Real Histories
Yuan Shi, also known by his courtesy name Jianyan, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, Wenzong, was well-known in Northern Qi and passed away while serving as the Inspector of Juzhou in the early years of the Kaihuang era. Yuan Shi earned great respect at a young age. He initially served as a military official in the Office of the Grand Minister, later promoted to the position of Left Military Officer of the Ministry of Personnel, and also took on a role in the Department of Ancestral Worship. One year in midsummer, there were reports of a dragon sighting, leading to a rainmaking ceremony. At that time, Gao Ana Gong served as the Prime Minister and was thrilled to hear about the sighting of a real dragon, asking where the dragon was. Yuan Shi straightened his clothes and replied, "This is merely the appearance of a dragon star. According to ritual, the rainmaking ceremony should be held at the suburban altar; that doesn’t mean a real dragon has actually appeared." Upon hearing this, Gao Ana Gong's expression shifted instantly and he snapped, "How do you know it’s a star?" Consequently, the rainmaking ceremony was canceled. Afterward, Yuan Shi sighed and said, "The important matters of the country revolve around sacrifices and military affairs. If rituals are neglected, how can it endure? The fall of Northern Qi isn’t far off!"
Seven years later, Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Northern Qi, and Yuan Shi was appointed as a Senior Official of the Ministry of Revenue. After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, ascended the throne, he later appointed Yuan Shi to the imperial court as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, also taking on responsibilities in the Ministry of Personnel. Many of the court's regulations and national laws were formulated with his participation. In the seventeenth year, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of Personnel for the Left and Right, gaining a reputation for his efficiency. At that time, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu was notorious for flouting the law, so Emperor Wen of Sui sent Yuan Shi to Yizhou as the Chief Commandant to supervise him. Not long after, Yang Xiu was summoned back to the court, but he feared that there might be unrest in the capital and feigned illness to avoid the trip. Yuan Shi repeatedly advised him not to disobey the imperial decree, but Yang Xiu angrily retorted, "This is a matter within my family; what concern is it of yours?" Yuan Shi replied, tears in his eyes, "I am deeply grateful for the state's kindness, serving as a servant of the state. How could I not give my all? However, in recent years, the state has faced many challenges, with Prince Xiao of Qin falling seriously ill and passing away suddenly, and one after another, the commoner-born princes have been deposed. His Majesty must be feeling great sorrow! His Majesty has long since decreed the recall of Prince Yang Xiu, yet he procrastinates. The people are unaware of Prince Yang Xiu's intentions. If any dissent arises, both internally and externally will be left in confusion. If His Majesty becomes angry and issues a decree, sending an envoy, how will Prince Yang Xiu explain himself? I hope Your Highness will think this over carefully!" Only then did Yang Xiu agree to return to the capital.
After Yang Xiu was deposed, many officials in Yizhou were implicated, but Yuan Shi was spared from punishment. Later, he was appointed as Yitong San Si. When Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the Deputy Minister of Dali. Once, Emperor Yang Guang ordered the guards outside the Palace of Xianren not to leave their posts at will. One general secretly let the guards go out, and Emperor Yang Guang entrusted the matter to the Dali Temple. Yuan Shi sentenced him to exile in accordance with the law, but Emperor Yang Guang wished to execute him. Yuan Shi said, "This person deserves to die a thousand times. If Your Majesty had killed him from the beginning, there would be no need for the hassle of drafting paperwork. Since it has been handed over to the Dali Temple, it should be handled according to the usual legal procedures. How should such offenders be punished in the future?" Emperor Yang Guang then relented. Yuan Shi was later promoted to the role of Deputy Minister of Justice. Yuan Shi was decisive in handling matters during his tenure, eloquent in speech, but did not have a reputation for integrity and fairness. Shortly afterwards, he passed away, leaving behind a son named Kunyu.
Lang Mao, styled Weizhi, was from Xinshi, Hengshan in Hebei Province. His father, Ji, had served as the Prefect of Yinchuan during the Northern Qi dynasty. Lang Mao was intelligent from a young age, able to recite both the "Chuci" and the "Shijing" at the age of seven, memorizing over a thousand characters daily. At the age of fifteen, he studied under Quan Hui in Hejian, a National Scholar. Lang Mao studied the "Shijing," "Yijing," "Sanli," astronomy, law, and other subjects with him. He also studied the "Zuo Zhuan," "Gongyang Zhuan," "Guliang Zhuan," and other classics with Zhang Shuili, an assistant of the National Academy, studying so diligently that he often neglected sleep and meals. His family worried that he would tire himself out, often helping him with the lighting.
After Lang Mao grew up, he became a famous scholar and wrote well-written articles. When he was nineteen years old, his father passed away, and he observed the mourning period with utmost dedication, even stricter than the prescribed etiquette. Later, he served as an official in Northern Qi, starting as a military officer in the Office of the Grand Minister. Coincidentally, the state of Chen sent an envoy named Fu Zai to visit Northern Qi, and Lang Mao was assigned to receive him. Afterwards, Lang Mao was ordered to proofread and compile historical texts in the Secretariat. He was later promoted to be the magistrate of Baocheng County, achieving remarkable results, and the local people even composed a "Praise of Virtue" in his honor.
After Northern Qi was conquered by Northern Zhou, King Yi recommended Lang Mao to Emperor Wu of Zhou, who appointed him as the head of household affairs in Chenzhou. Later, Yang Jian (later Emperor Wen of Sui) became the governor of Bozhou and held Lang Mao in high regard, appointing him as the secretary of the governor's office. At that time, Emperor Wu of Zhou was compiling the "Book of Rites." During a casual chat with Lang Mao, Yang Jian said, "The actions of the emperor will affect the heavens and the earth, move ghosts and gods. There are many strict laws in the 'Book of Rites,' how can we govern the country well?" Lang Mao secretly sighed in his heart, "That's not something just anyone would say!" From then on, Lang Mao secretly befriended Yang Jian, who also respected him greatly.
Later, Lang Mao returned to his hometown and became the chief clerk of the prefecture. After Yang Jian became the prime minister, he wrote a letter summoning Lang Mao to his side, and they reminisced about old times and enjoyed a pleasant chat. Yang Jian appointed Lang Mao as the recorder of Weizhou, where he distinguished himself in governance. Shortly after, he was promoted to be the magistrate of Weiguo County. At that time, there were more than two hundred prisoners held in Weiguo County, and Lang Mao personally examined the cases over several days, releasing over a hundred of them. Over the years, no official complaints had been filed from Weiguo County to the prefectural government. The Inspector of Weizhou, Yuan Hui, said to Lang Mao, "County officials say the people of Weiguo are too afraid to appeal because of you!" Lang Mao replied, "The people are like water, and laws and regulations are like embankments. If the embankments are not strong, the water will break through. As long as the embankments hold, what’s there to worry about?" Yuan Hui was convinced by Lang Mao's words and had nothing to say.
Once, in Weiguo County, there was a man named Zhang Yuanyu who had a bad relationship with his cousin Si Lan. The county magistrate wanted to impose strict legal penalties on them. Lang Mao said, "Zhang Yuanyu and his cousin already dislike each other; now, because they have committed a crime, their conflict will intensify. This is not a good way to educate the people." So Lang Mao sent some respected elders to persuade them, and the elders came one after another. In the end, Zhang Yuanyu and his cousin both repented and confessed their wrongdoing at the county yamen. Lang Mao reasoned with them, and ultimately, the cousins reconciled and became friends, becoming a popular story among the people.
Mao started out as a Changshi in Yanzhou, later promoted to Taichang Cheng, and then to Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Right Vice Minister of Personnel, Su Wei, issued an annual directive to investigate irregularities involving fifth-rank officials among the civilian population. Some people replied, "There are no families of fifth-rank officials in the areas we oversee." Such perfunctory responses were common. Su Wei also established a surplus ledger, intending to register whether there were any surplus grains in various places for coordination. Mao considered this too cumbersome and ineffective, so he petitioned the emperor to cancel these matters. A few years later, his mother passed away, and he resigned from his position to return home for his mother's funeral. Not long after, the court summoned him back to duty. He then reported that the sons of those who sacrificed for the country should not lose their land, and the land of elderly officials should not be reduced. All these suggestions were proposed by Mao. Mao was intelligent and quick-witted, handling government affairs decisively, and at that time, everyone praised his abilities.
During the Renshou period, his original official position was the magistrate of Daxing County. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to the Commander of Yongzhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Junior Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Two years later, he was appointed as the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of selecting officials. Wang Mao was renowned for his expertise in legal texts, which was well-known at the time. At that time, the Minister of Works Yu Wenkai and the General of the Right Guard Yu Zhongwen had a conflict over the silver mines in Hedong. Wang Mao accused them in a memorial, saying, "I have heard that there are different rites for the noble and the common people, different professions for scholars and farmers, so that people know their status and position, and families know what is honorable. Yu Wenkai holds a high position with a generous salary; he should have lived a quiet life, but instead he insists on fighting for interests without any shame. Yu Zhongwen is a general, a close confidant of the emperor, who hears the teachings of the emperor every day, yet he does not learn from the incorruptible styles of Yu Shun and Rui Bo, but instead quibbles over trivial gains. How can they set an example for their subordinates and set an example for the people! If not corrected, it will damage the country's laws and education." As a result, Yu Wenkai and Yu Zhongwen were both punished. Wang Mao also compiled a hundred volumes of "Maps and Records of Prefectures and Counties" and presented it to the court, for which the emperor rewarded him with three hundred bolts of silk and stored the manuscript in the imperial treasury.
At that time, the emperor often went on tours, and the country's laws and order were in disarray, with most laws and regulations rendered ineffective. Wang Mao was an old minister from the previous dynasty, very knowledgeable about worldly affairs, but he knew how to protect himself and lacked the courage to speak up. Seeing the emperor being suspicious and ruthless, he didn't dare to speak and could only sigh in silence. Because he was old, he submitted a request for retirement, but the emperor did not grant it.
Just in time for the emperor to personally go to Liaodong to fight, Wang Mao was left to guard Jinyang Palace. That year, Wang Wentong, the Prefect of Mount Heng, had a conflict with Wang Mao, so he reported to the emperor that Wang Mao was forming factions and engaging in private activities, deceiving his subordinates and misleading his superiors. The emperor ordered Minister Su Wei and Grand Master Pei Yun to jointly investigate him. Wang Mao already had a bad relationship with these two, and they deliberately distorted the facts and fabricated charges. The emperor was furious and demoted Wang Mao and his brother Wang Chudu to commoners, exiling them to Qiemo County. Wang Mao accepted the order calmly, showing no signs of worry.
On the way, he wrote a poem titled "Climbing the Hill" to comfort himself, and it was excellently composed. He also wrote a memorial to defend himself, and the emperor began to understand. Ten years later, the emperor summoned him back to the capital. More than a year later, Wang Mao passed away at the age of seventy-five. He was survived by a son, Wang Zhinian.
Gao Gou, courtesy name Xiaoji, was from Beihai, Shandong. He was quite humorous, sharp-minded, and exceptionally eloquent; no one could out-argue him. He loved reading and was skilled in handling political affairs. By the age of twenty, he had been appointed Chief Clerk of the prefecture. Later, he served as a military officer under the King of Henan in the Qi Kingdom, and then as Sima of Xuzhou, Prefect of Lanling County, and Prefect of Pingyuan County. After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him as Sima of Xuzhou. After Emperor Yang Jian ascended to the throne, Gao Gou was promoted to Sima of Jizhou, where he performed exceptionally well and gained a strong reputation.
Next, the court summoned him to serve as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Personnel, and shortly after he was transferred to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Jin Pingdong, was in a dispute over inheritance rights with his nephew Jin Changmao. The Ministry of Personnel was at an impasse, and after three discussions by court officials, no conclusion was reached. Gao Gou quickly assessed the situation and provided sound reasoning. The Emperor admired his talent and summoned him to the palace, praising him by saying, "I have heard that a Shangshu Lang's talents should shine like the stars. Now that I see your talent and knowledge, I realize that the words of the ancients are indeed reliable! The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring is a very important aspect of etiquette. I have read your judgments several times; the wording is precise, and the reasoning is clear, which I find difficult to achieve." The Emperor also rewarded him with one hundred dan of rice. From then on, Gao Gou became famous.
Later, he was promoted to the position of Sima of Yongzhou, renowned for his decisiveness. Over a year later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel, and everyone said he was competent. He was then transferred back to Yongzhou as Sima, but due to a slight infraction, he was demoted to the position of County Magistrate of Zhufei. However, he had a remarkable approach to governance, which the Emperor recognized and valued, reappointing him as Sima of Yongzhou. He later served as Minister of Personnel again, but was eventually dismissed for official reasons. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was summoned back to his position. At that time, many officials in the Ministry of Personnel were dismissed for incompetence, but Gao Gou maintained the highest reputation. All those who were responsible for selecting officials were his subordinates.
People often say that Gao Gou enjoys telling jokes and consider him somewhat frivolous, but in reality, he is quite principled, especially valued by the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong. Later, he resigned from his position due to old age and physical weakness. At that time, Niu Hong was responsible for selecting officials, and whenever he wanted to promote someone, he would always send someone to Gao Gou's house to ask for his opinion. Xue Daoheng from Hedong was regarded as the most talented individual of his time, and he always made it a point to show his drafts to Gao Gou before presenting them to others. Whenever Gao Gou offered any critiques or suggestions, Xue Daoheng accepted them with humility. In the seventh year of the Daye era, Gao Gou passed away at the age of seventy-two. The individuals he recommended, including Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, later became significant officials in the court, and people all say that Gao Gou had a keen eye for talent.
During the Kaihuang era, Dou Lushi from Changli held the position of Minister of the Yellow Gate, and everyone said that he was careful and meticulous in his work. Pei Shu from Hedong became the Right Chancellor and frequently rectified errors. Shi Xie from Hedong, Dongfang Ju from Pingyuan, and Huangfu Yudao from Anding County all worked in the Ministry of Justice, and they adjudicated cases with fairness and justice. Liu Shilong from Hongnong, Fang Shanji from Qinghe worked in the Department of Examination, and Pei Jingmin from Hedong worked in the Ministry of War; they were all recognized for their high efficiency and exceptional abilities. Wei Kun from Jingzhao served as the Minister of Civil Affairs, and he frequently spoke candidly and provided counsel. Han Ze from Nanyang served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou and implemented many policies to benefit the people. Although some of these officials' accomplishments are not fully documented in historical records, they all possessed strong capabilities, and at that time, they were highly regarded by everyone.
These officials are all capable and diligent, making contributions to the country in their respective positions. Dou Lu's caution and meticulousness, Pei Shu's remarkable ability to correct mistakes, Shi Xie, Dongfang Ju, and Huangfu Yudao exemplifying fairness and integrity, Liu Shilong, Fang Shanji, and Pei Jingmin known for their high efficiency, Wei Kun known for his forthrightness, and Han Ze recognized for his policies that benefit the people all reflect their responsibilities and commitments as officials. While their names may fade over time, their legacy is one we should always remember. Although their deeds may have some gaps in historical records, their contributions still shine brightly.
Zhang Qianwei, courtesy name Yuanjing, was from Wu Cheng in Qinghe, Dong. His father, Zhang Yanzhi, once served as the Governor of North Xuzhou. From a young age, Zhang Qianwei was known for his intelligence and wide-ranging knowledge. His grandfather, Zhang Songzhi, once said to someone, "Qianwei is the outstanding talent in our family!" At just twelve years old, he was appointed as the chief clerk in the province. At eighteen, he became a military officer in the Taiwei's office and later rose to the position of Tai Chang Cheng. After the fall of Northern Qi, he served as an official in Northern Zhou. When Sui Emperor Yang Jian ascended the throne, he was recruited to the imperial court as a signing official.
During the Kaihuang era, Prince Jin Yang Guang was sent to guard Bianzhou and recruited many advisers. Zhang Qianwei was appointed as a military officer in the judicial system and subsequently received several promotions. Prince Jin greatly admired and valued his talent, similar to Zhang Heng from Henan, and both were highly regarded. In Prince Jin's residence, they were referred to as the "Two Zhangs." Later, when Prince Jin became Crown Prince, Zhang Qianwei was promoted to the position of attendant cavalier and an inner chamberlain for the Crown Prince. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as a chamberlain of the interior, holding an equal rank to the Three Excellencies. Given his previous service in Prince Jin's residence, he was also given the title of Kaifu. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies and followed Emperor Yang to Jiangdu, where he took on administrative duties and managed governmental affairs.
Zhang Qianwei once saw a lost package on the road and, worried about the owner feeling anxious, had his subordinates take the package with them. After a few days, the owner came to claim it, and Zhang Qianwei returned the package to him intact. When Governor Yang Chen of Huainan brought more than ten people to pay their respects to Emperor Yang Guang, Emperor Yang Guang asked Zhang Qianwei, "Who is the one standing in the front?" Zhang Qianwei carefully observed before replying, "It is Governor Yang Chen of Huainan." Emperor Yang Guang said, "You are a high-ranking official, yet you couldn't recognize the person paying their respects. What’s going on?" Zhang Qianwei replied, "I know Yang Chen, but I was afraid of mistaking someone, so I didn't dare to answer easily. Just like counting a horse's legs, caution is the most important." Emperor Yang Guang greatly appreciated his cautious and meticulous attitude. He was known for his integrity and caution, which was his style.
At that time, Emperor Yang Guang often toured, and the common people were exhausted. Zhang Qianwei submitted a memorial advising against this. Emperor Yang Guang was displeased and henceforth treated him coldly. Not long after that, Zhang Qianwei passed away. His son, Zhang Shuang, later became the magistrate of Lanling County.
Zhang Qianwei's brother, Zhang Qianxiong, was also talented. When Prince Xiao of Qin, Yang Jun, was the governor of Qinzhou, he recruited him to serve as a legal assistant. Once, when Prince Xiao of Qin personally interrogated a prisoner, Zhang Qianxiong forgot to bring the case file. However, he was able to recount accurately the case in front of over a hundred people without any mistakes, earning the admiration of his colleagues. He later served as the magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng counties, achieving notable success in both roles.
Rong Pi, styled Zichen, was from Wuzhong County, Beijing. His father, Rong Quan, was the Minister of War of Northern Wei. Rong Pi was upright and knowledgeable from an early age, having read many books. He served in the Northern Zhou government, starting as a scribe for the Prince of Han and eventually rising to the position of Junior Interior Officer. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was promoted several times and eventually rose to the position of Palace Attendant.
At that time, there were many thieves in Huayin County, and there was a need to select a capable official to govern. Yang Su recommended Rong Pi as the Chief of Huazhou, and everyone said he was a capable person. Many of Yang Su's fields and houses were in Huayin, and his subordinates often engaged in wrongdoing. Rong Pi enforced the law strictly, without any favoritism. One time, during a court session, Yang Su said to Rong Pi, "I recommended you, actually causing trouble for myself!" Rong Pi replied, "I enforce the law wholeheartedly; I just fear disappointing your trust in me." Yang Su smiled and said, "I was just joking. Your strict law enforcement is exactly what I hope to see."
At that time, the Jin Prince was in Yangzhou, often sending people to secretly inquire about the news in the capital. He sent Zhang Heng to construct stables along the roads, claiming it was for raising horses, but it was really for his own benefit. All the prefectures and counties dared not resist, except Rong Pi who firmly stopped this matter. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased when he heard about it, rewarding him with a hundred rolls of silk and promoting him to the position of Sima of Puzhou.
When Han Wang Liang rebelled, the heroes of Hedong rallied to his cause, opening the city gates to surrender. The Governor Qiu He was scared and fled back to Guanzhong. The Chief Clerk Gao Yiming said to Rong Pi, "Hedong is an important strategic location, the eastern gateway of the realm. If we lose it, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although the city is chaotic, not everyone in the city has turned against us. As long as we capture and kill a dozen or so leading rebels, we can stabilize the situation." Rong Pi agreed with his view. Gao Yiming went to chase Qiu He on horseback to discuss countermeasures with him. Unfortunately, he was killed by the rebels at the city’s west gate, and Rong Pi was captured as well.
After Han Wang Liang quelled the rebellion, Rong Pi was appointed as the Imperial Secretary. The Emperor said to him, "I am appointing you today because of your handling of the stable incident. Stay true to yourself." The Emperor also respected him greatly. Rong Pi always had a straightforward attitude in court, speaking forcefully, earning the respect of all the officials. Later, due to his mother's death, he resigned and went home to mourn. Over a year later, he was appointed again, but soon after, he passed away and was posthumously honored as the Minister of Ceremonies.
Pi Xiongjianxu was a person of great integrity and knowledge. He held high positions during the Zhou Dynasty, reaching the titles of Zai Shi Xia Daifu and Yi Tong San Si. When the pacification of the Qi State was just beginning, he stayed behind in Ye City and wrote a 30-volume "Qi Ji." Jianxu had previously known Gaozu (Yang Jian) and later became the Prime Minister, where he was promoted to Prime Minister and appointed as the Marquis of Kaifu, as well as the Inspector of Xizhou.
When he was about to take office, Gaozu was secretly planning to seize the throne and said to Jianxu, "Let's wait and enjoy glory and wealth together!" Jianxu, feeling that he was a minister of the Zhou Dynasty, firmly replied, "I have never heard of such a thing!" Gaozu was displeased, prompting Jianxu to leave. During the Kaihuang period, Jianxu came to pay his respects, and the Emperor asked him, "Do you regret it?" Jianxu kowtowed and said, "My status may not match that of Xu Guang, but my intentions are like Yang Biao's." The Emperor smiled and said, "Although I may not understand these scholarly words very well, I know that what you said was not very polite!" Later, he successively served as the Inspector of Shizhou and Hongzhou, where he performed excellently and had a good reputation.
Lu Zhiming, styled Zhongtong, was from Fuchun in Wu County. His father, Lu Ao, had served as the Cavalry Attendant of the Chen Dynasty. Lu Zhiming loved learning from a young age, had broad knowledge, and was upright and incorruptible. He first served as a military officer under the Prince of Chen and later became an Imperial Academy Scholar and the Director of the Southern Prison. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he returned to his hometown. At this time, the ongoing rebellion led by Gao Zhihui and others in the Jiangnan region was occurring, and Prince Jin, Yang Guang, was stationed in Jiangdu. Recognizing Lu Zhiming's significant influence in the Sanwu region, he summoned him to convince the rebels to surrender.
Lu Zhiming successfully persuaded the surrender of seventeen cities, capturing more than three hundred rebels, including the leaders Chen Zhengxu and Xiao Sixing. For this achievement, he was appointed Equivalent to the rank of Sanqi and was rewarded with land and estates. The court also appointed his brother Lu Ke as the magistrate of Jianyang. Lu Zhiming believed that his brother Lu Ke lacked the ability to govern, so he petitioned the court to revoke his brother's appointment, which was approved.
After the unification of the country, Lu Zhiming advised Emperor Yang Jian on moving the capital to Luoyang and submitted the "Taiping Song" as a proposal. After several years without promotion, he personally appeared at court and requested to be sent as an envoy to Goryeo. He said, "I have heard that a wise ruler will recruit talents; even common people with abilities can serve the country. I hope Your Majesty can consider my request. In ancient times, even the Yellow Emperor forgave the Su Sha clan in battle. Emperor Shun also stopped wars after conquering the Miao tribe. Now Your Majesty rules in a prosperous era, with peace across the land; only Goryeo remains unsettled. Your Majesty is kind and does not want to harm the innocent, hoping to influence them with virtue. I wish to travel to Goryeo to promote the emperor's benevolence and have their rulers come to pay homage." The Emperor greatly appreciated his memorial. One year later, he was appointed as the commander of Puning Town.
Many praised him for his integrity, leading to his appointment as an official in the Imperial Censorate. After Emperor Yang Guang ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Imperial Censor for Records. He was upright and strict, respected by all officials and highly regarded by Emperor Yang Guang. Later, he was dismissed for undisclosed reasons but reinstated a year later. During the campaign in Liaodong, he served as the envoy for negotiations of surrender and died while in service at the age of sixty-seven. He was posthumously elevated to Grand Master of the Imperial Censorate.
Fang Yanqian, courtesy name Xiaochong, hails from Qinghe. His ancestor seven generations ago, Fang Chen, served as the Prefect of the Yan Kingdom. Later, he migrated to the Qi Kingdom along with the Murong clan and settled there. Their family has been a prominent family for generations. His great-great-grandfather, Fang Fashou, served as the governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou in the Wei Kingdom, and was also conferred the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu. His great-great-grandfather's brother held the position of prefect in both Qi County and Pingyuan County. His grandfather, Fang Yi, was the governor of Anzhou during the Song Dynasty and inherited the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu. His father, Fang Xiong, started as the registrar and later served as the prefect of Qinghe and Guangchuan.
Fang Yanqian lost his father at a young age and never knew his father's appearance. He was raised by his mother and older brother. His brother, Fang Yanxun, was known for his integrity and honesty. Seeing Fang Yanqian's intelligence, he liked him very much and personally taught him to read. At the age of seven, Fang Yanqian could recite tens of thousands of words, which was quite remarkable for the family. At the age of fifteen, he showed even greater filial piety to his stepmother and her son Zhen than to his own mother. Zhen was touched and treated him exceptionally well. When his stepmother passed away, Fang Yanqian went without food for five days, only drinking a little water. He also served his uncle, the Prefect of Leling, Fang Bao, with dedication. Whenever seasonal fruits were available, he always allowed others to enjoy them first. When there was a funeral at home, he consistently adhered to a vegetarian diet to demonstrate his filial piety, and he was seen as a role model within the family.
Later, Fang Yanqian studied with Dr. Yin Lin, and he was always engrossed in his studies, eventually becoming well-versed in the Five Classics. He excelled in writing articles, was skilled in calligraphy, especially in cursive and clerical scripts, and had exceptional eloquence and outstanding demeanor. At the age of eighteen, when Prince Guangning, Xiaoheng, was appointed inspector of Qizhou, he appointed Fang Yanqian as his chief secretary. At that time, Qi's laws were relatively lenient, and local officials were somewhat negligent. However, after Fang Yanqian took office, he insisted on integrity and adherence to the law, and public security in Qizhou improved significantly. He commanded both respect and fear. Later, when the Zhou army attacked Ye City and the Qi prince fled east, Fang Yanqian was appointed magistrate of Qizhou. Seeing the country fall, Fang Yanqian was heartbroken. He wanted to rally loyal and righteous men to secretly support the court, but unfortunately, he ultimately failed.
After Qi's downfall, Fang Yanqian returned to his hometown. Emperor Wu of Zhou sent Zhuguo Xin Zun as the inspector of Qizhou, but he was captured by local bandits and their armed henchmen. Fang Yanqian wrote a letter to persuade them, and the armed soldiers felt ashamed, so they returned Xin Zun to the local government, and other bandits surrendered en masse. Later, after Emperor Gaozu Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor, Fang Yanqian enjoyed a relaxed life in the countryside, vowing never to take on an official role again.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang era, Inspector Wei Yi strongly recommended him, and he reluctantly agreed. When Minister of Personnel Lu Kai saw him, he valued him highly and promoted him to attendant gentleman, and soon after, he was promoted to imperial censor. He was later sent to Chen Ping to pacify ten states, including Quanzhou and Kuozhou. Because he performed excellently, the emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth, one hundred stones of rice, a set of clothes, and seven servants. He was later promoted to chief recorder of the Qinzhou garrison.
Once, during a court session, the Left Minister Gao Qiang was in charge of assessing officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Qiang, "It is said in the books that officials should be assessed for their political achievements every three years; promotions and demotions must be conducted fairly and impartially. This system has existed since the times of Tang Yao and Shun, with assessments being fair and reasonable, and rewards and punishments clear. Only then can talented individuals be promoted and incompetent ones eliminated. If there are errors in the assessment, then this system becomes meaningless. Recently, I have seen the assessment results from various provinces; the standards vary, and the number of promotions and demotions is also uneven. Not to mention, some assessments are influenced by personal preferences, resulting in unfair outcomes. Honest and upright individuals may not necessarily receive good evaluations, while flatterers and sycophants may receive high praise. This blurs the line between truth and falsehood. Senior officials often fail to review the assessments diligently; most of those they promote are individuals they know well, while those who have not worked in the central government are eliminated. Furthermore, it is difficult to understand the situation in distant places in detail, so many assessments are often simply based on numerical ratios, with half passing and half failing. Only looking at the number of officials, without considering their competence, makes fair assessment impossible. Your insight is exceptional; you have a keen eye for detail; this assessment will definitely not be biased, but if there were issues with previous assessments, I am curious about how you intend to address these issues. I hope you can collect information widely, conduct serious investigations, commend small acts of kindness, and punish minor wrongdoings; this will not only clarify the governance of the country but also facilitate better talent selection." Yan Qian spoke loudly and resolutely, and the people around them were all watching. Gao Qiang was touched by his words and held him in high regard. So Gao Qiang inquired in detail about the political achievements of officials in the Hexi and Longyou regions, and Yan Qian answered fluently. Gao Qiang told the governors and officials from other provinces, "Speaking with you is not as effective as having a private conversation with the assessment officer from Qinzhou." A few days later, Gao Qiang reported this matter to the emperor, but the emperor did not accept it.
After his term expired, Yan Qian was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate. He governed the local area with great success, and the people all called him a benevolent father. During the Ren Shou period, the emperor sent envoys to inspect various places and assess the abilities of local officials. As a result, Yan Qian was rated as the best in the realm and was directly promoted to the position of Sima of Yuezhou. Officials and people were crying and saying to each other, "Now that Prefect Fang is leaving, what will become of us?" Later, the people missed him and erected a monument in his honor. Yuezhou had not had a governor for a long time, and Yan Qian was responsible for all matters in the state, accomplishing numerous political feats.
Xue Daoheng was a renowned literary figure of his time, holding a high-ranking position and a stellar reputation. His friends were all famous figures nationwide. He had a close relationship with Yan Qian and respected him very much. Later, Xue Daoheng became the governor of Xiangzhou, and the two of them often exchanged letters and met frequently. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as the governor. When passing through Yan Qian's region, he stayed for a few days. When they parted, they both cried uncontrollably. Zhang Heng, the Huangmen Shilang, also shared a good rapport with Yan Qian.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was notorious for its extravagance and wastefulness, leaving the populace disillusioned nationwide. In addition, Prince Han rebelled, resulting in widespread suffering among the people. Yan Qian saw that Zhang Heng, who held a high position of power, was unable to prevent any of it, so he wrote him a letter in which he expressed:
I heard that rewards are meant to encourage good deeds, while punishments are meant to deter bad deeds. Therefore, those of low status who do good deeds should be rewarded, and those of high status who do bad deeds should be punished. I've never heard of anyone avoiding punishment for relatives to prevent suspicion, or withholding rewards from those of low status. Now, the governors in each state are responsible for managing their areas, and their good and bad deeds are reported to the court. They fear the court's laws and dare not be negligent. The country follows heaven's orders, caring for the people like parents. The fairness of rewards and punishments will be seen by heaven, as heaven is always watching, so we should be cautious. Just as King Wen said: "I should be vigilant day and night, in reverence of heaven's majesty." In this regard, although there are differences between states and counties, and disparities in status, the principles of caring for the people and enforcing laws cautiously remain the same.
Regarding the rebellion in Bingzhou, it requires a thorough investigation. If Yang Liang truly raised troops and bought horses out of concern for the state's safety due to the court's orders not being conveyed, instead of plotting rebellion, his true situation should be investigated, and his punishment decided accordingly. This would show the emperor's compassion for the people and clear their doubts. If it is found that there was no threat to internal and external security, and Yang Liang engaged in rebellion and conspiracy after inheriting the throne, then he should be punished as Guanshu and Caishu were in the past, with his accomplices also being punished, and their heads displayed as a warning. This is the consistent punishment of the state. Of course, there may be those who were forced into the rebellion, unable to resist, or coerced, resulting in family destruction, displacement, and innocent suffering. Heaven's justice cannot let the wicked go unpunished, nor can it wrong the innocent. Doubtful crimes should receive lighter punishment; isn't that fair?
In the past, when Uncle Xiang sentenced people to death, the people of Jin praised him; when Shi Zhi exempted those guilty of offenses from punishment, Emperor Wen of Han also praised him. Yang Shengning did not hold any ill will towards his younger brother, and the Chief Justice did not intentionally disobey the orders of the monarch; they were simply upholding the law impartially. Furthermore, the position of a sage, referred to as the "sacred authority," cannot be easily obtained without the will of heaven. Therefore, while Chi You and Xiang Yu were known for their bravery, Yi Yin and Huo Guang wielded significant power; Li Kui and Confucius had exceptional wisdom; Jiang Taigong and Sun Wu were proficient in military strategy; Wu and Chu had dangerous terrain; and Empresses Lü and Dowager Dou had power, none of them ascended to the throne without fulfilling the will of heaven. Not to mention that Yang Liang was just a minor official who gathered a band of unruly followers, yet he dared to attack the capital and covet what was not rightfully his!
