Yang Zhen, courtesy name Boqi, was from Hua Yin in Hongnong. Eight generations earlier, his ancestor distinguished himself during the reign of Emperor Gao of Han and was granted the title of Marquis of Chiquan. His grandfather, Yang Chang, held the position of Prime Minister during the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anping. His father, Yang Bao, studied the "Ouyang Classic." During the reigns of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping of Han, Yang Bao withdrew from public life to teach and educate others. In the second year of Emperor Guangwu's reign, Yang Bao, along with the two great scholars Gong Sheng and Jiang Xu, were summoned, but Yang Bao chose to flee, and his whereabouts remained unknown. Emperor Guangwu held a deep respect for his noble character. During the Jianwu period, the court repeatedly summoned Yang Zhen, but due to old age and frailty, he was unable to accept the positions and eventually passed away at home.
Yang Zhen had a passion for learning from a young age, studying the "Ouyang Classic" with Taichang Huan Yu, possessing extensive knowledge and delving deeply into various subjects. Many scholars at the time regarded Yang Boqi as the Confucius of the Western Regions! He often lived by the lake, ignoring local government summons for decades. Many thought this would be his life, yet he remained unwavering in his ambitions. Later, a crowned magpie flew to his teaching location, carrying three loaches in its beak. The students presented the fish to him, saying, "Loaches are a symbol associated with nobility, and three fish symbolize the Three Stars. Sir, you are about to be promoted!" It wasn't until he turned fifty that he finally took on an official position in local government.
General Deng Zhong heard that Yang Zhen was highly capable, so he summoned him and recommended him as a promising talent. Yang Zhen was promoted several times afterwards, eventually becoming the Governor of Jingzhou and the Prefect of Donglai. On his way to take up his post in Donglai, he passed through Changyi, where Wang Mi, whom he had recommended as a promising talent for Jingzhou, was the magistrate at the time and came to pay his respects. That night, Wang Mi secretly gifted him ten pounds of gold. Yang Zhen said, "An old friend understands you, but you do not understand an old friend. What's the meaning of this?" Wang Mi replied, "It's dark, no one knows." Yang Zhen said, "Heaven knows, the gods know, I know, you know, how can you say no one knows?" Wang Mi left in embarrassment. Later, Yang Zhen was transferred to be the Prefect of Zhuo County. He was renowned for his integrity and incorruptibility, never accepting private visits or bribes. His descendants consistently adhered to a vegetarian diet and traveled on foot, rejecting offers from old friends to help them acquire property. He said, "May future generations remember my descendants as honest officials, leave this purity to them, isn't that good enough?"
In the fourth year of the Yuanchu era, he was summoned by the court to serve as the Grand Minister, and later promoted to the Grand Preceptor. At that time, the selection of scholars was often unjust, and Yang Zhen recommended a group of scholars with true talents and knowledge, including Yang Lun from Chenliu, highlighting their scholarship. Many scholars praised him.
In the first year of the Yongning era, Yang Zhen succeeded Liu Kai as the Minister of Works. The following year, Empress Dowager Deng passed away, and some turmoil began to unfold in the palace. Wang Sheng, the wet nurse of Emperor An, grew arrogant from her favored position, and her son, Bo Rong, frequently entered the court, secretly taking bribes. Yang Zhen wrote to the emperor:
I've heard that the key to governing a country is selecting capable individuals, and the most important thing in handling government affairs is to eliminate bad people and bad deeds. Back in the days of Tang, Yao, and Shun, those wrongdoers were exiled, and everyone accepted it, leading to a harmonious society. But now, the Nine Virtues remain unfulfilled, and treacherous individuals are running rampant in the court. Queen Wang Sheng, despite her humble origins, serves the emperor. Though she serves you diligently and has been well rewarded, she remains unsatisfied and greedy, pulling strings everywhere, creating chaos, tarnishing the court's reputation, and effectively blinding you. There's a saying that "when hens crow like roosters," and poems have criticized women who led the country astray. In the past, Duke Zhuang of Zheng listened to his mother's words, indulged his arrogant brother, nearly bringing the country to its knees, and was later severely punished. The "Spring and Autumn Annals" criticized him for failing in his duties. Women and villains are tricky; they’re happy when you’re close but resentful when you’re distant, making them difficult to manage. The "Book of Changes" suggests that women shouldn't meddle in politics. So you should promptly send the queen mother away to live elsewhere and keep them from meeting, so both favor and dignity can be preserved, and everyone will be satisfied. Your Majesty should sever those personal ties among the children and overcome any reluctance to let go, focusing on state affairs, appointing officials with care, and cutting down on offerings and taxes. This way, the people won't be sighing like they do in "The Crane's Cry," the court won't be regretting like they do in "Xiao Ming," incidents like "Da Dong" will be avoided, and the common people won’t have any complaints. It would be wonderful to follow the example of the wise kings of old!
After the memorial was presented, the emperor showed it to his mother and those close to him. Those favored in the palace were very angry. Bo Rong was arrogant and debauched. He conspired with Liu Gui, the cousin of the former Marquis Yang, and married Liu Gui's sister, inheriting Liu Gui's title and rising to the position of attendant. Zhen felt deep hatred towards them and submitted a memorial to the palace:
I have heard that the founding emperor reached an agreement with his ministers that only those who had achievements could be appointed as marquises. Therefore, the system where sons inherit from their fathers and younger brothers from their older brothers was established to prevent usurpation. However, I saw in the decree that Liu Gui, the cousin of the late Marquis Yang, was to inherit his title. Liu Gui's own younger brother, Liu Wei, is still alive! I heard that imperial rewards are based on achievements and the inheritance of titles by marquises is based on virtue. Now, Liu Gui has neither achievements nor virtue. He only became an attendant and was granted the marquisate due to his marriage to the empress's sister. This contradicts the established system and is unreasonable, leading to widespread discussion and unrest among the populace. Your Majesty ought to reflect on the past and adhere to the principles set by Emperor Guangwu of Han.
The memorial was not accepted.
In the second year of Yanguang, I took over as the Grand Marshal after Liu Kai. The Emperor's uncle, the Grand Herald Geng Bao, recommended to me the brother of the Palace Attendant Li Run, Li Zhen, but I declined. Geng Bao personally visited Li Zhen and said, "The Palace Attendant Li is highly valued by the court. I’m just following orders." Li Zhen replied, "If the court wants the three Dukes to recommend someone, there should be a decree from the Ministry of Personnel." So I firmly turned him down, and Geng Bao left angrily. The Queen's brother, Yan Xian, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, also recommended someone to me, but I still did not agree. When Liu Shou, the Minister of Works, heard about this, he immediately recommended those two individuals, and they were both promoted within ten days. Because of this, Li Zhen became even more displeased with me.
