Li Gu, styled Zi Jian, was from Nanzheng in Hanzhong, the son of Si Tu He. His father's achievements are documented in the "Records of Techniques." Li Gu was remarkably distinctive, with dragon-like horns atop his head, akin to those in legends, and feet resembling the patterns of a turtle shell. He loved learning from a young age, often walking thousands of miles to visit teachers, demonstrating exceptional dedication! Later, he extensively read various books and made friends with many talented individuals. Aspiring youths from all over the country admired him greatly, flocking to him for guidance. In the capital at that time, people marveled, "He is truly a replica of Li Gong (Li Gu's father)!" The Chief of the Imperial Guards and the Governor of Yizhou both recommended him as a Filial and Honest individual, and even wanted him to serve as Minister of Works, but he respectfully declined.
In the second year of Yangjia, a series of unusual events unfolded, including earthquakes, landslides, and fires. Court officials recommended Li Gu to draft proposals addressing these issues, and the Emperor specifically inquired about the prevalent social issues and effective governance methods. Li Gu replied:
I have heard that emperors ought to regard their subjects as a father would, just as the earth nurtures all life, with mountains and rivers as its treasures. If the righteous path is followed properly, yin and yang will be harmonious, and political affairs will be clear; if governance falters, disasters such as earthquakes may ensue. All of this relates to the will of heaven and reflects the outcomes of governance. Effective governance relies on officials diligently performing their duties, and the advancement of officials hinges on their capabilities and accomplishments. In ancient times, officials were elevated based on virtue and destiny; today, promotions hinge solely on talent and capability.
I heard that the emperor's edict emphasized kindness and detested cruelty. But now, many local officials commit murder and arson to gain fame, and instead of facing punishment, they are promoted and rewarded. Those officials who are kind, gentle, and do not form cliques are often marginalized and suppressed. Therefore, the atmosphere of simplicity and honesty is not fostered, and the atmosphere of extravagance and corruption remains unchanged. What good are severe laws and punishments? Emperor Xiao'an altered the traditional system by elevating his mother to the rank of queen, which resulted in the Xue Nü Incident and enabled Fan Feng and others to wield power irresponsibly, infringing on imperial authority, altering the line of succession, and putting the emperor in great danger.
Later, the emperor overcame the crisis, ascended the throne, and the people looked forward to new, effective governance. After years of accumulated issues, it was easier to steer towards revitalization, and the emperor should seriously consider how to implement good governance. However, some still claim that things are no different now than they were before. I am filled with anxiety and restlessness.
In fact, since the establishment of the Han Dynasty over 300 years ago, there have been eighteen emperors who were wise and virtuous. Did they not honor their biological mothers? Did they forget their mothers' contributions and noble status? Yet they all held a deep respect for heavenly authority, studied the classics seriously, and knew that it was wrong to do so, so they did not make their mothers queens. While Empress Song has indeed made significant contributions and possesses admirable virtues, rewarding her adequately acknowledges her hard work; however, granting land and establishing kingdoms would indeed violate the old system.
I’ve heard that Empress Song is humble and would surely decline. The emperor should permit her to relinquish the honor of queenship and allow her to enjoy her later years in peace.
"Your Majesty, very few concubines and noble families in the palace end up well. This isn't just a matter of fate. Mainly because of their noble status and great power, it's like how the heavens dislike excess. They ultimately face misfortune because they don't know how to restrain themselves. The late emperor favored the Yan family above all, and thus they quickly faced retribution. As Laozi said, 'Those who advance swiftly retreat just as quickly.' Now the Liang family has become the queen's family of origin, enjoying the honor of the royal family, which is understandable. However, their relatives and nephews also share in the benefits; their status and titles are rising, and things weren't this exaggerated during the Yongping and Jianchu eras! I believe we should have Infantry Colonel Ji and those attendants return to their roles as imperial guards, reclaim power from the relatives, and wouldn't it be better for the country to reclaim political control? Your Majesty has also issued a decree prohibiting the children of central officials, like attendants and secretaries, from holding official positions or being recommended for filial piety and integrity. This is due to their reliance on the power of their relatives, making them susceptible to favoritism and corruption. However, the eunuchs are always by the emperor's side, wielding significant influence, and their children can easily secure good official positions without restrictions. Even though they seem humble and unobtrusive, and refrain from interfering in local affairs, those who flatter them will eagerly push for their children to be recommended. Now, a precedent should be set to impose similar limits on the children of eunuchs."
Princess Guantao once sought an official position for her son. However, Emperor Ming did not agree and only rewarded her with a large sum of money. The emperor values positions more than rewards because the abuse of an official position can harm the people. I have heard that officials like Sima Wuxuan from Changshui and Hou Yangdi from Kaiyang lacked any merit, yet they were immediately appointed to important positions. While these may seem like minor errors, they can gradually undermine ancestral traditions. We must strictly adhere to the laws set by the late emperor. If governance and education fall out of line, it may take a century to restore order. As the Book of Songs states, "When the upper beam is crooked, the people will surely suffer."
Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel is as vital as the North Star. The North Star controls the vitality and harmonizes the four seasons, while the Ministry of Personnel is responsible for conveying your orders and governing the country, with great power and heavy responsibility. If the officials in the Ministry of Personnel act unjustly, disaster will follow. Thus, you must carefully choose capable individuals to help govern the nation effectively. The officials aiding you in governance—nobles and ministers outside, eunuchs and palace attendants within—are like family. Everyone works together, enjoying prosperity in good times and bearing the consequences together in bad times.
Provincial governors and county magistrates are responsible for implementing government affairs outside while adhering to the court's laws and regulations inside. This is akin to a tree trunk bending, causing the branches to twist; when the roots of a tree are disturbed, all its branches will be affected. As the Book of Songs puts it, "Gently shake it, and nothing remains undisturbed." This means that internal changes will affect the external.
Therefore, how can the imperial decree be ambiguous? If there is a loophole, malicious individuals will have bad intentions; if there is a slight competition for interests, benevolence, righteousness, and moral principles will be undermined. The penal code will lose its authority, and the moral education of the people will gradually decline. This is a critical matter concerning the stability of the realm, and it is also the most urgent task at hand. Your Majesty, you should open the stone chamber of the imperial library, take out various books, gather a group of Confucian scholars, seek their insights on the current state of affairs, analyze the changing phenomena, and seek the will of heaven. If their insights are sound, you should implement them without delay, promote talented individuals, and commend their merits. In this way, you can hear various opinions, and loyal subjects can fully demonstrate their abilities.
You should also abolish the power of eunuchs, leaving only two upright and virtuous attendants to handle affairs by your side, and leaving five talented and gentle court attendants to serve in the palace. This way, those who spread malicious gossip will be silenced, and a peaceful and prosperous era will come. I take the liberty of offering this counsel because I hope that heaven will allow me to remind you. Your Majesty, I urge you to reflect on my words and grant me your forgiveness.
Emperor Shun read his memorial and adopted many suggestions. Those attendants all confessed and bowed their heads in guilt, and the court suddenly became quiet. He was eventually appointed as a councilor. However, because the eunuchs envied his honesty and frankness, they fabricated memorials to frame him, resulting in a stalemate. Minister of Agriculture Huang Shang and others interceded with Grand General Liang Shang on his behalf, and Minister Huang Qiong also spoke up for him. It was only after a long time that he was appointed as a councilor.
I was appointed as the governor of Guanghan County. When I arrived at Baishuiguan, I removed my official seal and returned to Hanzhong, shutting myself away from visitors and turning a blind eye to worldly matters. A year later, Liang Shang invited me to serve as a subordinate official. Liang Shang's father had assisted the court, so he was relatively mild-mannered and cautious. He was unable to restore order to the court; disasters continued to occur one after another, and power continued to decline. I initially hoped Liang Shang would first restore integrity and act with humility and caution. Therefore, I submitted a memorial: The "Spring and Autumn Annals" praises Yi Fu for opening the path of justice and condemns Wu Hai for blocking the path of greed. When the path of justice is blocked, the path of greed opens, while the path of justice is blocked. Previously, Emperor Xiaohan appointed people like Bo Rong and Fan Feng, and entrusted people like Zhou Guang and Xie Yun. They opened the door to bribery, and the people appointed were all unqualified. The people were in a state of panic, and there was widespread discontent. When the court was first established, it was relatively quiet, but after a few years, it began to decline. Those who attached themselves to the powerful were promoted daily, while those who adhered to the right path were impoverished. The court had no means to change this situation or foster a new climate. Furthermore, the emperor had ruled for over a decade without naming an heir. The court officials were eagerly awaiting one. One could order the harem to select concubines widely and also choose some low-born but suitable women for childbirth to serve the emperor and comply with the will of heaven. If a prince is born, let the mother nurse him personally, without handing him over to nurses or doctors, to avoid repeating the mistakes made with Feiyan.
General Ming, your position is esteemed, and you should be concerned about the world, uphold frugality, and set an example for all. However, you have been indulging in extravagant construction of ancestral shrines, squandering vast amounts of money. This is not a practice that demonstrates virtue and frugality! In recent years, disasters have been frequent, with prolonged droughts and gloomy, oppressive weather; there might be sinister plots brewing in the palace. Confucius said: "The wise consider punishment upon seeing changes, the foolish cover up the truth upon seeing strange things." Heaven's will is merciless, and we should fear it. Recently, a lunar eclipse occurred near the Duan Gate; the moon represents ministers, and high positions are often lonely. When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes, and the sun moves west at noon—these are all natural laws. The way of heaven and earth favors humility and shuns grandeur, so wise men will retire after achieving success, preserving their reputation, prolonging their lives, without any worries.
