Yuan Yan, styled Junshan, hailed from Luoyang, Henan. His father was named Yuan Zhen, who served as Fuzhou's Inspector in the Wei Kingdom. Yuan Yan had a deep love for reading, but he wasn't a pedantic scholar. He was upright and responsible, and had been good friends with Gao Feng from Bohai and Wang Shao from Taiyuan since childhood.
He later served as an official in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, starting as the General of Xuanwei and an official in the Ministry of War. Grand Prime Minister Yuwen Hu recognized his talent and appointed him as Secretary of the Interior and Exterior. He was promoted all the way to the position of Senior Official in the Ministry of Finance and was also enfeoffed as the Earl of Changguo County.
Later, Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, and his governing style was incompetent and tyrannical. The Magistrate of Jingzhao, Le Yun, brought a coffin to the court and sharply denounced Emperor Xuan's eight major crimes. Emperor Xuan was furious and ordered his execution. The courtiers were too scared to speak up, and no one dared to come forward to save Le Yun.
At that moment, Yuan Yan addressed everyone, "Zang Hong and Cai Yong died together in the past, let alone Bi Gan! If Le Yun is doomed to die, then I will die with him!" So he ran to the palace to request an audience with the emperor, saying, "Le Yun knows that by submitting a petition, he will die. He is risking his life for the sake of future praise. If Your Majesty kills him, it will only boost his reputation, playing into his hands. It would be better to spare him to show your generosity." Le Yun thus escaped death.
Later, when Emperor Xuan sought to execute Wu Wan Gui, Yuan Yan outright refused to sign the decree. The Imperial Censor Yan Zhiyi also strongly advised against it, but to no avail. Yuan Yan then stepped forward to advise the emperor, took off his hat, and kowtowed heavily, kneeling and requesting three times. The emperor asked him, "Are you trying to shield Wu Wan Gui?" Yuan Yan replied, "I have no intention of shielding Wu Wan Gui. I am only concerned that indiscriminate killing will alienate the hearts of the people." Emperor Xuan was furious, had a eunuch deliver a hard slap, and finally sent him home, removing him from office.
When Gaozu was the prime minister, his official position rose to the rank of Chancellor and Grand Master of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Later, when Gaozu became emperor, he appointed him as the Minister of War, granted him the title of Duke of Pingchang County, and provided him with a fief of two thousand households. The Duke of Pingchang County was known for his integrity and wisdom, always offering his opinions with boldness and fearlessness, daring to speak frankly and advise face-to-face without hesitation. The emperor and the court ministers all held him in great awe.
At that time, when Gaozu had just ascended the throne, he learned from the lesson of the weakened and ultimately doomed vassal states of the Zhou Dynasty, so he granted titles to several of his sons, giving them powers similar to the royal family to consolidate his rule. He sent Prince Jin to oversee Bingzhou and Prince Shu to oversee Yizhou. As these two sons were very young, Gaozu carefully selected and appointed some upright and respected individuals to assist them. At that time, both the Duke of Pingchang County and Wang Shao were renowned for their integrity, and people said that their talents were on par with Gao Feng. Therefore, Gaozu appointed the Duke of Pingchang County as the Chief Steward of Yizhou and Wang Shao as the Right Vice Envoy of the Hebei Circuit. Gaozu said to the Duke of Pingchang County, "You have the makings of a prime minister; now I appoint you to assist my sons, just like Cao Can assisted Prince Qi back then."
After the Duke of Pingchang County took office in Yizhou, the laws were strictly enforced there, and the people praised him. Prince Shu was extravagant in nature, once attempting to capture members of minority ethnic groups to serve as eunuchs and even considering live dissections of prisoners for their gallbladders. The Duke of Pingchang County strongly opposed this, counseling him on multiple occasions, and Prince Shu always followed his advice, no longer daring to act recklessly, as he was quite intimidated by the Duke of Pingchang County, which made him more compliant with the laws. The cases adjudicated by the Duke of Pingchang County in Shu were met with no dissent. Those who had made mistakes said to each other, "It was the Duke of Pingchang County who judged our crimes, so what grievances do we have?" The emperor was very pleased with this and rewarded him generously. Thirteen years later, the Duke of Pingchang County passed away, and the emperor mourned for a long time. The people of Yizhou all wept, and they still remember him to this day.
After the death of the Duke of Pingchang, the King of Shu finally acted according to his own wishes, gradually violating the law, creating instruments such as the celestial globe (Hun Tianyi), the south-pointing chariot (Si Nan Che), and the drum for measuring distances (Ji Li Gu), and even imitating the clothing of the emperor. He also hunted with his concubines, used slingshots to shoot at people, and captured a large number of minority people from the mountains to serve as eunuchs. None of his advisors dared to speak up. Later, the King of Shu Xiu committed a crime, and the emperor said, "If Yuan Yan were still here, how could my son be like this!" The Duke of Pingchang's son, Hong, inherited his title and served in various official capacities, including as a court attendant and the governor of Beiping.
