fairness in law enforcement! He was also well-versed in music theory, engaging in discussions about music with Changsun Shaoyuan, as documented in the "Records of Music Theory." During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was dismissed for having offended the emperor.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, he was reappointed to his original official position. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was promoted to the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards and was also appointed as Chief of the Three Departments of Ceremonial. The emperor ordered him, along with Su Wei and others, to revise the laws. He consulted criminal law codes from the Wei and Jin periods up to those of the Qi and Liang dynasties, comparing their severity and relevance, and selecting suitable ones for adoption. More than ten people participated in the revision, and he was responsible for resolving all difficult issues. Later, he was promoted to Cavalier Attendant and then appointed as Left Attendant. He rectified numerous errors and earned a reputation for his integrity and straightforwardness. He was entrusted with handling all major matters in the Eastern Palace.
Liu Rong, the Right Shuzi, had a very stubborn personality. At that time, the military officers took turns on duty, and the Tongshi, Zhao Yuankai, was supposed to write a memorial to present to the Crown Prince, but he had not finished it yet. The Crown Prince ordered repeatedly and urged Zhao Yuankai, saying, "You can just report it orally; there's no need to write a memorial." After Zhao Yuankai reported orally, the Crown Prince asked him, "Where is the memorial?" Zhao Yuankai replied, "I informed Lord Liu, but he wouldn't let me write the memorial." The Crown Prince then questioned Liu Rong, who denied it, claiming, "That never happened." The Crown Prince handed this matter over to Zheng for investigation. Before the formal report was released, someone from Liu Rong's faction went to the Crown Prince and said, "Zheng is trying to frame Liu Rong; that what he said wasn't true." The Crown Prince summoned Zheng and questioned him, and Zheng replied, "Investigating a matter involves two aspects: assessing the situation and finding evidence, carefully examining right from wrong to determine the truth. I investigated Liu Rong, who is of high status and importance; even if he did say something like that to Zhao Yuankai, it would only be a minor fault. Logically, there's no reason to hide it. I also investigated Zhao Yuankai, who is under Liu Rong's influence; how could he possibly dare to make things up out of thin air to frame him? The situations of both are logically consistent. Zhao Yuankai also found Left Guard Shuai Cui Qian and others to testify, and their testimonies are consistent with Zhao Yuankai's account. The situation has been clarified, and we need evidence to determine the truth. I believe Liu Rong did say those words to Zhao Yuankai; this matter is definitely true." The Crown Prince ultimately chose not to punish Liu Rong, but praised Zheng for his uprightness and fairness.
As for Pei Zheng, he enjoys openly criticizing others to their faces and never regrets it afterward. At that time, there was a person named Ding Xing, who often visited the Crown Prince's palace and brought him strange clothes and odd trinkets, maintaining inappropriate relationships with the palace concubines, acting without restraint. Pei Zheng advised the Crown Prince numerous times, but the Crown Prince just wouldn’t listen.
So Pei Zheng said to Ding Xing, "What you have done is completely against the rules! Moreover, Consort Yuan has just died unexpectedly, and the whole city is in an uproar. This is not good for the reputation of the Crown Prince! You’d better step back voluntarily; otherwise, you will get into trouble sooner or later!" Ding Xing was furious upon hearing this, so he went to the Crown Prince to complain. The Crown Prince became even more distant from Pei Zheng and later sent him to Xiangzhou as the prefect.
After taking office in Xiangzhou, Pei Zheng's wife did not accompany him, and he distributed all his salary to his subordinates. He kept a close eye on the crimes committed by common people, sometimes not pursuing them for a whole year. When they committed a second or third offense, he would wait for a large gathering to publicly call them out in front of everyone, personally try the case, and execute those deserving death and exile those deserving it. Many people were exiled at once. The entire prefecture was so intimidated that no one dared to act recklessly, and his orders were promptly executed. The common people lived and worked in peace, treating him like a god. Later, the prison in Xiangzhou was hardly used, and there were very few lawsuits. He passed away at the age of eighty-nine, leaving behind a book called "Records of the Holy Descent," consisting of ten volumes.
After the Crown Prince was deposed, Emperor Gaozu remembered Pei Zheng and lamented, "If I had left Pei Zheng and Liu Xing to support the Crown Prince, perhaps the situation would not have turned out like this." Pei Zheng's son, Pei Nanjin, later became an official in the Ministry of Food.
Liu Zhuang, with the style name of Si Jing, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather, Liu Jiyuan, served as a Senior Clerk in the Ministry of Works during the Liang Dynasty; his father, Liu Xia, was the Inspector of Huozhou. From a young age, Liu Zhuang harbored lofty ambitions, was well-read and excelled in rhetoric. Cai Dabao from Jiyang was well-known in the Jiangnan region and served as an advisor to Prince Yueyang Xiao Cha. Upon seeing Liu Zhuang, he exclaimed, "The Water Mirror Scholar of Xiangyang Zhuge Liang has appeared here!" Cai Dabao subsequently married his daughter to Liu Zhuang. Not long after, Xiao Cha appointed Liu Zhuang as a military officer and later promoted him to the position of a legal officer. After Xiao Cha became emperor, he appointed Liu Zhuang as a Master of the Imperial Library, and later served as a Yellow Gate Attendant, Assistant Minister of Personnel, and Minister of Rites.
When Yang Jian was serving as a regent, Xiao Kui sent Liu Zhuang to the capital with a letter. At that time, the three factions were vying for power, and Yang Jian was worried that Xiao Kui had other intentions. After Liu Zhuang returned, Yang Jian said to him, "I followed the Kai Fu of the Liang Dynasty to Jiangling before, and I was deeply favored by Emperor Liangwu. Now the young monarch of the Liang Dynasty is facing a critical situation, and being trusted by you fills me with gratitude. I often reflect at night, filled with shame and fear. The emperors of the Liang Dynasty have always been illustrious and loyal to the court, and in the future, they will surely demonstrate steadfast integrity like that of pine and bamboo. When you return to the Liang Dynasty, please convey my thoughts to Emperor Liangwu." After speaking, Yang Jian held Liu Zhuang's hand and said goodbye with reluctance.
