Zhao Chuo is a man from Hedong, known for his upright and resolute character. Starting as a minor official in the Heavenly Officials’ Bureau of the Zhou Dynasty, he was promoted to Xia Guan as a junior official due to his serious and responsible work ethic. Later, because of his strong abilities, he was gradually promoted to Middle Official of Internal Affairs. When his father passed away, he was deeply grieving and demonstrated exceptional filial piety during the mourning period, earning widespread acclaim for his filial devotion. After the mourning period, he was appointed as Chief Instructor. When Gaozu became Chancellor, knowing Zhao Chuo's integrity and honesty, he appointed him as a military secretary. Shortly after, he was promoted to Chief Minister of State and followed the general Yuwen Hui to quell the rebellion of the barbarian tribes, and was rewarded for his military achievements with numerous gifts. After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed Zhao Chuo as the Grand Minister of Justice and later promoted him to the position of Grand Minister of Justice. Not long after, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice, and then transferred to the Ministry of Punishments. He oversaw cases involving individuals such as Liang Shiyuan, and for his outstanding performance, he received accolades from the emperor.
Every time Zhao Chuo delivers the judgment results, he always does so with a serious and earnest attitude. The Emperor grows increasingly fond of him and trusts him more and more. One time, the Emperor felt that thievery was rampant and wanted to punish them severely. However, Zhao Chuo advised, "Your Majesty, you are implementing the benevolent governance of Yao and Shun, so you should show more leniency. Furthermore, the law is the highest authority in the land; how can it be easily violated?" The Emperor happily accepted his advice and said to him, "If you have any thoughts in the future, do not hesitate to share them." As a result, Zhao Chuo was promoted to the role of Junior Secretary of the Dali Court. Later, the son of General Xiao Mohe of the Chen Dynasty, Xiao Shilue, rebelled in Jiangnan, and Xiao Mohe should face punishment for his son's rebellion. The Emperor said, "Xiao Shilue is young, not even twenty years old; what could he possibly do? He’s merely a victim of circumstance, being the son of a renowned general." Therefore, he wanted to pardon Xiao Mohe. Zhao Chuo strongly opposed this, and the Emperor had no choice but to dismiss Zhao Chuo, then pardon Xiao Mohe, and ordered Zhao Chuo to leave the court and return home for his meal. Zhao Chuo said, "The cases I reported have not been judged yet, so I cannot leave the court." The Emperor said, "Let the Ministry of Justice grant a pardon to Xiao Mohe on my behalf!" So he ordered the officials to release Xiao Mohe.
Xin Dan, the Deputy Minister of Justice, once wore red pants. At that time, the common folk believed this was a sign of promotion, but the emperor thought it was witchcraft and wanted to execute him. Zhao Chuo said, "According to the law, he should not die. I cannot obey the decree." The emperor was furious and said to Zhao Chuo, "You pity Xin Dan, but do you not pity yourself?" He then ordered the Left Supervisor Gao Feng to behead Zhao Chuo. Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty would rather kill me than kill Xin Dan!" In the court, he stripped off his clothes in preparation for execution. The emperor sent someone to ask him, "What do you have to say?" Zhao Chuo replied, "I uphold the law with all my heart and fear not death." The emperor stormed out in anger and only later ordered his release. The next day, the emperor apologized to Zhao Chuo, encouraged him, and rewarded him with many things. At that time, the emperor prohibited the use of inferior coins. Two people were exchanging inferior coins for good ones in the market. Wu Hou arrested them and reported to the emperor, who ordered them all to be executed. Zhao Chuo remonstrated, saying, "These people should be punished with a beating; killing them is illegal." The emperor said, "This isn’t your concern." Zhao Chuo said, "Your Majesty, do you not think I am ignorant and foolish, that's why you placed me in the judiciary? If you want to kill at will, how can you say it has nothing to do with me?" The emperor said, "Those who disturb the tree should step back." Zhao Chuo replied, "I hope to touch your heart; why bother about shaking the tree!" The emperor said, "If the soup is too hot, put it down. Do you want to challenge the dignity of the emperor?" Zhao Chuo knelt down, even more resolute, refusing to back down. The emperor eventually went back to the palace. The Imperial Secretary Liu Yu also submitted a strong remonstrance, and the emperor finally backed down.
The emperor often summoned Zhao Chuo into the palace because of his honesty and integrity. Sometimes the emperor and empress would share their bed with him, and they would also invite Zhao Chuo to sit down and discuss the successes and failures of the court. He received countless rewards. Later, Zhao Chuo rose to the position of Marquis of Kaifu, and the emperor also posthumously honored his father with the title of Inspector of Cai Prefecture. At that time, Xue Zhou in Hedong was the Grand Minister of Justice, and both of them were known for their fairness. However, Xue Zhou paid more attention to human emotions in his judgments, while Zhao Chuo adhered strictly to the law; both were competent in their roles. The emperor often said to Zhao Chuo, "I have no reservations about you, but your appearance is not quite fitting for a high official!" During the reign of Ren Shou, Zhao Chuo passed away at the age of sixty-three. The emperor wept for him and sent envoys to express his condolences, entrusting the Honglu Temple with his funeral arrangements. He had two sons, Yuanfang and Yuanxi.