Liu Xingben was from Pei County. His father, Liu Gui, held a high official position in the Liang Dynasty. Liu Xingben initially served as an attendant in the State of Wuling. Later, when Xiao Yi surrendered Liangzhou to the Northern Zhou, he sought refuge in Northern Zhou with his uncle Liu Fan and settled in Xinfeng County, Jingzhao Prefecture. He studied diligently every day, indifferent to his hunger and inadequate clothing. He was strong-willed and resolute, impervious to persuasion.
The Prime Minister of the Northern Zhou, Yuwen Hu, took notice of him and appointed him as a scribe in the Ministry of Internal and External Affairs. Later, when Emperor Wu of Zhou personally ruled, Liu Xingben was promoted to Imperial Clerk and also served as an official in charge of the imperial household. He was promoted several times and became the head of the officials in charge of court affairs. At that time, there was a rule in the Northern Zhou that when the emperor attended court, the official in charge of court affairs had to bring pen, ink, paper, and inkstone to the emperor's throne, and then present it to the emperor through the Chief Minister. Once, when Liu Xingben was the official in charge of court affairs, he was tasked with presenting a pen to the emperor when the Chief Minister attempted to snatch it. Liu Xingben boldly declared to the Chief Minister, "You cannot take this pen!"
The emperor was very surprised and asked him what was going on. Liu Xingben told the emperor, "I heard that each official has their own responsibilities. I cannot take your imperial dagger, and of course, you cannot take my pen!" The emperor said, "Indeed!" So he ordered the two officials to stick to their own duties and not overstep their bounds. Later, when Emperor Xuan ascended the throne and made many mistakes, Liu Xingben repeatedly advised him, angering the emperor, and was demoted to governor of Henei.
When Gaozu was the prime minister, Wei Jiao rebelled and attacked Huaizhou. Xingben led officials and people to resist, and the emperor appointed him as a Yitong official and granted him the title of Viscount of Wen'an County. Later, when Gaozu became emperor, he summoned him to be a Counselor and concurrently a censor. Not long after, he was promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant.
Once, the emperor was angry and wanted to punish an official in the court. Xingben quickly said, "This person is usually very honest, and his mistakes are not serious. I hope Your Majesty can show him a bit of mercy." The emperor ignored him completely. Xingben stood up and directly said to the emperor, "Since Your Majesty did not think I was incapable and placed me by your side, shouldn't you listen to what I have to say? If I am wrong, I should be treated according to the law to uphold the rule of law. How can you just dismiss my words? I am not speaking for personal reasons!" After saying this, he tossed his tablet down and walked away. The emperor restrained his anger, apologized to him, and finally spared the official who was about to be punished.
At that time, the world was at peace, and the minority ethnic groups at the borders had all submitted to the imperial court. Xing Ben believed that the Tangut and Qiang people, being so close to the border, were the most difficult to govern. So he reported against their envoys in a memorial, writing: "I have heard that the southern barbarians all obey the orders of the Colonel, and the Western Regions all respect the authority of the Protector. But now the Western Qiang are like rats stealing things, dogs stealing food, lacking in filial piety and loyalty, completely different from us, the most inferior of all ethnic groups. They do not understand the grace of the court, are cruel and brutal in their hearts, and go against the court's orthodoxy. Their envoys have just arrived, requesting the emperor to turn them over to the appropriate authorities." The emperor greatly appreciated his thoughts.
Yuan Zhao, the deputy of Yongzhou, said to the emperor: "There is an official in a province who accepted a bribe of three hundred coins. According to the law, he should be beaten a hundred times. But when I first took office, I established a three-point agreement with them, and this official deliberately violated the agreement and requested the emperor to impose a sentence of one year of hard labor." Xing Ben retorted, "The enforcement of laws and regulations is governed by public decrees to constrain the people. Now Yuan Zhao dares to escalate my orders, showing disregard for the court's laws. He wants his orders to be followed, yet he forgets the court's credibility, violating the law to show his power; this is not the behavior expected of a courtier." The emperor praised Xing Ben's actions and rewarded him with a hundred bolts of silk.
Liu Xingben had been working by the side of the Crown Prince for several years, serving as the Crown Prince's Left Libationer, in charge of managing books, as he had always done. The Crown Prince held him in great respect and was in awe of him. At that time, Tang Lingze was also the Crown Prince's Left Libationer, but the Crown Prince was quite close to him, often having him teach palace maids to sing and dance. Liu Xingben reproached him, saying, "As the Crown Prince's Left Libationer, you should help the Crown Prince follow the right path. How can you be so intimate with him?" Tang Lingze felt ashamed, but still couldn't bring himself to change. At that time, Liu Zhen from Pei County, Ming Ke from Pingyuan, and Lu Shuang from Weijun all received the Crown Prince's favor due to their talents. Liu Xingben was deeply frustrated that they couldn't assist the Crown Prince properly, often saying to them, "You only know how to read books!"