If you can reform the court and uphold the right path, you will be remembered in history like Bo Chengzhi himself, leaving behind an immortal reputation. How can you be compared to those who cling to the powerful and chase after wealth? Although I am foolish and do not understand the greater principles of life, I know that even a small kindness deserves repayment, let alone the kindness I have received from you. How can I disappoint your expectations!
In the end, Liang Shang did not accept my suggestion. During the Yonghe era, banditry had plagued Jingzhou for several years without being quelled. The court sent Du Gu to serve as the governor of Jingzhou. Upon his arrival, Du Gu sent people to comfort the common people and offered amnesty to former criminals, giving them a chance at redemption. Consequently, the bandit leader Xia Mi surrendered with over 600 of his men. Du Gu did not kill any of them; he released them all and even had them persuade other bandits to surrender, demonstrating the court's authority. Within six months, the remaining bandits surrendered, bringing peace to Jingzhou.
Later, Du Gu submitted a report accusing Nanyang Prefect Gao Ci and others of corruption and bribery. Gao Ci and the others were afraid of punishment, so they pooled their resources to bribe General Liang Ji handsomely. Liang Ji sent official edicts from a distance to block Du Gu, but Du Gu stayed firm in his stance. Liang Ji had no choice but to transfer Du Gu to be the Prefect of Mount Tai. At that time, there were many bandits on Mount Tai, and for several years, the county had over a thousand soldiers who had been unsuccessfully trying to capture them. After arriving at Mount Tai, Du Gu disbanded the soldiers, sending them home to farm, leaving only over a hundred soldiers willing to fight, and then employed a mix of incentives and penalties to pacify the bandits. In less than a year, the bandits on Mount Tai had vanished entirely.
Afterwards, Du Gu was promoted to the position of Grand Architect, and he wrote to the court, noting: I have heard that only those of noble character can attain divinity, and only those of noble character can become virtuous talents. Those who cultivate their health regard the cultivation of the divine as a treasure, and those who govern the country regard the accumulation of virtuous talents as the proper way. In the past, the State of Qin wanted to attack the State of Chu, but Prince Yu of Chu set up an altar at the west gate, displaying many famous ministers, which terrified the Qin envoys, leading them to abandon their plans for military action. Marquis Wen of Wei honored Bu Zixia and befriended Tian Zifang and Duangan Mu, so a large number of talents competed to join him, and his reputation eclipsed that of Duke Huan of Qi. Qin did not even dare to spy on Xihe, all thanks to the advantages gained from nurturing virtuous talents!
Your Majesty, you have rectified the chaos and ascended to the throne. From the very beginning, you appointed Fan Ying from Nanyang, Huang Qiong from Jiangxia, Yang Hou from Guanghan, and He Chun from Kuaiji. You wrote letters to them expressing your appreciation and granted them the position of official. Therefore, talented individuals who had been living in seclusion in the mountains and forests all came out joyfully, wanting to serve the court, and the whole country gladly embraced your virtuous rule. After Yang Hou and the others took office, although they did not have any particularly outstanding achievements, they worked diligently every day, focused on the affairs of the state. When I was in Jingzhou before, I heard that Yang Hou and He Chun had resigned and returned home due to illness. I truly felt regret, thinking that it was a great loss for the country to lose such talents. One day in court, I saw that all the attendants were very young, with no respected elders to consult with, which was quite lamentable! Yang Hou and the others should be summoned back to meet everyone's expectations. Huang Qiong has been serving as a counselor for ten years, and everyone finds it strange why he was promoted in the first place, only to be left idle now. Zhou Ju, the Guanglu Daifu, possesses outstanding abilities and noble character, and he should be appointed as changbo to listen to his opinions more. The attendant Du Qiao is knowledgeable and upright, a commendable official of his time, but has been bedridden for a long time at home. He should be ordered to return to duty. I also suggested Yang Lun from Chenliu, Yin Cun from Henan, Wang Yun from Dongping, He Lin from Chenguo, and Fang Zhi from Qinghe. That day, a decree was issued summoning Yang Lun, Yang Hou, and others, and to promote Huang Qiong and Zhou Ju, appointing Zhou Ju as the Minister of Agriculture.
First, Zhou and his eight envoys went to investigate across the country, reporting a large number of people, including even relatives of some eunuchs. These eunuchs pleaded for leniency, and the emperor ordered that no further investigations would be pursued. Also, those officials previously appointed directly to the Three Departments and the Ministry of Works did so without any examinations. Consequently, Gu and the Minister of Justice, Wu Xiong, jointly submitted a memorial to the emperor, stating that those identified by the eight envoys should be punished promptly; the selection and appointment of officials should be entrusted to the relevant departments. The emperor listened to their advice and ordered the dismissal of the governors and officials of the 2,000-stone rank recommended by the eight envoys. Since then, the practice of directly appointing officials decreased, and the emperor harshly criticized the Three Dukes, demanding they conduct thorough evaluations of officials. The court officials believed they had acted correctly. Later, Gu and the Grandee Liu Xuan jointly submitted another memorial, saying, "Recently, many local officials selected are not suitable candidates; they act recklessly and oppress the populace. Unnecessary leisure activities should be prohibited to ensure they focus on governance." The emperor accepted their recommendations and ordered each province to impeach incompetent officials. If officials govern poorly and treat the populace harshly, they will be dismissed; if they commit serious crimes, they will be handed over to the courts.
