Real Histories
Tian Yi, his origins unclear, was exceptionally filial. He took care of his stepmother who was bedridden for over a year, changing her bedding himself to keep it dry. He would only eat when his mother ate, and if she didn't eat, he wouldn't either. When his mother fell ill with dysentery, Tian Yi thought she had been poisoned and even tasted the nauseating food himself. After his mother passed away, Tian Yi was overcome with grief and fainted on the spot. His wife also died from excessive sorrow, and the villagers buried them together.
Niu Hui, also known as Xiao Zheng, was from Anyi in Hedong. He was extremely filial. During the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Zhou Dynasty, his parents passed away, and he built a shed next to their graves to observe filial piety. He personally piled up the soil for their graves. A hemp plant sprouted in front of the shed, reaching a height of ten feet, with lush green leaves that remained throughout the year. A crow perched on it, and when Niu Hui cried, the crow also mourned, which struck people as strange. Emperor Cheng praised him and appointed him as the county magistrate of Gantang. He passed away in the early years of the Kaihuang era.
Zi Shixiong was known for his integrity and filial piety from a young age. After his father passed away, he built a shed next to the grave to observe filial piety and personally piled up the soil for the grave. There was a locust tree in front of his house that used to be very lush, but during Zi Shixiong's period of mourning, the tree unexpectedly died. However, after he completed the mourning period and returned home, the withered tree miraculously revived. When Emperor Gaozu heard about this, he praised the father and son for their extreme filial piety, issued an edict to commend them, and named the place where they lived "Leide Village."
Liu Shijun, from Pengcheng, was extremely filial. After his mother passed away, he claimed to have seen her come back to life several times. He fasted for seven days, stayed by her grave to observe filial piety, personally piled up the soil for the grave, and planted pine and cypress trees. Even foxes and wolves, usually a threat, dared not disturb him and instead brought him food. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he praised Liu Shijun by writing an inscription on his family's door.
Lang Fanggui is from Huainan. He was ambitious from a young age and lived with his cousin, Lang Shuanggui. During the Kaihuang era, Lang Fanggui went out on business, was caught in a heavy rainstorm, causing the Huai River to swell. He waited at the ferry for a boat to take him across, but the boatman, angered, broke his arm. When he returned home, his younger brother Lang Shuanggui was shocked and asked what had happened. Lang Fanggui told him all about the incident. Lang Shuanggui, furious, went to the ferry and killed the boatman. The ferry guards arrested him and took him to the county office. After questioning, Lang Fanggui was deemed the mastermind and sentenced to death, while Lang Shuanggui was considered an accomplice and sentenced to exile. Both brothers insisted on confessing to their roles, but the county office was unable to reach a verdict, so they were sent to the prefecture. The brothers both persisted in confessing, but the prefecture was also unable to decide. Both brothers contemplated suicide by drowning. The prefecture escalated the situation, and the emperor, upon hearing this, found it quite strange. He pardoned them, inscribed a commendation on their family's door, and rewarded them with one hundred pieces of cloth. Eventually, Lang Fanggui became the registrar of the prefecture.
Zhai Pulin is a man from Chuqiu. He is kind and filial, and his reputation for filial piety has spread far and wide. He was summoned multiple times by the local government to serve as an official, but he resolutely declined, dedicating himself to farming and caring for his parents at home. The people in his village all called him "Mr. Chuqiu." Later, when his parents fell ill, he personally took meticulous care of their daily needs. Even at the age of seventy, his parents depended on him completely. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty, his parents passed away one after the other, leaving Zhai Pulin devastated, nearly collapsing from grief. He built a simple shack next to his parents' graves, personally piled up the soil for their graves, and he wore only a thin linen garment instead of thick silk cotton clothes, even in the cold winter. He kept a black dog at home, which stayed by his parents' graves at all times. Whenever Zhai Pulin cried in sorrow, the dog would howl in sadness, which surprised and moved onlookers. There were also two magpie nests built on the cypress tree in front of his house, and the magpies would often fly into his shack, gentle and unafraid. During the early years of the Sui Dynasty, when the local officials inspected the area, they brought Zhai Pulin's filial piety to the court's attention, and he was promoted to be the magistrate of Xiaoyang County.
In this way, Zhai Pulin, the renowned "Mr. Chuqiu" known for his filial piety, was eventually appointed as an official by the court, which was a recognition and reward for his filial devotion. His story with the black dog and magpies added a poignant layer to his filial piety, becoming a cherished tale passed down through generations.
Li Derao, from Bairen County, Zhao County, was a descendant of Li Che, who served as the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat in the Wei Dynasty, and his father Li Chun, who was the Chief Historian of Jie Prefecture during the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty. Li Derao was intelligent and studious from a young age, with a kind heart, and was highly respected by his family. In his youth, he became an Academician and also served as an official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, handling official documents. He later rose to become an Imperial Censor, performing his duties with integrity and daring to correct the mistakes of the powerful. In the third year of Emperor Yang's Daye reign, he was promoted to the position of an official, frequently touring various places, seeking justice for the wronged and honoring those who showed filial piety and kindness. Although his official rank was modest, his noble character was widely praised at the time, and he associated with notable figures of his time. He was especially filial to his parents, often fasting for an entire day and sometimes going ten days or even half a month without changing his clothes to care for them when they were sick. After his parents passed away, he was devastated by grief, not drinking any water for five days and crying so hard he coughed up several liters of blood.
On the day of the funeral, in the middle of winter, with a thick blanket of snow covering the ground, he walked over forty miles in mourning clothes and barefoot, sobbing and nearly collapsing from exhaustion along the way. Over a thousand people attended the funeral, and everyone shed tears. Miraculously, dew fell from the trees in his family's courtyard, and magpies built nests under the eaves. Yang Da, who was in charge of inspecting Hebei, specially went to his house to offer condolences and renamed the village where Li Derao lived to "Filial Piety Village" and the neighborhood to "Harmony Lane." Later, Li Derao was appointed as the county official of Jinhe, but before he could assume office, he ran into a gang of bandits. The bandit leader Ge Qian, Sun Xuanya, and more than ten others gathered in the Bohai area causing trouble. The government at that time ordered them to surrender, but Ge Qian and the others were afraid to surrender. Upon hearing that Li Derao was known for his integrity and strong reputation, they sent a memorial to the court saying, "If Li Derao is sent, we will surrender together." The emperor then sent Li Derao to the Bohai Sea to persuade those bandits to surrender.
When Li Derao arrived in Guan County, he happened to encounter other bandits attacking the county town, but tragically, he was killed. His brother Li Deluo was known for his honesty and integrity. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, he served as a judicial officer in Lishi County, and the governor Yang Zichong highly valued him. After the uprising of the righteous army, Yang Zichong was killed and his body was abandoned outside the city. Li Deluo mourned deeply and made arrangements for his burial. When he arrived in Jiexiu, he sought an audience with the leader of the righteous army and requested to handle the funeral arrangements for Yang Zichong. The general of the righteous army held him in high regard, bestowed an official title upon Yang Zichong posthumously, and appointed Li Deluo as an envoy to handle the funeral arrangements for Yang Zichong in Lishi.
Hua Qiu, from Linhe County in Jijun, lost his father at a young age. He was especially filial to his mother and was renowned for his devotion. Coming from a poor family, he worked for others to support himself. When his mother fell ill, Hua Qiu became so worried that his face changed color and his hair and beard became unkempt. The entire state pitied him. After his mother passed away, he ceased to comb his hair or wash his face, leading to his hair falling out. He built a makeshift shelter by his mother's grave and slowly piled up the grave himself. Whenever someone offered to help, he would kneel in gratitude but firmly decline. During the Daye period, the large-scale hunting of foxes for their pelts commenced in the county. A rabbit being chased by hunters ran into Hua Qiu's shelter and hid under his knees. When the hunters arrived at the shelter and saw this scene, they let the rabbit go. From then on, the rabbit frequently took refuge in the shelter overnight, forming a deep bond with Hua Qiu. People in the county praised his filial piety and brought his story to the attention of the court. Emperor Yang of Sui dispatched envoys to offer him solace and honored his family. Later, as banditry surged and frequently occurred near Hua Qiu's shelter, they cautioned one another, "Steer clear of this devoted son!" Many people in the village were saved because of this.