At this time, the court ordered a major renovation of the Queen's brother's residence. The Palace Attendant Fan Feng, as well as the Palace Attendants Zhou Guang and Xie Yun, colluded to disrupt court affairs. Li Zhen wrote another letter:
"I’ve heard that in ancient times, after nine years of farming, there would always be enough reserves for three years, so when Emperor Yao faced a flood, the people didn't go hungry."
The current situation is that disasters keep coming one after another, getting more and more serious. The common people are destitute and can barely support themselves. On top of the locust plague, there are also raids by the Qiang and Xiongnu tribes, border unrest, continuous warfare, and the military is struggling to supply weapons and food. The national treasury is empty; this is hardly a time for the country to be stable! I saw the decree issued by the emperor, wanting to construct a lavish mansion for the empress inside Jincheng's city gates, merging two mansions into one, with elaborate designs and craftsmanship. It is now the height of summer, but they are busy clearing mountains and quarrying stone, with many craftsmen and laborers working on several construction sites at the same time, rushing to complete the projects, spending an astronomical amount of money. Zhou Guang and Xie Yun, having no ties to the state, are colluding with Fan Feng, Wang Yong, and others to seize power, controlling local officials and manipulating court ministers. Officials at all levels are eager to curry favor, implementing imperial orders and attracting corrupt officials from all over the country, accepting bribes and even bringing back those who had been dismissed. The people are destitute, and the ruler can't rely on anyone. I heard that my teacher once said: "If too much is demanded from above, the people will resent it; if their strength is exhausted, the people will rebel." Those who resent and rebel are unusable, so it is said: "If the people are impoverished, who can the ruler rely on?" I hope Your Majesty will seriously consider this! Feng and Yun saw that despite my repeated advice in my petitions, they completely ignored me, simply forging imperial orders, misappropriating funds from the national treasury and resources from the Ministry of Works to build their own mansions, gardens, and temples, squandering an endless amount of money. Because of the earthquake incident, I once again submitted a petition stating:
Your Majesty, although I have been favored by you and serve as a chief minister, I have not been able to assist you well in carrying out education and harmonizing Yin and Yang. On December 4th last year, an earthquake occurred in the capital. I recall my teacher saying, "The earth is where Yin energy condenses, and it should quietly carry Yang energy." The recent tremors are due to an excess of Yin energy. That day was a Wuchen day, with both the heavenly stems and earthly branches being Earth, corresponding to the central official. This indicates that the influence of the court officials has become excessive.
Your Majesty, considering that the border is not yet stable, you have been diligent and frugal. The palace buildings are damaged and leaning, but only simple repairs have been made without major construction projects. You want the people of the world to know about your upright governance, like the prosperous scenes of the Shang Dynasty. However, those favored courtiers are unrestrained. They are arrogant and violate the law, recruiting a large number of craftsmen to build mansions extravagantly. The streets are filled with noise, and the common people see everything. This earthquake near the capital probably occurred for these reasons. Moreover, there is no snow in winter, and no rain in spring. The officials are all worried, but the construction of the mansions continues unabated, which is clearly a sign of drought! The "Shangshu" states, "Overstepping the norm, being arrogant, ministers should not be arrogant and enjoy luxurious lives." I hope Your Majesty will uphold strong virtues and dismiss those arrogant and indulgent courtiers, silence the slanderers, follow the warnings of heaven, and not let power fall into the hands of those deceitful villains for a long time.
The memorials I previously presented were very sincere. Although the emperor was displeased, Fan Feng and others just glanced sideways, harboring resentment towards me as a Confucian scholar, as they dared not harm me. Later, a man from Hejian named Zhao Teng ran to the palace gates and pointed out the gains and losses of the court. The emperor was furious, had him arrested and imprisoned on charges of deceiving the emperor and treason. I wrote another memorial pleading for Zhao Teng, saying: "I have heard that during the times of Yao and Shun, there were instruments of remonstrance in the court, allowing the people to express their opinions; the wise rulers of the Yin, Shang, and Zhou dynasties would reflect on their own conduct even when hearing the grievances and insults of petty men. This was done to welcome wise words, encourage frank criticism, and even seriously consider the opinions of common people. Now, Zhao Teng has been punished for his frank remonstrance, which is minor compared to the crime of murder. I earnestly ask Your Majesty to show mercy and spare Zhao Teng's life to encourage the common people to speak out boldly." The emperor did not listen, and Zhao Teng ultimately died on the streets of the capital.
In the spring of the third year, the emperor went on an eastern tour to Mount Tai. Consequently, Fan Feng and others took advantage of the emperor's absence and secretly built a luxurious house! Gao Shu, an official from the Ministry of Works, discovered this and quickly summoned craftsmen and historians for an investigation. It was found that Fan Feng and others had actually forged the emperor's edict! Gao Shu reported this matter in detail to the emperor and requested his intervention.
Fan Feng and the others were terrified when they realized they had been exposed. At this time, the Grand Astrologer said that the movement of the stars was abnormal, indicating a bad omen. So Fan Feng and the others falsely accused a man named Zhen, saying: "Since Zhao Teng's death, Zhen has been holding a grudge; moreover, Zhen is an old member of the Deng family, so he must be holding a grudge!" Upon the emperor's return to court, he immediately sent people to the Imperial Academy, and in the middle of the night, they seized Zhen's command seal. From that point on, Zhen isolated himself and refused to see anyone.
Fan Feng and his group were still filled with resentment, so they had General Geng Bao petition the Emperor, claiming that Zhen was not repentant and still held resentment in his heart. The Emperor then ordered for Zhen to return to his hometown. When Zhen arrived at Jiyang Pavilion to the west of Chang'an City, he sadly told his son and students: "Death is common for soldiers. Despite receiving favor from the Emperor and holding an important position in the court, I was unable to eliminate the treacherous officials or stop the favored women from interfering in politics. What face do I have to continue living in this world! After I die, make a simple coffin out of ordinary wood, dress me in plain shrouds, enough to cover my body. Do not bury me in the family tomb or hold any ceremonies." After saying this, he drank poison and took his own life at over seventy.
