Zhao Gui, from Luoyang, Henan, was the son of Zhao Su, who was the Minister of Justice during the Wei Dynasty. Zhao Gui had a love for learning from a young age and was known for his honesty and integrity. The King of Cai during the Zhou Dynasty appointed him as a secretary because of his reputation for honesty and frugality. He was later promoted to the magistrate of Wei Zhou. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he was transferred to serve as an official in Qi Zhou, where he maintained outstanding performance and earned a good reputation. When mulberries from his neighbor's tree fell into his yard, Zhao Gui had them collected and returned to the neighbor, and told his children, "I do this not for fame, but because these do not belong to us, and we should not take what is not ours. Let this be a lesson for you!" He served as an official in Qi Zhou for four years, consistently achieving top performance. Liang Zigong, an imperial envoy, reported his achievements to the court, and the founding emperor held him in high regard, rewarding him with 300 rolls of cloth, 300 stones of rice, and summoning him to the capital. The people escorting him to the capital were in tears as they said, "During your time in office, you never clashed with the common folk, so we dare not send you off with alcohol. You are as pure as water; please allow us to toast you with a cup of water." Zhao Gui accepted the gesture and drank the water.
Upon arriving in the capital, the emperor ordered him to collaborate with Qizhang Gongniu Hong on revising the legal codes. At that time, Wei Wangshuang served as the governor-general of Yuanzhou. The emperor thought Wei Wangshuang was young, while Zhao Gui had a good reputation, so he appointed him as the governor-general of Yuanzhou. Once, while traveling at night on the road, his horse ran into a field and trampled someone's crops. Zhao Gui stopped the horse and waited until daylight, then compensated the owner for the damage before leaving. When the officials and people of Yuanzhou heard about this incident, they all changed their behavior. Several years later, he was promoted to the position of governor of Xiazhu, where he successfully pacified the local minority groups and earned the deep affection of the people. Shortly after, he was transferred to be the chief historian of Shouzhou. In the Shaobei region, there had been five water gates that had fallen into disrepair and become overgrown with weeds. Zhao Gui encouraged officials and the people to reopen thirty-six water gates, which greatly benefited the local populace, irrigating over five thousand hectares of farmland. After his term ended, he returned to his hometown and passed away at the age of sixty-two years. His sons, Zhao Hong'an and Zhao Hongzhi, also became well-known.
Fang Gongyi, styled Shenyuan, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, Fang Mo, had served as the Minister of Personnel of Northern Qi. Fang Gongyi was known for his steadiness and foresight, well-suited for politics. During his time in Northern Qi, he initially served as a military officer, then rose to become the magistrate of Ping'en County and the governor of Jiyin Commandery, achieving significant accomplishments in governance. After the fall of Northern Qi, he struggled to find a suitable official position. Later, when Yu Jiong led a rebellion, Fang Gongyi took part in it. After Yu Jiong's failure, Fang Gongyi retired from public life and lived at home.
During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, Su Wei, the Minister of Personnel, recommended him, and he was appointed magistrate of Xinfeng County. His governance was the best in the Guanzhong and Sanfu areas. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased upon hearing this and rewarded him with four hundred pieces of cloth. Fang Gongyi distributed the rewards to the impoverished. Shortly after, he was rewarded with three hundred stones of rice, which he also used to help the poor. When the emperor learned of this, he put a stop to it. At that time, the magistrates from each county in Yongzhou were required to pay their respects to the emperor on the first day of each month. Every time the emperor saw Fang Gongyi, he would call him over and ask him about his methods of governing the people.
Su Wei recommended him again, and he was unusually promoted to Sima of Zezhou. He performed remarkably, and the emperor rewarded him with one hundred pieces of cloth and a good horse. Later, he was promoted to Sima of Dezhou. After more than a year in office, Lu Kai reported that Fang Gongyi's governance was the best in the country. The emperor held him in high regard, rewarded him with another one hundred pieces of cloth, and told the envoys from various states, "People like Fang Gongyi, who wholeheartedly serve the country and care for the people, are the result of blessings from heaven and ancestors. It's not my merit as an emperor! I intend to appoint him as a governor, not just for one state, but to let people across the country learn from him. You all should learn from him!" The emperor added, "Wherever Fang Gongyi goes, the people regard him as their own parents. If I don't reward him, both heaven and ancestors will blame me. Officials inside and outside the court should understand my intentions." Therefore, he was appointed as: "Fang Gongyi, Sima of Dezhou, has served as an official in a hundred-li area, assisting two princes, with outstanding governance and serving as a role model. He diligently enforces the law, is deeply supported by the people, and has a good reputation and governance. He is specially appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs in Haizhou and as Governor of Haizhou."
