Cai Yong, courtesy name Bojie, was a native of Yuxian County in Chenliu. His ancestors had been officials for six generations. His grandfather, Cai Xun, was fond of the teachings of Huang-Lao and served as the county magistrate of Meifu County during the reign of Emperor Ping of Han. After Wang Mang usurped the throne, Wang Mang wanted to appoint him as the commander of the Yanzhong Battalion. Cai Xun looked up at the imperial seal and sighed, "I am determined to be loyal to the Han Dynasty, even if it costs me my life. Confucius once refused the rewards offered by Jisun, so how can I serve two dynasties?" He then fled to the mountains with his family, refusing to serve in the new dynasty like Bao Xuan and Zhuo Mao, who also refused to serve. His father, Cai Leng, was also an upright and honest man, and he was posthumously honored with the title Duke Zhending.
Cai Yong was filial, taking care of his sick mother for three years. He rarely changed his clothes and stayed awake for seven days and nights. After his mother's death, he constructed a mourning shed by her grave, adhering to all the proper rituals. Surprisingly, rabbits would peacefully roam near his home, and two trees grew intertwined, a rare sight that attracted many visitors. He lived with his uncle and cousins, sharing everything without dividing their inheritance, earning the respect of the villagers for his character. Cai Yong was knowledgeable and talented from a young age, studying under the Grand Tutor, Hu Guang. He was skilled in poetry, mathematics, astronomy, and music.
During the reign of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, eunuchs Xu Huang, Zuo Xuan, and three others consolidated their power and disrupted the government. Hearing that Cai Yong was skilled in playing the qin, they recommended that the emperor instruct the Administrator of Chenliu to summon Cai Yong to the capital. Cai Yong, left with no choice, feigned illness and returned home upon reaching Yanshi. He secluded himself at home, studying ancient texts and steering clear of the influential figures of his time. Drawing inspiration from Dongfang Shuo’s "Difficulties of a Guest" and the writings of Yang Xiong, Ban Gu, and Cui Yin, he weighed various arguments, affirming the correct ones while refuting the incorrect. He authored a book titled "Exhortation" to caution society.
A scion of a noble family went to visit Mr. Hu of Huadian and said, "I have heard that the most valuable thing for a sage is 'status,' so one should use kindness and virtue to safeguard one's status, and use wealth to attract talents. Therefore, with status comes honor, with wealth comes prosperity, practicing benevolence and righteousness while understanding the greater path; this is the duty of a scholar. Thus, Yi Zhi bore the tripod, Confucius held the whip, Ning Wuzi sang the Qing Shang, and Baili Xi raised cattle. This illustrates the shared aspirations of the sages, the noble ambitions of the ancients. Sir, you were born in a peaceful and prosperous era, with natural talent and pure character, diligently studying the classics, proficient in the 'Six Classics,' content with a modest life, not getting caught up in worldly affairs, devoting yourself to research, with high aspirations, broad knowledge, and deep analysis for a long time. But you have not been able to stand out, to become famous, to ascend to the court, to establish a hierarchy, to cleanse the world of its impurities, to purify the court, to allow your brilliance to shine like the sun, your merits soar like auspicious clouds. As the days go by, you remain unknown. I find this puzzling, which is why I've come to seek your advice. Now the emperor is wise and benevolent, the ministers are wise and intelligent, valuing and promoting outstanding talents, ensuring their talents aren't overlooked. Those of noble character are appointed as prime ministers, granted land; those with outstanding abilities receive the court's favor and rewards. Why don't you change your course, pursue fame, take advantage of the favorable opportunity, establish lasting achievements, bring honor to your ancestors, and leave a lasting legacy? Haven't you ever considered these things? Why do you hold onto your own beliefs and not pursue these things?"
The young gentleman's words have left me feeling very confused. Sir, why not give it some thought? Now is the time when the court is in need of talented individuals. You have talent and knowledge; why not pursue it? Are you content to remain in obscurity? Isn't this the time for the Rong family to establish an enduring legacy? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Think about it: those esteemed prime ministers and successful ministers— which one did not seize the opportunity to achieve what they have today? With your vast knowledge, shouldn't you be contributing to the nation and society? "Why not return to your aspirations, look up, and seize the opportunity?" Sir, you might consider my suggestion.
Old Hu chuckled warmly and said, "Young master, you only see the immediate gains but overlook the potential risks; you assume that success is guaranteed while ignoring the chance of failure."
The young gentleman immediately straightened his sleeves and stood up, asking, "Why is that?"
Old Hu said, "Come, let me explain to you. Since the chaotic primordial times, the relationship between ruler and subject has been established, thanks to the great contributions of Fuxi and Nuwa, and the prosperous era of Yao and Shun. The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties also experienced their own glorious eras, and the five hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period also ruled with diligence and cared for the people, striving to govern the country.
But since then, the SkyNet has become negligent, human emotions have slackened, the Way of Kings has weakened, and the balance of Yin and Yang has fallen apart. The bond between ruler and subject has disintegrated, and there is discord between superiors and subordinates. As a result, the clever started to resort to deceit, silver-tongued individuals began to peddle their words everywhere, brave warriors flaunted their might, and soldiers honed their blades. The situation changed rapidly, like lightning and thunder, with plots and schemes springing up incessantly, all to adapt to the current circumstances. Some amassed great fortunes with a single cunning plan, while others received rewards with a few flattering words. Those who forged alliances amassed mountains of seals, and those who banded together marched in great numbers. The powerful accumulated ever-growing wealth, leveraging their wits for gain, but they forgot about their own dangers.