Xu Xiaosu, also from Ji County, comes from a family with thousands of households, most of whom are fond of ostentation and showing off. However, Xu Xiaosu is frugal, filial to his parents, and renowned. He lost his father at a young age and didn't know what his father looked like. As he grew older, he inquired with his mother about what his father looked like, then had a painter draw a portrait, erected a shrine to honor him, and regularly paid his respects. He was extremely filial to his mother, and for decades, his family never saw him angry. When his mother became ill in old age, Xu Xiaosu personally took care of her, filled with worry and exhaustion, for several years, and anyone who saw him couldn't help but feel sympathy. After his mother passed away, Xu Xiaosu ate a vegetarian diet and drank only water, wearing just a single garment throughout the harsh winter, becoming thin to the bone. He personally built the graves of his grandparents and parents, living by the graves for over forty years, with unkempt hair and barefoot, and finally passed away like that.
His younger brother, Xu Debei, was intelligent and well-versed in the Five Classics, and was celebrated as a Confucian scholar in the Hebei region. After Xu Debei passed away, his son Xu Chumo constructed a shelter by the grave to honor his father's spirit. Their family has been filial for generations, truly commendable.
Historical records say: In the past, the promotion of respect and love for elders often depended on the nobility; but in recent years, the emphasis on filial piety and camaraderie is increasingly evident in the homes of ordinary people. People like Yanshi and Daoze, some from noble families for generations, some who vowed to serve the country, ended up dead, leaving their families in ruin. Although their actions contravened the principles established by ancient kings, their benevolence and sense of righteousness remain evident.
The Lang brothers sacrificed themselves to save each other, ultimately both survived; the Tian Yi couple both chose to die for love, earning their place in history. De Rao won over the mountain bandits with his kindness and righteousness, and De Zhuo impressed the Prince of Xing with his noble deeds, which are all commendable. Niu Hui, Liu Jun, Zhai Lin, and Hua Qiu—some have particularly lush plants and trees in their yards, while others have gentle birds and animals around their graves. Isn't it because of their deep filial piety that they have moved heaven and earth?
Guo Jun, style name Hongyi, was from Wenshui, Shanxi. His family lived harmoniously together for seven generations, with dogs and pigs suckling side by side, crows and magpies building nests together. People at the time regarded this as a sign of filial piety. The local government reported this to the court, and the Emperor sent the official Yu Wenbi to visit his family. The supervising official, Liu Yu, even visited his home to commend him during an inspection of Hebei. When Han Wang Liang was appointed governor of Bingzhou, he highly praised this and rewarded Guo Jun and his brothers with clothes.
Tian Yi, no one knows where he is from. He was especially filial, and his reputation for filial piety towards his mother spread far and wide. His stepmother had been bedridden for over a year, and Tian Yi personally changed the bedding to keep it dry. He would only eat when his mother ate, and if she didn't eat, he wouldn't either. Later, when his mother fell gravely ill with dysentery, Tian Yi thought it was food poisoning and even sampled the food himself. After his mother passed away, Tian Yi was overcome with grief and fainted on the spot. His wife also died from excessive grief, and the villagers buried them together.
Niu Hui, style name Xiaozheng, was from Anyi, Hedong, Shanxi. He was exceptionally filial; when his parents passed away during the reign of Emperor Wu Cheng of Northern Zhou, he lived next to their graves and personally piled up the soil. A hemp plant grew in front of the grave, soaring to a height of ten feet with a sturdy trunk and lush leaves that stayed green year-round. A crow built a nest on top of it, and when Niu Hui wept, the crow mourned alongside him, which many found peculiar. Emperor Wu commended his family and promoted him to be the magistrate of Gantang County. He died in the early years of the Kaihuang era.
His son Zishixiong has been upright and filial since childhood. After his father passed away, he lived by his father's grave and personally shoveled the dirt. There was a locust tree in front of his house, which used to grow especially lush. However, during his period of mourning, the tree surprisingly withered. When he completed the mourning period and returned home, the dead tree miraculously revived! The emperor learned of this and was moved by their filial piety, issuing a decree to commend them and naming the place they lived "Leide Li."
Liu Shijun, a native of Pengcheng in Xuzhou, was exceptionally filial. After his mother passed away, he fainted several times but revived each time. He didn't eat or drink for seven days, lived by his mother's grave, personally shoveled the dirt, and planted many pine and cypress trees. Even foxes and wolves were touched by his devotion and brought him food. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he also recognized his family.
Lang Fanggui, a native of Huainan, had ambitions from a young age and lived together with his cousin Shuanggui. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Fanggui went out in the rain and the Huai River flooded. He waited at the ferry crossing for a boat to cross the river, but the boatman got angry with him and fractured his arm. When he returned home, Shuanggui asked anxiously what had happened, and Fanggui explained in detail. Shuanggui, angry, ran to the ferry crossing and killed the boatman. The ferry guards arrested them, and after questioning, they believed that Fanggui was the mastermind and should be sentenced to death, while Shuanggui was an accomplice and should be exiled. The brothers argued over who was the mastermind and should receive a severe punishment. The county court couldn't decide, so they escalated the matter to the prefecture. The brothers both confessed, but the prefecture couldn't make a decision either, and both contemplated suicide by jumping into the river. The prefecture reported the situation to the court, and the emperor, intrigued by the situation, pardoned them, recognized their family, and rewarded them with a hundred bolts of cloth. Eventually, Fanggui rose to become the chief scribe of the prefecture.
Zhai Pulin, a man from Chuqiu, was known for his kindness, righteousness, and filial piety, with a reputation for showing filial piety to his parents. Despite repeated summons to take up official posts in various regions, he consistently declined in order to work the land and support his parents. He was known by his neighbors as "Mr. Chuqiu." While caring for them, he never changed his clothes for seventy years. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty, after his parents passed away, he was overcome with grief to the point of losing his sanity. He built a shelter next to their graves, personally dug the grave, and wore only thin linen clothing even in winter. A black dog from his home always accompanied him at the graveyard, howling in sorrow whenever Zhai Pulin wept, leaving onlookers in awe. Two magpies built nests in the cypress tree in front of his house and would often fly into his shelter, displaying no fear and behaving quite gently. During the Sui Dynasty, a magistrate inspecting his acts of filial piety reported to the court, resulting in his appointment as the magistrate of Xiaoyang County.
Li Derao was from Baishan County in Zhao County. His grandfather, Li Che, was the Right Minister of the Wei Dynasty; his father, Li Chun, held the position of Chief Historian in Jiezhou during the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty. Li Derao was bright and eager to learn from a young age, kind-hearted, and well-respected by all. In his youth, he became a Junior Scholar and worked in the Ministry of Interior, handling official documents. He later rose to become an Imperial Censor, performing his duties impartially, even having the courage to correct the mistakes of the relatives of high-ranking officials. In the third year of the Daye years of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to the position of Attendant Censor, frequently inspecting various places, righting wrongs for the innocent, and commending those who were filial to their parents and loving towards their siblings. Although his rank wasn't particularly high, his upright character and noble morals earned him great respect at the time. Those who associated with him were renowned scholars and talents of the time. He was particularly filial to his parents; when they were ill, he often went days without food and wouldn't change his clothes for weeks. During the mourning period after their passing, he went without water for five days, and from overwhelming grief, he vomited several liters of blood. On the day of the funeral, in the middle of a heavy winter snowstorm, he walked barefoot for over forty miles in coarse mourning attire, crying all the way and nearly fainting. Not a single person among the more than a thousand attendees at the funeral was without tears. Afterwards, dew miraculously fell from the trees in his family’s yard, and magpies built nests under the eaves of his house. When the Minister Yang Da inspected Hebei, he made a special trip to Li Derao's home to pay his respects, renaming the village where Li Derao lived as "Filial Piety Village" and the township as "Harmony Township." Later, he was appointed as the magistrate of Jinhe County, but before he could even take office, a wave of banditry hit the area, with bandit leaders such as Ge Qian and Sun Xuanya creating chaos in the Bohai region. The court ordered the pacification of these bandits, but they were too scared to surrender. Upon hearing of Li Derao's honesty and reliability, they sent a petition to the court saying, "If Li Derao is sent, we will surrender together." The Emperor then dispatched Li Derao to persuade these bandits to surrender in Bohai. When Li Derao arrived in Guan County, he found that the county had been captured by other bandits, and he was tragically killed.
