Xue Daoheng, known as Xuanqing, was from Fenying, Shanxi. His grandfather, Xue Cong, served as the prefect of Jizhou in the Wei Kingdom; his father, Xue Xiaotong, served as the governor of Changshan. Though he lost his parents at just six years old, he threw himself into his studies. At the age of thirteen, he began explaining the "Zuo Commentary," studying the story of Zichan, who aided the state of Zheng, and even wrote a piece called "Guo Qiao Zan," which showcased his talent and impressed everyone.
Later, Xue Daoheng's reputation began to rise, and the Governor of Sizhou in the Qi Kingdom, Prince Pengcheng Xiao Shi, recruited him to serve as a military official. Yang Zunyan, a prominent figure and the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, was highly impressed by Xue Daoheng and appointed him to a court position. After chatting with the Minister of Personnel Xin Shu, he exclaimed, "The governance methods of Zheng will surely endure!" Pei Yu from Hedong commented, "Since the Central Plains dynasty moved to the Hebei region, I thought it would be difficult to find talents like Confucius in the western region, but now I have encountered Mr. Xue!"
After Gao Zhan became the Prime Minister of Northern Qi, he summoned Xue Daoheng to be his secretary. After he became emperor, Xue Daoheng was promoted to chief clerk of the Ministry of War. Over a year later, he also acted as the Imperial Attendant Cavalier, responsible for receiving envoys from the Zhou and Chen dynasties. During the Wuping period, the court ordered him and other Confucian scholars to revise the "Five Rituals," and later appointed him as the Left Outer Military Officer of the Imperial Secretariat. When the envoy from the Chen dynasty, Fu Zi, visited the Qi Kingdom, Xue Daoheng also acted as the host and guest officer. Fu Zi gifted him a fifty-line poem, and Xue Daoheng reciprocated with another poem, receiving praise for their poetry from both the north and south. Wei Shou remarked, "Fu Zi is like using an earthworm to catch a big fish."
Later, Xue Daoheng was appointed as a scholar at the Imperial Academy of Letters by the court. He was well-known alongside Lu Sidao from Fanyang and Li Delin from Anping, and they had a good relationship. He returned to his original official position in the Ministry of Personnel, and soon was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, also serving as the Prince's Tutor. During the period of Emperor Gao Wei, Xue Daoheng was increasingly favored, but this also drew some criticism. Later, he participated in political affairs alongside the Palace Attendant Hulü Xiaoxing. Xue Daoheng proposed many well-thought-out strategies, but Hulü Xiaoxing did not adopt them. After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, Yuwen Yong, summoned him to serve as an official in the Imperial Censorate. Finally, Xue Daoheng returned to his hometown and began his career as the Chief Scribe of the Prefecture, later being promoted to Senior Officer of the Ministry of Rites.
After Gao Zu became Prime Minister, he followed Marshal Liang Rui to attack Wang Qian and also served as the acting Inspector of Lingzhou. During the Dading period, he was appointed as an official of the Three Excellencies and also acted as the acting Inspector of Qiongzhou. After Gao Zu became emperor, he was dismissed from office for unspecified reasons. Later, Prince Hong of Hejian went north to campaign against the Turks and summoned him to serve as the Military Secretary. Upon his return, he was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Interior. In the same year, he also served as a Cavalier Attendant and went on a mission to the State of Chen.
During his mission to the State of Chen, he submitted a memorial stating: "Jiangdong is just a remote small area, but has long been a self-proclaimed emperor. This is all caused by the division of the Central Plains since the chaos of Yongjia. People like Liu Yuan, Shi Le, Fu Jian, Yao Chang, and the Murong and Helian clans all attempted to seize the imperial title, but eventually perished. Northern Wei extended their influence from the north to the south, but did not have the opportunity to campaign in Jiangdong. Northern Zhou and Northern Qi successively proclaimed themselves emperors and were busy annexing the world, so the rebellion in Jiangdong has not been suppressed for many years. Your Majesty has extraordinary virtue, inherited the imperial throne, comparable to the three wise emperors of the past, and pacified the world. How can we allow the small State of Chen to exist beyond our control for so long? I am now on a mission, requesting to order the State of Chen to submit." Gao Zu said: "For now, I will adopt a strategy of biding our time to keep the enemy in check; let's hold off on taking action against them for now, and let's avoid blaming them with words. They only need to grasp my intentions."