Since time immemorial, there have been records in historical books detailing the achievements of successive emperors, all of which can be carefully examined. Without accumulating virtue and performing great deeds, who can earn the people's support and the blessings of heaven? Therefore, wise rulers of ancient times worked diligently from dawn till dusk, always mindful to be cautious like walking on thin ice, always wary of not becoming arrogant or complacent. However, in later generations, monarchs became indulgent, without a sense of caution, acting recklessly and indulging in excess. Their crimes are too numerous to count; I won't enumerate them all, but I'll just mention a few.
Speaking of the states of Qi and Chen, both held high positions and thought their virtues were in harmony with heaven and earth, as bright as the sun and moon. They were unconcerned about disasters or the laws of governance. The courtiers close to the emperor only focused on flattery, concealing flaws, and singing praises; the historians distorted facts, covered up mistakes, and only recorded their achievements. Therefore, the common people complained loudly, but their voices were completely suppressed, while the false praises of the ministers surrounded the emperor every day. Although the laws were strict, punishments became more frequent, and forced labor became heavier, leaving the common people, whether old or young, worn out.
In the past, the state of Zheng had Zi Chan, Qi had Yan Ying, Chu had Shu Ao, and Jin had Shi Hui. Even these smaller states had renowned wise ministers, so why couldn't Qi and Chen, with their vast lands and abundant resources, find good advisors? This was due to the rulers being foolish and blind, only concerned with personal gain, forgetting about the safety of the country and the people. Though they seemed united, they actually distrusted one another. If they encountered honest advisors who spoke their minds, they would immediately suppress and exclude them if it was not in their favor; but if they met flatterers and despicable individuals who benefited them, they would immediately promote and use them. How could they ever find true talent with a system like that! Genuine talent is not just about brute force or fancy words, but requires upright character and firm will, like the pillars of a house or the bones of a body, that supports the country. This is what we call the backbone of the country!
The states of Qi and Chen did not use these upright talents, but instead believed in those flatterers. Even the gods in the heavens could not stand to witness it, punishing them for their debauched behavior. In the end, they lost their power and were subjugated by our great Sui Dynasty. If these two states could respect the heavens, care for the people, employ upright talents, abandon superficial decorations, be humble, and prioritize compassion, then even if the Hebei region were strong and prosperous, and the rivers and lakes were dangerous and impassable, they could each live and work in peace, and the people would remain peaceful, making the country as stable as Mount Tai, unshakable. However, they indulged in pleasure, like lying on a pile of firewood while drinking poison to quench their thirst, which ultimately led to the country's downfall, only to be left with lifelong regrets. Alas! As the ancient poem says: "Before the downfall of the Shang Dynasty, they could still sacrifice to the heavens and receive divine protection. We ought to learn from the fall of the Shang Dynasty, not to easily change the good fortune bestowed upon us by the heavens." In handling national affairs, every decision requires careful consideration! "Before the Shang Dynasty perished, they were able to match the will of God. We should learn from the Shang Dynasty, for a glorious destiny is not easily attained."
Your Majesty, you are renowned for your benevolence and filial piety, with great achievements, and the people eagerly await your blessings. Your governance of the Huaihai region has seen remarkable progress, with new achievements emerging daily, and people everywhere have turned their hearts towards you. Although your time in office has been short, your benevolent policies have spread across the land, bringing immense joy to the common folk. The rebellion in Bianzhou erupted too suddenly, all due to Yang Liang spreading rumors and misleading the people, rather than the people originally harboring grievances against the court and actively joining the rebels. However, officials and generals of the court claim that those people are all plotting rebellion, which not only wrongs innocent individuals but could also impact Your Majesty's wise decisions. You have always been trusted by the Emperor, holding important positions in the court since your youth, and have been an indispensable pillar of the court. You deserve to be remembered in history, leaving a lasting legacy like that of virtuous ministers such as Jizi, Qi, Yi, and Lü. You have the ability to do so! In this time of peace and prosperity, you should speak frankly and offer your counsel, establishing standards for today and setting an example for future generations. How can one twist the law just to curry favor with the Emperor? How can those who were forced to participate in the rebellion be unjustly punished? I humbly write these heartfelt words as a simple peasant with limited knowledge; I hope you won't take offense.
After reading the letter, Heng sighed but did not dare to submit it to the court.
Mr. Yanqian saw the corruption within the court and resigned from his position, planning to build a residence at the foot of Mengshan to fulfill his aspirations. Later, the court established the position of a magistrate and sought out talents from all over the country. Recognizing Mr. Yanqian's noble character and high reputation, the court summoned him to serve as the magistrate. Mr. Yanqian boldly sought to restore the moral fabric of society, recommending only those of exemplary morality. Those he called out bore no grudges against him. The deputy magistrate Liu Yu was arrogant and deceitful, self-proclaiming his righteousness, causing fear among the magistrates who treated him with utmost respect. Only Mr. Yanqian stood by his principles, treating him with respect, earning praise from many discerning individuals.
Liu Zha also did not dare to hold a grudge against Mr. Yan Qian. In the ninth year of Daye, Mr. Yan Qian followed the emperor to cross the Liao River and supervised the army in the Fuyu region. Later, as the political situation in the Sui Dynasty grew increasingly chaotic and the court fell into corruption, many turned traitor and sided with the rebel forces. Mr. Yan Qian, however, insisted on his principles; standing alone, he remained upright and unyielding, which aroused the jealousy of those in power, and he was demoted to the position of magistrate of Jingyang County. Not long after, Mr. Yan Qian passed away in office at the age of sixty-nine.
When Li Yan Qian was at home, whenever his relatives came to visit, he always reasoned with them, encouraged them to work hard, and talked endlessly, never tiring of it. His family had a solid ancestral background and was well-off, and he had previously served as an official, using his salary to support relatives and friends, leaving no money in the house; even his horse, clothes, and daily necessities were quite modest. From youth to old age, his words and actions were always upright, never compromising his integrity for personal gain. Although he often felt financially strapped, he always maintained an optimistic and cheerful attitude. Once, he leisurely smiled and said to his son Li Xuanling, "While others get rich from being officials, I find myself poorer for it. What I leave to my descendants is only a clean reputation." His writings were broad-minded, elegant, and relaxed in style, rooted in a deep understanding of classical literature. He was also skilled in cursive and clerical script, and those who received his letters treasured them like treasured heirlooms. Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Gao Gou from Beihai, Li Gang from Liao County, Liu Yu and Xue Ru from Hedong were all renowned literati admired for their integrity and detachment, and Li Yan Qian was friends with them. Despite frequent visits from high-ranking officials, his home remained tranquil, free from unnecessary guests. He was refined in manner and well-versed in government affairs, and those who recognized his talents believed he was destined for greatness.
Originally, during the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, after pacifying the Chen dynasty and unifying the realm, everyone said that they were entering an era of peace and prosperity. Li Yanqian confided in his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The emperor is suspicious and stubborn, refusing to accept advice or criticism. The crown prince is weak and ineffective, the princes are overbearing and haughty, and the court only implements harsh and cruel policies, without any policies of kindness or benevolence. Although the realm is stable, I fear that unrest may soon arise." Li Shaotong was initially skeptical, but by the time of the Renshou and Daye periods, Li Yanqian's predictions had all come to pass. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, he was posthumously honored as the Governor of Xuzhou and Duke of Linzi County, with the posthumous title of "Ding."
Historical records say: A tall building is not built with one piece of wood; the accomplishments of an emperor cannot be achieved by one person alone. Each serves its own purpose, and much like the beams and pillars of a roof, none should be discarded. People like Li E, some are skilled writers and champions of justice, some have outstanding talents and serve the country; their talents and achievements were already evident at that time, and their deeds are recorded in historical records. Many talented individuals from the Sui Dynasty managed to forge careers and attain great success; all of them were pillars of the nation, like the stars surrounding the North Star.
Liu Zhuang, with the courtesy name Si Jing, is a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather, Liu Jiyuan, was the Minister of Works of the Liang Dynasty; his father, Liu Xia, was the Governor of Huozhou. Liu Zhuang had grand ambitions from a young age, read widely across various subjects, and was particularly adept at eloquence. Cai Dabao from Jiyang was renowned in the Jiangzuo region, serving as the advisor to Prince Yue of Yueyang, Xiao Cha. Upon seeing Liu Zhuang, Cai Dabao remarked, "The Water Mirror Master of Xiangyang Zhuge Liang has appeared here again!" Cai Dabao then married his daughter to Liu Zhuang. Shortly thereafter, Xiao Cha appointed Liu Zhuang as a military advisor, and later promoted him to the position of a legal advisor. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he appointed Liu Zhuang as a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, and subsequently held positions as an Assistant Minister, a Minister of Personnel, and a Minister of Ceremonies.
Later, Yang Jian helped govern, and Xiao Kui sent Liu Zhuang with letters to the capital. At that time, the three factions were attacking each other, and Yang Jian was worried that Xiao Kui had hidden agendas. Upon Liu Zhuang's return, Yang Jian told him, "I used to accompany the Chancellor to Jiangling to manage affairs, and I was greatly favored by the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty. Now that the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty is still young, the nation is facing challenging times, yet he has entrusted me with significant responsibilities. I reflected deeply in the quiet of the night, overcome with shame and fear. The Liang Dynasty has been illustrious for generations, loyal to the court, and will only demonstrate steadfast character like pine and bamboo in the future. When you return to the Liang court, please share my thoughts with the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty." After he finished speaking, Yang Jian held Liu Zhuang's hand and said goodbye.
At that time, the generals of the Liang Dynasty were secretly requesting to raise troops and unite with Wei Jiong and others to resist the Sui Dynasty. This way, they could be loyal to the Zhou Dynasty and seize the opportunity to annex the southern regions. Only Xiao Kui hesitated, believing it was unfeasible. At this time, Liu Zhuang returned from Chang'an and detailed Yang Jian's sincerity, then said to Xiao Kui, "In the past, people like Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Wang Ling, and Zhuge Dan were all heroes of their time. They occupied strategic locations and had many strong soldiers, but in the end, they did not succeed; instead, they quickly perished. The reason was that Cao Cao and the Sima clan had held the emperor hostage, defended the capital and used righteousness as a pretext to secure victory and establish their dominance. Now, although Wei Jiong is an old general, he has become confused. Xiao Moke and Wang Qian are both mediocre talents and have no ability to support the country. Moreover, Shandong, Yongzhou, and the Shu territory will soon submit to the Sui Dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty's favor has not yet fully extended to them. The generals in the court are primarily for their own interests, and they are eager to join Yang Jian. I believe Wei Jiong and the others are bound to fail in the end, and Yang Jian will definitely destroy the Zhou Dynasty. It would be wiser for us to protect our territory and watch the situation unfold." Xiao Kui wholeheartedly agreed, so they all stopped discussing the idea of raising troops. Soon, Xiao Moke fled to the Chen Dynasty, Wei Jiong and Wang Qian were killed successively, and Xiao Kui remarked to Liu Zhuang, "If we had listened to everyone's opinions recently, our country would have been doomed long ago!"
After Liu Bang ascended the throne, Liu Zhuang returned to his position at court. Liu Bang offered him much comfort and encouragement. Later, the Prince of Jin wanted to take a princess from Liang, and Liu Zhuang made four or five trips back and forth on this matter, receiving rewards totaling several thousand pieces of cloth. After Emperor Xiao Cong ascended the throne, Liu Zhuang was promoted to the position of Minister of the Imperial Treasury. Following the destruction of Liang, he was appointed as the Minister of Works and soon became the Yellow Gate Attendant of the Emperor, also receiving land and houses as rewards. Liu Zhuang was well-versed in the old rules and handled political affairs adeptly. The Emperor held him in high regard for his insights and corrections.
Su Wei became the Grand Preceptor and greatly valued Liu Zhuang's insight. He often told the Emperor, "People from Jiangnan, those who are knowledgeable do not understand practical affairs, and those who understand practical affairs do not have knowledge. Only Liu Zhuang excels in both." Gao Feng also had a good relationship with Liu Zhuang. Liu Zhuang and Chen Mao worked in the same department, but Liu Zhuang looked down on Chen Mao. Chen Mao felt increasingly uneasy as he noticed the Emperor and courtiers holding Liu Zhuang in high esteem, and he always felt that Liu Zhuang looked down on him. The Emperor and Chen Mao knew each other before, so the Emperor favored Chen Mao and often spoke ill of Liu Zhuang in his presence.
Over the years, Chen Mao's slander grew increasingly widespread. Once, the Ministry of Personnel reported that, according to the law, the criminal should be exiled, but the Emperor sentenced him to death. Liu Zhuang submitted a memorial stating, "I have heard that Zhang Shizhi once said, 'The law is something that both the Emperor and the people must abide by.' Now that the law stipulates this, and you are increasing the punishment, the people will lose faith in the law. The country is currently enjoying peace and stability; it is a good opportunity to demonstrate the credibility of the court. I respectfully urge Your Majesty to consider Zhang Shizhi's words, for they will benefit all the people!" The Emperor did not listen to him, and as a result, Liu Zhuang fell out of favor with the Emperor.
Not long after, the official in charge of preparing medicinal cuisine for the emperor presented pills that were not to the emperor's liking. Chen Mao secretly told the emperor that Liu Zhuang had not personally supervised, which made the emperor angry. In the eleventh year of the emperor's reign, Xu Di rebelled in Jiangnan, and Liu Zhuang, as the chief military officer and long history, went with the army to suppress the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, Liu Zhuang was appointed as the governor of Raozhou, where he achieved notable success. Several years later, Liu Zhuang passed away at the age of sixty-two.
Yuan Shi, courtesy name Jianyan, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father's name was Yuan Wenzong, who was well-known in Northern Qi and died while serving as the governor of Juzhou in the early years of the Kaihuang reign. Yuan Shi earned great respect from an early age, starting as a military officer in the Office of the Grand Minister, later promoted to the position of Left Outer Guard of the Ministry of War, while also overseeing the Ancestral Temple.
One summer, someone claimed to have seen a dragon and requested a rain prayer ceremony. At that time, Gao Anagong was the prime minister, and when he heard that a dragon had been sighted, he was very surprised and asked where the dragon was. Yuan Shi adjusted his robes and replied, "This is the appearance of the Dragon Star. According to the ritual, a rain prayer ceremony should be held at the suburban altar. This doesn’t indicate the actual appearance of a dragon." Upon hearing this, Gao Anagong's expression changed immediately, and he angrily said, "How do you know it's the Dragon Star?" Consequently, the rain prayer ceremony was canceled. Afterward, Yuan Shi sighed to himself, "The country's affairs depend on sacrifices and military matters. If the rituals are abandoned, can it last long? The fall of Northern Qi is imminent!"
Seven years later, Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Northern Qi, and Yuan Shi was appointed as a senior official in the Office of Taxation. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the chief military officer of Weizhou, later appointing him to the imperial court as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, while also overseeing the Ministry of Personnel. He played a significant role in establishing many of the court's regulations and laws. Seventeen years later, he served as the Left and Right Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, earning a reputation for his efficiency.
At that time, the King of Shu, Yang Xiu, violated the law, so Emperor Wen of Sui sent Yuan Shi to Yizhou as the Governor to supervise him. Not long after, Yang Xiu was summoned back to the capital by the imperial court, but he feared turmoil in the capital and wanted to feign illness to avoid going. Yuan Shi urged him repeatedly, insisting he could not defy the imperial edict. Yang Xiu's expression darkened as he replied, "This is a family matter; what concern is it of yours?" Yuan Shi replied with tears, "I have received great favor from the court, serving as an official in the mansion. As an official, how can I not do my best! But in recent years, the country has faced many challenges, with the King of Qin critically ill and passing away, and the crown prince being deposed after just twenty years. How difficult it must be for the Emperor! The Emperor has already ordered you to return, and the delay has been too long. If you still do not go, the people will not understand your intentions. If dissent arises, both internally and externally will be full of suspicion. If the Emperor becomes angry and sends an envoy, what will you use to explain? I hope you will consider this carefully, Your Highness!" In the end, Yang Xiu went to the capital.
After Yang Xiu's deposition, many officials in Yizhou faced repercussions, but Yuan Shi was spared from harm because of his advice. Later, he was promoted to Yitong Sanqi. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the Grand Minister of Justice. One time, Emperor Yang of Sui ordered the palace guards to remain at their posts. A general secretly ordered the guards to leave, and Emperor Yang of Sui handed the matter over to the Grand Minister of Justice for handling. Yuan Shi sentenced him to exile in accordance with the law, but Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to have him killed. Yuan Shi argued, "This man deserves the harshest punishment. If Your Majesty had killed him from the beginning, there would be no need for complicated paperwork. Since it has been handed over to the Grand Minister of Justice, it must be handled according to legal procedures. How should similar offenses by palace guards be handled in the future?" Emperor Yang of Sui relented. Later, Yuan Shi was promoted to Deputy Minister of Justice. During his tenure, Yuan Shi was known for his efficiency and eloquence, yet he lacked a reputation for integrity. Not long after, he passed away, leaving a son, Yuan Kunyu.
Lang Mao, courtesy name Wei Zhi, was from Xinshi, Hengshan, Hebei. His father, Lang Ji, once served as the Yingchuan Prefect of Northern Qi. Lang Mao was intelligent and bright from a young age. By the age of seven, he could recite the "Chu Ci" and the "Book of Songs," memorizing more than a thousand characters in a single day. At the age of fifteen, he became a student of Quan Hui in Hejian. Quan Hui was a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, and Lang Mao studied the "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," "Three Rituals," astronomy, calendar, and law with him. He also studied the "Zuo Zhuan," "Gongyang Zhuan," "Guliang Zhuan," and various other books with the assistant tutor Zhang Shuili from the National University, devoting himself to his studies. His family worried he would overwork himself, so they often adjusted the candles for him. As he grew older, Lang Mao became a renowned scholar and a skilled writer. When he was nineteen, his father passed away, and during the mourning period, he demonstrated even greater respect than what the rituals required.
Later, he served as an official in Northern Qi, starting as a military officer in the Office of the Grand Minister of Works. Once, the state of Chen sent a diplomatic envoy, Fu Zai, to visit Northern Qi, and Lang Mao was tasked with receiving him. He was later appointed to proofread the classics in the Secretariat. He was then promoted to be the magistrate of Baocheng County, where he achieved remarkable accomplishments. The local people even composed a "Song of Qingde" in his honor. After Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Northern Qi, Wang Yi recommended Lang Mao to Emperor Wu, who then appointed him as the head of the household department of Chenzhou. At that time, Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu of Zhou) was the general commander of Bozhou, and upon meeting Lang Mao, he took a great liking to him and appointed him as the secretary of the General Commander's staff.
At that time, Emperor Zhou Wu was compiling the Book of Changes. Yang Jian casually remarked to Lang Mao, "The emperor's actions can stir heaven and earth, and rattle spirits. There are many harsh legal provisions in the Book of Changes. How can we effectively govern the world?" Lang Mao thought to himself with a sigh, "This is not something an ordinary person can say!" Since then, Lang Mao secretly struck up a friendship with Yang Jian, and Yang Jian also respected him. Later, Lang Mao returned to his hometown and became the chief clerk of the province. After Yang Jian became the prime minister, he wrote a letter to summon him. The two recalled the past and had a very happy conversation. Yang Jian appointed him as the recorder of Wei State, and he was highly capable, later promoted to the magistrate of Wei State.
At that time, there were more than two hundred prisoners in Wei State County. Lang Mao personally reviewed the cases over several days and released more than one hundred people. Over the years, no cases from Wei State County were ever escalated to the provincial government. Wei State Governor Yuan Hui said to Lang Mao, "The chief official said that the people of Wei State are too afraid to appeal because of you!" Lang Mao replied, "The common people are like water, while laws and regulations serve as embankments. If the embankment is not strong, the water will surge out. As long as there's no breach, what’s there to worry about?" Yuan Hui was convinced by Lang Mao and had nothing to say.
There was a man named Zhang Yuanyuan who had a bad relationship with his cousin Si Lan. The county magistrate wanted to impose harsh penalties on them, but Lang Mao said, "The Zhang brothers originally didn't get along with each other. Now, because they have committed a crime, it will only deepen their conflict. This isn't how you educate the people!" So, he sent some respected elders from the village to persuade them, and the persuaders came in droves. Zhang Yuanyuan and others eventually repented and went to the county office to confess. Lang Mao talked sense into them, and in the end, the brothers reconciled and became friends, becoming a popular story among the people.
Mao first served as the Chief Historian in Yanzhou, and later was promoted to Minister of Rites, and then became the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Su Wei, issued a decree that every year he would investigate whether officials above the fifth rank were violating regulations. Some replied, "In the areas we govern, there are simply no families with officials above the fifth rank." This kind of superficial response was quite common. Su Wei also compiled a record of surplus grain, intending to register the situation of surplus grain in various regions to see if they could be redistributed. Mao felt this was too troublesome and not useful, so he requested that these initiatives be discontinued. After a few years, his mother passed away, so he resigned from his position to observe mourning at home. After completing the mourning period, he was reappointed and asked to return to work. He also submitted a memorial arguing that the descendants of those who died for the country should not have their land confiscated; and that older officials should not lose any of their land. Mao was known for his intelligence and quick thinking, handling matters decisively and efficiently, earning widespread praise for his administrative skills.
During the Renshou period, his original official position was Prefect of Daxing. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Deputy Commander of Yongzhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Junior Minister of Rites. Two years later, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, in charge of selecting officials. Wang Mao was renowned for his skill in managing government affairs, which was well-known at the time. At that time, the Minister of Works, Yu Wenkai, and General Yu Zhongwen of the Right Imperial Guard were in a fierce dispute over the He Dong silver mine. Wang Mao submitted a memorial accusing them, stating, "I have heard that there are different customs for the noble and the humble, and different professions for scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, so that people know their place and families know their shame. Yu Wenkai holds a high official position and receives a generous salary; he should live a quiet life, yet he shamelessly fights for personal gain. Yu Zhongwen is a general and a close attendant of the emperor, who hears the emperor's teachings every day, but fails to emulate the integrity of Yu Shun and Rui Liangfu, and instead fights fiercely for petty gains. How can they set a good example for lower officials and establish a good reputation for the common people? If not corrected in time, it will undermine political ethics." As a result, Yu Wenkai and Yu Zhongwen were both punished. Wang Mao also compiled a hundred scrolls of "Zhoujun Tujing" and presented them to the court, for which he was rewarded with three hundred rolls of silk, and the book was placed in the imperial library. At that time, the emperor often went on tours, and the country's laws and regulations were in disarray, and many had become ineffective. Wang Mao was an old minister of the former dynasty, well-versed in the ways of the world, but he was good at protecting himself, never speaking his mind, lacking the courage to be forthright. He saw the emperor's irritable temper and dared not speak, merely sighing in silence. Because of his old age, he submitted a request to retire, but the emperor did not agree.
Later, the emperor personally went to Liaodong to wage war, leaving Wang Mao to remain in charge of Jinyang Palace. That year, the governor of Mount Heng, Wang Wentong, had a falling out with Wang Mao, accusing him of factionalism and misleading the emperor. The emperor ordered Minister Su Wei and Grand Inspector Pei Yun to investigate Wang Mao. Since Wang Mao had a poor relationship with these two, they deliberately distorted the facts and framed him. The emperor was enraged upon hearing this, stripped Wang Mao and his brother Wang Chudu of their titles, and banished them to Qiemo County. Wang Mao accepted this punishment with equanimity, showing no signs of worry.
During the journey, he wrote a poem "Ascending the Hill" to comfort himself, which he composed quite skillfully. He also submitted a memorial to defend himself, and the emperor began to grasp the situation. Ten years later, the emperor summoned him back to the capital. A year later, Wang Mao passed away at the age of seventy-five years. He had a son named Wang Zhinian.
Gao Gou, with the courtesy name Xiaoji, hailed from Beihai in Shandong. He had a humorous and witty personality, remarkable intellect, excellent eloquence, loved reading, and was skilled in handling political affairs. At a young age, he became the chief registrar of a province. Later, he served as a military advisor to the King of Henan in the Qi state, and also served as the Sima of Xuzhou, the governor of Lanling Commandery, and the governor of Pingyuan Commandery. After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him as the Sima of Xuzhou. After Emperor Yang Jian declared himself emperor of the Sui Dynasty, Gao Gou was promoted to the Sima of Jizhou, earning notable political achievements and a stellar reputation.
Later he was summoned by the court and appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works, but soon transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Jin Pingdong, and his nephew Jin Changmao were competing for inheritance rights. The Ministry of Rites could not reach a decision, and after three rounds of discussions among court officials, no consensus was reached. Gao Gou quickly rendered a judgment that was deemed very reasonable. The Emperor admired his ability and summoned him to the palace, praising him, "I have heard that the talent of a Minister should shine like the stars in the sky. After seeing your talent and insight, I understand that the words of the ancients are true. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate is very important in ritual and education. I have read your judgment several times, and it is very well-structured. I did not expect it to be so thorough." The Emperor also rewarded him with one hundred shi (a unit of measurement for rice). From then on, Gao Gou became famous. He was then promoted to Sima of Yongzhou, where he earned a reputation for his decisiveness. Over a year later, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel, and everyone said he was competent. Later, he was transferred back to Yongzhou as Sima. After making a mistake, he was demoted to the position of county magistrate in Zhuofei County. However, he achieved notable success in governing the region, and the Emperor appreciated him, reappointing him as Sima of Yongzhou. He later served as Minister of Personnel, but was later dismissed from his position due to matters of state. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was called back to office. At that time, many officials in the Ministry of Personnel were dismissed for incompetence, but Gao Gou was the most respected. People perceived Gao Gou as someone who enjoyed telling jokes and being somewhat frivolous, but in reality, he was very upright, especially valued by the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong. Later, due to old age and frailty, he resigned. Niu Hong, who was in charge of selecting officials at the time, would routinely send someone to consult Gao Gou before promoting anyone. Xue Daoheng, a man from Hedong who was renowned for his talent at that time, always said that Gao Gou had a keen eye. He would always share his writings with Gao Gou before publishing them, and if Gao Gou had any criticisms or corrections, Xue Daoheng would humbly accept them. In the seventh year of Daye, Gao Gou passed away at the age of seventy-two. The individuals he recommended, such as Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, later became prominent officials in the court, and people remarked that Gao Gou had a remarkable eye for talent.
During the Kaihuang period, Dou Lushi from Changli served as the Chamberlain, and everyone said he was careful and meticulous in his work. Pei Shu from Hedong served as the Right Chancellor, frequently correcting errors. Shi Xie from Hedong, Dongfang Ju from Pingyuan, and Huangfu Yudao from Anding all served in the Ministry of Justice, all known for their fair and just enforcement of the law. Liu Shilong from Hongnong and Fang Shanji from Qinghe worked in the Department of Examinations, while Pei Jingmin from Hedong worked in the Ministry of War, renowned for their efficiency and competence. Wei Kun from Jingzhao served as the Minister of the People, frequently offering candid advice. Han Ze from Nanyang served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou, implementing numerous policies that greatly benefited the populace and earned their deep affection. These officials, although holding different positions, were all diligent and responsible, praised by the people of that time.
Some of these officials were in central government, some in local government, but they all made remarkable achievements for the country and the people. Their names may gradually be forgotten in the long river of history, but their spirit deserves to be remembered for generations. The qualities of diligence, integrity, and public service they embodied are invaluable assets for any era. "During the Kaihuang period, Dou Lushi from Changli served as the Chamberlain, known for his meticulousness. Pei Shu from Hedong became the Right Chancellor, correcting many things." These two short sentences summarize the typical images of some outstanding officials in the officialdom at that time.
Zhang Qianwei, courtesy name Yuanjing, hailed from Wucheng in Qinghe. His father, Zhang Yanzhi, once served as the Governor of North Xuzhou. Zhang Qianwei was clever and knowledgeable from a young age. His grandfather, Zhang Songzhi, once told someone, "Qianwei is the outstanding talent in our family!" At the age of twelve, he was appointed as the registrar of the state. At the age of eighteen, he became a military officer in the Taipu Mansion, and later rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Minister of the Taichang. After the fall of Northern Qi, he became the Chief Officer of Communication in Northern Zhou. Upon the ascension of Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, he was appointed to the Ministry of Justice as a signatory.
During the Kaihuang era, Prince Jin Yang Guang was sent to Bingzhou as the governor, where he selected his staff. He appointed Zhang Qianwei as the military affairs officer, who later was promoted to several positions. Prince Jin greatly admired his talent, treating him with the same respect as Zhang Heng from Henan. In Prince Jin's mansion, they were both referred to as the "Two Zhangs." Later, when Prince Jin became the crown prince, Zhang Qianwei was promoted to be an attendant cavalier. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Zhang Qianwei as an imperial attendant and an official of the Yitong Sanji. Because of his prior service in Prince Jin's court, he was also granted the title of Kaifu. Soon after, he was promoted to the title of Yezhe Daifu, accompanying Emperor Yang of Sui to Jiangdu, where he also served as the administrator of Jiangdu, handling administrative affairs on behalf of the city.
Zhang Qianwei once saw a lost package on the road and, fearing that the owner might be worried, asked his attendants to carry the package. After a few days, the owner found him, and Zhang Qianwei returned the package intact. The Governor of Huainan, Yang Chen, once brought more than ten people to pay their respects to Emperor Yang of Sui. Emperor Yang asked Zhang Qianwei, "Who is the one standing at the front?" Zhang Qianwei carefully looked and replied, "It is the Governor of Huainan, Yang Chen." Emperor Yang said, "As a Yezhe Daifu, you should recognize the people who come to pay their respects. What's the matter?" Zhang Qianwei replied, "It's not that I don't recognize Yang Chen, but I was afraid of mistaking someone, so I didn't dare to answer easily. It's like Shi Jian checking a horse's hooves; it's being cautious to the extreme!" Emperor Yang greatly appreciated him. He was known for his integrity and caution, which defined his character.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui often toured, and the people were exhausted. Zhang Qianwei submitted a memorial advising against it. Emperor Yang was quite displeased and began to distance himself from Zhang Qianwei. Shortly thereafter, Zhang Qianwei passed away. He had a son named Zhang Shuang, who later became the magistrate of Lanling.
Zhang Qianwei's younger brother, Zhang Qianxiong, was also quite talented. When Yang Jun served as the Qinzhou governor, he appointed him as a legal assistant. Qin Xiaowang personally tried prisoners, and Zhang Qianxiong, due to a momentary oversight of not bringing the case file, presented the case directly in front of more than a hundred people, explaining it clearly. His colleagues all admired him. Later, he served successively as the county magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng, achieving notable results.
Rong Pi, styled Zishen, was from Wuzhong County, Beijing. His father, Rong Quan, was the Minister of War of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Rong Pi was known for his integrity and sense of responsibility from a young age, as well as a wide knowledge of books. He served as the Han Prince's secretary in the Northern Zhou Dynasty and was later promoted to a junior official in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he eventually became the Palace Supervisor.
At that time, there were many bandits in Huayin County, and the court was in need of capable officials to restore order. Yang Su recommended Rong Pi as the Chief Historian of Huazhou, and everyone said he was very capable. Many of Yang Su's fields and houses were in Huayin, and his subordinates frequently acted with impunity. Rong Pi enforced the law rigorously without showing any leniency. At a court meeting, Yang Su said to Rong Pi, "I recommended you; it feels like I'm just asking for trouble!" Rong Pi replied, "I am wholeheartedly enforcing the law, just afraid of letting down your recommendation." Yang Su smiled and said, "I was just joking. Your strict enforcement of the law is precisely what I was hoping for."
At that time, Jin Wang was in Yangzhou, often sending people to secretly gather intelligence about the capital. He sent Zhang Heng to set up horse stables along the route, claiming it was for raising horses, but in reality, it served his personal interests. All the prefectures and counties were too afraid to resist; only Rong Pi firmly put a stop to it. Emperor Wen of Sui was very happy when he heard about it, rewarding him with a hundred bolts of silk and promoting him to Sima of Puzhou. When Han Wang Liang rebelled, the heroes of Hedong rallied to his cause and surrendered their cities. The governor Qiu He was afraid and fled back to Guanzhong. Chief Secretary Gao Yiming said to Rong Pi, "Hedong is an important strategic location and the eastern gateway to the kingdom. If it is lost, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although the people in the city were in a panic, not everyone was in rebellion. If we can capture and execute a dozen or so of the leading rebels, the situation should stabilize." Rong Pi agreed with his opinion.
Gao Yiming rode to chase Qiu He, wanting to discuss countermeasures with him. When he arrived at the west gate of the city, he was killed by the rebels, and Rong Pi was subsequently captured. After Han Wang Liang quelled the rebellion, Rong Pi was appointed as an Imperial Censor, and Emperor Wen of Sui said to him, "I am promoting you today due to your handling of the horse stable incident. Do not change your mind." The emperor also respected him greatly. Rong Pi was known for his integrity and stern demeanor in court, earning the respect and fear of all the officials. Later, following his mother's passing, he resigned and returned home to observe mourning rites. More than a year later, he was reappointed, but soon after he passed away, posthumously honored with the title of Junior Minister of the Grand Court Secretary.