At that time, Xiahou Fu, the Chief of the Left Guard, also gained the Crown Prince's trust and favor, and once joked with the Crown Prince in the palace. Xiahou Fu laughed heartily, and the sound reached outside. Liu Xingben was in the hall at that time, and when he heard it, he waited for Xiahou Fu to come out and rebuked him, saying, "His Royal Highness has been lenient and favored you, but what kind of person are you to behave so recklessly?" He then turned Xiahou Fu over to the law enforcement officers. After a few days, the Crown Prince pleaded for Xiahou Fu, and he was released. Another time, the Crown Prince got a good horse and let Xiahou Fu ride it to show off. The Crown Prince was very happy and wanted Liu Xingben to ride it as well. Liu Xingben refused, stating firmly, "The Emperor appointed me as the Crown Prince's Left Libationer to help His Highness walk the right path, not to be a clown for His Highness!" The Crown Prince felt ashamed and had to give up.
Later, Liu Xingben also served as the magistrate of Daxing County. The powerful and influential feared his integrity, and no one dared to come to him for help. As a result, the practice of seeking official positions through connections was eliminated, and the laws became straightforward and fair, earning him the admiration of the people. Not long after, he passed away, and the Emperor deeply regretted it. When the Crown Prince was deposed, the Emperor sighed, "Ah! If Liu Xingben were still alive, things wouldn’t have turned out this way." Liu Xingben had no sons.
Liang Pi, courtesy name Jinghe, was a man of the Wushi people from Anding. His grandfather Liang Yue had served as the Inspector of Jingzhou, Yuzhou, and Luozhou during the Wei Kingdom, and was also granted the title of Count of Xiayang County. His father Liang Mao had served as the Inspector of Cangzhou and Yanzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Liang Pi was known for his integrity, straightforwardness in speech, and his extensive knowledge.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, Liang Pi passed the imperial examination and gradually rose through the ranks to become a Grand Master under the Palace. In the war to pacify the Qi Kingdom, he was appointed as the Chief Military Officer and made significant contributions in the campaign to capture Bianzhou. He was later appointed as a Companion Officer and was granted the title of Director of Three Simultaneous Affairs. During the Xuanzheng period, he was granted the title of Viscount of Yiyang County with a fief of four hundred households, and later promoted to a Master of Wuzang District. After Emperor Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor, Liang Pi's title was elevated to Marquis.
In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, the imperial court established the Office of Imperial Censor. Due to Liang Pi's integrity and straightforwardness, he was appointed as an Assistant Censor in the Palace Library, a position that was deemed suitable for him by all. Shortly after, he was transferred to serve as the magistrate of Daxing, and later promoted to Governor of Yongzhou Province. After leaving the supervisory department, he managed the administrative affairs of the capital, maintaining his upright conduct and never bending the law for personal gain, which led to conflicts with many powerful figures. As a result, he was sent to serve as the Inspector of Xining and his title was changed to Count of Handan County. He served as the Inspector of Xining for eleven years.
Earlier, the tribal chiefs in that region wore gold crowns, and the more gold crowns one wore, the more recognized they were as a leader. This led to constant wars and unrest in the border regions. Liang Pi was greatly troubled by this situation. Later, these tribal chiefs began to bribe Liang Pi by sending him gold. He placed the gold aside and, with tears in his eyes, said to them, "These things cannot be eaten when hungry or worn when cold. You have killed each other countless times for these things! Now you are sending them to me, are you trying to kill me?" He refused to accept anything and returned all the gold back to them.
Therefore, those tribal leaders were deeply moved and stopped attacking each other. Emperor Yang Jian was very happy when he heard about this incident, so he summoned Liang Pi back to the court and appointed him as Cavalier Attendant and Minister of Justice. He handled cases fairly and justly, and people at that time all praised him. More than a year later, he was promoted to the position of Senior Grand Tutor.
I saw that Yang Su, the Left Supervisor and Duke of Yue, was becoming extremely powerful and favored by the emperor, causing court officials to be too afraid to voice their concerns. I was worried that he would harm the country, so I wrote a memorial to the emperor. I wrote: "I have heard that ministers should not hold too much power. If ministers hold too much power, it will harm their own families and the country. I have privately observed Yang Su, who is gaining more and more favor and power, with high-ranking officials and nobles bending to his every whim. Those who do not please him immediately face severe punishment; those who cater to him receive lavish rewards. The promotion and disgrace of officials all depend on his word; the nation's rise and fall hinge on his whims. He promotes only those who lack loyalty and integrity, all of whom are his relatives and friends, with his relatives holding positions throughout the provinces. Currently, the country is peaceful and stable, but he might be secretly scheming something nefarious; once there is any turmoil in the world, he will definitely cause chaos. Usurpation and the seizing of power are gradual processes. Wang Mang accumulated power over many years, Huan Xuan seized the opportunity for a change of dynasty, and ultimately, they destroyed the Han and Jin dynasties. Jisun held absolute power in the state of Lu, the Tian family seized control of the state of Qi; these events are all documented in historical texts, not invented by me. If Your Majesty continues to trust Yang Su, I fear he may not possess the loyalty of Yi Yin. I humbly urge Your Majesty to carefully weigh historical examples, and relocate him from his important position in the court; only then can the nation's foundation be secure, and the people can enjoy peace and prosperity. If my words have offended Your Majesty, I humbly accept any punishment."