People from Jiangdong love poetry and literature, and Emperor Chen especially loves poetry. Every time Dao Heng writes a poem, people from Jiangdong compete to recite it. Eight years later, when attacking the Chen Kingdom, Dao Heng was appointed as the Shangshu of the Libu in Huainan, also in charge of official documents. When the army arrived at the Yangtze River, Gao Jiang sat in the camp at night and asked him, "Will we succeed in this campaign against the Chen Kingdom? What do you think?" Dao Heng replied, "When it comes to the success or failure of significant matters, one must first judge based on the most fundamental principles. The Nine Provinces mentioned in the 'Tribute of Yu' were originally the fiefs of the emperors. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, warlords rose up, and the Sun brothers seized the territories of Wu and Chu. Emperor Wu of Jin swiftly conquered the Wu Kingdom, and after the Yongjia Rebellion, the south fractured once again. Since then, wars have never stopped. The rise and fall is the natural order of the universe. Guo Pu once said, 'Jiangdong has been safe for more than three hundred years, but in the end, it will return to the Central Plains.' The time is almost here. Looking at the signs from heaven, this is bound to succeed, and this is the first point. Virtuous people prosper, while those without virtue perish. This has been the truth of rise and fall throughout history. Our emperor is diligent and frugal, concerned about state affairs, while Chen Shubao lives in a luxurious palace, indulging in wine and women. With discord from top to bottom, both mortals and deities are outraged; this is bound to succeed, and this is the second point. The foundation of a country lies in the appointment of talents. The ministers of the Chen Kingdom are merely titular. Chen Guo appointed villains like Shi Wenqing to handle political affairs, and the Shangshu Ling Jiang Zong only focused on poetry and wine, not talents for governing the country. Xiao Moha and Ren Mannu are their main generals, merely some brave warriors. This is bound to succeed, and this is the third point. We possess righteousness and a strong national power, while they lack virtue and have weak national power. Their army is only a hundred thousand. From the Wuxia in the west to the sea in the east, if we divide our forces to attack, they will be weakened; or if they concentrate their forces to defend, they will be distracted. This is bound to succeed, and this is the fourth point. We are unstoppable; victory is inevitable." Gao Jiang happily said, "Your analysis of success and failure is clear and logical; I feel enlightened. I initially only saw you as a learned person, but I did not expect your military strategy to be so brilliant."
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Later on, Xue Daoheng was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Regarding the promotion of talent, some accused him of factionalism, showing favoritism towards Su Wei, and having personal motives in his appointments. As a result, he was dismissed from his position and exiled to Lingnan. Prince Jin Guang was in Yangzhou at the time and secretly sent people to persuade Xue Daoheng to leave Yangzhou, hoping to ask the court to let him stay. However, Xue Daoheng did not want to rely on Prince Jin Guang and instead used the strategy of Han Wang Liang to leave Yangzhou in the direction of Jiangling. Soon after, the court issued an edict summoning him back to serve in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Prince Jin Guang resented him for this, but due to his talent, he still treated him with a degree of respect. Several years later, Xue Daoheng was promoted in rank and was granted a reward of one hundred rolls of cloth.
When Xue Daoheng wrote his memorials, he always hid in an empty room, leaning against the wall or even lying on the floor. If he heard someone outside the door, he would get angry, which showed how deeply immersed he was in his thoughts. Emperor Yang Jian (Gaozu) often said, "Xue Daoheng's memorials always touch my heart." However, he also cautioned Xue Daoheng against writing too exaggeratively or bizarrely. Later, Emperor Yang Jian greatly admired Xue Daoheng's work ability and told Yang Su and Niu Hong, "Daoheng is getting old and working so hard; he should be allowed to live a comfortable and prosperous life." Xue Daoheng humbly declined, asserting he had no merit, but Emperor Yang Jian said, "You have been diligent in your important court positions for so long, entrusted with conveying and executing state affairs. How can you say you have no merit?" Xue Daoheng held important positions for a long time, and his reputation grew. The crown prince and other princes vied to associate with him, and Gao Feng and Yang Su also greatly admired him. His reputation was extremely prominent, and for a time, he was unmatched.