His younger brother, Li Dezai, was a man of integrity who kept his promises. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he served as a judicial assistant in Lishi County, and the governor, Yang Zichong, held him in high regard. Later, when the rebels rose up, Yang Zichong was killed and his body was discarded outside the city. Li Dezai mourned deeply and arranged for his burial. After arriving in Jiexiu, he sought out the rebels and requested to handle the funeral arrangements for Yang Zichong. The general greatly appreciated him, posthumously conferred an official title upon Yang Zichong, and appointed Li Dezai as an envoy to handle the funeral affairs for Yang Zichong in Lishi.
Hua Qiu was from Linhe County in Jiji County. He lost his father at a young age and had always been filial to his mother, gaining a reputation for his filial devotion. His family was very poor, and he supported himself by doing odd jobs. When his mother fell ill, Hua Qiu grew thin and disheveled, and people across the entire region felt sympathy for him. After his mother passed away, he neglected his appearance, and eventually lost all his hair. He built a shed next to his mother's grave, built up the tomb himself, and refused any help offered by others. During the Deyi era, the court ordered a hunt for foxes, leading to large-scale hunting in counties. A rabbit being chased by hunters ran into Hua Qiu's shed and hid under his knees. When the hunters arrived at the shed and saw the situation, they were surprised and let the rabbit go. From then on, the rabbit would come to the shed every night and became quite attached to Hua Qiu. County officials praised his devotion to his mother and reported it to the emperor. Emperor Yang of Sui sent officials to offer their condolences and honored his family. Later, as bandits began to roam the area, often near Hua Qiu's shed, they warned each other, "Don’t mess with this devoted son!" Many villagers were saved from misfortune thanks to Hua Qiu.
Xu Xiaosu was also from Ji County. His family was part of a large clan with thousands of households, most of whom took pride in their extravagance and luxury, but Xu Xiaosu is known for his frugality and filial piety. Despite his young age, whenever disputes occur in the family, everyone would ask him to mediate, and those he criticized would all acknowledge their mistakes and back down. Xu Xiaosu lost his father when he was very young and didn't know what his father looked like. As he grew older, he asked his mother what his father looked like, then had a painter draw a portrait of him, constructed a small shrine in his honor, and regularly paid his respects. He was extremely filial in serving his mother, and for decades, his family had never witnessed him lose his temper. When his mother grew old and fell ill, Xu Xiaosu personally took care of her, attending to her diet and daily needs with great care. After years of devoted care, onlookers couldn't help but feel sorrowful. After his mother passed away, Xu Xiaosu ate only vegetarian food and drank water; even in the depths of winter, he wore only light clothing, becoming extremely thin. He personally constructed tombs for his grandparents and parents, lived next to the graves for over forty years, with disheveled hair and barefoot, and eventually passed away in that condition.
His younger brother, Xu Debei, was intelligent and knowledgeable in the Five Classics, and was recognized as a Confucian scholar in the Hebei region. After Xu Debei passed away, his son, Xu Chumo, also observed mourning rituals beside the graves, and their family has been celebrated for their filial piety for generations.
Historical records say: in the past, promoting filial piety often depended on the support of royal officials and ministers. But in recent years, the emphasis on filial piety and brotherly love is now more prevalent among ordinary families. People like Yanshi and Daoze, some of whom hailed from generations of high-ranking officials, some who swore to serve the country, ended up losing their families and suffering due to their devotion to filial piety. While this contradicts the system established by ancient emperors, it also highlights their deep filial devotion!
The two brothers, Lang Gui, almost died to protect each other, yet they both survived; Tian Yifei and his wife observed a period of mourning for their parents, and both earned a good reputation. Derao's compassion moved the mountain bandits, and Dexi's loyalty impressed Xing Wang, all of which are worthy of praise. Niu Hui, Liu Jun, Zhai Lin, Hua Qiu, and others, at home, some are overgrown with lush vegetation, while others have wild animals and birds that have become tame. If it were not for their deep filial piety, moving heaven and earth, how could this be possible?
Yang Qing, also known by his courtesy name Boyue, hailed from Hejian in Hebei. Both his grandfather and father were renowned for their filial piety. Yang Qing was good-looking and clever. When he was sixteen, the Qi Guozi scholar Xu Zunming saw him and thought he was outstanding. As he grew up, Yang Qing read many books. At the age of twenty-five, he was recommended as a filial and incorrupt candidate by the county, but he did not take up the position because he was serving his mother. When his mother was sick, he did not loosen his belt for seventy years while serving her. After his mother passed away, he was grief-stricken, emaciated, and personally dug her grave. Emperor Wenxuan of Qi honored his family, rewarding him with thirty pieces of cloth, ten bundles of cotton, and fifty stones of grain. After Gaozu Emperor ascended the throne, he rewarded and promoted him several times, appointing him as an official of the third rank and then as the Prefect of Pingyang. He passed away at the age of eighty-five at home.
Guo Jun, courtesy name Hongyi, was from Wenshui, Taiyuan, Shanxi. His family lived harmoniously together for seven generations, with dogs and pigs suckling side by side, and crows and magpies building nests together. People at the time believed this was an auspicious sign attributed to their filial piety. The state reported this to the court, and the emperor sent Yiwu Public Yuwen Bi to visit his family. When the Imperial Censor Liu Yu inspected Hebei, he also commended his family. When Han Wang Liang held the position of Governor of Bingzhou, he greatly appreciated this and rewarded him and his brothers with a set of clothes each.
Tian Yi's specific birthplace is unknown. He was extremely filial, renowned in the village for his filial respect. When his ailing mother was bedridden for over a year, Tian Yi personally changed her dry and wet clothes, ate only when she ate, and did not eat when she did not. When his mother suddenly got dysentery, Tian Yi thought it was food poisoning and even tasted the food himself. After his mother passed away, Tian Yi wept inconsolably and soon passed away. His wife also died from excessive grief, and the villagers honored them with a grand burial.
Niu Hui, named Xiaozheng, was a native of Anyi in Hedong, Shanxi. He was extremely filial. When his parents passed away during the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, he set up a shelter beside their graves and personally shoveled soil to create their tomb. A hemp plant sprouted in front of the tomb, over a zhang tall, forming an archway around it, with lush foliage that remained green in both winter and summer. A crow nested on top of it, and Niu Hui cried loudly, making the crow cry out in sorrow, which left onlookers puzzled. Emperor Wu of Zhou commended his family and promoted him to be the magistrate of Gantang County. He died during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui.
Zi Shixiong was always known for his honesty and filial piety. After his father passed away, he constructed a modest dwelling beside his father's grave and personally moved soil to build the tomb. There was a locust tree in front of his family's courtyard that had once thrived with lush foliage, but it withered upon the start of his mourning. When the mourning period ended and he returned home, the withered tree miraculously revived! The founding emperor of the dynasty heard about this and praised the father and son for their filial piety, issuing a decree to honor them and naming their residence "Leide Li."
Liu Shijun was from Pengcheng and was extremely filial. After his mother passed away, he was consumed by grief, fainting multiple times and going without food or water for seven days and nights. He lived next to his mother's grave, personally moving soil to build the tomb and planting pine and cypress trees. Even the foxes and wolves became tame in his presence, bringing him food without hesitation. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he specifically honored his family.
Lang Fanggui is from Huainan. He has been ambitious since childhood and lived with his cousin, Lang Shuanggui. During the Kaihuang period, Lang Fanggui went out while it was raining heavily, and the Huai River was in flood. While waiting for a boat to cross the river at the ferry, the boatman, angered, broke his arm. When he returned home, his younger brother, Lang Shuanggui, anxiously asked what had happened. Lang Fanggui told him everything that had transpired. Lang Shuanggui, enraged, went to the ferry and killed the boatman. The ferry guards apprehended them and brought them to the county government for questioning. After the trial, Lang Fanggui was deemed the mastermind and sentenced to death, while Lang Shuanggui was found to be an accomplice and sentenced to exile. Both brothers insisted on confessing, and the county government couldn't reach a verdict, so they escalated the case to the prefectural government. The brothers still insisted on taking responsibility, and the prefectural government couldn't make a ruling either. They even contemplated suicide by jumping into the river. The prefectural government escalated the case to the imperial court. The emperor was deeply moved upon hearing about it and pardoned their offenses, honored their family, and rewarded them with a hundred pieces of cloth. Eventually, Lang Fanggui rose to become the chief registrar of the prefecture.