You see, flowers wilt when severed from their branches, branches dry up when they leave the trunk, women fall into debauchery when they become too promiscuous, and scholars are punished when they deviate from the righteous path. When people let arrogance take hold, they court their own ruin, and the divine loathe wickedness. The moment greed takes root, disaster ensues. Rapid development leads to failure, and all that rises must fall. Wanting a bigger and prettier house can end up destroying the entire home.
Therefore, when the heavens and earth become obstructed, the sages withdraw into seclusion. As mentioned in "Zhuangzi's Free and Easy Wandering," there's a tale of "Shi Men guarding the dawn," toiling the fields together, as well as Yan Hui clutching a precious jade, and Qu Yuan preserving his life. People from Qi sought refuge in the countryside, Confucius wandered about, Yong Qu rode in a cart, and they all met their ends rather easily. Were they being arrogant toward their ruler or betraying their homeland? No, it was simply that the principles they cherished could not be twisted.
I heard that when the sun reaches the southernmost point, it emits the sound of the yellow bell chime; when the warm winds blow, the fish float on the ice; when the sound of the Rui Bin bird rises, it signals the awakening of Yin energy; when the reeds turn white, the white dew condenses. The alternation of cold and heat, the alternation of Yin and Yang, are all the laws governing the operation of things: prosperity inevitably declines, and disorder must be put in order; these are all natural occurrences.
The current Great Han Dynasty has inherited the prosperity of the Yao and Shun periods, swept away the remnants of disasters in the world, enhanced the country's prestige, and consolidated its foundation. The emperor's benevolent rule is like spring rain; the imperial authority is strong, the people live and work in peace, enjoying the blessings of peace and prosperity. People all over the country live and work in peace, the country is flourishing, the officials work diligently, and the emperor governs wisely. Harmony exists between the monarch and his subjects, peace prevails throughout the country, and the court is filled with talented individuals, each a pillar of the nation; talent flourishes in the court, creating a scene of prosperity. This is like the beautiful jade on Zhongshan and the strange stones in Sibin; even if many jade pieces are accumulated, they will not appear full, and even if many beautiful jades are collected, they will not seem scarce.
In the past, the Great Han Dynasty expanded its territory, received envoys from all corners, consolidated its military achievements, stored its weapons, defeated the Xiongnu, and Ji Fu enjoyed a grand feast after winning the Battle of Chengpu, with the state of Jin returning triumphantly. Therefore, during wartime, the soldiers fight tirelessly, charging into the fray, never letting up; when the country is at peace, everyone is well-dressed, relaxed, and at ease.
Ah, those hereditary officials and their retainers all enjoy the emperor's favor, receiving generous salaries. They are leisurely and carefree, advancing in ranks one after another, with their beards groomed, enjoying wealth and glory. Their promotions and wealth come easily; it's as easy as flipping over in bed! They are all talented and elite; kids don’t even need to consult their teachers. They are calm, keep to their duties, don’t fight or steal, and naturally gain wealth and glory. Intelligent people can stay calm and not lose their lives. However, greedy people will lose their lives, and those who love to show off will lose their power. Thinking about all this frustrates me. I don't understand why those people don't learn from their mistakes but instead get lost in gains and losses. They are like riding a bad horse on a long road, envying the speed of a good horse, rushing desperately, even running to the homes of powerful relatives and nobles for help, fawning and flattering. And what's the result? Before they even achieve wealth and glory, they end up falling flat on their faces, either being punished for their involvement or having their entire family wiped out. There are so many lessons to learn from past mistakes, yet they continue to repeat them, showing no sign of having learned or being afraid. Oh, I really feel sorry for them! The world is so vast, yet they have pushed themselves into such a predicament. What good does resentment do? Their troubles are all self-inflicted due to their lack of ambition. So, we need to be cautious and careful, and we must avoid making mistakes! Now, let's keep reading.
Those people, each and every one of them, are all smart and shrewd. Children don’t even need to ask adults, and younger folks don’t need to consult their elders. They can effortlessly climb the ranks and strike it rich. Their lives are so leisurely and carefree, like everything just falls into their laps. However, some people, unfortunately, are lazy, chase after pleasure, and get caught up in wealth and power. And what is the result? They end up in shambles, losing their lives to greed or their power to vanity. It is truly lamentable. When I carefully think about the fate of these people, I feel a mix of frustration and unease. I can’t wrap my head around why they don’t learn from their mistakes and keep repeating them. They are like inferior horses, desperately trying to keep up with the fast horses, only to exhaust themselves and even lower themselves to seek help from the powerful. In the end, they end up with a tragic outcome. Before they even get a taste of wealth and honor, they trip up, facing punishment or even extinction. The lessons from the past are clear as day, but they ignore the warnings, which is just plain foolish! I feel sorry for them. The world is huge, yet they box themselves into a corner. What good does it do to hold onto resentment? They have brought calamity upon themselves because their lack of ambition leads to their own downfall. Therefore, we’ve got to stay sharp and watchful all the time, and never make mistakes! Use it when you need it, and stash it away when you don’t; that’s the wisdom of the sages. Going with the flow is the way to go.
The Nine Rivers flooding cannot be stopped by just one dam; a million-strong army cannot be resisted by just one warrior. Now you want me, an ordinary person, to govern the world; wouldn't that be like Yao and Shun, burdened by floods and droughts? I worry that I will be destroyed before achieving anything, so how can I possibly boast? Furthermore, when there's no shadow in the well, a solar eclipse will occur; when the ruler is lenient, the moon will seem dim; when the vassals are respectful, the moon will be tilted. Therefore, a nobleman must infer great things from small things, discern clues from tiny details, see frost and know it will freeze, see dew and know it will become hot. Act according to the situation, take action when needed, and stop when necessary; seize the opportunity and follow the will of heaven. Making the most of good times can also help one cope with adversity, be optimistic about fate, and do your best. Everyone is racing down a treacherous path; how can I keep pace with them? I foresee danger, so I prepare myself in advance; even if I am unknown now, I do not feel ashamed.
