Xue Jun, courtesy name Daoze, was the cousin of Nei Yang Gong, the Minister of Justice. His father, Xue Yan, was the Governor of Weinan during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Xue Jun lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. He was renowned for his filial piety. From a young age, he loved learning and had great aspirations and integrity. He later went to Chang'an to study under a mentor. At that time, after the pacification of Jiangling, He Tuo returned to the country and recognized Xue Jun's exceptional talent, teaching him some classics and histories. During the Tianhe era of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Xue Jun inherited the title of Marquis of Yucheng and later served as a Senior Court Official and the Magistrate of Xinfeng County.
During the Kaihuang era of the Sui dynasty, Xue Jun was promoted to the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel and shortly after transferred to the Deputy Director of Examination. The Emperor heard of Xue Jun's exceptional filial piety towards his mother and, because his mother was elderly, rewarded him with carriages, clothes, walking sticks, and precious seasonal foods, which everyone regarded as a great honor. Later, when Xue Jun's mother fell ill, he appeared extremely sorrowful and haggard, with even those who knew him well barely recognizing him. After his mother's passing, the Emperor dispatched officials from the Ministry of Rites to manage the funeral arrangements and allowed him to bury her in their ancestral home in Xiayang. It was the depth of winter, bitterly cold, and Xue Jun, dressed in coarse mourning clothes and barefoot, braved the snow and wind to undertake the over 500-mile trek from the capital to his hometown. His feet froze and bled, and people everywhere sympathized with him. The local people sent many condolences, but he turned down every single one.
Soon, Xue Jun was reappointed and ordered to return to work, but he repeatedly begged the emperor to let him complete the funeral rites. The emperor's decree did not permit it. When he returned to the capital, the emperor saw how thin and haggard he looked, and his expression shifted. He turned to his ministers and said, "Seeing Xue Jun in such sorrow, I cannot help but feel sorrowful as well." The emperor sighed for a long time. Xue Jun eventually fell ill due to excessive grief and was close to death. His brother Xue Mo was serving as a military officer in the Prince Jin's mansion in Yangzhou at the time, and Xue Jun left him a letter:
I grew up in poverty; life was very difficult, wandering around, often unable to eat. I became an orphan at a young age, never read much, and relied on my father's teachings and my mother's good upbringing to persevere. Carrying a schoolbag and dry food, I was unafraid of difficulties, went to apprentice to learn, and had a strong desire to learn, persevering until I grew up.
From farming to being an official, it has now been twenty-three years. Although my official position is not high, the income is enough to support my family and allow my parents to enjoy their old age and fulfill my filial duties. I never expected that despite my devotion, the heavens did not protect us, and we faced a series of misfortunes, with my brothers being dismissed, our family in a state of despair, and no one daring to comfort us. I was utterly heartbroken and in excruciating pain. Later, disasters struck one after another; I endured torment and barely managed to survive, returning to my hometown.
If there is awareness after death, I will be able to meet my ancestors underground; how wonderful that would be! But thinking of you alone in a distant place as an official, I feel a deep sadness and regret, not knowing what to say. I just received your letter, hoping to see you one last time. Enduring pain and waiting for you, it has now been ten days. You haven't come yet; it seems we are on the brink of being separated by life and death, forever apart—how can my heart not be broken! I encourage you, I truly do!
It is said that Xue Jun died after finishing his book; he was forty-two years old that year. The relevant authorities reported this to Emperor Gaozu, and after hearing it, Emperor Gaozu wept and sent someone to offer condolences and a memorial. The memorial read: "The Emperor addresses the late Xue Jun, former Minister of Merit: Alas! You were upright and gentle, meticulous and serious in your work, completely meeting the expectations of the ancestors. Your diligence and integrity were very remarkable. Unfortunately, you suffered misfortune and passed away unexpectedly. Your loyalty and filial piety moved my heart; I will offer you double the sacrifices according to court rituals. Therefore, I am sending someone to officially convey my decree. If your spirit knows, then may you enjoy this honor! Alas, how tragic!" Xue Jun was upright and thrifty, and when he died, his family was left in poverty.