The Prefect of Hongnong, Yi Liang, followed Fan Feng's orders and had Zhen's coffin placed on the roadside in Shan County, where his body was left to rot in the wild. Zhen's sons were also sent to remote areas to deliver messages, making passersby weep. "The dead have their fate. I have received grace from my superiors, but I was unable to eradicate the treacherous officials or stop the favored women from causing chaos. How can I ever face the sun and moon again!"
Over a year later, Emperor Shun of Han ascended to the throne, and Fan Feng, Zhou Guang, and others who framed Zhen were executed. Zhen's students, Yu Fang and Chen Yi, went to the palace gates to request that the case against Zhen be reopened. The court officials praised them for their loyalty, so the Emperor ordered Zhen's two sons to be appointed as officials, awarded one million coins, and given a proper burial at Huayin Tongting with full honors. People from the surrounding areas came out in droves to attend the funeral.
More than ten days after the funeral, a bird more than ten feet tall appeared, perched in front of Yang Zhen's grave. It was alternately lowering and raising its head, mourning continuously, its tears falling to the ground. The bird only took flight after the funeral was fully over. The local officials reported this phenomenon to the court. At that time, a series of disasters struck, and all divinations indicated that Yang Zhen was at fault. It is my mistake that has brought about these consequences, with the nation in peril! I hereby command the Prefect and the Prime Minister to present the finest offerings to Yang Zhen. If his spirit still lingers, I hope he will accept these offerings. Therefore, a stone tablet shaped like a large bird was erected at Yang Zhen's grave.
When Yang Zhen was falsely accused, Gao Shu was also implicated and received a reduced sentence. After Yang Zhen's innocence was proven, Gao Shu was appointed as a Censor and later became the Governor of Jingzhou. Yang Zhen had five sons. His eldest son, Yang Mu, served as the County Magistrate of Fubo. Yang Mu's grandson, Yang Qi, served as an Attendant during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Ling once casually asked Yang Qi, "How do I compare to Emperor Huan?" Yang Qi replied, "Your Majesty is to Emperor Huan as Yu Shun is to Emperor Yao." Emperor Ling was not pleased and remarked, "You are indeed stubborn, just like a descendant of Yang Zhen. After death, a big bird will definitely appear!" He then assigned him to govern Runan. After Emperor Ling's death, Yang Qi returned to the court and served as an Attendant and Commander of the Guards. He followed Emperor Xian in his westward migration and earned numerous accolades. Later, when Li Jue took Emperor Xian back to his camp, Yang Qi and the Chamberlain for the Yellow Gates, Zhong Yao, persuaded Li Jue's generals Song Ye and Yang Ang to rebel against Li Jue. As a result, Li Jue was left isolated, and Emperor Xian was able to return east. Later, the capital was moved to Xuchang, and Yang Qi's son, Yang Liang, was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Yangcheng Pavilion. Yang Zhen's youngest son was Yang Feng, and his son, Yang Fu, were both highly knowledgeable and talented, regarded as capable of inheriting Yang Zhen's legacy. Yang Fu passed away early, leaving behind many sons who continued the family business. He accompanied Emperor Xian into Guanzhong as a court official, later rising to the position of Deputy Imperial Secretary. When Emperor Xian returned east, he crossed the Yellow River at night and led all officials to catch up with the emperor on foot until sunrise, when he was appointed as an Attendant. In the second year of Jian'an, his contributions were recognized, and he was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Maoting. Yang Zhen's second son was named Yang Bing.
Bingzi Shushu inherited his father's career from a young age and was proficient in the "Jing's Book of Changes," reading extensively in historical texts and often retreating to teach. In his forties, he responded to the summons of the Sikong (equivalent to the chief official of the central government at that time) and was appointed as a Deputy Imperial Censor. He served multiple terms as the governor of Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yanzhou, and was later promoted to the position of Xiang of Rencheng (equivalent to the county magistrate at that time). Since his tenure as governor and holding the rank of two thousand stones, he received his prescribed salary daily and never brought any extra money home. Once, a former official sent him one million coins, but he firmly refused to accept it. As a result, he became renowned for his integrity.
After Emperor Huan ascended the throne, he was summoned to the court to teach because he was well-versed in the Book of Documents. He was subsequently appointed as Grand Master of the Palace, Left General of the Household, and later promoted to Palace Attendant and Minister. Once, the Emperor went in disguise to visit the residence of the magistrate of Henan, Liang Yin. That day, a fierce wind knocked down trees, and even during the day, it was as dark as night. In light of this, he submitted a memorial advising, "I have heard that auspicious signs come from virtuous conduct, while disasters result from improper actions. As the ancients say, 'Misfortune and fortune have no fixed paths; they depend on the actions of individuals.' Heaven does not speak but warns through disasters. Therefore, Confucius said, 'Sudden thunderstorms and gales will surely bring about changes.' The Book of Odes says, 'Reverence the majesty of Heaven and do not dare to act recklessly.' Emperors are held in the highest regard, and their outings are governed by strict protocols. They must announce their departure with gongs, move with moderation, and unless it is for ancestral sacrifices, they are not permitted to ride in the imperial carriage. So the Book of Odes says, 'From the outskirts to the palace,' and the Book of Changes says, 'The Son of Heaven is in the temple to hold sacrifices and show filial piety to ancestors.' The actions of feudal lords are documented in the Spring and Autumn Annals as a warning, much less for an emperor to don the ceremonial robes of his ancestors for a private outing! This will disrupt the hierarchy, disorder the dignity, render the palace guards idle, and hand over the seal to concubines. In case of any unexpected mishap or conspiracy, the late emperor would be let down, and the lower ranks would regret deeply. I have been favored by the imperial family for generations, serving as an adviser due to my shallow knowledge, and serving as a teacher. I have been especially favored by Your Majesty, illuminating my path like the sun and moon. Given the profound kindness shown to me and my minor duties, I cannot shy away from my responsibilities to the state. I do not fear challenges and humbly present my views."
The emperor did not adopt his advice. He requested retirement due to illness and was appointed as the Right Assistant to the Governor of Fufeng. General Huang Qiong was very sorry to see him leave the court and recommended to the emperor that he continue teaching in the court and should not be sent away, so he was retained as the Grand Minister of Splendor. At that time, General Liang Ji held power, claiming to be sick at home. Six years later, Liang Ji was executed, and Bing Cai was appointed as the Grand Herald, later serving as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
In the year 158 AD, County Magistrate Li Yun was punished for speaking out and remonstrating; his insistence on his views did not change the outcome. He was finally dismissed and returned to his hometown to take up farming. That winter, he was summoned again and appointed as the Intendant of Henan.