At that time, the generals of the Liang Dynasty secretly requested to send troops to join forces with Wei Jiong and others to resist Yang Jian. This way, they could remain loyal to the Zhou Dynasty while also gaining control over the southern mountainous regions. Only Xiao Kui hesitated about this. At that moment, Liu Zhuang returned from Chang'an, elaborating on Yang Jian's sincerity before addressing Xiao Kui, "In the past, people like Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Wang Ling, and Zhuge Dan were all dominant figures at that time. They occupied strategic locations and had many soldiers and generals, but ultimately they did not achieve any success and quickly met their demise. The reason was that Cao Cao and the Sima family used the emperor to control the feudal lords, occupied the capital, and used righteousness as their banner, so they were able to achieve victory and establish dominance. Now, although Wei Jiong is an old general, he is already old and incompetent, while Xiao Mohe and Wang Qian are even more incompetent, and they have no ability to unify the country. Moreover, the regions of Shandong and Bashu are gradually submitting to the Sui Dynasty, and the Zhou Dynasty's favor has not yet reached all areas. Most of the generals in the court are loyal to Yang Jian for their own interests. In my opinion, Wei Jiong and the others will definitely fail in the end, and Yang Jian will definitely destroy the Zhou Dynasty. It is better for us to protect our borders and people and watch the situation." Xiao Kui wholeheartedly agreed with Liu Zhuang, bringing the discussion to an end. Soon after, Xiao Mohe sought refuge with the Chen Dynasty, and Wei Jiong and Wang Qian were subsequently killed. Xiao Kui said to Liu Zhuang, "If I had listened to those people at that time, our country would have long been lost!"
After Liu Bang became emperor, Liu Zhuang returned to the court to work, and Liu Bang expressed great sympathy and encouragement to him. Later, Prince Jin married the Princess of Liang as his concubine, and Liu Zhuang visited several times, receiving rewards of several thousand pieces of cloth. After Xiao Cong ascended to the throne, Liu Zhuang was promoted to the position of Grand Minister of State. After the downfall of the Liang Dynasty, he was appointed as the Chancellor of War, and soon promoted to the position of Minister of the Yellow Gate. He was also granted land and property. Liu Zhuang was well-versed in the old laws and regulations and had a deep understanding of political affairs. The Emperor consistently praised him for his corrections.
Su Wei became the Grand Councilor and highly valued Liu Zhuang's knowledge and abilities. He often told the emperor, "In Jiangnan, those who are knowledgeable often struggle with practical affairs, and those who know how to handle practical affairs do not have much knowledge. Only someone like Liu Zhuang, who possesses both knowledge and practical skills, is truly exceptional." Gao Feng also had a good relationship with Liu Zhuang. Although Liu Zhuang and Chen Mao worked in the same department, Liu Zhuang looked down on Chen Mao. Chen Mao felt increasingly uneasy seeing the emperor and courtiers hold Liu Zhuang in such high regard and always felt that Liu Zhuang looked down on him. The emperor and Chen Mao had known each other before, and after Chen Mao was summoned by the emperor, he repeatedly spoke ill of Liu Zhuang in front of the emperor.
Over the years, Chen Mao's slander began to take its toll. Once, the Ministry of Justice proposed that those who committed crimes should be punished according to the law, but the emperor wanted to sentence them to death. Liu Zhuang submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard Zhang Shizhi say that the law is to be observed by the emperor and the people. The law currently stipulates this, but you are increasing the punishment, which will lead to public distrust in the law. Now the country is peaceful, and it is the time to demonstrate the court's integrity. I hope Your Majesty can consider what Zhang Shizhi said, which is a fortunate thing for the people!" The emperor did not listen to him, and Liu Zhuang thereby angered the emperor.
Not long after, the pills offered by the emperor's attendants did not suit his taste, and Chen Mao secretly informed the emperor that Liu Zhuang had not personally supervised the inspection. As a result, the emperor was very angry. In the eleventh year, Xu Zheng and others rebelled in Jiangnan, and Liu Zhuang, as the chief military commander, went to suppress the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, Liu Zhuang was appointed as the Governor of Raozhou, where he achieved notable success. Several years later, Liu Zhuang passed away at the age of sixty-two.
Yuan Shi, courtesy name Jianyan, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father was named Yuan Wenzong and was well-known in Northern Qi. He passed away during the early years of the Kaihuang reign while serving as Governor of Juzhou. Yuan Shi earned great respect from a young age. He initially served as an aide in the Ministry of Civil Affairs and later rose to the position of Left External Military Officer in the Ministry of Personnel, also overseeing the Department of Ancestral Worship.
One summer, someone reported seeing a dragon and requested a rain-making ceremony. At that time, Gao Ana Gong was thrilled to hear about the appearance of a dragon. He asked where the dragon was. Yuan Shi straightened his robes and replied, "This is merely the appearance of a dragon star. According to the rituals, we should hold a rain-making ceremony at the suburban altar, not because a real dragon has manifested." Gao Ana Gong's expression instantly darkened upon hearing this, and he angrily asked, "How do you know it's a star?" Consequently, the rain-making ceremony was canceled. Yuan Shi later sighed privately, "The nation's crucial matters hinge on sacrifices and military affairs. If rituals and laws are cast aside, how can it endure? The fall of Qi is not far off."
Seven years later, Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed the State of Qi, and Yuan Shi was appointed as a senior official overseeing finances. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the Chief Historian of Wei Prefecture, and later transferred him to the imperial court as Assistant Minister of Personnel, also overseeing the Ministry of Personnel. Many of the court's regulations and national laws were formulated with his input.
Seventeen years later, Yuan Shi was promoted to the position of Left and Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Rites, and he gained a reputation for his adeptness in handling affairs. At that time, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu violated the laws quite often, so the court appointed Yuan Shi as the Inspector in Yizhou to oversee him. Shortly after, Prince Yang Xiu was summoned back to the capital by the court, but fearing trouble in the capital, he sought to use illness as an excuse to avoid going. Yuan Shi persuaded him multiple times, saying he could not disobey the imperial decree. In anger, Yang Xiu retorted, "This is a matter within my family, what does that have to do with you?" Yuan Shi replied with tears in his eyes, "I have been granted great favor by the state, serving as an official. How could I not devote myself wholeheartedly? However, in recent years, the country has endured many trials, with King Xiao of Qin falling seriously ill and commoner-born crown princes being successively deposed. The Emperor must be feeling very troubled! Now that the Emperor has ordered the recall of Prince Yang for a long time, and he still delays going, the people may not grasp the Prince's intentions. If dissent arises, both inside and out will be alarmed. If the Emperor becomes angry and sends an envoy, how will Prince Yang explain himself? I hope you will reflect on this carefully, Your Highness!" Only then did Yang Xiu agree to go to the capital.