The Emperor Gaozu was very angry and ordered the relevant departments to prohibit discussion of the matter, and personally questioned me. I argued based on reason, saying, "Yang Su is arrogant and tyrannical, committing atrocities and indiscriminate killing in the army. When the Crown Prince and the Prince of Shu were deposed, the court officials were trembling in fear; only Yang Su was delighted, gloating over the misfortune, eager for more turmoil in the country to benefit from it." I spoke frankly and resolutely, and the emperor had no way to deal with me, so he had to let me go. Since then, Yang Su's favor gradually declined. However, Yang Su was very powerful at that time, and many people were suppressed by him. The officials in the court were all afraid of him, and no one dared to argue with him. The only ones who dared to stand up to him were Liu Yu, Li Gang, and me. Later, the emperor's trust in Yang Su began to wane, all because he listened to my words.
After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, I was promoted to Minister of Justice while also serving as Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat. I filed charges against Yu Wenshu for misusing military forces, and the emperor wanted to exempt Yu Wenshu from blame. I strongly opposed, which angered the emperor, leading him to appoint Zhang Heng as my replacement. I fell ill from grief and passed away a few months later. The emperor ordered Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel, to pay his respects and granted me five hundred bolts of silk.
Zi Jingzhen held the position of Grand Judge during the reign of Emperor Yuan of Northern Zhou. At that time, the emperor wanted to punish the Grand Master of Splendor, Yu Juluo, so he had Zi Jingzhen handle the case. Consequently, Zi Jingzhen intentionally framed Yu Juluo to curry favor with the emperor, sentencing him to death. Not long after, Zi Jingzhen himself fell ill, and it was said that the vengeful spirit of Yu Juluo came to collect his due; he passed away just a few days later.
Liu Yu, courtesy name Youwen, was from Jie County in Hedong. Seven generations ago, his ancestors migrated south with the Jin Dynasty and settled in Xiangyang. His father, Liu Zhongli, was a general of the Liang Dynasty. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, he defected to the Northern Zhou Dynasty before returning to his hometown. Liu Yu was studious from a young age and read many historical books. The Chancellor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Hu, recognized his talent and appointed him as a secretary in the Ministry of Internal and External Affairs. After some time, he was sent to Ningzhou as a chief clerk. Later, when Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty came to power, Liu Yu submitted a memorial requesting the court to assess his abilities. Emperor Wu held him in high regard and appointed him as a military officer. He was later promoted to the position of magistrate of Zheng County. After pacifying the Qi Kingdom, the court awarded officials who took part in the pacification efforts on a large scale, but those who stayed in the capital were left off the reward list. Liu Yu submitted a memorial stating, "Now that peace has just begun in the world, rewards should be clear and merit should be rewarded. Those who conquered cities and territories did so based on wise decisions, and those who beheaded enemy generals and captured flags did so due to their bravery and strategies. It would be unfair if those who fought bravely to defend the country and the royal family were not recognized. These achievements are the result of teamwork, not just one person's efforts. Even officials below the crown prince helped protect the ancestral temple and the state. Just as Xiao He contributed by building defenses in Pingyang while others fought on the front lines, and Mu Zi, who assisted from the center, was well-treated even after his death. These are just my personal opinions, and I submit these thoughts for your consideration." After the emperor read his memorial, he allowed him to stay in the capital and promoted his official position.
After Emperor Yang Jian ascended the throne, Liu Yu was promoted several times and eventually became the Deputy Minister of Finance. Later, he resigned due to his mother's death. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, but he firmly declined, and the emperor did not force him. At that time, it was stipulated that officials of rank three or higher could display a halberd (an ancient ceremonial weapon) at the entrance of their residence. Hongde, the son of the Left Chancellor, Gao Ke, was granted the title of Duke of Yingguo and requested to display a halberd at his residence. Liu Yu replied, "The son of a deputy should not live any differently from other families. His father's halberd is already displayed outside his residence. There should be a distinction between superior and inferior, and the son should defer to his father. How can a halberd be displayed at the father's entrance, and then again at the son's?" This request was ultimately denied, and Gao Ke, upon hearing about it, greatly admired Liu Yu. Later, Liu Yu was promoted to the position of Imperial Censor, and he was known for his integrity and commanded great respect among his peers. The emperor appreciated his honesty and said to him, "A true man should make his name known in the world, rather than live in obscurity." He rewarded him with one hundred thousand coins and one hundred piculs of rice.