Zhai Pulin is from Chuqiu, renowned for his compassion and filial devotion. He was widely admired for his dedication to his parents. Despite being summoned multiple times to serve as an official by the local government, he declined and focused on farming and caring for his parents. His neighbors referred to him as "Mr. Chuqiu." When his parents fell ill, he personally cared for them day and night, never leaving their side for seventy years. After his parents passed away during the early years of the Daye era, overcome with grief, he was nearly driven to madness. He constructed a modest shelter beside their graves and personally dug the earth to create their tombs. Even in the cold winter, he refused to wear warm clothing, instead choosing to wear only a thin hemp garment. His pet black dog followed him to the gravesite, mourning alongside him whenever Zhai Pulin wept. Witnesses were profoundly touched by this sight. Two magpies made nests in the cypress tree outside his home, often entering his house unafraid. During the Daye era, the provincial inspector reported his exemplary filial conduct to the emperor, who then appointed him as the magistrate of Xiaoyang.
Li Derao was from Bairen County in Zhao County. His grandfather, Li Che, was the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Officialdom during the Wei Dynasty; his father, Li Chun, served as the Chief Historian of Jiezhou during the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty. Li Derao was intelligent and studious from a young age, kind-hearted, and highly respected by his family members. In his youth, he became a scholar official and worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, handling documents. He later became a censor, performing his duties with integrity, even having the courage to correct the mistakes of even high-ranking officials’ relatives. In the third year of the Daye reign of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to the position of Sima, regularly touring different regions to seek justice for the common people and honoring those who showed filial piety and kindness. Although his official position was not very high, his character was greatly admired during that time, and those who associated with him were well-known virtuous talents. He was particularly devoted to his parents; when they were ill, he would sometimes go days without eating and would not change his clothes for ten days to two weeks. During his mourning period after his parents passed away, he didn’t drink water for five days, and out of overwhelming grief, he vomited several liters of blood. On the day of the funeral, in the midst of a heavy snowstorm in midwinter, he walked over forty miles in mourning clothes, barefoot, crying out until he nearly fainted. More than a thousand people attended the funeral, and not a single person left without tears. Afterwards, dew descended from the trees in his family's yard, and magpies nested under the eaves of his house.
At that time, Minister Yang Da inspected Hebei, visited Li De Rao's home to pay his respects, and renamed the village where Li De Rao lived 'Xiaojing Village' and the township 'Heshun Township.' Later, Li De Rao was appointed as the county magistrate of Jinhe County. Before he took office, he faced a surge of banditry. The bandit leader Ge Qian, Sun Xuanya, and more than ten other leaders gathered in the Bohai region. The court ordered them to surrender, but Ge Qian and his men were too afraid to surrender. They heard that Li De Rao was a man of integrity and righteousness, so they sent envoys to the court to say, "If Li De Rao is sent, we will surrender together." The emperor sent Li De Rao to persuade the bandits in Bohai to surrender. When Li De Rao arrived in Guan County, he unexpectedly encountered other bandits who had invaded the county town. Tragically, Li De Rao was killed.
His younger brother Li De Zhao was renowned for his honesty and integrity. During the Sui Dynasty, he worked as a judicial officer in Lishi County, and Governor Yang Zichong held him in high regard. Later, when the rebel army revolted, Yang Zichong was killed, and his body was left abandoned outside the city. Li De Zhao wept inconsolably, recovered and buried Yang Zichong's body. When he arrived in Jiexiu, he approached the rebel army to request handling Yang Zichong's funeral. The general was greatly impressed by him, so he posthumously conferred an official title upon Yang Zichong and designated Li De Zhao as the envoy to oversee Yang Zichong's funeral in Lishi.
Hua Qiu, from Linhe County in Jijun, lost his father at a young age. He has always been devoted to his mother, earning a reputation for his devotion. Coming from a poor family, he supported himself by doing odd jobs. When his mother fell ill, Hua Qiu became so haggard that he was hardly recognizable, with disheveled hair and beard. Everyone in the county felt sorry for him. After his mother passed away, he stopped taking care of himself and eventually lost all his hair. He built a shelter next to his mother's grave, personally building up the burial mound. When others offered to help, he would kneel down to refuse. During the Daye era, the court ordered the collection of fox fur, leading to widespread hunting in the area. A rabbit that was being chased by hunters ran into Hua Qiu's shelter and hid under his knees. When the hunters arrived and saw the scene, they were surprised and let the rabbit go. From then on, the rabbit began to spend the night in the shelter regularly, growing close to Hua Qiu. The townsfolk praised his devotion and reported the incident to the court. Emperor Yang of Sui sent someone to check on him and honored his family. Later, when bandits roamed freely near Hua Qiu's shelter, they would warn each other, "Don't mess with this devoted son!" Many villagers were spared from misfortune thanks to Hua Qiu.
Xu Xiaosu, also from Ji County, Hebei. His family was one of thousands of households, most of whom take pride in their extravagance and luxury, but Xu Xiaosu was known for his frugality and exceptional filial piety towards his parents. He lost his father at a young age and did not know what his father looked like. As he grew older, he asked his mother what his father looked like, then hired a painter to create a portrait in his honor, where he worshipped regularly. He served his mother with great filial piety, and for decades, his family never saw him lose his temper. When his elderly and sick mother needed care, Xu Xiaosu personally took care of her, handling everything from food and clothing to daily necessities, laboring for several years, which brought tears to the eyes of those who witnessed it. After his mother passed away, Xu Xiaosu only ate vegetarian food and drank water; even in the harshest winter, he wore nothing but thin clothes, becoming thin and bony. He personally constructed tombs for his grandparents and parents, resided beside the cemetery for more than forty years, with unkempt hair and walking barefoot, and eventually passed away like that.
His younger brother, Xu Debei, was clever and well-versed in the Confucian classics, and was known as a Confucian scholar in the Hebei region. After Xu Debei passed away, his son, Xu Chumo, also watched over the spirits at the graveside, and their family was known for filial piety for generations.
Historical records say that in the past, the promotion of filial piety relied on the nobles and ministers. However, in recent years, it has been the poorer families who have taken the lead in promoting filial piety. People like Yan Shi and Dao Ze, some of whom hailed from generations of high-ranking officials, and some who have sworn to serve the country, have fallen into disgrace, with some even dying without a proper burial. Though this contradicts the principles upheld by ancient sage kings, it also shows their benevolence and righteousness.
The brothers Lang and Gui almost died trying to save each other, but both ended up surviving; the couple Tian and Yi sacrificed their lives for their country, leaving a lasting legacy. De Rao, with his benevolent and righteous heart, influenced the mountain bandits, while De Zhai's righteous actions impressed the rebel king, which are all commendable. Individuals like Niu Hui, Liu Jun, Zhai Lin, and Hua Qiu either have lush vegetation surrounding their homes or have birds and animals nearby. Doesn't this demonstrate that their filial piety has touched the heavens and the earth?
Wang Ban, with the courtesy name Jingyan, was from Qixian, Taiyuan. His grandfather, Wang Shen Nian, was the General of the Left Guard of the Liang Dynasty; his father, Wang Seng Bian, held the position of Grand Commandant. Wang Ban was handsome and talented from a young age, excelling in both literary and martial arts. When his father suppressed the rebellion led by Hou Jing, he left Wang Ban in Jingzhou as a hostage. Later, when Emperor Yuan was captured by the Zhou Dynasty's army, Wang Ban entered Guanzhong. It was said that his father was killed by Emperor Wu of Chen, which caused Wang Ban to weep uncontrollably until he fainted, waking up later and continuing to cry, growing thinner by the day. After completing his mourning period, he wore rough clothes, ate plain meals, and slept on straw.