After Yang Xiu was deposed, many officials in Yizhou were implicated, but Yuan Shi was spared due to his wise counsel. Later, he was elevated to the position of Deputy Director of the Board of Rites under Emperor Yang of Sui.
Once, Emperor Yang of Sui was in the Palace of Xianren and ordered the palace guards not to leave their posts without permission. A general secretly allowed a guard to leave, and Emperor Yang turned the matter over to the Dali Temple for resolution. Yuan Shi, in accordance with the law, sentenced the general to exile. Emperor Yang wanted to execute him directly, but Yuan Shi said, "This man's crime is indeed unforgivable. If Your Majesty had killed him from the beginning, there would have been no need for official documentation. Since it has already been handed over to the Dali Temple, it should be dealt with according to legal procedures. How should we handle similar offenses by guards and attendants in the future?" After hearing this, he abandoned the idea of executing him. Later, Yuan Shi was promoted to the role of Assistant Minister of Justice. Yuan Shi was efficient and shrewd in his work, had good eloquence, but lacked a reputation for integrity and fairness. He soon passed away, leaving behind a son named Yuan Kunyu.
Lang Mao, style name Weizhi, was from Xinshi in Hengshan. His father was the Prefect of Yingchuan in the Qi Kingdom. Lang Mao was clever from a young age, could recite the "Chu Ci" and "Book of Songs" by the age of seven, reciting more than a thousand words each day. At the age of fifteen, he studied under Quan Hui, a National Scholar from Hejian, learning the "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," "Three Rituals," including astronomy and criminal law. He also studied the "Zuo Zhuan," "Gongyang Zhuan," "Guliang Zhuan," and various articles with the assistant teacher Zhang Shuili of the National Academy, studying with great diligence. His family worried that Lang Mao would exhaust himself, often adjusting the lighting for him. As he grew older, Lang Mao became known as a scholar and excelled in writing. At the age of nineteen, his father passed away, and he mourned his father dutifully at home.
Lang Mao served as an official in the state of Qi, starting out as a military officer in the Department of State Affairs. The state of Chen sent an envoy named Fu Zai to visit Qi, and Lang Mao was tasked with receiving him. Later, Lang Mao was ordered to proofread the classics in the Secretariat. He was then promoted to be the magistrate of Baocheng County, where he achieved remarkable results, and the common people even erected a monument in praise of his virtuous deeds. After Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty conquered the state of Qi, the Prime Minister Wang Yi recommended Lang Mao to him, and Emperor Wu appointed Lang Mao as the head of the household registration office in Chen Prefecture. At that time, Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) was the governor of Bozhou, and after seeing Lang Mao, he greatly admired him and appointed him as his secretary. At that time, Emperor Wu was compiling the "I Ching," and Yang Jian said to Lang Mao, "What the ruler does will move heaven and earth, and shake ghosts and gods. There are many strict legal provisions in the 'I Ching'; how can we govern the country well?" Lang Mao secretly sighed in his heart, "This is not something an ordinary person can say!" So Lang Mao secretly became friends with Yang Jian, and Yang Jian also respected him greatly.
Later, Lang Mao returned to his hometown and became the chief registrar of the state. After Yang Jian became the Prime Minister, he wrote a letter summoning Lang Mao, and the two reminisced about the past, chatting happily. Yang Jian appointed Lang Mao as the registrar of Weizhou, where Lang Mao distinguished himself. Shortly after, he was promoted to be the magistrate of Weiguo County. At that time, there were over two hundred prisoners in the prison, and Lang Mao personally tried them for several days, releasing more than a hundred. During his tenure, he never had to report any cases to the state government. The Inspector of Weizhou, Yuan Hui, said to Lang Mao, "The chief official said the people of Weiguo are too afraid to appeal because of you!" Lang Mao replied, "The common people are like water, and laws and regulations are like embankments. If the embankments are not strong, the water will rush everywhere. As long as there is no breach or flooding, what's there to worry about?" Yuan Hui was convinced by Lang Mao's words and had nothing to say in response.
There was a man named Zhang Yuanju who had a strained relationship with his cousin Si Lan. The county's constable suggested severe punishment for them, but Lang Mao said, "The brothers Zhang Yuanju and Si Lan already hate each other, and now, because they have committed a crime, it will only deepen their resentment. This is not the way to educate the people." So, he sent some respected elders from the village to persuade them, and these people came and went in endless succession. In the end, the brothers Zhang Yuanju and Si Lan repented and went to the county government to confess their crimes. Lang Mao talked to them, and in the end, the two brothers reconciled and became close brothers again.
Mao was promoted from Changshi of Yanzhou to Tai Chang Cheng, and later promoted to Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Right Assistant Minister of Personnel, Su Wei, established regulations mandating annual investigations into unlawful acts committed by officials of fifth rank and above. Some local officials replied, "There are no families with officials of fifth rank or higher within our jurisdiction." They completely ignored it, and there were many similar cases. Su Wei also set up a surplus grain book to account for the surplus and shortage of grain in various places for redistribution. Mao found these regulations cumbersome and unnecessary, so he submitted a memorial to the court requesting their cancellation. Shortly after, the court reinstated him. He submitted another memorial, arguing that descendants of those who sacrificed for the nation should not lose their land; and high-ranking officials should not have their land reduced when they grow old. All of these suggestions came from Mao. Mao was recognized for his quick wit and decisive handling of government affairs, and at that time, he was famous for his expertise in governance. In the early years of Renshou, he concurrently served as magistrate of Daxing. After Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty took the throne, he was promoted to Sima of Yongzhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to Shaoqing of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Two years later, he was appointed as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, involved in the selection of officials. Mao was lauded for his deep understanding of the law.
At that time, the Minister of Construction, Yu Wenkai, and the General of the Right Guard, Yu Zhongwen, were vying for control of the silver mines in Hedong. Wang Mao accused them, saying, "I have heard that there are different etiquettes for the noble and the common, so that everyone knows their place and families can learn about honor and shame. Yu Wenkai holds a high position, with a generous salary, and should stay away from worldly disputes and live a peaceful life, but he is fighting over interests, truly lacking any sense of shame. Yu Zhongwen is a general, a close confidant of the emperor, hearing the teachings in the palace every day, and should learn the modest spirit of Yu Shun and Rui Bo, yet he fights over trivial matters. How can they be role models for their subordinates and the common people! If this behavior is not corrected, it will harm the country's laws and education." Yu Wenkai and Yu Zhongwen were eventually punished for this incident. Wang Mao also wrote a book called "Zhou Jun Tu Jing" in one hundred volumes, presented it to the court, and was rewarded with three hundred bolts of silk, and the manuscript was stored in the archives. At that time, the emperor often went on tours, and the national laws had become chaotic, with many laws unable to be enforced. Wang Mao was an old minister of the former dynasty, very knowledgeable about the world, but he was skilled at self-preservation and didn't dare to speak up. He saw that the emperor was irritable and could only let out a quiet sigh. Because he was old, he submitted a retirement request, but the emperor turned it down. At that time, the emperor was leading a campaign to Liaodong, leaving Wang Mao in charge of guarding Jinyang Palace.