At that time, it was said that many provincial governors were former military generals, most of them were not up to the task. Liu Yu submitted a memorial, stating that "Now that the world is at peace and the people are living in harmony, it is necessary to appoint talented individuals to govern. Historically, Emperor Guangwu of Han was both wise and astute, rising from the common people. He was skilled at distinguishing truth from falsehood and, together with his twenty-eight generals, pacified the world. After achieving success, he chose not to hold any official position. As The Book of Songs states, 'Do not harvest the old grain too early; leave some for sowing.' This illustrates the importance of acting according to the circumstances, with everyone contributing their strengths! Now, the emperor's decree appoints Han Gan's son as the governor of Qizhou. This old man is almost eighty and is no longer fit for duty. He previously held office in Zhaozhou, where he struggled with his duties, letting unscrupulous people handle affairs; corruption ran rampant, and the people were vocal in their complaints, singing songs of mockery about him everywhere. While Han Gan's son is skilled in equestrian archery, governing people and holding an office are not his strengths. Your Majesty, if you genuinely want to govern the country effectively and handle numerous affairs, simply rewarding this old man with gold and silver would be enough. Appointing him as governor would be a significant mistake. I pledge my unwavering loyalty until my last breath." The Emperor was pleased to hear this and ultimately decided to relieve Han Gan's son of his governor duties.
Later, Tang Junming, the governor of Yuzhou, married his cousin, Kudishiwen, the chief official of Yongzhou, after his mother passed away. Liu Yu accused him, saying: "I have heard that heaven and earth each have their own positions, different roles between husband and wife, different righteousness between ruler and subject, father and son, and different teachings between superior and inferior. Therefore, filial piety is the foundation of behavior, etiquette is the cornerstone of character, and both the country and the family should follow these principles. I believe that loving and respecting parents comes from the heart, and the importance of funeral rites is of the utmost importance in human relationships. Although Tang Junming had changed his mourning attire, his heart remained unchanged, forgetting the pain of losing his mother, and hastily getting married, wearing coarse mourning clothes and marrying a wife dressed in finery. This violates ethical principles, as recorded in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' such people are destined to perish; this lacks etiquette, and the poet wishes for such people to die soon. Kudishiwen held an important position in the imperial court, with a prominent status, and while reforming customs and setting an example, he abandoned an important family marriage, violating the norms of the Six Rites. I request that the emperor imprison him for life to punish such behavior." As a result, both individuals faced punishment. After the chaos of the Sui Dynasty, as customs were deteriorating, Liu Yu implemented many corrective measures, which the emperor greatly appreciated.
The emperor is hardworking in handling state affairs, and there are numerous trivial matters to be dealt with in the reports from various officials. Liu Yu advised again in a memorial, saying: "I have heard that since ancient times, the wise emperors have never been surpassed by Tang Yao and Yu Shun. They follow the principles of heaven and earth, govern and teach the people, never getting involved in trivial matters; this is what true wisdom looks like. The Book of Changes says: 'Heaven doesn’t speak; it simply governs the seasons.' Therefore, it is understood that when a ruler gives orders, they should avoid being overly detailed. Thus, Shun appointed five great ministers, Yao consulted the Four Mountains, established official positions, clarified responsibilities, each with their own duties, governing with benevolence, and the world was at peace. This is called putting effort into selecting the talented and capable and being at ease in appointing officials. It also says: 'The Son of Heaven is reverent, the feudal lords are majestic.' This means that there are different manners and behaviors between the ruler and his subjects. Now, the nation is united, with numerous state affairs; regardless of size, all must be approved by the emperor. Your Majesty rules the country with dedication, sparing no effort, also because the courtiers are afraid of making mistakes, dare not make decisions on their own, and must wait for the emperor's decree. There are too many reports, even for small projects or distributing small amounts of resources; they must be responded to by the officials within a day, to the point of sometimes forgetting to eat dinner, unable to sleep late into the night, always handling documents, exhausting himself. I hope Your Majesty can consider the loyal advice of your subjects, reduce some trivial matters, prioritize cultivating the mind and body, and reflect on the principles of King Wu's peace and King Wen's hard work for the people. Major national affairs shouldn't be decided by courtiers; I hope Your Majesty will make thoughtful decisions. As for the rest of the minor matters, they can be handed over to the appropriate departments, so that Your Majesty can enjoy a long and healthy life, and the subjects can benefit from Your Majesty's kindness." The emperor was pleased after reading it. Later, he was dismissed for upsetting the emperor. Shortly after, he was reinstated, and the emperor told him, "Don't change your mind." Because Liu Yu came from a poor family, the emperor ordered the appropriate departments to build him a house and said: "Liu Yu is an honest official and a valuable asset to the country!" This is how he gained respect.