His brother, Pi Ling, was bright, upright, and very knowledgeable. He served in the Zhou dynasty, attaining high ranks such as Zai Shi Xia Da Fu and Yi Tong San Si. After pacifying the State of Qi, he remained in Ye city and wrote a thirty-volume work titled "Qi Ji." Jian Xu had previously known Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) and later became Prime Minister, rising in rank and being appointed as Kaifu, and also served as the governor of Xizhou.
When preparing to take office, Gaozu was already plotting to usurp the throne. He quietly said to Jianxu, "Let's work together and enjoy wealth and honor together in the future!" Jianxu, feeling loyal as a minister of the Zhou dynasty, wore his loyalty on his sleeve and said, "I can't agree with what you've said!" Gaozu was displeased upon hearing this, and Jianxu left. During the Kaihuang era, Jianxu went to the capital to see the emperor, who asked him with a smile, "Do you regret it?" Jianxu bowed and said, "My status may not be as high as Xu Guang's, but my intentions are like Yang Biao's." The emperor smiled and said, "While I might not get all these fancy words, I can tell that your words are not very polite!" Later on, Jianxu became the Governor of Shizhou and Hongzhou, and he did a great job in both places and built a solid reputation.
Lu Zhiming, styled Zhongtong, was from Fuchun in Wu County. His father, Lu Ao, had been a cavalier attendant in the Chen dynasty. Lu Zhiming loved learning from a young age, was well-read, upright, and uncompromising. He started out as a military officer for the Crown Prince of Chen, then later served as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy and a prison warden in the south. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, he returned to his hometown.
At this time, Gao Zhihui and others rebelled in the Jiangzuo region. Prince Jin, Yang Guang, stationed in Jiangdu, saw Lu Zhiming's influence in the Sanwu region and summoned him to persuade the rebel forces to surrender. Lu Zhiming got seventeen cities to surrender and captured over three hundred rebels, including the leaders Chen Zhengxu and Xiao Sihang. Because of this, he was made a tri-simultaneous officer, given land and property, and his brother Lu Ke was appointed as the magistrate of Qinyang. Lu Zhiming believed that his brother Lu Ke did not have the ability to govern a hundred li of land, so he asked the court to revoke the appointment, which was approved.
The world is on the brink of unification. Lu Zhiming advised Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, to move the capital to Luoyang. He also composed a "Song of Great Peace" to express his thoughts. He had not received a promotion for several years, so he personally approached the court to request an envoy position to Goryeo. He stated his reasons: "I have heard that a wise ruler will widely recruit talented individuals. Even common people, as long as they are talented, can serve the country. I hope Your Majesty might temporarily set aside state matters and consider my request. After the legendary Yellow Emperor unified the realm, he still forgave the Su family; after Emperor Shun became emperor, he still waited for the right time to attack the Miao family. Your Majesty is now at the moment of unification, with peace throughout the country and stability on the borders; only Goryeo remains restless. Your Majesty's kindness and compassion, always considering how to educate the people, is because you abhor killing, love all living beings, and want to influence them with virtue. Allow me to travel to Goryeo to proclaim your benevolence, so that their ruler and subjects will bow down in submission." The Emperor highly valued his memorial.
A year later, Lu Zhiming was appointed as the General of Puning Town. His reputation for integrity led to his later summons to the Imperial Censorate. After Emperor Yang Guang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Assistant Imperial Secretary for Correspondence. He was upright and respected by all officials, and Emperor Yang Guang also valued him greatly. Later, he was dismissed from his position due to certain incidents, but was reinstated a year later. At that time, Prince Qi, Yang Jian, was known for his arrogance and associations with unsavory characters. Lu Zhiming accused him in a memorial, resulting in punishment for Yang Jian and instilling fear among all officials. During the Liaodong Campaign, he served as the envoy for surrender negotiations in Donglai, and eventually passed away in a foreign land at the age of sixty-seven. He was posthumously honored with the title of Grand Master of the Imperial Censorate.
Fang Yanqian, styled Xiaochong, is from Qinghe. Seven generations ago, his ancestor Fang Chen served as a Grand Commandant in the Yan State. He migrated to the Qi State alongside the Murong clan, and his descendants have lived there since. They have been a prestigious family for generations. His great-grandfather Fang Fashou served as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou in the Wei State and was also titled the Marquis of Zhuangwu. His grandfather and great-uncle both served as Prefects in their respective provinces. His grandfather Fang Yi served as the Prefect of Anzhou in the Song State and inherited the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu. His father Fang Xiong began his career as a provincial registrar and later managed Qinghe County and Guangchuan County.
Fang Yanqian lost his father at a young age and never knew him. He was raised by his mother and uncle. His elder brother Fang Yanxun, known for his integrity and wisdom, recognized Fang Yanqian's talent and personally taught him. At the age of seven, he had memorized tens of thousands of words from books, earning the admiration of his clan. At fifteen, he served his stepmother with more filial piety than her biological sons, which deeply touched her. When she passed away, he fasted for five days. He also served his uncle, the Prefect of Leling, with dedication, always eating the fresh fruits brought during festivals last. During family mourning, he strictly adhered to a vegetarian diet until the rites were completed, setting an example for the clan. He later studied under the scholar Yin Lin, mastering the Five Classics. He was skilled in writing, excelling in cursive and clerical scripts, and had excellent eloquence and demeanor, giving off an air of a sage.
At the age of eighteen, Gao Xiaoheng, the Guangning Prince, became the governor of Qizhou and invited Fang Yanqian to serve as his chief clerk. At that time, the laws were quite lenient, and local officials were rather lax. However, after Fang Yanqian took office, he was honest and law-abiding, and the public order in the entire province improved. Everyone both respected and feared him. Later, when the Zhou army attacked Ye City and the Prince of Qi fled east, Fang Yanqian was appointed as the governor of Qizhou. Seeing the country's downfall, he was heartbroken; he sought to gather loyal and righteous individuals to secretly help Qi restore its country. However, he was ultimately unsuccessful. After the fall of Qi, he returned home. The Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty appointed Zhuguo Xin Zun as the governor of Qizhou, but Xin Zun was captured by the armed guards of a local bandit leader. Fang Yanqian wrote a letter to persuade the guard, who, feeling ashamed, sent Xin Zun back to the provincial capital, and the other bandits surrendered as well. After Emperor Yang Jian declared himself emperor, Fang Yanqian lived a relaxed life in the countryside, swearing never to hold office again. In the seventh year of Kaihuang, the governor, Wei Yili, recommended him, and he had no choice but to agree. The Minister of Personnel, Lu Kai, was quite impressed with him and promoted him to an attendant. Shortly after, he was promoted to imperial censor. He later followed Chen Ping and was assigned to pacify ten provinces, including Quanzhou and Kuozhou. For completing the mission, the Emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth, one hundred measures of rice, a set of clothing, and seven servants. He was later promoted to Chief Recorder of the Qinzhou Garrison.
Once during a court session, the Left Chancellor Gao Qiang was assessing the performance of officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Qiang: "It is written in the books that officials' performance should be assessed every three years, and promotions and demotions should be fair and just. Since the times of Tang Yao and Yu Shun, this system has been upheld through the ages. If the assessment is fair and reasonable, with clear rewards and punishments, then those promoted are talented individuals, and those demoted are incompetent. If the assessment is flawed, then this system becomes meaningless. Recently, I have seen the assessment results from various provinces, which are inconsistent, with differing standards and unequal numbers of promotions and demotions. Moreover, some assessment results are tainted by personal biases, leading to unfair outcomes. Those who are honest and upright may not necessarily receive good evaluations, while those who flatter and are good at networking may receive high praise. In this way, truth becomes obscured, and right is turned to wrong. Those high-ranking officials often overlook careful assessment when selecting officials, and those they promote are mostly those who flatter them; those who haven’t served in the central government are deemed unfit. Furthermore, the vast distances between regions make it challenging to grasp the specific circumstances, so assessments often focus solely on numbers, with half deemed competent and half not. Only the quantity of officials is considered, disregarding their quality, making fairness and justice unattainable. Your Excellency, you are astute and treat people fairly, so this assessment will surely be free of favoritism and corruption. If there were indeed these issues in the past, I wonder how you plan to address them? I hope you will consider the situation from various perspectives, conduct a thorough investigation, reward minor acts of virtue, and penalize minor wrongdoings. This will not only enhance the transparency of the government but also improve talent selection." Yan Qian spoke firmly, capturing everyone's attention. Gao Qiang was touched by his words and held him in high regard.
So Gao Jiong asked Yan Qian, the officials in the Hexi and Longyou regions, about their political achievements, and Yan Qian responded fluently. Gao Jiong said to the officials and governors of other states, "Talking to you all is no match for speaking with the Prefect of Qinzhou (Yan Qian)." After a few days, Gao Jiong recommended Yan Qian to the emperor, but the emperor did not accept it. After his term expired, Yan Qian was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate, where he did many good deeds, and the people called him a kind father. During the Ren Shou period, the emperor ordered envoys to inspect the states and counties, evaluate the achievements of local officials, and Yan Qian was rated as the best in the realm, directly promoted to the position of Sima of Yuezhou. Officials and people cried and said to each other, "With Prefect Fang gone, what will we do now!" Later, the people missed him and erected a monument to honor his virtues. Yuezhou had not had a governor for a long time, and all the affairs of the state were handled by Yan Qian, who achieved many remarkable political accomplishments.
Xue Daoheng, a renowned literary figure of the time, held a high official position and had a good reputation, knowing all the famous talents nationwide. He had a particularly good relationship with Yan Qian, holding him in high regard. Later, Xue Daoheng became the governor of Xiangzhou and frequently communicated with Yan Qian, meeting him often. Later, when Yang Guang became emperor, Xue Daoheng was appointed governor of Fanzhou. Passing by Yan Qian's place, he stayed for a few more days before reluctantly leaving. Huangmen Shilang Zhang Heng also had a very good relationship with Yan Qian.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was extravagantly building the Eastern Capital, which left the people deeply discontented. In addition, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled, leading to the punishment of many innocent people. Yan Qian saw that Zhang Heng was an official in the court at the time but could not prevent these events, so he wrote him a letter of advice:
It is said that rewards are given to encourage good deeds, and punishments are given to deter bad deeds. Therefore, people of low status who do good deeds must be rewarded; and high officials who commit bad deeds must be punished. I have never heard of anyone being spared punishment due to familial ties, or of anyone giving up rewards because of their low status. Nowadays, all the provincial governors are appointed to manage their respective regions, and all matters of right and wrong will be reported to the court. They are all afraid of the court's rules and regulations, and dare not be negligent. The country is blessed by the heavens, and is like a parent to the people. The fairness of rewards and punishments will be known to heaven, as heaven is watching over us, so we should be cautious and careful. Just like King Wen said: "I must be vigilant day and night, and fear the majesty of heaven." In this regard, although there are differences between provinces and counties, and vast differences in status, the principles of caring for the people, loving the people, and exercising caution in law enforcement are all the same.
As for the rebellion in Bingzhou, it requires careful investigation. If Yang Liang truly raised troops and bought horses out of concern for the safety of the country and the people because he did not receive orders from the court, and not with rebellious intent, then his true intentions must be examined, and his punishment should be decided accordingly. This would align with the emperor's magnanimous intentions and would also dispel doubts in the minds of the people. If it is found that there is no internal or external danger, and he was only seeking to seize power and engage in treacherous activities, then he should be punished like Guan Shu and Cai Shu, and his accomplices should also be punished, executed according to the law, and their families punished, as stipulated by the laws of the country. However, some of them may not have participated willingly, and their strength may not be great, but they were forced to participate out of necessity. In such cases, they should be differentiated from the others, to avoid wrongly accusing innocent people. The eyes of heaven are keen; how could it wrongly accuse the innocent? For crimes that are questionable, a lighter punishment should be imposed, as this is the correct way. In the past, Shu Xiang sentenced those in prison to death, and the people of Jin commended him; Emperor Wen of Han praised him for releasing those guilty of minor offenses. Yang Shenning did not harbor ill will toward his brother, and the court officials did not deliberately disobey the king's orders; they were simply carrying out justice, impartially.
Furthermore, the great position of a sage is a divine gift bestowed by the heavens. It cannot be casually obtained without heavenly will. Therefore, even though Chi You and Xiang Yu were brave, Yi Yin and Huo Guang had great power, Li Lao and Confucius were exceptionally wise, and Lv Shang and Sun Wu were proficient in military strategy, the states of Wu and Chu had advantageous terrains, and Chan and Lu had the Empress Dowager as their support, none of them were able to become emperor in the end because they did not have the Mandate of Heaven. Not to mention Yang Liang, who was just a small official in a remote corner, trying to attack the capital and foolishly dreaming of acquiring what was not rightfully theirs. Since time immemorial, historical records have chronicled the deeds of emperors across the ages, allowing us to understand in detail. Who can gain the support of the people and the blessings of heaven without accumulating virtue and performing good deeds? Therefore, wise monarchs in ancient times worked diligently from morning to night, remaining vigilant and always guarding against disasters. However, in later generations, rulers became indulgent and extravagant, losing their vigilance, acting recklessly, and indulging in wine and women. The list of their wrongdoings is endless, and I will not list them all.
Speaking of the states of Qi and Chen, they were major powers at the time, believing their virtues were as bright as the heavens and the earth, and they were not concerned about any dangers or laws. Their close advisors were all in favor, only speaking good words and concealing bad deeds. Historians distorted facts, only recording the good deeds and covering up the bad ones. Therefore, the common people lamented, yet their voices never reached the rulers. The ministers exaggerated their achievements, constantly boasting in front of the rulers. Though the laws were strict, the punishments and corvee labor only increased, exhausting the people, both young and old.
Reflect on the past; Zheng had Zi Chan, Qi had Yan Ying, Chu had Shu Ao, and Jin had Shi Hui. Even these small countries had such good ministers. Could they really lack capable ministers in the vast and rich Qi and Chen? It is only because the rulers are ignorant and blinded by their own desires, only concerned with their personal interests, forgetting about the safety and well-being of the country and the people. While they may appear to cooperate on the surface, they are actually filled with mutual suspicion. If they encounter upright and talented ministers, if the ministers pose a threat to their interests, they will exclude and suppress them; if they encounter those flattering and sycophantic individuals, even if they do many bad things, as long as it serves their interests, they will elevate and employ them. How can true talent be recognized in this manner? True talent is not just about physical strength or literary talent, but about being upright and responsible, like the pillars of a house, like the bones of the body, strong and unwavering; this is what we call true pillar talent!
Qi and Chen do not utilize these upright individuals; instead, they believe in those flattering and sycophantic people. Heaven observes their debauchery and extravagance, so it took back their ruling power and gave it to our great Sui. If these two countries can fear Heaven, demonstrate compassion for the people, promote upright individuals, reject the superficial, be humble in heart, and prioritize compassion, then even if the Hebei region is strong and prosperous, and the Jianghu region is fraught with danger and isolation, they can each mind their own business. The people will not rebel, and the nation will be as stable as Mount Tai itself; no one can shake it. But they indulge in pleasure, become careless, and ultimately lead to the destruction of the country, only to find themselves regretting it too late! As the ancient poem says: "Before the fall of the Shang Dynasty, they still worshipped the gods and received their blessings. You should take this as a lesson; do not take for granted the protection of Heaven." In matters of state, which issue does not require careful consideration? "Before the fall of the Yin Dynasty, they were still compatible with the gods. Learn from the Yin Dynasty; a prosperous destiny is not easily attained."
Your Majesty, you are renowned for your benevolence and filial piety far and wide, with great deeds, and the people are full of admiration for you. Your governance of the Huaihai region has been remarkable, and all the people in the world are devoted to you. Although your time in office has not been long, benevolent policies have already been implemented, and the people across the country are eagerly anticipating your policies. The rebellion in Bingzhou occurred very suddenly, due to the deception and misleading of Yang Liang, misleading the people, not because they originally resented the court and actively sided with the rebels. However, officials and generals in the court claim that those people all want to rebel, which not only unjustly accuses the innocent but may also affect the Emperor's wise decision-making. You have always enjoyed the Emperor's trust, holding important positions in the court, and have been valued since your days as a prince, being a key figure in the court. You deserve to be remembered in history, leaving a lasting legacy, like Jich, Qi, Yi, and Lv, becoming famous ministers for all eternity. Now that you are in a prosperous era, you should dare to speak up and offer advice, setting an example for future generations and becoming their role model. How can you bend the law for the sake of pleasing the Emperor and punish those who are coerced? I'm sharing my thoughts openly, simply to express my loyalty. I'm still learning, so if I've offended you, please forgive me.
After receiving the letter, Heng let out a deep sigh but didn't dare to report to the court. Mr. Yanqian saw the court's corruption and decay, so he resigned and intended to live out his days at the foot of Meng Mountain to fulfill his ambitions. Later, the court established the position of Sili Governor and recruited famous figures from all over the country. The court believed that Mr. Yanqian was honest and upright, highly virtuous and respected, and was the most suitable candidate, so they summoned him to serve as the Sili Governor. Mr. Yanqian was determined to reform societal norms, recommending only people of high moral character. Those involved in the cases he handled all respected his decisions without complaint. The deputy Sili official, Liu Yu, was arrogant and unreasonable, considering himself upright, and even the governors were wary of him, treating him with utmost respect. Only Mr. Yanqian adhered to his principles, remaining uncompromising, and many respected individuals praised him and offered him deep bows. Liu Yu didn't dare to bear a grudge against Mr. Yanqian. In the ninth year of Daye, Mr. Yanqian traveled with the emperor across the Liao River, overseeing military affairs in Fuyu. As the political landscape of the Sui Dynasty grew more chaotic, court officials began to betray. However, Mr. Yanqian always upheld his integrity, remaining upright and uncompromising, which led to his demotion to magistrate of Jingyang County. Shortly after, Mr. Yanqian passed away while in office at the age of sixty-nine.
When Li Yanqian was at home, whenever his nephews came to visit, he always shared his wisdom with them, encouraging them to work hard and progress, talking on and on without ever tiring. His ancestors left behind some property, and the family was originally well-off. He had served as an official before, spending his salary to support relatives and friends, leaving no extra money at home; even his horses, clothes, and daily necessities were kept simple. From young to old, his words and actions were always upright, never involving personal gain. Although he felt no shame in his lack of money, he remained content. One time, he smiled contentedly and said to his son Li Xuanling, "Others become rich because of their official positions, but I became poor because of mine. All I leave my descendants is an unblemished reputation." His writings were broad, elegant, and leisurely, rooted in the rich tradition of ancient literati. He was also skilled in cursive and clerical script, and those who received his letters cherished them as treasures. The renowned literati of the era, such as Wang Shao in Taiyuan, Gao Gou in Beihai, Li Gang in Jiao County, Liu Yu and Xue Ru in Hedong, were all friends with Li Yanqian. Although high-ranking officials often visited, his home remained peaceful, free from unsavory visitors. He was elegant in demeanor, well-versed in government affairs, and wise individuals believed he had a bright future ahead. Initially, during the Kaihuang era, after quelling the Chen dynasty and unifying the realm, everyone proclaimed that a peaceful and prosperous era was on the horizon. Li Yanqian confided in his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The emperor is suspicious and does not accept advice or opposition from others. The crown prince is weak, the princes are powerful, and the court enforces only harsh and cruel policies, without implementing lenient and benevolent measures. Although the country is stable, I fear that chaos will soon arise." Li Shaotong initially did not believe him, but by the time of the Renshou and Daye eras, Li Yanqian's words had all come true. After the Tang Dynasty unified the country, he was posthumously honored as the governor of Xuzhou and the Duke of Linzi County, with the posthumous title of "Ding."
The historian said: a tall building cannot be built from just one piece of wood; the accomplishments of emperors cannot be achieved through the strategy of a single person. Each has its own purpose and suitability, just like wood, ladders, and beams, none can be discarded. People like Li E, some of whom write well and uphold justice, while others have outstanding talents and serve the country, their talents and contributions were evident at the time, and their deeds are recorded in the annals of history. Many talented individuals of the Sui Dynasty contributed to the country's development and the completion of its tasks; they are all pillars of the nation, much like the stars surrounding the North Star.
Pei Zheng, courtesy name (字) Debiao, was from Wenxi, Shanxi. His great-grandfather was the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty and moved to Shouyang following Emperor Wu. He served as the Chief Historian of the Frontline Army and the Prefect of Lujiang. His grandfather Pei Sui was the Palace Attendant, Left Guard General, and Grand Commander of Yuzhou in the Liang Dynasty; his father, Pei Zhili, served as the Minister of Justice. Pei Zheng was bright and well-informed from a young age, with exceptional memory and a deep understanding of current affairs. At the age of fifteen, he was hired as a military law officer in the Prince Shaoling's Mansion, later promoted to the Lang of the Ministry of Works and the Magistrate of Zhijiang. When the Prince of Xiangdong arrived in Jingzhou, he was summoned to serve as a secretary in the Xuanhui Mansion, and soon promoted to the Yellow Gate Attendant of the Imperial Secretariat.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Pei Zheng was appointed as the General of Zhuangwu and led his forces to join Wang Lin in suppressing Hou Jing. He captured the rebel leader Song Zixian and presented him to Jingzhou. After pacifying Hou Jing, he led the vanguard forces into Jianye and was granted the title of Marquis of Yiling for his military achievements. The court summoned him to serve as an Attendant Yellow Gate of the Imperial Secretariat, and he led troops to assist Wang Lin in resisting Xiao Ji, defeating him at Xiaokou. Subsequently, he was further appointed as the General Who Maintains the South and the Chief Historian of Zhen Nan Prefecture.
Later, when the Western Wei army surrounded Jingzhou, Wang Lin rushed from Guizhou to provide assistance, marching to Changsha. Pei Zheng requested to go ahead through a secret route to inform Emperor Yuan. When he reached Bailizhou, he was captured by the Western Wei army. Xiao Cha said to Pei Zheng, "I am the grandson of the Emperor Wu of the Northern Wei, why can't you submit to me? Why sacrifice yourself for those seven (referring to the emperors of the Liang Dynasty)? If you listen to me, your descendants will be wealthy and noble; if you don't, I will have you executed!" Pei Zheng feigned agreement, replying, "I will heed your words." Xiao Cha imprisoned him, brought him to the city gates, and ordered him to convey a message to Emperor Yuan: "Wang Sengbian has heard that Tai City is surrounded and has proclaimed himself emperor. Wang Lin's forces are weak and unlikely to come again." Pei Zheng complied with the
Then, he told the people in the city, "Reinforcements are on their way; everyone has to hang in there! As a captured messenger, I must give my all for the country!" The soldiers guarding him slapped him, but he stood firm in his words. Xiao Cha was furious and ordered his immediate execution. Cai Daye urged Xiao Cha, "He’s the people's hope." As a result, Pei Zheng’s life was spared. After the fall of Jiangling City, he and the officials in the city were escorted to the Western Wei capital.
When Emperor Wen of Western Wei learned of his loyalty, he appointed him as a junior official in the Ministry of the Household, enabling him to take part in state affairs. The Emperor also had him and Lu Bian establish the Six Ministers based on the "Rites of Zhou," established official positions, and formulated court etiquette, ceremonial dress, and utensils, largely based on ancient rituals, abolishing the old laws of the Han and Wei dynasties, which were all successfully implemented. Shortly after, he was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Justice and later promoted to magistrate. Pei Zheng was well-versed in legal matters and also took part in revising the "Rituals of Zhou." He could really hold his liquor, never getting drunk even after several dou of wine. Even with mountains of cases, he handled them quickly, enforcing the law with leniency and fairness, ensuring there were no wrongful convictions. For those sentenced to death, he allowed their wives to visit them in prison. When it was time for winter executions, the prisoners would say, "Master Pei sentenced me to death, but I can go peacefully." This shows just how fair his law enforcement was. He was also knowledgeable in music theory and often discussed music with Changsun Shaoyuan, which was recorded in the "Records of Music Theory." However, during Emperor Xuan's reign, he was dismissed for disobeying the emperor's orders.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, he was reinstated to his former official position. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was promoted to a higher rank and also appointed as the head of the Three Departments. The Emperor instructed him, along with Su Wei and others, to revise the laws. He referred to the criminal law codes from the Wei and Jin periods all the way to the laws of the Qi and Liang dynasties, analyzing and comparing the severity and urgency, selecting appropriate solutions. More than ten individuals were involved in the revision, and he made decisions on all difficult matters. He was promoted to the Cavalry Attendant and then to the Left Imperial Clerk, rectifying numerous errors, and everyone praised him for his simplicity and honesty. Yang Su was entrusted with all major matters in the Eastern Palace.
The Right Imperial Clerk Liu Rong had a very stubborn character. At that time, military officers took turns on duty, and Attendant Officer Zhao Yuankai was in the process of writing a memorial but had not completed it. The Crown Prince repeatedly urged him, and Liu Rong told Zhao Yuankai, "Just give an oral report; there's no need to write a memorial." After the report, the Crown Prince asked, "Where is the memorial?" Zhao Yuankai said, "I informed Lord Liu, and he instructed me not to write a memorial." The Crown Prince questioned Liu Rong, who denied saying such a thing. The Crown Prince handed the matter over to Yang Su for investigation. Before Yang Su had completed his report, someone came to Liu Rong's defense, saying, "Yang Su is trying to frame Liu Rong; this matter is not true." The Crown Prince summoned Yang Su and questioned him, to which Yang Su reported, "Investigating this matter involves two aspects: assessing the situation and finding evidence, carefully examining right and wrong to judge the truth. I believe that Liu Rong holds a high position and heavy responsibilities, so even if he did say that to Zhao Yuankai, it was a minor fault. Logically, there is no need to conceal it. I also examined Zhao Yuankai, and he is under the influence of Liu Rong, so he wouldn't fabricate things to frame him. Their situations are consistent logically. Zhao Yuankai also asked Left Guard Leader Cui Qian and others to testify, and their testimonies were consistent with Zhao Yuankai's account. The situation has been clarified, but further evidence is required for confirmation. I believe that Liu Rong did indeed say those words to Zhao Yuankai; this matter is certainly true." The Crown Prince ultimately chose not to punish Liu Rong, instead praising Yang Su for his fairness and integrity.
Pei Zheng was a straightforward person, criticizing others face-to-face without holding back, and never regretting it afterwards. There was a person named Ding Xing at that time, who often served the crown prince in the palace, providing him with strange and extravagant clothing and trinkets, and even sending gifts to the harem, having questionable relationships with the concubines and behaving indiscreetly. Pei Zheng advised the crown prince several times, but the crown prince simply did not listen. Later, Pei Zheng said to Ding Xing, "What you're doing is totally out of line. Moreover, Consort Yuan has just died suddenly, creating quite a scandal in the city. This does not bode well for the crown prince's reputation! You should back off, or you will inevitably run into trouble!" Ding Xing was furious when he heard this and went to complain to the crown prince. The crown prince grew even more resentful towards Pei Zheng, and then shipped him off to Xiangzhou as an administrator.
After arriving in Xiangzhou, Pei Zheng's wife did not accompany him, and he distributed his salary to his subordinates. He kept a close eye on commoners' crimes, some he let slide for over a year. He would wait until the offender repeated the offense two or three times and then call them out at meetings to handle their trials himself, sentencing some to death and exiling many others. The locals lived in peace and saw him as a god. Later on, the prison in Xiangzhou was hardly used anymore, and there were very few lawsuits. Pei Zheng served in Xiangzhou until he was eighty-nine years old before passing away, leaving behind a book called "Records of the Holy Lineage" in ten volumes. Only after the crown prince was deposed did Emperor Gaozu remember Pei Zheng, saying, "If I had let Pei Zheng and Liu Xingben stick around to help the crown prince from the start, things might not have turned out so badly." Pei Zheng's son, Pei Nanjin, eventually made his mark as a government official.
Liu Zhuang, with the courtesy name Sijing, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather Liu Jiyuan served as a Minister of Works in the Liang Dynasty; his father Liu Xia was once the Prefect of Huozhou. Liu Zhuang had lofty ambitions from a young age; he was well-read and had a talent for rhetoric. Cai Dabao from Jiyang was famous in the Jiangnan region, serving as an advisor to Prince Yue of Yueyang, and upon seeing Liu Zhuang, he exclaimed, "The Water Mirror Master Zhuge Liang from Xiangyang has appeared here again!" Cai Dabao then married his daughter to Liu Zhuang. Not long after, Prince Yue appointed Liu Zhuang as a military officer, and later promoted him to the Ministry of Justice. After Prince Yue ascended to the throne, he appointed Liu Zhuang as a Palace Attendant in the Imperial Secretariat, and subsequently held positions including Assistant Minister of Personnel, Assistant Minister of Rites, and Minister of War.
Later, Yang Jian took over the government, and Xiao Kui sent Liu Zhuang with letters to the border. At that time, the realm was in chaos, and Yang Jian was concerned that Xiao Kui might have ulterior motives. When Liu Zhuang returned, Yang Jian said to him, "I followed the Liang Dynasty army in Jiangling before, and I was deeply favored by Emperor Liangwu. Now the young sovereign of the Liang Dynasty is in danger, and Xiao Kui has entrusted me with heavy responsibilities. I pondered this at night, feeling ashamed and fearful. The Liang Dynasty has had wise monarchs throughout its history, loyal to their sovereign and the court, and only then can they show the steadfast spirit like that of pine and bamboo. When you return to Liang, please convey these words to Xiao Kui for me." After he finished speaking, Yang Jian grasped Liu Zhuang's hand and bid him farewell.
At that time, the generals of the Liang Dynasty secretly sought to mobilize troops and join forces with Wei Jiong and others to resist the Sui Dynasty. This way, they could remain loyal to the Zhou Dynasty and also take advantage of the opportunity to occupy the Shannan region. Only Xiao Kui hesitated about this. At this time, Liu Zhuang returned from Chang'an and conveyed Yang Jian's intentions in detail, then said to Xiao Kui, "In the past, people like Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Wang Ling, and Zhuge Dan were all heroes of the time, occupying strategic locations and commanding a large army, but ultimately, they all met swift defeat. The reason is that Cao Cao and the Sima clan manipulated the emperor to dominate the vassals, occupied the capital, and used righteousness as a pretext, allowing them to achieve victory and establish dominance. Now, although Wei Jiong is an old general, he is already old and incompetent. Xiao Nan and Wang Qian are even more incompetent, lacking the ability to assist the monarch. Moreover, the Shandong and Bashu regions were gradually coming under Sui control, and the Zhou Dynasty's benevolence has not yet fully extended to them. Most ministers in the court were primarily concerned with their own interests and strove to be loyal to Yang Jian. In my opinion, Wei Jiong and others will eventually be eliminated, and Yang Jian will definitely destroy the Zhou Dynasty. It is better for us to protect the country and the people and wait and see." Xiao Kui wholeheartedly agreed, and everyone stopped discussing sending troops.
Soon, Xiao Nan defected to the Chen Dynasty, and Wei Jiong and Wang Qian were killed one after another. Xiao Kui said to Liu Zhuang, "If I had listened to those people in the first place, our country would have been lost long ago!"
After Liu Bang became emperor, Liu Zhuang returned to work in the court, and Liu Bang specially comforted and encouraged him. Later, Prince Jin married the Princess of Liang, and Liu Zhuang made four or five trips back and forth for this matter, being rewarded with several thousand bolts of cloth. After Xiao Cong ascended the throne as emperor, Liu Zhuang was promoted to the position of Minister of Works. After the fall of the Liang Kingdom, he was appointed as the Minister of the Guards, and shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Attendant Yellow Gate. He was also granted land and property. Liu Zhuang was well-versed in the established rules and regulations, and he handled government affairs very appropriately. Whenever he offered corrections, the emperor consistently praised his judgments.
Su Wei became the Grand Minister of Rites and highly valued Liu Zhuang's knowledge and abilities. He often said in front of the emperor, "People from Jiangnan either possess knowledge without practical skills or practical skills without knowledge. The only one who can balance both is Liu Zhuang." Gao Feng had a good rapport with Liu Zhuang. Liu Zhuang and Chen Mao served together, but Liu Zhuang regarded himself as superior to Chen Mao. Chen Mao felt increasingly resentful as he noticed the emperor and court officials held Liu Zhuang in high regard, and he always felt that Liu Zhuang looked down on him. The emperor and Chen Mao knew each other before, and Chen Mao took the opportunity to speak disparagingly of Liu Zhuang in front of the emperor several times.
Over the years, Chen Mao's slander began to take its toll. Once, the Ministry of Justice reported that the criminals should be exiled as per the law, but the emperor wanted to sentence them to death. Liu Zhuang submitted a memorial saying, "I heard Zhang Shizhi say that the law is to be observed by both the emperor and the people. If the law prescribes one course of action, yet you choose to impose a harsher penalty, the people will lose faith in the law. Now the country is peaceful; it is a time to demonstrate the credibility of the court. I hope Your Majesty can consider Zhang Shizhi's words, which will benefit the people!" The emperor did not listen to him, and Liu Zhuang offended the emperor as a result.