Before this, Shan Chao's brother, Shan Kuang, served as the Administrator of Jiyin. He was accused of corruption and bribery by the Inspector Wu Zhong, and the situation became critical. So he bribed his guest Ren Fang to bribe Wei Yu, an official from Yanzhou. This incident is documented in Wu Zhong's biography. When Ren Fang was arrested and detained in Luoyang, Shan Kuang feared that Li Bing would conduct a thorough investigation, so he secretly allowed Ren Fang and others to escape from prison. The Minister summoned Li Bing to inquire and hold him accountable, and Li Bing replied, "The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' record that failure to punish the lowly leads to numerous thieves in the state of Lu. Ren Fang and others have committed serious crimes, and the main culprit is Shan Kuang. He not only attacks law enforcement officials and frames loyal ministers, but also lets them escape, indulges criminals, commits egregious acts, and ultimately endangers the country. I request that Shan Kuang be summoned for investigation using prisoner carts so that these treacherous clues can be quickly uncovered." As a result, Li Bing was demoted to the Left School due to this incident and was later pardoned and released from prison because of prolonged drought.
Later, a solar eclipse occurred, and Zhou Jing, the governor of Mount Tai, Huangfu Gui, and others submitted a petition to defend Li Bing, stating that he was loyal, upright, and should not be suppressed for a long time. The court issued an edict to summon Li Bing and the recluse Wei Zhu with an official summons, but both of them claimed to be ill and failed to appear for their appointments. The relevant departments all deemed Li Bing and Wei Zhu's actions to be disrespectful and requested that their responsibilities be investigated. Zhou Jing, the Minister of Works, and Bian Shao, the Minister of Personnel, discussed and then memorialized to the emperor: "Li Bing is a scholar of Confucianism, serving as a lecturer, and has always been modest; Wei Zhu lives a reclusive life to focus on self-cultivation, following the principle of humility. They were both summoned but failed to appear, indeed disappointing the court's expectations. However, their attitude of not seeking advancement can also restrain those who are eager for success. In the era of a wise monarch, there will surely be officials who are summoned multiple times but do not go. The wise court should show them understanding. Their offices can be informed to relay the court's goodwill. If they still do not come, then consider their punishment in detail." They were summoned again, and they finally went to their appointments, with Li Bing appointed as the Minister of Ceremonies.
In the winter of the fifth year of the era, I, along with Sikong Zhou Jing, replaced Liu Ju as the Grand Commander. At that time, the eunuchs wielded significant power, arranging their relatives and friends in various official positions across the country, all corrupt and oppressive, leading to widespread discontent among the populace. I submitted a memorial to the Emperor, saying, "Many officials, both inside and outside the court, are unfit for their positions. Recently promoted officials are appointed directly without assessment, leading to rampant theft, grievances, and endless lawsuits. Previously, the court had regulations that the children of senior officials could not hold important positions, but now their relatives and friends occupy key positions, including many incompetent young people as local officials, causing dissatisfaction everywhere. The people are anxious. We should follow the previous regulations, dismiss corrupt officials, and silence the complaints. Please let the Commandant of Justice, the two thousand stone officials, the city gate battalion commander, and the northern army commander inspect the officials under their jurisdiction, dismiss those who should be dismissed, and report back. If there are any omissions during the inspection, continue reporting." The Emperor agreed to our proposal.
Following the memorial, I accused over fifty officials from local officials to the Xiongnu General Yan Yuan, the Governor of Qingzhou Yang Liang, and the Governor of Liaodong Sun Huan. Some were executed, some were dismissed, which sent shockwaves across the nation.
At that time, many accountants in counties and states were directly promoted to langguan. I submitted a memorial to the Emperor, saying that there were over seven hundred langguan in just three departments, the national treasury was depleted, and many were abusing their positions. Incompetent local officials were still trying to use national resources for personal gain. This direct promotion practice should be stopped to prevent such abuses. Since then, until the reign of Emperor Huan, no accountant was promoted directly to langguan.
Seven years later, the emperor made a southern tour to the mausoleum and specifically summoned me. The Governor of Nanyang, Zhang Biao, had known the emperor since he was young and had a good relationship with him. Seizing the opportunity of the emperor's southern tour, he privately issued orders and appropriated many items for himself. Upon hearing this, I wrote a letter of admonition to the Inspector of Jingzhou and reported the situation to the court. By the time the emperor arrived in Nanyang, corruption had spread among those around him, and the emperor even issued edicts promoting numerous individuals. I submitted a memorial advising against this, stating, "It is said that in ancient times, wise rulers founded their states in harmony with the will of heaven and arranged officials reasonably. The stars in the Taiwei constellation represent the positions of officials, who are responsible for serving the emperor and governing the people. Gao Tao warned Yu Shun to pay attention to the selection and appointment of officials. The recent practices of promoting officials have in fact favored the lowly, trading titles for cash. If this continues, the country will perish. As a result, the common people are now murmuring about it; the good times are gone for good, and the court has lost its former prestige. This reckless distribution of favors needs to be halted to rein in people's greed." As a result, the emperor stopped these appointments.
Rumor has it that Hou Can, the brother of Chief Eunuch Hou Lan, became the Inspector of Yizhou and led to numerous abuses, acting despotically in Yizhou and oppressing the populace. The following year, Yang Bing accused Hou Can and had him transported in a prisoner’s cart to the Ministry of Justice. Terrified, Hou Can took his own life on the way. Seizing the opportunity, Yang Bing also accused Hou Lan and Chief Eunuch Ju Yuan, and reported:
I have consulted ancient texts and found that the duties of eunuchs were initially to serve the emperor, responsible for various tasks such as patrolling and guarding the palace at night. However, now they are unduly favored, wielding power and exercising tyranny. Those who flatter them use their positions to promote and reward them for personal favors; those who offend the eunuchs will inevitably find themselves framed and targeted. They live in luxurious mansions, their wealth and status rival that of the state, living in extreme luxury, with servants in abundance, surpassing even the power of the Ji clan in the Spring and Autumn period of the state of Lu, or the authority of the Ranghou in the state of Qin! Look at Hou Lan's brother, Hou Can, greedy and cruel, committing heinous crimes, ultimately leading to his own downfall. Hou Lan must realize the severity of his brother's crimes and feel uneasy about them. I believe he should be removed from the emperor's side. In ancient times, Duke Yi punished the father of Bing Shu, took away the wife of Yan Zhi, and allowed them to ride together in a carriage, resulting in the Bamboo Grove Incident, as recorded in the "Spring and Autumn Annals" to serve as a warning. The state of Zheng fell into chaos due to the rise of Zhan Lai, and the rise of four treacherous villains resulted in the subjugation of the people. Based on these examples, how can we allow them to remain close to the emperor? Hou Lan should be quickly removed and left to his own devices. People like him cannot be tolerated under favoritism, so I urge that Hou Lan be dismissed from his position and sent back to his hometown.