Not long after, Scholar He Tuo reported that Fang Gongyi was an associate of Yu Jiong and should not be promoted, saying that Su Wei and Lu Kai recommended each other. The emperor was enraged, and Fang Gongyi was ultimately punished and exiled to Lingnan. Shortly after being summoned back to the capital, he died of illness when he reached Hongzhou. Later generations all believed he was wronged.
Gongsun Jingmao, styled Yuanwei, was a native of Fucheng, Hejian Prefecture, Hebei. He was tall and strong, and loved to study from a young age, with a broad knowledge of classics and history.
During the Northern Wei Dynasty, he was recognized by the court as a model of filial piety and integrity, achieved top marks in the examination, and became an aide to the Prince of Xiangcheng, as well as serving as a military officer. Later, he was promoted to the position of Tai Chang Scholar, making numerous modifications and additions to classical texts, and people at that time said he was like a living library. He later served as the magistrate of Gaotang County and the magistrate of Dali Temple, excelling in each position and earning a stellar reputation.
After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Zhou heard of his reputation and summoned him, conversed with him, and found that he was indeed talented, so he appointed him as the Governor of Jibei. Following the death of his mother, he resigned from his official position and returned home to observe mourning.
At the beginning of the Kaihuang period, the emperor issued an edict summoning him to the capital to ask for his insights on governing the country. Afterwards, he was appointed as the Governor of Runan. After the abolition of Runan Commandery, he was transferred to be the Sima of Caozhou. He served in these positions for several years, and due to his advanced age and declining health, he requested retirement. The emperor showed him kindness but ultimately did not grant his request. Not long after, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Xizhou. He enforced the law with impartiality, and his policies were transparent and just, deeply resonating with the people. As troops were being recruited and many soldiers fell ill along the way, Jingmao reduced his own salary, used the saved money to buy rice and flour to make porridge, brewed medicinal soup, and distributed them to the sick soldiers, saving the lives of thousands. The emperor was very pleased when he heard about it and issued an edict to promote this event throughout the realm.
In the fifteenth year of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor arrived in Luoyang. Jing Mao went to pay his respects. At that time, he was already seventy-seven years old. The emperor ordered him to sit in the hall and asked him how old he was. Jing Mao answered honestly. The emperor expressed sympathy for his age and sighed deeply. Jing Mao thanked him again, saying, "Lu Shang met King Wen at eighty; I’m fortunate to meet Your Majesty in my seventies." The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with three hundred bolts of cloth. The emperor issued a decree stating, "Jing Mao has a good character, high virtue, and is respected. He has effectively educated the people as a local official and achieved remarkable results. He always ranks first in the annual assessment. He should be promoted and appointed as an official of a fiefdom. He can be promoted to the position of Yitong Sanqi (a title of rank) and the governor of Yizhou."
The following year, he was summoned back to the capital because of illness. Officials and townspeople wept as they said their goodbyes. When he recovered, he requested retirement, but the emperor did not agree and instead transferred him to be the governor of Daozhou. He used all his salary to buy calves, chickens, and pigs, which he distributed to orphans, widows, and those without support. He took pleasure in riding around to check on the people, going door to door to visit and inspect their property. If a family repaired their house, he publicly commended them at the market. If someone made a mistake, he would promptly educate them without resorting to public punishment. As a result, people treated each other with courtesy, the wealth gap narrowed, men helped each other in farming, and women helped each other in weaving. In large villages with hundreds of households, they worked together as if they were one big family. Later, he requested to handle government affairs, and the emperor granted his request.