When Xue Jun was a child, he played by a stream with other kids from his family. He saw a yellow snake with horns and legs and called everyone to look, but no one else saw it. Xue Jun felt it was a bad omen, leaving him troubled and anxious when he got home. His mother asked him what was wrong, and Xue Jun told her the truth. At that time, a Buddhist monk came to their house to beg for alms, and Xue Jun's mother, afraid, shared this with the monk. The monk said, "This is a good sign for the boy! This child will have a high official position in the future, but a lifespan of only sixty or seventy years." After saying this, the monk vanished without a trace, leaving everyone puzzled. As a result, Xue Jun passed away at the age of forty-two, and the monk's prophecy of "sixty or seventy years" turned out to be true. Xue Jun's son, named Qianfu, held a minor position in Wuan County.
Wang Ban, style name Jingyan, was from Qi County in Taiyuan. His grandfather, Wang Shennian, was General of the Left Guard of the Liang Dynasty; his father, Wang Senbian, served as Grand Commandant. Wang Ban was handsome and talented from a young age, skilled in both literature and martial arts. When his father quelled the rebellion of Hou Jing, he was taken hostage in Jingzhou. Later, when the Zhou army defeated Emperor Yuan, Wang Ban followed them into Guanzhong. Hearing that his father was killed by Emperor Wu of Chen, he fainted from grief, waking up later, still in tears and visibly weakened. After his mourning period, he wore rough clothing, ate vegetarian food, and slept on the ground. Emperor Ming of Zhou admired him and appointed him as a Left Attendant, later promoting him to Governor of Hanzhong and later to Yitong Sanqi. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was granted the title of Kaifu for his achievements in pacifying the nomads and was appointed Duke of Sheqiu County. He presented a strategy to attack the Chen Dynasty, which piqued the Emperor's interest, who summoned him for a detailed discussion. After Wang Ban finished speaking, the Emperor was moved to tears, visibly shaken. Later, when launching a campaign against the Chen Dynasty, Wang Ban volunteered to lead a few hundred men to cross the Yangtze River with the vanguard led by Han Qinhut. He was injured in battle and, fearing he could no longer fight, cried in sorrow and anger. He fell asleep that night and dreamt that someone gave him medicine. When he woke up, the pain was gone, and people at the time said it was due to his filial piety moving the heavens. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Wang Ban secretly gathered his father's former subordinates, totaling over a thousand men, and wept in front of them. At that moment, a strong man asked him, "Sir, you have conquered the Chen Kingdom and destroyed their nation, vengeance has been taken, why are you still so sorrowful? Is it because your father died too early and you were unable to kill Emperor Wu of Chen with your own hands? Why don't we dig up his grave, burn his coffin and bones, to show your filial piety?" Wang Ban bowed in thanks, his forehead bleeding from the knocks, and replied, "Emperor Wu of Chen was an emperor, his tomb is grand, and we may not be able to dig it up in one night. If it's exposed by dawn, what should we do?" The people said, "We have prepared tools and can dig it up in one night." So, they dug up the tomb of Emperor Wu of Chen that night, opened the coffin, and found that not a single hair of his beard had fallen, each strand still rooted in the bones. Wang Ban then burned Emperor Wu of Chen's bones, collected the ashes, mixed the ashes with water, and drank them. He then tied himself up and went to apologize to the Jin Prince. The Prince reported this to the Emperor, who responded, "I quelled the Chen Dynasty justly; Wang Ban's actions are also an expression of filial piety, how can I punish him?" And so, the matter was dropped. His military accomplishments were officially recorded, preparing to bestow upon him the title of Zhuguo and reward him with five thousand rolls of cloth, but he firmly declined, saying, "My ability to avenge is due to the strength of the country; my motives were personal, not for the country, so I cannot accept these titles and rewards." The Emperor agreed to his request. He was later appointed Inspector of Daizhou, where he excelled. After his mother passed away, he resigned from office. Later, he became Inspector of Qizhou, where he died at fifty-two. His younger brother, Wang Hui, is recorded in the "Biographies of Literature."