That year, the Prefect of Hengshan, Wang Wentong, had a dispute with Wang Mao, so he complained to the Emperor that Wang Mao was forming factions and engaging in private dealings, misleading his superiors and deceiving his subordinates. The Emperor ordered Grand Secretary Su Wei and Imperial Censor Pei Yun to investigate the matter together. Wang Mao already had a bad relationship with these two individuals, so they deliberately fabricated charges and exaggerated Wang Mao's crimes. The Emperor was furious upon hearing this; he not only dismissed Wang Mao from his post but also his younger brother Wang Chu, who was also an official, and exiled them both to Qiemo County. Wang Mao accepted the order calmly, showing no signs of worry. On his way, he wrote a poem titled "Ascending the Hill" as a form of self-comfort, which was quite well-written. He also submitted a memorial explaining his situation, which somewhat clarified things for the Emperor. Ten years later, the Emperor summoned Wang Mao back to the capital. One year later, Wang Mao died at the age of seventy-five, leaving a son, Wang Zhinian.
Gao Gou, courtesy name Xiaoji, was from Beihai, Shandong. He was humorous, witty, very intelligent, and an excellent speaker. He enjoyed reading and was skilled at managing government affairs. In his youth, he was appointed Registrar in his province. Later, he served as a military officer under the King of Henan in Qi and later held positions as Sima of Xuzhou, Prefect of Lanling County, and Prefect of Pingyuan County. After Northern Qi fell, Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him Sima of Xuzhou. After Yang Jian of Sui declared himself emperor, Gao Gou was promoted to Sima of Jizhou, where he excelled and earned a strong reputation.
Afterwards, he was summoned by the court and appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, and soon after, he was transferred to the Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Assistant Minister of the Interior, Jin Pingdong, and his nephew Jin Changmao were contending for the inheritance rights. The Imperial Secretariat was unable to reach a decision after three discussions among the court officials. Gao Gou delivered a fair and decisive ruling, which the emperor highly valued. He summoned Gao Gou into the palace and praised him, saying, "I have heard that the position of a Shangshu Lang is very high. Today, after seeing your talent and knowledge, I realize that what the ancients said is true. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring is a very important part of etiquette. I have read your ruling several times; the writing is precise, and the reasoning is thorough, and I cannot think of a better way to handle it." The emperor also rewarded him with one hundred stones of rice. From then on, Gao Gou became famous.
Later, he was promoted to the position of Sima of Yongzhou, known for his decisive actions. Over a year later, he was promoted to the Assistant Minister of Personnel, and everyone said he was competent. He was then transferred back to Yongzhou as Sima, but due to a minor infraction, he was demoted to the position of county magistrate of Zhoufei. Nevertheless, he excelled in that role, and the emperor appreciated him, reappointing him as the Sima of Yongzhou. He later became the Assistant Minister of Personnel again and was eventually dismissed from office due to administrative reasons. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was summoned back to office. At that time, many officials from the Ministry of Personnel were dismissed for incompetence, yet Gao Gou continued to excel. He was previously responsible for selecting officials, and those he selected were not his equals.
Although many people see Gao Gou as someone who enjoys joking around and is a bit frivolous, he is actually quite cultured at heart, especially valued by the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong. Later on, he resigned from his official position due to his advanced age and frailty. Niu Hong was responsible for selecting officials, and every time he wanted to promote someone, he would send someone to Gao Gou's home to ask for his opinion. Xue Daoheng from Hedong was a well-known scholar of the time. He always said that Gao Gou was very insightful, and he would always present his articles to Gao Gou for review before publishing them. If Gao Gou offered any critiques or suggestions, Xue Daoheng would always humbly accept them. In the seventh year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, Gao Gou passed away at the age of seventy-two years. He had recommended Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, and others, who later rose to prominence as key officials in the court. He was widely regarded as having a keen eye for talent. During the Kaihuang era, Dou Lushi from Changli served as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, renowned for his caution and attention to detail. Pei Shu from Hedong served as the Right Minister, often correcting mistakes. Shi Xie from Hedong, Dongfang Ju from Pingyuan, and Huangfu Yudao from Anding County all worked in the Ministry of Justice, ensuring justice and fairness. Liu Shilong from Hongnong and Fang Shanji from Qinghe worked in the Department of Merit, while Pei Jingmin from Hedong worked in the Ministry of War. All were recognized for their high efficiency and exceptional capabilities. Wei Kun from Jingzhao served as a civilian official, frequently speaking candidly and offering advice. Han Ze from Nanyang served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou, implementing numerous policies that benefited the populace and earned him deep affection from the people. These officials, although some of their deeds are not fully recorded, all demonstrated strong capabilities in managing affairs and were commended by the populace during that period.
These officials, each and every one of them is talented! Dou Lu is meticulous and careful as the Yellow Gate Minister, leaving no stone unturned; Pei Shu is formidable as the Right Chancellor, tasked with identifying those who falter in their duties; the officials in the Ministry of Justice, Shi Xie, Dongfang Ju, and Huangfu Yudao, are all models of impartiality and fairness. Liu Shilong and Fang Shanji from the Office of Merit, as well as Pei Jingmin from the War Ministry, are exceptionally efficient and highly capable! Wei Kun in the Ministry of Civil Affairs is outspoken and frequently offers advice to the emperor; Han Ze, as the Chief Historian in Yanzhou, has made notable contributions and is well-regarded by the people. Although some details may not be fully documented now, the abilities of these officials are clearly visible; who wasn't aware of them back then?
Zhang Qianwei, courtesy name (字) Yuanjing, is from Wucheng in Qinghe Dong. His father, Zhang Yanzhi, once served as the Governor of Xuzhou in Northern Qi. Zhang Qianwei was bright and well-read from a young age. His grandfather, Zhang Songzhi, once remarked to a friend, "Qianwei is a true gem in our family!" At the age of twelve, he was appointed as the state registrar. At the age of eighteen, he became a military officer in the War Ministry, and later gradually rose to the position of Assistant Minister of Ceremonies. After the fall of Northern Qi, he served as a Xuan Na Zhongshi (宣纳中士) in Northern Zhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, came to power, he was called to the Prime Minister's office as a signing official.