During the reign of Ren Shou, Yang Su wielded significant power, and Xue Daoheng had a close relationship with Yang Su. Yang Jian did not want Xue Daoheng to have access to court secrets for too long, so he appointed him as the governor of Xiangzhou. Xue Daoheng had long served the court. When he was suddenly transferred away from the capital, he felt deeply saddened and choked up while speaking. Yang Jian's expression shifted, and he spoke with deep sorrow, "You are old and have served the court so hard. I want you to go there as a general and comfort the local people. Now that you are leaving, I feel as though I've lost an arm." So he rewarded him with three hundred pieces of cloth, a nine-ring gold belt, a set of fashionable clothes, and ten horses. Xue Daoheng served as an official in Xiangzhou, known for his integrity and simplicity, and the people were very grateful to him.
After Yang Guang (Emperor Yang) took the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as a governor. More than a year later, he submitted his retirement request. Yang Guang told the Minister of the Interior, Yu Shiji, "Xue Daoheng is coming soon; we should welcome him with the position of Secretary of the Secretariat." After Xue Daoheng arrived, he presented a poem titled "Praise of Emperor Gaozu Wen," in which he wrote:
In the beginning, the world was in chaos, and nothing existed, even predating legends, beyond the reach of written records. Those ancient people lived in caves, drank dew, no different from birds and beasts, just like ordinary animals. What sets them apart from us humans? What wisdom could they possess?
Later, great figures such as Fu Xi, Shen Nong, and the Yellow Emperor emerged. In the times of Tang Yao and Yu Shun, they formulated laws based on celestial observations, using culture to educate the people, elevating the dignity of the emperor's position and emphasizing the importance of the sage's teachings. The dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou, monarchs such as Yu, Tang, King Wen, and King Wu, made significant contributions that benefited the people, and their achievements were immortalized in the Odes of the Book of Songs. However, these dynasties also experienced their own rises and falls, and they all faced wars.
The Qin Dynasty was considered quite special because they viewed harsh laws as the foundation of governance; the Han Dynasty, on the other hand, although it had good systems, but also mixed elements of tyranny and benevolence. During the period of Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the country was in chaos, divided into three parts, and later descended into further turmoil. Violence and warfare were everywhere in the country. Although Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei carried out reforms in Luoyang, and although Northern Zhou established power in Guanzhong, the country remained restless and the fighting persisted! Therefore, the only dynasty capable of unifying the country, bringing an end to this chaotic era, and lasting for a long time was the Sui Dynasty! It is said that when the founding emperor was born, a red light filled the room, and as he grew up, he concealed his brilliance, and a purple aura rose to the heavens. He had a dragon-like visage and a jade-like complexion, all of which were recorded in illustrations and reflected in his appearance. He came from a prestigious family with accumulated virtues, similar to the families of officials from Binzhou and Qizhou, in stark contrast to those nouveau riche. He underwent various trials, held significant positions in the court, rose to become the head of the Six Ministries, and his prestige eclipsed that of all other officials, similar to the ancient Re Huang, who served as Grand Commandant, and Wen Ming, who was Minister of Works.
As he grows older, the world will be thrown into chaos, wars will break out, and treacherous officials and rebels will incite chaos, occupying the Hebei region and inciting rebellion in the Haidai region; the barbarian leaders will run rampant, blocking the White Horse Pass and occupying Chenggao. Yongguo and Shuguo will defy the emperor's orders, relying on the strategic location of Tongliang; Yunguo and Huangguo will also rebel, attracting bandits from Jinling. The Sanchuan region is already in turmoil, and the Nine Tripods are on the verge of being seized. Emperor Gaozu will swiftly quell the rebellion, like a dragon soaring and a phoenix in flight, fulfilling the prophecies of the Red Fu and the Xuanhu, commanding victorious armies, mobilizing celestial soldiers and generals, pacifying the rebellions of Gongong and Chiyou, and vanquishing all manner of demons and monsters. He did not call upon the twenty-eight great generals, nor did he fight fifty-two major battles, quickly quelling the rebellion and dispersing the clouds of war, rescuing the people from their suffering. The heavenly pillar tilts and is re-erected, the earth's veins break and reconnect. People from distant regions come to pay their respects, and musicians kneel in fear, worried the sound of the bell and stone might change. The people all adore him, and even the heavens change their oracle as a result.