I plan to immerse myself in the classics, rest by the wellspring of benevolence and righteousness, wander in the courtyard of Duke Zhou and Confucius, and make friends with Confucians and Mohists. My talents are sufficient to shine in all directions, but when restrained, no one knows what I am capable of. If I can catch up with the prosperous era, fulfill the heavenly mandate, open the palace gates, walk the path of heaven, serve the emperor beneath the royal canopy, present ingenious ideas, and promote an era of peace and prosperity, how wonderful would that be! If my plans succeed, it's my merit; if they fail, it's my fault. Like a tortoise or a phoenix retreating to the mountains, not dispersing the mist and dew, jumping in the grass, will only make people view me as foolish. Those who don’t understand me may see me as conservative. How can I give up when I'm pursuing the truth? I will quietly await the heavenly mandate, persist unwaveringly, and never change. "After a hundred years, return to your homeland." If I gain recognition, that’s heaven's blessing; even if I'm unknown, that’s not my fault.
In the past, Bo Yi could understand the language of birds, Ge Lu could distinguish the calls of cattle, Dong Fu was able to tame dragons, Xi Zhong could craft carriages, Cui Shi could invent various clever tools, Zao Fu was skilled at handling spirited horses, Fei Zi could manage horses, Lang Xian could capture birds and beasts, Gong Fu could forge exquisite bows and arrows, Ji Fei could fearlessly charge into battle, Shou Wang was capable of building palaces, Dongfang Shuo could delight the emperor with his eloquence, Shangguan Daifu was responsible for overseeing the carriage cover, and Hong Yang could strategize and act as prime minister. I cannot achieve what they have, so I can only live leisurely with my own talents.
Then, the young man raised his head and descended the steps, appearing somewhat embarrassed and shy. Mr. Hu then plucked the strings of the zither, smiled, and began to sing. The song goes like this: "Nurture your heart in the profound clarity, purify the impurities to maintain the true spirit. Harmony and fluidity bring peace to the spirit, emotions and thoughts remain serene, desires fade away. Journey through the cosmos and transcend the mundane, light and graceful, journeying alone."
In the third year of Jianning, he was appointed to serve in the residence of Situ Qiaoxuan, who held him in high regard. Later, he was assigned as the county magistrate of Heping County. He was subsequently recalled to the court and took on the role of Langzhong, charged with proofreading texts in Dongguan. He was eventually promoted to Yilang. Feeling that the current classics deviated greatly from the original intentions of the sages, with many errors in the text and misinterpretations by scholars misleading future learners, in the fourth year of Xiping, he, together with Tangxi Dian, Guanglu Dafu Yang Ci, Jianyi Dafu Ma Ridi, Yilang Zhang Xun, Han Shuo, and Taishi Ling Shan Yang, submitted a memorial to the court requesting the correction of the 'Six Classics.' Emperor Ling of Han consented, and he personally inscribed the stone tablet, commissioning craftsmen to carve the tablet, and erected it at the entrance of the Imperial Academy. From then on, subsequent scholars and younger students adopted this as their standard for learning. When the tablet was first erected, there were thousands of people coming to see it and make rubbings every day, resulting in congested streets.
At first, the court believed that the provinces and counties were colluding with each other, with frequent personal interactions, so it was stipulated that the parties in marriage relationships and people from two different provinces could not supervise each other. At this point, the "Three Avoidances Policy" was added, which made the avoidance rules even stricter, which made selecting talent very difficult. Youzhou and Jizhou have long been vacant without anyone filling the positions. He wrote to the court:
It is said that Youzhou and Jizhou, these old places, used to be the birthplace of warhorses, but in recent years, with chaos and famine every year, the people are barely surviving and the cities are almost empty. Now the common people are displaced, the land stretches desolate for miles, and official positions have been vacant for a long time. The officials have been dragging their feet, and the elections for the three prefectures have been delayed for over a month. I found it strange, so I inquired and discovered it was due to the "Three Avoidances" rule. In theory, all eleven provinces can be selected from, and only the talents from two provinces are needed. However, some officials from these two provinces are also restricted by their terms of service, leading to hesitation and delays that caused them to miss the best opportunity. I believe the "Three Avoidances" restrictions were never that strict to begin with. If we just emphasize the authority a bit more and clarify the laws, would the current officials not take their duties seriously and carefully? Why do they have to make things harder for themselves because of the "Three Avoidances" rule? In the past, Han Anguo started as an ordinary soldier, Zhu Maichen came from humble origins; they both relied on their abilities and virtues, and eventually became officials back in their hometowns. There was also Zhang Chang, a former fugitive, who was later promoted to become a county official. They didn’t let the "Three Avoidances" restrictions or all those cumbersome rules hold them back!
The three highest officials must recognize the significance of these two states and must promptly choose candidates to bypass restrictions, select capable individuals, and resolve the current crisis; rather than heeding opposing voices that could lead to minor violations and delays in the selection process, ultimately resulting in missed opportunities for talent. I hope Your Majesty will follow the example of the late emperor, cancel the recent restrictions, and not be constrained by the "Three Mutuals" restrictions when selecting suitable candidates for governors of various states. The memorial was submitted, but it went unanswered.