Emperor Ming of Zhou took a liking to him and appointed him as a Left Attendant Officer, gradually promoting him to the position of Governor of Hanzhong and then to the rank of Yitong San. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was bestowed the title of Kaifu for his achievements in pacifying the barbarians and was appointed as the Duke of Sheqiu County. He also presented a strategy for attacking the Chen Dynasty, which the Emperor held in high regard. Following the successful campaign against Chen, Wang Ban volunteered to lead troops in battle, leading hundreds of soldiers to cross the river at night with Han Qin Nian. He sustained injuries in battle and, fearing he could no longer fight, wept in sorrow and frustration. Falling asleep in the middle of the night, he dreamed that someone offered him medicine, and when he woke up, the pain from his wound had vanished. People at the time believed it was his filial piety that touched the heavens.
After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Wang Ban secretly gathered over a thousand of his father's former subordinates and wept before them. One of the strong men asked him, "Lord, you conquered the Chen Kingdom and avenged your father; why are you still so sad? Is it because your father died too early, and you couldn't kill him with your own hands? Why don't we dig up his grave and burn his coffin and bones? That would also be an act of filial piety!" Wang Ban kowtowed in apology, his forehead bruised and bleeding, and replied, "He was once an emperor; the tomb is very large. I'm worried we wouldn't be able to dig it up in one night and might not find his body. When it's daylight, the truth will come to light. What should we do then?" Those people said, "Let's gather our tools and do it together!" So they dug up Emperor Chen Wu's tomb at night. Opening the coffin, they found that Emperor Chen Wu's beard was intact, still attached to the bones. Wang Ban then burned Emperor Chen Wu's bones, mixed the ashes with water, and drank it. Then, he bound himself and confessed to Emperor Gaozu. The Prince of Jin reported this to Emperor Gaozu, who said, "I pacified the Chen Dynasty with justice; what Wang Ban did was an act of filial piety. How could I punish him?" So he let him go. The relevant authorities documented his military achievements and intended to confer upon him the title of Marquis, rewarding him with five thousand bolts of cloth, but he resolutely refused, saying, "I avenged the hatred relying on the power of the country; my starting point was personal, not for the country. I could not accept such an official position or rewards." Emperor Gaozu agreed to his request. Later, he served as the Inspector of Daizhou and performed well. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position. Later, he served as the Inspector of Qizhou, where he died in office at the age of fifty-two. His brother Wang Kui's exploits are chronicled in "Biographies of Literature."
Yang Qing, whose courtesy name was Boyue, was from Hejian, Hebei. His grandfather Yang Xuan and father Yang Gang were famous for their devotion to filial piety. Yang Qing was handsome and clever. At the age of sixteen, the Confucian scholar Xu Zunming saw him and thought he was exceptional. As he grew older, Yang Qing read many books. When he was twenty-five, the county wanted to appoint a filial and incorrupt official, but he stayed to care for his mother. His mother fell ill, and for seventy years, Yang Qing never loosened his belt. After his mother passed away, he was devastated, emaciated, and personally carried earth to mound her grave. The Emperor Wenxuan of Qi commended his family, awarding him thirty pieces of cloth, ten bales of cotton, and fifty stones of grain. Emperor Gaozu later rewarded and promoted him, appointing him as a Sima and transferring him to be the governor of Pingyang. He passed away at the age of eighty-five.
Guo Jun, also known as Hongyi, was from Wenshui, Taiyuan, Shanxi. His family lived harmoniously for seven generations, with dogs and pigs sharing the same milk, and crows and magpies nesting together. People at the time believed this was the result of filial piety. The local officials reported this to the imperial court, and the emperor sent Yüwen Bi of Pingchang to visit his family. When the imperial censor Liu Yu inspected Hebei, he also commended his family. When Han Wangliang was made the governor of Bingzhou, he heard about Guo Jun and praised him, rewarding him and his brothers with a set of clothes each.
Tian Yi, whose origins are unclear, was exceptionally filial, known for his devotion to his mother. When his stepmother was bedridden for over a year, Tian Yi personally changed her clothes, eating only when she did and fasting when she didn't. When his mother suffered from dysentery, Tian Yi thought she was poisoned and personally sampled the unpleasant food. After his mother's passing, Tian Yi was so overwhelmed with grief that he fainted, and his wife also died from excessive sorrow. The villagers held a grand joint funeral for them.
Niu Hui, whose courtesy name was Xiaozheng, was from Anyi in Hedong, Shanxi. He was extremely filial, and after his parents passed away during the reign of Emperor Wu Cheng of the Zhou dynasty, he lived next to their graves and personally shoveled soil back into the grave. A hemp plant grew in front of the grave, over ten feet tall, with branches lush and green throughout the year. Crows nested on top of it, and when Niu Hui cried loudly, the crows also mourned, which puzzled the locals. Emperor Wu Cheng commended his family and promoted him to be the magistrate of Gantang County. He passed away in the early years of the Kaihuang era.
Zi Shixiong was known for his integrity and filial piety towards his siblings from a young age. After his father passed away, he built a shed next to the grave and personally shoveled soil back into the grave. There was a locust tree in front of his house that used to be thriving, but it withered after Zi Shixiong began his mourning. When he completed his mourning period and returned home, the withered tree miraculously revived! When the founding emperor heard about this, he praised the father and son for their filial piety and named the place where they lived "Leide Li."
Liu Shijun was from Pengcheng. He was exceptionally filial, and after his mother passed away, he collapsed several times from overwhelming grief, only to wake up again. He went without food or water for an entire week, lived next to his mother's grave, personally shoveled soil back into the grave, and planted a row of pine and cypress trees. Even foxes and wolves appeared to be touched by his devotion and voluntarily brought him food. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he specially honored his family.
Lang Fanggui, from Huainan, was ambitious from a young age and lived with his cousin Shuanggui. During the Kaihuang period, Fanggui went out on business and encountered heavy rain. The Huai River swelled, so he hopped on a boat at the ferry to cross the river. However, the boatman lost his temper, beat Fanggui up, and broke his arm. When he returned home, Shuanggui anxiously asked him what happened, and Fanggui told him everything. Shuanggui got angry upon hearing this, went to the ferry, and killed the boatman. The guards at the ferry arrested Shuanggui and sent him to the county office. After interrogation, the county office deemed Fanggui the mastermind and sentenced him to death, while Shuanggui was an accomplice and was sentenced to exile. The brothers both insisted on taking the blame, claiming they should take the fall. At a standstill, the county office reported the case to the prefectural government. Unable to decide either, the brothers threatened to jump into the river to end their lives. The prefectural government reported the situation to the imperial court, and the emperor found the situation odd, pardoned them, honored their family name, and rewarded them with a hundred bolts of cloth. Eventually, Fanggui rose to become the chief registrar of the prefecture.
Zhai Pulin is a man from Chuqiu. He is kind and well-known for his filial piety towards his parents. He was repeatedly summoned to serve as an official in various counties, but he always declined, preferring to stay home to farm and care for his parents. Villagers referred to him as "Mr. Chuqiu." Later, when his parents fell ill, he personally cared for them, attending to them for seventy days without changing his clothes. In the early days of the Daye period, both of his parents passed away, leaving him heartbroken and nearly losing his sanity. He set up a shed beside his parents' graves, personally digging to create their tombs. Even in the bitter cold of winter, he wore no warm clothing, just a thin linen garment. His small black dog followed him to the gravesite, howling in sadness whenever Zhai Pulin cried. Onlookers were astonished by this. Two magpie nests perched on the cypress tree in front of his house, and the magpies frequently entered his shed without fear. During the Daye era, local officials conducted inspections, and they reported Zhai Pulin's filial piety to the emperor, who subsequently appointed him as the magistrate of Xiaoyang County.
Li Derao, from Bairen County, Zhao County, was the grandson of Li Che, who served as the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Works in the Wei Dynasty, and the son of Li Chun, who was the Long History of Jiezhou during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui. Li Derao was intelligent and studious from a young age, kind-hearted, and highly respected by his family. When he was young, he became a junior scholar and worked in the Ministry of Personnel, handling administrative tasks. He later rose to become an Imperial Censor, executing his duties with integrity and fearlessly correcting the mistakes of the powerful. In the third year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed as an Attendant in the Ministry of Justice, frequently inspecting various regions, rectifying injustices, and honoring those who were filial and kind-hearted. Although his official rank was not particularly high, his noble character was highly praised at the time, and those who associated with him were renowned scholars. He was especially filial to his parents—when they were ill, he went without food for days and did not change his clothes for ten days. After their passing, he went without water for five days, overcome with grief, and even vomited blood. On the day of their burial, during a heavy snowstorm in midwinter, he walked over forty miles barefoot in coarse mourning clothes, nearly fainting from grief. More than a thousand people attended the funeral, and not a single person left without tears in their eyes. Afterwards, sweet dew fell from the trees in his family's courtyard, and magpies nested under the eaves of his house.