During the Kaihuang period, Prince Jin Yang Guang was sent to Bingzhou as the governor, recruiting talents and appointing Zhang Qianwei as a military officer for criminal affairs. Later, he was promoted to several positions. Prince Jin valued his talent very much, just as he valued Zhang Heng from Henan, and both were highly esteemed by him. At Prince Jin's residence, they were both referred to as "Er Zhang." After Yang Guang became the crown prince, Zhang Qianwei was promoted to be an attendant cavalier officer and an imperial attendant of the crown prince. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as an imperial attendant and granted the official title of Yitong San Si. Due to their previous work in Prince Jin's mansion, he was also granted the title of Kaifu. He was soon appointed as Grand Master of the Palace, accompanying Emperor Yang of Sui to Jiangdu and concurrently serving as the governor of Jiangdu, demonstrating his capability.
Zhang Qianwei once saw a lost parcel on the road, worried the owner might be anxious to find it, so he had his followers carry the parcel and continued on the journey. A few days later, the owner eventually found him, and Zhang Qianwei returned the parcel to him, undamaged. Yang Chen, the Governor of Huainan, once brought more than ten people to meet Emperor Yang of Sui. Emperor Yang of Sui asked Zhang Qianwei, "Who is standing at the front?" Zhang Qianwei carefully looked and answered after stepping out of the hall, "It is Yang Chen, the Governor of Huainan." Emperor Yang of Sui said, "You are a Grand Master of the Palace, and you can't even recognize the people who come to pay their respects. What's the matter?" Zhang Qianwei replied, "I do recognize Yang Chen, but I was afraid of mistaking him for someone else, so I didn't dare to answer easily. It's like Shi Jian counting the legs of a horse; that's being extremely cautious!" Emperor Yang of Sui highly praised him. He was honest and cautious; that was his style.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui often went on tours, and the people were weary. Zhang Qianwei wrote a memorial to offer counsel. Emperor Yang of Sui was displeased and began to distance himself from Zhang Qianwei. Shortly thereafter, Zhang Qianwei passed away. He had a son named Zhang Shuang, who later served as the magistrate of Lanling.
Zhang Qianwei's younger brother, Zhang Qianxiong, was also quite talented. When King Xiao of Qin, Yang Jun, served as the governor of Qinzhou, he recruited him as a military judge. Once, when King Xiao of Qin personally tried a prisoner, Zhang Qianxiong forgot to bring the case files, but he managed to clearly recount all the case details in front of over a hundred people, earning admiration from his colleagues. Later, he successively served as the county magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng, making notable achievements in governance.
Rong Pi, whose courtesy name was Zichen, was from Wuzhong, Beijing. His father, Rong Quan, was the Minister of War of Northern Wei. Rong Pi had a strong and responsible character from a young age, with wide-ranging knowledge. When he served in Northern Zhou, he started as a secretary to the Prince of Han and later rose to the rank of an official in the Ministry of the Interior. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he continued to advance in ranks, ultimately rising to the position of imperial censor.
At that time, there were many bandits in Huayin County, calling for a capable official to rectify the situation. Yang Su recommended Rong Pi for the position of Chief Historian of Huazhou, and everyone regarded him as highly capable. Yang Su owned many properties in Huayin, and his subordinates often acted recklessly. Rong Pi was strict in enforcing the law, not showing any leniency, even towards Yang Su's associates. During one court session, Yang Su said to Rong Pi, "By recommending you, it feels like I'm punishing myself!" Rong Pi replied, "I only focus on enforcing the law with my full commitment, worried that I might let you down." Yang Su smiled and said, "I was just joking. Your diligent enforcement of the law is just what I wanted to see."
At that time, Prince Jin was in Yangzhou, often sending people to secretly gather news from the capital. He sent Zhang Heng to build stables along the road, claiming it was for raising horses, but in reality, it served the private interests of Prince Jin. All the states and counties did not dare to resist, only Rong Pi firmly opposed this matter. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased when he heard about it, rewarding him with one hundred pieces of silk and promoting him to the position of Sima of Puzhou. Later, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and the heroes of Hedong rallied to his cause, opening the city gates to surrender. The Governor Qiu He was scared and fled back to Guanzhong. Chief Secretary Gao Yiming told Rong Pi, "Hedong is an important strategic location, the eastern gateway of the realm. If it is lost, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although the city is chaotic, not everyone has turned against us. As long as we capture and execute a dozen or so rebel leaders, we can stabilize the situation." Rong Pi agreed to Gao Yiming's plan.
Gao Yiming rode his horse to chase Qiu He, wanting to discuss countermeasures with him. He was ultimately killed by the rebels at the west gate of the city, and Rong Pi was also arrested. After Prince Han Liang pacified the unrest, Rong Pi was appointed as an attendant imperial censor. The Emperor remarked to him, "I am promoting you today because you previously opposed the construction of stables. I hope you uphold this sense of integrity." The Emperor also respected him greatly. Rong Pi was always straightforward and upright in court, earning the respect and fear of all the officials. Later, following his mother's passing, he resigned and returned home to mourn. Over a year later, he was reappointed, but soon passed away, posthumously awarded the title of Honglu Shaoqing.
His brother, Jian Xu, had a very straightforward character and was highly knowledgeable. He held positions such as Zai Shi Xia Daifu and Yitong Sansi during the Zhou Dynasty. At the onset of the campaign to pacify the Qi state, he was left to guard Ye City, and he consequently authored thirty volumes of "Records of Qi." Jian Xu had known Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) before, and later became the Prime Minister, with his rank elevated and appointed as the Governor of Xizhou.
When he was about to leave for his new post, Gaozu was already secretly plotting to usurp the throne. He said to Jian Xu, "Let's wait and see, let's get rich together." Jian Xu, thinking of himself as a minister of the Zhou dynasty, firmly replied, "I've never heard anything like that before." Gaozu wasn't happy, so Jian Xu took his leave. During the Kaihuang era, Jian Xu came to see the emperor, who asked him, "Do you regret your choice?" Jian Xu bowed and replied, "My status might not compare to Xu Guang's, but my thoughts are as deep as Yang Biao's." The emperor chuckled and said, "Even though I don't really get this scholarly stuff, I know that what you said was not very polite!" Later, he went on to serve as the Inspector of Shizhou and Hongzhou, doing an excellent job and gaining a solid reputation.