Legend has it that the emperor had a passion for learning and even compiled "The Huang Yi Chapter," consisting of fifty chapters, and sought out talents skilled in writing and poetry. Initially, the emperor focused on recruiting talents in classical studies, but later, those skilled in letter writing, calligraphy, and seal carving were gradually brought into the palace, and in the end, there were dozens of them. The attendants Jie Song and Jia Hu brought in those who were unproductive and opportunistic, arranging for them to work under the Hongdu Gate. Even though the emperor took pleasure in trivial matters concerning the common people, he even promoted him unusually. Regarding the common folk engaged in trade, as long as they were filial sons of Xuanling, the emperor elevated them to positions as Langzhong and attendants to the prince, and there were also dozens of such individuals. During this period, the weather turned tumultuous, with frequent thunderstorms, fierce winds, uprooted trees, earthquakes, hail, and successive locust plagues. The Xianbei people even invaded the border, and the populace was conscripted for arduous labor, carrying a significant burden.
In July of the sixth year, the emperor issued an edict, accepting responsibility and instructing the ministers to outline their governance principles and proposed measures. Yong submitted a memorial, saying: "Your Majesty, I have received your decree, and I am filled with trepidation. Although King Cheng of the Zhou Dynasty encountered strong winds and King Xuan also suffered from drought, these are grave matters, and I cannot afford to be negligent."
I heard that disasters sent by heaven have discernible signs. Ancient records documented numerous unusual occurrences, mostly caused by rulers imposing heavy punishments and abusing their power. The "Hongfan Zhuan" states: "When politics are absurd and morals are corrupt, strong winds will arise that destroy houses and break trees." This wind is a decree from heaven, warning us to be cautious in our conduct.
If we serve the heavens earnestly, we will receive many blessings; if we sincerely worship our ancestors, the spirits will also bless us. In national affairs, sacrificial rites are of the utmost importance, and the emperor should personally attend. Since I took office in the court and put on the ceremonial robe, responsible for the sacrificial rites of the five suburbs, the emperor seldom attends. The sacrificial ceremonies throughout the year are always entrusted to subordinate officials to handle; despite some remedial measures, there remains negligence. Therefore, the heavens are displeased and have sent these omens. The "Kun" hexagram symbolizes the earth, and the "Book of Changes" says to be peaceful and upright. When yin energy is strong and turbulent, one should reflect quietly, or it will lead to rebellion. If power is not in the emperor's hands, hail will damage crops; if politics are oppressive, there will be tigers and wolves harming people; if greed oppresses the people, locusts will devour the crops.
On the twenty-eighth day of the sixth month, Venus and the moon were very close, a sign of military disaster. The Xianbei people invaded the border; the journey is long, and I see no advantage in deploying troops at this time. Defying the celestial signs above and the will of the people below, we should genuinely listen to a wide range of opinions and choose the most prudent course of action.
I am truly worried, so I humbly propose seven measures that should be implemented without delay and submit them to you:
The first thing is about the sacrifices of the ancient emperors. According to regulations, the emperor must go to the outskirts of the capital to sacrifice to the Five Emperors on the days of the spring equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox, winter solstice, and midsummer, to pray for good weather and bountiful harvests. Sacrificing to ancestors in ancestral temples to show filial piety, and educating the populace in the values and teachings of the imperial court, these are all major events for emperors, which have been valued by generations of ancestors. But now, those officials in charge often use the excuse of funerals in small neighboring states, births in the palace, or minor mistakes made by minor officials to delay the sacrifices. I have noticed that the sacrifices at the Southern Suburbs have never been interrupted, but there are always objections to other sacrifices. Is the Southern Suburbs sacrifice considered less important than other sacrifices? Emperor Xiaoyuan once said in an edict: "Sacrifice is the most solemn matter in ritual, so one must spare no effort and carry it out with respect." During the Yuanhe period, these ancestral rules were emphasized again. Several edicts in the past expressed this sincere intention. But recently, the court historians now have the final say, forgetting the solemnity of the sacrifices and focusing solely on superstitions and taboos, clinging to minor matters and neglecting the major ones. The "Book of Rites" states that when a wife or concubine gives birth, one should not enter the side room during the fasting period, but it does not say that sacrifices should be stopped because of this. If a soldier dies in the palace, sacrifices are suspended for three months, which applies to common people living in cramped quarters, not comparable to the vast palace with many concubines. Therefore, in the future, sacrifices should still be carried out according to the previous regulations to prevent disasters.
The second matter, I've heard that for a country to thrive, it should listen to various opinions, understand the situation at home, and connect with the people. So, even though the late emperor was wise, he still listened to various opinions widely, looked into underlying issues based on unusual occurrences, and appointed virtuous, honest, and principled officials, giving them the freedom to speak up and advise without fear. Since Your Majesty took over, disasters have occurred for several consecutive years, yet there has been no mention of identifying talent. We should seriously reflect on this, restore the previous practices, and allow loyal ministers to speak freely; only then can we address the issues of "political errors and moral decline" referred to in the Book of Changes.
The third matter, there's more than one way to find talent. Some depend on a strong character, while others rely on famous speech. Lately, court ministers who speak the truth often don't get the recognition they deserve, which makes everyone hesitant to speak up. Zhang Wen, a court minister, used to speak bluntly, and the emperor accepted his advice, even rebuking the officials of the Three Departments. The ministers were happy, and the people were relieved. I think Zhang Wen should be promoted to encourage loyalty and integrity, set an example, let the world know, and broaden the political path.
Speaking of which, the Inspector of the Imperial Guards and provincial governors, their main job is to oversee and differentiate between corrupt and honest officials. I found that Inspector Yang Xi of Youzhou, Inspector Pang Zhi of Yizhou, and Inspector Liu Qian of Liangzhou are all upright, dedicated to the public good, cracking down on the bad guys with good results. Others, on the other hand, are far behind, not fulfilling their responsibilities. Some officials make mistakes themselves and engage in wrongdoing with subordinates, not taking care of their duties. The whole official system is loose and out of control, with no one in charge, even high-ranking court officials are turning a blind eye.