The altar is ready, and Emperor Gaozu remains humble and cautious; the people eagerly anticipate his ascension, and only then does he accept requests from all directions. After his ascension, he conducts a grand sacrificial ceremony, honoring his six generations of ancestors and the spirits of heaven and earth, bringing peace to the realm and prosperity to all. He adheres to the regulations of his predecessors, changes the era title, and relocates the capital in accordance with the people's wishes. The capital's location aligns with the Vermilion Bird in celestial terms and the Black Dragon in geographical terms, accurately positioned according to the movements of the sun and moon, with the palace layout also reflecting celestial patterns. He promotes learning in the court, calls upon his ministers, reforms outdated practices and changes customs.
However, the border regions are still in constant warfare, with powerful nomadic tribes frequently invading. Fan Kuai suffered losses as a result, and Li Ling was captured. The Zhou and Qi dynasties were once powerful, forming alliances with the northern nomadic tribes and even marrying princesses to them, but they could not stop their invasions and plundering. When Emperor Gaozu ascended to the throne, he used strategic brilliance and displayed his might, making those barbarian leaders his subjects and the border regions his territories. In the Jiangnan region and along the Yangtze River, despite the vast territory, there have always been separatist forces claiming imperial titles.
After several generations, more than 300 years have passed. Emperor Gaozu deeply felt the suffering of the people and resolved to quell the rebellion. The current emperor inherited the foundation of the Tang dynasty and is wise and martial. He personally led the troops and quickly quelled the rebellion. As a result, the world was at peace, and all under heaven was united. Emperor Gaozu allowed the soldiers to return home to farm and promoted cultural development.
China has faced continuous warfare since ancient times, and over time, the instruments of war have become a regular part of life, and an atmosphere of hypocrisy has taken root. The teachings of sages have long been ignored, and the systems of the ancient kings have all been abandoned. Therefore, he ordered the compilation of the "Five Rites" of propriety and instructed the crown prince to correct the "Six Rituals." The rituals for sacrifices and banquets were standardized, and the performances of metal and stone instruments, silk and bamboo music, as well as court and folk music, were clearly defined.
He attached great importance to state affairs, carefully listened to various opinions, attended court early and retired late, neglected sleep and food, always worried about the instability of people's lives, and feared any mistakes. He adhered to the principles of governance established by the ancient kings, thinking about daytime matters at night and vice versa; he abolished the malpractices of previous emperors, and his morning plans showed results by evening. When he witnessed something positive, his joy was evident on his face; when he heard something bad, he would sigh deeply. He reduced taxes and labor duties, encouraged agricultural production, and the national granaries were full of food, so the people no longer had to fear hunger.
He is naturally kind and compassionate; even flying birds and wild animals receive his blessings, bird eggs are preserved intact, and plants are spared from being trampled. Even when making laws and sentencing individuals to death, he carefully reviews them, ensuring fairness and impartiality in every decision, thereby maintaining social order and ensuring the law is upheld. His closest ministers do not dare to flatter him, and officials enjoy no special privileges. He meticulously serves the heavens and the earth, diligently handles political affairs, and always guards against arrogance and complacency.
He educates the people with morality, fostering a pure and simple society. From court ministers to local officials, they all believe this is a rare prosperous era in thousands of years. The ceremony of enthronement is a grand event that emperors have dreamt of for generations. Therefore, he records this with gold ink on jade tablets, holds grand sacrificial ceremonies, and his achievements spread far and wide, becoming a timeless exemplar. Although he has achieved so much, he never boasts, and after achieving fame, he humbly refuses all praise. He continues to work diligently, using noble virtues as an example, and worships Mount Tai with a sincere heart, reflecting on his faults.
It is evident that in the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching, the path of humility represents the highest virtue; the enthronement rituals of the seventy-two emperors of the past are merely secondary. His merits are immeasurable and cannot be described in words. His sincerity and virtue have moved the heavens and earth, filling the universe with a warm atmosphere. Blessings descend from the heavens, and all creatures offer auspicious signs. The sun, moon, stars, wind, clouds, plants, mountains, rivers, precious stones, birds, and beasts all show an abundance of auspicious signs throughout the four seasons, countless auspicious signs. These unprecedented scenes, not recorded in history, have never been seen or heard of. As the ancient saying goes, when a sage governs the world, all things flourish, spirits protect, treasures abound. This exemplifies the impact of a sage governing a nation.
As for me, I have long yearned to journey to Mount Gushan. This thought has already deepened, like casting a tripod on Jing Mountain, and my wish to achieve immortality has grown increasingly intense. The common folk are all subjects of the emperor; they miss their parents, and their sorrow wraps around them tightly like a bowstring. Although Tushan is deep and dangerous, there are no longer the ancient jade and silk offerings; Changling is also desolate, with only visitors to the tombs of the nobles coming and going.