Back then, Yang Su held immense power, and everybody was afraid of him; nobody dared to cross him. Once, he committed a minor offense and was sent to the Southern Terrace to face punishment. Confident in his power, Yang Su nonchalantly plopped down on Su Wei's bed. When Su Wei returned and saw Yang Su in this manner, he stood at attention on the steps, adjusted his tablet, straightened his attire, and then said to Yang Su, "I'm here to address your misconduct." Hearing this, Yang Su jumped off the bed. Su Wei sat behind his desk, made Yang Su stand in the courtyard, and then grilled him for details about the incident. From that point on, Yang Su bore a grudge against Su Wei. Back then, Su Wei was trusted by the Emperor, so Yang Su couldn't get back at him.
Su Wei saw that in recent years, the people of the capital have been participating in Jiao Di performances every Lantern Festival, competing with each other and squandering their wealth. Therefore, he submitted a memorial to the emperor requesting a ban on this activity. The memorial stated, "In ancient times, wise rulers governed the country and educated the people according to established laws, with all actions conforming to ritual norms. Actions that do not conform to the law should be avoided, as should those that lack reason. There should be distinct paths for men and women to prevent evil and improper behavior, ensuring everything adheres to societal norms. I have privately observed that in the capital and even in other provinces, every fifteenth night of the first lunar month, the streets and alleys are crowded with people gathering for entertainment. Drums and gongs are loud, torches are bright, people wear animal masks, men wear women's clothes, actors perform tricks, and various oddities are seen. They equate vulgarity and obscenity with pleasure, treating lowbrow entertainment as fun. Regardless of age or gender, everyone watches together without reservation. High stages span the roads, huge curtains cover the sky, gorgeous clothes, beautiful makeup, crowded carriages, sumptuous feasts, music playing, and many people spend all their savings just for a moment of pleasure. Every household, regardless of wealth or status, men and women mix together without distinction. This has fostered many indecent behaviors and contributed to the rise of theft. This trend has persisted for a long time, and old habits are hard to break, with no one to sound the alarm. This not only fails to benefit the education of the people but also harms their interests. I request that a decree be issued to ban it immediately. Consider the 'Odes' and 'Hymns' in the Book of Songs, which sufficiently extol good morals, enabling the people to live in peace and contentment, which is the greatest enjoyment. Anyone who violates this should be punished according to the imperial decree." The emperor approved his memorial.
That year, Su Wei was ordered to inspect the fifty-two states of Hebei and recommended the removal of over two hundred corrupt and incompetent officials. As a result, the states and counties became disciplined, and everyone was on edge. The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with two hundred pieces of silk, thirty felt robes, and the position of Yitong San Si. A year later, he was appointed as a cavalier attendant and continued to be in charge of administrative work. In the early years of the Renshou era, he was ordered to inspect nineteen states in Taiyuan. Upon his return, the emperor rewarded him with one hundred and fifty pieces of silk.
It is said that Su Wei once received the ten-volume work "Zhi Dao Ji" written by Li Wenbo of Boling. When Prince Yang Xiu of Shu sent someone to request the books, Su Wei gave them to him and was rewarded with ten servants. However, Yang Xiu later got into trouble, and Yang Su accused Su Wei of colluding with the nobles and stripped him of his position, sending him to guard the border in Huaiyuan Town.
When he reached Gaoyang, the court issued a decree summoning him back. Upon reaching Jinyang, he found himself caught up in Han Prince Yang Liang's rebellion, and messengers from Yang Liang urgently summoned Su Wei to discuss the situation. Su Wei was forced to go, unaware of Yang Liang's rebellion. Just as he was about to enter the city, Yang Liang's rebellion was exposed. Realizing he was trapped, Su Wei feigned a severe stomach ache, claiming to be very ill and refusing to eat. This angered Yang Liang, who then arrested him.
After Yang Liang was defeated, Yang Su accused Su Wei of playing both sides, waiting to see how the situation unfolded. Though he did not openly rebel, he was secretly aligned with the rebels, and was sent to Dunhuang. "When the wall falls, everyone pushes." After Yang Su's death, Su Wei appealed for himself, and the court issued a decree allowing him to return to the capital. However, he passed away en route. He had a son named Su Shao, who later became the magistrate of Jiexiu County.