Yang Qing, whose courtesy name was Boyue, hailed from Hejian, Hebei. Both his grandfather and father were famous for their filial piety. Yang Qing was handsome and intelligent. At the age of sixteen, Xu Zunming, a scholar from the state of Qi, saw him and felt that he was exceptional. As he grew up, he read many books. When he was twenty-five, the county recommended him for his filial piety and integrity, but he did not take up the position because he was serving his mother. His mother fell ill, and for seventy years he did not loosen his belt. After his mother's death, he was so grief-stricken that he became as thin as a rake and dug her grave himself. Emperor Wenxuan of Qi commended his family and rewarded him with thirty bolts of cloth, ten bundles of cotton, and fifty stones of grain. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he rewarded him multiple times, promoted him to the position of Yitong Sanqi, and transferred him to serve as the prefect of Pingyang. He passed away at the age of eighty-five.
Guo Jun, also known as Hongyi, hailed from Wenshui in Taiyuan, Shanxi. His family was harmonious and united, with seven generations living under one roof. Dogs and pigs suckled together, crows and magpies nested together, and people at the time believed this was seen as a blessing brought on by their filial piety. The local authorities reported this to the court, and the emperor sent Prince Pingchang, Yuwen Bi, to visit his family. When the imperial censor Liu Yu inspected Hebei, he also commended his family. When Han Wang Liang took office as the governor of Bingzhou, he heard about this and greatly appreciated it, rewarding him and his brothers with a set of clothes each.
Tian Yi's place of origin is unknown. He was particularly filial, and his reputation spread far and wide due to his devotion to his stepmother. His stepmother was bedridden for over a year, and Tian Yi personally changed her clothes, ate when she ate, and did not eat when she did not. When his stepmother contracted severe dysentery, Tian Yi thought it was food poisoning and sampled the food himself. After his stepmother's passing, he was so grief-stricken that he died on the spot. His wife also succumbed to her grief, and the villagers arranged for them to be buried together with great honor.
Niu Hui, whose courtesy name was Xiaozheng, hailed from Anyi in Hedong, Shanxi. He was extremely filial. When his parents passed away during the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he erected a grass shed beside their graves to keep vigil, and personally carried soil to build their tombs. A mulberry tree grew in front of the shed, reaching a height of ten feet, with a thick trunk and lush leaves that stayed green throughout both winter and summer. A crow nested on top of it, and whenever Niu Hui cried, the crow would also cry mournfully, which bewildered onlookers. Emperor Wu of Zhou commended his family and appointed him as the magistrate of Gantang County. He passed away in the early years of the Kaihuang era.
Zi Shixiong was known for his honesty and profound filial devotion from a young age. After his father passed away, he constructed a modest shelter beside his father's grave and personally carried soil to build the tomb. There was a locust tree in his family's courtyard that used to be very lush, but after Zi Shixiong started mourning, the tree unexpectedly withered. When the mourning period was over and Zi Shixiong returned home, the once withered tree astonishingly revived! When Emperor Gaozu heard about this, he praised the filial piety of the father and son, issued a decree in their honor, and even named the place where they lived "Leideri."
Liu Shijun was from Pengcheng and was known for his profound filial devotion. After his mother passed away, his grief was so overwhelming that he fainted multiple times before regaining consciousness. He went without water for seven days and nights, stayed by his mother's grave, personally carried soil to build the tomb, and planted pine and cypress trees around the grave. Even foxes and wolves appeared to be touched by his filial piety and voluntarily brought him food. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he specifically honored his family.