When it comes to founding a nation, that's no small feat! Bringing down the majesty of the gods, having one's name recorded in the imperial register, holding great power over the realm, establishing a foundation, inheriting rule—these are all the virtues of a sage! Suppressing rebellions, restoring orthodoxy, governing the country, stabilizing the people, winning the hearts of the people, unifying culture—these are all sacred deeds! Offering sacrifices with fine wine, performing elegant music, sacrificing to the heavens, honoring heaven and earth—this exemplifies the utmost filial piety! Ending wars, restoring ritual music, ensuring the people live in peace and happiness—this is the ultimate in good governance! He ruled the realm, standing alongside the legendary Three and Five Emperors; it's not just a comparison to the Zhou, Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties—it's far more complex! Although the dance of the five elements is often held in the Qing temple, and the song of the nine virtues has always been sung in the music bureau, his profound achievements are by no means limited to form and objects; his great achievements are far beyond what words can fully describe.
I’m someone with a fragile destiny, but fortunately caught up in a prosperous era, able to serve in the palace, running under the emperor. However, once I leave the imperial palace, it feels like I'm separated by countless mountains and rivers, left only with the desire to follow the wise, but like an ant trying to lift Mount Tai, I feel utterly powerless. So, I dare to take up my pen, hoping to express my admiration. The ancients said, birds filling the sea cannot increase the land area, and tears of rivers cannot reduce floods; I’m simply doing my best to share my feelings. As I write, I can't help but feel a surge of excitement. And so, I penned this ode:
Long, long ago, the world was in turmoil, as feudal states waged war on one another, and the people were in despair. It was truly a turbulent era! During the late Jin Dynasty, numerous issues emerged, as barbarian tribes invaded the Central Plains, bandits roamed freely, and more than a dozen countries fought each other, oppressing the people without any rule of law. The land lay in ruins, and the people were suffering, as if it was the end of the world.
Later, a wise monarch emerged to unify the world and end the hundred-year-long warfare. He ruled for over two hundred years, although there were still some unstable areas, such as the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions and the Yellow River banks, where small countries fought each other. Overall, the world had begun to stabilize.
However, the world was not completely peaceful, with rebellions still occurring in various regions. While the eastern region was pacified, the scars of conflict lingered. Until several hundred years later, another great monarch emerged: Emperor Gaozu! With extraordinary talent and wise decisions, he quelled the rebellions and stabilized the world. He ruled with diligence, enacting benevolent policies, and the people lived in peace and contentment.
This emperor attached great importance to the ritual and music system, establishing a complete ritual system and organizing various cultural activities such as playing the guzheng and se, fostering a harmonious social environment. He also built palaces, planned cities, and made the country stronger. Although there were still some minority ethnic groups disturbing the border areas, the emperor's renown spread far and wide, and these minority groups were subdued, coming to pay tribute.
Even certain factions in the Wu and Yue regions, who styled themselves as monarchs, submitted to his rule. However, some stubborn forces still existed, like a storm that has yet to settle and a whale that has yet to be extinguished. Nevertheless, the emperor eventually quelled these rebellions, and the world finally entered a golden age.
The era of great peace and prosperity has arrived, with music and dance abounding everywhere, the civilization of etiquette and music flourishing, and social customs rejuvenated. He inherited the achievements of the ancient wise rulers, ruling the country with etiquette, educating with music, ensuring that the people lived and worked in peace and prosperity, and the nation thrived. He governed diligently and cared for the people's hardships, solving livelihood issues. All the people under heaven were deeply grateful.
He advocated frugality, humility, and modesty, not being proud of his accomplishments. His virtuous character touched the heavens and earth, and a harmonious scene appeared throughout the world. His achievements are comparable to those of ancient wise rulers, and his rule is like that of Emperor Guangwu of Han, inheriting the legacy of his ancestors and carrying it forward.
He was well-read, insightful about worldly affairs, and his rule made the country stronger and its foundation more stable. He even journeyed to Mount Kongtong to seek wisdom, and to Fenshui for hunting, with his deeds being praised by future generations. His benevolence spread far and wide, and his teachings lasted for centuries.
We must always remember his achievements, learn from his excellent qualities, spread his benevolence throughout the world, and let his teachings benefit future generations. May the world enjoy peace and prosperity! We, his subjects, sing his praises here to express our infinite loyalty.