When Emperor Chong ascended the throne, he appointed Gu Dang as the Grand Marshal and allowed him and Liang Ji to handle the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat. The following year, Emperor Chong died. Empress Liang was worried about the powerful bandit forces in the Yang and Xu regions, fearing they might take advantage of the situation to cause chaos. She instructed the Court Eunuchs to issue orders to Gu and others, intending to wait for the arrival of various princes and nobles before announcing the funeral. Gu replied, "Although the Emperor was young, he was still the father of the nation. His death today will cause sorrow among both mortals and deities. How can we conceal it from the people? When Qin Shi Huang died at Shaqiu, Hu Hai and Zhao Gao concealed it, ultimately leading to the death of Fu Su and the downfall of the country. Recently, when the Marquis of Beixiang passed away, Yan Hou's brothers and Jiang Jing conspired to conceal it, resulting in the murder committed by Sun Cheng. This is a grave taboo and must not be allowed!" Empress Liang listened to his words and announced the funeral that same night.
At that time, Prince Liu Suan of Qinghe was elderly and esteemed. He sought to be made Emperor. He said to Liang Ji, "To choose an Emperor, we need someone who is old, wise, virtuous, and capable of handling political affairs on their own! General, you must give this careful consideration. Think about how Zhou Bo and Huo Guang chose Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuan, and do not forget the lessons from Deng Yu and Yan Zhong’s errors in selecting a young Emperor!" Liang Ji did not listen and instead appointed Prince Liu Zuan of Le'an, who was just eight years old, as Emperor Han Zhi.
At that time, Emperor Han Chong was preparing to go to the Northern Beibu Mountain Mausoleum. Liu Gu proposed, "Nowadays there are thieves everywhere, and fighting costs double. If the new mausoleum is robbed by thieves, it will be a big trouble! The emperor is still young, so why not build a mausoleum near the Xianling Mausoleum, following the standards of the Kangling? This way, the construction costs can be reduced by at least one third!" Everyone thought Liu Gu's suggestion made sense, so they adopted it. At that time, the Empress Dowager, having faced consecutive setbacks, relinquished all power to the regent. The Empress Dowager basically listened to Liu Gu's suggestions, even cleaning out a number of eunuchs and court officials. The people across the country believed that peaceful times were ahead. However, Liang Ji was ruthless and paranoid, and he and Liu Gu were constantly at odds, with a very strained relationship. During the earlier reign of Emperor Shun, he often promoted officials irregularly. After Liu Gu took office, he requested the dismissal of hundreds of officials. The dismissed officials harbored resentment and hoped that Liang Ji could support them, so they conspired to write an anonymous memorial accusing Liu Gu of committing crimes, claiming that... I've heard that a monarch who neglects ancient classics cannot align with the will of heaven; if a subject does not tell historical stories, he cannot serve the monarch. After Emperor Yao passed away, Emperor Shun mourned him for three years, feeling as if he could see Emperor Yao in the walls and in his meals. This illustrates that Emperor Shun earnestly sought to emulate Emperor Yao's filial piety, never forgetting the responsibilities of a subject.
However, General Li Guo is someone who blurs the lines between public and private affairs. He appears upright on the surface, but in reality, he is engaged in dishonest activities, driving a wedge between the emperor and his relatives, and elevating his own faction. Everyone he promotes is one of his former subordinates; those he recruits and appoints are all his old friends. Some got their positions because of their wealthy families, while others were there thanks to their connections with Li Guo. In total, he’s installed forty-nine people in official positions! He also brings in thugs from the streets to serve as minor officials, scours everywhere for good horses and tries them out right under the window. He makes quite an entrance, with a flashy parade of carriages and horses, shining like the sun. When the emperor's funeral procession passed by, bystanders wept and mourned, but Li Guo put on a show of indifference, scratching his head, lounging one minute and standing the next, strolling around like he didn’t have a care in the world. Even before the emperor's tomb was completed, he went against previous policies, taking credit for the good stuff and pinning the blame on the emperor for the bad, ostracizing and suppressing his close attendants, not allowing them to attend the funeral. Acting like a tyrant and flaunting his arrogance, he was the most brazen of them all. I have heard that helping the emperor is a huge responsibility, affecting the rise and fall of the country. If the court is in chaos and evil prevails, the general should take the heat. After Li Guo took office, the southeast turned into a total mess, with several provinces left in ruins, and countless people were suffering, and social order fell apart. Yet he badmouthed the late emperor and reveled in his own arrogance. He puts on a front of loyalty, but he’s all lies. The worst thing a son can do is drag his father down, and the worst thing a subject can do is badmouth the emperor. Li Guo deserves to be put to death for his crimes! I wrote up a memorial laying all this out, hoping to let the empress dowager know and get him punished. But the empress dowager didn’t listen, and he got away with it.