After submitting the memorial, the Minister of Personnel summoned Yang Bing's subordinates and asked them, "Your master is an official of the Outer Court, yet he accuses the officials close to the emperor. Is there any precedent in the classics and the Han Dynasty system?" Yang Bing's subordinates replied, "In the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' Zhao Yang used the army of Jinyang to drive away the corrupt officials around the monarch. The text states: 'To rid the monarch of corruption, one can only rely on strength.' Deng Tong was negligent and indolent; Shentu Jia summoned Deng Tong and rebuked him, and Emperor Wen also agreed with Shentu Jia's approach. In the system of the Han Dynasty, the powers of the Three Excellencies are extensive." The Minister of Personnel could not refute this. The Emperor had no choice but to dismiss Hou Lan from his position and reduce Ju Yuan's title. Whenever there was a mistake in the court, Yang Bing always faithfully advised, and most of his suggestions were adopted.
Yang Bing did not drink alcohol, and he lost his wife at an early age, so he did not remarry. He was known for his integrity and honesty, and everyone praised him. He once calmly said, "There are three things that cannot deceive me: alcohol, lust, and wealth." He passed away at the age of seventy-four, and the court granted him a burial site near the royal tomb. His son was named Yang Ci, with the courtesy name Boxian. He inherited the family learning from a young age, studied diligently, and had extensive knowledge. He often secluded himself to teach students and refused the summons of the local authorities. He was later summoned to work for General Liang Ji, but he did not enjoy it. He was then appointed as the magistrate of Chencang County, but he fell ill and was unable to assume the position. The court repeatedly called upon him to serve as one of the Three Excellencies, but he declined each time. He was later appointed as Minister of Works, and then promoted to Palace Attendant and Chief of the Cavalry.
In the early years of the Jianning period, Emperor Ling sought to study the "Book of Documents," so he issued a decree for the Grand Tutor and the Three Excellencies to recommend a scholar well-versed in the "Book of Documents" and with a high reputation. The Three Excellencies recommended Ci, so he delivered lectures to the Emperor at Huaguang Hall. He was later promoted to Privy Treasurer and was honored with the title of Glorious Excellence.
In the first year of Xiping, an azure snake appeared in the palace, and the emperor asked what this was a sign of. Ci replied in a memorial: "It is said that auspicious signs herald good fortune, while ominous signs signal disaster; when auspicious signs appear, the Five Blessings will arrive, and when ominous signs appear, six kinds of calamities will follow. Good things don't just happen without cause, and disasters don't arise from thin air. Whatever the emperor thinks in his heart, even if it is not shown on his face, will affect the movement of the stars and the changes of yin and yang. Therefore, it seems that the will of heaven and the will of man are intertwined. The Book of Documents says, 'Heaven responds to man, lending me a day of time,' which serves as a clear omen! When imperial power wavers, strange phenomena like serpents and dragons emerge. The Book of Songs states, 'Only the viper and the snake are auspicious for women.' Therefore, the Spring and Autumn Annals record that two snakes fought each other at the gate of the capital of Zheng, and Duke Zhao nearly lost his state due to his favoritism towards women; King Kang once woke up late one morning, and the poem 'Guo Ju' was created because of this. Favoring concubines allows flatterers to gain power, leading to rampant bribery. Therefore, King Tang of Yin used this to warn himself and ultimately survived a severe drought. I hope Your Majesty will reflect on the importance of strength and discernment in matters of inner and outer relationships, follow the system of Emperor Yi, accept the blessings of Yuanji, restrain the power of Huangfu Song, and reduce favoritism towards concubines, so that the strange occurrence of the azure snake can be dispelled and auspicious signs will appear. The examples of King Wu of Yin and Duke Jing of Song clearly illustrate this point. In the second year of Xiping, Ci replaced Tang Zhen as Sikong and was dismissed due to disasters. He was later appointed as Minister of Rites with a salary of two thousand shi. In the fifth year of Xiping, Ci replaced Yuan Wei as Situ. During that period, the court conferred many titles in a haphazard manner, and the emperor enjoyed traveling incognito to explore the outskirts. Ci once again memorialized:
I heard that Heaven created the common folk, but they couldn't govern themselves, so kings and officials were established to manage them. As a result, Tang, Yao, and Shun worked diligently, and Zhou Wenwang was even busier and had no time to rest, carefully selecting officials, with those lacking virtue and only valuing power getting promoted in just a few days. Meanwhile, those truly talented can't get promoted for years, treated the same regardless of whether they are diligent or idle; good and bad people are treated the same, just like the situation described in the poem "Beishan," as a warning to us!
I also heard that Your Majesty often goes incognito to visit the gardens, watching hawks and hounds in the hunt, indulging in pleasure while neglecting state affairs every day, corrupting the social atmosphere little by little. Your Majesty is not following in the footsteps of your ancestors' diligent governance, nor the great achievements of your predecessors, but hopes to achieve peace and prosperity easily. It's like trying to take a shortcut while walking backwards to catch up with your predecessors; how is that possible? You should put an end to the extravagant pleasures, consider the great responsibility that comes with being an official, reduce rewards, and be cautious when appointing officials; don't let incompetent officials lead to the people's complaints! I am honored by Your Majesty to hold the significant responsibility of a mentor, and I cannot act like ordinary subjects who only seek to avoid responsibility, so I am compelled to write this letter to Your Majesty.