Lu Zhiming, styled Zhongtong, was a native of Fuchun in Wu County. His father, Lu Ao, once served as a Cavalier Attendant of the Chen dynasty. Lu Zhiming loved learning from a young age, was well-read, and was known for his integrity. He initially served as a military officer under the Prince of Chen, then later as a Doctor at the Imperial Academy and the Supervisor of the Southern Prison. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, he returned to his hometown. At that time, Gao Zhihui and others rebelled in the Jiangnan region, with Prince Jin Yang Guang based in Jiangdu. Seeing Lu Zhiming's reputation in the Sanwu region, he summoned him to convince the rebels to give up. Lu Zhiming successfully persuaded seventeen cities to surrender, capturing more than three hundred rebels, including leaders like Chen Zhengxu and Xiao Sixing. For this achievement, he was made a Deputy of the Three Excellencies, rewarded with land and assets, and his brother Lu Ke was also appointed as the Prefect of Jianyang.
Lu Zhiming believed that his younger brother Lu Ke did not have the capability to be a county magistrate, so he petitioned the court to relinquish his brother's official position, and the court approved his request. After the unification of the country, Lu Zhiming advised the founding emperor Yang Jian to move the capital to Luoyang, and even wrote a "Taiping Ode" to express his thoughts, but I won't go into the specifics here. After several years without any promotions, he personally petitioned the court to request to be sent as an envoy to Goguryeo. In his memorial, he said, "I have heard that a wise ruler gathers talented individuals. Even common people, if they are capable, can contribute to the country. I hope Your Majesty can take the time to consider my request. In ancient times, Emperor Huangdi of Xuanyuan forgave the Su Sha tribe in war; Yao and Shun also stopped their conquests against the Miao tribe. Your Majesty is now in a prosperous era, with peace throughout the land; only Goguryeo remains unsettled. Your broad-mindedness and compassion stem from your aversion to slaughter, your love for all living beings, and your wish to influence them with virtue. I hope to be sent as an envoy to Goguryeo to proclaim your benevolence and bring them to submission." The emperor was very impressed after reading his memorial. A year later, he was appointed as the general of Puning Town. People praised him for his integrity, and he was later summoned to serve in the Imperial Censorate by the court.
After Emperor Yangdi of Sui ascended the throne, Lu Zhiming was appointed as the Imperial Library's attendant censor. He was known for his integrity and was respected by the officials, and Emperor Yangdi also respected him greatly. Later, he was dismissed from office due to certain issues. A year later, he was reinstated to his official position. At that time, Prince Qi Yang Jian was arrogant and surrounded himself with unscrupulous individuals. Lu Zhiming submitted a memorial to accuse him. Yang Jian was punished as a result, and the other officials were filled with fear. During the Liaodong Campaign, Lu Zhiming served as the envoy for surrender negotiations on Donglai Road and ultimately fell in battle at the age of sixty-seven. He was posthumously elevated to Grand Master of the Imperial Censorate.
Fang Yanqian, courtesy name Xiaochong, hails from Qinghe. Seven generations ago, one of his ancestors named Shen served as a Taiwei in the State of Yan. Later, he followed the Murong clan to migrate to the State of Qi, and his family has been living there ever since. They have been a prestigious family for generations. His great-great-grandfather, Fa Shou, served as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou in the Wei State and was granted the title of Zhuangwu Marquis. His great-great-grandfather's brother served as the Taiwei of Qi County and the Taiwei of Pingyuan County. His grandfather, Yi, served as the Governor of Anzhou in the Song State and inherited the title of Zhuangwu Marquis. His father, Xiong, initially worked as a county registrar and later served as the Prefect of Qinghe County and Guangchuan County.
Fang Yanqian lost his father at a young age and did not know what his father looked like. He was raised by his mother and big brother. His big brother, Fang Yanxun, was a man of great integrity. Seeing Fang Yanqian's intelligence, he was very fond of him and took it upon himself to teach him how to read. By the age of seven, Fang Yanqian could recite tens of thousands of words from books, and people in the clan thought he was remarkable. By the age of fifteen, he was more devoted to his stepmother and her son, Zhen, than many sons are to their biological parents. Zhen was very grateful to him and treated him very well. When his stepmother passed away, he didn't eat anything for five days, only drinking a little water. He also dedicated himself to serving his uncle, Fang Bao, the Prefect of Leling, with dedication. Whenever there were good fruits in season, he always made sure to eat last. Whenever there was a funeral in the family, he would always eat vegetarian food as a sign of respect, and people in the clan regarded him as a role model.
Later, Fang Yanqian studied with Doctor Yin Lin, immersing himself in his studies. Eventually, he became well-versed in the Five Classics. He was good at writing articles, had excellent calligraphy skills in cursive and official script, had good eloquence, and exuded an air of nobility. When he was eighteen years old, Prince Guangning Xiaoheng became the governor of Qizhou and brought him on as his aide and chief clerk. At that time, the laws were relatively lenient, and the officials in the state and counties were relatively lax. However, after Fang Yanqian took office, he acted with integrity and upheld the law, and the administration was orderly, earning everyone's respect. Later, when the Zhou army attacked Ye City and the Qi emperor fled eastward, Fang Yanqian was appointed as the magistrate of Qizhou. Witnessing the fall of his country, he was heartbroken and wanted to rally loyal and righteous individuals to secretly plan to support the court, but he ultimately could not succeed. After the fall of Qi, he returned home.
The Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty sent Zhuguo Xinzun as the inspector of Qizhou, but Xinzun was captured by the sword-wielding guards of the bandit leader. Fang Yanqian wrote a letter persuading the guard, who felt ashamed and returned Xinzun to the provincial capital, and the other bandits surrendered as well. Later, after Emperor Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor, Fang Yanqian lived a leisurely life in the countryside, swearing off official duties for good.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang era, Governor Wei Yi strongly recommended him, and he reluctantly accepted the appointment. When the Minister of Personnel Lu Kai saw him, he valued him and promoted him to serve as an attendant, and soon he was promoted to be an imperial censor. Later, he was sent to Chen Ping's place and was tasked with pacifying ten states including Quanzhou and Kuozhou. Because he completed the task, the emperor was quite pleased and rewarded him with a hundred bolts of cloth, a hundred measures of rice, a set of clothes, and seven slaves. Afterwards, he was promoted to the position of military officer in the Qinzhou General Office.
