Liang Tong, courtesy name Zhongning, was a man of the Wu family from Anding. His ancestors were officials of the Jin Dynasty, whose great-grandfather, Liang Zidu, moved from Hedong to Beidi. His son Liang Qiao, because of his immense wealth, moved to Maoling, and they returned to Anding during the reigns of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping. Liang Tong was a strong and decisive person, and he had a passion for studying law. He initially served as an official in the local government. In the second year of the Gengshi period, the court summoned him to serve as a Colonel, sending him to Anxi Liangzhou, and later appointing him as the Prefect of Jiuquan. When the Gengshi Emperor was defeated and the Chimei army attacked Chang'an, Liang Tong, along with Dou Rong and other county officials, took up arms to defend their territories and discussed electing a commander. Initially, they elected Liang Tong based on seniority, but he resolutely declined, saying, "In the past, Chen Ying refused to become king because of his elderly mother. I also have elderly relatives at home; my abilities and virtues are lacking; I truly cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility." So they elected Dou Rong as the Grand General of Hexi, and Liang Tong was appointed as the Prefect of Wuwei. He governed the region with great severity, gaining a fearsome reputation in the neighboring counties. In the fifth year of Jianwu, Liang Tong sent envoys to accompany Liu Jun, the Chief Clerk of Dou Rong, to pay tribute at the capital and request an audience with the emperor, who appointed him as General of Xuan De. In the summer of the eighth year of Jianwu, Emperor Guangwu personally led a campaign against Wei Xiao, with Liang Tong and Dou Rong leading troops in support. After Wei Xiao's defeat, Liang Tong was granted the title of Marquis Chengyi, while his brothers Liang Xun and cousin Liang Teng were enfeoffed as Marquises of Guannei, and Liang Teng was also appointed as the Commandant of the Department of Agriculture in Jiuquan, and they all returned to Hexi. In the twelfth year of Jianwu, Liang Tong and Dou Rong went to the capital to meet the emperor and attended court as marquises. He was later reappointed as Marquis Gaoshan, appointed as Grand Master of the Palace, and his four sons were all enfeoffed as court officials.
Liang Tong often put forward his own suggestions in the court. He believed that the laws and regulations at that time were too lenient, leading to the lawless and wicked running rampant, and that penalties should be intensified and the old system reinstated. So he wrote to the emperor, saying:
"I personally believe that during the reigns of Emperor Yuan and Emperor Ai, there were one hundred and twenty-three instances where capital punishment was reduced. Even for murder, the punishment could be reduced by one level. Since then, this set a precedent, causing the people to easily violate the law and officials to easily sentence people to death.
I have heard that the key to establishing a monarchy lies in benevolence and righteousness. Benevolence means to love the people, and righteousness means to govern the country well. Loving the people should prioritize eliminating cruelty, and governing the country should focus on quelling chaos. While penalties are necessary, they should not be misused. Thus, during the era of the Five Emperors, there were penalties such as exile and execution, and during the time of the Three Kings, there were laws regarding capital punishment and corporal punishment. Therefore, Confucius said, 'The benevolent are sure to be brave,' and also said, 'To govern by virtue and to keep order in the state is called righteousness.'
Emperor Gaozu was tasked with eliminating the tyrant, restoring peace to the realm, and establishing laws and regulations, which was indeed fitting. Emperor Wen was generous and kind, and during his reign, the world was peaceful. He only abolished the laws on corporal punishment and collective punishment, while maintaining the old system without changes. During the reign of Emperor Wu, the country was strong and prosperous, with abundant resources. There were frequent expeditions and wars, and the powerful broke the law, while corrupt officials perverted justice. Therefore, the punishment for sheltering crimes was increased, and laws on prosecuting conspiracies were established to combat factions and penalize those who withheld information. Emperor Xuan was wise and upright, ruling the country, and his subjects obeyed the laws without error, maintaining peace throughout the land.
When Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping ascended to the throne, their reigns were short, and their inexperience in political affairs prompted Prime Minister Wang Jia to hastily amend the laws, abolishing the laws enacted by the previous emperors. Within a few years, more than one hundred matters arose, some of which did not align with the realities of the time and were met with public discontent. I am bringing to your attention the most detrimental of these."
I hope Your Majesty can govern with moral integrity, restore order, and achieve even greater accomplishments than those of Emperors Wen and Wu. It really should not follow the trajectory of the decline of the last dynasty. I hope Your Majesty will be keenly aware, carefully weigh the pros and cons, instruct the relevant departments to carefully select good articles, establish unchangeable regulations, implement long-lasting effective laws, and the people will be immensely grateful.
This matter was sent to the Three Excellencies and the Court of Judicial Officials for discussion. They believe that harsh laws are not the measures a wise ruler should hastily adopt, and that they cannot be altered overnight. Therefore, they believe that the laws already in place should not be changed.