Lang Fanggui hailed from Huainan. He had grand ambitions from a young age and lived with his cousin Shuanggui. During the Kaihuang era, Fanggui set out on an errand and encountered heavy rain. The Huai River swelled dangerously. While waiting for a boat at the ferry, the boatman lost his temper with him and even struck Fanggui, breaking his arm. When he returned home, Shuanggui anxiously inquired about what happened, and Fanggui told him in detail what had occurred. Shuanggui was very angry and went to the ferry and killed the boatman. The ferry guards apprehended Shuanggui and brought him to the county court. After questioning, the county official believed that Fanggui was the instigator and sentenced him to death, while Shuanggui was an accomplice and was sentenced to exile. The two brothers argued over who should bear the main responsibility, and the county court was unable to reach a verdict, so the case was sent to the prefectural government. The two brothers kept shifting blame back and forth, and the prefectural government could not make a decision either. They even contemplated jumping into the river to end their lives! The prefectural government escalated the matter to the court, and the emperor was deeply touched upon hearing of it. He pardoned them for their offenses, honored their family name, and bestowed upon them a hundred bolts of cloth. Eventually, Lang Fanggui rose to become the chief scribe of the prefecture.
Zhai Pulin was from Chuqiu, known for his kindness and filial piety. He refused numerous calls to serve as an official in various counties and states, preferring instead to farm and care for his parents. His neighbors referred to him as "Mr. Chuqiu." When his parents fell ill, he devotedly served them for seventy days. During the early days of the Daye era, both of his parents passed away, leaving Zhai Pulin heartbroken and nearly losing his mind. He set up a simple shelter by their graves, digging their graves himself, and even in the frigid winter, he wore nothing but a thin linen garment. His family had a black dog that stayed by his side at the gravesite, whimpering in sorrow whenever Zhai Pulin wept. Witnesses were astonished by this scene. Two magpies also built nests in the cypress tree in front of his house, frequently entering his home without hesitation. During the Daye era, when officials conducted their inspections of the county, they reported Zhai Pulin's filial piety to the court, which resulted in his appointment as the magistrate of Xiaoyang County.
Li Derao, from Bairen County in Zhao County, was the grandson of Li Che, the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel during the Wei Dynasty, and the son of Li Chun, who served as the Prefect of Jiezhou during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Li Derao was intelligent and studious from a young age, with a kind heart, and was highly respected by his family. In his youth, he became an Academician and worked in the Ministry of Justice, handling documents. He later advanced to the position of Censor in charge of provincial affairs, enforcing the law impartially and even bravely correcting the errors of high-ranking officials and their families. In the third year of Daye of Emperor Yang of Sui, he was promoted and frequently toured various places to rectify injustices and commend those who showed filial piety and brotherly love. Though his official rank was relatively modest, his virtuous character garnered the respect of his contemporaries, and he associated with many esteemed scholars. He was especially filial to his parents, often fasting for a day and going without changing his clothes for ten days when they were ill. After their passing, he refrained from drinking water for five days, succumbing to sorrow that caused him to vomit blood. On the day of their burial, during a heavy snowfall in midwinter, he walked barefoot in mourning for more than forty miles, nearly fainting from crying. More than a thousand people attended the funeral, and not a single person left without tears. Later, miraculous dew fell from the trees in his courtyard, and magpies built nests on the roof of his house. During Minister Yang Da's visit to Hebei, he made a special trip to Li Derao's home to pay his respects and renamed Li Derao's village "Filial Piety Village" and the neighborhood "Harmony Lane."
Later, Li Derao was appointed as the county magistrate of Jinhe. Before taking office, he encountered a group of bandits. The bandit chief Ge Qian, Sun Xuanya, and more than ten others gathered in the Bohai region causing trouble. The court ordered them to surrender, but Ge Qian and his gang were too scared to surrender. Upon hearing that Li Derao was trustworthy, they sent a messenger to the court, saying, "If Li Derao is sent, we will surrender together." The emperor then sent Li Derao to persuade those bandits in Bohai to surrender. When Li Derao arrived in Guan County, he unexpectedly ran into other bandits attacking the county town, and unfortunately, Li Derao was tragically killed.