Pei Su, styled Shenfeng, was from Wenxi in Hedong. His father, Pei Xia, was a Minister of the Ministry of People of the Zhou Dynasty. Pei Su was recognized for his integrity and courage from a young age, and he had a good relationship with Liang Pi, a man from Anding, who was his good friend. He began his official career in the Zhou Dynasty as an assistant minister, and gradually rose to the position of Senior Official of the Imperial Clan. Later, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to fight in Huainan. When Emperor Wen of Sui became Prime Minister, Pei Su sighed and said, "Emperor Wu pacified the world with his great talent and strategy, but before his grave soil had dried, the dynasty changed. Is this the will of heaven?" Emperor Wen of Sui was very displeased when he heard this, which resulted in Pei Su being sent back home. In the fifth year of the Kaihuang era, Pei Su was appointed as an Attendant in the Ministry of Food. Two years later, he was promoted to the Chief Official of the General Administration of Shuozhou, and later transferred to the Chief Official of Beizhou. He excelled in these positions and earned a strong reputation.
During the Ren Shou period, Pei Su saw that Crown Prince Yang Yong, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu, and Left Supervisor Gao Feng were all deposed. He wrote a letter to the emperor, saying: "I have heard that when serving the monarch, one should speak what needs to be said and not conceal anything. I cannot withhold my thoughts from you. I believe that Gao Feng is a naturally gifted individual and a founding hero of our nation. Your favor towards him has already been generous. However, even the emperor, who is high above all, will have people nitpicking at his faults. Those who focus on the faults of others are countless! I hope Your Majesty can value his great achievements and forget his minor faults. I have also heard that in ancient times, wise emperors educated rather than killed. Your kindness has reached unprecedented levels, surpassing that of previous wise rulers. The two lesser nobles (Yang Yong, Yang Xiu) have been making mistakes for a long time. Do they not have any remorse in their hearts? I hope Your Majesty can show paternal compassion and consider human nature and relationships, granting them small territories to observe their behavior. If they can genuinely repent and gradually improve, that would be a positive outcome. If they still do not repent, it is not too late to demote them. The path to repentance is completely cut off now, and the spirit of remorse is absent. Is this not a cause for sadness?"
The letter was delivered, and the emperor said to Yang Su, "Pei Su is genuinely concerned about my family's affairs!" So he summoned Pei Su back to the court. When Crown Prince Yang Yong heard about this, he asked the Left Courtier Zhang Heng, "If I repent, what will happen to me?" Zhang Heng said, "According to Pei Su's intentions, he wants you to be like the Duke of Wu and the King of Donghai in the Han Dynasty." The Crown Prince Yang Yong was very unhappy.
Shortly after, Pei Su arrived in the capital and met the emperor in the Hanzhang Hall. The emperor said to Pei Su, "I am the emperor, with the realm under my rule. There are only a few favored individuals in the harem, from Yang Yong downwards, all of whom are brothers of the same mother. Their removal was not motivated by hatred or favoritism." Then the emperor said that Yang Yong is beyond redemption. After speaking, he sent Pei Su away. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Wen passed away.
After Yang Guang ascended the throne, Pei Su was not appointed for a long time and kept to himself. Later, the authorities considered the Lingnan region to be remote and desolate, so they secretly sought to curry favor with the emperor and appointed Pei Su as the county magistrate of Yongping. He was deeply loved by the local people and minority ethnic groups. More than a year later, Pei Su passed away at the age of sixty-two. The local minority ethnic groups deeply mourned him and erected a temple for him by the Zhang River. He had a son named Pei Shangxian.
Historical records say that when fierce beasts are in the mountains and forests, the surrounding vegetation will not be picked; upright ministers in the court will defeat evil and corrupt individuals. This is because they are committed to the public good and uphold justice. This not only concerns the rise and fall of court discipline but also the survival of the country! Prince Jin and Prince Shu, both beloved sons of the emperor, take advantage of the emperor's favor and act recklessly, disregarding the laws. It’s nearly impossible to get them to behave respectfully! When Yuan Yan and Wang Shao served as prime ministers, everyone greatly respected them, and no one dared to act improperly. Their boldness in speaking the truth is truly commendable! Zhang Xingben of Fangling and Liang Pi of Yang Su's faction dared to speak frankly and uprightly, which is truly admirable. When Zhao Chuo was the Minister of Justice, there were no wrongful convictions in the prison; when Liu Yu served as the Grand Secretary, corrupt individuals behaved themselves. Among those who are unafraid of power are Liang Pi, Zhang Xingben, and Liu Yu. Pei Su did not attend court or banquets; he was loyal and generous, unafraid to challenge imperial authority. Therefore, the concerns of women about the decline of the Zhou dynasty and the grief of young girls over the untimely death of the crown prince are not groundless! This echoes the story of Yan Zuan from the past.