During the Ren Shou period, the Emperor sent Yang Ji on a diplomatic mission to Hebei. Upon seeing Jing Mao, who was full of energy and showed no signs of aging, Yang Ji reported back to the Emperor. As a result, the Emperor appointed him as the Prefect of Zizhou, granting him chariots, horses, and attendants to ease his travels. He held many official positions with outstanding political achievements, earning him a reputation as a good official. He passed away at the age of 87 in the early years of the Daye era. He was posthumously granted the title "Kang." On the day of his death, officials and commoners from several provinces came to pay their respects. Some arrived too late for the funeral and stood in front of his grave weeping, only leaving after paying their respects.
Xin Gongyi, a native of Didaoren in Gansu, came from a family with a history of serving as governors. His grandfather, Xin Hui, was the governor of Xuzhou in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Xin Jiqing, served as the governor of Qingzhou. Xin Gongyi lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother, who personally taught him how to read. During the Northern Zhou Tianhe era, he was selected as a student of the Imperial Academy, known for his diligence and hard work. In the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was summoned to study Confucian ethics at the Luomen Academy in the palace. Every month, he would discuss scholarly matters with the Emperor and renowned scholars, earning Emperor Wen's admiration and the respect of his peers.
During the Jiande era, Xin Gongyi was appointed as a Xuan Na Officer. He participated in the campaign to pacify the Qi Kingdom, receiving multiple promotions and eventually becoming Chief Justice and General of Bandit Suppression. When Emperor Wen of Sui became Emperor, he appointed Xin Gongyi as an official in the Ministry of the Interior, tasking him with important state affairs. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Chief Guest Gentleman, serving as the Gentleman of the Interior, and was granted the title of Lord of Anyang County with a fief of 200 households. Whenever foreign envoys visited the court, he was responsible for receiving and entertaining them. Later, he was reassigned as the Attendant of Chariots, sent to pacify the border in Jiangling.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang reign, he was ordered to inspect horse farms in various places and confiscated over 100,000 horses. Emperor Wen was pleased and remarked, "Only Xin Gongyi can wholeheartedly serve the country in this way!" He later participated in the war to pacify the Chen Kingdom and was appointed as the governor of Minzhou in recognition of his military achievements. There was a troubling custom in Minzhou, where family members, including fathers, sons, husbands, and wives, would not care for one another, resulting in a complete breakdown of filial piety. As a result, many patients died. Xin Gongyi was deeply concerned and sought to change this custom. He sent officials to patrol the state, and whenever there were sick individuals, they were carried on stretchers to the state office and placed in the hall. During the summer months when the epidemic was widespread, there were sometimes hundreds of patients, and the hall and corridors were crowded with people. Xin Gongyi personally laid a bed in the hall and sat among the patients, handling government affairs day and night. He devoted his entire salary to purchasing medicine for the patients and personally encouraged them to eat. Ultimately, all the patients recovered. He then called the patients' relatives and said to them, "Life and death are predetermined, and cannot be transmitted between individuals. You abandoned them before, which is why they died. Now I have gathered the patients together and lived among them. If it were contagious, why am I still alive while all the patients have recovered? Do not hold on to those superstitious beliefs any longer." The relatives of the patients left feeling ashamed.
Afterwards, whenever the locals fell ill, they would rush to the local government office. If there was no one to take care of them, the local government office would be responsible for their care. The local government office became full of compassion, and this negative practice changed as a result. The residents of the entire region referred to Xing Gongyi as "Mother of Mercy." Later, Xing Gongyi was appointed as the governor of Mouzhou. Upon taking office, he first visited the prison and slept beside the cells, personally interrogating the prisoners. After more than ten days, all the cases were heard before he returned to the local government office. When handling new cases, he did not file cases himself but assigned a duty officer to assist in the interrogations. If the matters were not resolved and required detaining the prisoners, Xing Gongyi stayed in the local government office and never returned to his own residence. Some advised him, "There are procedures for all these matters. Why do you need to work so hard, sir?" Xing Gongyi replied, "If a governor cannot educate the people with virtue and still confines them in prisons, how can he find peace of mind?" Upon hearing this, the prisoners were grateful and behaved honestly. Later, if anyone wanted to bring a lawsuit, the village elders would advise them, "These are all minor issues. Why bother the governor?" Many lawsuits were thus settled amicably.