The Governor of Jizhou was afraid that the emperor was clever and would become a threat in the future, so he had his subordinates poison the emperor. The emperor's condition was very serious, and he urgently summoned Li Gu. After Li Gu entered the palace, he asked, "Your Majesty, how did you get sick?" The emperor managed to speak and replied, "I ate a cooked cake; now my stomach is uncomfortable, but I might still survive if I can drink some water." At this time, the Governor of Jizhou was also present, saying, "I'm afraid he will vomit; he cannot drink water." Before the emperor could finish his words, he passed away. Li Gu wept over the emperor's body and suggested a doctor to attend to him. The Governor of Jizhou, fearing exposure, was furious.
So they began discussing the issue of appointing a successor. Li Gu brought in the Minister of Works, Hu Guang, and the Minister of Ceremonies, Zhao Jie, and first wrote a letter to the Governor of Jizhou:
Alas, our nation has fallen on hard times, facing a series of disasters. The Empress Dowager is wise and virtuous, guiding the court with her insight. The General is loyal and filial, caring for the country and the people. However, in recent years, the country has suffered three major blows in succession. Now, the appointment of the new emperor is crucial for the nation's future! I know that both you and the General are very concerned and will surely consider carefully when choosing a successor, striving to select a wise emperor. However, I have a lingering concern and can't help but say a few more words. I have thoroughly examined historical cases of deposing emperors, studied the recent cases of abdication, and extensively sought the opinions of the court ministers, hoping to select an emperor who is both in line with the will of heaven and the hearts of the people. Furthermore, since the Yongchu period, there have been many mistakes in the court, with earthquakes, palace fires, and comet appearances; these calamities indicate that the General has been careless in his appointments! The ancients said, "It is easy to hand over the world to others, but it is difficult to find the right person for the world!" When King Changyi ascended the throne, the court became increasingly chaotic, and Huo Guang was deeply worried, full of regret and even unbearable pain. If it weren't for the Marquis of Bolu and the Marquis of Yannian bravely speaking out, the Han Dynasty's prosperity would have been lost! This matter is of great importance, and we must consider it carefully! All things in the world, this is the most important; the fate of our nation hinges on this one decision!
I wrote to the Grand Marshal, so he summoned the Three Dukes, officials of the second rank and above, and marquises to discuss the matter of establishing a successor. The Grand Tutor Chen Dan, Grand Commandant Hu Guang, Minister Over the Masses Zhao Jie, and Grand Herald Du Qiao all believed that Prince of Qinghe, Liu Suande, had noble conduct, a far-reaching reputation, and was the most distinguished among the imperial relatives, so he should be designated as the heir. Previously, Marquis of Liwu, Liu Zhi, wanted to marry the Grand Marshal's younger sister, who was in the capital at the time. The Grand Marshal wanted to appoint him as emperor. However, opinions were divided, which left the Grand Marshal feeling displeased, but he couldn't counter their arguments. When Palace Attendant Cao Teng and others caught wind of it, they went to persuade the Grand Marshal in the middle of the night, saying, "General, your family has been intermarried with the imperial family for generations, and now you hold great power in court, with many guests, inevitably leading to potential missteps. Prince of Qinghe is cautious. If he becomes emperor, you will soon be in trouble. It's better to appoint Marquis of Liwu, so that you can have long-lasting wealth and prosperity." The Grand Marshal was swayed by their words and convened the ministers again the next day. The Grand Marshal was imposing and spoke with authority, intimidating Hu Guang, Zhao Jie, and the other ministers, who all complied readily, saying, "We will follow the Grand Marshal's arrangements." Only Chen Dan and Du Qiao stuck to their original stance. The Grand Marshal roared, "Dismissed!" Chen Dan, seeing that no one supported him, still clung to a shred of hope and tried to rely on the strength of the people by writing another letter to persuade the Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal became even angrier, so he had the Empress Dowager remove Chen Dan from his position and ultimately appointed Marquis of Liwu as emperor, who would later be known as Emperor Huan of Han.
A few years later, Liu Wen from Ganling and Liu Wei from Weijun both wanted to support Liu Suan in becoming emperor. Liang Ji took this opportunity to accuse Li Gu of spreading rumors and causing trouble with Liu Wen and Liu Wei, leading to Li Gu being imprisoned. Li Gu's student, Wang Diao from Bo Hai, wrote a letter in shackles to prove Li Gu's innocence; Zhao Cheng from Hei Nei and several others also went to the palace gates with shovels to protest. The Empress Dowager realized the truth and pardoned Li Gu. When Li Gu was released from prison, the common people in the capital erupted in cheers. Upon hearing this news, Liang Ji was terrified that Li Gu's reputation and integrity would eventually harm him, so he fabricated evidence from the past and ultimately had Li Gu killed. Li Gu was fifty-four at the time.