Not long after, the medicinal pills presented by the official responsible for tributing herbs did not meet the emperor's approval. Chen Mao secretly told the emperor that Liu Zhuang did not personally supervise the inspection, which angered the emperor. In the eleventh year of the emperor's reign, Xu Rong instigated a rebellion in Jiangnan, and Liu Zhuang, as the chief military officer, led the forces to quell the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, Liu Zhuang was appointed as the governor of Raozhou and achieved notable success. Several years later, Liu Zhuang passed away at the age of sixty-two.
Yuan Shi, with the courtesy name Jianyan, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father was named Wenzong and was very famous in Northern Qi. He died in the early years of the Kaihuang era while serving as the governor of Juzhou. Yuan Shi earned great respect from a young age. He initially served as a military official in the Ministry of Works and was later promoted to the rank of Left External Brigade Major in the Ministry of War, also overseeing the Department of Ancestral Temples.
One year in late spring, someone reported seeing a dragon and requested a rain prayer ceremony. At that time, Gao Ana Gong was the prime minister, and upon hearing that a true dragon had manifested, he was very surprised and eagerly inquired about the dragon's whereabouts. Yuan Shi adjusted his robes and responded, "This is merely the appearance of a dragon constellation. According to the ritual, a rain prayer ceremony should be held at the suburban altar, not due to the appearance of an actual dragon." When Gao Ana Gong heard this, his expression shifted instantly, and he retorted angrily, "How do you know it's a star?" As a result, the rain prayer ceremony was not held. Yuan Shi later sighed privately, "The fortunes of a nation hinge on sacrifices and military matters. If rituals are neglected now, how can it endure? The day of Northern Qi's downfall is not far away!"
Seven years later, Emperor Zhou Wu conquered Northern Qi, and Yuan Shi was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Revenue. When Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the Chief Historian of Weizhou, and later reassigned him to the imperial court as the Assistant Minister of Personnel while concurrently in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. He played a significant role in formulating many of the court's regulations and laws. In his seventeenth year of service, he held the positions of Left and Right Assistants to the Imperial Secretary and gained a reputation for his exceptional efficiency.
At that time, Yang Xiu, the King of Shu, often violated the law, so Emperor Wen of Sui sent Yuan Shi to Yizhou as the Governor of Sima to supervise him. Soon, Yang Xiu was summoned back to the capital by the court, but he feared turmoil in the capital and wanted to feign illness to avoid going. Yuan Shi advised him many times, insisting that he must not disobey the imperial edict. Yang Xiu angrily said, "This is my family's affair; what does that have to do with you!" Yuan Shi cried and said, "I have received great favor from the state, serving as an official in the government office. As a court official, I must do my utmost. However, in recent years, the nation has faced numerous challenges. King Xiao of Qin passed away from a serious illness, and the sons of commoners have been deposed one after another. How heavy must the emperor's heart be! Now that the decree has been issued to recall the King of Shu, this has already been delayed for far too long. If it is delayed further, the people will misunderstand the king's intentions. If differing opinions arise, both inside and outside the court will be unsettled. If the emperor becomes furious and sends an envoy, how will the king justify his actions? I hope you, my lord, will consider this carefully!" Yang Xiu finally agreed to return to the capital. After Yang Xiu was deposed, many officials in Yizhou were implicated, but Yuan Shi was spared from repercussions due to his counsel. Later, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Rites by Emperor Yang Guang of Sui.
Once, Emperor Yang of Sui was in the Palace of Xianren and ordered the palace guards not to leave their posts without permission. A general privately allowed the guards to leave, and Emperor Yang referred the matter to the Dali Temple. Yuan Shi sentenced the general to imprisonment based on the law, but Emperor Yang wanted to execute him. Yuan Shi said, "This man’s crime is truly unforgivable. If Your Majesty had killed him from the beginning, there would have been no need for legal formalities. Since it has been referred to the Dali Temple, it should follow the legal process. What if the palace guards make similar mistakes in the future? How should we handle that?" Emperor Yang listened to his words and abandoned the idea of killing him. Later, Yuan Shi was promoted to the position of Assistant Minister of Justice. Yuan Shi was known for his efficiency and sharp wit in his work, but he lacked a reputation for integrity and fairness. He passed away shortly thereafter, leaving behind a son named Kunyu.
Lang Mao, style name Weizhi, was from Xinshi, Hengshan, Hebei. His father, Ji, had served as the Prefect of Yingchuan in Northern Qi. Lang Mao was bright from a young age, could recite the "Songs of Chu" and the "Book of Songs" by age seven, memorizing over a thousand characters daily. At the age of fifteen, he studied under Quan Hui in Hejian, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Lang Mao learned the "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," "Three Rituals," as well as astronomy, law, and other subjects from him. He also studied the "Zuo Commentary," "Gongyang Commentary," "Guliang Commentary," and various other books with Zhang Shuili, an assistant lecturer at the Imperial Academy, studying so hard that he often forgot to eat and sleep. His family was worried about him being exhausted and constantly adjusted the candles for him. As he grew older, everyone regarded him as a scholar and an excellent writer. When he was nineteen, his father passed away, and during the mourning period, he adhered to even stricter rituals than necessary.
He later served as an official in the Northern Qi Dynasty, starting as a military advisor in the Office of the Grand Minister. By chance, the Chen Kingdom sent an envoy named Fu Zai to visit the Qi Kingdom, and the Qi Kingdom assigned Lang Mao to receive him. Later, Lang Mao was ordered to proofread and organize historical records in the Secretariat. After that, he was promoted to be the magistrate of Baocheng County due to his outstanding performance. The common people even wrote a Qingde Song specifically for him. After the Northern Zhou Dynasty defeated the Northern Qi Dynasty, Prime Minister Wang Yi recommended him, and Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him as the registrar of Chenzhou. Later, Yang Jian (later Emperor Wen of Sui) became the governor of Bozhou, and after meeting Lang Mao, he admired him greatly and appointed him as the secretary of the governor's office. At that time, Emperor Wu of Zhou was compiling the "Book of Changes," and Yang Jian once casually said to Lang Mao, "The emperor's actions resonate with heaven and earth, but there are many strict legal provisions in the 'Book of Changes.' How can this effectively govern the country?" Lang Mao praised him inwardly, thinking, "This is not something an ordinary person can say!" From then on, he secretly befriended Yang Jian, who also respected him greatly. Later, Lang Mao returned to his hometown and became the chief registrar of the state. After Yang Jian became the prime minister, he wrote a letter summoning him, and the two of them happily talked about past events. Yang Jian appointed him as the registrar of Weizhou, and he performed excellently. Not long after, he was promoted to be the magistrate of Weiguo County. At that time, there were over two hundred prisoners detained in the county, and Lang Mao personally tried them for several days, releasing more than a hundred prisoners. During his tenure, there were virtually no cases that required reporting to the prefectural government. The Inspector of Weizhou, Yuan Hui, told Lang Mao, "The chief official said that the people of Weiguo are too afraid to appeal because they are afraid of you!" Lang Mao replied, "The common people are like water, and laws and regulations are like embankments. If the embankments are not sturdy, the water will overflow. As long as there are no breaches, what’s there to worry about?" Yuan Hui was left at a loss for words.
Once, there was a person named Zhang Yuanyu who had a bad relationship with his cousin Si Lan. The county magistrate wanted to deal with them harshly using the law. Lang Mao said, "Zhang Yuanyu and his cousin have never seen eye to eye, and now that they have committed a crime, this will only deepen their conflict. This is not the way to educate the people!" So, he sent some respected elders from the village to mediate. These people came and went in droves. Zhang Yuanyu and his cousin were moved by them, felt deep remorse, and went to the county office to confess. Lang Mao explained the reason to them, and in the end, the two brothers reconciled and became good friends, turning their story into a well-known tale.
Mao first served as the Chief Clerk in Yanzhou, then was promoted to the position of Taichang Cheng, and then became the Right Assistant Minister of Personnel. At that time, Su Wei, the Right Assistant Minister, made a regulation that every year, the people would be investigated for any offenses of "disrespect of the five ranks." Some local officials replied, "There are no five-rank families in our jurisdiction!" They completely disregarded the regulations, and this was the case in many areas. Su Wei also established a surplus inventory, intending to record whether there was any surplus grain in various places, to determine if it could be redistributed. Mao thought this was too cumbersome and useless, so he memorialized to have these matters all canceled. A few years later, his mother passed away, so he resigned and returned home to observe mourning. Before the mourning period was over, the court summoned him back to duty. He also memorialized that the sons of those who sacrificed for the country should not lose their land, and the elderly officials should not have their land reduced. These suggestions were all proposed by Mao. Mao was intelligent and efficient, handling matters swiftly. At that time, everyone praised his exceptional ability to manage affairs.
During the Renshou period, he served as the Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs and also concurrently held the position of Prefect of Daxing. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to the position of Governor of Yongzhou, and shortly after, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Rites. Two years later, he was appointed as the Deputy Left Minister of Personnel, responsible for the appointment of officials. Wang Mao was renowned for his expertise in legal principles, which was well-known at that time. At that time, the Minister of Works Yu Wenkai and the Right Guard General Yu Zhongwen were in a fierce dispute over the silver mines in Hedong. Mao submitted a memorial accusing them, stating, "I have heard that there are different rites according to rank, and different professions for scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, so that everyone can be in their proper place and know shame. Yu Wenkai already holds a high position and receives a generous salary; he should be living a peaceful life, yet he shamelessly fights over the silver mines. Yu Zhongwen is a General and a close advisor to the Emperor; he listens to the teachings in the palace every day and should learn the modesty of Yu Shun and Rui Bo, but he is only concerned about petty gains. How can they set an example for their subordinates and the people if they act like this? If they are not disciplined, it will damage the political atmosphere." As a result, both Yu Wenkai and Yu Zhongwen were punished. Mao also wrote a 100-volume book called "The Maps and Classics of Prefectures and Counties" and presented it to the court, receiving 300 rolls of silk as a reward, and the manuscript was stored in the imperial archives. At that time, the Emperor frequently went on inspections, and the national laws and regulations were in chaos, with most of them ineffective. Wang Mao was an old official from the previous dynasty, well-acquainted with the affairs of the world, but he was good at protecting himself and did not have the courage to speak bluntly. Seeing the Emperor's irritable temper, he did not dare to speak, only sighing to himself. Due to his advanced age, he submitted a request for retirement in a memorial, but the Emperor did not approve it. At the time when the Emperor personally led his troops to campaign against Liaodong, he left Wang Mao to guard Jinyang Palace.
That year, Wang Wentong, the Prefect of Hengshan, had a conflict with Wang Mao, so he reported to the emperor, accusing Wang Mao of forming factions and deceiving his superiors. The emperor ordered Attendant Officer Su Wei and Grand Master of Ceremonies Pei Yun to investigate Wang Mao. Wang Mao already had a bad relationship with these two individuals, so they deliberately distorted the facts and fabricated charges against him. The emperor was furious and demoted Wang Mao and his brother, Wang Chudu, to the status of commoners, exiling them to Qiemo County. Wang Mao accepted this punishment with calmness, showing no signs of worry. On his journey, he wrote a piece titled "Ascending the Hill," which was quite well-written. He also submitted a memorial in his defense, and the emperor began to understand his grievances. Ten years later, the emperor summoned him back to Chang'an. A year later, Wang Mao passed away at the age of seventy-five. He had a son, Wang Zhinian.
Gao Gou, courtesy name Xiaoji, was from Beihai in Shandong. He was known for his humor and wit, was very wise and an excellent orator, enjoyed reading and excelled at managing government affairs. When he was young, he was appointed Chief Clerk of the prefecture. Later, he served as a military officer under the King of Qi in Henan, then as the Sima of Xuzhou, the Prefect of Lanling County, and the Prefect of Pingyuan County. After the fall of Northern Qi, Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him Sima of Xuzhou. After Emperor Yang Jian of Sui declared himself emperor, Gao Gou was transferred to Jizhou as the Sima, where he excelled and earned a strong reputation.
Next, he was summoned by the court and appointed as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works, and shortly after was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Jin Pingdong, and his nephew Jin Changmao were vying for inheritance rights. The Ministry of Personnel couldn't come to a decision, and after three discussions among court officials, no conclusion was reached. Gao Gou quickly assessed the situation and provided sound reasoning. The Emperor admired his abilities and summoned him to the palace, praising him, "I have heard that the talents of a court official should shine like the stars in the sky. Seeing your talent and knowledge, I now understand that the words of the ancients are true. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring is a significant aspect of etiquette and education. I have read your judgments several times; the wording is precise, and the reasoning is sound. It is something I cannot achieve." The Emperor also rewarded him with one hundred sheng of rice. From then on, Gao Gou's reputation soared.
Later, he was promoted to Sima of Yongzhou, known for his decisive actions. Over a year later, he was promoted again to be a minister in the Ministry of Personnel, and everyone said he was competent. He was later transferred back to Yongzhou as Sima, but after a minor incident, he was demoted to county magistrate of Zhoufei. However, he managed the county effectively, and the Emperor admired him, reappointing him as Sima of Yongzhou. He later served again as a minister in the Ministry of Personnel, but was eventually dismissed due to official reasons. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was summoned back to his position. Many officials in the Ministry of Personnel were let go for incompetence, but Gao Gou maintained the best reputation. All the officials responsible for selecting personnel were his subordinates.
People always believe that Gao Gou likes to tell jokes, thinking he is a bit frivolous, but in reality, he is quite cultured, especially valued by the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong. Later, due to old age and frailty, Gao Gou resigned from his official position. Niu Hong was responsible for selecting officials, and whenever he wanted to promote someone, he would always send someone to Gao Gou's house to ask if the person was suitable. Xue Daoheng from Hedong, who was renowned for his exceptional talent at the time, always said that Gao Gou had a unique insight. He would always present his articles to Gao Gou for review before publishing them. If Gao Gou had any criticisms or corrections, Xue Daoheng would always gratefully accept them. In the seventh year of the Daye era, Gao Gou passed away at the age of seventy-two. The individuals he recommended, including Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, later rose to prominence as key officials in the court, and people all said that Gao Gou had a keen eye for judging people.
During the Kaihuang period, Dou Lushi from Changli served as a Chamberlain for the Yellow Gate, renowned for his diligence and attention to detail. Pei Shu from Hedong served as the Right Minister, often correcting mistakes. Pei Shixie from Hedong, Dongfang Ju from Pingyuan, and Huangfu Yudao from Anding all worked in the Ministry of Justice, upholding the law with fairness and integrity. Liu Shilong from Hongnong and Fang Shanji from Qinghe worked in the Department of Merit, while Pei Jingmin from Hedong worked in the Ministry of War; they were all recognized for their high efficiency and exceptional skills. Wei Kun from Jingzhao served as a Minister of the People, often speaking frankly and providing counsel. Han Ze from Nanyang served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou, enacting numerous policies aimed at benefiting the populace. The accomplishments and legacies of these individuals showcased their remarkable talents, and they received widespread acclaim from their contemporaries.
In conclusion, during the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, a group of outstanding officials emerged, each performing their duties diligently and contributing to the country, earning praise from the people. Dou Lu was renowned for his meticulousness; Pei Shu dared to make numerous corrections; Pei Shixie, Dongfang Ju, and Huangfu Yudao upheld the law impartially; Liu Shilong, Fang Shanji, and Pei Jingmin were recognized for their efficiency; Wei Kun frequently offered candid advice; Han Zhe provided significant benefits to the people. Their outstanding deeds, all recognized for their official duties at the time, have been passed down to this day.
Zhang Qianwei, also known by his courtesy name Yuanjing, was from Wucheng, Qinghe Dong. His father, Zhang Yanzhi, formerly served as the Governor of Northern Xuzhou. Zhang Qianwei was intelligent and clever from a young age, being an avid reader. His grandfather, Zhang Songzhi, once said to someone, "Qianwei is the outstanding talent of our family!" At the age of twelve, he was appointed as the prefectural registrar. At the age of eighteen, he became a junior officer in the Ministry of War and later rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Clan. After the fall of Northern Qi, he served as an official in the Northern Zhou government. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, came to power, he recruited Zhang Qianwei to serve as a signatory in the imperial office.
During the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, Prince Jin, Yang Guang, was sent to serve as the Inspector of Bingzhou. He selected his staff and appointed Zhang Qianwei as a military officer in charge of prisons, subsequently promoting him to several positions. Prince Jin greatly admired his talents and, like Zhang Heng from Henan, he was held in high regard by Prince Jin. In Prince Jin's residence, they were known as the "Two Zhangs." Later, when Prince Jin became the Crown Prince, Zhang Qianwei was promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and the Crown Prince's Attendant. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Zhang Qianwei was appointed as an official of the Imperial Secretariat and the Yitong Sanqi. Due to his previous service in Prince Jin's residence, he was also granted the title of Kaifu. He was then promoted to Master of the Ceremonies, accompanying Emperor Yang to Jiangdu as he traveled, where he served as the acting governor and efficiently managed government affairs, earning accolades for his adept management of affairs.
Once, Zhang Qianwei saw an abandoned package on the road and, worried that the owner might be in a hurry, asked his subordinates to carry the package away. A few days later, the owner sought him out, and Zhang Qianwei returned the package to its owner intact. When the Governor of Huainan, Yang Lin, brought more than ten people to pay their respects to Emperor Yang Guang, Emperor Yang Guang asked Zhang Qianwei, "Who is the person standing in the front?" Zhang Qianwei carefully examined and replied, "It is the Governor of Huainan, Yang Lin." Emperor Yang Guang said, "You are a great official, yet you don’t recognize the person here to pay their respects. What’s going on?" Zhang Qianwei replied, "I do know Yang Lin, but I was afraid of mistaking the person, so I did not dare to answer easily. Just like Shi Jian counting a horse's legs, that is being extremely cautious!" Emperor Yang Guang highly admired his careful and meticulous nature. He was known for his integrity and caution, which were his style.
At that time, Emperor Yang Guang often toured, and the people were exhausted. Zhang Qianwei submitted a letter of admonition. Emperor Yang Guang was quite displeased and subsequently distanced himself from Zhang Qianwei. Not long after, Zhang Qianwei died. He had a son named Zhang Shuang, who later served as the magistrate of Lanling County.
Zhang Qianwei's younger brother, Zhang Qianxiong, was also quite skilled. When Prince Xiao of Qin, Yang Jun, served as the governor of Qinzhou, he recruited him as a judicial officer. Once, Prince Xiao of Qin personally interrogated prisoners. Zhang Qianxiong, in a moment of oversight, did not bring the case files, but he recounted the entire situation from memory to over a hundred people, and his colleagues were very impressed. Later, he served as the magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng counties, achieving notable success in both.
Rong Pi, with the courtesy name Zichen, was from Wuzhong in modern-day Beijing. His father, Rong Quan, was the Minister of War of the Wei Kingdom. Rong Pi was known for his integrity and sense of responsibility from a young age, was well-educated and well-read. He served in the Northern Zhou dynasty, starting as a secretary for the Prince of Han and later rising to the position of a junior official of the Interior Ministry. During the Kaihuang era of the Sui dynasty, he was promoted several times and eventually rose to the position of Palace Supervisor.
At that time, there were many thieves in Huayin County, and it was necessary to select outstanding officials to govern. Yang Su recommended Rong Pi as the Chancellor of Huazhou, and everyone said he was very capable. Yang Su owned many fields and houses in Huayin, and his subordinates often acted with impunity. During one court meeting, Yang Su said to Rong Pi, "I recommended you, actually to punish myself!" Rong Pi replied, "I wholeheartedly enforce the law, and I fear letting down your trust." Yang Su smiled and said, "I was just joking earlier. Your strict law enforcement is exactly what I want to see."
At that time, the Prince of Jin was in Yangzhou, often sending people to secretly inquire about the news in the capital. He sent Zhang Heng to set up stables everywhere on the road, saying it was for horse breeding, but in reality, it was for his personal benefit. All the states and counties dared not to oppose him; only Rong Pi decisively stopped this matter. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased to hear about it, rewarded him with a hundred rolls of silk, and promoted him to Sima of Puzhou. When Han Wang Liang rebelled, the heroes of Hedong rallied to his cause, opening the city gates to surrender. The Governor Qiu He fled back to Guanzhong. Changshi Gao Yiming said to Rong Pi, "Hedong is an important strategic location, the eastern gateway of the realm. If Hedong is lost, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although the people in the city are in panic, not everyone is rebelling. As long as we capture and kill a dozen or so leaders of the rebellion, the rebellion can be quelled." Rong Pi concurred with his advice. Gao Yiming rode out to pursue Qiu He to discuss countermeasures together. Unfortunately, he was killed by the rebels at the west gate of the city, and Rong Pi was subsequently captured.
After Han Wang Liang was pacified, Rong Pi was appointed as the Imperial Attendant. The Emperor said to him, "I am appointing you today because of your handling of the horse stable incident. Do not stray from your principles." The Emperor also respected him greatly. Rong Pi was upright and incorruptible in the court, earning the respect and fear of all the officials. Later, due to his mother's passing, he resigned his post to fulfill his mourning duties at home. Over a year later, he was reinstated, but soon passed away, and he was posthumously honored with the title of Honglu Shaoqing.
Brother Jianxu, this person has a particularly straightforward character and is very knowledgeable. He became a junior official and a teacher in the Zhou Dynasty, holding a significant official position. After pacifying the Qi state, he was left to defend the city of Ye and even authored a 30-volume "Qi Chronicle." Jianxu knew Gaozu (Yang Jian) before, and later became a chancellor; his rank rose even higher, and he was granted the title of Duke. He ultimately became the governor of Xizhou.
When he was preparing to take office, Gaozu was secretly plotting to usurp the throne, so he said to Jianxu, "Don't rush to leave; let's make a fortune together." Jianxu, thinking of himself as a minister of the Zhou Dynasty, immediately expressed his disapproval, saying, "I’ve never heard of such a thing." Gaozu was displeased by this, and Jianxu left.
During the Kaihuang era, Jianxu went to the capital to pay his respects to the Emperor, and Yang Jian asked him, "Do you regret it?" Jianxu quickly bowed and said, "My status is not as high as Xu Guang's, and my thoughts align with those of Yang Biao." Yang Jian laughed and said, "While I may not fully grasp these elegant words, I know you're challenging me!" Later, Jianxu became the governor of Shizhou and Hongzhou, and he excelled in both roles.
Lu Zhiming, with the courtesy name Zhongtong, was from Fuchun in Wu County. His father, Lu Ao, once served as the Cavalier Attendant during the Chen Dynasty. Lu Zhiming loved learning from a young age, had extensive knowledge, was upright and uncompromising. He initially served as a military officer under the Chen royal family and later became a scholar and later a prison official. He returned to his hometown after the fall of the Chen Dynasty.
At this time, Gao Zhihui and his followers stirred up trouble in Jiangzuo, while Prince Jin, Yang Guang, was stationed in Jiangdu. He recognized Lu Zhiming's influence in the Sanwu region and summoned him to persuade the rebel army to surrender. Lu Zhiming successfully persuaded seventeen cities to surrender, capturing more than three hundred rebel leaders such as Chen Zhengxu and Xiao Sixing. For this great achievement, he was appointed as Yitong San Si, granted land and property, and his brother Lu Ke was appointed as the magistrate of Jianyang. Lu Zhiming doubted his brother Lu Ke's ability to govern even a hundred miles, so he petitioned the court to rescind the appointment, which was agreed upon by the court.
After the country was unified, Lu Zhiming persuaded the founding emperor, Yang Jian, to move the capital to Luoyang, and wrote a piece titled "Taiping Song" to convey his ideas. After several years without being granted any significant position, he personally went to the court to request a mission to Goguryeo. In his memorial, he said, "I have heard that a wise ruler gathers talent from all corners of the realm, and even commoners with talent are valued. I hope Your Majesty can take a moment to consider my request. Your Majesty reigns in an era of peace and unity, with only the small nation of Goguryeo still posing a threat to the great Sui. You are known for your compassion and reluctance to harm the innocent, preferring to use virtue to influence them. I respectfully request Your Majesty to send me to Goguryeo to proclaim your benevolence, so that their rulers and subjects may come to pay their respects." The emperor was very impressed by this memorial.
One year later, Lu Zhiming was appointed as the governor of Puning Town. Many people praised his integrity, so he was called to serve in the Imperial Censorate. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Imperial Censor for Document Compilation. He was upright and incorruptible, earning the fear and respect of all officials, and Emperor Yang of Sui also highly valued him. Later, he was dismissed from office due to certain issues, but was reinstated a year later. At that time, Prince Qi Yang Jian was known for his arrogance and unruliness, surrounding himself with unscrupulous individuals. Lu Zhiming filed a memorial accusing him, which led to Yang Jian's punishment, which instilled fear among all the officials in court. During the Liaodong campaign, he served as the envoy for surrender negotiations from Donglai, and ultimately died while on military campaign at the age of sixty-seven, having been posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of the Imperial Censorate.
Fang Yanqian, whose courtesy name was Xiaochong, hailed from Qinghe as his ancestral home. Seven generations back, his ancestors held the position of chief clerk in the State of Yan, and later migrated to the State of Qi with the Murong clan, and have remained there ever since. His family has long been regarded as prestigious. His great-grandfather Fashou was the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou in the State of Wei, and was also granted the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu. His grandfather served as the Prefect of Qi commandery, while his great-uncle served as Prefect of Pingyuan commandery. His father, Xiong, began his career as a county registrar, later serving as the Prefect of Qinghe and Guangchuan commanderies.
Fang Yanqian lost his father when he was very young and never knew what his father looked like. He was raised by his mother and older brother. His older brother, Yanxun, was known for his integrity and wisdom. Seeing Fang Yanqian's intelligence, he took a particular liking to him and personally taught him how to read. At the age of seven, he could already recite tens of thousands of characters from texts, and the clan members regarded him as exceptionally gifted. At the age of fifteen, he showed greater filial piety towards his stepmother than he did towards his biological mother, and his stepmother was deeply touched and treated him with great kindness. Later, when his stepmother passed away, he refrained from eating for five days, subsisting only on water. He also served his uncle, the Prefect of Leling, with unwavering dedication, always being the last to enjoy the seasonal fruits. Whenever there was a funeral in the family, he strictly adhered to a vegetarian diet as a sign of his filial piety, and the clan members looked up to him as a role model. Later, he studied under the scholar Yin Lin, dedicating himself to mastering the Five Classics. He excelled in writing, calligraphy, and oratory, exuding an air of elegance.
At the age of eighteen, when Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning was appointed Inspector of Qizhou, he recruited Fang Yanqian as his registrar. At that time, the laws were rather lax, and the officials in the state were also lax in their duties. However, after Fang Yanqian took office, he strictly followed the laws, governed with honesty and integrity, and maintained order in the state, earning the respect of all. Later, when the Zhou army invaded Ye City, forcing the Emperor of Qi to flee east, Fang Yanqian was appointed as the magistrate of Qizhou. Seeing the downfall of the country, he was deeply saddened and sought to rally loyal and righteous men to devise a secret plan to restore the court, but ultimately failed. After the fall of the Qi state, he returned to his homeland. Emperor Wu of the Zhou dynasty appointed Xin Zun, a pillar of the state, as the Inspector of Qizhou. Xin Zun was captured by the rebel army's leader, accompanied by soldiers brandishing swords. Fang Yanqian penned a letter urging those soldiers, and they felt both ashamed and fearful, so they released Xin Zun and sent him back to the state. The other rebel soldiers soon followed suit and surrendered. Later, after Emperor Yang Jian declared himself emperor, Fang Yanqian led a reclusive life, vowing never to take up public office again.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang reign, Wei Yi, the governor, strongly recommended him, and he had no choice but to accept. Upon meeting him, Lu Kai, the Minister of Personnel, recognized his potential and promoted him to the position of Attendant. Shortly thereafter, he was elevated to the rank of Imperial Censor. Later, following Chen Ping, he was tasked with pacifying ten provinces, including Quanzhou and Kuazhou. Due to his effective implementation of the orders, the emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth, one hundred measures of rice, a complete outfit, and seven servants. He was subsequently promoted to the position of Chief Recorder of Qinzhou.
Once during a court session, Left Minister Gao Feng was evaluating the performance of officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Feng, "It is said that officials' performance should be evaluated every three years, and based on their performance, they should be promoted or demoted. This system has existed since the times of Yao and Shun in ancient China. Evaluations for promotions should be fair, with rewards and punishments being appropriate, so that only the deserving are promoted while the unworthy are demoted. If there are inconsistencies in the evaluations, then this system becomes meaningless. Recently, I have seen the evaluation results from various states, and the standards are inconsistent, with varying numbers of promotions and demotions. Not to mention, some evaluations are influenced by personal biases, leading to unfair results. Honest and upright individuals may not necessarily receive high praise, while those who flatter and play politics well may receive high praise. This leads to the blurring of right and wrong, and the high-ranking officials fail to conduct careful evaluations. Those accustomed to leveraging their influence often gain praise through flattery, while those who have not worked in the central government are considered unqualified and demoted. Furthermore, the vast distances between regions make it difficult to understand the situation in detail, leading to decisions based solely on the number of officials, with half being deemed qualified and half unqualified. Only counting the quantity of officials, without considering their quality, makes it impossible to achieve fairness and justice. Your Excellency possesses keen insight and fairness, so there will definitely be no bias in this evaluation. However, if these issues continue, I wonder how they will be addressed? I hope that you will gather information broadly, conduct thorough investigations, reward even the smallest acts of kindness, and penalize minor wrongdoings. This will not only demonstrate wise rule but also better reward the talented." Yan Qian spoke with a firm tone, and onlookers watched him. Gao Feng was touched by his words and greatly appreciated them. He then inquired in detail about the performance of officials in Hexi and Longyou, and Yan Qian responded fluently. Gao Feng told the governors and other officials from different states, "Talking to you is not as good as talking to the Chief Official of Qinzhou (Yan Qian) alone." A few days later, Gao Feng reported this matter to the emperor, but the emperor chose not to adopt his suggestions.
Yan Qian, whose term had expired, was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate. He governed the local area very effectively, and the people all called him a kind father. During the Renshou period, the emperor sent envoys to inspect the prefectures and counties, evaluate the performance of local officials, and concluded that Yan Qian was the best in the realm, so he was promoted to be the Sima of Yezhou. The people cried and said to each other, "Prefect Fang is leaving, what will we do!" Later, the people missed him and set up a monument to honor his virtues. Ye Prefecture had not had a prefect for a long time, and all the affairs of the prefecture were handled by Yan Qian, who achieved many political accomplishments.
Xue Daoheng, a famous literary giant at the time, held a high-ranking official position and had a good reputation, knowing all the famous talents in the country. He had a particularly good relationship with Wang Yanqian and respected him greatly. Later, Xue Daoheng became the general manager of Xiangzhou, and he and Wang Yanqian often exchanged letters and met up frequently. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as the governor. Passing by Wang Yanqian's place, he lingered for a few extra days, and when they parted, they both cried like babies. Huangmen Shilang Zhang Heng also had a good relationship with Wang Yanqian.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was building the Eastern Capital, an extravagance that drained all manpower and resources, causing disappointment among the people nationwide. In addition, Prince Han rebelled, dragging many people into trouble. Wang Yanqian saw that Zhang Heng, who was powerful at the time, failed to prevent these misfortunes, so he penned a letter to him, expressing his thoughts:
I heard that rewards are given to encourage good deeds, and punishments are given to discipline bad deeds. Therefore, people of low status are sure to receive rewards as long as they do good deeds; people of high status are sure to be punished for their wrongdoings. Punishments for relatives are never overlooked to avoid suspicion, and rewards for those of low status are never overlooked because of favoritism. Now, all provincial governors are tasked with governing their regions, and their good and bad deeds will be reported to the court. They fear the court's rules and dare not be negligent. The country carries the will of heaven, is the parent of the people, and the fairness of rewards and punishments is acknowledged by heaven. Heaven is always watching over us, so we must remain vigilant. Therefore, King Wen said, "I will continually respect the majesty of heaven, day and night." In this way, although there are differences between the states and counties, with disparities in status, the concern for the people, diligent law enforcement, and underlying principles remain consistent.
As for the rebellion in Bingzhou, it needs to be carefully investigated. If Yang Liang really raised troops and purchased horses out of concern for the safety of the state and the people, due to miscommunication regarding the imperial decree, instead of plotting treason, then his true intentions should be investigated before deciding on his punishment. This will align with the Emperor's merciful intentions and dispel doubts among the people. If it is found that there is peace both internally and externally, and he is causing chaos and plotting treason after inheriting the throne, attempting to usurp power, then he should be punished like Guan Shu and Cai Shu, who faced severe consequences for their treachery, to demonstrate that wrongdoing will face consequences. He should be executed publicly, and his entire family should face punishment, as this is a common penalty in the country. There may be some who were not truly conspiring, lacked the power to protect themselves, or were coerced into the rebellion, resulting in the destruction of their families and causing them to become refugees, which could lead to wrongful accusations. Can the vast expanse of heaven really overlook their plight? If there are doubts about their guilt, leniency should be considered. This principle is well-known. In the past, Shu Xiang was praised for sentencing a prisoner to death, while Emperor Wen of Han praised those who showed mercy to offenders. Yang Shen and Ting Wei did not act out of dislike for his brother or intent to disobey the king's orders, but simply because they were committed to upholding the law fairly.