His younger brother, Li Dezhuo, was known for his integrity and honesty. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, he served as a judicial officer in Lishi County, and Governor Yang Zichong held him in high regard. After the uprising of the rebel army, Yang Zichong was killed, and his body was abandoned outside the city. Li Dezhuo grieved deeply and buried Yang Zichong. When he arrived in Jiexiu, he joined the rebel army and asked to take care of Yang Zichong's funeral. The general was very impressed by him, so he posthumously promoted Yang Zichong and appointed Li Dezhuo as an envoy to oversee Yang Zichong's funeral in Lishi.
Hua Qiu is from Linhe County in Jijun. He lost his father when he was young and was especially filial to his mother, becoming well-known far and wide. His family was very poor, and he supported himself by doing odd jobs. When his mother fell ill, Hua Qiu became haggard and disheveled, with unkempt hair and beard, making everyone in the county feel pity for him. After his mother passed away, he stopped grooming himself altogether and eventually lost all his hair. He erected a small shed by his mother's grave and gradually piled up the earth for her tomb himself. Whenever people tried to help him, he would kneel down to refuse. During the Daye era, the government organized a large-scale hunting campaign aimed at fox fur. A rabbit, chased by hunters, darted into Hua Qiu's shed and hid beneath his knees. When the hunters arrived at the shed and witnessed this, they were deeply moved and decided to let the rabbit go. From then on, the rabbit often lingered around the shed and grew very close to Hua Qiu. The local authorities admired Hua Qiu's devotion to his mother and reported it to the court. Emperor Yang of Sui even sent envoys to visit him and erected a memorial archway at his doorstep. Later, many bandits began to roam the area, often operating near Hua Qiu's home. They would warn each other, "Don't mess with this devoted son!" Thanks to Hua Qiu, many villagers were able to save their lives.
Xu Xiaosu was also from Ji County. His family was part of a large clan with thousands of households, most of whom lived a life of luxury; only Xu Xiaosu was frugal, filial to his parents, and earned a great reputation. He lost his father at a young age and didn't know what his father looked like. When he grew up, he asked his mother what his father looked like, then had a painter draw a portrait of his father, erected a small shrine in his honor, and paid his respects regularly. He was deeply devoted to his mother; for decades, his family never witnessed him lose his temper. When his mother grew old and fell ill, Xu Xiaosu personally took care of her, meticulously cared for her, worked tirelessly for several years, consumed by worry, and anyone who saw him couldn't help but feel sorrowful. After his mother passed away, Xu Xiaosu subsisted on a diet of only vegetarian food and water, wore nothing but a single layer of clothing in winter, and became emaciated. He built tombs for his grandparents and parents, and lived near the tombs for over forty years, with unkempt hair, walking barefoot, ultimately passing away there.
His younger brother, Xu Debei, was bright and well-versed in the Five Classics, and was renowned as a Confucian scholar in the Hebei region. After Xu Debei passed away, his son, Xu Chumo, also took up residence near the tomb; their family had been known for their filial piety for generations, which is truly admirable!
Historical texts state: In the past, the promotion of respect for elders often depended on royal ministers; but in recent years, the emphasis on filial piety and camaraderie has mostly emerged from ordinary families. Individuals like Yan Shi and Dao Ze, some hailing from families of high officials and nobility for generations, and some, despite swearing to serve the country, ended up with their reputations in tatters; some even died without a proper burial. Although their actions contravened the ancestral principles, this is sufficient to demonstrate their benevolence and righteousness.
The two Lang brothers almost lost their lives to save their younger brother, but ultimately managed to save him; Tian Yifei and his wife both gave their lives for their country and are thus remembered in history. De Rao won over a group of bandits with his kindness, while De Zhuo touched the heart of the Xing King with his loyalty. These acts are truly commendable! Niu Hui, Liu Jun, Zhai Lin, and Hua Qiu: some have lush greenery in their courtyards, while others have wild animals around their graves that have become tame. Isn't it because of their utmost filial piety that they have moved the heavens and the earth?