Five years ago, the court ordered that eight envoys be dispatched to conduct inspections in various regions, and also required the three officials: the Prime Minister, the Grand Commandant, and the Imperial Censor, to report on the situation at any time. At that time, the officials who truly cared about the public good were overjoyed, while the corrupt officials were terrified, their faces turning pale. Unfortunately, this promising policy was later inexplicably put on hold. Liu Xiang once said, "Hesitation will open the door for bad people; indecision will invite slander and heresy." Now that there is finally a good policy, it has suddenly changed, leading to widespread speculation about the court's motives. I believe we should promptly reinstate the practice of sending eight envoys to investigate and punish illegal activities, and select new loyal and incorruptible officials, rewarding and punishing fairly. At the end of each year, we should evaluate the three officials and identify the best and worst performers, to ensure that officials recognize the benefits of serving the public good and the repercussions of favoritism and corruption, which could help address many issues.
I heard that in ancient times, talents were selected through annual contributions from vassal states. During Emperor Wu's reign in the Han Dynasty, each county recommended filial and upright officials, as well as talents in literature, leading to a flourishing of both culture and military. The Han Dynasty selected talents through these few methods. Those who only know how to write, paint, or compose articles are merely minor talents and have no ability to govern the country. When Your Majesty just ascended the throne, you first studied the classics, dealt with government affairs, and then looked at articles merely for entertainment, similar to playing games with people nowadays, and it was never meant to be a standard for selecting talents. But now those scholars strive for fame and wealth, desperately churn out articles and compete with one another. Those who write well often quote the classics to appear sophisticated; those who write poorly use some common sayings, like performers; and some people plagiarize articles and impersonate others' names. Every time I am tasked with selecting talents at Shenghuamen, I accept them in order, and even those who aren’t selected end up being promoted as well. Since they have already been given favors, it is difficult to retract the decree. They can only take their salaries, which is already quite good, and they shouldn't be allowed to govern the people or hold official positions again. In the past, Emperor Xiaoxuan summoned Confucian scholars in the Shiqu Pavilion, and Emperor Zhang gathered scholars in the White Tiger Hall to explain the classics. These practices are crucial, and both literary and military achievements should take these practices to heart. Although there are some merits in clever tricks and minor skills, as Confucius once said, "Haste makes waste," a gentleman should aim for lofty aspirations.
These six matters, those officials holding ink ribbons who manage the common people, should all consider promoting the people's welfare as their own merit and view working diligently every day as their duty. The standards for rewards and punishments should be clear and unambiguous. However, current officials are largely ineffective. When they step down from office, most of them are instead promoted to positions like Yilang or Langzhong. If they are truly capable, they should not be allowed to remain idle. If they err, they should face strict penalties. How can it be that they fear admitting guilt and facing punishment, yet still aspire to promotions, competing with one another without differentiating between right and wrong? Such things have never occurred in the past! These practices must be completely eliminated, and the truth must be thoroughly investigated.
As for the seventh matter, I can hardly stand to see those so-called "Xuanling filial sons" who were appointed as the prince's attendants. I heard that Emperor Xiaowen established a mourning system of thirty-six days; even if it is the son inheriting the throne, close relatives of father and son, and high-ranking officials in the court who have been favored by the imperial court must abide by the regulations and dare not exceed them. Now these people, hypocritical villains, are not even royal relatives, have not received any imperial favor, nor have any actual merits. What gives them the right to pretend to grieve? They gather in groups near the imperial tomb, pretending to be filial, acting inappropriately, with no justification, and even some unsavory characters are mixed in. When Empress Huanshi's ancestral temple was built, there was a fugitive in Dong County who stole someone else's wife, hiding among these "filial sons," and local officials only caught him after chasing him. These people are hypocritical and filthy, simply indescribable! Moreover, those who arrive first can get official positions, while those who arrive later are forgotten; some have lingered near the tomb for ages, yet a brief trip home is deemed an absence; even those who find someone to replace them can still receive honors. As a result, grievances and disputes are rampant, and the atmosphere is thick with resentment. The prince's subordinates should carefully select people of virtue; how can they possibly choose only those shady characters who loiter around the graves? This is downright troubling! They should all be sent back to their hometowns to sort out the genuine filial sons from the fakes.
After the memorial was submitted, the Emperor himself went to the northern outskirts to make offerings to the heavens, and then held the Bi Yong ceremony. He also ordered that those who were appointed as attendants of Xuanling filial sons be all changed to be Chengwei. In the first year of Guanghe, the Hongdu Gate School was officially established, and portraits of Confucius and the seventy-two disciples were painted. These students were recommended or recruited by the three officials of the states and counties; some served as governors, some entered the court as imperial secretaries and imperial attendants, and even some were enfeoffed as marquises. The true gentlemen were embarrassed to be associated with them.
At that time, strange occurrences were happening, and the common people were terrified. In July of that year, the emperor summoned Yong, along with Grand Master Yang Ci, Adviser Ma Ridi, Court Gentleman Zhang Hua, and Chief Astrologer Shan Yang, to the Jinshang Gate, where they were taken into the Chongde Hall. Then, the eunuch Cao Jie and Wang Fu asked them about the disasters, how to eliminate them, and what measures should be taken. Yong responded earnestly, drawing from the "Records of the Five Elements" and the "Records of Astronomy."