I once again petitioned, saying: "The relevant departments deem my current proposal unfeasible. But my petition is not for harsh laws. I believe that from Emperor Gaozu to Emperor Xiaoxuan, the policies they implemented mostly conformed to the classics. We should compare the current situation with the past and draw lessons from the precedents set by previous dynasties. These things are not difficult to change, and I really hope to be able to do it. I hope to be summoned to share my key insights with the Imperial Secretariat and courtiers in person." The emperor ordered the Imperial Secretariat to inquire about my situation, and I replied:
Your Majesty is truly wise in establishing laws and regulations. Even in a prosperous era like that of Yao and Shun, the four wrongdoers must still face punishment. The classics say: "Heaven punishes the guilty with five severe penalties!" It also says: "Establishing laws and regulations is to regulate the behavior of the people." Confucius said: "If punishments are not just, the common people will be left without guidance." The term "zhong" refers to a balance that is neither too lenient nor too harsh, but just right. During the Spring and Autumn period, handling cases never avoided relatives, in order to prevent disasters, quell rebellions, and ensure the safety of the people. Isn't this a true act of benevolence? The key is to cut off the roots of corruption!
From the establishment of the Han Dynasty by Emperor Gaozu to the reign of Emperor Xiaoxuan, the monarchs were wise, the subjects loyal, and their strategies were far-sighted. They followed the old rules and dared not easily reform, leading to peace throughout the land and fewer lawsuits. However, during the Chu Yuan and Jianping periods, over a hundred penal codes were reduced, resulting in tens of thousands of thefts each year. Bandits ran rampant in the Sanfu area, uprisings occurred everywhere, and even the Maoling was burned, nearly reaching the Weiyang Palace. Subsequently, bandits in Guanzhong, Beidi, Xiyue, and other areas colluded across vast distances, attacking government offices and robbing officials and the people. The court ordered suppression, but they were not captured for several years. At that time, everyone thought the world was peaceful, and the people were living peacefully and working hard, but this rampant situation arose due to unjust punishments, making it easy for people to commit crimes.
It can be seen that too lenient punishments can lead to great disasters; being too tolerant of bad people ultimately harms good people. Therefore, I suggest that the Emperor adopt the advice of wise ministers such as Kong Guang and Shi Dan.
As a result, after the memorial was submitted, the Emperor ignored it.
Later, I was appointed Prefect of Jiujang and granted the title Marquis of Lingxiang. I achieved some notable accomplishments during my tenure, and the people and officials greatly respected me. I eventually died in office, and my son Song inherited my title.
My son Song, who was known by the courtesy name Bosun, served as a junior official in his youth, married Princess Wuyin of Emperor Guangwu, and later rose to the rank of Hu Ben Zhonglang General. Song was well-versed in the classics, familiar with historical allusions, and together with Confucian scholars, revised the rituals of Mingtang, Biyong, Jiaosi, and Fengshan, often participating in discussions and was deeply favored by the Emperor. After the death of Emperor Guangwu, he assisted in governance according to the posthumous edict. In the first year of Yongping, he was promoted to Grand Herald.
Later, Song wrote letters in private several times to plead for local officials, but two years later, his actions were exposed, and he was dismissed from office, nursing a deep resentment. In the winter of the fourth year of Yongping, he secretly penned letters defaming the court, was imprisoned, and eventually died, and his title was subsequently revoked.
Liang Zihu later became the Yellow Gate Attendant during the Yongyuan period because he was the cousin of Empress Gong Huai. He later rose to the rank of magistrate and colonel. He was gentle and humble, and studied the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents seriously. During the Yongchu period, he served as the Prefect of Changle, and his younger brother was named Liang Song.
Liang Song, styled Shu Jing, studied the Book of Mencius and the Book of Changes when he was young and was able to give lectures before the age of twenty. Later, because of his brother Liang Gong's affairs, he and his brother Liang Gong were exiled to Jiuzhen Prefecture. After reaching the south, they traveled through the Yangtze River, Dongting Lake, crossed the Yuanshui River and Xiang River, and thought of Wu Zixu and Qu Yuan, who both suffered unjust deaths, feeling deeply moved. They then wrote a eulogy called "Eulogy for the Lament," tied it to a stone with a rope, and sank it into the water.
Later, Emperor Xianzong issued an edict allowing them to return to their home county. Liang Song isolated himself to study, found joy in studying the classics, wrote several essays, and named them "Seven Sequences." Ban Gu praised him after seeing them, saying, "Confucius wrote the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' making treacherous officials and wrongdoers afraid; Liang Song wrote the 'Seven Sequences,' making those who steal official positions and do nothing feel ashamed." Liang Song was generous and did not engage in business. His elder sister-in-law, Princess Wuyin, often supported the Liang family, treating Liang Song with great respect, even providing him with exceptional care in all aspects of life. However, Liang Song distributed all these things to his relatives and kept nothing for himself.
Liang Song grew up in the capital city, disliking his hometown. He was very talented but had always struggled to find success. He once stood atop a high place, sighed, and said, "A true man should be honored and respected in life and worshipped after death. If one cannot achieve these, living a quiet life of self-cultivation, reading the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents can also be fulfilling. Being a provincial or local official is just a drain on one's energy." Although he received many summons, he never accepted them. Liang Song had three sons and three daughters, and Emperor Suzong married two of his daughters as noblewomen. The younger noblewoman later gave birth to a son, whom Empress Dou raised as her own child. The Liang family was overjoyed by this news.