Later, because of their association with the party, he was dismissed. Later, he was reappointed as the Grand Master of Splendor. In the first year of the Guanghe era, a rainbow suddenly appeared in front of the Jiade Hall during the day. The emperor was greatly alarmed, so he summoned me, the Yilang Cai Yong, and others to the Chongde Office at the Jinshang Gate, and asked the Palace Attendants Cao Jie and Wang Fu to determine whether this auspicious sign was a good or bad omen. The emperor looked up at the sky and sighed, saying to Cao Jie and others, "Every time I read 'The Biography of Zhang Yu,' I can't help but feel a mix of anger and sadness. Zhang Yu not only fails to demonstrate complete loyalty and speak frankly, but only cares about his own son and even requests amnesty for his son-in-law. Zhu You wanted to use the Shangfang sword to deal with him, and that would be the right course of action! My knowledge is shallow; I am merely qualified to serve as a teacher. I have enjoyed the emperor's favor for generations, yet I have not been able to repay my country. Now that I have encountered such a big problem, I must resolve it, even if it costs me my life!" He then drafted a memorial.
I have heard that the ancient texts record that some countries prospered because they received auspicious signs from the heavens, while others perished due to ominous signs. The prosperity of a country reflects the virtue of its rulers; the chaos of a country reveals impending disasters. The appearance of a rainbow before the palace is an omen caused by evil spirits; it is an inauspicious sign, similar to the "cicada" referenced in the Book of Odes. The Book of Changes states, "In the comparison of the cicada, there is no virtue to foster kinship." Currently, the court is filled with favored villains, while incompetent officials are appointed beyond its walls; complaints echo throughout, and disasters strike frequently. The appearance of this rainbow signifies a dire situation! The Spring and Autumn Annals say, "Heaven casts the cicada, the world complains, chaos in the sea." In four hundred years, such calamities will soon be upon us. In the past, when a rainbow arched over Mount Niu, Guan Zhong advised Duke Huan not to get close to concubines and the harem. The Book of Changes says, "Heaven shows signs, good and bad; the sage discerns their meaning." Now those concubines, favored villains, and eunuchs control the court, deceiving both heaven and earth. Under the Hongdu Gate, they gather a host of villains and nefarious individuals, fabricating poems of praise, much like Huang Dou and Gong Gong recommending one another. Within a few months, they were all elevated to prominent positions; Le Song served as Changbo, and Ren Zhi served as Nayan. Qi Jian and Liang Hu, leveraging their talent for sycophancy, their eloquence and charm, have received extraordinary titles and favors, while the honest officials have been relegated to the countryside, speaking of the governance of Yao and Shun, embodying the lofty virtue of distancing themselves from worldly affairs, only to be ultimately abandoned in the ditches, forsaken by all.
Nowadays, the social atmosphere is corrupt, the moral compass is inverted, and the affairs of the nation are being controlled by scoundrels who satisfy their own desires, without learning from the lessons of history or recognizing the lurking dangers. The nation is now facing grave peril! Fortunately, heavenly signs have manifested to warn us. The Book of Zhou states: "When the emperor sees strange phenomena, he should cultivate virtue; when the feudal lords see strange phenomena, they should govern well; when the ministers see strange phenomena, they should fulfill their duties; and when the common people see strange phenomena, they should improve themselves." I urge Your Majesty to heed the timeless wisdom of the classics carefully, devise ways to change the current situation, dismiss the deceitful courtiers, quickly summon virtuous scholars, have Zhang Zhong close to you in the palace, appoint Shan Fu in external affairs, eradicate all corrupt practices, ban idlers, and dedicate yourself to state affairs without any negligence. I hope that the heavens will change their minds and calm these disasters. As an elder statesman who has been favored by Your Majesty many times, how can I withhold my loyalty and efforts in my final years!
After the memorial was submitted, Cao Jie and others were angered. Cai Yong was punished for his frank advice and was exiled to the distant frontier. However, the emperor, recalling his previous contributions, ultimately spared him from execution.
That winter, the emperor held the Bi Yong ceremony and specifically appointed Cai Yong as one of the Three Seniors. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance and the Grand Master of Splendor, succeeding Liu He as the Minister of Works. When the emperor sought to construct the Bi Guiling Kun Garden, Cai Yong advised against it, saying:
"I heard that the officials currently dispatched are measuring the fields of the common people in the south of the city, intending to use them to build gardens. In the past, the gardens built by the previous kings were only large enough to hold the Three Drives Ceremony, and the firewood, grass, and livestock required were sourced from these gardens. The Hongchi and Shanglin Gardens built by the former emperor were of moderate size, not too lavish or too plain, in line with the requirements of ritual. But now, they plan to take over large areas of land on the outskirts of the city to build these gardens, destroying fertile land, neglecting people's fields, driving away the common people, and raising birds and beasts. This doesn't sound much like 'treating the people like cherished children,' does it? There are already several gardens outside the city, enough to meet the emperor's recreational needs and adapt to the changing seasons. The emperor should emulate the simplicity of Emperor Yu's palace and Emperor Taizong's simple terrace, and show compassion for the hard work of the people!"
After the memorial was submitted, the emperor originally wanted to dispel this idea and specifically asked for the opinions of the attendant Ren Zhi and the eunuch Le Song. They said, "When King Wen built the gardens, they were one hundred li, and people still thought it was small; when King Xuan of Qi built the gardens, it was only five li, but people thought it was big. The gardens now are shared with the people and do not harm political affairs." The emperor was very pleased to hear this and then ordered the construction of the gardens.
Four years later, Cai Yong requested retirement due to illness. Not long after, he was appointed as the Grand Chancellor, and the emperor rewarded him with a set of clothes from the imperial residence, including hats, headbands, ribbons, jade pots, belts, and the emperor's own gold hooks and ornaments.
In the winter of the fifth year, Cai Yong was appointed as the Grand Commandant. In the first year of Zhongping, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out. Cai Yong was summoned to the palace to attend a meeting and spoke bluntly in the provincial court, but he ended up angering the emperor again and was dismissed for allegedly being a rebel.
Once upon a time, Zhang Jiao and his Yellow Turban Army leaders were engaging in sinister activities, calling themselves great sages and deceiving ordinary folks into following them. At that time, Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, held the position of Minister of Works. He called his adviser, Liu Tao, and said, "Zhang Jiao and his followers have shown no remorse. Instead, they are becoming more and more brazen. If we instruct the governors to arrest them, it could make things worse. It is better to order the provincial governors to send those on the run back to their original counties. This way, we can cut down their strength, then deal with the leaders without breaking a sweat. What do you think?" Liu Tao replied, "This is exactly what Sun Tzu's Art of War calls 'subduing the enemy without fighting', the ultimate strategy in the royal court!" Cao Song then submitted this proposal to the court. Later, Cao Song resigned from his position, and the issue was shelved.