The emperor then issued a separate decree to inquire: "Recently, disasters have been occurring one after another, and we do not know the reasons behind them. The court officials are all anxious and filled with fear. We have asked officials and ministers from all over, hoping to receive some honest advice, but they all evade the questions and refuse to tell the truth. It is said that your understanding of Confucianism is profound, so we secretly ask you. You should speak out what you know, point out the mistakes of the court and the measures that should be taken, do not keep it hidden in your heart. Write down your answers, seal them in a black cloth bag, and submit it." Yong replied:
"Your Majesty, you are wise and valiant, deeply troubled by the disasters, yet you still show special concern for someone as talentless as I. This is truly a kindness that someone as humble as I cannot bear! I am wholeheartedly loyal to you; how can I conceal the truth out of fear of trouble and allow you to miss the most serious warning?"
Upon careful reflection, those strange occurrences are all signs of a nation's decline! The emperors of the Han Dynasty always took these omens very seriously, so strange phenomena frequently appeared to warn the rulers, in the hope that they would gain insight, reform their ways, and avert disaster. Now, these disasters are occurring one after another, not in distant lands but right here, near the palaces and temples. The warning signs are unmistakably clear. The auspicious signs have vanished, and even chickens turning into people are a result of women meddling in politics! The former wet nurse Zhao Rao wielded immense power and amassed wealth comparable to the national treasury during her lifetime. After her death, her tomb was even grander than the imperial mausoleum. Her two sons were both enfeoffed as marquises, and the brothers both became county magistrates. Then there was the historian Huo Yu from the Yongle Gate, who relied on the power in the city to do bad things. Now, people are buzzing about a Mr. Cheng, who seems to have a knack for sensing that this will lead to national disaster. We need to take precautions now, establish clear prohibitions, and learn from the lessons of Zhao Rao and Huo Yu as a stern warning.
Your Majesty, you are diligent in state affairs and seek to distinguish between right and wrong. However, I have heard that General Zhang Hao, recommended by Huo Yu, and Grand Commandant Xun Xing, who has a bad reputation for corruption and bribery; as well as Chief of Changshui Zhao Xuan and Chief of Tunqi Gai Sheng, who have become wealthy and honored due to their good fortune. We should consider the dangers of villains in power and the benefits of yielding to the wise and virtuous. I recommend the Minister of Justice Guo Xi, who is upright and experienced; Grand Master of Splendor Qiao Xuan, who is intelligent and upright; and the former Grand Commandant Liu Chong, who is loyal and principled. These individuals should be your trusted advisors for consultation. The chancellor and ministers are the monarch's arms, and their qualities are evident. It is not wise to place trust in the words of minor officials and criticize the ministers. Moreover, the crafts produced by the Shangfang and the poems from Hongdu can be temporarily curtailed to show your concern for the country and the people. The Book of Poetry says, "Fear the wrath of heaven and do not indulge in play." The warning from heaven should not be taken lightly! The filial and virtuous officials are the elite among scholars. Recently, due to the careless selection of officials, the Three Dukes received severe reprimands, and now some small articles are being used for unconventional selection, which opens a backdoor and undermines the system of a wise ruler. Everyone feels uncomfortable but dares not speak up. I hope Your Majesty can exercise restraint and decisively stop this phenomenon, giving serious thought to national affairs and responding to the expectations of heaven. Since the Holy Dynasty strictly demands itself, the close ministers should also follow suit. If everyone restrains themselves, disaster signs will be blocked, the heavenly balance will be restored, and the spirits will bless the humble. I am foolish and reckless, grateful and tearful, disregarding all dangers of violating taboos to write these words. If there is a lack of intimacy between the ruler and his subjects, there is a risk of leaking words above and losing personal safety below. I hope you will dispose of my memorial and not let loyal officials suffer from malicious retaliation.
The memorial was presented, and after the Emperor had finished reading it, he let out a sigh and then got up to change clothes. Cao Jie followed behind and sneaked a glance at it, thus leaking the information to the people around him. Those who had been dismissed by Du Yu were seething with anger, thinking about how to retaliate against him. Initially, Du Yu and Sima Liu He had a strained relationship. His uncle, Du Zhi, the Wei Wei, was at odds with the Grand Architect Yang Qiu. Yang Qiu was the son-in-law of the Central Attendant Cheng Huang, who promptly sent a memorial pleading with Liu He for leniency over personal matters. Liu He did not agree, and Du Yu held a grudge and wanted to take revenge on Liu He. As a result, the Emperor ordered the Ministry of Appointments to summon Du Yu for an inquiry. Du Yu drafted a memorial to explain:
I was summoned by the emperor to inquire about the issue concerning Grand Commandant Liu He. When Liu He was the Prefect of Ji'ning, my subordinate Zhang Wan took a hundred days off. Later, when Liu He became the Colonel of Retainers, he appointed Li Qi, an official from Henei commandery, as a scribe for the provincial administration. He also assisted the former Intendant of Henan, Yang Zhi, and the Attendant Officer Hu Muban with their tasks, but Liu He never utilized them, so these individuals held grudges against him. I was called in for questioning, terrified and feeling like my soul was about to leave my body, not knowing if I could survive. Upon careful consideration, I realized that Zhang Wan and Li Qi's leave had nothing to do with Yang Zhi and Hu Muban. The leaves of those minor officials were not a big deal to begin with. Yang Zhi and I are relatives; how could I possibly help him form a faction? If my son and I really wanted to frame each other, we would have directly reported to the court long ago and made our grievances clear. There is nothing going on in my family, yet suddenly these slanderous articles emerged against me. I should be investigated alongside Liu He to uncover the truth. Because of my knowledge, I have gained the emperor's favor and worked in the palace, with my identity well known to the emperor. In July this year, I was summoned to the Golden Chamber, where the emperor asked me about unusual occurrences and deliberately prompted me to speak. I am a simple man, only focused on loyalty and obedience, carrying out orders regardless of personal safety, so I criticized some ministers, including some favored officials. In fact, I intended to answer the emperor's questions to resolve the unusual occurrences and plan for the stability of the country. The emperor did not appreciate the frankness of loyal subjects, but instead suppressed my words, leading to increased slander and the emperor beginning to doubt me. Is there still a place for someone like me, devoted and dedicated? Every time the emperor issues an edict, all officials submit memorials, hoping to eliminate disasters and bring auspiciousness through reforms. However, those who dare to speak out not only do not receive recognition but also invite trouble. Now everyone remains silent, treating me as a cautionary tale; who else dares to be loyal to the emperor? My younger brother has been promoted several times and holds a high official position. I have also received the emperor's favor and have been summoned multiple times. Those who want to frame me are exploiting the relationship between my brother and me, trying to ruin our entire family. They are not interested in exposing wrongdoing or contributing to the country. I am now forty-six years old and alone; it would be an honor for me to die a loyal subject, but I am afraid the emperor will no longer hear words of loyalty. I am foolish and incompetent and should bear responsibility, but my brother has no knowledge of what I said before. I am old and gray, and now I find myself suddenly arrested; this is truly unjust and unbearably painful! Once I enter the prison, I will be subjected to torture and forced to confess. Will I even have a chance to explain then? My time of death is near, boldly presenting my grievances to the emperor. I hope to bear the blame myself, but I beg not to involve my brother, so he may have a chance to survive after my death. I only hope the emperor takes care of himself and considers the well-being of the people.