Later, when members of the Dou family heard about this, they feared the rise of the Liang family would endanger them, so in the eighth year of the Jianchu era, they falsely accused the two noblewomen of treasonous crimes and implicated Liang Song and others. The court sent the Han Yang Prefect Zheng Ju to investigate Liang Song's alleged crimes. Liang Song died in prison, and his family was once again exiled to Jiu Zhen County. This incident also implicated Princess Wuyin, who was exiled to Xincheng and put under guard. Court affairs were shrouded in secrecy, and no one knew that Emperor He was a scion of the Liang family.
In the year 90 AD, Empress Dou passed away. Songzi Hu sent his cousin Chan to submit memorials to the three departments. He said this was an established custom of the Han Dynasty to honor the Empress Dowager. However, Lady Liang, who gave birth to the Emperor, has not been granted a title of respect, so he urged the Emperor to reconsider. General Zhang Pu summoned Chan to clarify the situation and called him again afterward. Chan then reported the contents of the memorial in detail. The Emperor mourned for a long time and asked Zhang Pu, "What is your opinion on this matter?" Zhang Pu replied, "The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' states that a mother gains honor through her son. Since the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the position of the Empress Dowager has always been very honorable. I believe Lady Liang should be granted a title of respect to honor the spirit of the Empress Dowager in the afterlife. Additionally, we should also support her family to demonstrate our filial piety and respect for kinship." The Emperor cried and said, "If it weren't for you, who would have considered these matters for me?"
Just then, Liang Guiren's sister, Yì, the wife of Fandiao from Nanyang, submitted a letter to express her grievances. She said: "Guiren and I are sisters. She served the late emperor in the palace and enjoyed his favor, giving birth to the current emperor. However, she was falsely accused by the Dou brothers, which led to my father's wrongful imprisonment and his remains being left unburied. My mother and brother were also exiled far away. Only I managed to escape and have been hiding in the countryside, fearing for my life and unable to seek justice from the court. Now, Your Majesty rules with wisdom and strength, and the world is at peace. The evil Dou brothers have been executed, and everyone has received their due. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and witness this peaceful era, and I dare to risk my life to share my experiences. I heard that the Bao family became prominent after Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, and the Shi family flourished after Emperor Xuanzong took over. Though my family is distantly related to the Bao and Shi families, we have not enjoyed the imperial family's favor, and this has always saddened me. My father is already dead, unable to be resurrected; my mother is in her seventies, and my brother Tang is still in a far-off border area, and his fate is uncertain. I hope Your Majesty can give my father a proper burial and let my mother and brother return to their hometown. This kindness is greater than anything, bringing comfort to both the living and the departed in our family."
After reading the memorial, the emperor was very moved and sent a court official and the Supervisor of the Inner Court to investigate carefully. Zhao Yi's explanation and evidence were found to be credible, so she was allowed to enter the palace to meet the emperor and report the incident in detail. The emperor kept Zhao Yi in the palace for several months before allowing her to return home. She was rewarded with many clothes, bedding, money, houses, and slaves, and the rewards accumulated to a staggering sum of tens of millions in just over ten days. Zhao Yi, known for her virtuous character, was even more loved by the emperor, who bestowed upon her the title of Lady Liang; at the same time, Fan Diao was promoted to the Left Commander of the Imperial Guards. This Fan Diao was the great-grandson of the Grand Master Fan Hong.
Next, the emperor posthumously honored Empress Gonghuai as Empress. In the winter of that year, the emperor issued an edict to the Three Dukes and the Grand Minister, saying, "The highest form of filial piety is to honor one’s elders and cherish one’s family, and this principle is the same. The Book of Songs says: 'Father, who gave me life, Mother, who raised me, nurtured me, fed me, raised me, educated me, cared for me, protected me, held me in their mouths from birth to adulthood. Wanting to repay their kindness, but it can never be fully repaid.' I do not presume to act independently and have referred to the precedents of past dynasties; both Taizong and Zhongzong have examples of posthumously honoring their ancestors to express filial piety. Therefore, I posthumously confer the title of Marquis of Baoqinmin upon the father of the Empress Dowager, on the same level as the Marquises of Lingwen, Shuncheng, and Encheng. If his soul is aware, he will surely feel happy and honored. These titles and splendid garments are meant to provide solace to the Empress's spirit." Then he sent the Palace Attendants, Zhao Yi, and Hu Shi together to solemnly escort the spirit of the Marquis from the west, to be reinterred in the capital, and bestowed with the East Garden Pavilion, jade boxes, clothing, and bedding, with the tomb built next to the tomb of Empress Gonghuai. The emperor personally presided over the funeral, and all the officials participated.
The emperor summoned Sōng's wife and son back to the capital city, appointing Sōng's son Tang as the Marquis of Leping, Tang's younger brother Yong as the Marquis of Chengshi, and Yong's younger brother Zhai as the Marquis of Danfu, each with a fief of five thousand households. They all held the rank of Special Grandee and were rewarded with a large number of houses, servants, vehicles, weapons, and various items, totaling in the millions. The level of favor they received was unmatched. Within the Liang family, based on their relationships, they were all appointed as officials such as Langguan and Yezhe.