Before his death, Li Gu wrote a letter to Hu Guang and Zhao Jie, saying: "I have received great favor from the court, so I have devoted myself to assisting the court with all my heart, no matter the cost, and have always wanted to support the royal family, hoping to be like Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuan. I never imagined the Liang clan could be so misguided, and you blindly followed along, turning good into bad and success into failure! The decline of the Han Dynasty begins now! You receive high salaries from the court, yet you stand by as the court collapses without offering support. How can future honest historians look favorably upon you? Although I have died, I have no regrets in my heart. What else is there to say?" Hu Guang and Zhao Jie, upon receiving the letter, were filled with sorrow and regret, both sighed and wept.
The authorities captured Li Gu's two sons, Li Ji and Li Zi, who both died in prison; the youngest son, Li Xie, escaped and became a fugitive. Liang Ji rewarded Hu Guang and Zhao Jie, then displayed Li Gu's body in the bustling district, and ordered that anyone who dared to pay their respects would be punished. Guo Liang, a student of Li Gu and a native of Runan, was only in his teens at the time and studying in Luoyang. He held a talisman in his left hand and a shovel in his right hand, ran to the palace gate, and requested to collect Li Gu's body. When he was denied, he went there to mourn, explained his reasons before Li Gu's body, and then stayed there without leaving. The Xia gatekeeper reprimanded him, saying, "Both Li Gu and Du Shi are court officials who cannot be content with their duties, loyal to the court, and instead act recklessly. You, a so-called scholar, dare to defy the emperor's orders and want to test the power of the government?" Guo Liang said, "I was born to uphold the principles of Yin and Yang and adhere to the laws of nature. For the sake of justice, why would I care about my own life and death? Why use death to scare me?" The gatekeeper sighed, "In this vast world, we dare not disobey. We can only obey orders and be cautious in our words and actions!" The Empress Dowager, upon hearing this, did not kill him. Dong Ban, a man from Nanyang, also went to mourn for Li Gu and stayed with the body without leaving. The Empress Dowager took pity on them and allowed them to take care of Li Gu's burial. Guo Liang and Dong Ban gained recognition because of this, and all three top officials of the court came to call for them. Dong Ban later went into hiding, and no one knew where he had gone.
Mr. Li Gu has written eleven pieces including memorials, essays, policy discussions, records, and inscriptions. His students, including Zhao Cheng, were deeply saddened, so they jointly compiled Mr. Li Gu's words and deeds into a biography called "Virtue." Li Xie, styled De Gong. After Mr. Li Gu's dismissal, he foresaw that he would inevitably encounter disaster, so he sent his three sons back to his hometown first. Li Xie was just thirteen then. His sister Wen Ji married the county magistrate Zhao Boying, who was wise and capable. Seeing her two brothers return home, she understood what was really happening and quietly lamented, "The Li family is going to perish! Since the time of our ancestors, our family has accumulated virtue and done good deeds, generation after generation being benevolent. How could it come to this?" She secretly conspired with her brothers to hide Li Xie, claiming to the outside world that he had returned to the capital, and everyone believed it.
Not long after, disaster did come. The county was after Mr. Li Gu's three sons. The two brothers were captured, and Wen Ji sought out her father's student, Wang Cheng, saying, "Sir, you have always upheld justice and followed the example of ancient loyalists. I'm counting on you to help this six-foot-tall orphan. The survival of the Li family depends on you!" Moved by her bravery, Wang Cheng took Li Xie and fled to Jiangnan by boat. When they arrived in Xuzhou, Li Xie changed his name, worked as a hotel servant, while Wang Cheng worked as a fortune teller at the market. They lived under different identities, secretly staying in touch.
During his time working at the hotel, Li Xie was diligent and eager to learn. The hotel owner recognized his exceptional qualities and decided to marry his daughter to him. Li Xie focused on studying the Confucian classics. Over a decade later, Liang Ji was executed, and various disasters followed one after another. The following year, the historian proposed that an amnesty be declared and that the descendants of the wrongfully executed ministers be reinstated. Therefore, the court declared a general amnesty and initiated a search for the descendants of Li Gu. Li Xie told the hotel owner about his background, and the hotel owner prepared a generous carriage to send him back, but he declined the offer. Finally, he returned to his hometown to mourn his father. When the siblings reunited, their grief was palpable. Afterwards, the sister warned Li Xie, "Our father was upright and loyal to the Han dynasty, but he suffered from the chaos of the court and the cruelty of Liang Ji, leading to the decline of our family. Now that you have survived, isn’t this a blessing from above? You should keep to yourself and avoid casual interactions with others, and never say a word to the Liang family. If you speak to the Liang family, it could implicate the emperor and bring disaster upon us. You must simply bear this burden yourself." Li Xie earnestly followed his sister's teachings. Later, Wang Cheng passed away, and Li Xie gave him a proper burial in accordance with tradition, grateful for his past kindness, and offered sacrifices to him as a guest on every holiday. I received invitations from many regions to take up official positions, and four departments simultaneously sent me letters of appointment, but I turned them all down. Later, I was summoned to become a councilor. After I became an official, I have always been upright and incorruptible, always recognizing the strengths of others in my dealings and helping them achieve good deeds. At that time, Xun Shuang and Jia Biao of Yingchuan, although both famous, were not on good terms. I managed to maintain good relationships with both of them simultaneously, and everyone remarked on my fairness.
