Zhang Heng, also known as Jianping, was from Henan. His grandfather Zhang Yi was the Prefect of Heyang in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Zhang Guang was the Governor of Wanzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Zhang Heng had lofty ambitions from a young age and was known for his integrity and determination. At the age of fifteen, he went to the Imperial Academy to study, where he diligently applied himself and gained the admiration of his classmates. When Emperor Wu of Zhou was grieving over the death of the Empress Dowager and went hunting, Zhang Heng, in mourning attire, stopped the emperor's horse and earnestly advised him. The emperor was impressed and rewarded him with new clothes, a horse, and appointed him as an attendant to the Prince of Han. Zhang Heng later studied the "Three Rites" under Shen Zhong, mastering their core principles. He rose through the ranks and eventually became the Grand Master of Ceremonies. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Zhang Heng was appointed as the Minister of Works. Later, when Prince Jin Yang Guang was appointed as the Governor of Hebei, Zhang Heng served as a junior official in both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Revenue. After the governorship was dissolved, he was appointed as an aide in the General's Office of Bingzhou. When Yang Guang was transferred to the Governor of Yangzhou, Zhang Heng followed him to serve as an aide, and Yang Guang trusted him immensely, frequently taking his advice on important decisions. After his mother's death, Zhang Heng resigned from his official position to observe a period of mourning at home. Over a year later, he was appointed as the military commander under the Governor of Yangzhou, and the court granted him three hundred bolts of cloth. During the Kaihuang period, Li Yinglin of Xizhou rebelled, proclaiming himself as an official. The court appointed Zhang Heng as the Commander of the Campaign, leading fifty thousand infantry and cavalry to quell the rebellion. He was then granted the title of Duke, and the court rewarded him with one hundred and thirty slaves, five hundred bolts of cloth, as well as a large amount of gold, silver, livestock, and other valuables. Later, when Yang Guang became the Crown Prince, Zhang Heng was appointed as the Right Imperial Secretary and concurrently served as the Yellow Gate Attendant. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Zhang Heng continued to serve as the Yellow Gate Attendant and was promoted to the rank of Silver Seal Grandee. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Justice and enjoyed the emperor's favor and trust.
In the third year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui inspected Yulin Commandery, and on his return journey was passing through Taiyuan. He said to Zhang Heng, "I would like to visit your home, please get ready to host me." Zhang Heng hurried back to his family home in Henan and prepared a feast of beef and wine to welcome the Emperor. The Emperor crossed the Taihang Mountains and made a special effort to open a direct road of ninety li to reach Zhang Heng's home. The Emperor was enchanted by the mountain spring at Zhang Heng's home and stayed there for three days. The Emperor said, "When I followed the late Emperor to sacrifice to Mount Tai, we passed through Luoyang. I always wanted to visit here but never had the chance. I didn't expect to fulfill this wish today." Zhang Heng kowtowed in gratitude, presented exquisite wine, and wished the Emperor longevity. The Emperor was very pleased and bestowed upon Zhang Heng thirty mu of land near his home, a fine horse, a golden belt, six hundred rolls of silk, a garment, and a set of imperial tableware. Zhang Heng firmly declined, but the Emperor insisted, "It is customary for the Emperor to reward his subjects during a tour; there’s no need to refuse." Zhang Heng then threw a banquet for the Emperor and ordered the food from the banquet table to be shared among the officials; even the guards were given their share.
Because of his connections to the royal family and the emperor's favor, Zhang Heng seemed much more noble than others and gradually became arrogant and complacent. The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui held a banquet at the Fenyang Palace and specially rewarded Zhang Heng with five hundred bolts of silk. At that time, the emperor intended to expand the Fenyang Palace and assigned Zhang Heng and Ji Hong to draw up plans and submit memorials to the throne. Zhang Heng seized the opportunity to advise the emperor, saying, "In recent years, the labor has been burdensome, and the people are weary. I hope Your Majesty can show understanding for the people's plight and reduce some of the construction work." The emperor was quite displeased by this. Later, in front of his attendants, the emperor pointed at Zhang Heng and said, "Zhang Heng believes it was his idea that enabled me to rule the world." At that time, Prince Qi Yang Jian lost favor with the emperor, who secretly sent people to find faults with him. Someone falsely accused Yang Jian of violating regulations, and the county magistrate Huang Fu Xu was implicated in the matter and was brought to the Fenyang Palace. It was also revealed that when the emperor visited Zhuo County and Mount Heng for sacrifices, the people who came to pay their respects were inappropriately dressed. The emperor blamed Zhang Heng for failing to correct these issues as a magistrate and so he was demoted to Prefect of Yulin.
In the second year, the emperor returned to the Fenyang Palace. Zhang Heng urged the construction of Loufan Fortress and took the opportunity to pay his respects to the emperor. The emperor saw that Zhang Heng was still fat and thought he had not changed, so he said to him, "You are so fat, you should return home to your county." Zhang Heng then returned home to Yulin. Shortly after, the emperor ordered Zhang Heng to supervise the construction of Jiangdu Palace. Someone went to Zhang Heng to report the crimes of the palace guards, but Zhang Heng did not take action. Instead, he handed over the complaint to the palace guards, resulting in the reporter being severely tortured by the palace guards. The Minister of Ceremonies, Yang Xuangan, sent someone to Jiangdu, where the reporter told Yang Xuangan about the injustice. Yang Xuangan found Zhang Heng's actions to be unjust. When Yang Xuangan met with Zhang Heng, before he could speak, Zhang Heng said to him, "Xue Daocheng was truly wronged." Yang Xuangan reported this matter, and Jiangdu's magistrate, Wang Shichong, reported that Zhang Heng frequently reduced the construction materials. The emperor was furious and had Zhang Heng taken to Jiangdu, intending to execute him. He was not released for a long time, stripped of his official position, and allowed to return home to farm. The emperor also frequently sent trusted agents to secretly monitor Zhang Heng's every move.