Tang later rose to the position of Grandee of the State, while Yong became the Marquis of Chengshi. After Tang's death, his son An Guo inherited his title and served as an attendant during the Yan Guang period, but was later dismissed for committing a crime, leading to all members of the Liang family serving as officials and clerks in the court being dismissed.
Bo Xia of the Shang Dynasty was the son of Prince Yong. When he was young, because of his royal connections, he was appointed as a Lang Zhong and later promoted to the Yellow Gate Minister. In the first year of Yong Jian, he inherited his father's title and became the Marquis of Chengshi. Three years later, Emperor Shun selected Bo Xia's daughter and sister into the palace, and he himself was promoted to attendant and Colonel of the Stables. In the first year of Yang Jia, his daughter was made empress, his sister was honored with the title of Noble Consort, and he was promoted to an advanced rank with an increase in his fief. The emperor also rewarded him with lavish carriages and horses, and he was later promoted to the Chief of the Imperial Guard. In the second year, his son Ji was appointed as the Marquis of Xiang Yi, but he graciously declined the title. In the third year, the emperor wanted to appoint him as Grand General, but he refused due to health issues. In the fourth year, the emperor sent the Minister of Rites, Huan Yan, with a decree to his house to bestow the appointment, and only then did he accept the position at the palace. In the second year, his wife Lady Yin passed away, and she was posthumously conferred the title of Lady of Kaifeng, with the bestowal of seals and insignias.
During the Shang Dynasty, he understood that it was his status as a member of the imperial family that allowed him to achieve such a high position. Therefore, he always remained humble and cautious, treating others with respect and nurturing talent. He recruited Ju Lan from Hanyang and Chen Gui from Shangdang to serve as his aides and appointed Li Gu and Zhou Ju as assistants. At that time in the capital, everyone praised him and considered him a good helper to the court, and he had the emperor's strong trust. Whenever there was a famine, he would transport his own grain to the city gates to help the poor, without boasting about his good deeds. He managed his family and relatives lawfully, without abusing his power. However, he was cautious and indecisive, lacking decisiveness, and favored the servants in his household. Due to the emperor's favoritism towards eunuchs like Cao Jie, Shang Chao allowed his sons, Ji and Buyi, to associate with them. But these eunuchs were jealous of Shang Chao's power and status and conspired against him in secret.
In the fourth year of Yonghe, the Palace Attendants Zhang Kui and Qu Zheng, the Imperial Commandant Shi Guang, the Prefect Fu Fu, and the Attendant-Director Du Yong conspired to falsely accuse Shang Chao, as well as the Palace Attendants Cao Teng and Meng Ben, of plotting to recruit princes and usurp the emperor. They requested the emperor to order their arrest and punishment. The emperor said, "The Grand General and his son are close to me, and Cao Teng and Meng Ben are people I greatly admire. They would not do such things. You're just jealous of them." Knowing that the emperor did not believe them, Zhang Kui and the others feared getting caught, so they forged an edict and had Cao Teng and Meng Ben arrested.
The emperor was furious upon hearing this and immediately sent the eunuch Li She to summon Teng, Ben, and Shi Zhi without delay, ordering the arrest and execution of Zhang Kui and the others. When Zhang Kui confessed, he implicated many court officials. Shang Lu felt that too many innocent people had been wronged, so he wrote a memorial to the emperor, saying, "The principle of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' states that credit belongs to the general, while the blame falls on the ringleader. Therefore, rewards and punishments must be appropriate and not excessive. It is because of this that the Five Emperors and Three Kings were able to bring peace to the world. I have heard that the trial involving Zhang Kui and others has implicated too many people. When such a significant case arises, many innocent people are affected, many prisoners are detained, and minor matters become major ones. This does not align with the will of heaven, nor is it an effective way to govern the country. The case should be closed as soon as possible to prevent further arrests." The emperor heeded Shang Lu's counsel and accepted his recommendation, only punishing those directly involved.
In the autumn of the sixth year of his reign, Shang Xu fell seriously ill. He instructed his son Shang Ji and others, saying, "I may not have lived a virtuous life, yet I have enjoyed many blessings. I have not made any contribution to the court while alive, and it would waste the national treasury to spend money on my funeral, dressing my deceased body in luxurious fabrics and using precious items like jade and pearls. What good does that do for me now? The officials are working hard for my funeral, creating a grand spectacle that only adds to the country's burden. While it may follow the rituals, it should also consider the circumstances. The border is still not peaceful, bandits have not been eradicated; how can we afford to increase the country's losses? After my death, I should be directly sent to the cemetery and buried immediately. Just wear ordinary clothes—old ones will do; there's no need to make new ones. Once the tomb is dug, bury me immediately. The offerings should be the same as when I was alive; there's no need for anything extravagant. You, my filial sons, must remember my words well and not violate my last wishes." After Shang Xu's death, the emperor himself came to pay his respects. Shang Xu's sons wanted to follow his last wishes, but the court refused to allow it. They were bestowed with 28 items including the Zhu Shouqi, silver inlay, yellow intestines, jade boxes, 2 million coins, and 3000 pieces of cloth; the empress dowager was given 5 million coins and 10,000 pieces of cloth. During the burial, Shang Xu was posthumously granted the title of Zhonghou. The empress dowager was there in person for the funeral, while the emperor went to Xuan Yang Pavilion to bid farewell to the funeral procession. Shang Xu's son, Shang Ji, inherited his title. Shang Ji, known as Bozhuo, was narrow-shouldered, with wolf-like eyes that were sharp and observant, eloquent in speech but was only good at writing and basic math. He was born into a noble family, living a carefree and extravagant lifestyle. He especially loved drinking and playing various games, including falconry, dog racing, horse racing, and cockfighting. He began his career as a Yellow Gate Attendant and later rose through the ranks to become a Palace Attendant, General of the Tiger Guard, Captain of the Yueqi, Captain of the Infantry, and Commander of the Imperial Guards.