Furthermore, the supreme status of a sage, known as sacred authority, cannot be easily obtained without it being granted by the mandate of heaven. Therefore, the bravery of Chiyou and Xiang Yu, the power of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, the talent of Li Kui and Confucius, the military strategies of Jiang Taigong and Sun Wu, the strong cities of Wu and Chu, and the power held by Lu Hou and Empress Dowager Dou, if not ordained by the will of heaven, none of them would ultimately obtain the position of emperor. Moreover, Yang Liang is merely a minor official who has gathered a ragtag group of misfits; he is ignorant, and those villains are cruel and brutal, yet they dare to attack the capital, foolishly dreaming of achieving the impossible! Since the beginning of time, the histories have recorded the footprints of emperors, which can be thoroughly examined. Who can earn the people's support and heaven's blessings without accumulating virtue and doing good deeds? Therefore, the wise rulers of ancient times would rise at dawn, govern diligently, love the people, always remember their responsibilities, and be vigilant against pride and complacency. As for later rulers who indulged in luxury, showed no fear, oppressed the people at will, and were consumed by pleasure, there are too many to list; I can only briefly mention a few.
Speaking of the states of Qi and Chen, both held high positions, believing their virtues were in harmony with heaven and earth, shining as brightly as the sun and moon, completely ignoring dangers and neglecting governance. Their trusted ministers were favored, only speaking good while concealing the bad; the historians distorted facts, covering up weaknesses and only recording strengths. As a result, the common people's grievances were silenced, and the voices of the common people were ultimately suppressed. The court officials were merely figureheads, surrounded by flattery and sycophants. Although the laws were strict, the number of punishments increased, forced labor became increasingly frequent and burdensome, and the common people, both young and old, were left utterly exhausted.
In the past, Zheng had Zi Chan, Qi had Yan Ying, Chu had Shu Ao, and Jin had Shi Hui. Even these small states had such outstanding ministers. Qi and Chen are both vast in territory, so how could there be no talented individuals to assist them? It is just because the rulers are foolish and shortsighted, only caring about personal gain, forgetting about the safety of the country. They appear to work together, but in reality, they are suspicious of one another. If there were upright and courageous talents, they are marginalized and suppressed; if they encountered flatterers, even if their behavior was despicable, they would be promoted as long as it served their interests. How could talents be found using such methods? Talents do not necessarily need outstanding martial skills or literary talents; they just need to be upright, selfless, and uphold the right path, supporting the state like beams support a roof, and the body like bones support a frame. These are the so-called pillars of talent. Qi and Chen do not use these talents, instead trusting flatterers. The heavens can no longer tolerate their excesses, so they eventually took back their rule, returning it to our great Sui.
If these two countries can fear the heavens, care for the people, appoint upright talents, discard frivolous decorations, be humble, and prioritize compassion, then even if the Hebei region thrives and the waterways are perilous, they can each protect their own territory, and the people will not rebel. The country will be as stable as Mount Tai. However, they are indulging in pleasure, sleeping on a pile of kindling, drinking poison to satisfy their thirst, which leads to ruin and regret. The ancient poem says, "The Yin did not lose their teachers, and they were able to match the gods. We should take heed from the Yin, for fortune is not easily won." When dealing with matters of state, every matter deserves careful consideration!
Your Majesty, you are renowned for your benevolence and filial piety, with great achievements and virtues. The people are eagerly awaiting your grace. Your governance of the Huaihai region has been outstanding, with achievements that are constantly improving, and everyone supports you. Although your time in office has been short, your kindness and generosity have spread throughout the world, bringing great joy to the common people. The rebellion in Bianzhou happened too suddenly, all because Yang Liang deceived and misled the people, not because the people harbored resentment towards the court and willingly joined the rebels. However, those officials and generals claimed that many people wanted to rebel, not only wrongfully accusing innocent people but also possibly affecting Your Majesty's wise decisions. You have always been trusted by the emperor and played a significant role in the court. Since your time at the mansion, you have been highly valued and are a pillar of the court. You were supposed to be famous for generations to come, like the wise ministers Jizi, Qi, Yi, and Lv, so what can they compare to you? Since you are in a prosperous era, you should have the courage to speak frankly and establish principles for both the present and future. How can you flout the law to please the emperor and allow those who were coerced into participating in the rebellion to be punished as well? I humbly express these heartfelt thoughts as an ordinary villager with limited understanding. If I have said anything wrong, I hope you will not take offense.
Upon receiving the letter, Heng sighed deeply but felt too intimidated to present it to the court. Yanqian knew that the court's discipline was deteriorating, so he resigned and retired, planning to build a residence at the foot of Mount Meng to seek inner peace. Later, the court established the position of Sili official and recruited renowned individuals from all over the world. The court believed that Yanqian was upright and honest, deeply loved by the people, so they appointed him as the Sili Inspector. Yanqian courageously took on the responsibility of restoring order, recommending only morally upright individuals as models. Even when he accused someone, they bore no grievances. The deputy Sili, Liu Yi, was arrogant and domineering, considering himself to be exceptionally upright. The inspectors were afraid of him and treated him with excessive deference. Only Yanqian remained steadfast in his principles, treating Liu Yi with indifference, earning praise from many discerning individuals.
Liu Yan did not dare to act against Yan Qian. In the ninth year of Daye, Yan Qian followed the emperor across the Liao River and oversaw military operations in Fuyu. Subsequently, the political landscape of the Sui Dynasty grew increasingly tumultuous, with the court being corrupt and many people betraying and defecting. Yan Qian, however, always adhered to his principles, standing alone with integrity and not yielding, thus drawing the ire of those in power and being demoted to the magistracy of Jingyang County. Shortly after, Yan Qian passed away in office at the age of sixty-nine.
When Li Yanqian was at home, whenever his nephews came to visit, he always reasoned with them, encouraging them to strive for progress, talking incessantly without tiring. His family had a strong financial foundation, and since he had served as an official before, he devoted his entire salary to supporting relatives and friends, leaving no extra money in the house. His horse, clothing, and possessions were quite modest. From youth to old age, his words and deeds were always upright, never engaged in corruption. Although he frequently faced financial difficulties, he remained content. Once, he leisurely smiled and said to his son Li Xuanling, "While others become rich from holding office, I become poor from it. The only thing I leave for my descendants is a clean reputation."
His writing style was expansive, elegant, and effortlessly graceful, rooted in the rich traditions of ancient literati. He was also skilled in cursive and clerical script, and those who received his letters treasured them as if they were priceless. Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Gao Gou from Beihai, Li Gang from Laoxian, Liu Yu and Xue Ru from Hedong were renowned for their elegance and detachment, and Li Yanqian was friends with them. Although high-ranking officials often came to visit, his home remained tranquil, free from disorderly guests. He was cultured and well-versed in government affairs, and astute observers believed he was destined for greatness.
At the beginning, during the Kaihuang era, after suppressing the Chen Dynasty, the world was united, and everyone believed that a great era of peace was upon us. Li Yanqian privately confided to his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The emperor is suspicious and stubborn; he does not accept advice from others. The crown prince is timid, and the princes wield too much power, and the court only enforces harsh and brutal policies, without any leniency in governance. Although the world is stable, I am worried about future turmoil." Li Shaotong did not believe at first, but by the time of the Ren Shou and Da Ye reigns, Li Yanqian's words had all come true. After the unification of the Tang Dynasty, he was posthumously granted the title of governor of Xuzhou and Duke of Linzi County, receiving the posthumous name "Ding."
Historians say: A grand palace isn't built from just one piece of wood; an emperor's achievements aren't the work of a single individual. Each has its purpose, and nothing should be discarded. Individuals like Li E can articulate justice through their writings; some have the ability to fulfill their duties at that time, and their talents and contributions were evident. Many talented figures of the Sui Dynasty were able to forge careers and achieve great success; they were the backbone of the nation, much like the stars surrounding the North Star.
Bao Hong, courtesy name Runshen, was from Tan County in Shandong. His father, Bao Ji, was well-known for his talents and served as an official in the Liang Dynasty, eventually becoming the Imperial Secretary of the Academy. Bao Hong became an orphan at the age of seven, but fortunately, his brother Bao Quan raised him. By the age of twelve, he was already able to compose essays and even wrote poems with Prince Xiaoyi of Xiangdong. Xiaoyi greatly admired him and brought him on as a junior official in the Imperial Library. He later rose to the position of Advisor of Zhen Nan Prefecture, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Water, and finally became an Assistant Supervisor of the Imperial Guards. After the pacification of Jiangling, Bao Hong returned to Northern Zhou. Emperor Ming of Zhou highly respected him and appointed him as a scholar at the Linzidi Hall. He continued to advance in rank and became Sui Marquis' Junior Official. He also went on a mission to the Kingdom of Chen with Du Zihui to discuss the campaign against the state of Qi. Chen subsequently sent troops to attack Qi. Emperor Ming of Zhou once asked Bao Hong how to defeat Qi, to which Bao Hong replied: "We are strong, Qi is weak; the strength is simply not proportional. The emperor of Qi is close to villains, and the political situation is becoming increasingly chaotic, while our emperor is kind and lenient, with strict laws. It's like pouring water from a height into a jar; how could we fail? The reason why the previous attempts to invade Luoyang had failed is because Qi was prepared. I believe the best strategy is to first seize Fenzhou and Luzhou, then advance directly to Jinyang to catch them off guard." Emperor Ming of Zhou accepted his suggestion. After the pacification of Shandong, Bao Hong was appointed as a Junior Imperial Secretary, granted the title of Count of Pingyao with a fief of six hundred households, and given the official title of Equaling Three Excellencies.
After the founding emperor Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he sent Bao Hong on a mission to Shannan. While passing through Tongzhou, Wang Qian raised a rebellion in Shu, and Bao Hong was captured by Wang Qian's general Daxi Ji. He was taken to Chengdu, but he never yielded. After Wang Qian's failure, someone quickly reported the news to the court. Emperor Yang Jian held Bao Hong in high regard and rewarded him with a golden belt. When Yang Jian became emperor, he granted Bao Hong the right to establish a residence, appointed him as the governor of Lizhou, and elevated him to the rank of duke. Later, he was transferred to be the governor of Qiongzhou and returned to the capital only after completing his term.
At that time, there was a man named Wei Yichen, whose father Wei Chong refused to surrender to Wei Jiong and later died in battle against the Turks. The emperor was very moved and wanted to grant him the surname Jin. This matter needed to be discussed among everyone. Bao Hong said, "In the past, Xiang Bo refused to surrender to Xiang Yu, and Emperor Gaozu granted him the surname Liu; Qin Zhenfu sacrificed himself for the country, and Emperor Wu of Wei granted him the surname Cao. I believe he should be given a royal surname." The founding emperor Yang Jian said, "Good!" and granted Wei Yichen the surname Yang. Later, Bao Hong was appointed as the governor of Junzhou, but he resigned from his position due to eye disease and died at home at the age of ninety-six. In his youth, Emperor Wu of Zhou ordered Bao Hong to compile a work titled "Imperial Genealogy," divided into three sections: "Imperial Origin," "Family Relations," and "Surname Grants." Bao Hong also wrote a collection of essays in ten volumes, which has been well-regarded.
Pei Zheng, courtesy name Debiao, was from Wenxi in Hedong. His great-grandfather was the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Song, and he moved with Emperor Wu to Shouyang. He served as the Chief of the Front Army and the Prefect of Lujiang. His grandfather Pei Sui was the Central Attendant, Left Guard General, and Grand Commander of Yuzhou in the Liang dynasty; his father Pei Zhili was the Prefect of Justice. Pei Zheng was intelligent and knowledgeable from a young age, with exceptional memory and understanding of politics at the time, earning praise from his contemporaries. At the age of fifteen, he was summoned to serve as a military legal advisor in the Prince Shaoling's residence, later rising to the position of Lang of the Ministry of Works and Magistrate of Zhijiang. When the Prince of Xiangdong arrived in Jingzhou, he summoned Pei Zheng to serve as a scribe in the Xuanhui Mansion, and shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Cavalry Attendant in the Palace Library.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Pei Zheng was appointed as the General of Valiant Might, leading troops to join Wang Lin in suppressing Hou Jing. He captured the rebel leader Song Zixian and delivered him to Jingzhou. After pacifying Hou Jing, he led the vanguard into Jianye and was granted the title of Marquis of Yiling for his military achievements. The court summoned him to serve as an Attendant Secretary of the Yellow Gate, and he assisted Wang Lin in resisting Xiao Ji, defeating him at Xiakou. He was later promoted to the General Who Maintains the South and Chief Clerk of Zhen Nan Prefecture. When the Zhou army besieged Jingzhou, Wang Lin rushed from Guizhou to provide relief, marching to Changsha. Pei Zheng requested permission to take a secret path to report to Emperor Yuan. When he reached Bailizhou, he was captured by the forces of Zhou. Xiao Cha asked Pei Zheng, "I am the grandson of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, why can't you submit to me? Why do you have to sacrifice yourself for those seven emperors? If you listen to me, your descendants will be prosperous and wealthy; if you don't, I will execute you!" Pei Zheng pretended to agree, saying, "I will listen to you."
Xiao Cha imprisoned him and escorted him to the city gate, allowing him to speak to Emperor Yuan: "Wang Sengbian has heard that Taicheng is under siege and has declared himself emperor. Wang Lin is weak and cannot come again." Pei Zheng complied with the order. Then he said to the people in the city: "Reinforcements are about to arrive; everyone must work hard to hold on! As a captured envoy, I must dedicate myself to the country!" The guards struck him, but he never changed his words. Xiao Cha, furious, ordered his immediate execution. Cai Daye urged him, "He is the hope of the people. If he is killed, the capture of Jingzhou will be impossible." So Pei Zheng was spared. After Jiangling City was captured, he and the officials in the city were escorted to the capital. Emperor Zhou Wen heard of his loyalty and appointed him as a cavalry attendant, permitting him to engage in court affairs. Emperor Zhou Wen ordered him and Lu Bian to establish the Six Ministers according to the "Rites of Zhou," establish the official ranks of nobles and ministers, and together formulate court etiquette, chariots, horses, clothing, and utensils, largely adhering to ancient rites while abolishing the old laws of the Han and Wei dynasties, all of which were implemented. Soon after, Pei Zheng was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Justice and later elevated to a junior judge. Pei Zheng was proficient in the laws and regulations and also participated in the revision of the "Laws of Zhou." He had a remarkable tolerance for alcohol, able to consume several dou without becoming intoxicated. Case files were piled high on the table, but he handled public matters with remarkable swiftness, with lenient and fair law enforcement, resulting in no wrongful convictions. For prisoners sentenced to death, he permitted their wives to visit them in prison. In winter, when the time came to carry out the death sentences, the prisoners all said, "Master Pei sentenced me to death, and I die without any regrets." He handled cases with such fairness and justice. He was also well-versed in music theory, having once discussed music with Changsun Shaoyuan, as recorded in the "Records of Music Theory." During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was dismissed for breaching the emperor's decree.
Gaozu reinstated Yang Su to his former official position. In the first year of Kaihuang, Yang Su was promoted to the title of Commander of the Guards and was appointed as the Minister of the Three Departments. The Emperor also tasked him with revising the laws together with Su Wei and others. Yang Su consulted criminal law texts from the Wei and Jin dynasties through to those of the Qi and Liang dynasties, assessing their severity and relevance, and selecting the most suitable for adoption. More than ten people participated in the revision, with Yang Su resolving all difficult issues. Yang Su was later promoted to Cavalier Attendant and subsequently to Left Imperial Clerk. He took significant steps to rectify errors, earning a reputation for his integrity and honesty. Yang Su was entrusted with managing all major affairs in the Eastern Palace.
Right Assistant Liu Rong, who was quite stubborn. At that time, the military officers took turns on duty, and the steward Zhao Yuankai was supposed to write a memorial for the crown prince but had not finished it yet. The crown prince repeatedly urged him, and Liu Rong told Zhao Yuankai, "Just report it orally, no need to write a memorial." After Zhao Yuankai reported orally, the crown prince asked, "Where is the memorial?" Zhao Yuankai said, "He reported to the crown prince, Liu Rong did not allow the writing of the memorial." The crown prince questioned Liu Rong, who denied it, claiming, "That never happened." The crown prince assigned the investigation to Yang Su. Before Yang Su could submit his report, someone defended Liu Rong in front of the crown prince, saying, "Yang Su is trying to frame Liu Rong; this matter is not true." The crown prince summoned Yang Su for questioning, and Yang Su reported, "Investigating this matter has two main points: one is to find out the truth of the matter, and the other is to find evidence, carefully verify the right and wrong, and judge the truth. I investigated Liu Rong; he holds a high position and heavy responsibilities. Even if he did say that to Zhao Yuankai, it would just be a minor mistake. Logically, there is no need to conceal it. I also investigated Zhao Yuankai; he is under the control of Liu Rong, how could he accuse him without a reason? Both of their accounts make sense. Zhao Yuankai also asked Left Guard Cui Qian and others to testify, and their testimonies were consistent with Zhao Yuankai's statement. The truth has been established, but we still need evidence to confirm it. I believe Liu Rong did say those things to Zhao Yuankai, so this matter is definitely true." The crown prince ultimately decided not to punish Liu Rong but praised Yang Su for his fairness and integrity.
Pei Zheng is a very straightforward person. He dares to criticize others face-to-face and never regrets it afterwards. At that time, there was a person named Ding Xing, who often frequented the Prince's Palace, brought him some strange clothes and objects, and even gave gifts to the harem, maintaining chaotic relationships with the concubines, with no restraint in his actions. Pei Zheng advised the prince several times, but the prince ignored him completely. Later, Pei Zheng said to Ding Xing, "What you’re doing is completely out of line! Moreover, Consort Yuan just died suddenly, creating quite a stir in the city. This is very damaging to the prince's reputation! You better step back, or you’re bound to get into hot water!" Ding Xing was furious when he heard this; he ran to the prince to complain. As a result, the prince disliked Pei Zheng even more and demoted him to Xiangzhou as the governor.
After Pei Zheng took office in Xiangzhou, his wife did not follow him. He shared his salary with his subordinates. If the local people broke the law, Pei Zheng knew about it in secret. Sometimes he would not take action for a whole year, waiting for them to commit a second or third offense. When a big gathering came around, he would pull them out of the crowd and judge them publicly, executing those who deserved it and sending many others into exile. The entire Xiangzhou was terrified and began to follow the laws obediently, and the people lived in peace and contentment, revering him like a god. Later, the Xiangzhou prison was hardly used, and there were very few lawsuits. Pei Zheng served as an official in Xiangzhou until he passed away at the age of eighty-nine, authoring a book called "Records of the Chengsheng," consisting of ten volumes. After the prince was deposed, Emperor Gaozu remembered Pei Zheng and lamented, "If only I had kept Pei Zheng and Liu Xing around to help the prince, the situation might not have turned out like this." Pei Zheng's son, Pei Nanjin, later became the Minister of Food.
Liu Zhuang, styled Si Jing, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather Liu Ji Yuan served as the Minister of Works in the Liang Dynasty; his father Liu Xia served as the Governor of Huozhou. Liu Zhuang had lofty ambitions from a young age, read extensively and was skilled in rhetoric. Cai Dabao from Jiyang was well-known in the Jiangnan region, serving as an advisor to Prince Yueyang Xiao Cha. Upon meeting Liu Zhuang, Cai Dabao exclaimed, "The Water Mirror Master, Zhuge Liang of Xiangyang has appeared here again!" Cai Dabao then gave his daughter in marriage to Liu Zhuang. Not long after, Xiao Cha appointed Liu Zhuang as a military officer, and later promoted him to the position of a legal officer. After Xiao Cha proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Liu Zhuang as a Senior Palace Attendant, and later he served as an Assistant Minister, a Ministry of Personnel official, and a Minister of Protocol.
When Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) was assisting in governance, Xiao Kui sent Liu Zhuang with a letter to the border. At that time, the three powers in the world were fighting each other, and Yang Jian was concerned that Xiao Kui might have ulterior motives. Upon Liu Zhuang's return, Yang Jian said to him, "I used to work with the Prefect (referring to Xiao Yan) in Jiangling and had received the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty's deep favor. Now that the young Emperor of the Liang Dynasty is going through a difficult period, and Xiao Kui has entrusted me with governance, I find myself reflecting in the dead of night, filled with shame and fear. The imperial family of the Liang Dynasty has been prominent for generations, loyal to the imperial court, and only in the future can they truly embody the unwavering integrity akin to that of pine and bamboo. When you return to the Liang Dynasty, please help me convey this sentiment to the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty." After saying this, Yang Jian grasped Liu Zhuang's hand tightly and bid him farewell.
At that time, the generals of the Liang Dynasty were secretly urging to send troops to unite with Wei Jiong and others to resist the Sui Dynasty, to remain loyal to the Zhou Dynasty while seizing the opportunity to annex the Shannan region. Only Xiao Kui was hesitant. At this time, Liu Zhuang returned from Chang'an and conveyed Yang Jian's sincerity in detail. He then said to Xiao Kui: "In the past, figures like Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Wang Ling, and Zhuge Dan were prominent. They occupied important strategic locations and had numerous brave and skilled armies, but ultimately, they failed to accomplish their ambitions and were swiftly defeated. The reason lies in Cao Cao and the Sima family's manipulation of the emperor's authority to command the princes, defending the capital and using righteousness as a pretext, which allowed them to achieve victory and establish dominance. Now, although Wei Jiong is an old general, he has become senile and incompetent, and both Xiao Nan and Wang Qian are mere talents with no ability to support the state. Furthermore, the Shandong and Bashu regions are gradually submitting to the Sui Dynasty, and the Zhou Dynasty's grace has not yet fully reached these areas. Most of the ministers and generals in court are only looking out for themselves, all eager to pledge loyalty to Yang Jian. In my view, Wei Jiong and the others will ultimately fail, and Yang Jian will certainly destroy the Zhou Dynasty. It would be better for us to safeguard our territory and maintain peace while observing the changes." Xiao Kui agreed with him, and the discussion of sending troops ceased. Shortly afterwards, Xiao Nan defected to the Chen Dynasty, and Wei Jiong and Wang Qian were killed one after another. Xiao Kui said to Liu Zhuang, "If I had heeded others' advice back then, our country would have been lost by now!"
After Liu Bang became emperor, Liu Zhuang returned to his post at court, and Liu Bang offered him much comfort and encouragement. Later, when Prince Jing of Jin married the Princess of Liang as his concubine, Liu Zhuang made four or five trips back and forth regarding this matter and received several thousand pieces of cloth as rewards. After Xiao Cong ascended to the throne, Liu Zhuang was promoted to Minister of Works. After the downfall of the Liang Dynasty, he was appointed as the Minister of Works with the title of "Imperial Secretary," and he was also rewarded with land and houses. Liu Zhuang had a deep understanding of the old rules and regulations, and he handled government affairs with great propriety. The memorials he revised always received praise from the emperor. Su Wei, as the Grand Secretary, valued Liu Zhuang's knowledge and ability, frequently remarking to the emperor, "People from Jiangnan, those who are knowledgeable often do not understand how to handle government affairs, and those who understand how to handle government affairs do not have much knowledge. The only one who can balance both is Liu Zhuang." Gao Feng also had a good relationship with Liu Zhuang.
Liu Zhuang and Chen Mao worked in the same department, but Liu Zhuang did not think highly of Chen Mao. Chen Mao, seeing that the emperor and the court officials all valued Liu Zhuang, felt increasingly resentful, always feeling that Liu Zhuang looked down on him. The emperor and Chen Mao had known each other before, and the emperor regarded Chen Mao highly, often disparaging Liu Zhuang to the emperor. Over the years, Chen Mao's slander began to take its toll. Once, the Ministry of Personnel proposed handling criminals according to the law, but the emperor sentenced them to death. Liu Zhuang presented a memorial stating, "I heard that Zhang Shizhi once said, 'The law is to be obeyed by the emperor and the people of the world together.' Now that the law stipulates this, and you have increased the punishment, the law would lose the people's trust. The country is at peace and free of turmoil; it is the right time to demonstrate the court's credibility. I urge Your Majesty to reflect on Zhang Shizhi's words, as this would benefit all the people!" The emperor did not listen to him, and as a result, Liu Zhuang offended the emperor.
Not long after, the official responsible for delivering tribute pills to the emperor presented pills that did not match his taste. Chen Mao secretly complained to the emperor that Liu Zhuang had failed to personally oversee the inspection, which angered the emperor. In the eleventh year of the reign, Xu Zheng and others rebelled in Jiangnan, and Liu Zhuang, as the chief military officer and historian, went with the army to suppress the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, Liu Zhuang was appointed as the governor of Raozhou and accomplished significant achievements. Several years later, Liu Zhuang passed away while in office at the age of sixty-two.
Yuan Shi, styled Jianyan, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Wen Zong, was well-known in Northern Qi and passed away during his tenure as the governor of Juzhou. Yuan Shi gained a good reputation early on, beginning his career as an officer in the Ministry of Works, gradually rising to the position of Supervisor of the Left External Military Department, and even acting as the Supervisor of the Ancestral Temple.
During one summer, someone claimed to have seen a dragon and requested a rain prayer ceremony. At that time, Gao Anagong was the prime minister. Upon hearing it was a real dragon, he became quite excited and asked where the dragon was. Yuan Shi straightened his clothes and replied, "This is the appearance of a dragon star. According to ritual, a rain prayer ceremony should be held at the suburban altar, and it does not mean that a real dragon has appeared." Upon hearing this, Gao Anagong's face immediately changed, and he angrily said, "How do you know it's a star?" Consequently, the rain prayer ceremony did not take place. Afterward, Yuan Shi let out a sigh, saying, "The country's major events lie in sacrifices and military affairs. If rituals are abandoned now, can it endure? The day of Qi's downfall is not far away!"
Seven years later, Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Northern Qi, and Yuan Shi was appointed as a senior official in charge of finance. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the chief military officer of Weizhou, later transferring him to the imperial court as the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, while also acting as the acting Minister of Personnel. Many of the court's regulations and national laws were formulated with his participation. In the seventeenth year, he held the position of Supervisor of the Left and Right Secretariats, becoming famous for his efficient work.
At that time, the King of Shu, Yang Xiu, repeatedly violated the law, so the court sent Yuan Shi to Yizhou to serve as the governor Sima. Shortly after, Yang Xiu was summoned back to the capital by the court. Yang Xiu was worried about potential upheaval in the capital and wanted to feign illness to avoid going. Yuan Shi urged him repeatedly, saying that he could not disobey the imperial edict. Yang Xiu angrily said, "This is a family matter, what does it have to do with you!" Yuan Shi replied with tears, "I have been greatly favored by the state, serving as an official in the mansion. How can I not do my best? But in recent years, the country has been in turmoil. King Xiao of Qin fell seriously ill and suddenly passed away. The commoner-born heir was deposed in quick succession. How difficult it must be for the emperor! Now the emperor has ordered the recall of the King of Shu, which has been delayed for a long time. If he continues to delay, the people will not understand the king's intentions. In case of dissent and suspicion, if the emperor sends a minor envoy, how will the King of Shu justify his actions? I hope you think about it carefully, Your Highness!" Yang Xiu finally agreed to go to the capital.
After Yang Xiu was deposed, many officials in Yizhou were implicated, but Yuan Shi was spared because of this incident. Later, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Rites by Emperor Yang of Sui.
Once, Emperor Yang of Sui was in Xianren Palace and ordered the guards stationed outside the palace not to leave their posts without permission. There was a chief commander who secretly permitted the guards to leave for personal matters. Emperor Yang of Sui handed this matter over to the Dali Temple for handling. Yuan Shi sentenced the chief commander to imprisonment in accordance with the law, but Emperor Yang of Sui ordered him to be killed. Yuan Shi responded, "This man's crime is certainly unforgivable. If Your Majesty had killed him from the beginning, there would be no need for further deliberation. Since it has been handed over to the Dali Temple, it should be handled according to legal procedures. What will we do if the palace guards commit such offenses in the future?" Emperor Yang of Sui then relented. Later, Yuan Shi was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Justice. Yuan Shi was efficient and shrewd in his work and was an eloquent speaker, but he did not have a reputation for honesty and integrity. Not long after, he passed away. He had a son named Kunyu.
Lang Mao, styled Weizhi, was a native of Xinshi in Hengshan. His father was the Prefect of Yingchuan in the Qi state. Lang Mao was intelligent from a young age; at seven years old, he could recite the "Songs of Chu" and the "Book of Songs," reciting more than a thousand characters in a single day. When he was fifteen years old, he studied under Quan Hui from Hejian, who was a National Scholar, learning the "Book of Songs," the "Book of Changes," the "Three Rituals," astronomy, calendar, and law. He also studied the "Zuo Zhuan," "Gongyang Zhuan," "Guliang Zhuan," and various classics with Zhang Shuili, an assistant teacher at the National Academy, studying day and night, often neglecting his rest. His family worried he would overwork himself, so they always adjusted the candles for him.
As he grew older, Lang Mao became a renowned scholar and wrote excellent articles. When he was nineteen, his father passed away, and during his mourning period, he did even better than required. Later, he served as a military officer in the Qi state, initially as an aide-de-camp in the Sikong Mansion. When the envoy from the Chen state, Fu Zi, came to visit the Qi state, Lang Mao was assigned to receive him. Later, Lang Mao was appointed as a proofreader of classics in the Secretariat. He was then promoted to be the magistrate of Baocheng County, with outstanding achievements; the people even erected a monument in his honor.
After Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed the Qi country, King Zhu Guo Wang Yi recommended Lang Mao, and Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him as the Chenzhou household registrar. Later, Yang Jian (Gaozu) became the governor of Bozhou, and after meeting Lang Mao, he greatly appreciated him and appointed him as the chief clerk. At that time, Emperor Wu of Zhou was compiling the "I Ching," and Yang Jian chatted with Lang Mao, saying, "The actions of a ruler will affect the heavens and the earth, move ghosts and gods. There are many strict laws in the 'I Ching,' so how can a country be governed well?" Lang Mao couldn't help but sigh internally, "This is not something an ordinary person can say!" So he secretly befriended Yang Jian, and Yang Jian also respected him. Later, Lang Mao returned to his hometown and became the chief registrar of the province.
After Yang Jian became the prime minister, he wrote a letter to summon him, and they reminisced about the past with great joy. Yang Jian appointed Lang Mao as the registrar of Weizhou, and Lang Mao's achievements were outstanding. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to the magistrate of Weiguo County. At that time, there were more than two hundred prisoners in the prison. Lang Mao personally reviewed their cases over several days and released more than one hundred of them. During his tenure, no cases were ever escalated to the provincial government. The governor of Weizhou, Yuan Hui, said to Lang Mao, "The chief official said that the people of Weiguo fear you!" Lang Mao said, "The people are like water, and laws are like dams. If the dam is not strong, the water will overflow. As long as the dam does not break, what is there to worry about?" Yuan Hui was speechless for a moment.
There was a man named Zhang Yuanyu, who had a strained relationship with his cousin Silan. The county magistrate wanted to punish them severely, but Lang Mao said, "The Zhang brothers originally hated each other, and now because they committed crimes, it will only deepen their hatred. This isn't the right approach to educate the people!" So he sent some respected elders from the village to persuade them, and the respected elders came in numbers. In the end, Zhang Yuanyu and his cousin repented, went to the county office and confessed their guilt. Lang Mao reasoned with them, and in the end, the two brothers reconciled and became close brothers once more.
Mao Xian first served as the Chief of Historical Records in Yanzhou, then was promoted to the Deputy Minister of Rituals, and later became the Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Right Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, Su Wei, issued a notice requiring local authorities to report misconduct of officials with a rank of fifth grade or higher every year. Some local officials responded, "There are simply no families of fifth grade or higher officials within our jurisdiction!" They did not report as required, and many places just ignored it. Su Wei also established a surplus grain register, intending to coordinate the surplus grain from various regions. Mao felt this was too troublesome and impractical, so he petitioned the emperor to cancel these requirements. A few years later, his mother passed away, so he resigned and returned home to observe a mourning period. After completing the mourning period, he was reinstated and returned to duty. He also proposed that the descendants of those who died for the country should not lose their land; and older officials should not have their land taken away. These suggestions were all proposed by Mao. He was sharp and capable, managing government affairs with speed and decisiveness, and at that time, everyone praised his knack for getting things done.