At that time, the Shandong region experienced continuous heavy rain, from Chenzhou and Ruzhou to the coast, all suffered severe flooding disasters. However, Mouzhou came through unscathed, producing gold and silver in the mountains, which Xin Gongyi presented as tribute to the court. The court ordered Lou Ze, a water department official, to pray to Xin Gongyi in Mouzhou. Legend has it that at that time, the air was filled with the sounds of golden stones and silk. In the first year of Renshou, Xin Gongyi was appointed as the ambassador of the Yangzhou Dao. Prince Yuzhang, Yang Jian, worried his subordinates might break the law, instructed Xin Gongyi before he arrived in Yangzhou. Xin Gongyi replied, "I won't let personal matters interfere with my duties." After arriving in Yangzhou, he did not spare any lawbreakers, which made Yang Jian resentful. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Wang Hong, the chief official of Yangzhou, went to the capital and bad-mouthed Xin Gongyi to the emperor, resulting in Xin Gongyi being dismissed from office. People and officials flooded the court with appeals and complaints. Several years later, Emperor Yang of Sui came to understand the truth and reappointed Xin Gongyi as the Minister of the Interior. Later, Xin Gongyi's mother passed away, and he observed a period of mourning. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Prefect of Sili and also served as the Right Imperial Guard Wu Ben Langjiang. He followed the army on expeditions and died in Liucheng County at the age of sixty-two. His son was named Xin Rong.
Liu Jian, also known as Daoyue, hailed from Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather, Liu Yuanzhang, held the position of Grand Prefect of Sizhou during the Wei Kingdom, as well as the Inspector of Xiangzhou and Huazhou; his father, Liu Yu, served as the county magistrate of Wenxi in the Zhou Dynasty. Liu Jian was known for his sense of responsibility and simple living, and was highly respected locally; even his closest friends and relatives treated him with respect. He served as a Senior Officer of Propagation and a Grand Officer of the Capital in the Zhou Dynasty. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he promoted Liu Jian to be a water department official and granted him the title of Count of Luodao County. Not long after, he was sent to serve as the governor of Guanghan County, where he made a name for himself with his impressive political achievements. Eventually, Guanghan County was dissolved.
At that time, the Emperor Gaozu had just unified the country and dedicated himself to governance, seeking out talented individuals and sending them to various places as local officials. Liu Jian was known for his integrity, benevolence, and remarkable achievements, and was promoted to the position of Governor of Pengzhou. He rendered decisions on the spot without the need for written documentation, merely directing his subordinate officials; everything was handled with composure, and there were no prisoners in the prison. The Prince of Shu, Yang Xiu, stationed in Yizhou at the time, reported Liu Jian's achievements to the court, and Liu Jian was promoted to the position of Governor of Qiongzhou. He served as the Governor of Qiongzhou for more than ten years, earning the deep respect of the local ethnic minorities. Later, when the Prince of Shu, Yang Xiu, committed a crime, Liu Jian was dismissed because of his association with Yang Xiu. After returning to his hometown, he traveled in a rickety carriage and rode a frail horse, and his family found it difficult to make ends meet, but everyone who saw him greatly admired him.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he summoned Liu Jian to serve as an official in the court. At that time, officials who served as governors and county magistrates based on their merits were all equipped with military forces, but Liu Jian had risen from an ordinary official. Emperor Yang of Sui greatly appreciated his achievements and bestowed upon him the title of Court Gentleman, appointed him as the Prefect of Honghua County, and rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth. Liu Jian's integrity and frugality became even more pronounced. In the fifth year of Daye, he attended a court meeting in the capital where officials from across the nation convened. Emperor Yang of Sui asked the Grand Councilor Su Wei and the Minister of Personnel Niu Hong, "Among these officials, who enjoys the best reputation nationwide?" They answered that it was Liu Jian. When asked who was second, they replied it was Guo Xuan, the Magistrate of Zhuo County, and Jing Su, the Magistrate of Yingchuan County. Emperor Yang of Sui rewarded Liu Jian with two hundred bolts of cloth, and Guo Xuan and Jing Su each with one hundred bolts of cloth, and ordered all the envoys from the court to deliver the rewards to their respective counties to commend them. During that time, Liu Jian was widely praised.