When the official Yang Da inspected Hebei, he visited his home to offer condolences and renamed the village where he lived "Filial Piety Village" and the township "Heshun." Later, Li Derao was appointed as the magistrate of Jinhe County. Before he took office, he faced a group of bandits. The bandit leader Ge Qian, Sun Xuanya, and more than ten others gathered in the Bohai region. The imperial court ordered them to surrender, but Ge Qian and the others were too afraid to surrender. They learned that Li Derao was known for his integrity and reliability, so they sent a petition to the imperial court saying, "If Li Derao is sent, we will surrender together." The emperor then sent Li Derao to persuade these bandits to surrender in Bohai. When Li Derao arrived in Guan County, he encountered other bandits attacking the county. Tragically, Li Derao lost his life.
His brother Li Deliao was upright and trustworthy. During the late years of the Sui Dynasty, he served as a judicial officer in Lishi County, and Governor Yang Zichong held him in high regard. Later, a rebellion broke out, and Yang Zichong was killed, his body left abandoned outside the city. Li Deliao mourned deeply and arranged for the burial of Yang Zichong. When he arrived in Jiexiu, he aligned himself with the rebel forces and requested to handle the funeral arrangements for Yang Zichong. The general was greatly impressed by him and bestowed a posthumous rank upon Yang Zichong, entrusting Li Deliao with the task of organizing a grand funeral for Yang Zichong.
Hua Qiu, a native of Linhe County in Jijun, lost his father when he was young. He was known for being exceptionally filial to his mother. Due to their poverty, he had to support himself by doing odd jobs. When his mother fell ill, Hua Qiu's face paled with worry, and his hair and beard turned white overnight. Everyone in the county felt sorry for him. After his mother passed away, he stopped grooming himself entirely, and eventually lost all his hair. He built a small shed next to his mother's grave, personally piling soil onto the grave. Whenever someone tried to help him, he would kneel down to refuse. During the Daye era, large-scale fox hunting began in the county. A rabbit, pursued by hunters, darted into Hua Qiu's shed and hid under his knees. When the hunters reached the shed and saw this scene, they were surprised and let the rabbit go. From then on, the rabbit began to spend the nights in the shed and grew close to Hua Qiu. The villagers praised his filial devotion and reported the incident to the authorities. Emperor Yang of Sui sent people to visit him, and his family received recognition. Later, as bandits began to roam the area, they warned each other, "Don't mess with this devoted son!" Thanks to Hua Qiu, many villagers' lives were spared.
Xu Xiaosu, also hailing from Ji County, came from a family of thousands of households, most of whom indulged in luxury and extravagance. However, Xiaosu was frugal and known for being filial to his parents. Despite his young age, whenever there was a dispute in the family, they sought his judgment, and those criticized by him would readily admit their mistakes and back down. Xiaosu lost his father when he was very young and had never seen his face. When he grew up, he asked his mother about his father's appearance, then had a painter draw his father's portrait, constructed a small shrine in his honor, and paid his respects regularly. He served his mother with great filial piety, and for decades, his family had never seen him lose his temper. When his mother became old and sick, Xiaosu personally cared for her, worried deeply for several years, and those who saw it couldn't help but feel sad. After his mother passed away, Xiaosu lived on a vegetarian diet, only wearing a single garment even in the dead of winter, growing as thin as a rake. He personally buried his grandparents and parents, living next to their graves for over forty years, with unkempt hair and barefoot, eventually passing away there.
His younger brother Xu Debei was intelligent and knowledgeable, well-versed in the Five Classics, and was celebrated as a Confucian scholar in the Hebei region. After Debei passed away, his son Xu Chumo also resided in a makeshift shelter beside the graves, and their family had been renowned for generations for their filial piety.
Historical records say: historically, the promotion of respect and love for elders often depended on nobles and ministers. However, in recent years, the emphasis on filial piety, brotherhood, and friendship has largely come from ordinary people. Individuals like Yanshi and Daoze, some of whom come from families of officials spanning generations, have ended up with tarnished reputations, which is truly unfortunate! Although their actions contradict the rules of the ancient kings, they still reflect their benevolence and righteousness.
The two brothers, Lang Gui, risked their lives to save their younger brother, successfully bringing him to safety; Tian Yi and his wife sacrificed themselves for the country, thus securing their names in history. De Rao influenced the mountain bandits with his sense of righteousness, and De Zhai's virtuous deeds touched the heart of the Xing King; these are all worthy examples. Niu Hui, Liu Jun, as well as Zhai Lin and Hua Qiu, some of their homes are overgrown with lush vegetation, and wild animals and birds are drawn to their graves. Doesn't this demonstrate their profound filial piety and brotherly love, moving both heaven and earth?
Xue Jun, courtesy name Daoze, was the cousin of Nei Yang Gong, the Minister of Justice. His father, Xue Yan, was the Governor of Weinan during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Xue Jun lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. He was renowned for his filial piety. From a young age, he loved learning and had great aspirations and integrity. He later went to Chang'an to study under a mentor. At that time, after the pacification of Jiangling, He Tuo returned to the country and recognized Xue Jun's exceptional talent, teaching him some classics and histories. During the Tianhe era of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Xue Jun inherited the title of Marquis of Yucheng and later served as a Senior Court Official and the Magistrate of Xinfeng County.
During the Kaihuang era of the Sui dynasty, Xue Jun was promoted to the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel and shortly after transferred to the Deputy Director of Examination. The Emperor heard of Xue Jun's exceptional filial piety towards his mother and, because his mother was elderly, rewarded him with carriages, clothes, walking sticks, and precious seasonal foods, which everyone regarded as a great honor. Later, when Xue Jun's mother fell ill, he appeared extremely sorrowful and haggard, with even those who knew him well barely recognizing him. After his mother's passing, the Emperor dispatched officials from the Ministry of Rites to manage the funeral arrangements and allowed him to bury her in their ancestral home in Xiayang. It was the depth of winter, bitterly cold, and Xue Jun, dressed in coarse mourning clothes and barefoot, braved the snow and wind to undertake the over 500-mile trek from the capital to his hometown. His feet froze and bled, and people everywhere sympathized with him. The local people sent many condolences, but he turned down every single one.
Soon, Xue Jun was reappointed and ordered to return to work, but he repeatedly begged the emperor to let him complete the funeral rites. The emperor's decree did not permit it. When he returned to the capital, the emperor saw how thin and haggard he looked, and his expression shifted. He turned to his ministers and said, "Seeing Xue Jun in such sorrow, I cannot help but feel sorrowful as well." The emperor sighed for a long time. Xue Jun eventually fell ill due to excessive grief and was close to death. His brother Xue Mo was serving as a military officer in the Prince Jin's mansion in Yangzhou at the time, and Xue Jun left him a letter:
I grew up in poverty; life was very difficult, wandering around, often unable to eat. I became an orphan at a young age, never read much, and relied on my father's teachings and my mother's good upbringing to persevere. Carrying a schoolbag and dry food, I was unafraid of difficulties, went to apprentice to learn, and had a strong desire to learn, persevering until I grew up.
From farming to being an official, it has now been twenty-three years. Although my official position is not high, the income is enough to support my family and allow my parents to enjoy their old age and fulfill my filial duties. I never expected that despite my devotion, the heavens did not protect us, and we faced a series of misfortunes, with my brothers being dismissed, our family in a state of despair, and no one daring to comfort us. I was utterly heartbroken and in excruciating pain. Later, disasters struck one after another; I endured torment and barely managed to survive, returning to my hometown.
If there is awareness after death, I will be able to meet my ancestors underground; how wonderful that would be! But thinking of you alone in a distant place as an official, I feel a deep sadness and regret, not knowing what to say. I just received your letter, hoping to see you one last time. Enduring pain and waiting for you, it has now been ten days. You haven't come yet; it seems we are on the brink of being separated by life and death, forever apart—how can my heart not be broken! I encourage you, I truly do!