During the reign of Emperor Ling, I was appointed as the Governor of Anping. Previously, Prince Anping was captured by the rebel soldiers of Zhang Jiao, and the court paid a hefty ransom to secure Prince Anping's release. The court was considering restoring his fiefdom. I submitted a memorial stating, "Prince Anping had no achievements in his fiefdom and was captured by rebel troops. He was unfit to be a vassal prince, which damaged the court's reputation. His fiefdom should not be restored." At that time, many people had different opinions, but Prince Anping's fiefdom was still restored. Because I criticized the royal relatives, I was demoted to Left Colonel. Less than a year later, Prince Anping was killed for misconduct, and I was appointed as an Adviser. People in the capital would say, "His father refused to support the emperor, and his son refused to support the prince."
Later, I was promoted to the position of Intendant of Henan. At that time, many officials were climbing the ranks through bribery, and the court ordered the allocation of three billion coins to Xiyuan. I submitted a heartfelt petition advising against it, and the emperor finally relented. Previously, Zhen Shao of Yingchuan flattered Liang Ji and became a magistrate in Ye. A person of the same age as him offended Liang Ji and fled to Zhen Shao, who pretended to offer him refuge but secretly tipped off Liang Ji, which resulted in the person's capture and execution. Zhen Shao was to be promoted to a county governor. When his mother died, he shockingly buried her body in the stable, accepted the appointment first, and then handled the funeral. On his way back to Luoyang, I ran into him and ordered the soldiers to throw his carriage into a ditch, gave him a severe beating, and wrote "flattering the powerful, betraying friends, corrupt practices, mistreating mother" on his back before I reported him and filed charges. As a result, Zhen Shao was dismissed from office and imprisoned for life. I served as Intendant of Henan for two years before I passed away, and people back then admired my loyalty and integrity, expressing great regret.
Du Qiao, courtesy name Shu Rong, was a native of Hanoi Commandery in Linluo County. When he was young, he was a scholar and passed the examinations for filial piety, and was appointed as an official by the Minister of Works, Yang Zhen. He gradually rose through the ranks, becoming the Prefect of Nan Commandery, then transferred to Donghai as the Governor, and finally promoted to the Palace Attendant.
In the year 168 AD, Qiao Xuan was appointed as the Grand Master of the Household and sent to inspect Yanzhou. In his memorial, he noted that the Prefect of Mount Tai, Li Gu, was the best official in the land, while the Prefect of Chenliu, Liang Rang, the Prefect of Jiyin, Sigong, the Chancellor of Jibei, Cui Yuan, and others, their offenses exceeded ten million coins. Liang Rang was the uncle of the Grand General Liang Ji, while Sigong and Cui Yuan were close associates of Liang Ji. After Qiao Xuan returned from his inspection, he was appointed as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and later promoted to the Grand Minister of Agriculture.
At that time, the five sons of Liang Ji and several eunuchs, who had no merit, were all granted titles. Qiao Xuan submitted a memorial offering counsel, saying, "Your Majesty, when you rose from the prince's rebellion to the throne, heaven and the people are watching your intentions, and the fate of the country relies on you. If you do not first reward loyal and virtuous officials, but instead bestow titles and positions on those around you, this will harm the good and encourage evil, allowing villains and flatterers to gain power. I have heard that wise rulers of old rewarded and punished according to merit; while in the end of an era, a foolish ruler killed and rewarded out of selfishness. Now, the Liang clan and those eunuchs, none of them have merit but all wear official hats, seizing the land of those who have merit. This chaos is beyond description! Meritorious deeds go unrewarded, and good deeds go unrecognized; villains are not punished, and evildoers become more brazen. Therefore, despite having a lot of wealth, people are not afraid; despite having many titles, people have no motivation. If this continues, it will not only damage governance and cause chaos, but it may also lead to the downfall of the country. Should we not be cautious?" The memorial was submitted but went unheeded.