Eight years later, the emperor returned to the capital from Liaodong. Zhang Heng's concubine accused him of resenting the court and slandering the government, and the emperor ultimately ordered the execution of Zhang Heng's entire family. Before his death, Zhang Heng loudly exclaimed, "What have I done in my life that I cannot live much longer!" The executioners covered his ears and urged the executioner to carry out the sentence. During the reign of Yining, the court believed that Zhang Heng's death was unjust and posthumously granted him the titles of Grand General and Duke of Nanyang County, with the posthumous title "Loyal." His son was given the name Zhang Xixuan.
Yang Wang, whose courtesy name was Yuandu, originally from Hongnong Huayin, had a great-grandfather, Yang Shun, who had relocated to Hedong. His father, Yang Chen, became an official equivalent to the Minister of Rites, and when Yang Wang became successful, his father was posthumously honored as the Duke of Pingxiang. Yang Wang was quite a fierce character in his youth, loved to fight with others, and no one could hold their own against him. As he grew older, he changed his ways, studied diligently, focusing on the "Zuo Zhuan" while also being well-versed in the "Three Rites." He initially served as a scholar under King Ji of Zhou, who held him in high regard and frequently remarked, "Yang Reader's moral character and knowledge are profound; he is my good teacher and friend!" Later, he studied etiquette under Shen Zhong and learned the "Book of Han" from Liu Zhen, both of whom praised him, saying, "We cannot compare to him!" In this way, Yang Wang's reputation soared, and he rose through the ranks to become a senior official in the Xia Guanfu.
When Sui Wendi became Prime Minister, he included him in military affairs and promoted him to the position of Chief Minister of the Lower Court. After Sui Wendi became emperor, he appointed him as the Earl of Pingxiang, granting him a fief of two hundred households. Later, he served as the Minister of Works and the Assistant Minister of War, and also served as the Chief Historian of Qinzhou, and everyone said he was competent. He later rose to be the Left Assistant of the Ministry of Works but was dismissed due to a minor infraction. He then served as the Chief Historian of Jingzhou and Luozhou, and after finishing his official duties, he would gather students to give lectures, earning accolades from his contemporaries.
After a few years, Sui Wendi told the Grand Adviser Wang Da, "Help me find a capable Left Assistant." Wang Da privately told Yang Wang, "I want to put your name forward for the Left Assistant position; if successful, I will give you a good piece of land!" Yang Wang reported Wang Da's words to the emperor, which led to Wang Da losing favor, and Yang Wang eventually became the Left Assistant of the Ministry of Works. Yang Wang was proficient in legal texts, made decisive rulings, and everyone acknowledged his competence.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Yang Wang became the Minister of Justice. On his second day in office, Emperor Yang decided to personally inspect the prison. At that time, there were over two hundred prisoners detained, and Yang Wang did not sleep all night, interrogating every prisoner. The next morning, he reported to the emperor, conducting a thorough investigation without missing a detail, which pleased Emperor Yang greatly. A year later, Yang Wang was appointed as the Grand Sacrificial Official. Emperor Yang ordered all officials to study at the Imperial Academy, discussing knowledge with Yang Wang. Renowned scholars from across the realm gathered there, engaging in heated debates, yet none could best Yang Wang. Emperor Yang ordered the censors to document their exchanges and present them to him. After reading it, he was greatly pleased and rewarded him with a fine horse.
During the Daye period, Yang Wang was promoted to the rank of Minister of Personnel. Later, Yang Xuangan led a rebellion in Henan, and the court sent Pei Hongce to lead troops to suppress the rebellion. After being defeated in battle, Pei Hongce discreetly met with Yang Wang during his retreat and was later killed by Fan Zigai, who reported the situation to Yang Wang. Emperor Yang grew suspicious of the incident and demoted Yang Wang to the position of magistrate in Liangjun. At this time, Li Mi was approaching the eastern capital, and his subordinates often raided Liangjun. Yang Wang led his t
Historians say that Lu Kai's counsel was indeed well articulated, Ling Hu Xi governed the region well, Xue Zhou enforced the law justly, Yu Wen Bi had high prestige, Zhang Heng was renowned for his integrity, and Yang Wang was proud of his knowledge. However, these individuals, although they all started out well, very few of them could persevere to the end, like a mound built nine feet high that collapses due to a small flaw; it's truly unfortunate! Loyalty is a commendable virtue; even when misplaced or misdirected, it may not work, let alone when one treads an evil path and chooses the wrong person. As the saying goes, "Do not become the leader of authority, otherwise you will bear the consequences." It also states, "Do not provoke trouble, do not cause chaos." Since Zhang Heng stirred the root of chaos, he is actually the leader of authority, and his actions are untimely; how could he possibly avoid this outcome?
In short, several officials started out quite well: Lu Kai dared to counsel, Ling Hu Xi could govern, Xue Zhou was just, Yu Wen Bi was prestigious, Zhang Heng was honest, and Yang Wang was knowledgeable. But they all gave up halfway; the foundation built nine feet high collapses due to a small flaw. They established such a high foundation, but ultimately it all fell apart due to a minor flaw; it's truly unfortunate! This illustrates that although loyalty is good, when misplaced or misdirected, it is useless, not to mention walking the wrong path and choosing the wrong person. As the ancients said, "Those who seek power will bear the blame." "Without causing trouble, there will be no chaos." This individual, Zhang Heng, stirred up trouble himself, became the leader of authority, and ignored advice; it's surprising that he could have a positive outcome!