It is said that Xue Jun died after finishing his book; he was forty-two years old that year. The relevant authorities reported this to Emperor Gaozu, and after hearing it, Emperor Gaozu wept and sent someone to offer condolences and a memorial. The memorial read: "The Emperor addresses the late Xue Jun, former Minister of Merit: Alas! You were upright and gentle, meticulous and serious in your work, completely meeting the expectations of the ancestors. Your diligence and integrity were very remarkable. Unfortunately, you suffered misfortune and passed away unexpectedly. Your loyalty and filial piety moved my heart; I will offer you double the sacrifices according to court rituals. Therefore, I am sending someone to officially convey my decree. If your spirit knows, then may you enjoy this honor! Alas, how tragic!" Xue Jun was upright and thrifty, and when he died, his family was left in poverty.
When Xue Jun was a child, he played by a stream with other kids from his family. He saw a yellow snake with horns and legs and called everyone to look, but no one else saw it. Xue Jun felt it was a bad omen, leaving him troubled and anxious when he got home. His mother asked him what was wrong, and Xue Jun told her the truth. At that time, a Buddhist monk came to their house to beg for alms, and Xue Jun's mother, afraid, shared this with the monk. The monk said, "This is a good sign for the boy! This child will have a high official position in the future, but a lifespan of only sixty or seventy years." After saying this, the monk vanished without a trace, leaving everyone puzzled. As a result, Xue Jun passed away at the age of forty-two, and the monk's prophecy of "sixty or seventy years" turned out to be true. Xue Jun's son, named Qianfu, held a minor position in Wuan County.
Wang Ban, style name Jingyan, was from Qi County in Taiyuan. His grandfather, Wang Shennian, was General of the Left Guard of the Liang Dynasty; his father, Wang Senbian, served as Grand Commandant. Wang Ban was handsome and talented from a young age, skilled in both literature and martial arts. When his father quelled the rebellion of Hou Jing, he was taken hostage in Jingzhou. Later, when the Zhou army defeated Emperor Yuan, Wang Ban followed them into Guanzhong. Hearing that his father was killed by Emperor Wu of Chen, he fainted from grief, waking up later, still in tears and visibly weakened. After his mourning period, he wore rough clothing, ate vegetarian food, and slept on the ground. Emperor Ming of Zhou admired him and appointed him as a Left Attendant, later promoting him to Governor of Hanzhong and later to Yitong Sanqi. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was granted the title of Kaifu for his achievements in pacifying the nomads and was appointed Duke of Sheqiu County. He presented a strategy to attack the Chen Dynasty, which piqued the Emperor's interest, who summoned him for a detailed discussion. After Wang Ban finished speaking, the Emperor was moved to tears, visibly shaken. Later, when launching a campaign against the Chen Dynasty, Wang Ban volunteered to lead a few hundred men to cross the Yangtze River with the vanguard led by Han Qinhut. He was injured in battle and, fearing he could no longer fight, cried in sorrow and anger. He fell asleep that night and dreamt that someone gave him medicine. When he woke up, the pain was gone, and people at the time said it was due to his filial piety moving the heavens. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Wang Ban secretly gathered his father's former subordinates, totaling over a thousand men, and wept in front of them. At that moment, a strong man asked him, "Sir, you have conquered the Chen Kingdom and destroyed their nation, vengeance has been taken, why are you still so sorrowful? Is it because your father died too early and you were unable to kill Emperor Wu of Chen with your own hands? Why don't we dig up his grave, burn his coffin and bones, to show your filial piety?" Wang Ban bowed in thanks, his forehead bleeding from the knocks, and replied, "Emperor Wu of Chen was an emperor, his tomb is grand, and we may not be able to dig it up in one night. If it's exposed by dawn, what should we do?" The people said, "We have prepared tools and can dig it up in one night." So, they dug up the tomb of Emperor Wu of Chen that night, opened the coffin, and found that not a single hair of his beard had fallen, each strand still rooted in the bones. Wang Ban then burned Emperor Wu of Chen's bones, collected the ashes, mixed the ashes with water, and drank them. He then tied himself up and went to apologize to the Jin Prince. The Prince reported this to the Emperor, who responded, "I quelled the Chen Dynasty justly; Wang Ban's actions are also an expression of filial piety, how can I punish him?" And so, the matter was dropped. His military accomplishments were officially recorded, preparing to bestow upon him the title of Zhuguo and reward him with five thousand rolls of cloth, but he firmly declined, saying, "My ability to avenge is due to the strength of the country; my motives were personal, not for the country, so I cannot accept these titles and rewards." The Emperor agreed to his request. He was later appointed Inspector of Daizhou, where he excelled. After his mother passed away, he resigned from office. Later, he became Inspector of Qizhou, where he died at fifty-two. His younger brother, Wang Hui, is recorded in the "Biographies of Literature."
Yang Qing, whose courtesy name was Boyue, hailed from Hejian, Hebei. Both his grandfather and father were famous for their filial piety. Yang Qing was handsome and intelligent. At the age of sixteen, Xu Zunming, a scholar from the state of Qi, saw him and felt that he was exceptional. As he grew up, he read many books. When he was twenty-five, the county recommended him for his filial piety and integrity, but he did not take up the position because he was serving his mother. His mother fell ill, and for seventy years he did not loosen his belt. After his mother's death, he was so grief-stricken that he became as thin as a rake and dug her grave himself. Emperor Wenxuan of Qi commended his family and rewarded him with thirty bolts of cloth, ten bundles of cotton, and fifty stones of grain. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he rewarded him multiple times, promoted him to the position of Yitong Sanqi, and transferred him to serve as the prefect of Pingyang. He passed away at the age of eighty-five.
Guo Jun, also known as Hongyi, hailed from Wenshui in Taiyuan, Shanxi. His family was harmonious and united, with seven generations living under one roof. Dogs and pigs suckled together, crows and magpies nested together, and people at the time believed this was seen as a blessing brought on by their filial piety. The local authorities reported this to the court, and the emperor sent Prince Pingchang, Yuwen Bi, to visit his family. When the imperial censor Liu Yu inspected Hebei, he also commended his family. When Han Wang Liang took office as the governor of Bingzhou, he heard about this and greatly appreciated it, rewarding him and his brothers with a set of clothes each.
Tian Yi's place of origin is unknown. He was particularly filial, and his reputation spread far and wide due to his devotion to his stepmother. His stepmother was bedridden for over a year, and Tian Yi personally changed her clothes, ate when she ate, and did not eat when she did not. When his stepmother contracted severe dysentery, Tian Yi thought it was food poisoning and sampled the food himself. After his stepmother's passing, he was so grief-stricken that he died on the spot. His wife also succumbed to her grief, and the villagers arranged for them to be buried together with great honor.
Niu Hui, whose courtesy name was Xiaozheng, hailed from Anyi in Hedong, Shanxi. He was extremely filial. When his parents passed away during the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he erected a grass shed beside their graves to keep vigil, and personally carried soil to build their tombs. A mulberry tree grew in front of the shed, reaching a height of ten feet, with a thick trunk and lush leaves that stayed green throughout both winter and summer. A crow nested on top of it, and whenever Niu Hui cried, the crow would also cry mournfully, which bewildered onlookers. Emperor Wu of Zhou commended his family and appointed him as the magistrate of Gantang County. He passed away in the early years of the Kaihuang era.
Zi Shixiong was known for his honesty and profound filial devotion from a young age. After his father passed away, he constructed a modest shelter beside his father's grave and personally carried soil to build the tomb. There was a locust tree in his family's courtyard that used to be very lush, but after Zi Shixiong started mourning, the tree unexpectedly withered. When the mourning period was over and Zi Shixiong returned home, the once withered tree astonishingly revived! When Emperor Gaozu heard about this, he praised the filial piety of the father and son, issued a decree in their honor, and even named the place where they lived "Leideri."
Liu Shijun was from Pengcheng and was known for his profound filial devotion. After his mother passed away, his grief was so overwhelming that he fainted multiple times before regaining consciousness. He went without water for seven days and nights, stayed by his mother's grave, personally carried soil to build the tomb, and planted pine and cypress trees around the grave. Even foxes and wolves appeared to be touched by his filial piety and voluntarily brought him food. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he specifically honored his family.