In the later years of the Daye period, banditry was rampant, and Liu Jian was attacked multiple times. However, he pacified the local people and minorities, preventing a rebellion and ultimately safeguarding the region. Later, the rebel army entered Chang'an, enthroning Emperor Gong. Liu Jian and the resident Li Can mourned in their funeral clothes in the state office, facing south and weeping sorrowfully. Later, upon returning to the capital, the Chancellor rewarded him with three hundred rolls of cloth and appointed him as the Grand General. A year later, Liu Jian passed away at home at the age of eighty-nine.
Guo Xuan, a native of Yongji, Shanxi, originally came from a poor family. He started as a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel and later rose to the position of Yitong Sanqi due to his military achievements. He served as the Sima and Changshi of several states, performing excellently and earning a good reputation. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, the Minister of Justice Yuwen Bi inspected Hebei and brought Guo Xuan as his assistant. Emperor Yang of Sui was preparing for a campaign in Liaodong and considered the strategic importance of Zhuozhou. He searched for suitable officials to manage the area and, upon hearing of Guo Xuan's reputation, appointed him as the prefect of Zhuozhou. The officials and people under him respected him greatly. Several years later, Guo Xuan was promoted to the governor of Zhuozhou and also served as the acting governor. Later, when banditry broke out in Shandong, Guo Xuan led troops to pursue and capture many of them. While other states and counties were suffering from banditry, Zhuozhou remained unharmed. Eventually, Guo Xuan led troops to battle Dou Jiande in Hejian and died in battle. The officials and people in the area mourned his loss for several months, and the grief lingered for a long time.
Jing Su, whose courtesy and frugality earned him respect, was from Puzhang in Yongji, Shanxi. He was recognized for his integrity and uprightness from a young age and began his official career as the chief clerk of a prefecture. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui in the Kaihuang era, he became the magistrate of Anling County, where he made notable contributions. He was promoted to Sima of Qinzhou and later became the Chief Historian of Binzhou. In the Renshou era of Emperor Yang of Sui, he served as the Sima of Weizhou, maintaining his outstanding record. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, Jing Su was appointed as the magistrate of Yingchuan commandery. In the fifth year of Daye, Jing Su went to Luoyang, the eastern capital, to meet the emperor. Emperor Yang instructed the Grand Minister of Justice, Xue Daoheng, to evaluate officials throughout the empire. Xue Daoheng's evaluation of Jing Su in his report was: "His heart is as firm as iron and stone, becoming even more upright with age." At that time, the powerful General of the Left Guard, Yu Wenshu, who hailed from Yingchuan, frequently sent letters to Jing Su for assistance. Jing Su never opened these letters himself but instead had the messengers return them directly. Jing Su strictly punished those among Yu Wenshu's guests who behaved recklessly, demonstrating zero tolerance. Consequently, Yu Wenshu held a grudge against him. In the eighth year of Daye, Jing Su went to Zhuozhou to meet the emperor. Given Jing Su's age and administrative skills, the emperor considered promoting him to governor several times, but Yu Wenshu thwarted his promotion. Towards the end of the Daye era, Jing Su requested retirement, which the emperor granted. When he left office, he had no savings to his name. A year later, Jing Su died at the age of eighty.
As for Liu Kuang, his true identity remains a mystery. He was known for his caution and kindness, consistently approaching every situation with sincerity and understanding. At the start of the Kaihuang era under Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as the magistrate of Pingxiang County and rode on horseback to take up his post alone.
If someone gets into disputes and goes to court, he patiently and meticulously explains the reasoning to them, clarifying right from wrong, never imposing harsh punishments, but allowing both parties to reflect on their mistakes before parting ways. He uses all his salary to help the poor. The common people are touched by his kindness and moral guidance, encouraging each other, saying, "With such a good official, who would dare to misbehave!" He served as a county magistrate in Pingxiang County for seven years, significantly improving the local community, with no prisoners, no lawsuits, and prison cells overgrown with weeds, meaning the yard was so spacious it could be used for playing tennis. When he left his post, officials and commoners in the county, regardless of their positions, tearfully bid him farewell on the road, parting reluctantly after several hundred miles.