Wow, Yong got caught and thrown into the Luoyang prison. The charges were: forming cliques, plotting against high officials, and showing great disrespect to the emperor! The sentence was: death by beheading as a warning to others! This matter was reported to the emperor, and the eunuch Lü Qiang thought Yong was being treated unfairly, so he begged the emperor for mercy. The emperor also thought about the things Yong had written before, feeling a bit regretful, so he went easy on him and changed the sentence to one level lower, exiling him to the northern frontier, while warning that there would be no pardons in the future. Yang Qiu even sent hitmen to take Yong out on the way, but the hitmen were touched by Yong's character and didn't lay a hand on him. Yang Qiu also tried to poison Yong through officials he bribed, but those officials ended up telling Yong about the plot, so Yong kept dodging death every time. Eventually, Yong set up shop in Anyang County, Wuyuan Commandery.
When Yong was at the Dongguan Academy, he wrote the "Records of the Later Han" with Lu Zhi and Han Suo, but the book never got finished because of what happened later. Yong wrote a letter to the emperor, listing summaries of the ten completed parts and presenting it to the emperor. The emperor really appreciated his talent, and the next year during a big amnesty, Yong was pardoned and allowed to return to his hometown. From exile to return, it took a total of nine months. As he got close to home, the Prefect of Wuyuan, Wang Zhi, threw a farewell party. After having a bit too much to drink, Wang Zhi stood up to dance and asked Yong to join, but Yong ignored him. Wang Zhi, the younger brother of the eunuch Wang Fu, was usually arrogant and domineering, and losing face in front of guests really got under his skin, so he scolded Yong: "How dare you look down on me!" Yong, feeling insulted, left directly. Wang Zhi, feeling slighted, snitched to the higher-ups, accusing Yong of harboring resentment for his exile and slandering the court. The palace eunuchs who were in the emperor's good graces heard this and hated Yong even more. Realizing things were only going to get worse, Yong took off to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang area, where he crashed at the Tai family's place in Taishan for twelve years.
In Wu, a person used tong wood to cook. When Cai Yong heard the crackling of the burning wood, he knew it was good wood, so he asked the owner for the remaining wood to make a guqin. Sure enough, the sound of the guqin was beautiful, but the guqin still bore scorch marks on its tail, so people at the time referred to it as the "burnt-tail guqin." At that time, Cai Yong was in Chenliu. A neighbor invited Cai Yong to a feast, and when Cai Yong arrived, the banquet was already lively. A guest was playing the guqin behind a screen. Cai Yong approached the door and listened in quietly, saying, "Hey! Using music to entertain me, but it felt like there was a hidden menace; what's going on?" So he turned on his heel and walked away. The person who had invited Cai Yong informed the host about what happened, saying, "Mr. Cai came, but left at the door." Cai Yong was well-respected in the village, so the host quickly caught up to ask why. Cai Yong explained the situation in detail, and everyone expressed their regret. The person playing the guqin said, "When I was plucking the strings just now, I saw a mantis facing a chirping cicada. The cicada was about to fly away but hadn't taken off yet; the mantis kept advancing and retreating. I was nervous, worried the mantis might miss the cicada. How can you say that the murderous intent was shown in the sound of the guqin?" Cai Yong laughed heartily, "That explanation makes perfect sense."
In the sixth year of Zhongping, Emperor Ling of Han died. Dong Zhuo became the Minister of War. Hearing of Cai Yong's great reputation, he summoned him. Cai Yong declined on the grounds of illness. Dong Zhuo was furious and exclaimed, "I can wipe out entire families, yet Cai Yong dares to be so arrogant. I will not let him off easily!" He sternly ordered the various provinces to send Cai Yong to his residence. Cai Yong had no choice but to comply and was appointed as a ceremonial official, receiving high honors. Later, Cai Yong was promoted to a higher position, appointed as an Imperial Secretary, then transferred to Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, and subsequently promoted to a Minister. He was promoted three times within three days. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Ba County and retained as an attendant.
In the first year of Chuping, Cai Yong was appointed as the General of the Household on the Left and accompanied Emperor Xian to the new capital at Chang'an, being enfeoffed as the Marquis of Gaoyang Township.