Some time later, the Emperor relocated to Nangong. He reviewed past memorials and came across Cao Song's report on Zhang Jiao, as well as the earlier remarks from the court officials. It dawned on him, and he granted him the title of Marquis of Linjin, with a land grant of 1,500 households. Originally, Cao Song studied alongside Grand Commandant Liu Kuan and Minister of Works Zhang Ji, serving the Emperor. Feeling he should not receive the title alone, he requested to share the fief with Liu Kuan and Zhang Ji. The Emperor admired this gesture and honored after their passing the sons of Liu Kuan and Zhang Ji, appointing Cao Song as the Minister of Works. After a few days, Cao Song was appointed as Minister of Justice.
Feeling that being Minister of Justice didn't sit right with him, Cao Song said, "The success of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties came from looking after the people, but Gao Tao was not included, probably because he was too tightfisted!" He stubbornly turned down the position and eventually retired as a senior official to return home.
In September of the year 172 AD, my father succeeded Zhang Wen as the Minister of State. Sadly, he passed away later that month. The emperor mourned for three days and bestowed many burial items, including the Dongyuan burial items (I don't know what these words mean, but they refer to various burial goods), awarded over three million coins and five hundred pieces of cloth. The emperor also wrote a eulogy, essentially stating: "The former Minister of State, Lin Jinhou, you are truly an extraordinary figure, possessing both virtue and talent. Your ancestors had all served as prime ministers for three generations, and you faithfully assisted the court. When I ascended the throne, you were by my side, making invaluable contributions. You set a good example both inside and outside the court, diligently handling state affairs. You held various high positions, quelled rebellions, and maintained stability. Although you were unable to fully repay your merits during your lifetime, I am deeply saddened by your passing; who will advise me in the future? Such a pity! Therefore, I will posthumously honor you with the highest accolades! Now, I have sent the Left Central General, Guo Yi, with the emperor's seal to posthumously appoint you as a senior minister, and further promote you to the General of Works and Cavalry." When my father was buried, the emperor sent an imperial censor with the emperor's seal to the funeral, accompanied by ten Lan Tai historians and a team of Imperial Guards for the escort, all the way to the grave site. Officials from all levels of the court came to pay their respects at the funeral. In the end, my father was posthumously honored with the title "Marquis of Wenlie." After the funeral rites were completed, the emperor came to pay his respects. My brother Biao took over the family estate.
My brother Biao, styled Wenxian, was raised with a good education from childhood. At first, he was recommended to be a virtuous and incorruptible official, the local government also recommended him as a person of talent, and some people invited him to work in the government, but he declined all offers. During the Xiping era, because of his profound knowledge and mastery of the classics, he was summoned to the court as a councilor and later promoted to Shizhong and Jingzhao Yin. During the Guanghe period, the Huangmen Ling Wang Fu instructed his students to embezzle and accept bribes in the counties, amounting to over 70 million. My brother Biao exposed Wang Fu's crimes and reported them to the Sima Xiaowei. Sima Xiaowei Yang Qiu, based on my brother Biao's report, petitioned the emperor for Wang Fu's execution, and people all over the country cheered. Later, my brother Biao was recalled to the court, serving as Shizhong, Wuguan Zhonglangjiang, and later served as the Prefect of Yingchuan and Nanyang, was appointed Shizhong once more, and then promoted to Yongle Shao Fu, Taifu, and Weiwei, with his career advancing rapidly.
In the year 190 AD, I was appointed Sikong, succeeding Dong Zhuo in his position. That winter, I succeeded Huang Wan as Situ. The following year, the Guandong rebels began to rise up, and Dong Zhuo, fearing the chaos, wanted to relocate the capital to avoid the turmoil of war. So he summoned all the officials for a meeting and said, "Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang built the capital in Guanzhong for more than ten generations, and Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu also built the capital in Luoyang for more than ten generations. According to the prophecy of the 'Shi Bao Chen', we should move the capital to Chang'an to align with the will of heaven." None of the ministers dared to voice their opinions.
I stood up and said, "Relocating the capital is a significant matter! King Pan Geng of the Shang Dynasty relocated the capital five times, resulting in widespread discontent among the people. In the past, Guanzhong experienced the chaos of Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han Dynasty, with palaces burned down and the people displaced, a sight too tragic to bear. Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu accepted the Mandate of Heaven and moved the capital to Luoyang. Now the world is peaceful, the people are living and working in peace, and you have established a wise and enlightened rule, strengthening the foundation of the Han Dynasty. There is no reason to abandon the ancestral temples and tombs! If the capital is relocated rashly, the people will undoubtedly panic, leading to chaos. Furthermore, texts like the 'Shi Bao Shi Chen' are misleading and harmful; how can we trust them?"
Dong Zhuo said, "The land in Guanzhong is fertile, which is why the Qin State was able to conquer the six states. And the Longyou region is abundant in timber, making transportation quite convenient. Furthermore, there are thousands of old kilns left by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty at the foot of Du Ling Nan Mountain, which can be quickly repaired and used to build palaces. The opinions of the people do not matter! If anyone opposes, I will suppress them with the army and force them to flee to the sea!" I retorted, "The world can easily fall into chaos, but stabilizing it is a challenging task. You must think this through carefully!" Dong Zhuo's expression shifted, and he retorted angrily, "Are you trying to sabotage the country's major affairs?" Grand Commandant Huang Wan also said, "This is a matter of national importance, and Yang Gong's words (referring to me) deserve serious consideration!" Dong Zhuo dismissed him.
When Grand Commandant Xun Shuang saw Dong Zhuo's strong attitude and was worried that Dong Zhuo would harm me and others, he tried to ease the situation by saying, "Prime Minister, are you really willing to do this? The uprising in Guandong won't be resolved overnight, so relocating the capital is one possible solution, a strategy adopted by both the Qin and Han dynasties." Dong Zhuo listened to this and softened his stance slightly.