The emperor was very displeased and turned to Su Wei, saying, "Dao Heng was favored in the previous dynasty for aligning with the symbolism of 'Fish and Seaweed.'" Thus, he promoted him to the position of Sili Dafu while preparing to punish him. However, Dao Heng remained oblivious to the impending danger. The Sili Governor, Fang Yanqian, had generally maintained a good relationship with Dao Heng and knew he was in trouble, so he advised him to quickly cut ties with those guests. However, Dao Heng ignored the advice.
Once, the court was discussing new laws, but they couldn't come to a decision for a long time. Dao Heng told the ministers, "If Gao Jiang hadn't died, these laws would have been implemented long ago." Someone reported this to the emperor, who got angry and said, "You still think about Gao Jiang?" He then handed Dao Heng over to the authorities for questioning. Dao Heng didn't think his crime was serious, so he urged the officials to make a quick judgment. On the day the report was submitted, he thought the emperor would pardon him, so he had his family prepare a meal and wait for guests to visit. However, the report was submitted, and the emperor ordered him to take his own life. Dao Heng was completely taken by surprise and failed to take his own life in time. The officials reported again, and in the end, he was executed by strangulation. His wife and children were also exiled to Qiemu. He died at the age of seventy, and people everywhere were outraged on his behalf. He wrote seventy volumes of books during his lifetime, which have been passed down through generations.
Dao Heng had five sons, the most famous of whom was Shou. Shou was adopted by his paternal uncle Ru. Ru was a man of integrity and aloofness, keeping himself separate from the mundane world, well-versed in history and classics, and exceptionally gifted. Although he didn't write any major works, his poems were elegant and refined. During the Sui Kaihuang period, he became an imperial censor and a military officer in charge of Yangzhou. He always adhered to his principles, so many of his subordinates in the government did not like him. After his term ended, he served as Qingyang magistrate, Xiangcheng county officer, and died in office. He consistently made his mark in every position he held. Dao Heng and Ru had a good relationship, and Shou was sent to Ru's house to be raised as soon as he was born, so he hardly knew his biological father. Hu Zhongcao, the Minister of Ceremonies, once asked Ru for a knife to cut his nails in the court, but Ru felt that Hu Zhongcao was not a refined gentleman, so he simply refused to lend it to him. His reluctance to make casual acquaintances and his commitment to self-restraint was exemplified in many similar instances.
The son of Dao Heng's older brother, Mai, served as a Lang in the Ministry of Selection; Dao Heng's younger brother, Dao Shi, served as the Assistant Lang in the Ministry of Rites and was the Prefect of Lishi, and both brothers were very famous. Dao Heng's nephew, Deyin, was quite talented and initially held the position of Cavalry Officer. Later, he assisted Wei Dan in compiling "Wei History." After completing the writing, he was promoted to Assistant Lang in the Bureau of Historiography. When King Dong of Yue claimed the throne in the Eastern Capital and Wang Shichong usurped the throne, all military documents were written by him. After Wang Shichong was overthrown, Deyin was executed due to his association. Many of his writings have been preserved through the ages.
Historical records indicate that Li Bai, Xue Tao, and their contemporaries were all exceptionally talented figures from the later period of the Qi Dynasty, known for their exceptional writing. From the Zhou to the Sui Dynasties, they were highly respected. Li Bai was the most outstanding talent of that era, while Xue Tao was the most respected female poet of the time. They were like two radiant serpents, with equally impressive talents, blending elegance with boldness in their literary styles, and their writings were truly excellent, resonating like the sound of gold and jade. Moreover, Lu Lun's talent surpassed that of both Li Bai and Xue Tao! Li Bai and Xue Tao both had successful official careers and prospered, while Lu Lun's career was more difficult. While fate certainly plays a part, Lu Lun's career struggles may also stem from his lack of attention to detail.
In summary, Li Bai, Xue Tao, and their contemporaries were particularly renowned for their literary skills from the Zhou to the Sui Dynasties. Li Bai was the most talented of his time, and Xue Tao was the most talented female poet of her time. Both were equally talented, with magnificent literary styles and their beautifully crafted works. Lu Lun was even more talented than the two of them! Li Bai and Xue Tao both held high official positions, while Lu Lun's official career was not as successful. Although fate plays a role, it may also be related to his lack of attention to detail in daily life.