Dong Zhuo's guests and subordinates wanted to elevate Dong Zhuo's status to that of Jiang Shang, the Grand Tutor of the Zhou dynasty, calling him "Shangfu." Dong Zhuo asked for Cai Yong's opinion, and Cai Yong said, "The Grand Tutor assisted the Zhou dynasty and was tasked with destroying the Shang dynasty, hence the title. While you are imposing and meritorious, I believe the timing isn't right yet for you to be called 'Shangfu.' You should first stabilize the eastern regions, then return the Emperor to the original capital, and only then consider this matter." Dong Zhuo followed his advice.
In the second year of Chuping in June, an earthquake occurred, and Dong Zhuo asked Cai Yong for the reason. Cai Yong replied, "The earthquake is caused by an excess of Yin energy overwhelming Yang energy, a disruption of the natural order caused by your subjects. During the early spring ritual to the heavens, you rode in a golden carriage adorned with green decorations that onlookers deemed too extravagant." Dong Zhuo then switched to a black carriage.
Dong Zhuo appreciated Cai Yong's talents, treated him kindly, and invited him to banquets where Cai Yong would play the qin to provide entertainment. Cai Yong always tried to advise him, but Dong Zhuo was too headstrong and seldom took his advice. Cai Yong told his younger brother Cai Gu, "Dong Zhuo is hot-tempered and stubborn; he will definitely come to a bad end! I want to flee to Yanzhou. If the journey is too long, I'll just hide out in Shandong and wait for a chance. What do you reckon?" Cai Gu replied, "Bro, you're too well-known; wherever you go, people will flock to you. It might be difficult to hide like that." After considering his brother's words, Cai Yong dropped the idea.
Later, Dong Zhuo was killed. Cai Yong was with Minister Wang Yun, feeling deeply sorrowful, his face betraying his grief. Wang Yun was furious and reprimanded him, saying, "Dong Zhuo was a traitor to the state, almost causing the downfall of the Han Dynasty! As a minister of the court, you should be united against him. Why do you still remember his past kindness to you and forget the righteousness of the country? Now that Dong Zhuo has been executed, you are so sorrowful; doesn't that make you a rebel like Dong Zhuo?" After speaking, he grabbed Cai Yong and handed him over to the court for trial. Cai Yong wrote a letter of apology, requesting that his head be tattooed and his feet be severed to complete the history of the Han Dynasty. Many scholars pleaded for him, but to no avail. General Ma Rixi hurried to Wang Yun and said, "Cai Bojie is a rare talent of the era, very knowledgeable about the history of the Han Dynasty. He should be allowed to continue completing the history of the Han Dynasty and become a model for future generations. Moreover, his reputation for loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness has always been good. The charges against him are vague. Killing him would surely alienate the people, wouldn't it?" Wang Yun said, "Emperor Wu of Han did not kill Sima Qian back then, and as a result, Sima Qian wrote 'Records of the Grand Historian,' which has been passed down through the ages. Now the country is in a state of decline, and the throne is not yet secure. We cannot let sycophants write history in the presence of the young emperor. This will do nothing to enhance the emperor's virtue and will only invite criticism for our colleagues." Ma Rixi went back and told others, "If the Lord does this, I'm afraid it won't last long. Good people are the foundation of the country; historical records are the model of the country. Destroying the foundation and abolishing the model, can it last long?" Cai Yong ultimately perished in prison. Wang Yun later regretted it, but it was too late to intervene. When Cai Yong died, he was sixty-one years old. Officials and Confucian scholars wept bitterly. Upon hearing the news, Zheng Xuan from Beihai sighed and said, "Who will preserve the history of the Han Dynasty?" People in Yanzhou and Chenliu areas all crafted portraits and erected monuments in his honor.
He wrote many works on the history of the Han Dynasty, but they were not included in subsequent historical texts. He also wrote "Ling Ji" and ten essays, supplemented with forty-two biographies. Unfortunately, due to the rebellion of Li Jue, many of these works were lost and did not endure. He left behind poems, essays, inscriptions, elegies, praises, connected writings, maxims, mourning texts, and discussions, along with "Du Duan," "Quan Xue," "Shi Hui," "Xu Le," "Nu Xun," "Zhuan Yi," congratulatory texts, chapter tables, and administrative documents, totaling one hundred and four pieces, which have been passed down to this day.
The aspirations and sentiments of this man are something a scholar can never forget. The decline of the nation is a profound sorrow shared by all who live. Imagine Cai Yong, arrested and shackled, exiled to a desolate place where he couldn't see the sun or moon, surrounded by swirling dust—how could he possibly find peace of mind? How could he not feel a profound discomfort compared to those who were safe and sound? Even after his punishment was lifted, he had to constantly flee, hiding in rivers and lakes, unsure of his whereabouts; even if he quickly ran into the deep mountains and forests, he worried about not being able to hide his whereabouts. His only wish was to return home and be buried beside his ancestors. Can this wish be fulfilled? When Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he quickly summoned Cai Yong, claiming to promote him, but in reality, he made his life difficult at every turn, causing him to move houses several times in just a few days. Despite Cai Yong's best efforts to advise him, Dong Zhuo's tyranny only escalated, and he could only survive by relying on the reputation he gained in his early years in "Tongren," as well as the appreciation he later received from Beisou. He received favor on numerous occasions; did that mean he had no worries? Even a gentleman may be spared punishment for his misdeeds; how much more so when national laws are rushed into effect without proper consideration? The ruler held old grudges against Cai Yong for having written criticisms of the court in his youth, and he ultimately had him executed. This kind of action has no precedent in history! Praise: Ji Chang (Cai Yong's courtesy name) from the Qi family, known for his exceptional talent and bold character. He was well-versed in rituals and regulations and excelled in music and dance. He boldly criticized the powerful, traveled between the north and south, allied himself with Liang Ji, and later embraced Dong Zhuo, ultimately leading to his damaged reputation and fall from grace.