During the Ren Shou period, his original official position was the magistrate of Daxing County. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Commander of Yongzhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of Rites. Two years later, he was appointed as the Deputy Left Minister of Personnel, in charge of selecting officials. Maofu was knowledgeable about legal principles and was praised by the people. At that time, the Minister of Works Yu Wenkai and the Right Guard General Yu Zhongwen were in a heated dispute over the Donghe silver mine. Maofu submitted an impeachment against them, stating, "I have heard that there are different customs for the noble and the common, and different professions for scholars and farmers, so that people can each stay in their place, each hold their position, and know what is honorable. Yu Wenkai already holds a high position and receives generous pay; he should live a simple life like the ancient hermits, quietly and without pursuing external benefits, without feeling ashamed. Yu Zhongwen is a general, a close attendant of the emperor, who can hear the emperor's teachings every day; he should learn the spirit of humility of Yu Shun and Rui Bo, and should not strive for trivial benefits. By doing this, how can you set a good example for the officials under you, and how can you establish a good atmosphere for the people? If you are not punished, it will harm the laws and education of the country." As a result, Yu Wenkai and Yu Zhongwen were both punished for this matter. Maofu also compiled a hundred volumes of "Maps and Records of Prefectures and Counties" to present to the court, and the emperor rewarded him with three hundred bolts of silk and kept the book in the imperial treasury. It is said that at that time, the emperor often went on tours, state affairs were in disarray, and most of the laws and regulations were ineffective. Wang Maofu was an old courtier of the former dynasty, very knowledgeable about worldly matters, but he was skilled at self-preservation and dared not speak openly. He saw that the emperor was irritable and could only let out a quiet sigh. Because he was old, he submitted a request for retirement, but the emperor denied it.
By chance, the emperor was heading to Liaodong to fight, so he left Wang Mao in charge of the affairs at Jinyang Palace. That year, the governor of Mount Heng, Wang Wentong, had a dispute with Wang Mao and complained to the emperor that Wang Mao was forming factions for personal gain, deceiving both superiors and subordinates. The emperor ordered the Grand Secretary Su Wei and the Imperial Censor Pei Yun to investigate Wang Mao. Wang Mao had never gotten along with these two, so they deliberately distorted the facts and framed him. The emperor was furious upon learning this and dismissed Wang Mao and his brother Wang Chudu from their positions, exiling them to the remote county of Qiemo. Wang Mao accepted the punishment with calmness and no worries.
On the way, he wrote a poem titled "Climbing the Hill" to comfort himself, which was beautifully written. He also wrote a petition to defend himself, and the emperor began to understand his grievance. Ten years later, the emperor ordered him to be summoned back to Chang'an, and a year later Wang Mao passed away at the age of seventy-five. He left a son, Wang Zhinian.
Gao Gou, courtesy name Xiaoji, was from Beihai, Shandong. He had a rather humorous personality, was exceptionally intelligent, was an eloquent speaker, enjoyed reading, had a strong work ethic, and was skilled in handling political affairs. Before he was twenty, he was appointed as the chief clerk by the state. Later, he served as a military officer under the Prince of Henan in the Qi state, and then served as the Sima of Xuzhou, the governor of Lanling County, and the governor of Pingyuan County. After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian (Emperor Wu of Zhou) of the Sui Dynasty appointed him as the Sima of Xuzhou. After Emperor Yang Guang (Emperor Gaozu) of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he transferred him to be the Sima of Jizhou; by then he was already quite well-known. Later, the court summoned him as the Assistant Minister of Personnel, and shortly thereafter, he was transferred to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
At that time, the Minister of Rites, Jin Pingdong, and his nephew Jin Changmao were in a fierce dispute over succession rights. The Ministry of Officials could not make a decision, and the courtiers held three discussions without reaching a conclusion. Gao Gou quickly made a clear judgment, backed by compelling reasoning. The emperor was impressed by him and summoned him to the palace, praising him, "I have heard that the position of Minister of Rites is esteemed. Now that I see your talent and insight, I realize that the words of the ancients are indeed correct! The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is a crucial aspect of etiquette. I have read your judgment several times. Your reasoning is clear, and your arguments are sufficient, which truly impresses me!" The emperor also rewarded him with one hundred dan of rice. From then on, Gao Gou's reputation skyrocketed. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Sima of Yongzhou because of his decisive actions. Over a year later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Officials as a ministerial assistant, and everyone said he was competent. Later, he was transferred back to Yongzhou as Sima. Following a minor infraction, he was demoted to be a county magistrate in Zhuofei County. However, he governed the region effectively, and the emperor recognized his talents and reappointed him as Sima of Yongzhou. Later, he became a ministerial assistant at the Ministry of Officials again, but was eventually dismissed for official reasons.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he recalled him to office. At that time, many officials of the Ministry of Personnel were dismissed for incompetence, but Gao Gou remained well-regarded. No one who had previously overseen official selections could match his reputation. Contemporaries viewed Gao Gou as someone who enjoyed humor and appeared somewhat frivolous, but in truth, he was quite cultured, especially valued by the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong. Later, he stepped down due to advancing age and declining health. Niu Hong, who was in charge of selecting officials at the time, would always send someone to Gao Gou's home to ask about anyone he wanted to promote. Xue Daoheng from Hedong, who was remarkably talented at the time, often remarked that Gao Gou possessed great insight. He would present his writings to Gao Gou for review before publication, and he would always humbly accept any criticism or corrections from Gao Gou. In the seventh year of the Daye era, Gao Gou passed away at the age of seventy-two. He had recommended figures such as Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, who later became important ministers in the court, which led people to recognize Gao Gou's keen eye for talent.
During the Kaihuang period, Dou Lushi from Changli served as a Yellow Gate Attendant, renowned for his meticulous nature. Pei Shu from Hedong served as the Right Minister, frequently rectifying errors. Pei Shixie from Hedong, Dongfang Ju from Pingyuan, and Huangfu Yudao from Anding all worked in the Ministry of Justice, administering justice fairly and impartially. Liu Shilong from Hongnong and Fang Shanji from Qinghe worked in the Department of Merit, while Pei Jingmin from Hedong worked in the Ministry of War, all recognized for their exceptional efficiency and strong capabilities. Wei Kun from Jingzhao served as the Minister of Civil Affairs, frequently offering candid advice. Han Ze from Nanyang served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou, enacting numerous policies aimed at benefiting the populace. These officials, though some of their accomplishments are not thoroughly documented, all had strong capabilities and were praised by the people at that time.
To put it simply, during the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, several officials performed exceptionally well. Dou Lu served as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, known for his meticulous and cautious work; Pei Shu served as the Right Chancellor, specializing in correcting mistakes; Pei Shixie, Dongfang Ju, and Huangfu Yudao from the Ministry of Justice were all fair and just officials; Liu Shilong and Fang Shan Ji from the Ministry of Civil Service, as well as Pei Jingmin from the Ministry of War, were all efficient and highly capable individuals; Wei Kun was known for his candor in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Han Ze served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou and did many good deeds for the people. Although the deeds of some individuals are not fully recorded, they were all famous and capable officials at that time, and everyone praised them.
Zhang Qianwei, styled Yuanjing, was from Dongwucheng, Qinghe County. His father, Zhang Yanzhi, once served as the Governor of Xuzhou in Northern Qi. Zhang Qianwei was intelligent and well-read from a young age. His grandfather, Zhang Songzhi, once told someone, "Qianwei is the outstanding talent in our family!" He was appointed as the Chief Clerk of the province at the age of twelve. At the age of eighteen, he became a Military Officer in the Grand Commandant's Office and gradually rose to the position of Assistant Minister of the Grand Preceptor. After the fall of Northern Qi, he served as the Chamberlain for Judicial Affairs in Northern Zhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, came to power, he summoned Zhang Qianwei to the palace and appointed him as an official of the Ministry of State.
During the Kaihuang period, Prince Jin Yang Guang was sent to guard Bingzhou and selected officials, appointing Zhang Qianwei as a military officer in the judicial branch, and later he was promoted to several positions. Prince Jin greatly admired his talents and, like Zhang Heng from Henan, received special treatment from Prince Jin. In Prince Jin's mansion, they were referred to as the "Two Zhangs." After Prince Jin became the Crown Prince, Zhang Qianwei was promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Attendants and Attendant to the Crown Prince. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Zhang Qianwei was appointed as an Attendant Officer of the Palace Secretariat and a Supervisor of the ceremonial rites. Due to his previous service in Prince Jin's mansion, he was also granted the title of the Kaifu. Shortly after, he was promoted to a Grand Master of Ceremonies and accompanied Emperor Yang to Jiangdu, efficiently handling government affairs, as everyone noted.
Once, Zhang Qianwei saw an abandoned package on the road and, worried that the owner was anxiously searching for it, asked his subordinates to take the package with them as they continued on their journey. After a few days, the owner of the package found him, and Zhang Qianwei returned the package to him in its original condition. When the Governor of Huainan, Yang Chen, brought more than ten people to pay their respects to Emperor Yang of Sui, Emperor Yang asked Zhang Qianwei, "Who is the person standing at the front?" Zhang Qianwei carefully examined them and replied, "It is the Governor of Huainan, Yang Chen." Emperor Yang said, "You are a ceremonial official, yet you do not recognize the person who came to pay respects. What is the matter?" Zhang Qianwei replied, "I do recognize him as Yang Chen, but I was afraid of mistaking him, so I did not dare to answer lightly. Just like Shi Jian counting the horse's hooves, it is to be cautious." Emperor Yang highly praised him. He was known for his integrity and caution, which characterized his approach.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui often went on inspections, and the people were exhausted. Zhang Qianwei submitted a memorial advising him. Emperor Yang was displeased and subsequently distanced himself from Zhang Qianwei. Not long after, Zhang Qianwei passed away. His son, Zhang Shuang, later served as the magistrate of Lanling County. Zhang Qianwei's younger brother, Zhang Qianxiong, was also highly capable. When Prince Xiao of Qin, Yang Jun, served as the General Manager of Qinzhou, he appointed Zhang Qianxiong as a legal advisor. Once, when Prince Xiao of Qin personally presided over a trial, Zhang Qianxiong accidentally neglected to bring the case file, but he clearly laid out the case to over a hundred people, and his colleagues all admired him. Later, he served as the magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng counties, achieving notable successes in both.
Rong Pi, also known as Zichen, was originally from Wuzhong, a district in Beijing. His father, Rong Quan, served as the Minister of War in the Wei Kingdom. Rong Pi was known for his strong character and sense of responsibility from a young age and was well-read. He served as a secretary to the King of Han during the Zhou Dynasty and was promoted to a junior position in the Ministry of Interior. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was promoted through several ranks, ultimately becoming an Imperial Attendant.
At that time, there were many thieves in Huayin County, so a particularly capable official was needed to take charge. Yang Su recommended Rong Pi to be the Chief Historian of Huazhou, and everyone agreed he was quite capable. Yang Su owned extensive land and properties in Huayin, and his subordinates often ran amok. Rong Pi strictly enforced the law and did not show favoritism to anyone. During one court meeting, Yang Su said to Rong Pi, "I recommended you, actually causing trouble for myself!" Rong Pi replied, "I’m just focused on enforcing the law wholeheartedly; I’m worried about letting you down." Yang Su smiled and said, "I was just joking earlier; your serious law enforcement is what I hope to see."
At that time, the Jin prince was in Yangzhou, often sending people to secretly inquire about the news in the capital. He sent Zhang Heng to set up horse farms along the roads, claiming it was for raising horses, but actually for personal gain. None of the states or counties dared to resist; only Rong Pi firmly stopped this matter. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased to hear about it, rewarding him with a hundred bolts of silk and transferring him to Puzhou as a Sima. Later, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and the local heroes of Hedong rallied to his cause, opening the city gates to surrender. Inspector Qiu He fled back to Guanzhong. Chief Historian Gao Yiming said to Rong Pi, "Hedong is an important strategic location, the eastern gateway of the country. If it is lost, the consequences would be unimaginable. Even though the city is in chaos, not everyone has joined the rebellion. If we can capture and execute a dozen or so of the ringleaders, we can quell the rebellion." Rong Pi agreed with his suggestion.
Gao Yiming rode out to pursue Qiu He, hoping to discuss strategies with him. However, when he arrived at the west gate of the city, he was killed by the rebels, and Rong Pi was also captured. After King Liang of Han quelled the rebellion, Rong Pi was appointed as the Imperial Secretary of Supervision. The Emperor said to him, "Today, I promote you because of your handling of the horse stable incident. I hope you continue to uphold your integrity." The Emperor also respected him greatly. Rong Pi was known for his integrity and unwavering principles in court, speaking and acting with honesty, earning respect from all officials. Later, after his mother passed away, he resigned and returned home to mourn. More than a year later, he was called back to service, but soon passed away, posthumously appointed as a Minister of Protocol.
His brother, Jian Xu, was a man of integrity, uprightness, and knowledge. He held high positions in the Zhou Dynasty, including positions like Chief Instructor and Yitong Sisi. As the pacification of Qi was underway, he remained in Ye city and authored a thirty-volume work titled "Qi Ji." Jian Xu was already acquainted with Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) before, and later became a Prime Minister, rising through the ranks to become a Marquis and later appointed as the Inspector of Xizhou.
When he was preparing to take up his new post, Emperor Gaozu was secretly plotting to seize the throne and said to Jian Xu, "Wait, let's make ourselves rich and powerful together." Feeling loyal to the Zhou Dynasty, Jian Xu replied firmly, "I have never heard of such intentions!" Emperor Gaozu was displeased, and Jian Xu left. During the Kaihuang era, Jian Xu visited the Emperor, who asked him, "Do you regret your decision?" Jian Xu bowed and said, "While my status may not compare to Xu Guang's, my integrity is akin to Yang Biao's." The Emperor laughed and replied, "Although I may not understand those flowery words, I know that your words were not very polite!"
Later, Jian Xu served as the Inspector of Shizhou and Hongzhou, where he excelled and made significant political achievements.
Lu Zhiming, also known as Zhongtong, was a native of Fuchun in Wu County. His father, Lu Ao, once served as a Cavalier Attendant in the Chen Dynasty. Lu Zhiming loved learning from a young age, was well-versed in many subjects, and was known for his honesty and integrity. He initially served as a military officer under the King of Chen of Shixing, later becoming a scholar at the Imperial Academy and then the head of the Southern Prison. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he returned to his hometown. At that time, Gao Zhihui and his followers were causing unrest in Jiangdong, with Prince Jin Yang Guang stationed in Jiangdu. Recognizing Lu Zhiming's influence in the Three Wu regions, Prince Jin summoned him to negotiate the rebels' surrender.
Lu Zhiming successfully persuaded seventeen cities to surrender, capturing over three hundred rebels including the leaders Chen Zhengxu and Xiao Sixing. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was appointed as a Sima, granted land and property, and had his brother Lu Ke appointed as the magistrate of Jianyang. However, Lu Zhiming felt that his brother was not capable of effective governance, so he petitioned the court to revoke the appointment, which was approved.
As the country was on the brink of unification, Lu Zhiming advised Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, to relocate the capital to Luoyang. He even wrote a "Song of Great Peace" to express his suggestion, the details of which are beyond the scope of this account. After several years without receiving any promotions, he personally submitted a memorial to request a diplomatic mission to Goguryeo. In the memorial, he wrote: "I have heard that wise rulers evaluate all kinds of talents, even common people; as long as they have ability, they are often rewarded. I earnestly request Your Majesty to temporarily set aside state affairs and consider my request. In ancient times, Emperor Huangdi forgave the Su Sha clan during his military campaigns; Emperor Shun waited for the right time to conquer the Youmiao clan. Your Majesty currently reigns during a time of prosperity, with peace and stability across the land, except for the restless Goguryeo. Your Majesty, out of kindness and a desire for peace, aims to enlighten them through virtuous means. I request to go to Goguryeo to spread your benevolence and let the Goguryeo rulers and ministers come to your court to atone for their actions."
The emperor greatly appreciated the memorial. A year later, Lu Zhiming was appointed as the military governor of Puning. Many praised his integrity, so he was summoned to the Imperial Censorate to await further assignments. After Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Lu as an imperial censor tasked with editing documents. He was upright and respected by all officials, and Emperor Yang Guang also held him in high regard, but he was later dismissed for unspecified reasons. A year later, he was reinstated to his position. At that time, Prince Qi, Yang Jian, was arrogant and associated with unscrupulous individuals, and Lu Zhiming filed a memorial accusing him. Yang Jian was found guilty, and the other officials were filled with fear. During the Liaodong Campaign, Lu Zhiming served as the envoy for negotiating surrenders in Dongxu, and ultimately died in the army at the age of sixty-seven. He was posthumously elevated to the rank of Grand Censor.
Fang Yanqian, styled Xiaochong, was originally from Qinghe. Seven generations earlier, his ancestor Chen held the position of deputy to the Grand Commandant in Yan State, and later followed the Murong clan to move to Qi State, where his family has lived ever since. They have been a respected family for generations. His great-grandfather Fashou held the positions of Inspector of Qingzhou and Jizhou in Wei State, and was also granted the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu. His grandfather Yi held the position of Administrator of Anping in Song State and inherited the title of Marquis of Zhuangwu from his father. His father Xiong began his career as a chief scribe in a prefecture and later took on the roles of Prefect of Qinghe and Guangchuan.
Fang Yanqian lost his father when he was very young and had never seen his father. He was raised by his mother and older brother. His brother, Fang Yanxun, was very upright and honest. Seeing that Fang Yanqian was talented, he liked him very much and personally taught him to read. At the age of seven, he could recite tens of thousands of characters from books, and people in the clan thought he was very special. At the age of fifteen, he served his stepmother and younger brother Fang Zhen, showing greater filial piety than a biological son. Fang Zhen was very grateful to him and treated him well. After his stepmother's death, he went without food for five days. He also served his uncle, Prefect Fang Bao, with dedication, always saving the precious fruits brought during festivals to enjoy last. Whenever there was a death in the family, he always observed vegetarianism to show filial piety, and he was regarded as a role model by the clan.
Later, he studied with the scholar Yin Lin, devoted to his studies, and eventually mastered the Five Classics of Confucianism. He excelled in writing articles, had excellent calligraphy skills, especially in cursive and official script, and had good eloquence and an elegant demeanor. At the age of eighteen, when Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning became the Inspector of Qizhou, he recruited Fang Yanqian as his chief secretary. At that time, the laws were relatively lenient, and local officials were somewhat negligent. However, after Fang Yanqian took office, he strictly followed the laws and managed the state in an orderly manner, earning the respect of everyone. Later, when the Zhou army attacked Ye City and the Emperor of Qi fled east, Fang Yanqian was appointed as the magistrate of Qizhou. Seeing the downfall of the court, he was heartbroken and wanted to rally loyal and righteous men to secretly assist the court, but unfortunately, he was unable to do so. After the fall of Qi, he returned home. The Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty appointed Zhu Guo, Xinzun as the Inspector of Qizhou, but Xinzun was captured by local bandits and his men. Fang Yanqian wrote a letter persuading them, and the bandits felt ashamed and sent Xinzun back to the state, with others surrendering as well. After Emperor Gaozu Yang Jian ascended to the throne, Fang Yanqian chose to live a leisurely life in the countryside, vowing never to hold an official position again.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang reign, Wei Yi, the governor, strongly recommended him, and he had no option but to comply. When Lu Kai, the Minister of Personnel, saw him, he took a great interest in him and promoted him to be a court official. Not long after, he was promoted to be a censor. Later, he followed Chen Ping and was tasked with pacifying ten provinces, including Quanzhou and Kuazhou. Due to his outstanding performance in fulfilling the mission, the emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of cloth, one hundred measures of rice, a set of garments, and seven servants. After that, he was promoted to be a recording officer in the Qinzhou Military Command.
During a morning court session, the Left Minister of Works, Gao Jiong, was evaluating officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Jiong, "It is stated in the texts that officials' achievements are evaluated every three years, and based on their achievements, they are either promoted or dismissed. This system has existed since the times of Tang Yao and Yu Shun. Evaluations for promotion must be reasonable, and rewards and punishments must be fair, in order for the promotions to be given to the talented individuals and the demotions to the incompetent ones. If there are deviations in the evaluation, then this system becomes meaningless. I have recently seen the evaluation results of several provinces; the standards are inconsistent, and the numbers of promotions and demotions are inconsistent. Not to mention that some evaluations are tainted by personal biases, leading to unfair results. Honest and upright individuals may not receive due recognition, while those who flatter and manipulate may receive high praise. This makes it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood, right and wrong. Those high-ranking officials often fail to thoroughly assess and select officials; many of those they promote are successful because of flattery. Those who have not worked in central departments are easily demoted. Moreover, it is difficult to understand the situation in distant places in detail, resulting in evaluations that are primarily based on numbers, with half deemed qualified and half unqualified. It is impossible to achieve fairness and justice by simply counting the number of officials without considering their quality. I hope you will gather information broadly and conduct thorough investigations, commend minor acts of virtue, and condemn minor acts of vice. This will not only make the country's politics clear, but also better select talents." Yan Qian spoke with conviction, captivating everyone present. Gao Jiong was moved by his words and held him in high regard. So Gao Jiong asked in detail about the achievements of officials in Hexi and Longyou, and Yan Qian answered fluently. Gao Jiong then told the governors of other provinces, "Engaging with you is not as valuable as having a one-on-one discussion with the Chief Examiner of Qinzhou (Yan Qian)!" A few days later, Gao Jiong recommended Yan Qian to the emperor, but the emperor chose not to act on the recommendation.
After his term was over, he was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate, and his performance was very good. The locals affectionately referred to him as "kind father." During the Ren Shou era, the emperor sent envoys to inspect the states and counties, evaluating the abilities of local officials. Yan Qian was recognized as the best in the land and was directly promoted to Sima of Yuezhou. The locals wept and said to one another, "Prefect Fang is leaving, what are we going to do without him!" Later, the locals missed him so much that they erected a stele to honor his virtues. Yuezhou had not had a county magistrate for a long time, and Yan Qian was responsible for all the affairs of the state, achieving many political accomplishments.
Xue Daoheng, a renowned literary figure of the time, held a high official position and had a good reputation. All his friends were well-known talents nationwide. He had a particularly good relationship with Yang Su and respected him greatly. Later, Xue Daoheng became the governor of Xiangzhou, and he often corresponded with Yang Su, and they frequently met up. After Emperor Yang Guang ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as the governor. As he passed through Yang Su's territory, he stayed for a few more days. When he left, he was even in tears as he bid farewell to Yang Su. Zhang Heng, the Yellow Gate Attendant, also had a good rapport with Yang Su.
At that time, Emperor Yang Guang was busy building the Eastern Capital Luoyang, which was marked by extravagance and waste, leaving the people disappointed. In addition, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled, leading to many people facing punishment. Yang Su noticed that Zhang Heng was currently in favor but felt powerless to prevent these unfortunate events, so he decided to write him a letter, saying:
I heard that rewards are given to encourage good deeds, and punishments are given to deter bad deeds. Therefore, those of low status who do good deeds should be rewarded, and those of high status who commit bad deeds should be punished. No one has ever ignored their relatives in order to avoid suspicion, nor has anyone overlooked rewarding those of low status in order to show favoritism. Now, all the governors of various provinces are entrusted with managing their respective regions. The good and bad deeds they do will all be reported to the court. They are all fearful of the court's rules and regulations and dare not be negligent. The country is blessed by heaven, seeing the people as its own parents. The fairness of rewards and punishments is known to the heavens, which is always watching. We should also be cautious. Therefore, King Wen said, "I will be diligent day and night, and fear the majesty of heaven." From this perspective, although the sizes and statuses of provinces and counties vary, the principle of being concerned for the people and cautiously enforcing the law remains the same.
As for the rebellion in Bingzhou, it needs to be carefully investigated. If Yang Liang was truly unable to receive the imperial decree and was worried about the safety of the country, leading him to recruit soldiers and buy horses, without the intention of rebellion, then his true intentions should be investigated before deciding his punishment. This would align with the emperor's magnanimous intentions and dispel doubts in the people's hearts. If it is found that there is peace both internally and externally, and Yang Liang, after inheriting the throne, enjoys causing chaos, plotting treason, and attempting to usurp the throne, then he should be dealt with as King Wu of Zhou dealt with Guan Shu and Cai Shu. Such evil acts are unforgivable, and he should be executed publicly and his family exterminated, as per the consistent laws of the country. There may be some individuals who were not truly conspiring, and whose power was insufficient to protect themselves, and were forced into the rebellion. These families would be destroyed, displaced, and likely suffer injustice. Can heaven, in its magnanimity, easily forgive them? Doubtful crimes should be punished lightly; where's the justice in that?
In the past, when Uncle Xiang sentenced a prisoner to death, the people of Jin praised him; when Shi Zhi pardoned a criminal, Emperor Wen of Han also praised him. Yang Shenning did not harbor ill feelings towards his younger brother, and the Court Minister did not deliberately disobey the monarch's orders; they were simply upholding the law impartially, without favoritism, so they did not consider the severity of the crime. Moreover, the position of an emperor is a sacred position, and it cannot be easily attained unless destined by heaven. Therefore, even though Chi You and Xiang Yu were brave warriors, Yi Yin and Huo Guang held immense power, Li Lao and Confucius had exceptional wisdom, Lv Shang and Sun Wu were experts in military strategy, Wu and Chu had treacherous terrain, and Chan and Lu inherited their mother's legacy, none of them rose to power in accordance with the mandate of heaven. Not to mention that Yang Liang was merely a local warlord, rallying a band of unruly followers; he was ignorant, and those scoundrels were even more ruthless and malevolent, daring to encroach upon the capital, coveting things they shouldn't have!
Since time immemorial, historical records have documented the achievements and failures of emperors throughout history, which can be thoroughly examined. If it weren't for accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, achieving great feats, who could earn the people's support and the favor of heaven? Therefore, wise ancient monarchs were diligent and cautious from morning to night, walking on eggshells, constantly vigilant of themselves, avoiding arrogance and complacency. By Shi Shi's time, the monarch had become indulgent and extravagant, without a sense of restraint, acting capriciously towards the people, indulging in wine, women, and excessive corruption, with offenses too numerous to list.
Speaking of the states of Qi and Chen, they were considered great powers at the time, believing their virtues were as vast as heaven and earth, as bright as the sun and moon, with no worries or fears, and disregarding laws or regulations. Their close ministers were all favored, only knowing how to flatter and conceal flaws; the historians distorted facts in their records, only documenting strengths and covering up weaknesses. Therefore, the common people were full of grievances, their voices never reaching the rulers' ears, as the ministers exaggerated their achievements and boasted to the rulers daily. Although the laws were strict, the number of punishments and corvee labors increased, leaving everyone, young and old alike, exhausted.
Back in the day, the state of Zheng produced Zichan, Qi produced Yan Ying, Chu produced Shu Ao, and Jin produced Shi Hui. These small states were able to produce famous ministers, so why couldn't Qi and Chen, despite their vast territories and abundant resources? The problem was that their rulers were incompetent and only pursued their own interests, forgetting about the safety of the nation and its people. While they appeared united on the surface, they actually distrusted each other. If they encountered honest advisors who dared to speak up, they would suppress and ostracize them; if they encountered flatterers and deceitful individuals who benefited them, they would promote and favor them. With such a method of choosing talent, how could they ever find virtuous individuals? True talent is not based on brute force or eloquence, but on honesty, selflessness, and unwavering dedication, like the pillars of a building or the backbone of society. Qi and Chen rejected these upright individuals, instead believing the slander. The divine saw their debauchery and injustice, and thus stripped them of their power, yielding it to our great Sui dynasty.
If these two countries can honor the heavens, show compassion for the people, abandon extravagance and vanity, make humility the foundation, and prioritize compassion, then even if one region is strong and prosperous while another is remote and dangerous, they can each live peacefully and happily; the people will not want to rebel, and the country will stand as stable as Mount Tai, unshakeable. However, they are indulging in pleasure and seeking comfort, ultimately leading to the country's downfall, only to find themselves regretting it too late! As the ancient poem says: "Before the fall of the Yin and Shang dynasties, they were still able to worship the heavens and receive their blessings. You should take this as a warning; do not easily lose the blessings bestowed by the heavens." When dealing with national affairs, every decision requires careful consideration.
Your Majesty, your renowned benevolence and filial piety are well-known, your achievements have surpassed those of your ancestors, your governance of the country is effective, and all the people are pleased. Although your time in power has not been long, your kindness and generosity have already spread throughout the land, bringing great joy to the common people. The rebellion in Bingzhou erupted unexpectedly, all because Yang Liang played tricks and deceived the people and officials; it was not due to their resentment of the court and willingly joining the rebels. However, those officials and generals claimed that those people were originally planning to rebel; isn't this wrongfully accusing innocent people? Isn't this casting a shadow over Your Majesty's wise governance? You have always valued me, allowed me to work by your side, trusted me since you were still a prince, seeing me as a pillar of the state. I should be making a significant contribution to the state, leaving a lasting legacy, becoming a wise and loyal minister like Ji, Qi, Yi, and Lv. Now is a time of peace and prosperity; I should speak frankly and offer advice, setting a precedent for both the present and future. How can we overlook the crimes of offenders merely to appease Your Majesty? How can we punish those who were forced to participate in the rebellion? With the grace of Your Majesty, I dare to speak frankly; I am but a humble servant, and my words may inadvertently offend you, please forgive me.
After finishing reading the letter, he sighed but did not dare to report to the court. Yan Qian knew that the court was corrupt, so he resigned and withdrew, planning to build a house at the foot of Mengshan to live out his remaining years. Later, the court established the position of Sili Official to select famous talents from all over the world. The court believed that Yan Qian was upright and highly respected, so they summoned him to serve as the Sili Inspector. Yan Qian was determined to rectify the customs of the world, recommending individuals of high moral character. Those he criticized bore him no ill will. The Deputy Sili, Liu Yu, was arrogant and domineering, considering himself upright. The inspectors feared him and treated him with great respect. Only Yan Qian held firm to his principles and treated him with disdain, earning the admiration of many wise individuals. In the ninth year of Daye, Yan Qian followed the emperor across the Liao River and supervised the military in Fuyu. Later, as the political situation in the Sui Dynasty grew more chaotic, officials defected one after another. Only Yan Qian adhered to his principles, standing alone in the face of chaos. As a result, he incurred the jealousy of those in power and was demoted to Jingyang magistrate. Shortly after, Yan Qian died in office at the age of sixty-nine. Whenever Li Yanqian was at home, his nephews and nieces visited, he would impart moral lessons, encourage them to strive for progress, and talk to them endlessly without ever tiring. His family was well-off and had substantial assets, but all the salary he earned from his previous official positions was used to support relatives and friends, leaving the family with no extra money. Even his horses, clothes, and daily necessities were quite modest. From youth to old age, his words and actions were always upright, never compromising the law for personal benefit. Even though he often found himself financially strapped, he always kept an optimistic and cheerful outlook. One day, smiling to himself, he said to his son Li Xuanling, "Others get rich from holding office, but I become poor and destitute because of it. All I leave my descendants is a good name."
His writings are expansive and free-spirited in style, showcasing a deep-rooted foundation in classical scholarship. He is also skilled in cursive script and clerical script. Those who receive his letters cherish them like treasures. Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Gao Gou from Beihai, Li Gang from Liao County, Liu Yu and Xue Ru from Hedong—these were renowned scholars known for their simplicity and detachment, and Li Yanqian was friends with them. Although high-ranking officials often visited, his home was always calm and unassuming. Li Yanqian was elegant and knowledgeable in government affairs. Insightful individuals believed he was destined for greatness.
In the early days of the Kaihuang era, after quelling the Chen Dynasty and unifying the realm, everyone said that a peaceful and prosperous era was about to come. Li Yanqian privately told his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The emperor is suspicious and self-willed, not accepting advice from others. The crown prince is timid, and the princes hold excessive power. The court only implements harsh policies without any leniency in governance. Although the country is stable, I am worried that turmoil will happen soon." Li Shaotong initially did not believe him, but during the Renshou and Daye eras, Li Yanqian's words all came true. After the Tang Dynasty unified the country, he was posthumously honored as the Governor of Xuzhou and the Duke of Linzi County, and his posthumous title was "Ding."
Historical texts state: A towering structure cannot be erected from a single piece of timber; an emperor's accomplishments cannot be realized through the strategy of a single individual. Each has its own purpose, and nothing is expendable. Individuals like Li E, some possessing exceptional literary talent, champion justice, while others have outstanding abilities and can serve the country. Their talents and contributions were apparent during that era, and their deeds are recorded in history. Looking at the numerous talents of the Sui Dynasty, they were all able to establish careers and achieve great success, all serving as pillars of the state, much like the stars surrounding the North Star.
Li E, courtesy name Shihui, was a native of Zhaojun. He was particularly fond of learning and excelled in writing. During his time in the Northern Qi dynasty, he served as a secretary in the Central Secretariat, was a skilled speaker, and often debated with envoys from other countries on behalf of the court. After Emperor Wu of the Zhou dynasty conquered Northern Qi, Li E was appointed as a Senior Official of the Heavenly Bureau. He believed that Emperor Wu (Gaozu) would surely achieve great success in the future, so he proactively befriended him. After Gaozu became Prime Minister, he held Li E in high regard and often sought his advice on governing strategies. During a time of continuous warfare and empty state coffers, Li E composed the "Chonggu Lun" to counsel Gaozu. Gaozu greatly valued his advice. After Gaozu became emperor, Li E went on to serve as the Deputy Minister of Personnel and the Deputy Minister of Rites, and was granted the title of Earl of Nanhe. Li E was upright, well-versed in worldly matters, and deeply admired by the people of his time. Later, he was promoted to Imperial Historiographer, and Emperor Wu publicly acknowledged him in front of all the ministers, saying, "When I was the Grand Marshal, I always wanted to serve as an official in a distant place. Li E presented me with twelve suggestions, earnestly advising me not to leave the capital, which ultimately helped me decide to stay at court. Our accomplishments today are all thanks to Li E!" He then rewarded him with two thousand bolts of cloth.