Shuang Shuang privately told Biao, "Everyone is fighting tooth and nail, and in the end, the unlucky ones are definitely ourselves, so I won't get involved." After discussing it, Dong Zhuo sent the Colonel of the Imperial Guard to announce that Wan and Biao had been dismissed with the memorial regarding the disasters, and ordered them to apologize at the imperial palace. He then immediately appointed Biao as the Grand Master of Ceremonies. A dozen days later, he was promoted to Grand Herald. Accompanying the emperor to the capital, he was successively promoted to Supervisor of the Imperial Household and Minister of Ceremonies, but later resigned due to illness. Later, he was appointed as Governor of Henan and Grand Master of Ceremonies, and was promoted to Grand Master of Ceremonies again. In the autumn of the third year of his tenure, he succeeded Chunyu Jia as Minister of Works, but was dismissed following an earthquake. He was then reappointed as Minister of Ceremonies. In the first year of Xingping, he succeeded Zhu Jun as Grand Commandant and also managed the affairs of the Ministry of Documents. When Li Jue and Guo Si rebelled, Biao dedicated himself to protecting the emperor, rushing around in various perilous situations, almost losing his life. All of this is documented in "The Biography of Dong Zhuo." When the emperor returned to Luoyang, he was appointed Minister of the Imperial Secretariat once more.
In the first year of Jian'an, I accompanied the emperor to Xudu. At that time, the emperor had just relocated there and was about to hold a grand banquet for the officials. After Cao Cao, the Governor of Yanzhou, entered the hall, he noticed Yang Biao looked unwell and feared he might attack him. Before the banquet even began, Cao Cao pretended to have a stomachache and went to the restroom, then took the opportunity to sneak back to his camp. Yang Biao also stepped down from his post due to illness. At that time, Yuan Shu rebelled and declared himself emperor. Cao Cao seized the opportunity to claim that Yang Biao was related to Yuan Shu, falsely accusing Yang Biao of conspiring to depose the emperor. He reported to the emperor to arrest Yang Biao and imprison him, accusing him of committing a heinous crime. When the master artisan Kong Rong learned of this, he rushed to see Cao Cao without even donning his court robes. He said, "The Yang family has been revered by people across the nation for their integrity over four generations. The 'Book of Zhou' states that the sins of fathers, sons, and brothers should not be held against one another. How can you unjustly hold Yang Biao accountable for Yuan Shu's crimes? The 'Book of Changes' states, 'accumulate goodness, and blessings will follow.' Are you implying this is all a falsehood?" Cao Cao responded, "This is the decision of the court." Kong Rong said, "If King Cheng killed Duke Shao, could Duke Zhou truly claim ignorance? Today, all the high-ranking officials in the world respect you because you are wise and assist the Han dynasty, promote upright individuals, suppress the wicked, and maintain the stability and prosperity of the country. If you arbitrarily kill innocent people, how will the world perceive you? I am Kong Rong from the state of Lu. Tomorrow, I will depart and will not return to court!" Cao Cao had no option but to release Yang Biao.
It is said that, four years later, he was appointed as the Minister of Rites, but was removed from office ten years later. Eleven years later, those who were enfeoffed by the emperor's favor were all stripped of their titles. Seeing that the fate of the Han Dynasty was coming to an end, the old man claimed he had poor legs and couldn't walk, feigning disability for a decade. Later, his son Xiu was killed by Cao Cao. When Cao Cao encountered him, he asked, "Why have you become so thin?" He replied, "I feel ashamed for lacking foresight like Ri Di, and still had thoughts of parental love akin to an old cow licking its calf." Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's face softened considerably.
His son Xiu, with the courtesy name Dezhu, was a good scholar with great talent. He served as the head clerk under Cao Cao, assisting him in handling political affairs. After Cao Cao pacified Hanzhong, he wanted to take the opportunity to attack Liu Bei, but his advances were thwarted, and he had no military achievements to show for it. At this time, Cao Cao issued an order consisting of just two characters: "Chicken Ribs." None of his officials could interpret his meaning, except for Xiu, who said, "Chicken ribs, there's no benefit in eating them, but it feels wasteful to throw them away. Prime Minister, are you planning to withdraw the troops?" Cao Cao then ordered to slightly tighten the troops and prepare to retreat. Xiu's counsel to Cao Cao was consistently spot-on.
Another time, when Xiu was out on business, Cao Cao inquired about some external affairs, and Xiu had already prepared the answers in advance, instructing his family, "If any orders come in, respond in this order." And it turned out to be true. This occurred three times, prompting Cao Cao to find it quite strange, so he secretly investigated and discovered the truth, growing wary of Xiu. In addition, Xiu was Yuan Shu's nephew, and Cao Cao feared that he would become a problem in the future, so he made up an excuse to have him killed.
Xiu wrote a total of fifteen works during his lifetime, including fu, odes, inscriptions, eulogies, poems, elegies, memorials, records, and letters.
When Emperor Wen of Wei usurped the Han Dynasty and declared himself the emperor, he wanted to appoint the old man as Grand Commandant. Beforehand, he sent someone to find out his thoughts. The old man declined, saying, "My ancestors served as Three Excellencies of the Han Dynasty for three generations. In this chaotic era, I haven't been able to contribute anything to the country. I am old now and sick. How can I assist the new dynasty?" He resolutely declined. Therefore, Emperor Wen of Wei appointed him as a Grand Minister, granted him seats, a cane, clothing, and robes. When he was received at court, he wore plain clothes, a deerskin hat, and walked with a cane, treated him like a distinguished guest. He passed away at the age of 84 during the sixth year of Huangchu. From Zhen to Biao, four generations have served as Grand Commandant, passing down their legacy through generations; like the Yuan family, they are both prestigious families in the capital.
Legend has it that someone remarked, "Confucius said, 'In danger, do not support, in collapse, do not support, then what are those ministers for?'" This means that holding important responsibilities should never be taken lightly. With high positions come great responsibilities.
During the Han Yan Guang era, Yang Zhen served as Prime Minister. He was upright and dared to confront power, always considering national affairs before personal reputation. He was a loyal subject to the king, fully aware of his responsibilities. Therefore, his family has produced generations of prime ministers, truly embodying the saying "a family that does good will surely be blessed." In contrast, the Wei and Ping families pale in comparison to the Yang family!
The Yang family has accumulated merits for generations, producing several great generals. Yang Zhen was upright, unafraid of the powerful, able to discern right from wrong, not easily swayed by personal desires. His son, Yang Ci, inherited his father's upright character with complete honesty. However, his grandson, Yang Biao, although talented, is somewhat lacking compared to his grandfather and father, straying a bit from the family's traditional virtues.
It is said: "The Yang family embodies virtue, remaining a pillar of the nation through the generations. They command respect from all four corners with their wisdom, steadfast against the three illusions. They are also without deceit; their integrity is unmatched. Although Xiu is talented, he lacks my sincerity."