In the year 145 AD, Liang Ji was appointed as the Governor of Henan. He was abusive and tyrannical in his position, engaging in numerous illegal activities. Liang Ji's father's friend, Lu Fang, the Prefect of Luoyang, had repeatedly reported Liang Ji's evil deeds to Liang Shang. Liang Shang advised Liang Ji to restrain himself, but Liang Ji shockingly ordered an assassination on Lu Fang! To cover up his crime, Liang Ji deliberately framed Lu Fang's death as the work of his enemies and requested for Lu Fang's brother, Lu Yu, to succeed as the Prefect of Luoyang, to seize the opportunity to eliminate over a hundred of Lu Fang's relatives and friends.
Before Liang Shang could even be buried, Emperor Shun of Han promoted Liang Ji to the position of Grand General, and his brother Liang Buyi became the Governor of Henan. After Emperor Shun of Han passed away, Emperor Chong of Han was still an infant, with the Empress Dowager acting as regent, ordering Liang Ji, Grand Tutor Zhao Jun, and Grand Commandant Li Gu to participate in handling state affairs. Although Liang Ji initially declined on the surface, he became even more arrogant and indulgent, doing whatever he wanted.
When Emperor Chong of Han also passed away, Liang Ji installed Emperor Zhi of Han. Although Emperor Zhi of Han was young, he was sharp and perceptive, seeing through Liang Ji's arrogance. Once, he pointed at Liang Ji during a court session and declared, "This is the arrogant Grand General!" Liang Ji was furious upon hearing this and had poison secretly slipped into the emperor's cake, causing Emperor Zhi of Han to die on the same day.
Next, Liang Ji installed Emperor Huan of Han. He also falsely accused and killed Li Gu and former Grand Commandant Du Qiao, instilling fear and concern among the populace, with the details recorded in *Biography of Li Gu*. *Book of Later Han, Biography of Liang Ji* records: In the first year of Jianhe, Liang Ji's title increased by thirteen thousand households, with more officials in the General's Office than in the Three Excellencies combined. Liang Buyi was granted the title of Marquis of Yingyang, Liang Meng was granted the title of Marquis of Xiping, and Liang Yin was granted the title of Marquis of Xiangyi, each with ten thousand households. In the first year of He Ping, Liang Ji's title increased by ten thousand households, totaling thirty thousand households with previous titles.
Hongnong man Zai Xuan was very good at flattery. To please Liang Ji, he reported that Liang Ji's achievements were comparable to those of Duke Zhou, and since his sons had already been granted titles, his wife should also be granted a title as a Marquis. Therefore, the Emperor ordered Liang Ji's wife Sun Shou to be titled Lady of Xiangcheng, also allowing her to collect taxes from Yangdi, with an annual income of up to fifty million coins, and giving her red ceremonial attire, receiving treatment equivalent to that of a princess. Sun Shou was beautiful and adept at captivating poses. She would pretend to be sorrowful, with tear-streaked makeup, a falling horse bun hairstyle, swaying hips, and a smiling expression to deceive Liang Ji. Liang Ji also altered his attire, making flat-top carriages, wearing various styles of hats, including large, small, and tilted ones, holding fans, and wearing fox fur jackets. Sun Shou was strong-willed and possessive, and she had a strong influence over Liang Ji, who loved and feared her greatly.
At the beginning, Shang, the father of the Inspector of Jizhou, had made an agreement with the emperor's favorite, Youtong, to present a beautiful woman to the emperor. However, Youtong made a minor misstep, so the emperor sent him back to Shang. Fearing repercussions, Shang married him off, but secretly planned to have him abducted back. After Shang died, the Inspector of Jizhou went into mourning and continued to secretly meet with Youtong in the western part of the city. When the Governor of Shou Chun, Shou, found out about this, he frequently sent his men to the Inspector of Jizhou's house to try to reclaim Youtong. After capturing Youtong, they shaved his head, slashed his face, beat him severely, and planned to report the incident. The Inspector of Jizhou, terrified, quickly knelt before Shou's mother to plead. Shou had no choice but to back down. However, the Inspector of Jizhou continued to secretly meet with Youtong and had a son named Boyu, whom he kept hidden. Later, when Shou found out, he sent his son, Yin, to eliminate Youtong's family. The Inspector of Jizhou was worried that Shou would harm Boyu, so he hid Boyu within the walls. The Inspector of Jizhou favored a slave named Qingong, who would later rise to become the Prefect of Taicang and was allowed free access to Shou's mansion. Every time Shou saw Qingong, he would avoid others, claiming to discuss business with him, but in reality, they were involved in a secret relationship. Qingong enjoyed significant favor and power, and both the Inspector and other officials tried to curry favor with him.