Once during a court session, the Left Chancellor Gao Ke was evaluating the performance of officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Ke, "It is stated in the classics that officials' performance is evaluated once every three years, and officials are promoted or demoted according to their performance. This system has been in place since the era of Tang Yao and Yu Shun. Evaluations for promotions should be reasonable, and rewards and punishments should be fair. Only then can we ensure that those promoted are worthy individuals, and those demoted are undesirables. If there are deviations in the evaluation process, then this system becomes meaningless. I have recently seen the evaluation results from various provinces, and the standards are inconsistent. The numbers of those promoted and demoted are inconsistent, not to mention that some evaluation results are tainted by personal biases, leading to unfair outcomes. Honest and upright officials may not necessarily receive high praise, while those who flatter and manipulate well can end up at the top. This confuses truth with falsehood and right with wrong. The high-ranking officials often fail to carefully review and select candidates. Those who have previously worked for them are often deemed qualified simply because of familiarity, while officials who have not worked in the central government are deemed unqualified. Furthermore, it is difficult for officials from remote provinces to understand the detailed situation in the capital. Therefore, evaluations often only look at numbers, counting half as qualified and half as unqualified. Only counting the quantity of officials, without considering their moral character, achieving fairness and justice is virtually impossible. You possess keen insight and treat others justly. I am curious how you intend to address these issues. I hope you can gather information extensively, conduct thorough investigations, recognize the smallest acts of kindness, and denounce even the smallest of wrongdoings. This will not only lead to clearer governance but also allow for better selection of talents." Yan Qian spoke with unwavering conviction, captivating everyone. Gao Ke was touched by his words and held him in high regard.
Gao Jiong then inquired in detail about the achievements of officials in the Hexi and Longyou regions. Yan Qian answered fluently, and Gao Jiong said to the governors and officials of other states, "It's better to talk to the inspector from Qinzhou (Yan Qian) alone." A few days later, Gao Jiong reported this to the emperor, but the emperor did not accept his suggestion. When his term was over, Yan Qian was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate. He governed the area effectively, and the people called him a kind father.
During the Renshou period, the emperor ordered envoys to inspect the states and counties and evaluate the talents of local officials. The result was that Yan Qian was considered the best in the realm and was promoted to be the Sima of Yuezhou. The people lamented to one another, "Prefect Fang is leaving, what will happen to us now!" Later, the people missed him and erected a stele to praise his virtues. Yuezhou had not had a governor for a long time, and all the state affairs were handled by Yan Qian, who made significant contributions to governance.
Xue Daoheng was a literary figure of great renown, with a prominent status and extensive connections, mingling with some of the most talented individuals in the country. He had a particularly good relationship with Yang Su and greatly respected him. Later, Xue Daoheng became the governor of Xiangzhou, and he had frequent correspondence with Yang Su, often meeting on the road. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as the governor. Passing through Yang Su's territory, he stayed for a few days and said goodbye with a heavy heart. Huangmen Shilang Zhang Heng also had a good relationship with Yang Su.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was vigorously building the Eastern Capital, indulging in excess, which left the people in despair, disappointing everyone. In addition, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled, resulting in the punishment of many innocent people. Yang Su, realizing that even Zhang Heng's high position couldn't prevent all of this, wrote to him, saying:
I heard that rewards are given to encourage good deeds, and punishments are given to deter bad deeds. Therefore, those of low status will surely receive rewards as long as they do good deeds, and even those in high positions will face punishment for their mistakes. No one is exempt from punishment due to favoritism, and rewards are never withheld from the less fortunate. Now, all provincial governors are tasked with governing their regions, and both their good and bad deeds will be reported to the court. They fear the court's rules and regulations and dare not be negligent. The country is blessed by heaven and acts as a parent to its citizens. The fairness of rewards and punishments will reach heaven's ears, since heaven is always watching, so we should be both cautious and diligent. Just as King Wen said: "I must be vigilant day and night and honor the majesty of heaven." In this regard, although there are differences between provinces and counties, with great disparities in status, the principle of looking after the people and enforcing the law with care remains the same.
Regarding the rebellion in Bingzhou, it needs to be carefully investigated. If Yang Liang really raised troops and bought horses not out of any treacherous intentions, but because the imperial decree did not reach him, then his true intentions should be investigated before deciding on his guilt. Only then can this align with the emperor's compassion for the people and dispel the people's doubts. If it is found that there is no danger inside or outside, and he is only causing chaos and plotting treason after inheriting the throne, then Yang Liang should be treated the same way Guan Shu and Cai Shu were in the past. No one should escape punishment; he should be executed publicly, and his family should be exterminated, as the country has established laws to uphold. However, there could be some people who were not actively involved, had little power, and were forced into the rebellion, resulting in their homes being destroyed, loved ones perishing, and becoming displaced. This could result in wrongful accusations. Heaven's justice is all-encompassing; how can the wicked be spared while good people are wronged? If there is doubt about the crime, lenient punishment should be considered; where is the fairness in that? In the past, Shu Xiang sentenced a prisoner to death, and the people of Jin praised him; Emperor Wen of Han praised him for pardoning those who had committed minor offenses. Wasn't Yang She Ning fond of his brother? Was the Imperial Prosecutor really defying the king's orders intentionally? They were merely enforcing the law impartially, without bias or consideration for severity.
Furthermore, the supreme power of the sage, known as the sacred artifact, cannot be easily obtained without the will of heaven. Therefore, the bravery of Chi You and Xiang Yu, the authority of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, the talent of Li Kui and Confucius, the military strategy of Jiang Taigong and Sun Wu, the strong cities of Wu and Chu, as well as the Empresses Lü Hou and Dou of the Han Dynasty, none of them adhered to the mandate of heaven and ultimately did not obtain the throne of the emperor. Not to mention that Yang Liang is just a corner of the land, assembling a rabble; he is ignorant, and those scoundrels are even more ruthless, actually wanting to invade the capital region, foolishly hoping to claim what is unattainable! Since time immemorial, historical records have detailed the rise and fall of emperors throughout the ages. Who can win the people's support and heaven's blessings without accumulating virtue and performing good deeds? Therefore, wise ancient kings from morning to night worked diligently, always remembering to be cautious as if treading on thin ice, always being vigilant not to become arrogant and complacent. In later generations, monarchs immersed themselves in wine and debauchery, without a sense of restraint, oppressing the people wantonly; their transgressions are too numerous to count, and I will not list them one by one here.
