Wang Xiaoji of Pingyuan has loved studying since he was a child, has read extensively, and thoroughly studied the Five Classics. He is also quite talented at writing. He has a close relationship with Liu Xuan from Hejian, who is a close friend of his. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he was summoned to work in the Secretariat and assisted Wang Shao in compiling the national history. However, Wang Shao didn't think much of him. He spent many years in the Secretariat and still had to pay taxes. Wang Xiaoji felt deeply wronged and discontented, so he wrote a memorial to Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel, saying:
"I've been bitten by bugs and can't sleep at all. I'm hungry and cold all the time, living in constant misery all year round. Why is this? The pain is unbearable, and poverty only adds to my suffering. Moreover, my heart is in turmoil, and my whole body aches, and the cold and hardship are gnawing at my bones. How can I just sit here and suffer in silence? I plead with you, honorable Minister, to understand my plight and offer me some assistance. Your kindness is like bringing a dead fish back to life, helping a bird take flight; your care is like fragrant herbs and cozy blankets. Please grant my request and listen to my plea. Even if the mountains are high and the rivers are wide, the spirits are watching over this; everything I say is true; there's no exaggeration. But I'm still worried that help will come too late. By the time it arrives, like the people of Yue borrowing boats or the craftsmen of Lu borrowing ladders, I'm afraid I might already be dead on the branches or sunk in the depths."
I am a poor man who has worked in the province for seven years, constantly bearing a heavy burden, yet I have never received any recognition. I’ve had to sell my land just to survive and raise my young son, and my brother is unable to assist me. Worse still, my elderly mother is still at home. Time passes quickly, seasons come and go, and my hometown feels distant. I can only keep my worries to myself; the future looks grim, and my mother’s expectations weigh heavier on me every day. Like Sima Xiangru, if I fall ill, without an official position, I cannot escape conscription; like Mei Fu, madness is something even immortals cannot escape. My sorrows are more dreadful than those of the dead; life is not as solid as stone. I fear my soul will be lost, unable to find peace in death, entering the afterlife burdened by regrets. By then, your kindness will be of no help, just like Wang Ji’s counsel that Ying Hou ignored. My deepest struggles remain concealed, like lice in my hair and dust on my brows, unnoticed by Zi Ye and unseen by Zhu. I will fade into obscurity, leaving no trace in the history books, ultimately with no one to speak for me, destined to quietly pass away.
For three generations, we have remained in obscurity; though our lives have been quiet, we have not received any promotions for ten years. This is truly due to the lack of a benefactor. As an ordinary person, I consider it a stroke of luck to meet a virtuous minister like you. You hold a high office and wield significant power, yet you remain honest and do not seek luxury, and that is what I admire about you. In the past, Bian He presented jade and had his feet cut off, while Qin Xi offered a bird and was killed. Now, I have the chance to share my experiences with you, and you have the power to help me. You could help broaden my horizons and relieve my predicament, but if you hesitate to act, who will understand your intentions? At times, official positions do not align with talent, and talent cannot always fulfill its ambitions. Once it’s spoken of, it will spread far and wide. My hard work has gone unrewarded; how can I not hold onto hope? If my illness hasn’t reached a critical stage and my mind remains clear, I will document my pain and worries, recording them for posterity, to inform future generations of my experiences and hold those irresponsible individuals accountable. Even if it only leaves a trace; then, even in death, I will find satisfaction, and my sins will be absolved.
I hope you can show me a bit of compassion, pay me some attention, and not forget about me! Hong knew he was knowledgeable, yet ultimately he did not secure an official position. Later, he returned to his hometown, made a living as a teacher, and eventually settled back in his hometown. He also annotated the "Book of Documents" and the "Book of Songs," but unfortunately, these works were lost in subsequent wars.
The history books say: As the ancient saying goes, "An unattractive appearance doesn't matter, nor does a lack of courage and strength; family background is not important, and ancestors' achievements are not important. However, those who achieve fame and leave a lasting legacy for future generations, isn't it all because of studying?" This is really true! People like Hui Yuan and Rong Bo are single-minded, persevering, and constantly strive to improve themselves, ultimately becoming well-known and respected. Some don official robes, ride in carriages, and gain recognition at court, all because of their diligent study of ancient classics.
Jiang Yang was calm and elegant, exuding grace, with refined speech and exceptional insights; he was very famous at the time. Yan Zhi diligently studied the classics, was honest, had lofty aspirations, and his conduct adhered to the norms of propriety. He Tuo was knowledgeable and quick-witted, possessing excellent eloquence, but he was too blunt and lacked the poise expected of a Confucian scholar. Liu Zhuo was a respected official, well-versed in astronomy and calendars, with profound knowledge, and a deep understanding of astronomical phenomena; his knowledge was profound, with origins that are hard to trace. For several hundred years, only he had reached this level. Liu Xuan was also a Confucian scholar versed in the classics, with outstanding talent, suitable for officialdom; he explored the teachings of various schools, though he did not delve into profound issues like Liu Zhuo did, he was more elegant in organizing and expressing his thoughts.
These people were all very talented, but unfortunately, they were born in the wrong era; some could only attain low-ranking positions, while others fell into poverty. It's truly a shame! Zi Xia once said, "Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are in the hands of heaven." Heaven bestowed upon them intelligence and talent, but withheld high-ranking positions and wealth; even the wisest and most enlightened individuals cannot escape this fate. How could Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan go against the will of heaven?