The Inspector of Jizhou followed the advice of the Prefect of Shou Chun and sidelined many officials from Liangguo. On the surface, he put on a show of humility, but in reality, he promoted members of the Sun family. More than ten relatives of the Sun family falsely claimed positions such as Attendant, Minister, Colonel, Prefect, and Chief Official. These people were all greedy and cruel, living it up without restraint. They sent their subordinates to various counties to shake down the rich, cooking up various charges against them, locking them up in prison, torturing them to cough up money for their freedom. Those with less money faced exile or execution. In Fufeng County, there was a wealthy man named Sun Fen, who pinched pennies. The Inspector of Jizhou blew his top and reported Sun Fen to the authorities, claiming that Sun Fen's mother was his slave and had stolen his ten buckets of pearls and one thousand jin of gold, planning a coup. As a result, Sun Fen and his brothers were arrested, interrogated, and ultimately perished in prison, with their assets seized, amounting to over 170 million coins.
Tributes from all over and annual offerings were first sent to the Inspector of Jizhou before the Emperor could receive the rest. Officials constantly brought gifts to seek positions or pardons, creating a steady stream of people on the roads. The Inspector of Jizhou also sent folks across the borders to trade, seeking rare treasures. During his travels, he snagged beautiful women and maidservants along the way, while his subordinates took the opportunity to act tough, plundering women, beating officials and soldiers, leading to complaints all around.
Speaking of the Governor of Jizhou, he lavishly constructed a mansion, while the Governor of Shouzhou erected a residence across the way, and their constructions were nothing short of extravagant. The materials used to build the houses were lavish, with various carved beams and painted pillars, glistening with gold and brilliant hues. Inside and outside the house, there were hidden chambers, rooms connected to each other, and passages linking them. The pillars and walls were exquisitely carved and coated with bronze paint, the windows were draped with fine silk curtains and fitted with green door bolts, depicting clouds, immortals, and various deities. The towers and pavilions were interconnected, allowing for mutual viewing; the flying bridges and stone steps spanned waterways, exuding grandeur. The storerooms overflowed with gold, silver, jewels, and rare treasures. He even imported sweat-blood horses from far-off lands.
He also created vast gardens, constructed hills and valleys, spanning an area of ten miles, meandering like the terrain of Mount Xia, with dense forests and deep valleys inside, seemingly shaped by nature, where various rare birds and animals roamed freely. The Governors of Jizhou and Shouzhou often rode in sumptuous carriages, topped with golden and silver canopies, exploring and reveling in the mansion, accompanied by a large group of musicians playing instruments, singing, and dancing, filling the air with merriment. Sometimes they would revel for days and nights, indulging in hedonistic pleasures. If guests arrived, they would not even see them, as the gatekeepers would dismiss them, each of whom was on the take, accumulating vast fortunes.
They also expanded Linyuan on a large scale, forbidding the common people from coming near, stretching from Hongnong in the west to Xingyang in the east, from Luyang in the south to the Yellow River and Qi River in the north. This area encompasses a vast expanse, including mountains, forests, swamps, and extensive wastelands, with an estimated perimeter of over a thousand miles! They also built the Tu Yuan to the west of the city in Henan, stretching for dozens of miles, employing laborers from several nearby counties to construct pavilions and towers. It took many years to complete. They also ordered the collection of wild rabbits from different regions, marking them with symbols on their fur. Anyone caught poaching would face execution! Once, a merchant from the Western Regions accidentally killed a rabbit without knowing the rule. The news spread, and more than a dozen people involved were executed. When the two younger brothers of the Jizhou Governor went hunting in secret in Shangdang, the Governor discovered this and had them and their guests arrested and executed. More than thirty people were executed, and none survived. The Governor of Jizhou also built a mansion to the west of the city, specifically for imprisoning women who had committed crimes or for capturing virtuous women, all of whom were turned into his slaves, totaling thousands of people, and he gave them the name "self-sold people."
In the year 424, the Emperor believed it was time to recognize Tan Daoji for his significant contributions and wanted to give him special treatment. He convened a meeting with his ministers to discuss how to honor him. The official in charge of this matter suggested that Tan Daoji should not kneel when he attends court, wear shoes when entering the palace, and not be called by his name when meeting, similar to the treatment given to Xiao He; reward him with the remaining population of Dingtai and Chengyang, designating them as four counties, similar to the treatment of Deng Yu; reward him with a large amount of gold, silver, treasures, slaves, silk, vehicles, clothes, and mansions, similar to the treatment of Huo Guang; in short, he was to be celebrated as the foremost hero. Each time he attended court, he sat apart from the three senior ministers. Every ten days, he was responsible for political affairs for a day, effectively acting as a deputy prime minister. The Emperor proclaimed all these matters publicly, stating that they were to serve as a model for future generations.