Later, Liu Kuang was transferred to be the magistrate of Linying County, where his reputation for honesty and good governance ranked among the best in the country. The Minister of Works, Gao Feng, reported his deeds to the emperor, who summoned him. After meeting Liu Kuang, the emperor personally praised him, saying, "There are so many county magistrates in the country, but you stand out, truly remarkable!" Then, the emperor said to his officials, "If we don't reward him well, how can we motivate others!" Therefore, the emperor issued a generous decree, promoting Liu Kuang to be the Governor of Juzhou.
Wang Jia, a native of Zhangwu in Hebei, served as a minor military officer in Qizhou, and at first, there was nothing particularly praiseworthy about him. Near the end of the Kaihuang era under Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty, the governor of Qizhou sent him to escort more than seventy prisoners, including Li Can, to the capital. At that time, it was required that exiled prisoners be escorted in chains. When Wang Jia arrived at Xingyang, he saw how much the prisoners were suffering, and it pained him. He called them over and said, "Everyone, you have violated the national law and corrupted social morality. It is only right that you suffer wearing chains. But now you have to carry these heavy chains on your own, traveling a long distance. Don't you feel wronged?" The prisoners all thanked him. Wang Jia replied, "Even though you have broken the law, it is indeed very difficult to bear these chains. I want to help you remove the chains. If you reach the capital, can you promise to arrive on time?" The prisoners all knelt in gratitude and assured him, "We will definitely be on time!" He then set them free.
The exiled prisoners were deeply grateful to Wang Jia. They all arrived in the capital punctually, and not a single one escaped or turned traitor. When the Emperor heard about this, he was astonished. He summoned Wang Jia to ask for details and praised him profusely. Subsequently, the Emperor summoned all the prisoners to the palace, permitted them to bring their wives, children, and elderly relatives, held a banquet for them in the palace, and ultimately pardoned their crimes. The Emperor issued a decree saying: "Everything in the world has its good and evil, right and wrong. If they are guided with sincerity, the social atmosphere will naturally improve, and people will be inclined towards goodness. In the past, due to the turmoil in the country and the lack of proper education, officials lacked compassion, and the people were full of deceit, resulting in endless lawsuits and a deteriorating social climate that was hard to manage. I have been tasked by heaven to pacify the people, following the teachings of the sages and using virtue to influence them, working tirelessly day and night. Wang Jia truly understood my intentions and touched the hearts of those prisoners sincerely. Li Can and others were moved and willingly turned themselves in. This demonstrates that the people are not hard to educate; it is just that officials have not fulfilled their duty of guidance and education, leading them to crime without giving them a chance to reform. If all officials were like Wang Jia, and all people like Li Can, then there would be no need for punishment. Is this really an unattainable goal?" As a result, the Emperor promoted Wang Jia to Yongzhou magistrate, where he achieved remarkable success and earned a great reputation.
Wei Deshen, hailing from Julu, his grandfather Wei Chong was the Minister of Justice and Governor of Jianzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Later, the family relocated to Hongnong. His father, Wei Pi, was the magistrate of Yulin County. Wei Deshen started as a minor official under Emperor Wen, before becoming a secretary in Fengyi and Wuyang Counties. Thanks to his outstanding abilities, he was promoted to magistrate of Guixiang County. He was a clean and just official—firm but fair—and governed very effectively.
At that time, it coincided with the war in Liaodong. There were various types of taxes, and officials were sent everywhere to collect them, passing the buck to various counties. The court's rule was loose and chaotic, as corruption and bribery among officials ran rampant. People were exploited everywhere, and the common people suffered greatly. However, the situation in the county where Wei Deshen was located was completely different. He allocated resources reasonably, responded to requests promptly, and the people lived in peace and contentment, resulting in a harmonious society. At that time, thieves were running rampant, and many cities near Wuyang were attacked. Only the county where Wei Deshen was remained safe and sound.