Zhao Chuo was from Hedong, known for his honesty and resolute character. He started as a minor official in the Ministry of Rites during the Zhou Dynasty, but because of his diligence and sense of responsibility, he was promoted to the Ministry of War as a junior official. Later, due to his strong ability to handle affairs, he was promoted several times and eventually became a junior official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When his father passed away, he was heartbroken and lost so much weight that people praised him for his filial piety. After completing his mourning period, he was appointed as a junior official in charge of education. When Gaozu became prime minister, knowing Zhao Chuo's integrity and honesty, he summoned him to serve as a military clerk. Soon after, he was promoted to chief minister of state, serving under General Yuwen Hui to quell a rebellion against barbarian tribes. Due to his achievements, he was appointed as the Envoy of the Three Similarities and rewarded with one thousand pieces of cloth. After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed Zhao Chuo as the Minister of Justice. Zhao Chuo adjudicated cases fairly and consistently received high evaluations, and later was promoted to Grand Justice. He was then appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, and shortly after transferred to the Ministry of Justice. While handling the case of Liang Shiyan and others, his exemplary performance earned him rewards: three hundred pieces of cloth, ten slaves, and twenty horses. Whenever Zhao Chuo delivered a verdict, he did so with a serious and earnest attitude, which the emperor greatly valued, further increasing his trust in Zhao Chuo.
The emperor saw that theft was rampant and wanted to intensify the penalties. Zhao Chuo advised, "Your Majesty, you are implementing the benevolent rule of Yao and Shun, so you should exercise more leniency. Moreover, the law is the highest form of trust in the world; how can it be easily violated!" The emperor gladly accepted his counsel and said to him, "In the future, if you have any ideas, you should often bring them to me." So Zhao Chuo was promoted to the post of Grand Minister of Justice. Previously, the general Xiao Mohe of the Chen dynasty had a son, Xiao Shilue, who rebelled in Jiangnan, and Xiao Mohe should face punishment for his son's actions. The emperor said, "Xiao Shilue is not yet twenty years old; what harm can he possibly do? He is just the son of a famous general, forced by others." So he intended to pardon Xiao Mohe. Zhao Chuo vehemently opposed this, and the emperor could not be swayed. He wanted Zhao Chuo to eat first, then pardon Xiao Mohe, so he ordered Zhao Chuo to leave the court to eat. Zhao Chuo said, "The cases I've reported have not yet been decided, so I dare not leave the court." The emperor said, "Let the Grand Court grant a special pardon for Xiao Mohe in my name!" So he commanded the guards to set Xiao Mohe free.
Xin Dan, the Vice Minister of Justice, once wore red pants. Folklore said this indicated that he would become wealthy and hold office. The emperor believed this was witchcraft and wanted to kill him. Zhao Chuo said, "According to the law, he should not be put to death, and I do not dare to carry out the decree." The emperor was very angry and said to Zhao Chuo, "You pity Xin Dan, but do you not pity yourself?" He ordered the Left Supervisor Gao Feng to execute Zhao Chuo. Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty may kill me, but you cannot kill Xin Dan!" When he arrived at the court, he took off his clothes in preparation for execution. The emperor sent someone to ask Zhao Chuo, "What do you have to say?" Zhao Chuo replied, "I am committed to upholding the law and do not dare to fear death." The emperor stormed off in anger and only granted him clemency after a considerable time. The next day, the emperor apologized to Zhao Chuo, encouraged him, and rewarded him with three hundred bolts of cloth. At that time, the emperor prohibited the circulation of counterfeit currency. Two people were caught in the market exchanging inferior coins for good coins. Wu Hou reported them to the emperor, who ordered them all to be executed. Zhao Chuo protested, saying, "These two should be punished with caning. Killing them violates the law." The emperor said, "This is not your business." Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty, do you not think that I am foolish and ignorant, that you have placed me in the Office of Justice? If you want to kill people at will, how can you say this doesn’t concern me?" The emperor said, "Those who disturb the great tree should back off." Zhao Chuo replied, "I hope to touch your heart. Why talk about shaking the great tree?" The emperor then said, "If the soup is too hot, just set it down. Do you want to challenge the emperor's authority?" Zhao Chuo prostrated himself on the ground, even more resolute, refusing to retreat. The emperor ultimately retreated to his palace. The Imperial Secretary Liu Yu also strongly urged in a memorial, and the emperor relented.
The emperor often summoned Zhao Chuo into the palace because of his honesty and sincerity. Sometimes the emperor and empress would share a couch, and Zhao Chuo would be invited to join them in discussing state affairs. He received numerous rewards. Later, Zhao Chuo was promoted to Kaifu, and the emperor posthumously appointed his father as the governor of Cai Prefecture. At that time, the Hedong man Xue Zhou was the Grand Court Secretary, and both were renowned for their fairness and integrity. However, Xue Zhou was more flexible in his decision-making, while Zhao Chuo strictly followed the law, and both were competent. The emperor often said to Zhao Chuo, "I have been generous with my rewards for you, but your appearance is not suitable for a high official position!" During the reign of Ren Shou, Zhao Chuo passed away at the age of sixty-three. The emperor wept for him, sent envoys to offer condolences, and the Honglu Temple was responsible for overseeing the funeral arrangements. Zhao Chuo had two sons, named Yuanfang and Yuanxi.