However, Tan Daoji felt the rewards were insufficient and was quite displeased. He became increasingly powerful, arrogant, and overbearing, and all matters, big and small, had to be approved by him before anything could proceed. The officials of the palace guards, as well as the emperor's attendants, were all under his control. He was well aware of everything happening in the court. All promotions and transfers of officials had to be reported to Tan Daoji's residence first to express gratitude for his patronage. One man named Wu Shu from Xiapi became the county magistrate of Wuan. Before taking office, he had to see Tan Daoji first. Consequently, Tan Daoji's guests flocked to Wuan County, hoping Wu Shu would assist them. Wu Shu bluntly refused, stating, "Those people are all wicked scoundrels, as numerous as weeds; they should all be eliminated! General, you ought to elevate virtuous individuals to address the court's deficiencies. Wuan County is an important city with many talents. Since my arrival, I haven't encountered any outstanding talents; instead, I've only seen unreliable individuals. I dare not speak for them casually!" Tan Daoji was very unhappy when he heard this. After Wu Shu arrived in Wuan County, he killed many of Tan Daoji's guests, who were all notorious evildoers, which led Tan Daoji to despise him deeply. Later, Wu Shu became the Inspector of Jingzhou. Before leaving, he went to see Tan Daoji again. Tan Daoji entertained him, but he poisoned Wu Shu's drink, leading to his death on the way back. There was also Hou Meng, the Prefect of Liaodong, who had just assumed office and failed to pay a visit to Tan Daoji. Tan Daoji concocted an excuse to have him executed. At that time, a young man named Yuan Zhu from Runan served as a junior official at just nineteen. Witnessing Tan Daoji's arrogance and overbearing behavior, he was so angry that he ran to the gate of the imperial palace and wrote:
I heard that Confucius sighed because the phoenix did not arrive and the Yellow River did not yield its maps, feeling that his status was humble and he could not achieve these things. Now, Your Majesty, you are in a position to achieve these things and have the conditions to do so, but a harmonious situation has yet to materialize. The distinctions between the wise and the foolish have become blurred because power has been fragmented among powerful ministers and communication between the upper and lower levels is not smooth. Nature's law dictates that the seasons follow their course, and after achieving success, one should step back. High positions and great wealth seldom escape misfortune. General, having attained great success, you should heed this as a warning. It is best to follow the example of ancient sages who chose to retire gracefully. As the saying goes, "A tree that bears too much fruit will eventually break its branches." If you cannot control and weaken excessive power, you will ultimately be unable to safeguard yourself. My words may reach the ears of those ministers, who may regard me with disdain and grind their teeth. But I am merely an ordinary person who has risen through the ranks since childhood, thus, I dare to speak openly, despite the risk of inciting their anger. In the past, Emperor Shun and Emperor Yu admonished each other not to repeat the mistakes of Dan Zhu; the Duke of Zhou admonished King Cheng not to be like King Zhou of Shang. I hope Your Majesty can pardon my perceived slander, allowing everyone to voice their thoughts freely.
After the memorial was presented to the emperor, Ji Lian, the Inspector of Ji Province, secretly ordered the arrest of Zhang Zhu. Zhang Zhu then changed his name and identity, pretended to be sick and staged his own death, using a straw figure made from reeds as a substitute for his burial. Ji Lian later discovered the deception, secretly found him, beat him to death, and covered up the incident. My student, Liu Chang from Guiyang, was a famous Confucian scholar at the time and was close friends with Zhang Zhu. Ji Lian summoned him to serve as a clerk in a bid to humiliate him. At that time, Hao Jie and Hu Wu from Taiyuan were known for their outspoken criticism and were good friends with Zhang Zhu. Prior to this, Hao Jie and others submitted a joint memorial recommending scholars from across the country, but these scholars did not go to Ji Province. Ji Lian was enraged and suspected them of being Zhang Zhu's accomplices, so he ordered central government officials to arrest and execute those mentioned in the memorial and even wiped out Hu Wu's entire family, leading to the deaths of more than sixty people. Hao Jie initially fled, realizing he couldn't escape, so he placed the memorial in a coffin and sent it to the Inspector's office in Ji Province. After the memorial was delivered, he poisoned himself and took his own life, thus ensuring the safety of his family. When Ji Lian was later executed, the court issued an edict to honor Zhang Zhu and the others with a ceremonial tribute. Ji Lian's cruelty and jealousy were of this nature.
Don't underestimate this person; he has a particular fondness for reading and is kind to scholars. He is always up to something. Through his relationship with the palace eunuch Bai Di, he rose through the ranks to become a Grandee of the Palace. He also secretly instigated everyone to recommend his son, nicknamed Hugou, for the position of Intendant of Henan. His son, who was just sixteen then, was rather unattractive and couldn't keep his hat on properly. Whenever he walked down the street, everyone who saw him couldn't help but laugh.
He didn't doubt himself, but felt quite ashamed. After all, it was not good for brothers to have conflicts, so he resigned and returned home, staying shut in with his brother Meng. He still felt restless, secretly sending people in disguise to watch the door, recording all visitors. When the newly appointed magistrates, Ma Rong of Nanjun and Tian Ming of Jiangxia, came to visit him, he secretly sowed discord, framed them, and accused them, shaved their heads, beat them, and exiled them to the northern frontier. Ma Rong committed suicide and was not executed; Tian Ming died on the way.