The Governor of Yizhou, Zhong Gao, accused Liu Junshi, the Governor of Yongchang, of bribing Liang Ji with a gold snake. After the matter was exposed, the gold snake was sent to the Ministry of Agriculture. Liang Ji wanted to borrow it from Qiao Xuan for a look, which caused Liang Ji to hold a grudge against him. Qiao Xuan was later promoted to Grand Minister. Once, Liang Ji's youngest daughter died, and he ordered all court officials to attend the funeral service. Only Qiao Xuan failed to attend, which made Liang Ji resent him even more.
Guanglu Xun ascended to an official position. In the first year of Jianhe, he replaced Hu Guang as the Grand Commandant. Emperor Huan wanted to marry Liang Ji's sister, and Liang Ji wanted to offer many gifts to arrange the marriage. Qiao Xuan insisted on sticking to tradition and refused. Liang Ji also wanted Qiao Xuan to promote Sigong as a secretary, but Qiao Xuan discovered Sigong's clear criminal record and firmly refused to promote him, which resulted in a heated argument with Liang Ji. Previously, Li Gu was dismissed from office, leaving both the court and the public in despair. Only Qiao Xuan had the courage to boldly uphold his position. Therefore, the whole country admired him, and everyone hoped that he could achieve something. However, just a few months into his term, he was dismissed following an earthquake. Eunuchs Tang Heng, Zuo Juan, and others falsely accused him, saying, "When you just ascended the throne, Qiao Xuan and Li Gu opposed you, saying that you are not worthy of the ancestors of the Han Dynasty." The Emperor harbored some resentment against him. When the scandal involving Prince Qinghe, Liu Suan, erupted, Liang Ji manipulated the relevant departments to impeach Qiao Xuan, claiming that he colluded with Li Gu, Liu Wei, and others, and demanded their arrest and punishment. Empress Dowager Liang, aware of Qiao Xuan's loyalty, merely dismissed him. Liang Ji grew even more furious and threatened Qiao Xuan: "You better obey, or your family will not survive!" Qiao Xuan refused. The next day, Liang Ji sent troops to surround Qiao Xuan's home. Without a sound, they arrested Qiao Xuan and threw him into prison, where he ultimately died. His wife and children returned to their hometown. His and Li Gu's bodies were discarded outside the city, and no relatives or friends dared to visit them.
After Qiao Xuan's assistant, Yang Kuang from Chenliu, heard about this matter, he cried and ran to Luoyang, wearing an old red scarf, pretending to be an official from Xia Menting, watching over their bodies, driving away flies and mosquitoes, for a full twelve days. The officials arrested him and reported to Empress Dowager Liang, who felt he did the right thing and did not punish him. Yang Kuang then donned mourning attire and went to the palace to request the collection of the remains of Li Gu and Qiao Xuan. The Empress Dowager agreed. According to the etiquette, they were given a proper burial, and Yang Kuang returned Qiao Xuan's coffin home for burial, and subsequently lived in obscurity, never serving as an official again. In his youth, Yang Kuang had a passion for learning and often taught students in Huangdaze. Later, he became the magistrate of Qixian County, where he achieved notable success, and was later promoted to magistrate of Pingyuan County. At that time, Prime Minister Xu Zeng was the brother of the eunuch Huang, and Yang Kuang was ashamed to associate with him, so he feigned illness and took to raising pigs.
Those who are called benevolent truly have noble principles! They establish their views and act accordingly, not simply to pursue fame or comfort, but to determine what they should and should not do, to correct the world's customs, and to help people live with purpose and die honorably. If one prioritizes loyalty above all else, one might lose their life; if one only cares about self-preservation, one may lose loyalty; if one only pursues external things, one may harm wisdom; if one only cares about oneself, one may harm benevolence. If loyalty is more important than life, then sacrificing life is acceptable. If life is more important than loyalty, then preserving life is acceptable. The foolish and tyrannical monarchs above have lost their way as rulers, while the loyal and steadfast ministers below have faithfully fulfilled their duties. If a minister fulfills their duty and dies, it is a sacrifice for righteousness, leaving the court not to preserve their lives but to uphold benevolence!
During the reigns of Emperors Shun and Huan, the national political authority was disrupted three times, with the Empress Dowager holding court and corrupt officials watching each other covetously. Li Gu adhered to principles, led by example, and argued for justice with determination and unwavering resolve; no one could shake his resolve. He felt ashamed to yield like those weak and incompetent individuals. Consider the righteous memorials he penned and the letters he left for Liang Ji; despite his strategic miscalculations and incomplete plans, he remained resolute until the end. Ah, this truly embodies the heart of the state! In his eyes, individuals like Hu Guang and Zhao Jie were nothing but refuse!
Praise: Li Gu and Du Qiao held official positions, shared the same aspirations and worked together in unison. Assisting Emperor Wen of Han and Emperor Xuan of Han, their integrity could rival that of Yi Yin and Ji Qi. Though the times were dark and morality had waned, they ultimately departed from this world; yet their unwavering loyalty endured. Like Zhao Gu, they were upright and incorruptible, etching their names in history. "Together with Zhao Gu, they shall be remembered for generations to come."