Speaking of the states of Qi and Chen, both were highly regarded at the time, believing their virtues aligned with heaven and earth, shining as bright as the sun and moon; they were unconcerned about anything, including laws and governance. The sycophants surrounding them only flattered and concealed their flaws; the court historians twisted the facts, only recording their achievements and covering up their faults. Therefore, the common people's grievances were widespread; their voices went unheard by the rulers, while the ministers boasted of their achievements to the emperor every day. Although the laws were strict, the punishments were increasing, the corvée was heavy, and the common folk, young and old alike, were utterly worn out.
Think about the past; Zheng had Zi Chan, Qi had Yan Ying, Chu had Shu Ao, and Jin had Shi Hui. Even these smaller states had such remarkable ministers. Qi and Chen were vast and rich in resources, but did they really lack talented individuals? This was simply due to the rulers' incompetence and selfishness, only concerned about their own interests, forgetting about national affairs. They seemed to coexist peacefully, but secretly distrusted each other. If there were upright individuals bold enough to offer counsel, they would be marginalized and suppressed if their advice was deemed unfavorable; if they encountered flatterers and despicable individuals, they would be promoted and favored if it benefited them. How could true talent be recognized in such a manner? True talent is not based on brute force or flowery language, but on being upright and selfless, standing firm, like the pillars of a house, like the bones of the human body, supporting the country, which is what is meant by "pillar talent."
Qi and Chen did not make use of these upright individuals, instead placing their trust in flatterers and sycophants. Heaven observed their excesses, and thus their power was stripped away, leading to their submission to our Great Sui. If these two nations could respect Heaven, care for their people, and employ upright individuals, discard frivolous decorations, be humble in heart, and take compassion as their duty, then even if the Hebei region were strong and prosperous, and the rivers and lakes posed obstacles, they could each stay in their place, the people would not cause trouble, and the country would stand as stable as Mount Tai, unshakeable. However, their indulgence in pleasure ultimately led to the downfall of the state, leaving behind only regrets. Therefore, as the poem states, "Yin has not yet lost its teacher, and it is suitable to match the gods. It should be reflected upon by Yin, and the mandate of Heaven is not easily changed." When it comes to handling national affairs, which matters do not require careful consideration?
Your Majesty, you are celebrated for your benevolence and filial piety, with great achievements and virtues. The people are eagerly anticipating your benevolence. Even though your time in office has been brief, your benevolent governance has already taken root, and the entire nation eagerly awaits its benefits. The rebellion in Bianzhou erupted suddenly because Yang Liang confused the people and misled officials and civilians, not due to any pre-existing resentment towards the court that led them to actively rebel. However, those officials and generals claimed they were ready to rebel, which not only falsely implicated innocent people but also damaged Your Majesty's reputation. You have always been trusted by the Emperor, holding significant positions in the court and being highly valued since your time in the palace, serving as a pillar of the nation. You ought to have a legacy that will be remembered for generations, akin to the virtuous ministers of old. How can you appease the Emperor's favoritism and allow those coerced into rebellion to face punishment? I take the liberty of writing this to express my loyalty. I have limited knowledge, so please forgive me if I have offended you.
Heng sighed upon receiving the letter but felt too intimidated to report it to the court. Aware of the court's declining discipline, Yanqian resigned and retreated, planning to build a home at the foot of Mengshan to pursue his ideals. Later, the court established the position of Sili officials and sought out renowned individuals from across the nation. The court recognized Yanqian's integrity and high reputation, thus summoning him to serve as the Sili governor. Ambitious, Yanqian sought to reform societal morals, recommending individuals who exemplified virtue. Those he brought charges against raised no objections. The deputy Sili, Liu Yi, misled both superiors and subordinates, believing himself to be upright. The governors feared him and showed him respect. Only Yanqian upheld his principles, greeting him with clasped hands, neither servile nor arrogant, earning the admiration of discerning individuals.
Liu Zha did not dare to harbor resentment towards him. In the ninth year of the Daye era, he followed the emperor to cross the Liao River and oversee the army on the Fuyu Road. Later, the political situation of the Sui Dynasty gradually became chaotic, the court was corrupt, and many people betrayed their loyalties. Yan Qian, however, insisted on his principles, standing firm, upright, and uncompromising. He was envied by those in power and was demoted to Jingyang Prefect. Shortly after, he died in office at the age of sixty-nine.
When Li Yanqian was at home, whenever his children and nephews visited, he would always impart wisdom to them, encouraging them to work hard and strive for success. He spoke endlessly and tirelessly, never feeling tired. His family originally had a solid foundation and considerable wealth. Even though he used his official salary to help relatives and friends, there was hardly any money left at home. He lived simply, from his horse to his clothing and belongings. From youth to old age, his words and actions were free from selfish motives; even though he often faced financial constraints, he remained content. Once, he leisurely smiled to his son Li Xuanling and said, "Others become rich because of their official positions, but I became poor because of mine. The only thing I leave to my descendants is a clean reputation."
His writings were expansive, free-spirited, serene, and elegant, exhibiting the profound mastery of ancient scholars. He was also skilled in cursive and official script, and those who received his letters treasured them as if they were precious artifacts. Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Gao Gou from Beihai, Li Gang from Liao County, Liu Yu and Xue Ru from Hedong were all renowned scholars celebrated for their elegance and modesty, and Li Yanqian was friends with them. Although high-ranking officials often came to visit, his home remained peaceful, free from unruly guests. He was cultured and well-versed in political matters, and astute individuals believed he had a promising future ahead.
Initially, during the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, after pacifying the Chen dynasty and unifying the country, everyone said that the country was entering a time of great peace and prosperity. Li Yanqian privately told his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The Emperor is suspicious by nature, loves to doubt people, and does not accept advice or criticism from others. The Crown Prince is weak, the princes are powerful, and the court enforces only harsh and cruel policies, without any generous measures. Although the country is stable, I fear that chaos may arise." Li Shaotong did not believe it at first, but by the Renshou and Daye periods, Li Yanqian's words had all come true. After the unification of the Tang Dynasty, he was posthumously honored as the Governor of Xuzhou and the Duke of Linzi County, with the posthumous title "Ding."
Historians say: A tall building cannot be built with just one piece of wood; the achievements of an emperor cannot be realized with just one person's strategy. Each has its own usefulness, and just like the wood, pillars, and beams of a house, none of them can be discarded. People like Li E, some of whom had literary talent and could uphold justice, and some with outstanding abilities who could serve the country, their talents and roles were evident then, and their deeds have been recorded in history. Many talented individuals during the Sui Dynasty established careers and achieved great feats, all pillars of the state, much like the numerous stars surrounding the North Star.