In the second year of Yongxing, his son Ma was granted the title of Marquis of Yingyin, and his son Tao was granted the title of Marquis of Chengfu. His family boasted a total of seven marquis titles, three empresses, six noblewomen, two grand generals, seven concubines and daughters appointed as rulers, three princesses married into their family, and a total of fifty-seven officials of various ranks. In his more than twenty years in power, his power reached its peak, with immense power and influence. All the court officials feared him; no one dared defy his orders; even the emperor held him in respect and refrained from interfering in his matters.
Of course, the emperor was very unhappy. In the first year of Yanxi, the Grand Historian Chen Shou, who was connected to a minor eunuch named Xu Huang, informed the emperor about the disasters and unusual celestial events, blaming them on the Grand General. When he found out about this, he secretly instructed the magistrate of Luoyang to arrest Chen Shou, who eventually died in prison. This infuriated the emperor.
Initially, Xuan Shi, the wife of Deng Xiang, gave birth to a daughter named Meng. After Deng Xiang died, Xuan Shi remarried Liang Ji, who was Ji Shi's wife's uncle. Ji Shi introduced Meng to the palace, and Meng won the Emperor's favor and rose to the rank of noblewoman. Ji Shi sought to adopt Meng as her daughter to strengthen her own position, so she changed Meng's surname to Liang. At that time, Meng's brother-in-law, Bing Zun, held the position of yilang, and Ji Shi was worried that Bing Zun would ruin her plans, so she hired assassins in Yancheng to assassinate Bing Zun and also attempted to kill Xuan Shi. Xuan Shi resided on Yanxi Lane, adjacent to the home of the eunuch Yuan She. Yuan She discovered the plot and alerted Xuan Shi by creating a commotion. Xuan Shi rushed to the palace to inform the Emperor. Furious, the Emperor conspired with eunuchs Shan Chao, Ju Yuan, Tang Heng, Zuo Juan, and Xu Huang to eliminate Ji Shi. This incident is documented in "The Biography of Eunuchs."
Ji suspected Danchao and sent Zhang Yun, the Chamberlain, into the palace to stay overnight to keep an eye on things. Ju Yuan had Zhang Yun arrested, accusing him of entering the palace from outside without permission and having ulterior motives. The emperor then summoned the ministers into the palace in front of everyone, made the matter public, and ordered the Shangshu Ling Yin Xun to command officials below the rank of Cheng Lang to guard the palace with weapons and seize all official seals. Huangmen Ling Ju Yuan led over a thousand armed soldiers, including the Left and Right Stables, Huben, Yulin, and Duhou, to surround Ji's mansion alongside Sili Xiaowei Zhang Biao. Guanlu Xun Yuan Xu confiscated the seal of Ji's Grand General and demoted him to a lesser title. Ji and his wife Shou took their own lives that day. Ji's son Yin, uncle Tunqi Xiaowei Rang, as well as his confidants Wei, Yueqi Xiaowei Zhong, Changshui Xiaowei Ji, and others, along with the Liang and Sun families and their relatives, were all arrested and executed without distinction. Yi and Meng Xian had already died. Dozens of officials, including colonels and those of the rank of two thousand stones, were executed; over three hundred officials and guests were dismissed or demoted. The court was left in disarray, with only Yin Xun, Yuan Xu, and Tingwei Handan Yi remaining. At that time, the incident happened too suddenly; messengers came and went, the officials were all in a panic, and government offices and markets descended into chaos. It took several days to calm down, with the common folks cheering.
The money and goods of Jizhou were all sold by the county officials, totaling three to four hundred million taels (an ancient measurement unit, indicating a substantial amount), to bolster the royal treasury and cut national taxes by half. The royal palace's gardens and fields were allocated to the poor for cultivation. Those who participated in quelling the rebellion in Jizhou were rewarded, with dozens of people from the Minister of the Interior Yin Xun and below being ennobled.
It is often said that during Emperor Shun's reign, Liang Shang was praised as a wise and assisting minister. Could it be that just because of his noble birth, he could always maintain caution and self-restraint? The prime minister wields the country's power; if he aligns with the will of heaven, he can easily manage political affairs; if he goes against it, controlling the situation becomes challenging. When Liang Shang served the emperor, it was a time of national decline. Although he supported the court and alleviated the suffering of the people, these accomplishments went unrecognized; instead, his weariness and helplessness became the subject of rumors among the people. Even with a house full of food, how could he address the plight of the people starving and suffering from the cold? He ultimately could not escape accountability. Moreover, he favored those corrupt officials, passed on power to unworthy descendants, ultimately leading to the destruction of the family and the country. Was this merely a coincidence?
Finally, the praise: Assisting the Han Dynasty in the western regions, overseeing the bigger picture, and strategizing. Rewarding trusted aides led to resentment and bitterness; promoting officials and titles brought nothing but endless sighs. Liang Shang's downfall stemmed from his weakness, while the chaos in Jizhou arose from greed and rebellion.