Li E saw that the social atmosphere at that time was in decline. After the high-ranking officials and nobles passed away, their concubines, maids, as well as descendants, were often bought and sold at will, which had become a troubling custom. So Li E wrote a memorial saying: "I have heard that by honoring ancestors and handling funeral affairs with care, the people's morals can become more sincere, and only by observing filial piety for three years without change can one be considered filial. However, I have heard that some ministers in the court, shortly after their parents' passing, due to financial difficulties, sell their parents' concubines. This behavior severely undermines social morals. Although concubines occupy a lowly status, they have also served their masters and should observe filial piety for three years, as is the practice both in ancient and modern times. How can they so quickly abandon their mourning attire, compel them to adorn themselves and weep before the spirit tablet, and then send them off to another household? Witnessing such a situation, bystanders are filled with sorrow, let alone the deceased's children. How can one bear to do such a thing? There are also some high-ranking court officials, with prominent status, who had deep friendships with their friends during their lifetime, like brothers. However, after their passing, their friends treat them like strangers. They learn of their death in the morning, and by evening, they are already scheming to marry their concubines, completely disregarding shame and friendship. Furthermore, the principles of family governance can be applied to the court. If one’s personal morals are not virtuous, how can one expect to serve as a good official?" The emperor was pleased after reading the memorial and henceforth decreed that wives and concubines of officials of fifth rank and above were not allowed to remarry. Li E also noticed that proficient writers were promoting a superficial literary style, imitating each other, becoming increasingly absurd and irredeemable. So he wrote another memorial saying:
I heard that in ancient times, the wise kings first sought to change the thoughts and behaviors of the people, restrain their desires, block their evil and indulgent thoughts, and guide them towards a simple and harmonious path. The Five Constants, the Five Relationships, and the Six Principles are the foundation of educating the people, while the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, and Book of Changes are the door to understanding righteousness. Therefore, every household should respect their parents, love their siblings, and everyone should understand etiquette; only then can customs be rectified and the social atmosphere harmonized, as there is nothing more important than this. In the past, those who wrote essays, memorials, and inscriptions wrote to commend merits, praise talents, explain achievements, and prove principles. Without the purpose of promoting good and punishing evil, these writings would be meaningless.
However, as time went on, the social atmosphere gradually deteriorated. The three emperors of the Wei dynasty preferred ornate prose and essays, neglecting the king's noble path, and only focusing on superficial skills. Those below learned from those above, influencing each other and competing for ornate language, thus forming this trend. During the Qi and Liang dynasties in Jiangnan, this bad trend became even more serious, with both officials and commoners indulging solely in poetry and essays. As a result, they abandoned fundamental truths, pursued empty ideals, merely for the sake of rhyme and clever phrasing. The writings became lengthy and empty, like piles of official documents, full of empty talk. People began to praise one another based on this, and the court also chose talents accordingly.
Since there is a way to get promoted and rich, people are even more enthusiastic about it. As a result, rural children and the offspring of high-ranking officials and nobles start writing five-character regulated verse before they reach adulthood. As for the systems of Fuxi, Nuwa, Shun, and Yu, and the teachings of Yi Yin, Fu Sheng, Duke Zhou, and Confucius, they are simply not interested, much less pay attention to them. They view unruliness as a form of nobility, deceit as accomplishment, Confucian scholars as old-fashioned, and writing prose as the behavior of a gentleman. Therefore, the more they write, the more chaotic political affairs become, all because they have abandoned the standards of the sages and considered useless things as useful. This trend of focusing on trivial matters rather than fundamentals spread throughout the country, passed down from generation to generation, becoming more severe over time. It was not until the Sui Dynasty was established, ushering in the sage's way, that the frivolous and hypocritical atmosphere was eliminated, and the ornate and deceptive literary style was curbed. Without a broad knowledge of the classics, high moral character, a commitment to virtue, and adherence to benevolence, one could not enter the court as an official. In the fourth year of the Kaihuang era, the emperor issued a decree to the whole country, demanding that all official and private documents be written truthfully. In September of that year, Sima Youzhi, the Prefect of Sizhou, was punished for his extravagant literary style by the relevant authorities. From then on, the court officials understood the correct path, began to study the classics, abandoned the ornate and deceptive literary style, and chose to implement the exemplary systems of the ancient kings.
But it is said that in some remote areas, old customs are still being upheld, and when selecting officials, the established guidelines are ignored. Those who leverage family ties to flaunt their filial piety, putting on a facade of righteousness in the village, merely study empty doctrines and do not adhere to any principles in their dealings, will be excluded from consideration; those who do not study ancient classics, pursue fads, write trivial articles, and band together to seek fame and fortune, will be selected as officials and recommended to the court. This is all because the county magistrate and governor have failed to cultivate a positive atmosphere, tainted by personal interests, and have not upheld impartiality. Since I have taken on the position of a constitutional official, I should take responsibility for oversight. If I were to impeach immediately upon discovery, I am afraid that too many individuals could be affected, so I request that all departments conduct thorough investigations. If there are such individuals, prepare a report and submit it to the court. Ah, those officials all love to show off, and I have submitted yet another memorial.
I heard that Emperor Shun admonished Yu, saying: "As long as you are not arrogant and conceited, no one in the world can compete with your abilities; as long as you do not boast, no one in the world can compete with your achievements." Zixia also said: "If you have too many dealings with the ruler, you will be humiliated; if you have too many friends, you will be alienated." These are the famous sayings of ancient sages, the principles followed by emperors throughout history. Therefore, the principle of being a subject is to devote oneself wholeheartedly to serving the country. Even if you work diligently like Dayu, and your achievements are admired like a teacher's, you should not boast excessively to please the monarch. Furthermore, my achievements are trivial, and my hard work cannot make up for my mistakes. I wouldn't dare to boast and interrupt Your Majesty's valuable time! In today's society, morality has sunk to an all-time low, worse than in the Zhou Dynasty. People below have no sense of shame, and those above tolerate them. People get promoted for what they say rather than what they actually do. Those who boast about themselves are easily promoted, while those who are humble and cautious are often forgotten. So they all scramble to write reports, boasting of their accomplishments; when they enter the palace to meet the emperor, they desperately talk about how devoted they are. They boast shamelessly and do not feel ashamed; they insist that being competent is their sole qualification. Since the founding of the Sui Dynasty, this trend has changed. Even ordinary farmers have abandoned this bad habit, so why do court officials still follow it? I heard that some provincial governors come to the capital to see the emperor, boasting about their achievements in handling cases, making a loud commotion at the palace steps, speaking arrogantly and disrespectfully, boasting about themselves, and offending the emperor's dignity, which is unforgivable. I've written reports on these individuals, urging the emperor to punish them severely to restore order.
The suggestions previously submitted by the official have been distributed nationwide, and the entire nation followed suit, correcting many bad practices. During his tenure, the official focused on the overall situation and did not employ harsh and oppressive measures, so he did not earn a reputation for being upright and incorruptible. However, he actually did a lot to correct various issues.
There was a man named Su Wei, who served as an official in Pei County. He felt that the roadside shops were only there to make money, dirty and disorderly, not proper businesses. He petitioned Emperor Gaozu, suggesting that these shops be forced to return to farming, and if anyone wanted to keep doing business, they should register at the local market in the county, then demolish the original shops and move to a more distant location, with a deadline. As it was very cold in winter, no one dared to say anything. The official was away on a trip and, seeing the situation, felt that the common people all had their own livelihoods and should be allowed to manage their own livelihoods. Inns and roadside shops have always been different, so it didn't make sense to have them register at the market! Moreover, inns were places for travelers to rest; how could they just be told to stop? This would only create problems without any advantages, so he decided to allow those shops to keep operating, and then he would report to the Emperor. Emperor Gaozu was very pleased and said, "A minister who thinks for the country should act like this!" Later, because he was getting old, he was appointed as the magistrate of Tongzhou, where he performed very well and was well-respected by the people. Three years later, he sadly passed away, leaving behind four sons.
His two sons, Datie and Jun, both served as Shangshu Lang. His eldest son, Dafang, inherited his title and was very talented. During the Sui Dynasty, he became an official in the Imperial Library. The Emperor intended to promote him, but he sadly passed away.
Bao Hong, courtesy name Runshen, was from Tan County, Shandong. His father, Bao Ji, was famous for his talents and served as an official in the Liang Dynasty, eventually reaching the position of Imperial Secretary responsible for editing. Bao Hong became an orphan at the age of seven, but fortunately, his brother Bao Quan raised him. By the age of twelve, he was already writing articles and even composed poetry with King Xiao Yi of Xiangdong. Xiao Yi greatly admired him and appointed him as an Assistant, later promoting him to Advisor in Zhen Nan Prefecture and then as an official in the Ministry of Water. Eventually, he rose to the rank of Cavalier Attendant. After the pacification of Jiangling, he returned to Northern Zhou. Emperor Ming of Zhou highly respected him and appointed him as a Scholar at the Linzidi Hall. He gradually rose to the rank of a Lower Official of Suibo. He also embarked on a mission to the State of Chen alongside Du Zihui to discuss attacking the State of Qi. Consequently, Chen dispatched troops north of the Yangtze River to invade Qi.
Emperor Ming of Zhou once asked Bao Hong how to conquer the State of Qi, to which Bao Hong replied: "We are strong and Qi is weak; our strength is simply incomparable. The Emperor of Qi is close to petty people, and the politics are becoming more chaotic, while our Emperor is kind and lenient, with strict laws and regulations. It's like a tower built with tiles, stable and solid; there's nothing to worry about. It's just that during previous campaigns to Luoyang, Qi was already prepared, so we couldn't win quickly. In my opinion, the best approach is to send troops straight to Fenzhou and Luzhou, then suddenly attack Jinyang to catch them by surprise." Emperor Ming of Zhou accepted his advice. After pacifying Shandong, Bao Hong was appointed Junior Imperial Secretary, granted the title of Count of Pingyao with a fief of six hundred households, and conferred the title of General of the Household.
After the founding emperor Yang Jian became prime minister, he sent Bao Hong on a diplomatic mission to the southern regions. While passing through Tongzhou, Wang Qian launched a rebellion in Shu, and Bao Hong was captured by Wang Qian's general, Da Xiji, and was forced to be sent to Chengdu. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast. After Wang Qian's failure, someone promptly informed the court. Emperor Yang Jian highly valued his loyalty and bestowed upon him a golden belt. When Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Bao Hong as Minister of Works, appointed him governor of Lizhou, elevated him to the rank of duke, and later appointed him governor of Qiongzhou. After his term ended, he returned to the capital.
At that time, there was a man named Wei Yichen. His father, Wei Chong, refused to surrender to Wei Jiong and later died in battle against the Turks. The emperor was very moved and wanted to give him the surname Jin. Bao Hong said, "In the past, Xiang Bo refused to surrender to Xiang Yu, so Emperor Gaozu gave him the surname Liu; Qin Zhen's father sacrificed himself for the country, so Emperor Wendi gave him the surname Cao. In my opinion, he should be given an imperial surname." The founding emperor Yang Jian said, "Good!" and granted Wei Yichen the surname Yang. Later, Bao Hong was appointed governor of Junzhou, but retired due to vision issues and passed away at the age of ninety-six. In his earlier years, Emperor Wu of Zhou commissioned Bao Hong to compile a genealogy of the imperial family, which was divided into three parts: "Imperial Lineage," "Branches," and "Surnames." Bao Hong also wrote a collection of essays in ten volumes, which have been preserved through the ages.
Pei Zheng, styled Debiao, was from Wenxi, Shanxi. His great-grandfather was the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Song, and moved to Shouyang with Emperor Wu. He served as the Chief Military Historian and the prefect of Lujiang. His grandfather Pei Sui was the Attendant Minister of the Liang Dynasty, the left guard general, and the grand governor of Yuzhou; his father Pei Zhili was the Prefect of Justice. Pei Zheng was intelligent and well-educated from a young age, with exceptional memory and a deep understanding of the political situation at the time, earning praise from his contemporaries. At the age of fifteen, he was invited to serve as a military advisor in the Prince Shaoling's mansion in Shaoling, and later promoted to the rank of Lang of the Ministry of Rites and magistrate of Zhijiang. When the Prince of Xiangdong arrived in Jingzhou, he summoned Pei Zheng to serve as a secretary in the Xuanhui Mansion, and soon after he was promoted to the position of Cavalry Attendant.
During Hou Jing's rebellion, Pei Zheng was appointed as the General of Zhuangwu, leading troops alongside Prince Wang Lin to suppress Hou Jing. He captured the rebel leader Song Zixian and presented him to Jingzhou. After quelling the Hou Jing rebellion, he led the vanguard troops into Jianye and was granted the title of Marquis of Yiling due to his outstanding military achievements. He was later summoned to serve as an attendant yellow gate official, and then once again led troops to assist Wang Lin in resisting Xiao Ji, defeating him at Xiaokou. He was further appointed as the General of Pingyue and the Chief Historian of Zhen Nanfu. Later, as the Zhou army besieged Jingzhou, Wang Lin rushed from Guizhou to rescue, marching towards Changsha. Pei Zheng requested to take a secret route to inform Emperor Yuan. However, he was captured by the Zhou army at Bailing Island. Xiao Cha said to Pei Zheng, "I am the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Northern Wei Dynasty; can I not be your emperor? Why sacrifice yourself for that ruler of the seven surnames? If you follow my advice, your descendants will be wealthy and noble; if not, I will have you executed!" Pei Zheng pretended to agree, saying, "I will follow your orders."
Xiao Cha imprisoned him, escorted him to the city gate, and ordered him to tell Emperor Yuan, "Wang Sengbian has declared himself emperor upon hearing that Taicheng is under siege. Wang Lin's forces are weak and cannot come to the rescue." Pei Zheng complied. Then he said to the people in the city, "Reinforcements are about to arrive; everyone must remain resolute! As an envoy captured, I must use death to serve the country!" The guards struck him, but he never changed his statement. Xiao Cha was furious and ordered him to be executed immediately. Cai Daye urged, "He is the hope of the people. If he is killed, Jingzhou will not be taken." So Pei Zheng was released. After the fall of Jiangling, he and the city officials were escorted northward. Emperor Wen of Zhou, upon hearing of his loyalty, appointed him as an Attendant Cavalier, permitting him to engage in political matters. Emperor Wen also had him and Lu Bian establish the Six Ministers according to the system of the "Rites of Zhou," establishing official positions, including public ministers, grand officials, and scholars, and compiling court rituals that specified the use of chariots, attire, and utensils, largely adhering to ancient rites while abolishing the outdated laws of the Han and Wei periods, all of which were implemented. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, and later promoted to junior judge. Pei Zheng was well-versed in the laws and systems, and also participated in the revision of the "Laws of Zhou." He could drink a lot of alcohol without getting drunk. Despite the overwhelming number of case files, he could handle them quickly, administering justice with both leniency and firmness, ensuring there were no miscarriages of justice. For prisoners sentenced to death, he allowed their wives to visit them in prison. When it came time to execute the death penalty in winter, the prisoners all said, "Master Pei sentenced me to death; I die without regrets." This exemplifies his fairness in law enforcement! He was also well-versed in music theory, engaging in discussions about music with Changsun Shaoyuan, as documented in the "Records of Music Theory." During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was dismissed for having offended the emperor.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, he was reappointed to his original official position. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was promoted to the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards and was also appointed as Chief of the Three Departments of Ceremonial. The emperor ordered him, along with Su Wei and others, to revise the laws. He consulted criminal law codes from the Wei and Jin periods up to those of the Qi and Liang dynasties, comparing their severity and relevance, and selecting suitable ones for adoption. More than ten people participated in the revision, and he was responsible for resolving all difficult issues. Later, he was promoted to Cavalier Attendant and then appointed as Left Attendant. He rectified numerous errors and earned a reputation for his integrity and straightforwardness. He was entrusted with handling all major matters in the Eastern Palace.
Liu Rong, the Right Shuzi, had a very stubborn personality. At that time, the military officers took turns on duty, and the Tongshi, Zhao Yuankai, was supposed to write a memorial to present to the Crown Prince, but he had not finished it yet. The Crown Prince ordered repeatedly and urged Zhao Yuankai, saying, "You can just report it orally; there's no need to write a memorial." After Zhao Yuankai reported orally, the Crown Prince asked him, "Where is the memorial?" Zhao Yuankai replied, "I informed Lord Liu, but he wouldn't let me write the memorial." The Crown Prince then questioned Liu Rong, who denied it, claiming, "That never happened." The Crown Prince handed this matter over to Zheng for investigation. Before the formal report was released, someone from Liu Rong's faction went to the Crown Prince and said, "Zheng is trying to frame Liu Rong; that what he said wasn't true." The Crown Prince summoned Zheng and questioned him, and Zheng replied, "Investigating a matter involves two aspects: assessing the situation and finding evidence, carefully examining right from wrong to determine the truth. I investigated Liu Rong, who is of high status and importance; even if he did say something like that to Zhao Yuankai, it would only be a minor fault. Logically, there's no reason to hide it. I also investigated Zhao Yuankai, who is under Liu Rong's influence; how could he possibly dare to make things up out of thin air to frame him? The situations of both are logically consistent. Zhao Yuankai also found Left Guard Shuai Cui Qian and others to testify, and their testimonies are consistent with Zhao Yuankai's account. The situation has been clarified, and we need evidence to determine the truth. I believe Liu Rong did say those words to Zhao Yuankai; this matter is definitely true." The Crown Prince ultimately chose not to punish Liu Rong, but praised Zheng for his uprightness and fairness.
As for Pei Zheng, he enjoys openly criticizing others to their faces and never regrets it afterward. At that time, there was a person named Ding Xing, who often visited the Crown Prince's palace and brought him strange clothes and odd trinkets, maintaining inappropriate relationships with the palace concubines, acting without restraint. Pei Zheng advised the Crown Prince numerous times, but the Crown Prince just wouldn’t listen.
So Pei Zheng said to Ding Xing, "What you have done is completely against the rules! Moreover, Consort Yuan has just died unexpectedly, and the whole city is in an uproar. This is not good for the reputation of the Crown Prince! You’d better step back voluntarily; otherwise, you will get into trouble sooner or later!" Ding Xing was furious upon hearing this, so he went to the Crown Prince to complain. The Crown Prince became even more distant from Pei Zheng and later sent him to Xiangzhou as the prefect.
After taking office in Xiangzhou, Pei Zheng's wife did not accompany him, and he distributed all his salary to his subordinates. He kept a close eye on the crimes committed by common people, sometimes not pursuing them for a whole year. When they committed a second or third offense, he would wait for a large gathering to publicly call them out in front of everyone, personally try the case, and execute those deserving death and exile those deserving it. Many people were exiled at once. The entire prefecture was so intimidated that no one dared to act recklessly, and his orders were promptly executed. The common people lived and worked in peace, treating him like a god. Later, the prison in Xiangzhou was hardly used, and there were very few lawsuits. He passed away at the age of eighty-nine, leaving behind a book called "Records of the Holy Descent," consisting of ten volumes.
After the Crown Prince was deposed, Emperor Gaozu remembered Pei Zheng and lamented, "If I had left Pei Zheng and Liu Xing to support the Crown Prince, perhaps the situation would not have turned out like this." Pei Zheng's son, Pei Nanjin, later became an official in the Ministry of Food.
Liu Zhuang, with the style name of Si Jing, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather, Liu Jiyuan, served as a Senior Clerk in the Ministry of Works during the Liang Dynasty; his father, Liu Xia, was the Inspector of Huozhou. From a young age, Liu Zhuang harbored lofty ambitions, was well-read and excelled in rhetoric. Cai Dabao from Jiyang was well-known in the Jiangnan region and served as an advisor to Prince Yueyang Xiao Cha. Upon seeing Liu Zhuang, he exclaimed, "The Water Mirror Scholar of Xiangyang Zhuge Liang has appeared here!" Cai Dabao subsequently married his daughter to Liu Zhuang. Not long after, Xiao Cha appointed Liu Zhuang as a military officer and later promoted him to the position of a legal officer. After Xiao Cha became emperor, he appointed Liu Zhuang as a Master of the Imperial Library, and later served as a Yellow Gate Attendant, Assistant Minister of Personnel, and Minister of Rites.
When Yang Jian was serving as a regent, Xiao Kui sent Liu Zhuang to the capital with a letter. At that time, the three factions were vying for power, and Yang Jian was worried that Xiao Kui had other intentions. After Liu Zhuang returned, Yang Jian said to him, "I followed the Kai Fu of the Liang Dynasty to Jiangling before, and I was deeply favored by Emperor Liangwu. Now the young monarch of the Liang Dynasty is facing a critical situation, and being trusted by you fills me with gratitude. I often reflect at night, filled with shame and fear. The emperors of the Liang Dynasty have always been illustrious and loyal to the court, and in the future, they will surely demonstrate steadfast integrity like that of pine and bamboo. When you return to the Liang Dynasty, please convey my thoughts to Emperor Liangwu." After speaking, Yang Jian held Liu Zhuang's hand and said goodbye with reluctance.
At that time, the generals of the Liang Dynasty secretly requested to send troops to join forces with Wei Jiong and others to resist Yang Jian. This way, they could remain loyal to the Zhou Dynasty while also gaining control over the southern mountainous regions. Only Xiao Kui hesitated about this. At that moment, Liu Zhuang returned from Chang'an, elaborating on Yang Jian's sincerity before addressing Xiao Kui, "In the past, people like Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Wang Ling, and Zhuge Dan were all dominant figures at that time. They occupied strategic locations and had many soldiers and generals, but ultimately they did not achieve any success and quickly met their demise. The reason was that Cao Cao and the Sima family used the emperor to control the feudal lords, occupied the capital, and used righteousness as their banner, so they were able to achieve victory and establish dominance. Now, although Wei Jiong is an old general, he is already old and incompetent, while Xiao Mohe and Wang Qian are even more incompetent, and they have no ability to unify the country. Moreover, the regions of Shandong and Bashu are gradually submitting to the Sui Dynasty, and the Zhou Dynasty's favor has not yet reached all areas. Most of the generals in the court are loyal to Yang Jian for their own interests. In my opinion, Wei Jiong and the others will definitely fail in the end, and Yang Jian will definitely destroy the Zhou Dynasty. It is better for us to protect our borders and people and watch the situation." Xiao Kui wholeheartedly agreed with Liu Zhuang, bringing the discussion to an end. Soon after, Xiao Mohe sought refuge with the Chen Dynasty, and Wei Jiong and Wang Qian were subsequently killed. Xiao Kui said to Liu Zhuang, "If I had listened to those people at that time, our country would have long been lost!"
After Liu Bang became emperor, Liu Zhuang returned to the court to work, and Liu Bang expressed great sympathy and encouragement to him. Later, Prince Jin married the Princess of Liang as his concubine, and Liu Zhuang visited several times, receiving rewards of several thousand pieces of cloth. After Xiao Cong ascended to the throne, Liu Zhuang was promoted to the position of Grand Minister of State. After the downfall of the Liang Dynasty, he was appointed as the Chancellor of War, and soon promoted to the position of Minister of the Yellow Gate. He was also granted land and property. Liu Zhuang was well-versed in the old laws and regulations and had a deep understanding of political affairs. The Emperor consistently praised him for his corrections.
Su Wei became the Grand Councilor and highly valued Liu Zhuang's knowledge and abilities. He often told the emperor, "In Jiangnan, those who are knowledgeable often struggle with practical affairs, and those who know how to handle practical affairs do not have much knowledge. Only someone like Liu Zhuang, who possesses both knowledge and practical skills, is truly exceptional." Gao Feng also had a good relationship with Liu Zhuang. Although Liu Zhuang and Chen Mao worked in the same department, Liu Zhuang looked down on Chen Mao. Chen Mao felt increasingly uneasy seeing the emperor and courtiers hold Liu Zhuang in such high regard and always felt that Liu Zhuang looked down on him. The emperor and Chen Mao had known each other before, and after Chen Mao was summoned by the emperor, he repeatedly spoke ill of Liu Zhuang in front of the emperor.
Over the years, Chen Mao's slander began to take its toll. Once, the Ministry of Justice proposed that those who committed crimes should be punished according to the law, but the emperor wanted to sentence them to death. Liu Zhuang submitted a memorial saying, "I have heard Zhang Shizhi say that the law is to be observed by the emperor and the people. The law currently stipulates this, but you are increasing the punishment, which will lead to public distrust in the law. Now the country is peaceful, and it is the time to demonstrate the court's integrity. I hope Your Majesty can consider what Zhang Shizhi said, which is a fortunate thing for the people!" The emperor did not listen to him, and Liu Zhuang thereby angered the emperor.
Not long after, the pills offered by the emperor's attendants did not suit his taste, and Chen Mao secretly informed the emperor that Liu Zhuang had not personally supervised the inspection. As a result, the emperor was very angry. In the eleventh year, Xu Zheng and others rebelled in Jiangnan, and Liu Zhuang, as the chief military commander, went to suppress the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, Liu Zhuang was appointed as the Governor of Raozhou, where he achieved notable success. Several years later, Liu Zhuang passed away at the age of sixty-two.
Yuan Shi, courtesy name Jianyan, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father was named Yuan Wenzong and was well-known in Northern Qi. He passed away during the early years of the Kaihuang reign while serving as Governor of Juzhou. Yuan Shi earned great respect from a young age. He initially served as an aide in the Ministry of Civil Affairs and later rose to the position of Left External Military Officer in the Ministry of Personnel, also overseeing the Department of Ancestral Worship.
One summer, someone reported seeing a dragon and requested a rain-making ceremony. At that time, Gao Ana Gong was thrilled to hear about the appearance of a dragon. He asked where the dragon was. Yuan Shi straightened his robes and replied, "This is merely the appearance of a dragon star. According to the rituals, we should hold a rain-making ceremony at the suburban altar, not because a real dragon has manifested." Gao Ana Gong's expression instantly darkened upon hearing this, and he angrily asked, "How do you know it's a star?" Consequently, the rain-making ceremony was canceled. Yuan Shi later sighed privately, "The nation's crucial matters hinge on sacrifices and military affairs. If rituals and laws are cast aside, how can it endure? The fall of Qi is not far off."
Seven years later, Emperor Wu of Zhou destroyed the State of Qi, and Yuan Shi was appointed as a senior official overseeing finances. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Yuan Shi as the Chief Historian of Wei Prefecture, and later transferred him to the imperial court as Assistant Minister of Personnel, also overseeing the Ministry of Personnel. Many of the court's regulations and national laws were formulated with his input.
Seventeen years later, Yuan Shi was promoted to the position of Left and Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Rites, and he gained a reputation for his adeptness in handling affairs. At that time, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu violated the laws quite often, so the court appointed Yuan Shi as the Inspector in Yizhou to oversee him. Shortly after, Prince Yang Xiu was summoned back to the capital by the court, but fearing trouble in the capital, he sought to use illness as an excuse to avoid going. Yuan Shi persuaded him multiple times, saying he could not disobey the imperial decree. In anger, Yang Xiu retorted, "This is a matter within my family, what does that have to do with you?" Yuan Shi replied with tears in his eyes, "I have been granted great favor by the state, serving as an official. How could I not devote myself wholeheartedly? However, in recent years, the country has endured many trials, with King Xiao of Qin falling seriously ill and commoner-born crown princes being successively deposed. The Emperor must be feeling very troubled! Now that the Emperor has ordered the recall of Prince Yang for a long time, and he still delays going, the people may not grasp the Prince's intentions. If dissent arises, both inside and out will be alarmed. If the Emperor becomes angry and sends an envoy, how will Prince Yang explain himself? I hope you will reflect on this carefully, Your Highness!" Only then did Yang Xiu agree to go to the capital.
After Yang Xiu was deposed, many officials in Yizhou were implicated, but Yuan Shi was spared due to his wise counsel. Later, he was elevated to the position of Deputy Director of the Board of Rites under Emperor Yang of Sui.
Once, Emperor Yang of Sui was in the Palace of Xianren and ordered the palace guards not to leave their posts without permission. A general secretly allowed a guard to leave, and Emperor Yang turned the matter over to the Dali Temple for resolution. Yuan Shi, in accordance with the law, sentenced the general to exile. Emperor Yang wanted to execute him directly, but Yuan Shi said, "This man's crime is indeed unforgivable. If Your Majesty had killed him from the beginning, there would have been no need for official documentation. Since it has already been handed over to the Dali Temple, it should be dealt with according to legal procedures. How should we handle similar offenses by guards and attendants in the future?" After hearing this, he abandoned the idea of executing him. Later, Yuan Shi was promoted to the role of Assistant Minister of Justice. Yuan Shi was efficient and shrewd in his work, had good eloquence, but lacked a reputation for integrity and fairness. He soon passed away, leaving behind a son named Yuan Kunyu.
Lang Mao, style name Weizhi, was from Xinshi in Hengshan. His father was the Prefect of Yingchuan in the Qi Kingdom. Lang Mao was clever from a young age, could recite the "Chu Ci" and "Book of Songs" by the age of seven, reciting more than a thousand words each day. At the age of fifteen, he studied under Quan Hui, a National Scholar from Hejian, learning the "Book of Songs," "Book of Changes," "Three Rituals," including astronomy and criminal law. He also studied the "Zuo Zhuan," "Gongyang Zhuan," "Guliang Zhuan," and various articles with the assistant teacher Zhang Shuili of the National Academy, studying with great diligence. His family worried that Lang Mao would exhaust himself, often adjusting the lighting for him. As he grew older, Lang Mao became known as a scholar and excelled in writing. At the age of nineteen, his father passed away, and he mourned his father dutifully at home.
Lang Mao served as an official in the state of Qi, starting out as a military officer in the Department of State Affairs. The state of Chen sent an envoy named Fu Zai to visit Qi, and Lang Mao was tasked with receiving him. Later, Lang Mao was ordered to proofread the classics in the Secretariat. He was then promoted to be the magistrate of Baocheng County, where he achieved remarkable results, and the common people even erected a monument in praise of his virtuous deeds. After Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty conquered the state of Qi, the Prime Minister Wang Yi recommended Lang Mao to him, and Emperor Wu appointed Lang Mao as the head of the household registration office in Chen Prefecture. At that time, Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) was the governor of Bozhou, and after seeing Lang Mao, he greatly admired him and appointed him as his secretary. At that time, Emperor Wu was compiling the "I Ching," and Yang Jian said to Lang Mao, "What the ruler does will move heaven and earth, and shake ghosts and gods. There are many strict legal provisions in the 'I Ching'; how can we govern the country well?" Lang Mao secretly sighed in his heart, "This is not something an ordinary person can say!" So Lang Mao secretly became friends with Yang Jian, and Yang Jian also respected him greatly.
Later, Lang Mao returned to his hometown and became the chief registrar of the state. After Yang Jian became the Prime Minister, he wrote a letter summoning Lang Mao, and the two reminisced about the past, chatting happily. Yang Jian appointed Lang Mao as the registrar of Weizhou, where Lang Mao distinguished himself. Shortly after, he was promoted to be the magistrate of Weiguo County. At that time, there were over two hundred prisoners in the prison, and Lang Mao personally tried them for several days, releasing more than a hundred. During his tenure, he never had to report any cases to the state government. The Inspector of Weizhou, Yuan Hui, said to Lang Mao, "The chief official said the people of Weiguo are too afraid to appeal because of you!" Lang Mao replied, "The common people are like water, and laws and regulations are like embankments. If the embankments are not strong, the water will rush everywhere. As long as there is no breach or flooding, what's there to worry about?" Yuan Hui was convinced by Lang Mao's words and had nothing to say in response.
There was a man named Zhang Yuanju who had a strained relationship with his cousin Si Lan. The county's constable suggested severe punishment for them, but Lang Mao said, "The brothers Zhang Yuanju and Si Lan already hate each other, and now, because they have committed a crime, it will only deepen their resentment. This is not the way to educate the people." So, he sent some respected elders from the village to persuade them, and these people came and went in endless succession. In the end, the brothers Zhang Yuanju and Si Lan repented and went to the county government to confess their crimes. Lang Mao talked to them, and in the end, the two brothers reconciled and became close brothers again.
Mao was promoted from Changshi of Yanzhou to Tai Chang Cheng, and later promoted to Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Right Assistant Minister of Personnel, Su Wei, established regulations mandating annual investigations into unlawful acts committed by officials of fifth rank and above. Some local officials replied, "There are no families with officials of fifth rank or higher within our jurisdiction." They completely ignored it, and there were many similar cases. Su Wei also set up a surplus grain book to account for the surplus and shortage of grain in various places for redistribution. Mao found these regulations cumbersome and unnecessary, so he submitted a memorial to the court requesting their cancellation. Shortly after, the court reinstated him. He submitted another memorial, arguing that descendants of those who sacrificed for the nation should not lose their land; and high-ranking officials should not have their land reduced when they grow old. All of these suggestions came from Mao. Mao was recognized for his quick wit and decisive handling of government affairs, and at that time, he was famous for his expertise in governance. In the early years of Renshou, he concurrently served as magistrate of Daxing. After Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty took the throne, he was promoted to Sima of Yongzhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to Shaoqing of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Two years later, he was appointed as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, involved in the selection of officials. Mao was lauded for his deep understanding of the law.