Pei Su, courtesy name Shenfeng, was a man from Wenzhi in Hedong. His father, Pei Xia, was a Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the Zhou Dynasty. Pei Su was known for his integrity and sense of responsibility from a young age and had a particularly good relationship with Liang Pi from Anding, who was a close friend. He initially served as a censor and gradually rose to the position of Assistant in the Imperial Household Department. Later, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to fight in Huainan. When Emperor Wen of Sui took office as prime minister, Pei Su sighed and said, "Emperor Wu pacified the world with his talent and strategy, but before his grave was even cold, the dynasty changed. Is this the will of heaven?" Emperor Wen of Sui was displeased upon hearing this, so Pei Su was dismissed and remained at home.
In the fifth year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Food. Two years later, he was promoted to the position of Chief Historian of Shuozhou, and later transferred to Beizhou as Chief Historian, where he performed excellently in both places. During the Renshou era, Pei Su saw that the Crown Prince Yang Yong, Prince of Shu Yang Xiu, and Left Chancellor Gao Jing were all deposed, so he wrote a letter to the emperor saying: "I have heard that serving the monarch means speaking what needs to be said and not concealing anything. What I think in my heart, I will boldly report to you. I privately believe that Gao Jing is very talented, a founding hero, and Your Majesty has already bestowed great favor upon him. However, once a person becomes prominent, they will attract jealousy, and there will always be people nitpicking at their faults; need I say more? I hope Your Majesty values his great achievements and overlooks his minor faults. I have also heard that ancient wise emperors educated people instead of killing them. Your Majesty's benevolence surpasses that of past wise emperors. The Crown Prince and Prince of Shu have been making mistakes for a long time; do they not feel any remorse? I hope Your Majesty can show fatherly love, consider the nature of humanity, grant them a small principality, and observe their behavior. If they can repent and make progress step by step, if they still do not repent, it is not too late to demote them. The path to redemption is now completely closed, and they do not see any opportunity for remorse; isn't that a cause for sadness?"
The letter was delivered to the emperor, who said to Yang Su, "Pei Su has been concerned for my family; this truly shows great loyalty!" So Pei Su was summoned back to the court. When the Crown Prince Yang Yong heard about it, he asked his left attendant, Zhang Heng, "What should I do to start over?" Zhang Heng replied, "Pei Su seems to want you to be like Tai Bo of Wu and the King of Donghai from the Han Dynasty." The Crown Prince wasn't happy to hear this. Some time later, Pei Su arrived in the capital and met the emperor in Hanzhang Hall. The emperor told Pei Su, "As the emperor, I have the entire world under my rule, and there are only a few favored concubines in the harem. From Yang Yong downwards, they are all brothers of the same mother. It is not due to hatred or favoritism that they are easily deposed." Then, the emperor made it clear that Yang Yong was beyond saving. Afterwards, the emperor dismissed Pei Su. Not long after, the emperor passed away.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Pei Su was not appointed for a long time, so he just shut himself in. Later, those in power thought the Lingnan region was pretty desolate and remote, so they quietly assigned Pei Su as the magistrate of Yongping County. He was well-loved by the locals and ethnic minorities. Over a year later, Pei Su passed away at the age of sixty-two. The local ethnic groups remembered him fondly and built a temple for him by the Zhang River. He had a son named Pei Shangxian.
Historians say that when fierce beasts are in the mountains and forests, the surrounding vegetation goes untouched; upright ministers in the court will suppress the wicked and evil-doers, who dare not act recklessly. This is because they truly care about the country, and their sense of justice is evident. This not only affects the rise and fall of the court's integrity but also the survival of the country! The Prince of Jin and the Prince of Shu, both beloved sons of the emperor, relied on the emperor's favoritism to act recklessly, completely ignoring the laws. It's really hard to get them to be respectful and cautious!
During the time when Yuan Yan and Wang Shao were prime ministers, everyone held them in great respect, and no one dared to commit any wrongdoing. Their integrity and incorruptibility were truly commendable. Fang Xuanling, during his tenure as an official in Fangling, enforced the law impartially and was upright and incorruptible; Liang Pi dared to speak frankly and advise Yang Su, and their integrity and resoluteness were admirable. Zhao Chuo, when serving as the Minister of Justice, ensured there were no wrongful convictions in the prisons; Liu Yu, when serving as an official in the Imperial Censorate, forced the corrupt to keep a low profile. These individuals were unafraid of the powerful, particularly Liang Pi, while Fang Xuanling and Liu Yu were similarly principled. Pei Su was never late for court and did not partake in banquets. He was loyal and generous, even willing to offend the emperor when necessary. Thus, the widows were concerned about the fall of the Zhou dynasty, and the young women mourned the early death of the crown prince. Their concerns were not unfounded. Similar to the recorded example of Yan Zuan, they all exemplified loyalty and integrity.