The county magistrate, Yuan Baozang, was tasked with hunting down the thieves, but he lost every encounter. Weapons and equipment were always used up, and he repeatedly requisitioned from the people, often resorting to martial law. Other counties built defensive works, herding people into government offices, with officials passing the blame onto each other for the failures. Wei Deshen, on the other hand, first assessed each person's abilities and willingness, and then let them build freely. The government office was quiet, as if nothing was amiss. He simply set limits for the county officials, making sure the defenses were no better than those in other counties to avoid burdening the people too much. Yet, the result was that his county's defenses were consistently the best.
Later, Wei Deshen was transferred to Guantao County as the county magistrate. When the officials and townsfolk of his county caught wind of this, they all recalled his every move in office, unable to speak through their tears. When Wei Deshen was about to take office, the entire town turned out to send him off, with their cries echoing far and wide. In Guantao County, everyone treated him like family.
There was a bad guy named Zhao Junshi, who came from out of town as an official. He had a close relationship with the county magistrate Yuan Baozang, and they had every former county magistrate under their thumb. Since Wei Deshen arrived in Guantao, Zhao Junshi hid at home and dared not go out. The fugitives returned one after another, making it as lively as a fair. The elders from your village bravely went to the court to request Wei Deshen to stay, and the court agreed. The people of Guantao went to the county to complain, saying that the documents from your village were fake. The county was at a standstill.
Later, envoys sent by the court, Wei Ji, Du Zheng, and others arrived. Both counties went to the envoys to complain, and the envoys ultimately sided with your village. The officials and people of your village celebrated with songs and dances. The people of Guantao, however, cried their hearts out, and several hundred households moved away. Yuan Baozang was really envious of Wei Deshen's skills.
Later, King Dong of Yue recruited soldiers from the county, and Yuan Baozang sent Wei Deshen and a thousand soldiers to the eastern capital. Soon after, Yuan Baozang joined Li Mi. The soldiers Wei Deshen led were from Wuyang, from the same hometown as Li Mi. Thinking of his relatives and friends, Wei Deshen left the city gate, crying as he headed back home, and then returned. Some advised him, "Li Mi's army is near Jinyang City, just over twenty miles away. If you want to go back, nobody's gonna stop you. Why make it difficult for yourself?" The soldiers cried and said, "We came here with County Chief Wei and can't bear to leave him behind. The distance doesn't matter!" This just shows how beloved Wei Deshen was. Later, Wei Deshen died in battle against the rebels, and the folks from your village and Guantao still remember him well. At that time, the three officials, Gao Shiheng from Bohai in Liyang County, Liu Gao from Pengcheng in Xiaoxian County, and Liu Chi from Hongnong in Chenggao County, were all really good guys who did a lot for the people.
During the final years of the Sui Dynasty, many officials were corrupt, except for Gao Shiheng, Liu Gao, and Liu Chi. They were honest and upright, greatly enhancing the local environment. The prisons were empty, and the common people praised them. As the ancients said, "Those skilled in managing water can guide it smoothly; those skilled in educating the people can soothe them and make them stable." When the water flows smoothly, it won't harm the embankments; when the people are stable, they won't violate the laws. Therefore, to change customs, it's not sufficient to rely solely on strict enforcement; it also requires upright and honest officials like Gao Shiheng. They held righteousness in their hearts, treated the people sincerely, and wherever they served, the situation improved. Even after they left, the people remembered them. Jing Mao was known for restraining evil and promoting goodness; Liu Kuang brought good practices to his jurisdiction; and De Shen was deeply loved by the people. Their virtues surpassed even those of renowned officials like Xincheng, Dushi, Zheng Hun, and Zhu Yi. As stated in The Book of Songs, "Gentle and kind gentlemen are like parents to the people," which is absolutely true. Unfortunately, despite receiving the emperor's favor, many of these virtuous officials were exiled due to minor past mistakes. It's truly unfortunate that officials like Liu Jian faced poverty after their resignation, or Zhao Gui leaving office with a simple farewell using clear water, demonstrating remarkable integrity.