Lang Fanggui hailed from Huainan. He had grand ambitions from a young age and lived with his cousin Shuanggui. During the Kaihuang era, Fanggui set out on an errand and encountered heavy rain. The Huai River swelled dangerously. While waiting for a boat at the ferry, the boatman lost his temper with him and even struck Fanggui, breaking his arm. When he returned home, Shuanggui anxiously inquired about what happened, and Fanggui told him in detail what had occurred. Shuanggui was very angry and went to the ferry and killed the boatman. The ferry guards apprehended Shuanggui and brought him to the county court. After questioning, the county official believed that Fanggui was the instigator and sentenced him to death, while Shuanggui was an accomplice and was sentenced to exile. The two brothers argued over who should bear the main responsibility, and the county court was unable to reach a verdict, so the case was sent to the prefectural government. The two brothers kept shifting blame back and forth, and the prefectural government could not make a decision either. They even contemplated jumping into the river to end their lives! The prefectural government escalated the matter to the court, and the emperor was deeply touched upon hearing of it. He pardoned them for their offenses, honored their family name, and bestowed upon them a hundred bolts of cloth. Eventually, Lang Fanggui rose to become the chief scribe of the prefecture.
Zhai Pulin was from Chuqiu, known for his kindness and filial piety. He refused numerous calls to serve as an official in various counties and states, preferring instead to farm and care for his parents. His neighbors referred to him as "Mr. Chuqiu." When his parents fell ill, he devotedly served them for seventy days. During the early days of the Daye era, both of his parents passed away, leaving Zhai Pulin heartbroken and nearly losing his mind. He set up a simple shelter by their graves, digging their graves himself, and even in the frigid winter, he wore nothing but a thin linen garment. His family had a black dog that stayed by his side at the gravesite, whimpering in sorrow whenever Zhai Pulin wept. Witnesses were astonished by this scene. Two magpies also built nests in the cypress tree in front of his house, frequently entering his home without hesitation. During the Daye era, when officials conducted their inspections of the county, they reported Zhai Pulin's filial piety to the court, which resulted in his appointment as the magistrate of Xiaoyang County.
Li Derao, from Bairen County in Zhao County, was the grandson of Li Che, the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel during the Wei Dynasty, and the son of Li Chun, who served as the Prefect of Jiezhou during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Li Derao was intelligent and studious from a young age, with a kind heart, and was highly respected by his family. In his youth, he became an Academician and worked in the Ministry of Justice, handling documents. He later advanced to the position of Censor in charge of provincial affairs, enforcing the law impartially and even bravely correcting the errors of high-ranking officials and their families. In the third year of Daye of Emperor Yang of Sui, he was promoted and frequently toured various places to rectify injustices and commend those who showed filial piety and brotherly love. Though his official rank was relatively modest, his virtuous character garnered the respect of his contemporaries, and he associated with many esteemed scholars. He was especially filial to his parents, often fasting for a day and going without changing his clothes for ten days when they were ill. After their passing, he refrained from drinking water for five days, succumbing to sorrow that caused him to vomit blood. On the day of their burial, during a heavy snowfall in midwinter, he walked barefoot in mourning for more than forty miles, nearly fainting from crying. More than a thousand people attended the funeral, and not a single person left without tears. Later, miraculous dew fell from the trees in his courtyard, and magpies built nests on the roof of his house. During Minister Yang Da's visit to Hebei, he made a special trip to Li Derao's home to pay his respects and renamed Li Derao's village "Filial Piety Village" and the neighborhood "Harmony Lane."
Later, Li Derao was appointed as the county magistrate of Jinhe. Before taking office, he encountered a group of bandits. The bandit chief Ge Qian, Sun Xuanya, and more than ten others gathered in the Bohai region causing trouble. The court ordered them to surrender, but Ge Qian and his gang were too scared to surrender. Upon hearing that Li Derao was trustworthy, they sent a messenger to the court, saying, "If Li Derao is sent, we will surrender together." The emperor then sent Li Derao to persuade those bandits in Bohai to surrender. When Li Derao arrived in Guan County, he unexpectedly ran into other bandits attacking the county town, and unfortunately, Li Derao was tragically killed.
His younger brother, Li Dezhuo, was known for his integrity and honesty. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, he served as a judicial officer in Lishi County, and Governor Yang Zichong held him in high regard. After the uprising of the rebel army, Yang Zichong was killed, and his body was abandoned outside the city. Li Dezhuo grieved deeply and buried Yang Zichong. When he arrived in Jiexiu, he joined the rebel army and asked to take care of Yang Zichong's funeral. The general was very impressed by him, so he posthumously promoted Yang Zichong and appointed Li Dezhuo as an envoy to oversee Yang Zichong's funeral in Lishi.
Hua Qiu is from Linhe County in Jijun. He lost his father when he was young and was especially filial to his mother, becoming well-known far and wide. His family was very poor, and he supported himself by doing odd jobs. When his mother fell ill, Hua Qiu became haggard and disheveled, with unkempt hair and beard, making everyone in the county feel pity for him. After his mother passed away, he stopped grooming himself altogether and eventually lost all his hair. He erected a small shed by his mother's grave and gradually piled up the earth for her tomb himself. Whenever people tried to help him, he would kneel down to refuse. During the Daye era, the government organized a large-scale hunting campaign aimed at fox fur. A rabbit, chased by hunters, darted into Hua Qiu's shed and hid beneath his knees. When the hunters arrived at the shed and witnessed this, they were deeply moved and decided to let the rabbit go. From then on, the rabbit often lingered around the shed and grew very close to Hua Qiu. The local authorities admired Hua Qiu's devotion to his mother and reported it to the court. Emperor Yang of Sui even sent envoys to visit him and erected a memorial archway at his doorstep. Later, many bandits began to roam the area, often operating near Hua Qiu's home. They would warn each other, "Don't mess with this devoted son!" Thanks to Hua Qiu, many villagers were able to save their lives.
Xu Xiaosu was also from Ji County. His family was part of a large clan with thousands of households, most of whom lived a life of luxury; only Xu Xiaosu was frugal, filial to his parents, and earned a great reputation. He lost his father at a young age and didn't know what his father looked like. When he grew up, he asked his mother what his father looked like, then had a painter draw a portrait of his father, erected a small shrine in his honor, and paid his respects regularly. He was deeply devoted to his mother; for decades, his family never witnessed him lose his temper. When his mother grew old and fell ill, Xu Xiaosu personally took care of her, meticulously cared for her, worked tirelessly for several years, consumed by worry, and anyone who saw him couldn't help but feel sorrowful. After his mother passed away, Xu Xiaosu subsisted on a diet of only vegetarian food and water, wore nothing but a single layer of clothing in winter, and became emaciated. He built tombs for his grandparents and parents, and lived near the tombs for over forty years, with unkempt hair, walking barefoot, ultimately passing away there.
His younger brother, Xu Debei, was bright and well-versed in the Five Classics, and was renowned as a Confucian scholar in the Hebei region. After Xu Debei passed away, his son, Xu Chumo, also took up residence near the tomb; their family had been known for their filial piety for generations, which is truly admirable!
Historical texts state: In the past, the promotion of respect for elders often depended on royal ministers; but in recent years, the emphasis on filial piety and camaraderie has mostly emerged from ordinary families. Individuals like Yan Shi and Dao Ze, some hailing from families of high officials and nobility for generations, and some, despite swearing to serve the country, ended up with their reputations in tatters; some even died without a proper burial. Although their actions contravened the ancestral principles, this is sufficient to demonstrate their benevolence and righteousness.
The two Lang brothers almost lost their lives to save their younger brother, but ultimately managed to save him; Tian Yifei and his wife both gave their lives for their country and are thus remembered in history. De Rao won over a group of bandits with his kindness, while De Zhuo touched the heart of the Xing King with his loyalty. These acts are truly commendable! Niu Hui, Liu Jun, Zhai Lin, and Hua Qiu: some have lush greenery in their courtyards, while others have wild animals around their graves that have become tame. Isn't it because of their utmost filial piety that they have moved the heavens and the earth?
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