At that time, the Minister of Construction, Yu Wenkai, and the General of the Right Guard, Yu Zhongwen, were vying for control of the silver mines in Hedong. Wang Mao accused them, saying, "I have heard that there are different etiquettes for the noble and the common, so that everyone knows their place and families can learn about honor and shame. Yu Wenkai holds a high position, with a generous salary, and should stay away from worldly disputes and live a peaceful life, but he is fighting over interests, truly lacking any sense of shame. Yu Zhongwen is a general, a close confidant of the emperor, hearing the teachings in the palace every day, and should learn the modest spirit of Yu Shun and Rui Bo, yet he fights over trivial matters. How can they be role models for their subordinates and the common people! If this behavior is not corrected, it will harm the country's laws and education." Yu Wenkai and Yu Zhongwen were eventually punished for this incident. Wang Mao also wrote a book called "Zhou Jun Tu Jing" in one hundred volumes, presented it to the court, and was rewarded with three hundred bolts of silk, and the manuscript was stored in the archives. At that time, the emperor often went on tours, and the national laws had become chaotic, with many laws unable to be enforced. Wang Mao was an old minister of the former dynasty, very knowledgeable about the world, but he was skilled at self-preservation and didn't dare to speak up. He saw that the emperor was irritable and could only let out a quiet sigh. Because he was old, he submitted a retirement request, but the emperor turned it down. At that time, the emperor was leading a campaign to Liaodong, leaving Wang Mao in charge of guarding Jinyang Palace.
That year, the Prefect of Hengshan, Wang Wentong, had a dispute with Wang Mao, so he complained to the Emperor that Wang Mao was forming factions and engaging in private dealings, misleading his superiors and deceiving his subordinates. The Emperor ordered Grand Secretary Su Wei and Imperial Censor Pei Yun to investigate the matter together. Wang Mao already had a bad relationship with these two individuals, so they deliberately fabricated charges and exaggerated Wang Mao's crimes. The Emperor was furious upon hearing this; he not only dismissed Wang Mao from his post but also his younger brother Wang Chu, who was also an official, and exiled them both to Qiemo County. Wang Mao accepted the order calmly, showing no signs of worry. On his way, he wrote a poem titled "Ascending the Hill" as a form of self-comfort, which was quite well-written. He also submitted a memorial explaining his situation, which somewhat clarified things for the Emperor. Ten years later, the Emperor summoned Wang Mao back to the capital. One year later, Wang Mao died at the age of seventy-five, leaving a son, Wang Zhinian.
Gao Gou, courtesy name Xiaoji, was from Beihai, Shandong. He was humorous, witty, very intelligent, and an excellent speaker. He enjoyed reading and was skilled at managing government affairs. In his youth, he was appointed Registrar in his province. Later, he served as a military officer under the King of Henan in Qi and later held positions as Sima of Xuzhou, Prefect of Lanling County, and Prefect of Pingyuan County. After Northern Qi fell, Emperor Wu of Zhou appointed him Sima of Xuzhou. After Yang Jian of Sui declared himself emperor, Gao Gou was promoted to Sima of Jizhou, where he excelled and earned a strong reputation.
Afterwards, he was summoned by the court and appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, and soon after, he was transferred to the Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs. At that time, the Assistant Minister of the Interior, Jin Pingdong, and his nephew Jin Changmao were contending for the inheritance rights. The Imperial Secretariat was unable to reach a decision after three discussions among the court officials. Gao Gou delivered a fair and decisive ruling, which the emperor highly valued. He summoned Gao Gou into the palace and praised him, saying, "I have heard that the position of a Shangshu Lang is very high. Today, after seeing your talent and knowledge, I realize that what the ancients said is true. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring is a very important part of etiquette. I have read your ruling several times; the writing is precise, and the reasoning is thorough, and I cannot think of a better way to handle it." The emperor also rewarded him with one hundred stones of rice. From then on, Gao Gou became famous.
Later, he was promoted to the position of Sima of Yongzhou, known for his decisive actions. Over a year later, he was promoted to the Assistant Minister of Personnel, and everyone said he was competent. He was then transferred back to Yongzhou as Sima, but due to a minor infraction, he was demoted to the position of county magistrate of Zhoufei. Nevertheless, he excelled in that role, and the emperor appreciated him, reappointing him as the Sima of Yongzhou. He later became the Assistant Minister of Personnel again and was eventually dismissed from office due to administrative reasons. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was summoned back to office. At that time, many officials from the Ministry of Personnel were dismissed for incompetence, yet Gao Gou continued to excel. He was previously responsible for selecting officials, and those he selected were not his equals.
Although many people see Gao Gou as someone who enjoys joking around and is a bit frivolous, he is actually quite cultured at heart, especially valued by the Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong. Later on, he resigned from his official position due to his advanced age and frailty. Niu Hong was responsible for selecting officials, and every time he wanted to promote someone, he would send someone to Gao Gou's home to ask for his opinion. Xue Daoheng from Hedong was a well-known scholar of the time. He always said that Gao Gou was very insightful, and he would always present his articles to Gao Gou for review before publishing them. If Gao Gou offered any critiques or suggestions, Xue Daoheng would always humbly accept them. In the seventh year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, Gao Gou passed away at the age of seventy-two years. He had recommended Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, and others, who later rose to prominence as key officials in the court. He was widely regarded as having a keen eye for talent. During the Kaihuang era, Dou Lushi from Changli served as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, renowned for his caution and attention to detail. Pei Shu from Hedong served as the Right Minister, often correcting mistakes. Shi Xie from Hedong, Dongfang Ju from Pingyuan, and Huangfu Yudao from Anding County all worked in the Ministry of Justice, ensuring justice and fairness. Liu Shilong from Hongnong and Fang Shanji from Qinghe worked in the Department of Merit, while Pei Jingmin from Hedong worked in the Ministry of War. All were recognized for their high efficiency and exceptional capabilities. Wei Kun from Jingzhao served as a civilian official, frequently speaking candidly and offering advice. Han Ze from Nanyang served as the Chief Historian of Yanzhou, implementing numerous policies that benefited the populace and earned him deep affection from the people. These officials, although some of their deeds are not fully recorded, all demonstrated strong capabilities in managing affairs and were commended by the populace during that period.
These officials, each and every one of them is talented! Dou Lu is meticulous and careful as the Yellow Gate Minister, leaving no stone unturned; Pei Shu is formidable as the Right Chancellor, tasked with identifying those who falter in their duties; the officials in the Ministry of Justice, Shi Xie, Dongfang Ju, and Huangfu Yudao, are all models of impartiality and fairness. Liu Shilong and Fang Shanji from the Office of Merit, as well as Pei Jingmin from the War Ministry, are exceptionally efficient and highly capable! Wei Kun in the Ministry of Civil Affairs is outspoken and frequently offers advice to the emperor; Han Ze, as the Chief Historian in Yanzhou, has made notable contributions and is well-regarded by the people. Although some details may not be fully documented now, the abilities of these officials are clearly visible; who wasn't aware of them back then?
Zhang Qianwei, courtesy name (字) Yuanjing, is from Wucheng in Qinghe Dong. His father, Zhang Yanzhi, once served as the Governor of Xuzhou in Northern Qi. Zhang Qianwei was bright and well-read from a young age. His grandfather, Zhang Songzhi, once remarked to a friend, "Qianwei is a true gem in our family!" At the age of twelve, he was appointed as the state registrar. At the age of eighteen, he became a military officer in the War Ministry, and later gradually rose to the position of Assistant Minister of Ceremonies. After the fall of Northern Qi, he served as a Xuan Na Zhongshi (宣纳中士) in Northern Zhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, came to power, he was called to the Prime Minister's office as a signing official.
During the Kaihuang period, Prince Jin Yang Guang was sent to Bingzhou as the governor, recruiting talents and appointing Zhang Qianwei as a military officer for criminal affairs. Later, he was promoted to several positions. Prince Jin valued his talent very much, just as he valued Zhang Heng from Henan, and both were highly esteemed by him. At Prince Jin's residence, they were both referred to as "Er Zhang." After Yang Guang became the crown prince, Zhang Qianwei was promoted to be an attendant cavalier officer and an imperial attendant of the crown prince. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as an imperial attendant and granted the official title of Yitong San Si. Due to their previous work in Prince Jin's mansion, he was also granted the title of Kaifu. He was soon appointed as Grand Master of the Palace, accompanying Emperor Yang of Sui to Jiangdu and concurrently serving as the governor of Jiangdu, demonstrating his capability.
Zhang Qianwei once saw a lost parcel on the road, worried the owner might be anxious to find it, so he had his followers carry the parcel and continued on the journey. A few days later, the owner eventually found him, and Zhang Qianwei returned the parcel to him, undamaged. Yang Chen, the Governor of Huainan, once brought more than ten people to meet Emperor Yang of Sui. Emperor Yang of Sui asked Zhang Qianwei, "Who is standing at the front?" Zhang Qianwei carefully looked and answered after stepping out of the hall, "It is Yang Chen, the Governor of Huainan." Emperor Yang of Sui said, "You are a Grand Master of the Palace, and you can't even recognize the people who come to pay their respects. What's the matter?" Zhang Qianwei replied, "I do recognize Yang Chen, but I was afraid of mistaking him for someone else, so I didn't dare to answer easily. It's like Shi Jian counting the legs of a horse; that's being extremely cautious!" Emperor Yang of Sui highly praised him. He was honest and cautious; that was his style.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui often went on tours, and the people were weary. Zhang Qianwei wrote a memorial to offer counsel. Emperor Yang of Sui was displeased and began to distance himself from Zhang Qianwei. Shortly thereafter, Zhang Qianwei passed away. He had a son named Zhang Shuang, who later served as the magistrate of Lanling.
Zhang Qianwei's younger brother, Zhang Qianxiong, was also quite talented. When King Xiao of Qin, Yang Jun, served as the governor of Qinzhou, he recruited him as a military judge. Once, when King Xiao of Qin personally tried a prisoner, Zhang Qianxiong forgot to bring the case files, but he managed to clearly recount all the case details in front of over a hundred people, earning admiration from his colleagues. Later, he successively served as the county magistrate of Shouchun and Yangcheng, making notable achievements in governance.
Rong Pi, whose courtesy name was Zichen, was from Wuzhong, Beijing. His father, Rong Quan, was the Minister of War of Northern Wei. Rong Pi had a strong and responsible character from a young age, with wide-ranging knowledge. When he served in Northern Zhou, he started as a secretary to the Prince of Han and later rose to the rank of an official in the Ministry of the Interior. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he continued to advance in ranks, ultimately rising to the position of imperial censor.
At that time, there were many bandits in Huayin County, calling for a capable official to rectify the situation. Yang Su recommended Rong Pi for the position of Chief Historian of Huazhou, and everyone regarded him as highly capable. Yang Su owned many properties in Huayin, and his subordinates often acted recklessly. Rong Pi was strict in enforcing the law, not showing any leniency, even towards Yang Su's associates. During one court session, Yang Su said to Rong Pi, "By recommending you, it feels like I'm punishing myself!" Rong Pi replied, "I only focus on enforcing the law with my full commitment, worried that I might let you down." Yang Su smiled and said, "I was just joking. Your diligent enforcement of the law is just what I wanted to see."
At that time, Prince Jin was in Yangzhou, often sending people to secretly gather news from the capital. He sent Zhang Heng to build stables along the road, claiming it was for raising horses, but in reality, it served the private interests of Prince Jin. All the states and counties did not dare to resist, only Rong Pi firmly opposed this matter. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased when he heard about it, rewarding him with one hundred pieces of silk and promoting him to the position of Sima of Puzhou. Later, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and the heroes of Hedong rallied to his cause, opening the city gates to surrender. The Governor Qiu He was scared and fled back to Guanzhong. Chief Secretary Gao Yiming told Rong Pi, "Hedong is an important strategic location, the eastern gateway of the realm. If it is lost, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although the city is chaotic, not everyone has turned against us. As long as we capture and execute a dozen or so rebel leaders, we can stabilize the situation." Rong Pi agreed to Gao Yiming's plan.
Gao Yiming rode his horse to chase Qiu He, wanting to discuss countermeasures with him. He was ultimately killed by the rebels at the west gate of the city, and Rong Pi was also arrested. After Prince Han Liang pacified the unrest, Rong Pi was appointed as an attendant imperial censor. The Emperor remarked to him, "I am promoting you today because you previously opposed the construction of stables. I hope you uphold this sense of integrity." The Emperor also respected him greatly. Rong Pi was always straightforward and upright in court, earning the respect and fear of all the officials. Later, following his mother's passing, he resigned and returned home to mourn. Over a year later, he was reappointed, but soon passed away, posthumously awarded the title of Honglu Shaoqing.
His brother, Jian Xu, had a very straightforward character and was highly knowledgeable. He held positions such as Zai Shi Xia Daifu and Yitong Sansi during the Zhou Dynasty. At the onset of the campaign to pacify the Qi state, he was left to guard Ye City, and he consequently authored thirty volumes of "Records of Qi." Jian Xu had known Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) before, and later became the Prime Minister, with his rank elevated and appointed as the Governor of Xizhou.
When he was about to leave for his new post, Gaozu was already secretly plotting to usurp the throne. He said to Jian Xu, "Let's wait and see, let's get rich together." Jian Xu, thinking of himself as a minister of the Zhou dynasty, firmly replied, "I've never heard anything like that before." Gaozu wasn't happy, so Jian Xu took his leave. During the Kaihuang era, Jian Xu came to see the emperor, who asked him, "Do you regret your choice?" Jian Xu bowed and replied, "My status might not compare to Xu Guang's, but my thoughts are as deep as Yang Biao's." The emperor chuckled and said, "Even though I don't really get this scholarly stuff, I know that what you said was not very polite!" Later, he went on to serve as the Inspector of Shizhou and Hongzhou, doing an excellent job and gaining a solid reputation.
Lu Zhiming, styled Zhongtong, was a native of Fuchun in Wu County. His father, Lu Ao, once served as a Cavalier Attendant of the Chen dynasty. Lu Zhiming loved learning from a young age, was well-read, and was known for his integrity. He initially served as a military officer under the Prince of Chen, then later as a Doctor at the Imperial Academy and the Supervisor of the Southern Prison. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, he returned to his hometown. At that time, Gao Zhihui and others rebelled in the Jiangnan region, with Prince Jin Yang Guang based in Jiangdu. Seeing Lu Zhiming's reputation in the Sanwu region, he summoned him to convince the rebels to give up. Lu Zhiming successfully persuaded seventeen cities to surrender, capturing more than three hundred rebels, including leaders like Chen Zhengxu and Xiao Sixing. For this achievement, he was made a Deputy of the Three Excellencies, rewarded with land and assets, and his brother Lu Ke was also appointed as the Prefect of Jianyang.
Lu Zhiming believed that his younger brother Lu Ke did not have the capability to be a county magistrate, so he petitioned the court to relinquish his brother's official position, and the court approved his request. After the unification of the country, Lu Zhiming advised the founding emperor Yang Jian to move the capital to Luoyang, and even wrote a "Taiping Ode" to express his thoughts, but I won't go into the specifics here. After several years without any promotions, he personally petitioned the court to request to be sent as an envoy to Goguryeo. In his memorial, he said, "I have heard that a wise ruler gathers talented individuals. Even common people, if they are capable, can contribute to the country. I hope Your Majesty can take the time to consider my request. In ancient times, Emperor Huangdi of Xuanyuan forgave the Su Sha tribe in war; Yao and Shun also stopped their conquests against the Miao tribe. Your Majesty is now in a prosperous era, with peace throughout the land; only Goguryeo remains unsettled. Your broad-mindedness and compassion stem from your aversion to slaughter, your love for all living beings, and your wish to influence them with virtue. I hope to be sent as an envoy to Goguryeo to proclaim your benevolence and bring them to submission." The emperor was very impressed after reading his memorial. A year later, he was appointed as the general of Puning Town. People praised him for his integrity, and he was later summoned to serve in the Imperial Censorate by the court.
After Emperor Yangdi of Sui ascended the throne, Lu Zhiming was appointed as the Imperial Library's attendant censor. He was known for his integrity and was respected by the officials, and Emperor Yangdi also respected him greatly. Later, he was dismissed from office due to certain issues. A year later, he was reinstated to his official position. At that time, Prince Qi Yang Jian was arrogant and surrounded himself with unscrupulous individuals. Lu Zhiming submitted a memorial to accuse him. Yang Jian was punished as a result, and the other officials were filled with fear. During the Liaodong Campaign, Lu Zhiming served as the envoy for surrender negotiations on Donglai Road and ultimately fell in battle at the age of sixty-seven. He was posthumously elevated to Grand Master of the Imperial Censorate.
Fang Yanqian, courtesy name Xiaochong, hails from Qinghe. Seven generations ago, one of his ancestors named Shen served as a Taiwei in the State of Yan. Later, he followed the Murong clan to migrate to the State of Qi, and his family has been living there ever since. They have been a prestigious family for generations. His great-great-grandfather, Fa Shou, served as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou in the Wei State and was granted the title of Zhuangwu Marquis. His great-great-grandfather's brother served as the Taiwei of Qi County and the Taiwei of Pingyuan County. His grandfather, Yi, served as the Governor of Anzhou in the Song State and inherited the title of Zhuangwu Marquis. His father, Xiong, initially worked as a county registrar and later served as the Prefect of Qinghe County and Guangchuan County.
Fang Yanqian lost his father at a young age and did not know what his father looked like. He was raised by his mother and big brother. His big brother, Fang Yanxun, was a man of great integrity. Seeing Fang Yanqian's intelligence, he was very fond of him and took it upon himself to teach him how to read. By the age of seven, Fang Yanqian could recite tens of thousands of words from books, and people in the clan thought he was remarkable. By the age of fifteen, he was more devoted to his stepmother and her son, Zhen, than many sons are to their biological parents. Zhen was very grateful to him and treated him very well. When his stepmother passed away, he didn't eat anything for five days, only drinking a little water. He also dedicated himself to serving his uncle, Fang Bao, the Prefect of Leling, with dedication. Whenever there were good fruits in season, he always made sure to eat last. Whenever there was a funeral in the family, he would always eat vegetarian food as a sign of respect, and people in the clan regarded him as a role model.
Later, Fang Yanqian studied with Doctor Yin Lin, immersing himself in his studies. Eventually, he became well-versed in the Five Classics. He was good at writing articles, had excellent calligraphy skills in cursive and official script, had good eloquence, and exuded an air of nobility. When he was eighteen years old, Prince Guangning Xiaoheng became the governor of Qizhou and brought him on as his aide and chief clerk. At that time, the laws were relatively lenient, and the officials in the state and counties were relatively lax. However, after Fang Yanqian took office, he acted with integrity and upheld the law, and the administration was orderly, earning everyone's respect. Later, when the Zhou army attacked Ye City and the Qi emperor fled eastward, Fang Yanqian was appointed as the magistrate of Qizhou. Witnessing the fall of his country, he was heartbroken and wanted to rally loyal and righteous individuals to secretly plan to support the court, but he ultimately could not succeed. After the fall of Qi, he returned home.
The Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty sent Zhuguo Xinzun as the inspector of Qizhou, but Xinzun was captured by the sword-wielding guards of the bandit leader. Fang Yanqian wrote a letter persuading the guard, who felt ashamed and returned Xinzun to the provincial capital, and the other bandits surrendered as well. Later, after Emperor Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor, Fang Yanqian lived a leisurely life in the countryside, swearing off official duties for good.
In the seventh year of the Kaihuang era, Governor Wei Yi strongly recommended him, and he reluctantly accepted the appointment. When the Minister of Personnel Lu Kai saw him, he valued him and promoted him to serve as an attendant, and soon he was promoted to be an imperial censor. Later, he was sent to Chen Ping's place and was tasked with pacifying ten states including Quanzhou and Kuozhou. Because he completed the task, the emperor was quite pleased and rewarded him with a hundred bolts of cloth, a hundred measures of rice, a set of clothes, and seven slaves. Afterwards, he was promoted to the position of military officer in the Qinzhou General Office.
Once during a court session, the Left Chancellor Gao Ke was evaluating the performance of officials. Yan Qian said to Gao Ke, "It is stated in the classics that officials' performance is evaluated once every three years, and officials are promoted or demoted according to their performance. This system has been in place since the era of Tang Yao and Yu Shun. Evaluations for promotions should be reasonable, and rewards and punishments should be fair. Only then can we ensure that those promoted are worthy individuals, and those demoted are undesirables. If there are deviations in the evaluation process, then this system becomes meaningless. I have recently seen the evaluation results from various provinces, and the standards are inconsistent. The numbers of those promoted and demoted are inconsistent, not to mention that some evaluation results are tainted by personal biases, leading to unfair outcomes. Honest and upright officials may not necessarily receive high praise, while those who flatter and manipulate well can end up at the top. This confuses truth with falsehood and right with wrong. The high-ranking officials often fail to carefully review and select candidates. Those who have previously worked for them are often deemed qualified simply because of familiarity, while officials who have not worked in the central government are deemed unqualified. Furthermore, it is difficult for officials from remote provinces to understand the detailed situation in the capital. Therefore, evaluations often only look at numbers, counting half as qualified and half as unqualified. Only counting the quantity of officials, without considering their moral character, achieving fairness and justice is virtually impossible. You possess keen insight and treat others justly. I am curious how you intend to address these issues. I hope you can gather information extensively, conduct thorough investigations, recognize the smallest acts of kindness, and denounce even the smallest of wrongdoings. This will not only lead to clearer governance but also allow for better selection of talents." Yan Qian spoke with unwavering conviction, captivating everyone. Gao Ke was touched by his words and held him in high regard.
Gao Jiong then inquired in detail about the achievements of officials in the Hexi and Longyou regions. Yan Qian answered fluently, and Gao Jiong said to the governors and officials of other states, "It's better to talk to the inspector from Qinzhou (Yan Qian) alone." A few days later, Gao Jiong reported this to the emperor, but the emperor did not accept his suggestion. When his term was over, Yan Qian was transferred to Changge County as the county magistrate. He governed the area effectively, and the people called him a kind father.
During the Renshou period, the emperor ordered envoys to inspect the states and counties and evaluate the talents of local officials. The result was that Yan Qian was considered the best in the realm and was promoted to be the Sima of Yuezhou. The people lamented to one another, "Prefect Fang is leaving, what will happen to us now!" Later, the people missed him and erected a stele to praise his virtues. Yuezhou had not had a governor for a long time, and all the state affairs were handled by Yan Qian, who made significant contributions to governance.
Xue Daoheng was a literary figure of great renown, with a prominent status and extensive connections, mingling with some of the most talented individuals in the country. He had a particularly good relationship with Yang Su and greatly respected him. Later, Xue Daoheng became the governor of Xiangzhou, and he had frequent correspondence with Yang Su, often meeting on the road. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Xue Daoheng was transferred to Fanzhou as the governor. Passing through Yang Su's territory, he stayed for a few days and said goodbye with a heavy heart. Huangmen Shilang Zhang Heng also had a good relationship with Yang Su.
At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was vigorously building the Eastern Capital, indulging in excess, which left the people in despair, disappointing everyone. In addition, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled, resulting in the punishment of many innocent people. Yang Su, realizing that even Zhang Heng's high position couldn't prevent all of this, wrote to him, saying:
I heard that rewards are given to encourage good deeds, and punishments are given to deter bad deeds. Therefore, those of low status will surely receive rewards as long as they do good deeds, and even those in high positions will face punishment for their mistakes. No one is exempt from punishment due to favoritism, and rewards are never withheld from the less fortunate. Now, all provincial governors are tasked with governing their regions, and both their good and bad deeds will be reported to the court. They fear the court's rules and regulations and dare not be negligent. The country is blessed by heaven and acts as a parent to its citizens. The fairness of rewards and punishments will reach heaven's ears, since heaven is always watching, so we should be both cautious and diligent. Just as King Wen said: "I must be vigilant day and night and honor the majesty of heaven." In this regard, although there are differences between provinces and counties, with great disparities in status, the principle of looking after the people and enforcing the law with care remains the same.
Regarding the rebellion in Bingzhou, it needs to be carefully investigated. If Yang Liang really raised troops and bought horses not out of any treacherous intentions, but because the imperial decree did not reach him, then his true intentions should be investigated before deciding on his guilt. Only then can this align with the emperor's compassion for the people and dispel the people's doubts. If it is found that there is no danger inside or outside, and he is only causing chaos and plotting treason after inheriting the throne, then Yang Liang should be treated the same way Guan Shu and Cai Shu were in the past. No one should escape punishment; he should be executed publicly, and his family should be exterminated, as the country has established laws to uphold. However, there could be some people who were not actively involved, had little power, and were forced into the rebellion, resulting in their homes being destroyed, loved ones perishing, and becoming displaced. This could result in wrongful accusations. Heaven's justice is all-encompassing; how can the wicked be spared while good people are wronged? If there is doubt about the crime, lenient punishment should be considered; where is the fairness in that? In the past, Shu Xiang sentenced a prisoner to death, and the people of Jin praised him; Emperor Wen of Han praised him for pardoning those who had committed minor offenses. Wasn't Yang She Ning fond of his brother? Was the Imperial Prosecutor really defying the king's orders intentionally? They were merely enforcing the law impartially, without bias or consideration for severity.
Furthermore, the supreme power of the sage, known as the sacred artifact, cannot be easily obtained without the will of heaven. Therefore, the bravery of Chi You and Xiang Yu, the authority of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, the talent of Li Kui and Confucius, the military strategy of Jiang Taigong and Sun Wu, the strong cities of Wu and Chu, as well as the Empresses Lü Hou and Dou of the Han Dynasty, none of them adhered to the mandate of heaven and ultimately did not obtain the throne of the emperor. Not to mention that Yang Liang is just a corner of the land, assembling a rabble; he is ignorant, and those scoundrels are even more ruthless, actually wanting to invade the capital region, foolishly hoping to claim what is unattainable! Since time immemorial, historical records have detailed the rise and fall of emperors throughout the ages. Who can win the people's support and heaven's blessings without accumulating virtue and performing good deeds? Therefore, wise ancient kings from morning to night worked diligently, always remembering to be cautious as if treading on thin ice, always being vigilant not to become arrogant and complacent. In later generations, monarchs immersed themselves in wine and debauchery, without a sense of restraint, oppressing the people wantonly; their transgressions are too numerous to count, and I will not list them one by one here.
Speaking of the states of Qi and Chen, both were highly regarded at the time, believing their virtues aligned with heaven and earth, shining as bright as the sun and moon; they were unconcerned about anything, including laws and governance. The sycophants surrounding them only flattered and concealed their flaws; the court historians twisted the facts, only recording their achievements and covering up their faults. Therefore, the common people's grievances were widespread; their voices went unheard by the rulers, while the ministers boasted of their achievements to the emperor every day. Although the laws were strict, the punishments were increasing, the corvée was heavy, and the common folk, young and old alike, were utterly worn out.
Think about the past; Zheng had Zi Chan, Qi had Yan Ying, Chu had Shu Ao, and Jin had Shi Hui. Even these smaller states had such remarkable ministers. Qi and Chen were vast and rich in resources, but did they really lack talented individuals? This was simply due to the rulers' incompetence and selfishness, only concerned about their own interests, forgetting about national affairs. They seemed to coexist peacefully, but secretly distrusted each other. If there were upright individuals bold enough to offer counsel, they would be marginalized and suppressed if their advice was deemed unfavorable; if they encountered flatterers and despicable individuals, they would be promoted and favored if it benefited them. How could true talent be recognized in such a manner? True talent is not based on brute force or flowery language, but on being upright and selfless, standing firm, like the pillars of a house, like the bones of the human body, supporting the country, which is what is meant by "pillar talent."
Qi and Chen did not make use of these upright individuals, instead placing their trust in flatterers and sycophants. Heaven observed their excesses, and thus their power was stripped away, leading to their submission to our Great Sui. If these two nations could respect Heaven, care for their people, and employ upright individuals, discard frivolous decorations, be humble in heart, and take compassion as their duty, then even if the Hebei region were strong and prosperous, and the rivers and lakes posed obstacles, they could each stay in their place, the people would not cause trouble, and the country would stand as stable as Mount Tai, unshakeable. However, their indulgence in pleasure ultimately led to the downfall of the state, leaving behind only regrets. Therefore, as the poem states, "Yin has not yet lost its teacher, and it is suitable to match the gods. It should be reflected upon by Yin, and the mandate of Heaven is not easily changed." When it comes to handling national affairs, which matters do not require careful consideration?
Your Majesty, you are celebrated for your benevolence and filial piety, with great achievements and virtues. The people are eagerly anticipating your benevolence. Even though your time in office has been brief, your benevolent governance has already taken root, and the entire nation eagerly awaits its benefits. The rebellion in Bianzhou erupted suddenly because Yang Liang confused the people and misled officials and civilians, not due to any pre-existing resentment towards the court that led them to actively rebel. However, those officials and generals claimed they were ready to rebel, which not only falsely implicated innocent people but also damaged Your Majesty's reputation. You have always been trusted by the Emperor, holding significant positions in the court and being highly valued since your time in the palace, serving as a pillar of the nation. You ought to have a legacy that will be remembered for generations, akin to the virtuous ministers of old. How can you appease the Emperor's favoritism and allow those coerced into rebellion to face punishment? I take the liberty of writing this to express my loyalty. I have limited knowledge, so please forgive me if I have offended you.
Heng sighed upon receiving the letter but felt too intimidated to report it to the court. Aware of the court's declining discipline, Yanqian resigned and retreated, planning to build a home at the foot of Mengshan to pursue his ideals. Later, the court established the position of Sili officials and sought out renowned individuals from across the nation. The court recognized Yanqian's integrity and high reputation, thus summoning him to serve as the Sili governor. Ambitious, Yanqian sought to reform societal morals, recommending individuals who exemplified virtue. Those he brought charges against raised no objections. The deputy Sili, Liu Yi, misled both superiors and subordinates, believing himself to be upright. The governors feared him and showed him respect. Only Yanqian upheld his principles, greeting him with clasped hands, neither servile nor arrogant, earning the admiration of discerning individuals.
Liu Zha did not dare to harbor resentment towards him. In the ninth year of the Daye era, he followed the emperor to cross the Liao River and oversee the army on the Fuyu Road. Later, the political situation of the Sui Dynasty gradually became chaotic, the court was corrupt, and many people betrayed their loyalties. Yan Qian, however, insisted on his principles, standing firm, upright, and uncompromising. He was envied by those in power and was demoted to Jingyang Prefect. Shortly after, he died in office at the age of sixty-nine.
When Li Yanqian was at home, whenever his children and nephews visited, he would always impart wisdom to them, encouraging them to work hard and strive for success. He spoke endlessly and tirelessly, never feeling tired. His family originally had a solid foundation and considerable wealth. Even though he used his official salary to help relatives and friends, there was hardly any money left at home. He lived simply, from his horse to his clothing and belongings. From youth to old age, his words and actions were free from selfish motives; even though he often faced financial constraints, he remained content. Once, he leisurely smiled to his son Li Xuanling and said, "Others become rich because of their official positions, but I became poor because of mine. The only thing I leave to my descendants is a clean reputation."
His writings were expansive, free-spirited, serene, and elegant, exhibiting the profound mastery of ancient scholars. He was also skilled in cursive and official script, and those who received his letters treasured them as if they were precious artifacts. Wang Shao from Taiyuan, Gao Gou from Beihai, Li Gang from Liao County, Liu Yu and Xue Ru from Hedong were all renowned scholars celebrated for their elegance and modesty, and Li Yanqian was friends with them. Although high-ranking officials often came to visit, his home remained peaceful, free from unruly guests. He was cultured and well-versed in political matters, and astute individuals believed he had a promising future ahead.
Initially, during the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, after pacifying the Chen dynasty and unifying the country, everyone said that the country was entering a time of great peace and prosperity. Li Yanqian privately told his relative Zhao Jun Li Shaotong, "The Emperor is suspicious by nature, loves to doubt people, and does not accept advice or criticism from others. The Crown Prince is weak, the princes are powerful, and the court enforces only harsh and cruel policies, without any generous measures. Although the country is stable, I fear that chaos may arise." Li Shaotong did not believe it at first, but by the Renshou and Daye periods, Li Yanqian's words had all come true. After the unification of the Tang Dynasty, he was posthumously honored as the Governor of Xuzhou and the Duke of Linzi County, with the posthumous title "Ding."
Historians say: A tall building cannot be built with just one piece of wood; the achievements of an emperor cannot be realized with just one person's strategy. Each has its own usefulness, and just like the wood, pillars, and beams of a house, none of them can be discarded. People like Li E, some of whom had literary talent and could uphold justice, and some with outstanding abilities who could serve the country, their talents and roles were evident then, and their deeds have been recorded in history. Many talented individuals during the Sui Dynasty established careers and achieved great feats, all pillars of the state, much like the numerous stars surrounding the North Star.
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